The Renegade Seamstress

Secret Ways to Make Your Sewing Blog a Success

Posted on May 17, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

Blogging has been such a healthy part of my life for the last few years. When I started my little sewing blog, I never dreamed of the wonderful places it would take me, I never imagined the opportunities that would come my way and I never thought I would meet so many amazing people.

Blogging has been such a fun adventure for me and I really want you to join in on the fun.

When BurdaStyle asked me to do another web seminar, I thought this would be the perfect time to share what I have learned along the way with you.

I hope you can join us on Thursday, June 5th at 11:00 am (EST) for

Secret Ways to Make Your Sewing Blog a Success

You will learn:

How to determine who you want to be in the blogging community
How to develop friendly alliances with those who can help you grow your blog
Ways to attract readers to your blog
Ways to manage your time
How to improve your photography
Ways to manage your time
How to develop your creative vision
About self promotion and networking
Ways to increase traffic to your blog
How to develop new career opportunities using your blog
Ways to make money from your blog

Sign up here if you’d like to get the tools to create and carry out your own unique vision for a successful sewing blog or if you want to learn how to develop a blog that inspires and keeps people coming back for more.

Hope to see you there!

Beth

PS. If you aren’t able to make it for the live version, you can still sign up and you’ll have access to the recorded version of the seminar.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged blogging, clothing, crafting, DIY, live web seminar, Refashion, Sewing, tutorial | 15 Comments

The Beauty of Bias Tape Part 2: Freshen Up an Old Towel

Posted on May 10, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

I keep things for a long time.

I drive my cars until they have well over 200,000 miles on them and my kids tease me because I’ve held onto my basic flip cell phone for so long. It’s just hard for me to get rid of things when there is still some good use left in them.

I guess I’m just weird that way.

Did you know you can get at least a week more from your lotion bottle by just cutting it in half to access the rest of the lotion? You can even get another wash or two from your shampoo and conditioner by shaking up a little water in the seemingly empty bottle. Your toothpaste will last at least another five days if you cut the tube in half when you don’t think you could squeeze out another drop. So many ways to get a little more for our money by just getting creative.

You can even get more life from your old worn out towels by freshening them up with a little homemade bias tape to make some cute washcloths.

For the rest of the “how to” go here.

Wow, I am so grateful to all of you who responded so positively to last week’s bias tape tutorial. You guys are the BEST. I can’t even begin to tell you how much it means to me that you appreciate what I do here so I also want to giveaway these washcloths to one of you. All you have to do to be entered into the giveaway is pin this week’s tutorial and leave a comment. I’ll announce the winner on Saturday, May 24th.

Stay tuned next week for more ways to use all that fun bias tape you’ve been making.

Happy Saturday!

Beth

For more refashion inspiration click here.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged DIY, giveaway, homemade bias tape, recycling, Refashion, Sewing, Thrifting, tutorial, upcycling | 61 Comments

The Beauty of Bias Tape Part One: Make Your Own

Posted on May 3, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

For those of you who love to sew as much as I do, I see homemade bias tape in your future. Sure, you can go to the store and buy some plain trim, but why not make your own. It’s easy, fun and the possibilities are endless. That’s why I created this new bias tape series for you. Today, I’ll teach you how to make your own, and then, for the next few weeks, I’ll show you the fun things you can do with all that bias tape I know you’re going to want to make.

The beauty of bias tape is, because it is cut on the bias (45 degree angle) of the fabric, it is super pliable, has stretch and it can curve around all kinds of shapes. It can be used to finish off a raw edge on almost anything — hems, armholes, necklines, ruffles, peplums and seams, just to mention a few. You can create your own in any color, pattern or size you’d like. Making your own saves loads of money. And homemade bias tape makes a great gift for all of your sewing friends. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s turn up some good music and get started!

For the rest of the “how to” click here.

And since I haven’t had a giveaway in awhile, to thank you for supporting my creative endeavors, I’d like to send some bias tape to several of you who take the time to read my tutorial over at eHow, leave comments and pin to your Pinterest boards. I appreciate your support more than you will ever know. The winners will be announced on Saturday, May 17.

In other news:

Congratulations to Sarah Lewtas:

You are the winner of the Felted Jewelry Pouch!

Please send your address to me at bhunting@eoni.com.

Also, to Susan from Georgia, you sent me a lovely email the other day asking for advice about dress forms and for some reason, my reply is not going through to your email. I didn’t want you to think I didn’t get your nice email so here is my reply to you:

“Oh my gosh Susan, first of all, CONGRATULATIONS on your retirement! I’m so
excited for you. How many years did you teach and what grade level?

I’m also thrilled for you to be joining in the refashion fun. I know I
can’t get enough of it. So many thrift shops, so little time. 🙂 As far as
the dress form goes, yes, I do use one from Joann’s. But having said that,
it is helpful in many ways, but I still have to try on my creations many
times as I’m working on them. My dress form will go to my measurements but
not my exact shape. There are some that are made to be your shape exactly but
they are out of my price range at this point. If you decide to purchase
one, I noticed Joann’s was having a sale on their forms last week.”

Happy Sewing!!!
Beth

Next week:

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bias tape, crafts, DIY, homemade bias tape, Sewing, trim, upcycling | 80 Comments

Let’s Get Pickled Again!

Posted on April 30, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

I’m not much of a gardener, but boy, do I love to can!

It’s asparagus season here in Eastern Oregon and you know what THAT means!

Pickled asparagus!

I thought you just might like to go along for the ride.

Pick up some garlic and jalapenos…..

onions…….

and some asparagus.

As usual, it’s “go big or go home” here in the Huntington house.

I started with 30 pounds which made 25 quarts.

Gather your jars.

Wash the asparagus. I’m lucky to have a nice deep sink which is a perfect soak bath.

Wash your jar rings.

I use my dishwasher to wash the jars. It’s perfect because it sterilizes the jars, too and they stay clean until you are ready to use them.

Next you’ll cut the spears to fit in each jar.

Add a garlic clove, slice of onion and half a jalapeno. I left the seeds in.

Now for the brine.

Since most of you don’t live here in the Huntington house, I thought I’d pare it down a bit and make this recipe for a more realistic 10 pounds of asparagus. Of course if you live by the “go big or go home” motto, feel free to adjust accordingly. 🙂

This is what you will need for 10 pounds of asparagus:

10 cups white vinegar

12.5 cups water

5 Tablespoons pickling spice

10 Tablespoons canning salt

2.5 teaspoons dill weed

2.5 Tablespoons red pepper flakes if you like a bit of a kick

Combine in a large pot and boil for 15 minutes.

Of course this amount may vary due to how tightly you pack the jars.

10 pounds should make approximately 8 or 9 quarts of pickled asparagus.

Fill each jar with brine to 3/4 inch from the top.

Be sure to boil the lids for a few minutes before putting them on jars.

Next put on the hot lids and rings.

Process the jars for 15 minutes.

And before you know it you’ll be the life of the party when you show up with this beauty in your hands.

I originally posted this a few years ago, but here it is again, just in case you missed it the first time around.

YUM!

And if you came to The Renegade Seamstress for refashion inspiration, click here.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged canning, cooking, food, hors devours, pickled asparagus, pickled asparagus tutorial | 37 Comments

Plenty of Pleats Skirt: A Refashion Tutorial

Posted on April 26, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

Blue is one of my favorite colors and when Pantone announced the color for Spring 2014 was Dazzling Blue, I was thrilled. Designers used this color in their spring collections on the runways of New York, London, Milan and Paris.

Then along comes this less than enchanting pleated blue dress to my local thrift shop that will obviously NEVER grace a runway anywhere. But the color, those pleats and that lettuce edge along the hem: LOVE!

Let’s use the very best from this dress to create a quick, fun and stylish spring skirt.

Click here to get the “how to” so you can walk your own runway with confidence in your fun new skirt.

Enjoy your Saturday!

Beth

For more refashion inspiration:

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged clothing, DIY, fashion, reconstructed clothing, recycling, Refashion, refashioning, Sewing, Thrifting, tutorial, upcycling | 39 Comments

Ten Minute T-Shirt Shrug

Posted on April 19, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

Ah, the pleasant air of spring…..makes me want to wear my summer dresses. But since it’s not quite warm enough for some of them, I transformed an old t-shirt to make a quick shrug that will ward off the chill until those hot days of summer arrive. It’s so easy, I want to make one in every color!

Click here for the “how to”. 🙂

Happy Easter!

Beth

PS: You can find the tutorial for the dress here.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged clothing, DIY, fashion, reconstructed clothing, Refashion, Sewing, t-shirt shrug, Thrifting, tutorial, upcycling | 30 Comments

DIY: Two Upcycled Belt Bracelets

Posted on April 13, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

For so long our house was overrun by men. Katie and I were outnumbered for years. Even the dogs were boys. That is, until six years ago when Heather joined our family. Then not too long after that, Brooke came along. YAY! More girls! Don’t get me wrong, I love my men. But girls that will craft with me, there’s nothing like it.

Last Sunday, Heather and Brooke spent the afternoon with me and helped to create a couple of bracelets from this thrifted belt. Heather loves creating jewelry so this was right up her alley.

I love this photo!

Photo bomber! 🙂

Click here for the tutorial.

Thanks Heather and Brooke for your help and inspiration. I love you!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged accessories, bracelet, DIY, fashion, recycling, Refashion, Sewing, Thrifting, upcycling | 15 Comments

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

Posted on April 12, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

This question has been floating around lately and it speaks so loudly to me. As you know, the past year has been filled with firsts for me, many of them exciting but scary at the same time. A few years ago, I never dreamed I’d be doing the things I’m doing these days. You see, I’m actually a creature of habit. I’m very cozy my little comfort zone. Doing my same ritual each day makes me feel safe.

But, I woke up on Monday, March 31 , stepped completely out of my normal routine again, took a deep breath and presented my very first live BurdaStyle web seminar.

I did it and I liked it!

There was a great turnout and they asked me to do another one on June 5th. YAY! Thank you to everyone who attended the live seminar and a big hug to each of you who have purchased the recorded version since. If you only knew how much your participation truly blesses not just me but my whole family.

Here’s a sneak peak of the dress refashion from the seminar.

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

I’d love to hear about your experience and the impact it had on you.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged BurdaStyle Web Seminar, clothing, DIY, fashion, reconstructed clothing, Refashion, Sewing, Thrifting, tutorial, upcycling | 32 Comments

DIY: Upcycled Infinity Scarf (Bonus Feature: How to Crop a Circle in Photoshop)

Posted on April 6, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

They say,

you learn something new everyday.

So, today I figured out, all by my lonesome, how to crop a circle in photoshop. I know, I know, I can almost hear you saying, “Beth, that is so easy!” But everything I know about photoshop was either graciously explained to me by my friend, Kris, or I figure it out by myself. Each time I discover something new, not only do I use it over and over (watch for more circles coming soon) but it’s always so exciting for me.

Here’s how:

Select the “Elliptical Marquee” tool from the toolbar. In the options at the top, change the tool to “Fixed” so it will maintain the same proportions. Then draw out a selection on the canvas, with the sizes of the selection not quite touching the sides.

Choose “Select” from the menu and click “Inverse.” Now hit “Delete” on your keyboard, and the space around the area you originally selected will be deleted, leaving a blank area around the image.

Save it as you usually do.

Woo Hoo!

Now you have a circle!

Speaking of circles…

My beautiful daughter, Katie, kindly offered to pose wearing this new infinity scarf I made from an old dress. The dress was saggy, baggy and much too big. But just look at THE PRINT! I love it! Perfect for a scarf.

Click here for the tutorial. I’d love to know what you think.

Happy Sunday,

Beth

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged clothing, DIY, fashion, infinity scarf, reconstructed clothing, recycling, Refashion, Sewing, Thrifting, tutorial | 16 Comments

Today is the Day!

Posted on March 31, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

Today is the big day!

At 8:00 am Pacific Time, I get to present my very first BurdaStyle web seminar.

Refashion: Inspiration and Projects to Revamp and Recycle Your Wardrobe for Less

There is still time to sign up if you’d like to join us……

http://register.burdastyle.com/Course?CourseId=9000-51R

Hope you can make it because, if you didn’t already know, I’m pretty excited about this!

Beth

PS. If you can’t make it for the live version, you can still sign up and you will receive a link to the recorded version that will be yours forever to access anytime you’d like. If you are able to attend this morning’s live version, you will also receive the link to the recorded version to access anytime.