Easy Mermaid Costume Tutorial

I am not generally one for leaving things to the last moment but on this occasion I was making this mermaid costume a day before the party. What saved me the most was the fact that the fabric didnt fray, no hemming required and I used an old t-shirt, a half made top. So it really only took a small amount of time to make and then glue on some embellishments.

My daughters response the next day “Awesome, Awesome, Awesome”. Thumbs up.

If I hadnt left it to the last minute I would have put together a better tutorial but it is pretty simple.

So first off the top.

Get an old shirt and unpick a 4 inch (10cm) gap right underneath the armpits on both sides. With your chosen mermaid fabric (I think mine was lycra, non-fray) cut a rectangle with a width of 10cm and the length of the tshirt plus 1/2 inch (1.5cm) for seam allowances on both sides. In the center of the rectangle I ruched it by using a gathering stitch and pulling the thread till it bunches up. Turning the shirt inside out I place the rectangle inside and pinned to where the gaps are (make sure the sparkly side is facing the right way). Sew the gaps closed. Turn right way out and then I sewed the ruched section to the shirt and glued on a fancy button.

That part done!!!

Next the skirt.

I just used the width of the fabric off the roll (112cm or 44inches) folded in half and the lenth of my daughters legs to her ankles plus the elastic casing (2in/5cm), sew down the open edge. Then I measured the lenth to where I want the shortest part of the skirt to sit plus 2in 5cm for the elastic casing and cut out the arc (on the folded edge) to a width to where I will place the tail fin (11in/ 29cm).

Fold over the casing at the top for the elastic and sew down, leaving a gap to insert the elastic. Measure your childs waist and take 1 inch off for the elastic measurement, insert in the skirt, check that it fits right and then sew together.

The Fin.

With the width of the bottom of the skirt draw out desired fin shape (x2) in the lyrca and 1 with either felt or fleece again no fraying. Sandwich the felt inbetween the lyrca with the good sides of the lycra facing out and pop in some ribbon as the holder (tip: if right handed put the ribbon on the right side of the tail and then the same if left handed. It has to do with how the skirt hangs when on the arm. This tip I discovered after I made it). Pin three layers together and zig zag stitch them together. Pin the fin to the skirt (watch where the ribbon goes) and sew together. I top stitched that seam so it sat flat at the back.

To finish I put a button at the top near the elastic so when they have had enough of the skirt hanging off their arm they loop it to the button (up there for thinking hey!!)

Voila!

Now using the scraps and a bit of tulle you can make a lovely head piece to go with it.

I hope this was easy enough to follow. Got any questions dont hesitate to ask.

Bec

xx

A wonderful review on a Boo Bear

Reviews and feedback in any shape or form are an essential element to selling products online. They help the buyers choose whether the items are worth buying and it also helps the makers to make adjustments/improvements to have that quality in their work and it also gives them a sense of worth in their work. Thats right we all like a bit of credit for what we do and we also like to know that what we are creating is special.

I have been given the opportunity to have a review done by a great childrens website Kid Independent on one of my Boo Bears. Always a relief in gettin postive feedback, phew!

Head on over and take a squiz. It may also give you a little insight into what Mellebug is all about.

On another Boo Bear note I am having a MARKET NIGHT over on my FB page this Sunday 24th June 2012 7.30pm WST (Perth, Australia). I am releasing the last 8 bears (4 of each) of the season at special FB prices as there are no listing fees. I will also have other winter stock reduced to make way for the next wave of Mellebug Hats. I will be adding the bears as I make them.

A great chance to pick up a bargain.

Winter is upon us

Oh lordy hasnt it been awhile since my last post. There does not seem enough hours in the day to get everything done on my list. Once I answer emails, send out invoices, facebook and more facebook I am totally over the computer. Today I think I have spent a good three hours photographing and listing items into my madeit store. In saying this now I will be posting more here as the social networking on FB for handmade businesses is coming to an end. An end only if you dont want to pay $5 to $10 to promote your chosen posts. There has been much talk going around and I am not going to go on about it here. Pull up socks and move onto another medium to help get my Mellebugness out there.

So what has been going on in my little sewing nook. Well I can tell you it is mainly sewing, suprised, not really. As the seasons change so do my

Winter, it is here and I am feeling the chill. It is the perfect weather for my Lupin Heatpacks and most recently my newsboy hats. These are made using recylced and new fabrics.

The little fella calls this his ‘Dude’ hat. He is such a dude wearing it, love it.

Now on the lupin front. Boo Bears, Boo Bears everywhere. A little slow start to the season but this time round the boy bears have been flying out the door. This time round I decided to coordinate my fabrics more by purchasing fat quarter packs ensuring that the colours match. Before I was in turmoil guessing to which fabric matched that fabric and so on. Less stress better outcome. Here is one of the bears I have made that comes with its very own baby bear.

Super cute felt bear that takes roughly 2 hours to hand stitch together. Worth it thou as this little combo is just too cute.

Here is another Boo Bear, Sleepy Ray. Racing buddy for the boys.

To anyone new to Mellebug these cuties are Lupin Heatpacks that you pop into the microwave for a minute and they become a warm buddy to snuggle or to help soothe an upset tummy.

This season I have coordinated some of the Boo Bears with cold packs, an all round perfect gift to a child. These cold packs are a great size that fit into a childs hand, are cold enough without having to wrap up and the outside is removable, perfect for any little bloody bonk that happens a little too often in my household.

So my madeit store is stocked with loads of mellebugness some for adults and loads for the wee ones in our lives. Head on over for more of a look at what I have to offer.

The winner of Get-a-Bear!

Three bears up for grabs at ridiculously low prices over 3 weeks. All info and goings on can be see on my facebook page.

Week 1: winner for this week goes to Tankia Simon.

Tanika you can choose from any of the three and all you have to pay is the postage $7.20.

Please contact me by Wed 18th April mellebug@gmail.com

Rose Melting Moments.

I love melting moments, an ultimate indulgence. So buttery with a hint of sweetness.

For todays little bake session I decided to add a little twist and add rosewater and oh my! they taste yummo.

As always the kids are in helping out, their piping skills are a little poor but they lacquered on some tasty icing. I couldnt help having a lots of little tastes on the way.

One of the funniest bits about making these morsels is the vintage rosewater that still exists in my mothers pantry. I remember this bottle being in the cupboard when I was very young. Age doesnt matter in this case as it is still packed with the delicious rose flavour.

 

I had to take a photo of the existing price tag on the bottle. I wonder how much a bottle of this cost now as I am so getting some to have at my place.

So what do you do to add that little spark to your next melting moments. Get yourself the recipe (mine came from the old Womens Weekly biscuits and slices book), add  3 tsp of good rosewater to the biscuit batter and a tsp to the icing. I also adding pink colouring.

As for the tasty treats above I am sure the lucky birthday girl who will be getting these tmrw will enjoy them thoroughly.

Happy baking people!

Its that time of year again (well almost)

Winter is slowly approaching here in Perth, Australia. For some reason though the weather has reverted back to above 30, an annoyance as I dearly like to get to wearing my jeans and winter woolies. I have pulled everthing out of storage, clothes, doonas, snuggly flannel sheets and also started making the next season of lupin heatpacks and cold packs.

This time round I decided to do things a little differently. I thought I would make ‘ranges’ of different fabric combination that included the Boo Bears, rectangular heatpacks and cute wee cold packs that are stored in the freezer all ready to be pulled out to soothe a sore bump. You can buy matching heat and cold packs, perfect presents for that special little person in your life and also for yourself. Thats right, these cuties are not exclusive to the kids, adults alike have enjoyed the warmth of these lupin heatpacks.

They are all available from my Madeit Store and Etsy Store. Due to the bags containing seeds I cant send overseas, although I can send unfilled.

The first fabric collection I worked on is from ‘Meet the Gang’. I am in love with this fabric as it lends itself to be perfect for both girls and boys.

The new cold packs that I have made are the right size to fit into wee hands. They also have a removable cover that can be machine washed, perfect to clean any little blood that comes often with scrapes and bonks. Having two babes myself we are forever getting the cold packs out and it really helps with clearing up the tears quicker. Due to being made using the seeds they do not go super cold which means that you can place straight onto skin.

This set was quickly followed by:

The Bears are perfect to take to bed with or to soothe a sore tummy. I have yet to hear of any child receiving one of these cuties and not loving them so. My daughter sleeps with hers all year round, heated or not.

I am sure that as the chill sets in more of these ‘ranges’ will be popping up. I only make 4 of each bear so there are limited amounts available. If you would like a little more info on the benefits of using lupins over wheat head here.

Till next time……stay warm.

Fabric Flower.

With one day to go to a friend’s wedding I thought I should perhaps put a little colour into my outfit. I liked the idea of putting something in my hair but where to start. Google images. It is the place I go to for inspiration on a desired project. I suppose it is a bit like pinterest but I have yet to delve into yet another cyber outlet that can otherwise consume more of my time.

Anyways in my trawling through the photos I came across this tutorial on a flower collar by Katiedid. Very cute indeed.

I turned this great idea into a hair clip.

I ended up using light weight jersey, put a circle of felt on the reverse with a hair clip to attach. I am also thinking of adding a brooch pin. 

I am really pleased with how it turned out. As I had left it to the last minute to make I needed to make it right first time. In the end the wedding was beautiful and I wish the happy couple all the best in the future.

 

Easter tutorials

Only three weeks to go before easter. Time goes way to quick. I have yet to start organising the chocolates and decorations.

Here is some tutorial inspiration I found. Click on the links.

1. Quick Sock bunny (gotta love the quick part, and too cute)

2. Fabric eggs.

3.  Garland

4. Embroidery Easter eggs

5. Carrots 

6. One for the kids from I love crafts: The chicken or egg

7. Egg tree

‘Any Mash Goes’ Bread

Whether it be pumpkin, sweet potato, carrot, apple or fig mash, anyone of them goes.

This one pictured is delicious Fig Bread that will be going into my kids lunch boxes tomorrow. So yum with a slab of butter on the top, but thats a little naughty.

 

 

Recipe:

• 1 cup of mash.
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 c Oil (veg)
• 1 tsp Baking powder
• 2 tsp Mixed spice
• 1/2 c Brown sugar
• 1 1/2  C SR flour

Its just like making muffins. Mix together the wet ingrediants and then slowly add in the dry. Dont over mix. Pour into a loaf pan or a small round pan and bake at 180 degrees for 1 hour (always check 15mins before end time).

Sushi, my way!

Sushi, I love sushi.

I remember saying to myself before my first was born that they will learn to love sushi. Thankfully there wasnt a problem with that. Aside for the inability in the beginning to cut the nori with her front teeth she loves it. Every week I get the “Can we have sushi tonight?”

Here is my method of making teriyaki chicken sushi. Is it the right way??? Its the way that works best for me and it tastes great.

Makes 10 rolls (dinner, lunch and dinner again)

What you need:

• 4 cups medium grain rice
• 1/2c Rice wine vinegar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp white sugar
• 1/2c soy sauce
• 1 tbl mirin
• 1 tsp garlic
• 1 tbl brown sugar
• 750g Chicken thighs (taste the best)
• kewpie mayonaise (dont subsitute with regular mayo)
• 10 sheet nori
• 2 lebanese cucumbers

1. Marinate the chicken. Mix soy, mirin, brown sugar, garlic and sugar together. I put it into a plastic bag and leave for a couple of hours.

2. Put the 4 cups of rice with 6 cups of water into a rice cooker (or your preferred method). Whilst cooking put together the vinegar, white sugar and salt together and heat in the microwave to help dissolve the granules. When the rice is cooked pour the vinegar mixture into the rice and stir in well.

I dont fan at this stage, I just put a tea towel over the rice and leave to cool. I usually marinate and cook the rice in the morning and make the sushi 1 hour before dinner.

2. Cooking the chicken. Place the entire bag into a pan, sauce and all. You are basically broiling the chicken for approx 10-15 min depending on the thickness of your chicken. You can place the lid on top so the liquid does not fully evaporate. For me this method is the key and the easiest to clean up afterwards.

3. Once the chicken is cooked and cooles, slice into finger chunks. Assemble your area. Have a bowl of water to wet your hands in, tea towel, mayo, cut up cucumber, bamboo mat , rice and plate.

4. Assembling the sushi.

• Get a sheet and place it on the bamboo mat. Wet your hands and grab a handfull or rice (wet hands stops the rice sticking to your fingers) and pat it down onto the nori until flat and a 1 inch gap at one end. Dont make too thick.
• Wash hands in bowl, dry with tea towel.
• Squeeze a strip of mayo across one end of nori (see pic, under the cucumber)
• lay out the chicken and the cucumber.
• Dab water on the exposed edge of the nori (this will help make the nori stick once rolled up.

5 Rolling.  Grab the bottom on the mat (closest to the chicken) roll and tuck the bottom edge of the nori under the chicken as tight as possible. Move the bamboo slightly and then roll the rest of the way, patting the wet edge of the roll to stick.

 

Perfect rolling is not a requirment. Its how it tastes that matters the most.

Place each roll onto the plate to rest. This will soften the nori slightly. Put any uneaten sushi in the fridge straight away. When you want to eat it next it is best to pull out 1/2 hr before hand to warm slightly. Sushi does not taste its best when coming straight from the fridge.

**Alternative to chicken. Can of tuna drained and mix with the kewpie mayonaise.

 Cut up and eat!!