Making Your Own Patterns and E-Patterns

I've thought about making patterns for different clothing items before, but didn't know where to start. Maybe you have had some of the same thoughts. I've found a few links to help you in your attempt to make a pattern.

Check out these tips on making a pattern at Cat On A Limb. She walks you through making a pattern for the cute shrug in the top picture.

If you want a VERY thorough and professional explaination and descriptions of how to make patterns (maybe if you plan on selling some), you will definitely want to read this three part series from The Scientific Seamstress (on Sew, Mama, Sew! ) She is incredibly helpful!!!

Article 1 - Pattern Drafting and Grading

Article 2 - eFormat Your Patterns

Article 3 - Writing Instructions and Marketing Patterns

(Found via UCreate).

The Perfect Card

When you are wanting to send out cards for special occassion, you need to check out The Perfect Card. They specialize in unique, fun, custom photo cards for any occasion:

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• Birthday invitations
• Baby announcement
• Wedding Invitations
• Shower Invitations
• Anniversary Annoucements
• Graduation
• Spring/Easter
• Custom Logos
• And More!

Check out a sample of what The Perfect Card has in their shop!

Beautiful birth announcements to let everyone know about the arrival of your new baby like this little whale card.

The Perfect Card has many wedding announcements and save the date cards for your liking. This "We Do" announcement is simple and beautiful. Save your money by not involving an expensive print shop!

Personalize your child's birthday invitations from the big selection of birthday cards. This is one example for a first birthday from which to choose!

With high school graduation coming up quickly, The Perfect card has quite a few ways to announce this great accomplishment like this modern swirl card. (This is so much less expensive than ordering the ones through your child's school!!!!)

Let The Perfect Card assist you in making the perfect custom logo for your business, blog or other adventure. The price of a custom logo is outrageously inexpensive compared to other places I have looked. (My favorite example is this modern tree!)

Just browse through The Perfect Card's amazing selection, choose a pre-made design, or let Amber create a custom one for you, and then email the photos to perfectcard@yahoo.com. EASY PEASY!!!!



The price of each card includes up to 3 revisions.

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After you approve your beautiful card, a high resolution file, along with instructions for printing, will be sent to you for developing at your choice of photo labs.

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The cards are developed just like a photo, so it has a very professional finish.



Most cards are available in two sizes, 5x7 and 6 x 7.5 (exclusive size to Costco, must be printed there, and comes with envelopes).

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You can LIKE The Perfect Card on Facebook.

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on follow The Perfect Card Blog .

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DISCOUNT

When you order a card from The Perfect Card in the next month, write "SOMEDAY10" at check out and receive 10% off your order!

SWEET!

Visit the

The Perfect Card

to find YOUR Perfect Card to complete a perfect event!

DIY Clothing Labels

For those of you that like to make your own clothes or are selling clothing or accessories in which you would like your own labels, you've got pay attention to this tutorial from Running With Scissors. It looks quite easy and is so much less expensive than ordering labels from a company.

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Check out the DIY Custom Clothing Labels.

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Thirty-One Bags

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There often is something in which women/moms can't have enough. We need bags!!!! Bags for carrying around all our "stuff" and all our kids' "stuff."

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We need bags for the beach/swimming pool. Bags to carry "snow clothes" to and from school. Bags for make-up. Bags for travel and weekend trips. Bags for kids' homework. Bags for sporting events. Bags for church, cameras, computers and spare change. Bags for EVERYTHING!!!

Recently, I was introduced to company, Thirty-One, that offers solutions to the bag dilemma. Thirty-One which sells just about every type of bags and purses possible. The best thing about Thirty-One is the bags are super cute, very functional and quite reasonable! Thirty-One helps solve the problem for those of us in need of bags.

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And let's not forget our purses! It seems we like purses for different occasions and different styles of clothing. I love Thirty-One's Purse and skirts (p.12-13). One purse with handles in which you can change the outside of purse by taking off the skirt and putting on a new one! You don't have to empty the contents of the purse every time you want to change the outside of the purse! Brilliant!

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Some of the bags I really think are handy include the thermal totes (p. 26-27). Great for keeping warm food warm and cold things cold. Perfect for lunch bags, picnics, taking dinner to someone or bringing food to a party!

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Another set of bags that would help me be more organized are the "Around The House" bags (p. 22-23). In one of them, you can carry around files! How cool would your file cabinet in a bag be!!! I NEED ONE!

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Thirty-One also sells some useful baskets (p24-25) - really cool, functional baskets! In the catalog, the is a picture of a basket you can use in the bathroom. It holds TP rolls, acts at the TP dispenser and a holds a magazine. LOVE IT!

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You've got to flip through the on-line catalog and see all the bags, purses, baskets and aprons they offer. The fabrics and materials they offer are stylish! These are not your Grandma's bags!

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Another great aspect of Thirty-One's products is almost everything can be personalized like the bag above. They offer to embroider your bags to your liking!

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Here are a few bags from the upcoming Spring catalog coming out in just a few days. Worthy of drool! Makes me excited for warmer weather!

For a Spring catalog due out Feb. 1, Randee will send you a link or a paper catalog if you request it via a comment to her Thirty-One Purses and Gifts blog.

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Randee, A Thirty-One consultant, is doing a

giveaway for a $10 gift certificate

towards anything in the catalog. All you need to do is go to her blog and leave a comment from 5pm today until February 1.

Ribbons and Bows Oh My!!!!!

Ribbons! Ribbons! Ribbons! Look no further than Ribbons and Bows Oh My! for a wide variety of colors, textures, styles, widths and prints in ribbon. They have EVERYTHING when it comes to ribbon! Whether you own a small mommy-business making hair bows, participate in craft shows or just make bows for you daughters, Ribbons and Bows Oh My! is a one-stop shop!

In addition to ribbons, Ribbons and Bows Oh My carries just about anything else for hair accessories. I seriously can't believe how inexpensive a group of 23 different colored crochet headbands are. It makes me want to open an etsy store and sell children's items. See how reasonable these headbands are HERE.

This convenient pack of 16 nylons headbands are so much less than you can make them yourself. See the price of these nylon headbands HERE.

There are so many ribbon collections. I'm loving this group of oranges. In the collections, Ribbons and Bows Oh My gives you 5 yards of every kind. Different widths, colors and styles. (And the ribbon groups once again are very reasonable.)



If you are a scrapbooker or love to accumulate pretty paper for craft projects, then RABOM has a variety of coordinating scrapbook paper for you!

You can find any type of clip, headband, bow cards, belt tips, bangles, key FOB, ponytail holders, or other hardware. RABOM is the place to go for these. Check out the vast hardware selection HERE.





Ribbons and Bows Oh My! has all kind of beanies, crochet trims, silk flowers, tulle, resins and appliques. See the wide variety of trims and things.

Let Ribbons and Bows Oh My! do the work of making everything you need to make key FOBS, headbands, shoelaces and specialty silk flowers. They have kits already prepared for you to purchase! I love these kind of things!

One more great thing about Ribbons and Bows Oh My! is their SALES!!!! Who doesn't love a sale? These are the current sales! (Take advantage of them today!)

December 8th-14 -All clips and Hardware on sale 15% off

December 8th-14 - Crochet and nylon headbands 15% off - We will be introducing 10 new colors!

December 9th-12 - Free Giveaway - FEATHERS DIY KIT

Whether you are a lover of ribbon and like to have a little on hand or you buy ribbon and supplies by the truckload, you simply must visit Ribbons and Bows Oh My! The prices are beyond reasonable. The website is easy to navigate and make purchases from. And the products are high quality with a wide variety! Check out Ribbons and Bows Oh My!