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Showing posts with label Sewing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sewing. Show all posts

Baby Shower DIY Gifts

A baby shower is such a fun way to help a new mother-to-be prepare for the birth of her wee one. Seasoned parents know how much "stuff" it takes to welcome a baby into the world, and most new parents can use a little help getting started. Baby needs bottles, gowns, crib, booties, carseat, highchair, stroller, diapers, blankets, and the list goes on and on. Something that is nice to do at a baby shower is to add some home made items to all the store bought gifts.



All babies spit up occasionally, and it seems that mine were much more prone to losing mouthfuls of milk when I was wearing my best clothing. I learned quickly to always be prepared, and I think these DIY burp cloths make great shower gifts for new parents.



I recently made some burp cloths for a baby shower using these prefolded diapers.




I cut a strip of minky fabric 5 1/2 inches wide x 18 inches long for each diaper, then pressed under a 1/2-inch seam allowance on each long side of the strip.



Then I centered the fabric strip, right side up, over the diaper and stitched close to the edge down each side of the minky strip.




I finished the top and bottom edges with a zigzag stitch.




Then I embellished the burp cloths with ribbon trim of various types and widths.




Some of the burp cloths have a ribbon border all the way around and others are trimmed with ribbon along the sides of the minky strip and across the top. There's really no right or wrong way to make these. They could be done in colors especially to match nursery decor or made with other types of fabric. I like the handy size of the prefolded diapers and the softness of the minky fabric.



Another cute and easy DIY shower gift to make is a taggie blanket for baby. I used the remainder of my blue and yellow minky fabric to make two taggie blankets to go with with the burp cloths.


To make each taggie blanket, cut two squares of fabric. I made mine 14 inches square. Each taggie blanket needs twenty 5-inch pieces of ribbon. The ribbon should be folded in half and pinned to the right side of one of the squares of fabric, as shown in the photo. Space the ribbon out evenly, leaving about 3 inches on each corner. Stitch the ribbon in place, then sew both squares of fabric together, right sides together, leaving an opening on one side to turn. Turn the blanket to the right side and stitch up the opening.



This makes such a sweet, soft little blanket for the baby to cuddle up with. Neither of these baby shower projects require a great deal of sewing skill, and they make cute, personal gifts for a new mother and her precious baby.





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Arkansas Women Bloggers
A baby shower is such a fun way to help a new mother-to-be prepare for the birth of her wee one. Seasoned parents know how much "stuff" it takes to welcome a baby into the world, and most new parents can use a little help getting started. Baby needs bottles, gowns, crib, booties, carseat, highchair, stroller, diapers, blankets, and the list goes on and on. Something that is nice to do at a baby shower is to add some home made items to all the store bought gifts.



All babies spit up occasionally, and it seems that mine were much more prone to losing mouthfuls of milk when I was wearing my best clothing. I learned quickly to always be prepared, and I think these DIY burp cloths make great shower gifts for new parents.



I recently made some burp cloths for a baby shower using these prefolded diapers.




I cut a strip of minky fabric 5 1/2 inches wide x 18 inches long for each diaper, then pressed under a 1/2-inch seam allowance on each long side of the strip.



Then I centered the fabric strip, right side up, over the diaper and stitched close to the edge down each side of the minky strip.




I finished the top and bottom edges with a zigzag stitch.




Then I embellished the burp cloths with ribbon trim of various types and widths.




Some of the burp cloths have a ribbon border all the way around and others are trimmed with ribbon along the sides of the minky strip and across the top. There's really no right or wrong way to make these. They could be done in colors especially to match nursery decor or made with other types of fabric. I like the handy size of the prefolded diapers and the softness of the minky fabric.



Another cute and easy DIY shower gift to make is a taggie blanket for baby. I used the remainder of my blue and yellow minky fabric to make two taggie blankets to go with with the burp cloths.


To make each taggie blanket, cut two squares of fabric. I made mine 14 inches square. Each taggie blanket needs twenty 5-inch pieces of ribbon. The ribbon should be folded in half and pinned to the right side of one of the squares of fabric, as shown in the photo. Space the ribbon out evenly, leaving about 3 inches on each corner. Stitch the ribbon in place, then sew both squares of fabric together, right sides together, leaving an opening on one side to turn. Turn the blanket to the right side and stitch up the opening.



This makes such a sweet, soft little blanket for the baby to cuddle up with. Neither of these baby shower projects require a great deal of sewing skill, and they make cute, personal gifts for a new mother and her precious baby.





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Arkansas Women Bloggers
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A "Girly" Fleece Scarf

I suppose you could call me cold-blooded when it comes to my reaction to winter weather. I always long for sunshine and springtime throughout the cold winter season. One thing that helps me cope with the cold, windy weather here in northern Arkansas during January is a nice cuddly fleece scarf. I made one today that even someone with little sewing experience could make with success.


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I suppose you could call me cold-blooded when it comes to my reaction to winter weather. I always long for sunshine and springtime throughout the cold winter season. One thing that helps me cope with the cold, windy weather here in northern Arkansas during January is a nice cuddly fleece scarf. I made one today that even someone with little sewing experience could make with success.


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Tote Bags From Place Mats

Tote bags have been my most recent sewing project, and these bags are put together with nothing more than ordinary place mats and ribbon. I saw this fun idea made by Daisha at The Family Scientista, so I pulled some placemats out of a drawer and gave it a try.


 

I felt like the first bag I made was going to be more or less an experiment, so I didn't want to spend a lot of money on it. I used two white place mats that had been put away unused for several years.

 
For each tote bag you will need two place mats and a spool of ribbon.  These white place mats were not the best shape for the project, as they had the corners squared off. This caused me to need to vary from the directions a little.





Instead of making a narrow hem, I turned one end of each place mat down at the point where the mat became straight and stitched across for a top hem.


 
On the opposite end I cut the part off that wasn't squared up.




Unroll the ribbon from the spoon and cut it in half. Each half of the ribbon will be one of the handles for the bag. Take one of the ribbon halves and pin it to the right side of the place mat, starting at the bottom. I measured over 3 1/2 inches from the side.




 
Pin up one side, then down the other forming the handle. Measure and keep the ribbon straight as you go. Stitch near the edge on both sides of the ribbon. You'll do this for both sides of your tote bag. Then lay both sides of the tote bag right sides facing each other and stitch down the sides and across the bottom.


 

 Then pull the bottom seam of the bag even with the side seam and flatten it out forming a triangle. Stitch a seam across this triangle about 2 inches from the point. This will give the bag its shape from the bottom.


 
When you turn it right side out it will look like this and will be squared off on the bottom.


 

And that's all there is to making a tote bag from place mats and ribbon, so simple I couldn't believe how fast it was!


 
For the second bag I made I actually bought two place mats at Wal-mart. These mats were just an ordinary rectangular shape, so they were easier to work with. I decided that I wanted to change this tote to make it larger than the last one, so I didn't cut any of the fabric away. I also turned the place mats in the other direction so that this tote would be wider than it was tall.


 

 I hemmed the place mats with a small hem across one of the long sides. This will be the top edge of the tote.

 
For this bag I measured 4 inches from each side to pin the ribbon in place.



 

After pinning the ribbon in place, then stitch along each edge of the ribbon. As in the previous tote bag, then place the two parts together with right sides facing each other and stitch across the sides and bottom.



Then squish the side seam flat against the bottom seam and make a triangle; stitch across the triangle. Do this on both sides.

 

Another tote bag finished! The black one is quite a bit larger than the white one. The white one is the perfect size to slip in a couple of magazines and a bottle of water or even a couple of diapers and some wipes. The black bag is the kind you can load up. We took our grandson Landon to the zoo in Memphis today, so I loaded up the black tote bag with my camera, my wallet, keys, hand wipes, makeup bag, and sunglasses to take along.

These tote bags were an easy and fun project. They can be customized in any color combination you like, there are so many choices in ribbon and place mat colors. With summer coming up these would be great to make for taking to the beach too.




This post was shared with:
Domesblissity Thriving on Thursdays
Petals to Picots Friday Link Party
These Peas Taste Funny Link it Up Thursday
Momnivore's Dilemma Creative Juice Thursday
The Shady Porch Rock n Share
NY Melrose Family Whimsy Wednesday
Your Cozy Home Party
Mop It Up Monday
Tote bags have been my most recent sewing project, and these bags are put together with nothing more than ordinary place mats and ribbon. I saw this fun idea made by Daisha at The Family Scientista, so I pulled some placemats out of a drawer and gave it a try.


 

I felt like the first bag I made was going to be more or less an experiment, so I didn't want to spend a lot of money on it. I used two white place mats that had been put away unused for several years.

 
For each tote bag you will need two place mats and a spool of ribbon.  These white place mats were not the best shape for the project, as they had the corners squared off. This caused me to need to vary from the directions a little.





Instead of making a narrow hem, I turned one end of each place mat down at the point where the mat became straight and stitched across for a top hem.


 
On the opposite end I cut the part off that wasn't squared up.




Unroll the ribbon from the spoon and cut it in half. Each half of the ribbon will be one of the handles for the bag. Take one of the ribbon halves and pin it to the right side of the place mat, starting at the bottom. I measured over 3 1/2 inches from the side.




 
Pin up one side, then down the other forming the handle. Measure and keep the ribbon straight as you go. Stitch near the edge on both sides of the ribbon. You'll do this for both sides of your tote bag. Then lay both sides of the tote bag right sides facing each other and stitch down the sides and across the bottom.


 

 Then pull the bottom seam of the bag even with the side seam and flatten it out forming a triangle. Stitch a seam across this triangle about 2 inches from the point. This will give the bag its shape from the bottom.


 
When you turn it right side out it will look like this and will be squared off on the bottom.


 

And that's all there is to making a tote bag from place mats and ribbon, so simple I couldn't believe how fast it was!


 
For the second bag I made I actually bought two place mats at Wal-mart. These mats were just an ordinary rectangular shape, so they were easier to work with. I decided that I wanted to change this tote to make it larger than the last one, so I didn't cut any of the fabric away. I also turned the place mats in the other direction so that this tote would be wider than it was tall.


 

 I hemmed the place mats with a small hem across one of the long sides. This will be the top edge of the tote.

 
For this bag I measured 4 inches from each side to pin the ribbon in place.



 

After pinning the ribbon in place, then stitch along each edge of the ribbon. As in the previous tote bag, then place the two parts together with right sides facing each other and stitch across the sides and bottom.



Then squish the side seam flat against the bottom seam and make a triangle; stitch across the triangle. Do this on both sides.

 

Another tote bag finished! The black one is quite a bit larger than the white one. The white one is the perfect size to slip in a couple of magazines and a bottle of water or even a couple of diapers and some wipes. The black bag is the kind you can load up. We took our grandson Landon to the zoo in Memphis today, so I loaded up the black tote bag with my camera, my wallet, keys, hand wipes, makeup bag, and sunglasses to take along.

These tote bags were an easy and fun project. They can be customized in any color combination you like, there are so many choices in ribbon and place mat colors. With summer coming up these would be great to make for taking to the beach too.




This post was shared with:
Domesblissity Thriving on Thursdays
Petals to Picots Friday Link Party
These Peas Taste Funny Link it Up Thursday
Momnivore's Dilemma Creative Juice Thursday
The Shady Porch Rock n Share
NY Melrose Family Whimsy Wednesday
Your Cozy Home Party
Mop It Up Monday
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A Scarf With Wooden Beads

So it looks like I have given up my addiction to hair care products just to replace it with scarf making. This is the third scarf I have made, and I bought fabric for another one today. The one I made today is from fleece and it is so cuddly warm. I made it similar to the Pull Thru Scarf that I made recently, but with a new embellishment this time. This time I found some wooden beads to trim the ends. Do I need to mention that I found these beads in the drapery trim department? I seem to remember that the draperies were quite becoming on Scarlet O'Hara, so if they worked for her I can only hope.



What you need:
1/2 yard fleece fabric
1/2 yard trim
Thread to match

This scarf is made very much like a recent scarf that I posted, but I am going to post the instructions for this one as well.
The half yard of fabric looks like this when you buy it folded in half.

I unfolded it and refolded in the other direction. The fabric is 60 inches wide, and I am using the width of the fabric for the scarf.

I trimmed off the curled ends and then straightened the edges so that the folded piece of fabric is cut to 8 1/2 inches wide. The finished scarf will be approximately 8 inches wide x 60 inches long.

The purchased beads were sewn on a twill strip.

Lay the beads across each end of the fabric and stitch to the right side of the fabric, then sandwich them between the two layers of fabric right sides together. Stitch all the way around the cut edge, leaving about a 4-inch opening to turn.

Turn the scarf to the right side and press; stitch the opening by hand.

Fold the scarf in half lengthwise and find the center back, mark with a pin.

Also mark the center fold with a pin.

From the center back, measure down a length of 9 inches and mark with a pin. Measure 3 inches from that pin and mark again.

Mark the center line between the two pins.

Using a straight stitch, sew around the center line mark between the pins 1/8 inch on either side, making a "box". Then using a sharp pair of scissors, cut an opening in the center of the box. This will be pull thru for the scarf.


Last week my addiction was hair care products, now I'm  hooked on making scarves, I'm wondering if the progression is upward or downward after that. What next?




So it looks like I have given up my addiction to hair care products just to replace it with scarf making. This is the third scarf I have made, and I bought fabric for another one today. The one I made today is from fleece and it is so cuddly warm. I made it similar to the Pull Thru Scarf that I made recently, but with a new embellishment this time. This time I found some wooden beads to trim the ends. Do I need to mention that I found these beads in the drapery trim department? I seem to remember that the draperies were quite becoming on Scarlet O'Hara, so if they worked for her I can only hope.



What you need:
1/2 yard fleece fabric
1/2 yard trim
Thread to match

This scarf is made very much like a recent scarf that I posted, but I am going to post the instructions for this one as well.
The half yard of fabric looks like this when you buy it folded in half.

I unfolded it and refolded in the other direction. The fabric is 60 inches wide, and I am using the width of the fabric for the scarf.

I trimmed off the curled ends and then straightened the edges so that the folded piece of fabric is cut to 8 1/2 inches wide. The finished scarf will be approximately 8 inches wide x 60 inches long.

The purchased beads were sewn on a twill strip.

Lay the beads across each end of the fabric and stitch to the right side of the fabric, then sandwich them between the two layers of fabric right sides together. Stitch all the way around the cut edge, leaving about a 4-inch opening to turn.

Turn the scarf to the right side and press; stitch the opening by hand.

Fold the scarf in half lengthwise and find the center back, mark with a pin.

Also mark the center fold with a pin.

From the center back, measure down a length of 9 inches and mark with a pin. Measure 3 inches from that pin and mark again.

Mark the center line between the two pins.

Using a straight stitch, sew around the center line mark between the pins 1/8 inch on either side, making a "box". Then using a sharp pair of scissors, cut an opening in the center of the box. This will be pull thru for the scarf.


Last week my addiction was hair care products, now I'm  hooked on making scarves, I'm wondering if the progression is upward or downward after that. What next?




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A Pull Thru Fleece Scarf

Today I made a fleece pull thru scarf with fringed ends. I found the inspiration for this scarf at diystyle. My scarf is longer and has fringe embellishment, but the basic idea is the same. This is a super easy scarf to make, and there are so many possibilities for different looks.


What you will need:
1/2 yard fleece fabric
1/2 yard fringe
Thread to match

My directions are going to be slightly different than for the diystyle scarf. On their site they used 1/4 yard of a solid color fleece and 1/4 yard of a print for the scarf, so that each side was different. I decided to make mine all one color, so I needed 1/2 yard of fabric. The diystyle directions were for a scarf 40 inches x 8 inches, but since I wanted a longer scarf, here's the way I made mine:

My fabric was 60 inches wide and I wanted to use the whole width for the scarf. I folded the fabric in half across the width, and trimmed the edges evenly to 8 1/2 inches (folded width). This is going to make my scarf 60 inches x 8 inches.


Then with the right sides together, I pinned the fringe inside the two pieces, then stitched around the outer edge with a 1/2 inch seam. Leave about a 4 inch opening to turn. Press, and stitch the opening closed by hand.

Then fold the scarf in  half lengthwise and also find the center back of the scarf.

Mark the center back and the lengthwise center with pins.

From the center back measure down 9 inches and mark one side with a pin.

Then from that mark, measure down 3 more inches and mark again, also mark the lengthwise center between the two pins.

Unfold the scarf and stitch through all the thicknesses, using a straight stitch, 1/8 inch away from the center line all the way around, forming a "box".

It will be a narrow 3-inch rectangle after it is stitched.

Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut the slit open, then pull the finished scarf end through the opening. Amazing!

Today I made a fleece pull thru scarf with fringed ends. I found the inspiration for this scarf at diystyle. My scarf is longer and has fringe embellishment, but the basic idea is the same. This is a super easy scarf to make, and there are so many possibilities for different looks.


What you will need:
1/2 yard fleece fabric
1/2 yard fringe
Thread to match

My directions are going to be slightly different than for the diystyle scarf. On their site they used 1/4 yard of a solid color fleece and 1/4 yard of a print for the scarf, so that each side was different. I decided to make mine all one color, so I needed 1/2 yard of fabric. The diystyle directions were for a scarf 40 inches x 8 inches, but since I wanted a longer scarf, here's the way I made mine:

My fabric was 60 inches wide and I wanted to use the whole width for the scarf. I folded the fabric in half across the width, and trimmed the edges evenly to 8 1/2 inches (folded width). This is going to make my scarf 60 inches x 8 inches.


Then with the right sides together, I pinned the fringe inside the two pieces, then stitched around the outer edge with a 1/2 inch seam. Leave about a 4 inch opening to turn. Press, and stitch the opening closed by hand.

Then fold the scarf in  half lengthwise and also find the center back of the scarf.

Mark the center back and the lengthwise center with pins.

From the center back measure down 9 inches and mark one side with a pin.

Then from that mark, measure down 3 more inches and mark again, also mark the lengthwise center between the two pins.

Unfold the scarf and stitch through all the thicknesses, using a straight stitch, 1/8 inch away from the center line all the way around, forming a "box".

It will be a narrow 3-inch rectangle after it is stitched.

Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut the slit open, then pull the finished scarf end through the opening. Amazing!

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Tooth Fairy Pillows

I've been making Tooth Fairy Pillows today for my grandchildren. My youngest grandson Landon is six-years-old and getting ready for his first visit from the tooth fairy. Ginger and Charlie have both already lost teeth, but since I'm planning to visit them tomorrow I thought I would make them each a new pillow too.



I bought a package of assorted craft felt squares, but only one colored square will be needed for each pillow.

To make each pillow cut the felt into two 6-inch square pieces.

To make the pocket on the front of the pillow I cut a tooth shape from tissue paper for my pattern, then I cut all three of the pockets from one piece of white felt.

I chose colors I knew each of the grandchildren would like - blue for Landon, purple for Ginger, and green for Charlie.

The tooth pocket could be left plain, but I used sequins and beads to give them a little face.

Place the pocket on one of the 6-inch squares and stitch around the lower edge, leaving the top portion open.

Cut a 12-inch piece of ribbon for each pillow. Pin the ribbon to the right side of the pillow.

Then with the right sides of the pillow facing together, stitch around the outer edge, leaving an opening on one side for turning.

Turn the pillow right side out and stuff with polyester fiberfill, then stitch the opening closed.






The tooth fairy pillows have little pockets on the front that will hold a tiny tooth until the tooth fairy comes, then it will  hold the payment she leaves for the sparkling tooth. I've heard that she pays a premium price for well-cared-for teeth!



This post was shared with:
Your Cozy Home Party
Shady Porch Rock n Share
Junk in Their Trunk Wednesday
Thriving on Thursdays
Creative Juice Thursday
PinInspirational Thursday
Bacon Time Anything Goes 
Jane Deere Fusion Friday
Country Momma Cooks Saturday Link and Greet
Flamingo Toes Think Pink Sunday
Crafty Moms Share Sharing Saturday 
I've been making Tooth Fairy Pillows today for my grandchildren. My youngest grandson Landon is six-years-old and getting ready for his first visit from the tooth fairy. Ginger and Charlie have both already lost teeth, but since I'm planning to visit them tomorrow I thought I would make them each a new pillow too.



I bought a package of assorted craft felt squares, but only one colored square will be needed for each pillow.

To make each pillow cut the felt into two 6-inch square pieces.

To make the pocket on the front of the pillow I cut a tooth shape from tissue paper for my pattern, then I cut all three of the pockets from one piece of white felt.

I chose colors I knew each of the grandchildren would like - blue for Landon, purple for Ginger, and green for Charlie.

The tooth pocket could be left plain, but I used sequins and beads to give them a little face.

Place the pocket on one of the 6-inch squares and stitch around the lower edge, leaving the top portion open.

Cut a 12-inch piece of ribbon for each pillow. Pin the ribbon to the right side of the pillow.

Then with the right sides of the pillow facing together, stitch around the outer edge, leaving an opening on one side for turning.

Turn the pillow right side out and stuff with polyester fiberfill, then stitch the opening closed.






The tooth fairy pillows have little pockets on the front that will hold a tiny tooth until the tooth fairy comes, then it will  hold the payment she leaves for the sparkling tooth. I've heard that she pays a premium price for well-cared-for teeth!



This post was shared with:
Your Cozy Home Party
Shady Porch Rock n Share
Junk in Their Trunk Wednesday
Thriving on Thursdays
Creative Juice Thursday
PinInspirational Thursday
Bacon Time Anything Goes 
Jane Deere Fusion Friday
Country Momma Cooks Saturday Link and Greet
Flamingo Toes Think Pink Sunday
Crafty Moms Share Sharing Saturday 
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