Almost impossible photo shoot!

"cheeeese" posing while trying
on headbands in the mall!

My two year old is very photogenic, well not to brag, but she loves the camera. She also loves modeling new clothes, hair accessories or shoes. It is so much fun to go shopping with her! With her love of the camera, I thought it would be perfect to use her as my model, as we have since the very beginning. Well, out of three things I wanted her to model We only finished one dress and out of the 20 pictures I took 2 were ok.

I spent nearly an hour chasing her around the front yard. "don't touch that Zoey!" "come back her darling!" "ahhhh that's a white dress!!" Although I'd like to think I wasn't yelling at her, those who know me know I don't have a volume control.  My neighbors probably think badly of me now!

Since Hamajamma can't really afford a professional photographer right now we'll have to make do with the cutest little monster that ever was. . . . and mommy will have to learn how to relax.

Reverse Fold Plackets!

2T oxford shirt with reverse fold placket

I mentioned yesterday that I LOVE reverse fold plackets! I love the way the raw edges are tucked away so nicely and that it looks like you took hours making it perfect when in fact it takes only six steps.

Step One:

It's important to make sure you have notches for your placket at both the neckline and at the hem. This way you know your placket is even. Your notches should be the same distance apart. The center front of the garment (CF) will be centered between the two notches. If you are drafting the pattern your self add 1/2"after the second notch (one closest to the shoulder) to accommodate the reverse fold. Note: Girl's and women's plackets always button right over left, Boys and Men always button left over right.  

Step Two:

Add fusible interfacing to your front between the two notches on the wrong side of the fabric. It should measure the same size as your finished placket. In this sample's case it measures 1 1/4." It's good to use a medium to heavy weight fusible here. You'll want to have enough structure so the placket remains crisp and to reinforce the button holes.

Step Three:

Fold at the first notch and press towards the wrong side.

Then fold toward the wrong side at the next set of notches completely covering the fusible and your raw edge. Press flat. The crisper your fold the better, it will help you sew a straighter line in the next step.

Step Four:

Top stitch (1/4" from your folded edge), you could edge stitch (1/8" from folded edge) here but you run the risk of exposing your raw edges in the inside if you don't fold neatly. 

Step Five:

Open your placket and press flat with wrong side facing up. While you press hold the side seam taught to allow the placket to lay nicely.

LAST STEP:

Top stitch along outside edge. 

That's it! 6 easy steps to making a reverse fold placket. If your anything like me, you'll want to go put reverse fold plackets on every thing.  

Hamajamma - two crazy moms doing what we love!

The story of how Hamajamma came to be is really actually very short and simple. Cat and I met while working in the costume shop at Busch Garden's. Soon enough we were BFFs! During a trip to NYC we attended the Renegade Craft Fair and were completely inspired! As soon as Cat returned from her internship we got right to work! Borrowing my husband's favorite pigeon (Hawaiian slang) word "Hamajamma" meaning funny, awkward, mixed up, and crazy all in one; we started to create everything that was in our heads!
We both have full time jobs and are full time moms! Cat is a technical designer for one of the biggest sports wear company in the US, and I work for a well known uniform company making patterns. We enjoy being a part of the fashion industry but in an ideal world would love to have our own space and be free to sew and draft patterns all day!
I'm not sure how we find time for everything but creating for Hamajamma has become a relaxation method for us. In our blog we hope to share our passion, techniques and projects with you.