Coming Soon

I really enjoy creating new clothing ideas and making them available to others. I am currently in the process of creating several new tutorials that I will offer in my Etsy shop and my Facebook shop. I have four dress tutorials in work, a wrap skirt and a pair of shorts that can be made for boys or girls. So keep your eyes open! I'll be sure to offer some sort of deal for those interested in multiple tutorials.

Name that Dress!

Tenderfeet Stitches has opened shop on Facebook! In celebration I am holding a contest. I am currently working on several new tutorials and one of them is for a dress that has no name, pictured above. So, visit Tenderfeet Stitches on Facebook and leave as many name suggestions as you can come up with. I will then put the names to a public vote and the creator of the winning name will receive the no name dress for free. I will also randomly choose one entrant to receive a free Little Bow Peep Set. The no name dress can be made from any of my availible fabrics. When you visit Tenderfeet Stitches on Facebook you will receive 10% off your first order simply for clicking "Like" and following my shop page! Contest entry ends 10/10/10.

Spring Forward to Fall

I am so new to Etsy, I was bewildered this morning when I woke up to a message about being listed on something called a treasury. So, I did a quick Google search and discovered my fortune. A fellow Etsy seller and artist Shendoe liked my Birds and Butterflies Dress so much she chose to feature it on a treasury page. Spring forward to Fall is a small collections of items she has handpicked because she finds them exceptional in some way. I am very flattered that someone feels my dress is special enough to include in her collection, which is a lovely compilation of only 16 handmade treasures. If you have ever spent time on Etsy you know how many beautiful pieces of art flood its pages every day. Hopefully others will love my dress as much as she does! It may end up on the front page, who knows! The treasury will only be around for a few days, so check it out while you still can.

As I posted this I received another message about the same dress being featured on another treasury, one that warms my heart, Song Birds. I love birds as well, which was why I was drawn to the fabric I chose for the Birds and Butterflies Dress and several other fabrics I offer in my shop. So, stop by the Song Birds treasury and Isadora, they sell some adorable clothes.

Children’s Cloth Book Tutorial

I like making all sorts of stuff with my fabric scraps. This morning I decided to put together a little tutorial on making a cloth sensory book for babies and toddlers. I’m sure this tutorial isn’t perfect and things could be done in better ways, but this is what I tossed together. There is always room for improvement. I hope you enjoy it!


What you will need
Your sewing machine
Thread
Scissors
Scrap fabrics different patterns and textures
Scrap ribbons
Non toxic, baby friendly embellishments
Tips
Use a zigzag or multiple stitches to secure embellishments and ribbons, they will be tugged on!
Avoid choking hazards and long pieces of ribbon.
Consider the patterns and textures of your fabric scrap as they can add to the sensory appeal of the book.
You want to avoid toxic materials. I recommend stitching ribbon edges that may fray and avoiding fray check and other chemicals.
Have fun and be creative!


First I cut 8 pieces of fabric about 5.5” x 6” for the inner pages, 2 pieces of fabric 6" x 6.5" for the first and last pages and one piece 12”x 6” for the cover. I also gathered pieces of scrap ribbon and other non toxic and baby safe embellishments I had on hand. Add as many pages and embellishments as you like but be cautious of bulk.


Next, I attached all of the ribbons and embellishments to the appropriate pages. Be certain to place things away from the edges. You will lose up to ½” seam allowance. If you are attaching ruffles and ties to the front cover, as I did, direct them inward and sew them at the edges of the pages.


Then, I attached the first and last pages to the cover. Right sides go together and you will stitch around thefour outer edges, leaving the middle unstitched. Make sure you don’t stitch any of your ribbons and embellishments into the seam, you may want to pin them out of the way.



Clip the corners, not the inner stitch, and flip the cover right sides out.


Now you will stitch all of your pages together along three edges, leaving the inner edges unstitched. Be cautious of page placement and direction; left to right and top to bottom. Also, be sure you don’t accidently stitch your embellishments into your seams, you may want to pin them out of the way.


Again, clip the corners and turn your pages right sides out. Iron and top stitches all of your pages and your cover.


Stack your pages in the correct order and directions, with the raw edges lined to your left. You will stitch them all together down the raw edge. Clip the two corners of this stitch.


Slide the pages into the cover of the book. I slid them under the first page and tucked in the raw edge. You can also tuck them into the last page, just be sure they are lined up at the center of the cover. Run a zigzag stitch down the center of the book.


You’re done!

Someone is Having a Baby SALE!

Someone is having a baby sale! There is nothing more precious than those first pictures. When I look back at those of my daughter I often cry because my heart is filled with so much emotion. In honor of these feelings and with the hopes of dressing your little one in their best for those all important pictures, I'm having a sale.

*Buy any two items, receive the third free.*

How it works:
Items must be of equal or lesser value. Simply add the two most expensive items to your cart and include a message with your order detailing the third.

Happy shopping and lets make our babies even more beautiful.

For the Love of Aprons

I have several apron items currently listed in my Etsy shop. My latest one is a set of mother daughter aprons. These were inspired by my friend and customer Cecile, who wanted a special set for her and her daughter to don in the kitchen (can't wait to see the pictures.) She has great tastes and was very involved in the creative process. She helped me in choosing the apron style, along with the fabrics. I love them so much I will continue to make them for other customers. I offer them as a set or separate. If you have more than one junior chef, additional aprons can be added to your order. Just contact me and I will create a special listing just for you!

I also offer this adorable Milk Maid Inspired Sundress. Though it isn't pictured with the apron, I can easily add one to the front. This dress is one of my favorites and I'm certain anyone who purchases one will absolutely love it as well.


Lastly, this Knotted Apron Dress. What can I say, it's cute and sure to put a smile on many chubby cheeked faces. Remember, you can choose from a large selection of fabrics for any of these garments. If you don't see a fabric you love, or you have something else in mind, I am always willing to search for whatever it is you are looking for. If you aren't crazy about aprons, check out my shop for other very lovable items. Thanks for looking and have a wonderful day!

Tenderfeet Stitches