Hi Everyone! Welcome to Part 4 of Sewing A Themed Wardrobe. We wrap up the topic with a look at creating a super cute, quick & easy shoulder bag for your So-Cal themed outfit. It's the perfect accessory and the best part is it's super simple to make! I invite you to follow along to see how we did it!

Are you ready? Let's go...

First, let's take a look at our inspiration:

Back in 2014, we created a Shoulder Bag tutorial that's on the larougetdelisle blog. When I saw the meet outfit and accessories for the new AG GOTY doll, Joss, I immediately thought of our cute little bag and knew we could create this boho look by simply switching the fabric strap for a more rugged rope style trim strap.

Here's a look at the bag for Joss:

• Simple one-piece fabric bag
• Striped cotton fabric
• Rope trim for the strap

And here's out original Shoulder Bag, with the fabric strap:

Ok, follow along to see how we created our look...

Part 4 Tutorial - The Quick & Easy Boho Shoulder Bag Tutorial:

Part Four Task:

• Watch the video.
• Choose some fabric and trim
• Cut two rectangles - 3.5 inches x 9.5 inches
• Cut one strap 14 inches (or longer if you want your strap to be placed lower on the side of the bag).
• Fold the top short edges of the fabric under 1/4 inch to the wrong side to create the purse body pocket, press.
• Stitch sides of pockets.
• With right sides together, match up the top flap of the purse. Pin and stitch around the flap only, leaving the pockets free.
• Turn the flap right side out. Form corners with a pencil or point turner.
• Turn the main purse fabric pocket right side out while pushing the lining pocket inside it. 
• Push corners out nicely. Press.
• Stitch lining to purse fabric at top of purse body front. Top stitch around the Purse flap.
• Tie knots at ends of the strap.
• Attach the strap to each side of the purse with a few hand stitches.
• Jump over the SWC Facebook Group for conversation and project sharing.

Here is the original video from the fabric strap version (it's on Youtube, not available to download for SWC).

Here are more great beach themed accessories for your so-cal lifestyle wardrobe:

The Perfect Beach Sandals

The Perfect Beach Hat!

Hi Everyone! It's time to wrap up the topic of Sewing The Doll Size Quilt. We will bring it all to life with coordinating bedding, cute accessories, and pajamas of course! If you're not finished with your quilt yet, don't stress! I encourage you to finish it up and you can refer back to this post when you are ready to set it up for display. 

I've really enjoyed going through the process of making the quilt. I've also enjoyed seeing all the beautiful variations that everyone has made! Great job everyone!

I'd love to see ways in which you plan to use your extra quilt blocks! We used a few to make some tiny pillows and have plans to make some larger shams as well! What about you? What creative things can you do with your leftover strips and pieced blocks? Maybe a "Mug Rug" like Laura shared in the FB group? Or part of a Sew Powerful purse? The possibilities are endless, please share your ideas in the Fb group or in the comments below!

This week I don't have a video to share, just some example pictures of how we pulled it together.

Here's a look at our version one (intermediate) quilt all set up. We used the Sew Urban Mattress and Sheet Set pattern to make the Mattress, Flat Sheet and Pillowcases. Then we used the Cathy pattern to make a cute little doll. The white shams were purchased from QTPi Doll Clothing's Etsy shop (part of the couch set). For this one, we also plan to use our leftover strips to make some large euro style shams as well. 

Here's a look at our easy variation of the quilt.

For this one, we used the same pattern to make the flat sheet and pillowcases. We also make a custom duvet style comforter using a shabby chic style fabric with lots of texture, we paired it with coordinating shams made of the same fabric. Here you can see our tiny bed pillows make from leftover scrap pieces. We call this "improv quilting"

In this next shot, we have our A Girl For All Time doll, Matilda, sitting snuggled up on the bed with her favorite doll and book! She's wearing PJ pants made from the  BFC Inc size PJ Party pattern, and the same size Piccadilly Sweater top as her PJ top.

We've got so many great pajama and bedding accessory patterns that you can use to really bring your whole idea to life. Here are a few that I recommend:

Pillows & Sheets:

Pajamas:

Shop the full collection of 18-inch Pajama Patterns

Toys:

Week Five Task:

• It's time to finish up your project and get it all set up for display or play!
• Jump over the SWC Facebook Group for conversation and project sharing.

Hi Everyone! This week we wrap up the topic (literally!) with a look at packaging and presenting the gift or product in special and unique ways. We began this month with setting a goal, then gathering ideas to personalize the project, and last week finding tiny treasures to accessorize and complete the look, Now we get to bring it all together and think through how to present it to the recipient, or even to a customer if you plan to sell the items too! 

Before we get started - let's do this week's giveaway!

But first... The winner of last week's giveaway (the Tiny Treasures) is Sue Z. Congrats!! You have been contacted by email and your prize will be on its way shortly! Thank you to everyone who entered! The feedback you've provided is amazing and super helpful as we plan for 2020!

This week the giveaway if for a $50 gift card from one of my most favorite places to shop for paper, trinkets, office supplies, and more - Paper Source! I have the store available to me locally, but they also have an online site, so you can shop from them from anywhere. Maybe you've wondered where I've found the background papers that we use for our Instagram flat lay outfit pics - it's Paper Source. They have a full wall if single sheet papers, heavy weight, in darling prints, solids, seasonal and more. They also have trinkets like the "Worlds Smallest" items, tiny books, party hats, and so much more!

How To Enter:

I love to gather up all my gifts and have a "wrapping party", which is just me by myself, with a pile of gifts, a frothy latte, and the holiday music playing in the background to set the mood! How about you? Comment below by answering this question - "What is your favorite Holiday song or album?"

The giveaway will close on Saturday, November 30th. I'll announce the winner on Monday, December 2nd in this post! The winner will be chosen at random from the comments posted under this blog post. One entry per person.

Good luck!

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Ok, now let's talk about packaging, adding labels, branding, and presentation!

You've worked hard to make your items, now let's talk about the finishing touches! Packaging and branding are so important as you think through how to pass along your hand made items. Whether you sell them or plan to give them as gifts, you should plan to "Wow!" the recipient with beautiful packaging! Including things like a handwritten notecard, logo stickers, boxes or bags; logo tags sewn into your items, and a few added ribbons or hanging tags are all great ideas. Remember that you only get one chance to make an unforgettable first impression and if you do it well, they will be coming back for more (and possibly tell their friends!)

Resources For Packaging Supplies:

• Paper Source and Papyrus - online and/or retail, great for gift wrap and tiny treasures!
• Uline - packaging and shipping supplies (in bulk)
• Papermart - packaging supplies, boxes, tissue, fun stuff!
• Sticker Giant (great for rolls of custom stickers)
• Custom Couture label Co (Etsy Shop)
• Iron-On Transfer paper
• Twill Tape Rolls
• Tag Punch
• Letter Punch
• GWD Shoe Pattern with Shoe Box Printable Template
• The tiny white bags are wedding favor packaging. I found them at Micheals in the Wedding section and added the LJ logo stickers.
• Marshall's, Home Goods, Ross, or Tuesday Morning are great places to find pretty boxes for just a few dollars! Sometimes you can find things like wooden trunks or wagons that double as doll-size props!
• Check the SWC Bonus section for a printable set of Liberty Jane shopping bags. If you're computer savvy, feel free to use them as template shapes to make your own. Or cut one out and use it as a template to cut the heavy-weight wrapping paper to make tiny bags in different colors or prints.

Tutorials for making your own sew-in labels:

• Patchwork Pottery Blog - Iron on transfer on twill tape
• Stamped Twill Tape by Crafty Blossom Blog
• Fabric Printed Labels by See Kate Sew Blog
• Silk Screen Labels by Lilblueboo Blog
• Personalized Label Ink Stamp 

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Packaging images are sourced from Pinterest. The shoe box images are from the Genniwren Braided Sandals Pattern (comes with a shoebox template).

Shop The Liberty Jane Pattern Collection Today!

Week Four Task:

• Do you have your gifts made and ready to go? Share them with the group and show us pictures of your accessories paired with your projects! 
• Jump over the SWC Facebook Group here.

Hi Everyone! This week I'm going on a mini treasure hunt and I'm taking you along with me - Yay! This is the perfect time of year to find miniature props and accessories at great prices. The perfect pieces to accessorize your outfits or add to your doll rooms, scenes, and settings! 

I invite you to follow me (& Jason) along as we go on the hunt for tiny treasures!

Now let's do this week's giveaway!

But first... The winner of last week's giveaway (the Liberty fabrics) is Lori N. Congrats!! You have been contacted by email and your prize will be on its way shortly! Thank you to everyone who entered! The feedback you;ve provided is amazing and super helpful as we plan for 2020!

While on my treasure hunt, I picked up a few items especially for this week's giveaway! A fun set of Christmas baking-themed items: Cookie sheet with decorated cookies, a rolling pin, a whisk, a box of truffles, and a mini Starbucks cup!

How To Enter:

Comment below by answering this question - "Do you sew as a hobby or business, and what is your biggest struggle you'd like to overcome?"

The giveaway will close on Monday, November 25, 2019. I'll announce the winner on Tuesday, November 26th and kick off the next giveaway! The winner will be chosen at random from the comments posted under this blog post. One entry per person.

Good luck!

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Ok, now back to the topic of finding mini treasures!

Here's my list of places to shop:

• Home Depot, Lowes, or other Hardware Stores - mini ornaments and mini apron
• Hobby Lobby  - Ornaments and decor that is scaled perfectly. All the items in the giveaway are from Here, except the Starbuck Cup.
• Hallmark Gold Crown Stores - ornaments and Worlds Smallest Toys
• Barnes And Noble - Mini Kits and Mini Books
• Claires - Mini backpacks, bracelets and anklets that can be used as jewelry, mini soda lipglosses
• Target - mini ornaments, tiny dolls, pillows, even tiny Christmas sweaters!
• Gift Card displays, look for tiny bags, boxes, even aprons!
• Starbucks - tiny mugs, holiday cups, and tiny tote bags.
• Vans Store - Tiny Keychain backpacks with shoulder straps!
• Worlds Smallest brand, look for it at specialty stores (Hallmark, Half Priced Books, Fireworks, Fuego) and Amazon (link provided). Lot's of great mini replicas (Lincoln Logs, Polaroid camera, Rubix cube, yoyos, Nerf super soaker, Light bright, Etch a Sketch, and more!

This is a great place to browse online, unless you happen to live close to the  Magnolia Silos in Waco, TX. 

I visited The Magnolia Silos shop last year and picked up several holiday ornaments that are perfect for the 18" doll size. I found a Demo Day Hammer, Mini Distressed White Dishes (now they have teapots), Tin Watering Can, Canteen, and a Mini Wreath! Most of these things are still available on their website, plus some new items like mini teapots and mugs! Here are a few examples to show the scale:

Oh! And... it looks like if you go totheor website you'll see a popup  to sign up for thier newslatter and get a 15% off coupon, plus they have free shipping on orders over $49...

Check stores like Target, Marshalls, Claires, Kate Spade, Michael Khors, and Coach for mini keychain purses. eBay is also a great place to find these! The sled and stocking were found at Hobby Lobby.

Another fun item that is available right now is the "Mini Brands" mystery toy. I've seen these at Walmart, but only in person, not online. They are around $5 in person, and if you happen to see them online, the prices are quite high. They are filled with tiny mini replicas of real brands. They're super cute! I picked up a few and have used them in some of our photos. 

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• Do you have places you've found mini treasures? Share them with the group and show us pictures of your accessoeirs paired wth your projects! 
• Jump over the SWC Facebook Group here.