ASK DANA
Have a question about sewing, design, photography, food, my favorite movie, why I still have a crush on Justin Timberlake? anything like that.
Send me an email and I’ll try to answer it in my Ask Dana series.
danawillard (at) gmail (dot) com
Here’s what I’ve answered so far….
* How do I cut a straight line on fabric?
* How much of your kid’s wardrobe is handmade by you? (I’m feeling guilty about buying clothing at the store)
* How do you set up your photo shoots?
* Is your house always as clean as it looks in your photos?
along with these FAQs too..
{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
The new look is great, Dana! Just a question, how about an “Ask Dana” about creating buttons with HTML that people can grab and post on their own blogs?
On Pinterest someone had pinned home made salsa from your website but I can’t find it and I would love to have the recipe.
I was wondering if you had any suggestions for a sewing machine and serger for a beginer? I love sewing and have made a few of your patterns (Thank You) I can’t see myself spending $500 plus on each macine when I’m just starting out, but my old hand me down basic machine just isn’t cutting it.
Tiffany, I do know at some establishments (sewing stores) you can purchase a good sewing maching for $100 and receive free sewing classes. Be Bless
I’ve been making cream pies for over 25 years, everyone loves my coconut cream, but my cream pies just about always weep, altho I’ve tried many different techniques, can you explain what causes this? Thanks
My undergrad was in food science… When you cook starch with liquid, the carbohydrate molecules branch out and bind with water molecules in your cooking liquid, producing a thickening effect because that water is no longer free.
As time goes on, the starch will return to its resting state and you see weeping.
Commercial mixes avoid this by using seaweed carbohydrate (such as carageenan) and other stuff that holds tighter and longer than the starches used by home cookies.
But home cream pies should be eaten within three days anyway for food safety reasons, so you shouldn’t have a terrible amount of weeping in that time frame.
Hope this helps!
Where do you buy the cute white sleeveless ruffle shirts little girls have on with the market skirts thank you sally
Dana,
LOVE YOUR BLOG! At what size a piece of fabric do you throw away and what size would you keep? I have a drawer full of pieces of fabric that I can’t decide if I will ever use and I need some guidance on this. Please help… Mare
What size seam allowance should I use on the diaper cover pattern?
about a 1/2 inch
Do you know which fabric shops in Mpls/St Paul carry Sunbrella? Thanks, Norma Jean
What is the name and brand of the aqua paint in your living room? I noticed it when I was looking at the decorating with portraits feature today. I am searching for a similar aqua for my office/craft room. Thanks!
I am so impressed by your website tutorials. I want to start sewing right at away but I don’t own a sewing machine. Where I should buy one on a college budget and what kind? I have very very little experience sewing but I want to learn.
How do I sew elastic directly onto fabric? (without using casing)
Hey,
I would love to make the Warhol dress for my daughter, but the link does not seem to be working. Is there something wrong with it, or is it my computer. Please help!
Thanks
Someone posted a Girls Toddler one shoulder dress from your website… can’t find it.. Would be perfect for my flower girl.
Thanks!
it might be the Warhol Dress?
http://www.danamadeit.com/warhol-dress-free
Hope that helps!
Hi Dana! I have a quick question for you. (: I was wondering if you would be willing to share with me the way that you have your little clothing labels/tags made? I am looking forward to selling a few of my things in the near future and would like to have some designed before I send anything out! (: Thanks so much!
You have a post on dyeing baby clothes. The baby is lying on a blanket that I would like to knit. Do you have the pattern?
sorry I actually bought that at a thrift store so I don’t have any pattern details! Wish I did!
Would you want to do a craft meetup in Austin? Some other bloggers have done this in other cities and I thought it sounded fun. Plus, yours is one of my favorites!
HI Dana, I was wondering if you could show use how to turn a t-shirt into a tank top, or give me a few tips. My brothers want me to turn a few of their t-shirts (like you would see on urban outfitters) but I’m nervous to start cutting them up. I’m mainly nervous about the trim around the arms and collar.
Just saw your posting about your fabric book. What a helpful resource! As a FIT grad, I’m used to seeing large crazy books that contain information like that and it’s usually not available to those not directly involved with design. Where did you get that canvas tote with the blue bottom??
Hi Dana!
First of all, I LOVE your blog! Your creativity is contagious and makes me want to sew even more. Do you have any tips for another mom on how to balance family time and creative time?
Thanks,
Kristin
Hi, I was wondering do you know any easy ways to make a pattern for a vest or even good go to patterns for that?
you could try this kids vest pattern I have here:
http://www.danamadeit.com/2008/07/tutorial-and-pattern-frontier-vest.html
Did you release pictures of your kids to other websites? I saw them & thought they looked familiar.
hi Dana i have been looking for a sewing machine for a little while and was wondering what machine you would recommend and what kind do you have? i want a good machine to wear i can sew denim and some thinker material.
I was wondering where you found that fabulous lace you put on the front of the Dessert Beauty Shirt Dress. I love it, and would like to order some. Thank you.
Greetings Dana! You have indeed gave me hope. My daughter is 8 and she is growing out of her clothes fast and I am tired of constantly trying to purchase clothes that is a little to “grown” for her. She still loves the little skirts that you made and show on your website for she is a “girly girl”. My qeustion to you is, how do you make “adjustable” elastic waistbands? I know at at certaint age such waistbands dose not exist. You are a blessing!
hi Michelle, the flat front pants tutorial has some info on adjustable waistbands. Maybe this will help:
http://www.danamadeit.com/2008/07/tutorial-kid-pants-with-a-flat-front.html
Hey Dana
Any suggestions on how I can fix them without having to start over?
So on Sunday I made my daughter a pair of pants using your basic pant tutorial. This is not the first time I have made them but it was the first time I used flannel if that means anything. When it was time for her to put them on so I could hem them, the pants did not fit over her hinny
Anything would be a help!!
The pattern is made for a slender toddler (my kids are bean poles). So you could add more room in the bum area. Just extend the sloping part of the pants on the back. Use a pair of pants that you already own to guestimate how big to make them.
I’m not sure you can do anything at this point though to make them bigger…..other than slim them down and make doll pants? or baby pants for a friend? Sorry about that!
Hi Dana! I finished making 3 simple skirts for my girls over the weekend and they are so adorable (my oldest excitedly wore hers to school today)! My question is that they do the whole “longer in front, higher in back” thing because of the way it sits on them…could it be that I need to adjust the elastic to be tighter so they stay in place more? (Right now they sit more along their hips but are loose enough that the elastic is not even stretched when they wear it. (Note: I meticulously checked the length all the way around prior to and after sewing to be sure it was even, so I know that isnt the issue). Many thanks for your input when you have a moment…
hmmm, you could always make the skirt from two pieces (rather than one long piece of fabric) and cut the back fabric so it dips down about an inch longer in the back? Maybe that would help.
I’ve never really had that problem with my kids.
sorry!
I liked the Adoily-able T-shirt you made for Lucy in May 2018, FamilyFun. Went to blog but couldn’t find it. Went to archives Jan + Feb. Where should I look? Thank you.
Thanks! And sorry about that! I need to have it linked in the tutorial section. whoops.
here you go:
http://www.danamadeit.com/2012/02/tutorial-doily-heart-shirt.html
Hi Dana, I’m a huge fan of your work/ talent… Unfortunately I’m not as nearly creative but have the utmost respect for those who are. My question is do you create for others, sell the clothing you make, or orders?
I don’t sell clothing. I do sell some patterns and my book but mostly, I share ideas and tutorials here on the site. Sorry about that!
Hi Dana!
Do you have any tips on making a pageant cupcake style skirt? On what base to use to start?
Thanks so much!
hmmm. not sure what that is exactly….but maybe a layered skirt like this:
http://www.danamadeit.com/2012/03/tutorial-the-layered-skirt.html
You can adapt the steps to any age/any size
Thanks so much! Will definitely try this one!
What is the best serger to buy? I’m looking for one but I’m confused on which to get. I’m just going to be making my own clothes, nothing more – so I don’t need something terribly fancy. I just need it to get the job done. Any suggestions?
here’s some great serger info from a local sewing shop here. Hope it helps!
http://stitchlab.biz/serger_recs.html
Hello Dana, can you show us a tutorial to make a peasant blouse for children?
Hi Dana,
What fabric would you suggest to recover the seats on my kitchen chairs? I have 3 kids 6, 4, and 1 and need something spill proof and durable and would love a fun pattern or bright color. Thanks!
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