I'm teaching a machine applique class soon and was working on another class sample. This might be one of my all time favorite applique projects! I drew up a little taxi in Illustrator, cut out the pieces with my Silhouette, ironed them on, and stitched them down. Here's my illustration if you want to make your own! (Download here.) My favorite part of the whole thing might be the little seed bead tail lights!! Happy Sewing! … [Read more...]
1-Hour Accent Pillow
I made some fun samples last week for a few classes I've got coming up this month! Here's the first one: This pillow looks great and is SUPER easy to make, I promise! Here's what I did. Cut three pieces for the front of the pillow: Left side strip - 6" x 20" Gathered Center Strip - 4 1/2" x WOF (44") Right side strip - 12 1/2" x 20" The center strip will be much longer than 20". To easily gather it and make it 20" long you'll make two rows of basting stitches along either side. My first row was at a 1/4" seam and the other was about 1/8" to the side of the first row. Grab your bottom threads and gently pull to gather … [Read more...]
DIY Shower Curtain and Blind Hems
Today I'm going to help you learn how to use a Blind Hem Stitch while we make a shower curtain! It's actually pretty easy! Our second bathroom has been a little sad since we moved. It's had nothing done to it and is not up to my colorful standard! Definitely time for a makeover. I knew that I wanted to work off of these coral vases I already had, and I wanted a travel/world theme. After searching for months I found the perfect fabric to make the shower curtain with! This wonderful Alexander Henry print, Zhivago, from Fabric Worm. Isn't it delicious? Teal, Yellow, Red, Coral, and Aqua gorgeousness! Let's get started! … [Read more...]
Summer Sewing
Well, we've settled in from the move and I've already found stuff to keep me busy! There's a local fabric store (no surprise that I found the nearest fabric store within a week of arriving!) that I've been helping design and sew some displays for. Here's a little portion of a couple summer themed projects I did: An Amy Butler Gum Drop Pillow cover, made to look like a beach ball. (This is one of my favorite simple sewing patterns if you're just getting started sewing!) Once you've mastered it, it's easy to add a zipper along the bottom and make lots of different covers! Also is a simple tote I designed. I played around with the … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday: Throw Pillow with Invisible Zipper
Ready to tackle an invisible zipper? Please promise me you won't let what anyone else says about how hard zippers are stand in your way! Ok, ready? We'll talk about invisible zippers and then sew up a pillow using one. (I promise these are so easy, you'll wonder why you haven't started using them before!) You'll need: 16" pillow form 1/2 yard of fabric 1 4" invisible zipper (I get mine from ZipIt on Etsy, she ships fast and the prices are awesome!) Coordinating thread Your machine's zipper foot Let's talk zippers and zipper feet for a minute: My zipper foot for my Janome looks like this: It's got two … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday: Color Wheel Clock
This is a fun color wheel clock I made for my mom's sewing room. It's a great intro into hand embroidery too if you want to give it a try! You'll need: 7" Embroidery Hoop 1 Clock Kit 1/4 yard linen (or other fabric) I used linen because I liked the texture, but a plain cotton would work fine too. 1/4 yard extra firm fusible interfacing Embroidery needle Various colors embroidery floss Fabric transfer pen or pencil (My favorite is the FriXion Gel Pen. Draw on your fabric, then erase it with the heat of the iron. As with any fabric marking tool, test in an inconspicuous area first!) Clock Number Pattern (Download the … [Read more...]
Let your heart soar
Last weekend I mentioned that I visited a local balloon festival. It was fabulous fun! Hot Air Balloons have played a little role over the last few weeks in my projects too! Paper Crafts Magazine had a call and wanted projects with hot air balloons. I submitted a couple of projects (one will be published this spring so I can't show you that one just yet!) but here's a little home decor project I did featuring a hot air balloon and a great little quote! Hope you have a fantastic weekend and don't forget to let your heart soar! … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday-Wedding Gift
My cousin got married yesterday and I'm so excited for her! I wanted to make them a little something to send along with their other gift. I ended up taking their engagement photo and framing it in a shadow box from IKEA, etching the glass with some hearts, and adding the sentiment and their wedding date. I LOVE how it turned out! I hope she does too! I also love how versatile it is. This could easily be changed to make an anniversary gift, graduation gift, or a teacher gift! Supplies used: Cardstock and patterned paper from American Crafts and Bazzill Adhesives from 3L Scrapbook adhesives Frame from IKEA … [Read more...]
Friday Favorites: Home Decor and a Recipe
A few of this week's favorites: Helvetica font cookie cutters from Beverly Hsu. Ravioli with Garlic-Herb Oil recipe from Women's Day. Yum! Butterfly Collection pillow from Ruffles and Stuff. Purple Tiles Tote from Bundarra on Etsy. (Seriously, why do bags have to be so darn cute! I could buy bags everyday....I actually had a dream last night that I went shopping and bought a bag, much to my husband's dismay!) Screenprinted dish towels with red poppies from Michelle Brusegaard. … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday: Welcome Spring Wall Decor
I have a bunch of frames I picked up a while back from the Dollar Store. I've been trying to decide what to do with them but I knew I couldn't pass up a bunch of cheap frames! This weekend I made a fun, easy, Welcome Spring sign to hang up. It's just now showing signs of spring here in Chicago and I couldn't be more ready! Supplies: Frame with back removed Stamps (I used my Boughs set) Various StazOn Ink (These work best on glass and other shiny surfaces!) Coordinating Ribbon for hanging your sign Rhinestone sticker embellishments Stamp the various images on the back of your glass. Add embellishments on the … [Read more...]
