make your own 6-pocket mini pocketbook and stay organized — insatiable need I’m sure that many of you, like me, are on an eternal quest for organization. I know I’m not alone in finding the Container Store’s promise of a perfect, organized life utterly seductive. But here’s the thing…I don’t really like purging, I love my stuff. Therefore I also love pretty things in which to stash my stuff, so I get to enjoy my fantasy of being organized and contained. This tutorial is about helping you stay organized, in a quick, easy, and super-cute way. the pattern …is only four rectangles. the body is 7.25″ tall.the large pocket is 5.5″ tallthe medium pocket is 4.25″ tallthe small pocket is 3″ tall materials needed I chose a vintage cotton canvas for the body in a bright retro floral, and quilting weight cotton in a matching color for the interior. You’ll also need a button and a bit of elastic for the closure, and a bit of ribbon for the pen. I used two layers of mid-weight interfacing on the body to give it some heft. start with the pockets 1. 2. the closure 3. 4. 6. 7.
Vintage Pillowcase Grocery Tote Tutorial - SpiderWomanKnits Did you do your homework? Good, if not, don't worry you can always make it up. A few weeks ago I was completely inspired by these bags made by this lovely lady. So, right away I pulled a pillowcase from my stash and got sewing. So I pulled most of the vintage pillowcases from my shop except for a few (because that would just be greedy) and got sewing! So, here you go! download vintage pillowcase grocery tote tutorial It's yours for the taking and hopefully using! Oh, and, if your not feeling crafty you can find ready made bags that I have sewn for sale in the handmade section of my Etsy Shop!
DIY: Wire Waste Basket Turned Pendant Light Contributor post by Janis Nicolay of Pinecone Camp Hi Everyone! Janis here, from Pinecone Camp. I mentioned on my blog, a couple of weeks ago, that I had found a $2 wire waste basket, and I was going to turn it into a pendant light. Well here it is. I used scrapes of fabric to create a light for my niece. I picked up a "hemma" cord set from Ikea to attach to my $2 basket. Next step was to snip out a space to feed the cord through. Cut strips of fabric to weave and wrap around basket. Weave fabric strip through basket about every 6 inches. A happy light for a niece that doesn't like really dark rooms. ;) Gives of a pinky glow and some pretty shadows. So great to contribute to one of my favourite blogs! An interiors and lifestyle photographer (and closet baker by night), Janis Nicolay hails from Vancouver and adores travel, airports, road trips, camping and mid-century style. Blog: pineconecamp.blogspot.comSite: janisnicolay.comShop: PineconeCamp.etsy.com
Dragon dress: Garden Part 3 PLUS TUTE! Finally. My Dragon dress!!!! I can't say how much I love this dress. I saw the fabric at the fabric store and knew I had to make a dress. I love the shape of the skirt I wore it to a friends memorial because it reminded me of him and it was a huge hit. Tute:Fabric: I used three yards and had some left over...I'm 6'0 so most people will need a bit less.Zipper: Whatever length you feel comfortable with. *To start measure from your waist (bellybutton or smallest part of your torso) to about how long you want the skirt of your dress to be and add an inch. Fold in half and snip the parts that are a little uneven so you have a nice looking slope. This is the basic shape you want to cut out for the dress top. Measure the widest part of your bust and cut your piece that long. Here are the first set of darts. Close up. The second set of darts. This is around what the new shape should look like after both sets of darts on either side. Find the center of the skirt and the top and the back. Sew across.
Washcloth Bibs 101 | So easy, so fun, so resourceful. When you’ve taken all the random T-shirts and made baby pants, and rice pillows and nightcaps and pirate hats out of them… you end up with quite a pile of scraps. Perhaps you’ve noticed, but I just have a hard time wasting stuff like this. I’d say it was because I’m a child of the depression, but I’m not. It’s just fun to find a new life for something on it’s last leg. You will need: old T-shirts colorful washcloths scissors sewing machine So, we cut the sleeves off and most of the front and back and cut through the back neck piece of the shirt. Then we laid the washcloth on top… and sewed it on. You can sew down the bottom of the shirt back to the washcloth as well, if you’d like. Another way to do it is to cut the shirt in more of a half circle… and sew it on top of the washcloth. We found that if you turn the bib around–it also makes an adorable cape… just perfect for the hardworking superhero. Happy Birthday Jane!!
Bottle Cap Tray *Edited 1/5/13* Hello everyone! First of all, I am glad so many people have enjoyed this project. When I did it and wrote the tutorial over 2 years ago, I never thought it would be my number 1 hit project to date. A lot of you have asked questions here in the comments and emailed me with particular unforeseen problems and I have tried my best to come up with solutions and ideas to remedy these problems. And a lot of you have had success, even using other things than bottlecaps, which is great! If you plan to do this project, be aware that it is not a thrifty project...however it can be....bottle caps are are recycled, trays can be found on sale....but the acrylic water, while not super expensive, is not exactly cheap. I like using trays for various tasks around the house and was on the look out for one to keep my coffee station area nice and tidy. Thankfully it did! I started laying the caps in and played around with the pattern until I was happy. Thanks for stopping by! *Edited*
two pocket, ultra slim fabric card case — insatiable need A few weeks ago, I went to Dallas for the wedding of a friend of mine from college, and unsurprisingly, the reception ended up doubling as a mini college reunion. Some of those people I literally hadn’t seen since graduation day. Naturally, the experience got me thinking about the thing I am always thinking about: sewing. (really). I already make a cute little single pocket card case/wallet thing that people love to impulse-buy at craft shows, but occasionally I get asked about one with two pockets, that would fold in half. why 19th street? Remembering our 19th street adventures made me think of that critical accessory (nobody carried purses when we went out), and how a handmade version would be pretty cute, and super useful. I also used lightweight fusible interfacing, but that’s also optional, especially if you use something a bit heavier for the outside. the pattern…is really just two rectangles. time to start sewing! 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. And viola!
i have to say...: little library tote tutorial This little library tote is simple to make and fun to use. It is made from a dishtowel and is lightweight enough for your little reader, but sturdy enough to carry a small stash of library books. Since it is unlined, you will want to be sure to purchase a dishtowel that is made of heavy fabric. Supplies needed are one dishtowel and matching thread. I bought my dishtowel from Crate and Barrel for $2.00 and it measured approximately 18"X30". First you will need to fold your towel along the long edge so that you end up with a rectangle. Sew all three sides of your bag using a 1/4 inch seam: For the handles you will need to cut two 2-1/2 inch strips from your leftover dishtowel fabric: Now you sew up the long sides of the handles and turn them right-side-out using a safety pin: Trim the handles to 17-inches (or your desired length) and then whipstitch the ends. You are done! Enjoy!
Turn your old jeans into a laptop bag Jeans are a staple in my closet. It's pretty much what I wear every day. This summer I replaced my white jeans with a newer pair, and I decided to salvage the old denim. I went back and forth on project ideas, including a picnic blanket. First, I chose a complementary material for the bag's lining. To protect the computer, I added two layers of batting. Wait to trim the batting until after you have stitched the layers together. Stitch over your marked lines, but leave 1/2 inch allowance at the top (you will be folding the top edge under). Before sewing the lining fabric together, I added a little pocket feature. To sew the lining of the bag, pin the two lining fabrics right sides together. To create a wider base on the bag, sew a 3" line perpendicular to the bottom seam. Now, for the most challenging part of the project. If you made it through this part, congratulations! Turn the denim and batting so that it is right side out. Take the lining and place inside the bag.
Quick fix grocery bag We had grapes this weekend. So? They were really good. Seedless white grapes and they came in one of those plastic bags, with cuts all over to make it stretchy. Hours after we had the grapes, while in the kitchen, my eye fell upon the plastic bag again. I found a shirt - an old favorite but hopelessly stained one (bleach* near the bottom hem). In case you want to give this super fast and easy grocery bag a try as well, keep on reading as I wrote down some instructions for you. What you need: - an old T-shirt- scissors- matching thread- a button- a piece of ribbon- sewing machine Instructions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Take one sleeve and cut to size, such that the folded bag fits inside the sleeve (make sure to add seam allowance). As with all of my tutorials, please note, this tutorial is intended for personal use only. * the bleach stains ended up the in hem and one of the boxed corners!!
Compact Tote Bag Tutorial :: Annie Get Your Glue Gun My coworker carries a great bag like this that you can fold up into the cute accent pocket. I knew it couldn’t be too hard to make one for myself, so I measured her bag and got to work. It’s the perfect size to fit into my bike basket and to pick up groceries from the farmers market or corner store. And it can be stuffed into the pocket so I can carry extra with me for shopping. Cute, eh? Step 1: Gather Materials You will need: 2 14″x16″ rectangles of main fabric2 2″x27″ strips of main fabric1 10.5″x10.5″ square of accent fabric, cut in half on diagonal to make 2 triangles32″ cordCord stop Step 2: Make Straps With right sides together, fold long strips in half hot-dog bun style. Step 3: Attach Straps Pin straps to top of main bag pieces 4″ in from each side. Step 4: Hem Top Edge Iron down 1/4″ and then 1″. Step 5: Finish Top Edge Fold straps up and sew all the way across, 1/4″ from top. Step 6: Prep Pocket Step 7: Hem Pocket Iron down 1/4″ then 3/4″ of hypotenuse. Step 8: Add Cord You’re done!!