If you sew, you know that your bobbins can go from nice and organized to messy and stringy in a matter of minutes. Case in point: Looks pretty bad huh? And I promise that I made them all nice and neat less than a week ago and didn't make it more messy just for a picture! When you go to get one bobbin out, the others just unravel more making an even bigger disaster! I searched online for bobbin clips to purchase. The only ones I found were for a pack of 10 for almost $10 on Amazon.They included the bobbins too, but they were for Brother machines. I sew on a Janome... Although they use very similar bobbins I didn't want to pay $10 before … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday: Cupid’s Arrow Heart Pouch
Need a easy little gift for Valentine's Day? This perfect Cupid's Arrow pouch is just the right size to hold a gift too! The little arrow becomes the zipper pull. Make one, or a few! (I think I made 5!) What you'll need to make one pouch: Print the PDF pattern pieces from here. (Make sure that the 1" box on the pattern actually prints at 1" square.) 1 Fat Quarter (or 1/4 yard fabric) per pouch front 1 sheet coordinating felt 1/2 yard lightweight fusible interfacing (I used Pellon SF101, my favorite!) 1 - 12" (or longer) coordinating polyester zipper EDITED: You can also use scrap fabric for the front and back, and … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday: Valentine’s Day Welcome Mat
I'm readying my apartment for Valentine's Day. Here's a project I did this weekend that took me less than an hour! You'll need: Blank coir welcome mat (I got mine from IKEA, Target and other stores should have them too.) 3 cans spray paint in various Valentine's Day shades(I used a combination of both flat and shiny paint textures. It didn't seem to matter and you can't tell which were which on the coir. The darkest pink was a shiny finish and the lt. pink and white were matte finish.) white contact paper masking tape Scrap paper Tape around the edges and then divide the center into 3 equal horizontal lines with your … [Read more...]
Weekend Projects
This weekend I taught a few classes, and still had time to do a few projects! Here are a couple of pictures from my weekend: Taught 6 lovely ladies how to make their own slippers. Despite losing power in the studio for 20 minutes, we got everything done! Above are two of the shoe/slipper sets completed! Aren't they fun? (We used this GREAT pattern from Shoeology.) Made two little heart and pom pom garlands based off this fun tutorial from Betz White on Craft. (They took NO time at all!) These are headed to two special family members who share birthdays today, my mom and aunt! Happy Birthday Ladies!! Taught a lesson to my 3-4 year old … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday: No Sew Valentine’s Towels
You know I love sewing, but here's a super quick and easy way to embellish some dishtowels with no sewing involved! You'll need: Dish towel (I get mine in a 4 pack from Home Goods. Less than $10.) Scrap fabrics Pencil, Scissors Heat'n Bond Heavy - paper backed fabric adhesive Ready to get going? On the paper side of your heat'n bond, sketch or trace your image. (Remember that if your image has a direction, like a letter, make sure you trace it backwards so it will be the right way when we're done. Some XOXO's would be cute on the towel too!) Roughly cut around your image. Then iron it to the wrong side of … [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...]
Tutorial Tuesday: Vinyl Covered Zippered Pouch
Wow, it's been a while. I've been so busy with my job at CityCraft that I've been horrible at documenting what I've been doing here! Last year was a crazy year in oh so many ways! Can't wait to start sharing some more projects with you though! I've already got Tutorial Tuesdays planned for all of January and couldn't be more excited! First up for January is a vinyl covered zippered pouch. This project came about because I wanted to laminate some cute fabrics that aren't available in oilcloth or laminated cotton. (There is an iron on vinyl product but I tried it and really didn't like how it turned out!) So this is my fix! Hope you like … [Read more...]
Cheese Testing: Week 1 & 2
My husband was a little excited about this particular item off of my 30 before 30 list. He loves cheese as much as I do...and since we are going to be trying one new cheeses every week for the next little while I thought I'd do a little review of each cheese so we have it as a reminder of the flavor, texture, etc. We've tried two types so far, a Moroccan Spice Cheese and Beemster Graskaas Cheese. I've already learned tons about how cheeses are made and the different ways of acidifying them. (Some are acidified with bacteria while others are acidified with vinegar or lemon juice.) Wikipedia does a great job explaining a little bit about … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday: Fat Quarter Fabric Folder
I can't believe that summer is almost over and everyone is getting their kiddos ready to go back to school. In our Back To School themed sewing camp this week I've got the girls working on their first project, a reusable fabric folder. I have to say that they are turning out fabulously and the girls are so excited to be making school accessories that aren't going to fall apart on them like paper folders will. Plus, they get to use their favorite fabrics! This project is a great first project for the 8+ age group. It's all straight lines and covers proper pressing, straight stitching, top stitching and other important techniques. Want to … [Read more...]
Roadtrips, Reflections, and Ramekins
This weekend my husband and I had the pleasure of visiting with some of my relatives in the Oklahoma City area. We had a fabulous time just hanging out, crafting, playing games, watching movies, and enjoying delicious food! We attended a small town parade where I got to watch one of my cousins march, as well as see super patriotic things like: Darth Vader and an Imperial Guard...(I guess he's wearing red so that makes him patriotic?) and cows pulling a wagon? Well, I did enjoy cheering on the soldiers and vets in the parade! Best part: our trip only took 1 full tank of gas. My grandparents happened to be visiting as well. I feel SO … [Read more...]
