DIY:Make a Pillowcase Dress

Pillowcase dresses are in demand everyone is buying them, making them or selling them. 

So here are some easy instructions to make them for your little girls.

I did buy some pillowcase patterns from McCall's and Simplicity and you can go buy them too, they did come with some applique patterns as well that are cute

Then someone sent me this pattern so I am sharing

The pattern was free 

I have made several of these pretty summer dresses

I also can make you one, after all who wants to wear ready made everyday when you can wear one of a kind designs.

All my designs are unique handmade with love

YOU Can ORDER Your Pillow Case Dress from Me by emailing me

mscheriluv@hotmail.com for more information on prices

these are 2 of my very beautiful grand baby girls

THEY ARE ADORABLE

Yes I am a very proud grandma

Here is another set of dresses in an Aztec and yellow design

You will need some pretty fabric 44/45”-wide pick something your little girl likes

1 yard print or solid for body of dress

3/8 yard contrasting print or solid for the bottom band

1 package single-fold bias tape, in a color that matches

or contrasts with the dress or bottom band fabric

3 yards 3/4”-wide ribbon for ties

Optional: 1 1/2 yards rickrack or other fun trim

Instructions:

1. Launder the fabrics to remove finishes and allow for

shrinkage. Press to remove wrinkles. Fold each piece

in half with selvages aligned and smooth out any

wrinkles.

2. Cutting across the

contrasting fabric, cut

and 8 3/4”-wide strip for

the bottom band. With

right sides facing, pin and

stitch the contrast strip to

one edge of the pillowcase

panel. Use a 1/4”-wide seam

allowance. Serge- or zigzag

finish the seam allowance

and press it toward the

contrast band.

3. With right sides facing,

stitch 1/2” from the selvage

edges to make a fabric

tube. Press the seam open,

using the selvages as the

seam allowance—or trim

to 1/4” and serge or zigzag

both seam allowance

together and press the seam

allowances to one side.

Figure 1.

4. Turn the fabric tube right side out and press gently

along the seam-line. Place on your cutting table.

5. Measure the child who will wear the dress from

the middle of the front edge of her shoulder to the

desired finished length.

6. Fold the banded fabric panel in half lengthwise.

Beginning 4” below the band seam, measure up the

length determined in step 3 and cut away the excess

fabric. Figure 2. The excess band will be turned to the

inside and stitched later and the upper edge will be

finished with a casing

7. Fold the tube in half lengthwise with the upper raw

edges aligned. Cut an armhole as shown. Also cut a

gentle curve at the upper edge for the neckline.

8. Bind the armhole edges with contrasting bias tape.

9. For the upper-edge casing, measure one upper cut

edge of the dress and add 1”. Cut (2) 1 3/4”-wide true bias

strips that length from fabric leftovers or other

fabric scraps in your stash.

10. Turn under and press 1/2” on one long edge of each

piece of bias. With right sides facing and long raw

edges even, stitch a bias strip to each neckline,

allowing half of the excess length to extend at each

end. Use a 1/4”-wide seam allowance and press the

seam allowance toward the bias.

11. Under-stitch through all layers close to the seam-line

to make it easy to turn and press the casing. Turn in

the excess at each end and press. Stitch 1/4” from the

short folded ends and trim excess bias close to the

stitching.

12. Turn the casing to the inside and press. Stitch the

folded edge in place to finish the casing on the front

and back of the dress.

13. Cut the ribbon into 2 equal lengths and thread

each one through a casing to tie in bows over each

shoulder. Trim the ribbon ends at an angle to prevent

raveling.

Note: If you prefer, you can make narrow bias ties

from fabric scraps or double-fold bias tape.

14. Serge-finish or bind the lower raw edge of the band

to finish it. Then turn it to the inside of the dress so

that it measures an even 4” all around. Press and

secure with pins. Stitch in the ditch of the band seam

to secure the band inside.

15. Optional: Add rickrack or other trim along the band

seam-line, turning under the end for a neat finish at

the side seam.

16. You made it—a sweet little dress for a sweet little

girl. And one more thing-- try the dress on the

child, adjust the fullness along both casings for a

comfortable fit, and tie the ribbons into bows. Before

you remove the dress, pin the ribbons to the dress at

the casing opening edges. Stitch through all layers at

each end of each casing so you won’t lose the ribbon

in the wash.

****

YOU Can ORDER Your Pillow Case Dress from Me by emailing me

mscheriluv@hotmail.com for more information on prices

Making a 5 pointed star

These instructions have been found online in a few places and they come in really handy so I am GOING to Share them here. I did not write them NO, never claim to but I have made them YES

How to Cut a 5-Pointed Star in One Snip
George Washington's original pencil sketch for the flag indicated 6-pointed stars, a form he apparently preferred.

Betsy Ross, however, recommended a 5-pointed star. When the committee protested that it was too difficult to make, she took a piece of paper, folded it deftly, and with a single snip of her scissors, produced a symmetrical five-pointed star. This seeming feat of magic so impressed her audience that they readily agreed to her suggestion.

To you we pass along the secret...

Take a thin piece of paper 8-1/2" x 10" (or an exact proportion thereof), fold it as indicated and cut yourself a perfect 5-pointed star.






Thanks to the Betsy Ross House for providing these instructions.

Step 1. Fold an 8-1/2" x 10" piece of paper in half.

Step 2. Fold and unfold in half both ways to form creased center lines. (Note: be sure paper is still folded in half.)

Step 3. Bring corner (1) right to meet the center line. Be sure to fold from the vertical crease line.

Step 4. Bring corner (1) left till edges coincide, then make the fold.

Step 5. Bring corner (2) left and fold.

Step 6. Bring corner (2) right until edges coincide. Then fold.

Step 7. Cut on the angle as shown in the picture. Then unfold the small piece.

Step 8. Marvel at your perfect (we hope!) 5-pointed star

9 Foods You Should Be Eating for Type 2 Diabetes

Healthy eating for type 2 diabetes is about losing weight and preventing dangerous spikes in blood sugar. Nutrition and health expert Joy Bauer explains how these nine foods can help.

By Joy Bauer, MS, RD, creator of JoyBauer.com

Beans

If you're looking for foods that raise blood-sugar levels slowly and gently, choose high-quality carbohydrates instead of low-quality carbs like refined grains and sugary foods. Whenever possible, you'll want to couple these carbs with protein and/or healthy fat. Beans (including black, white, navy, lima, pinto, garbanzo, soy, and kidney) are a winning combination of high-quality carbohydrates, lean protein, and soluble fiber that helps stabilize your body's blood-sugar levels and keeps hunger in check. Beans are also inexpensive, versatile, and virtually fat-free.

Oatmeal

Studies have shown that eating a diet rich in whole grains and high-fiber foods may reduce the risk of diabetes by between 35 and 42 percent. An excellent source of both is heart-healthy oatmeal: It's packed with soluble fiber, which slows the absorption of glucose from food in the stomach — keeping blood-sugar levels under control. High-fiber foods like oatmeal also keep you feeling full longer, which can help with weight management. Top oatmeal with 1 to 2 tablespoons of chopped pecans, almonds, or walnuts to add protein and healthy fat, which stabilize blood sugars further. Plus, the nuts add great crunch and flavor to your morning meal.

Fish

An outstanding source of lean protein is fresh fish. Choose an environmentally friendly variety like catfish, cod, or tilapia; all are mild-flavored, white-fleshed fish that can be healthfully prepared by baking, grilling, or roasting. Pair fish with the high-quality carbs found in vegetables, lentils, or beans for another balanced meal combination that will keep your blood sugar from rising

Nonfat Yogurt

Fat-free yogurt naturally contains both high-quality carbohydrates and protein, making it an excellent food for slowing or preventing an unhealthy rise in blood sugar. Studies also show that a diet high in calcium from yogurt and other calcium-rich foods is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. Be sure to stick to low-fat or nonfat brands; Greek nonfat yogurt is my favorite choice because it has twice as much protein as regular nonfat yogurt.

Almonds

Unsalted almonds provide a healthy, low-carb mix of monounsaturated fats plus magnesium, which is believed to be instrumental in carbohydrate metabolism. A large study out of Harvard University found that high daily magnesium intake reduced the risk of developing diabetes by 33 percent. Therefore, including more magnesium-rich foods like almonds, pumpkin seeds, spinach, and Swiss chard in your diet is a smart move.

Nonstarchy Vegetables

Chock-full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, nonstarchy vegetables (such as broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, and peppers) are an ideal source of high-quality carbohydrates. Because these low-calorie, nutrient-dense veggies have a low-impact on blood sugar, they're an integral component of your diabetes food plan. For most people (including those looking to lose weight), this is one food group that's okay to eat as much as you like!

Wild Salmon

Omega-3s from food help reduce your risk of heart disease, which is important for those with type 2 diabetes, whose risk of cardiovascular disease is already elevated. (Over time, high blood glucose levels can lead to increased deposits of fatty materials in blood vessels, which contributes to clogging of arteries.) Wild salmon or sardines are not only rich in omega 3s but also contain a healthy-fat-and-protein combination that slows the body's absorption of carbohydrates, keeping blood sugars on an even keel.

Egg Whites

Rich in high-quality lean protein and low in carbs, egg whites are another healthy choice for controlling or preventing type 2 diabetes. One large egg white contains about 16 calories and 4 grams of high-quality, filling protein, making egg whites a perfect food for blood sugar control, not to mention weight-loss or maintenance.

Avocado

Avocado is high in monounsaturated fats, which are generally considered among the healthiest of fats. Researchers have found that a diet high in monounsaturated fats and low in low-quality carbs may improve insulin sensitivity. Monounsaturated fats also improve heart health — an especially important benefit for people with diabetes, who are at an increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Add a few thin slices of avocado to your sandwiches in place of mayonnaise, or mash a ripe avocado with cilantro, lime juice, and diced tomatoes for a delicious guacamole dip.

check out http://www.everydayhealth.com/ for health information
***
Also I read this week 10-11-2013! Which makes me wonder why

Diabetes is a growing public health problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than one in ten Americans over the age of 20 has diabetes, mostly type 2. By the year 2050, one in three Americans is expected to have type 2 diabetes. Scared by these stats? Making some lifestyle changes could lower your risk of getting the disease, or help you reduce your dependence on medications if you've already been diagnosed with it.

Get strong. Any increase in physical activity helps you maintain a healthy body weight and lowers your risk of diabetes. However, strength training is especially important. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, those those who have more muscle mass have a better insulin response and therefore a lower risk of developing prediabetes.

Check your vitamin D. People who have both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are more likely to have low levels of vitamin D. Also, vitamin D receptors have been found in many tissues and organs, including the pancreas, which is responsible for making insulin, leading some researchers to suggest that vitamin D deficiency may play a role in insulin resistance and the development of diabetes. If you haven’t had your vitamin D level checked, you may want to talk to your doctor about doing a simple blood test to see if you're deficient. Some studies have not shown a benefit to taking extra vitamin D, though, for people who have diabetes but normal D levels. As with any supplement, talk to your doctor before starting it.

Avoid processed meat. According to researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, eating one four-ounce serving of red meat a day raises your risk of type 2 diabetes by 19 percent. Processed meats, like hot dogs and bacon, are even worse; just two ounces a day (about one and a half hot dogs) increases your risk by 51 percent. The researchers warn that preservatives in such meats can lead to insulin resistance (a precursor to diabetes).