Today we get to see the next row for the row quilt! yay!

  Caron Carlson  is the designer….weeee she is the greatest!

She has a quilting business {as you can see already} and is really talented! 

We are on a Watermelon theme!! I love it when great design alike. Finish Reading This Interesting Post[...]]]>

Today we get to see the next row for the row quilt! yay!

  Caron Carlson  is the designer….weeee she is the greatest!

She has a quilting business {as you can see already} and is really talented! 

We are on a Watermelon theme!! I love it when great design alike.

She has a wonderful method for sewing up those watermelonds slices!!! I wish i had thought of it! Super easy, no template…but you do get to use a drawing compass. Smart girl Caron! I love it. 

Again the sides are easy to adjust– just in case….and the ends have a strip so the bias is hidden inside and it won't stretch. perfect addition. 

Caron has also included a little giveaway item!!! Post those photos in the gallery to enter the giveaway!

High Tide©

Another fun pattern in multiple sizes

So print off the pattern, get sewing and post a photo in the gallery {free to join}

Don't forget to visit Caron too!

The next row will be:

 February 10– Beth Helfter  EvaPaige Quilt Designs  website – www.evapaigequiltdesigns.com

For Past rows—- Clickety Click here

This pattern is a quick and easy one girls!  there are a few blocks you make a few times– sew them together in columns and whola! your quilt top is done!

This would be perfect for those big print fabrics which you collect because they are so wonderful and haven't cut Finish Reading This Interesting Post[...]]]>

This pattern is a quick and easy one girls!  there are a few blocks you make a few times– sew them together in columns and whola! your quilt top is done!

This would be perfect for those big print fabrics which you collect because they are so wonderful and haven't cut up yet.  yup. i still have some of those too.

I do have to totally mention that Carol VanZandt is the designer of the fabric and if you would like to create yours using the same as I did— Clickety Click here

Her fabric is showing up in stores–soon!!!   Ask your favorite shop to stock it…..i am in love with them!  or you can order it on Pink Chalk when they get it in stock. wweeeee

of course I also have to let you know that the pattern is also included in this months– The Sewing Cottage Magazine– Issue 5

 Quick preview:

Also— if you'd like pop on over to the etsy shop and purchase a pattern for reg price $7.00 and in the comments to seller add a second pattern you would like and i'll send it on over!!! That's right a quick little Buy 1 Get 1 sale!!! Weeee!!!  You readers will be the only one onto this though– i am not putting it on the store front.

You can tweet it and facebook share it if you'd like too— just because it's my birthday.

This month's free pattern from The Sewing Cottage Magazine is a Mini Sampber~

Which fits perfectly into the Hoop Bag {in issue 4}

The mini sampler is just that. small–  with the full alphabet, some flowers, and a few chickens…. there is a little Finish Reading This Interesting Post[...]]]> This month's free pattern from The Sewing Cottage Magazine is a Mini Sampber~

Which fits perfectly into the Hoop Bag {in issue 4}

The mini sampler is just that. small–  with the full alphabet, some flowers, and a few chickens…. there is a little bit for everyone.  Leave it in the hoop to hang it, or frame it for a present.  If you have a new stitcher  just beginning to learn to stitch– this is the ticket!  Plus, in the magazine you get the pattern for the hoop bag…perfect for toting it around.

Quick preview of other patterns in Issue 4

with the front pocket or without. 

Starting this month: Foxie Adventures BOM raw edge applique Quilt!!!

Block 1– sledding adventures…weeee

You can do a full preview here–

Thought I'd all let you know that today over on Seamingly Smitten I am guest posting in the Sew Crafty Christmas!

They have some wonderful tutorials up there that others have put together and are sharing. Make sure you stop on by to take a look at them all.

I am sharing Money Bunny.

Issue 3 of The Sewing Cottage is out!!! Phew.

The Hankie Baby Quilt is one of the patterns included and is this months free pattern!

Snatch up Grandma's Hankies and Vintage Sheets— you can whip this baby out in one evening. Promise.

There is a bit of hand stitching with super Finish Reading This Interesting Post[...]]]> Issue 3 of The Sewing Cottage is out!!! Phew.

The Hankie Baby Quilt is one of the patterns included and is this months free pattern!

Snatch up Grandma's Hankies and Vintage Sheets— you can whip this baby out in one evening. Promise.

There is a bit of hand stitching with super fat thread — if you want to….or go for the machine.

Don't worry if there are a few stains or wholes….just gives it a bit of character.

Here it is hanging out with the Heirloom Doll {also included in the Current Issue}

Take a quick preview:

$3/month Buy Now

This past week or so I have been kicking around the sewing machine cover thing.  I did purchase one and had it in my christmas stocking…but my mom caught site of it's cuteness and ran off with it.  {it was a bit big for my machine though…so} anywhosies. 

I took a look at some free sewing machine Finish Reading This Interesting Post[...]]]> This past week or so I have been kicking around the sewing machine cover thing.  I did purchase one and had it in my christmas stocking…but my mom caught site of it's cuteness and ran off with it.  {it was a bit big for my machine though…so} anywhosies. 

I took a look at some free sewing machine tutorials around the web here and didn't find quite what I had in mind. So, I of course had to come up with my own idea.

I was at first thinking that I wanted to use a heavier wieght fabric– and that not require a lining…sweet. But, when I sat there spinning in my sewing chair and staring at the shelf full of folded fabric {still new enough in the room it isn't all messed up yet} I glanced at some kitchen towels.  That's right.  A kitchen towel.  Guess what?  It is a brilliant substitution for us girls who are a bit on the casual {not lazy} side of sewing.  I mean, I want things done quickly! Who wants to spend all that time hemming and sizing and cutting?  Not me!

click on the photo and blow it up to read the words on the jar– fine, i'll read them for you:

Idleness Brings Disgrace

Fitting don't you think? It was destiny to become a cover for the machine!

So, go grab a kitchen towell and you are totally set to have yourself a cover in about 5 minutes.

 Materials needed:

kitchen towell 30 X 18 1/2" with 4 finished/hemmed edges

OR Fabric 31" X 19 1/2"  Hem all 4 edges

Ribbons 2– 7" long

Notice that if you have directional fabric– the back will be upside down!  Most tea towells repeat the pattern on both edges, so there isn't any upside down business.

Step 1:

Fold towell in half and from the top folded edge measure down 7".

Make a mark on the inside of BOTH sides

Butt both edges up to each other matching up the marks you made. Zig-Zag this edge all the way up to the fold.  Don't worry about getting it all the way, because you will be sewing a box pleate in the corner.  Plus it's a pain! So, stop when it gets difficult.

This is what the zig-zag seam will look like on the right sides:

Step 2:

Fold the top edge {see the corner not sewn with zig-zag} so that zig-zag stitching is right in the middle.  Take your ruler and from edge to edge it should measure 4".  The zig-zag being right in the middle at 2".  Draw a line.

Sew on this Drawn line.

Turn right sides out and try on machine. If you need it wider, now is the time to adjust! Re-measure to 5" and resew the line.

Trim off extra corner.

Step 4:

Grab your ribbon– Let's get the ties on!

Re-fold the towell and from the folded edge measure 8" and make a mark on the inside of each side.  {Same process as the above steps.}

Lay the ribbon wrong side facing the wrong side of the towell. Sew it down. You want the edge of the ribbon to be just short of the edge.

Fold the ribbon over on the sew spot and sew it again.

Repeat for other side.

 Slip onto your sewing machine and try it out.

These are perfect for a quick sewing night with friends…  if your tea towell isn't that fancy, no worries.  Add an applique to it to fancy it up.

There is a pdf version available.  Clickety Click here

The link is also under the Free membership on the menu bar or after you login it will be under My workshops. makes it easy to print and stitch!!!

Shared here:

I had signed up for the Easter Swap {you'll see what I recieved later on} and while making my little gift I thought it would be a perfect tutorial to share!

You can whip a few of these up for showers, presents or hey….if you are a hoarder, I mean lover, of your own handmade Finish Reading This Interesting Post[...]]]> I had signed up for the Easter Swap {you'll see what I recieved later on} and while making my little gift I thought it would be a perfect tutorial to share!

You can whip a few of these up for showers, presents or hey….if you are a hoarder, I mean lover, of your own handmade goods then keep them!

Materials needed:

* 2 kitchen towells

* Scraps of Cotton for Applique

* Hot Pad Batting 

* Black thread for applique stitch painting

Kitchen Towell~

1)  Cut out some shapes– flowers, birds…whatever for your applique.

2)  Glue with glue stick or pin in place

3)  Using BLACK thread on the top– stitch in place.  Go around the edges so they secure the applique, and then add some funky stitching wherever.  Legs for birds, flower stems…get the idea?

4)  You are done!

Hot Pad~

1)  Cut 1 rectangle from the second towell.  Size:  8" X 16"   **Make sure when cutting, you don't include the outside hems.  They are too bulky and need to cut off before cutting.

2)  Cut 1 square  6" X 8"  Making sure that the 8" EDGE HAS A HEM!!!  WE WILL BE USING THIS for the hand pocket!

3)  Cut a 3" HEM part.  This little strip will be used as a hanger for the hotpad. slick huh??!

4)  Cut hot pad batting into a 8" X 8" piece

** Sew your applique piece on one side of the long rectangle.

5)  Lay the pieces down like this~  right sides up big rectangle with the pocket piece on the opposite side of the applique.  The hem that was on the one edge should be in the middle area. See it?~

6) Fold the applique part on top of the opposite side. Right sides together. 

7) Fold that little hem piece you are using for a hanger in 1/2 and pin in one corner.

Lay the hot pad batting down on top of everything.

9) Sew all the way around the outside edge and leaving a 2 1/2" opening for turning.

10) Snip the corners and turn right sides out. 

11) Fold the raw edges of the turning hole in and iron.  Sew all the way around the hotpad twice.

Notice I probably didn't pin the pocket in place well enough so it has slumped a little bit. I also forgot the hanging tag until after it was done… with the raw edge applique I think it looks ok. hee hee

 Here's a quick look at what Ruth sent me for the Jewells Easter swap! Love them ~~ thanks Ruth!!

Today I have a special little treat…..how about a tutorial on the cutest little posie pins you have ever seen?!

I had a little swapideedo and added these pins and can't stand the cuteness– so i am sharing.   They are super easy to whip up and of course make a bunch for yourself Finish Reading This Interesting Post[...]]]>  

Today I have a special little treat…..how about a tutorial on the cutest little posie pins you have ever seen?!

I had a little swapideedo and added these pins and can't stand the cuteness– so i am sharing.   They are super easy to whip up and of course make a bunch for yourself and a few for friends– if you really must.  

Whether or not they are useful, who cares….. they are cute standing there on the pincushion.  That is their job. Cuteness. 

Materials needed:

* pins. round heads are great.

* Scraps of fabric

* Needle and Thread

1)  Cut 2 pieces of scraps into a circle or oval shape….. around 1 1/2 inches wide and 1" tall.  Nothing patterny here.  Just eyeball it. It will turn out just fine.

2)  Place the fabric WRONG SIDES TOGETHER. Stick the pin in the center of the 2 scraps

3)  Fold the 2 pieces up and hold in place while making a few stitches around the ball head. This will keep the fabric in place. Knot it at the end. You can use matching thread or try invisible– if you are doing a few with lots of different colors. If you can keep from snipping the thread in the next step you can leave the thread, easier for step 5.

4)  Snip the edges of the 1/2 circle.  See photo above.

5)  Take the two outside edges and fold them to the center.  Make a few stitches here to keep them together. Pull it tight so they meet togeher.  Knot the thread and snip.

6)  Fluff the raw edges a bit to loosen them up and have them ravel a bit.

Cute stuff huh?!  And no polin, sniffing noses, or weepy eyes even.  Perfect for any stitcher.

Gather a few for a boquette— or just have them hang out randomly in the field……

Now. How about making this tutorial become a little swap?!  Shall we? Oh. But of course!!

This will be a Posie Pin and PIncushion Swap:

This is going to be a fairly simple swap.  Make some posies, add a pincushion and off it goes!  Pincushions can be store bought or handmade— either is exceptable.  There are a lot of free tutorials out there on making pincushions– so don't be afraid to make one! 

Please be aware:

* USA only   * Blog or No Blog is OK  * Must NOT be a flake * Mail it ON TIME * Send only what you would LOVE to recieve

Rules:

*  you must include at least 4 posie pins

*  Pincushion should be included.  Can be handmade or store bought

* Mail it to your partner by — MAY 14th

* Share your Sent, Recieved or Both here {registration is required- but free. then you can upload to gallery}

Sign ups will be from NOW until April 30th….I will email you your partner info on May 1st.

**Partners have been sent!! I do need 1 more click below to send me a note if you would like to swap!!

Sign up for the Posie Pins & Pincushion Swap Here!

Send your email, blog and name with signup.

I have a few free tutorials on pincushions– just in case:

I am totally excited to see what everyone comes up with!! Can't wait.   When you have finished making and sending your cute little posies and pincushion share the link here— {if you have no blog, email me the link and I will add it to the post}

Shared here:

First before I start I have to say– Why didn't anyone remind me how messy Paper Mache was?   ugh.  I mean cover up the living room! There are drippy fingers, sloppy newspaper, and let me tell you that even after a few days of soaking that flour and water mixture is like concrete!!! 

It is fun to Finish Reading This Interesting Post[...]]]> First before I start I have to say– Why didn't anyone remind me how messy Paper Mache was?   ugh.  I mean cover up the living room! There are drippy fingers, sloppy newspaper, and let me tell you that even after a few days of soaking that flour and water mixture is like concrete!!! 

It is fun to do though– and after seeing a few of these cute things in magazines and searching it for a bit,  I like what I have ended up with.

Materials Needed:

* pile of newspaper strips

* Clothes pins -doll style

* Flour

* Water

* Paint

* Paint Brushes

* Imagination & tolerance of messy spaces

Step 1:

Mix some flour and water together.  You will need to just keep the consistancya bit thin.  After it sets for a bit {while you are working with it} it will thicken, just like a rue. lol  If this happens, just added a bit more of water.  I dip the strips of newspaper into the bowl of mix and with 2 fingers {one on each side of the strip} I pull it up and out in between my 2 fingers. This helps get the excess off.

If you find the strips are too long and flimsy and messy, then just cut them or rip them shorter.

Step 2:

I am going to suggest a few things here– you can try them out and find the best thing that will work for you.

The large headed one on the right— I made that by crinkling up a ball of newspaper and THEN wrapping the paper mache strips around that.

For the hair–I folded up some strips and then snipped them with scissors, then I put them into place and layed more strips on top of them.  I was thinking that the head was way mongo, but in the end I really liked it! hee hee

Staying with that same style- the body was done in the same way.  Make the body with scrunching up newspaper and then wrapping that with paper mache strips.

This seemed to dry A LOT FASTER than the next style!  Just in case you were wondering about the quickness.

The little peg girls on the left I didn't ball up any newspapers I just took the paper mache strips and wrapped it around the clothes pin body.

I had first done a body along with the head- but hey, why do that when she is getting a fabric skirt to cover that up?! So, the other ones…no body.

It was really wet and took a long time to dry. Like a day or so.  Also— the heads ended up a little flat on the back because they were leaning on the plate. So, if you don't want flat head syndrome then stick them into something so they stand up when drying.

If you take a look— I kept the heads straight up!  Thinking that later on the painting I would do crowns….totally worked. Loved that!

Step 3:

Painting. This is less messy than the paper mache….and a bit of fun.  This is the part that shows off their little personalities.

I started by doing a wash of color on the face area {that is made by mixing a bit o f a tan color with a tiny water to thin it out}

Then I painted the crown and the hair.  See how the crown goes straight up and the head it a bit lower?  This is what I was talking about earlier, just in case you didn't get it.

Then I worked on the face…. eyes, mouth and using a pouncy method for the cheeks.  There might be some newspaper show throw from underneath. Don't worry about it. Just go with it.   {the one on the left is Eliza's}

You can paint a headband, crown~

Step 4:

Clothes!! Here comes the sewing part! weee—

Rip a piece of fabric around 10 inches long or something and sew the ends together.

Do a running stitch along the top with thread and needle and pull it to gather it. 

Pull it up onto the doll and stitch it tight.  Maybe use some hot glue gun action to keep it in the spot.

Add some lace, button, strips of fabric…whatever.

 My little girls were able to be stuffed into a candle holder~ mushroom shaped!  That way they could stand on their own.

I didn't worry too much about the paper mache on the body that was left.  The skirt covers it up.

 I decided to give a few other shapes a try—

 I really totally loved making these, but they are pretty time consuming.  Make sure you do them in bundles….definitly saves time!

How about it? Give it a try? 

Just remember to use your imagination!  They WILL NOT be perfect.  Deal with it. They are whimsical, fun, imaginative.  Don't go for perfection or you will be totally dissapointed.  Have some fun! and then show it to the rest of us.

This tutorial has been submitted here:

Jerika got a cute little pink Nintendo DS for Christmas this year and the ziploc carrying case just isn't cutting it anymore.  Time to step it up and make her something cute, right?! Right.  She is old enough to not carry around a sling carrier…. just needs something to stuff into the purse or back pocket Finish Reading This Interesting Post[...]]]> Jerika got a cute little pink Nintendo DS for Christmas this year and the ziploc carrying case just isn't cutting it anymore.  Time to step it up and make her something cute, right?! Right.  She is old enough to not carry around a sling carrier…. just needs something to stuff into the purse or back pocket of the car…or slip into her backpack.  I checked out a a few designs and thought the 'wallet' style was a good one.  Since there wasn't any tutorials out there— I of course made my own! hee hee

Materials List:

• 1/4 Yard {width of fabric} for inside and outside of case
• 1/4 Yard of sail Cloth or some kind of stiff weight cloth for the middle.  This gives the bag stability without being to thick.
• 2 Buttons
• 2 Pony Tails

Let's Start with the main body.  Cut 2—-  19"  X 6 1/2"                                  At one end mark the center of the 6 1/2" and then mark on both sides 3"   Cut matching those marks– you will get a point!

Cut 1—- 19"  X 6 1/2"  from the heavy weight cloth                                       Repeat the same instructions as above to make the point on the one end.

POCKET #1:

* Cut out 3 1/2 " X 6 1/2"  

* Fold in half the long way ****** ONE EDGE WILL NEED TO BE 1/4" LONGER THAN THE OTHER!!!!!  iron.  

This will cover up the raw edges when place on the body piece.

POCKET #2:

* Cut out 6"  X 6 1/2" 

* Fold in half the 6" side and Iron  {match the bottoms on this one}

POCKET #3:

* Cut out 5 1/2"  X 6 1/2"

*  Hem the top edge {5 1/2" edge}.  Fold under twice and stitch down.

ASSEMBLY OF POCKETS:

* Lay the big pocket down first.

* Lay pocket #2 down matching up the bottom edge

* Lay pocket #1 down matching up the bottom edge, TUCKING THAT 1/4 HEM UNDER ALL OF THE PIECES!!!

* Pin in place and stitch all the way around 1/8" from edge. This will keep everything together and stop it from shifting later on when assembling.

* From the sewn line mark with a pencil every 1 1/2" from side to side. 

* Sew on these drawn lines. This will be the dividers for the little games.

REPEAT THESE POCKET STEPS SO YOU WILL HAVE 2 COMPLETED SETS

NINTENDO POCKET:

* Cut 1 piece  4" X 6 3/4"

* Hem the top edge {4" edge}   Fold under twice and stitch down.

*  Sew a Button in the center just below the Hem.

ASSEMBLY OF BAG:

* With your inside bag piece Iron a crease every 5 1/2 inches.  This will help you place your pockets in the right spot.

* Take your NINTENDO POCKET and lay the raw edge matching up with the square end of the body piece.

*  Do a quick stay stitch all the way around the 3 sides.  *** I know that 6 3/4 is a bit bigger than the 6 1/2" width.  You will need to make this work with a tiny pucker. This will help when stuffing that machine in. Won't be too tight.

*  Take one of the POCKET PACKAGE {all 3 sewn with dividers with the bottom tucked under} and place it in the next section.  Pin in place and stay stitch along the outside edges and Stitch along that bottom edge.

*  Repeat with the other POCKET PACKAGE in the last area.  Repeat with stitching.

* Lay the pony tail holder above the NINTENDO POCKET and stitch in place Using a small zig-zag stitch.

ASSEMBLY OF BAG:

* Lay right sides together the bag inside {with all the pockets} and the back piece.

* Lay these on top of the liner piece and pin together.

* Stitch all the way around leaving a 3" opening for turning.  *********** WHEN YOU GET TO THE POINT STICK IN THAT PONY TAIL HOLDER AND STITCH IN PLACE!!

*  Snip corners and points

* Turn right sides out and iron flat.

* Stitch hole closed by hand

* Fold up and mark where button needs to be on the outside and hand stitch in place.

* I totally know you girls are smart and noticed that my nintendo pocket is in the middle…well, sew and learn right?  When you fold it it makes the nintendo on the outside and not too protected.

Putting it on the left side -when folded will keep it in the middle of everything. safer that way.

Enjoy!!  Let me know if you have any questions, or comments.

now girls, I am a fabric gal.  Anything cotton, fleece, poly {sometimes, I admit it} that I can get my stitchy hands on I grab….but for reals anything that is on the crafty side I will attempt.  The next thing besides fabric hoarding is the everlasting love {fine addiction} to Buttons. hee hee  So, Finish Reading This Interesting Post[...]]]>

now girls, I am a fabric gal.  Anything cotton, fleece, poly {sometimes, I admit it} that I can get my stitchy hands on I grab….but for reals anything that is on the crafty side I will attempt.  The next thing besides fabric hoarding is the everlasting love {fine addiction} to Buttons. hee hee  So, when the two get entangeled I think that it would be against my creative spirit to not have a go with it.

So, when I saw that there is a FREE BUTTON CLASS over on Polka Dot Cottage I had to share.

This involves of course– clay, fingers, hands, an oven, something sharp and just a bit of imagination…. So how about it?  Will you be attending with me?

Clickety Click here for the first post

Clickety Click here for the Second post

Now, off to the store I go to pick up my supplies—- and while that is happening I am sure that 'the brain' will be on overload coming up with all the possibilities of what to do with them when I am done!!

So, I went to quilt group last Thursday {hi girls} and guess what? We had a great time.  Besides that. We had a wonderful project and I just had to share.

Because it was the first meeting of the year, she decided to have us all sit in a circle and CROCHET!!!  oh. yea.  She gave us Finish Reading This Interesting Post[...]]]> So, I went to quilt group last Thursday {hi girls} and guess what? We had a great time.  Besides that. We had a wonderful project and I just had to share.

Because it was the first meeting of the year, she decided to have us all sit in a circle and CROCHET!!!  oh. yea.  She gave us a little bit of instruction and off she sent us.

This is what we did—- we

Handmade-ified a Store Bought Blanket

Materials Needed:

• store bought fleece blanket that has been button stiched around the edges.
• Skeen of Yarn
• Crochet needle size F, G or H

Step one— Start crocheting!!  Do a quick slip stitch and off you go.  We croch

eted not into the holes from the blanket stitch, but on top of the actual stitching.  You can choose what kind of stitch you would like.  We did a bit of double crochet.

Continue all the way around and finish off.  Couldn't be any easier than that!  Really, could it?  I whipped mine up in the one evening gabbing along the way. 

Our new president made us some super yummy and totally cute CUPCAKES to go along with the party:

Have fun with Handmade-ify your Store Bought Blanket…….

Living here with the mom and dad means that I am surrounded by their cute house and decorations for the holidays.  Just thought that my moms pot rack is totally cute and festive~ so how about a quick tutorial on how to get one for yourself.

1)  Go to thrift stores and collect cute things Finish Reading This Interesting Post[...]]]> Living here with the mom and dad means that I am surrounded by their cute house and decorations for the holidays.  Just thought that my moms pot rack is totally cute and festive~ so how about a quick tutorial on how to get one for yourself.

1)  Go to thrift stores and collect cute things to hang— cookie cutters,  little measuring cups, spoons,  how about a cookie rack, oohhh and mini muffin tins.  You name it, it will work! trust me.  Most of these items are metal and should be.  Easier to do the next step with.

2)  Buy yourself some red or green spray paint for metal.

3)  Take your precious finds outside or in the garage.  Line the floor with newspaper– we don't want to leave any spray painting evidence for the honeys to complain about now do we? Nope.  Spray away!!!

4)  Scrounge around the home for some cute ribbon and hang all your goodies from your rack.  Intermix with some ornaments, big plastic snowflakes, and whatever else.  How about throwing in a bit of garlands too— oh. yea!   You can keep your color palette classic with red/white, green/red or go for all the color in blinking christmas lights.  You decide.  Maybe some blinky lights would be totally cute!

If you fancy up your pot rack or see one out there— send it on over!  Or share the link.  We all would love to steal a look into the kitchen for a quick glance and festivity.

What other things would you include or spray paint?  Give the rest of us your great ideas!!!

My mom the other day thought that she didn't need a big rectangle of a kitchen tablecloth— but a round one.  So, do you know what she did?  She dug around in her closet and found an older not being used bedspread. That's right bedspread…and chopped it right up and made herself a custom tablecloth.  Just Finish Reading This Interesting Post[...]]]> My mom the other day thought that she didn't need a big rectangle of a kitchen tablecloth— but a round one.  So, do you know what she did?  She dug around in her closet and found an older not being used bedspread. That's right bedspread…and chopped it right up and made herself a custom tablecloth.  Just what she wanted.

If you have a wrong size tablecloth or bedspread that is screaming from the cupboard to be used— here is your how to: 

How to Customize your tablecloth Tutorial

It really is pretty simple when you think about it.  You will need:

Close-up of the bedspread– nicely dense quilt pattern. Thin, not puffy. Perfect for a tablecloth!

* bedspread or tablecloth

* scissors

* sewing machine or serger

* string

Step 1:   Take that string and tape one end to the center of the table.  The table we are customizing is a round one……directions would be different for other shapes.   Pull that string down over the edge to the length that you would like it.  We pulled it just past the bottom of the table edge so it draped nicely.  Cut the string at this length.

Step 2:  Fold the tablecloth into 4ths.  The outside ecges matching up as well as you can…but really this will be cut off, so if it won't go perfect…don't freak out.

Step 3:  Lay the string from step 1 —one end will be at the center point and the other end will be loose.  Take a marker and while holding the string in one hand move the marker along with the other– you will be marking your cut line.  You don't need to mark a solid line…just something you can follow along with, with your scissors.

Step 4:  You will now need to finish the outside edge.  Serge all the way around it or you could use a zig-zag stitch with your sewing machine. 

Step 5: Make a binding.  You could either add a seperate binding or fold over the outside edge once and sew down using a straight stitch.  Sew back around on this new 'binding' again.  Makes it a more finished looking edge.

What do you think?  Have any bedspreads hanging out and ready for a new life?  Give it a try and let us all know how it went, and of course what it looks like!

Have any other suggestions?   What else could we make tablecloths out of?

I thought that since winter is here and things are getting a bit on the chilly side I would dig around the web and find some tutorials for MIttens and Scarfs!  There are a lot out there to choose from– these are some of my favorites. They have great instructions + I threw in a few Finish Reading This Interesting Post[...]]]> I thought that since winter is here and things are getting a bit on the chilly side I would dig around the web and find some tutorials for MIttens and Scarfs!  There are a lot out there to choose from– these are some of my favorites. They have great instructions + I threw in a few of my own. hee hee.

Make it from Scratch~ set

A Lemon Squeezy Home~ long Fleece Mittens

Pitter Patter

 

 

Lucky Star Lane~ upcycled wood sweater mittens

Patchwork Posse~ Fingerless Gloves

Made by Amanda ~ Great hat Tutorial

Fave Crafts ~ Gnome Fleece Hat

Make and Take~ fringed scarf

Hope Studios ~ curly scarf

Patchwork Posse~ Scarf for Kids

 

Do you have a favorite?  Share it ~~

Don't forget– give away day is stil~l open!!!  Make a comment to win some goodies