I am totally excited! Everyone’s 4th of July shirts from last year still fit & I don’t have to make new ones!!!! Yea!!!
All of these made possible using Heat n Bond fusible appliqué!! My favorite stuff EVER!!
Vintage Kitty Pillow
June 22, 2013 by 2 Comments
The day after my Toonces passed away, I was on Etsy looking at every item that had a black cat: fabric, clothing, jewelry, accessories, quilts, pillows, artwork, greeting cards….you get the idea – pretty pathetic! By the way, there are 37,221 items that come up when you search “Black Cat.” Anyway, I came across these fabric squares with original artwork of different breeds of cats. And one of them looked exactly like Toonces!
Isn’t it cute! I love what is says around the image:
Soft velvet black coat
Always by my side
purring motor firing love
feeling all warm inside
I had to have it! I contacted the seller to ask a few questions and you will never guess what….she lives 2 miles from my house! So I arranged to pick the items up so we could meet!
Her name is Maria Nicodemus. She paints these beautiful pictures of kitties and has them printed on high quality canvas-like fabric. You can find her Etsy shop HERE or her blog, Ginger Eyed, HERE.
Here are some of her creations:
This is what I ended up ordering:
My daughter has a Bengal Kitty, so I bought this for her – I cant wait to make something WILD out of it!
Here is Marbles already messing it up!
This is how I made my vintage black cat pillow:
I have a large collection of vintage sheets – I pick them up everywhere I go. When we were preparing to burry our dear Toonces, I cut this sheet in half and used one half to wrap him in. (pass the Kleenex). I kept the other half. I thought it very fitting that I use this fabric to make this pillow.
My pillow form is 18″ so I cut my fabric 19″. I loved how the hem of the sheet was in different fabric then the main part of the sheet and I wanted to use the lace trim also. I included the hem in the pillow body.
I ran out of my favorite Therm O Web fusible fleece, so I used their sew in fleece and Heat n Bond basting spray. (This stuff is amazing!) The sheet was pretty thin, so this gave it some soft stability.
I couldn’t quite decide what to do around the cat image. I had some eyelet lace and sewed it to the cat square.
Then I pressed it under. I also added a larger piece of eyelet along the lace that was on the sheet.
I used basting spray under the cat image to hold it in place while I top-stitched it on.
I finished the pillow with more of the sheet fabric on the back and an invisible zipper at the bottom. I put a down pillow form inside & it feels all soft and squishy….just like Toonces 🙂 I love how it turned out. Now every time I walk into my bedroom I see this pillow and it makes me smile 🙂
It matches the other vintage sheet pillowcases I made!
A few more zipper pouches
June 19, 2013 by 6 Comments
My sister needed a few birthday gifts so I made here these. I just can’t get enough of these little pouches. {tutorial}
My Favorite Zipper Pouch {tutorial}
June 15, 2013 by 52 Comments
I am excited to share the pattern for my “Favorite Zipper Pouch”.
I needed a few gifts and whipped up some zipper pouches. I have made lots and lots of zipper bags. This is the one I always go back to. It holds a lot but isn’t huge. I have probably made over 50 of these!
Are you ready??
Prepare the bag:
Iron the fusible fleece to the wrong side of the outer bag fabric.
Measure a 1 1/2″ square and cut a notch out of the bottom corners of the outer pieces and the lining pieces. This will create the pleat in the bottom of the bag.
Prepare the zipper:
I like to put little tabs on my zipper so the zipper is not directly sewn into the seam of the bag. It reduces bulk and helps it lay flat. I always measure my tabs larger then cut them down.
As you can see, I like to buy larger zippers than I need. You can always cut them down for smaller projects!
Cut off the metal ends of the zipper.
Sew one of the prepared tabs to the end of the zipper. Backstitch several times over the zipper teeth.
Now measure over and sew the tab on the opposite end of the zipper. There should be 1″ of tab on each side. The excess will be cut off in a minute.
Use your zipper foot and sew along the zipper.
Now you do the same process to the other side of the zipper. Place the zipper face down on the right side of the outer fabric. Line up the edges. Layer the lining on top right side down. (pictured below)
Sew the zipper using the zipper foot.
Finish the bag:
Top stitch about 1/8″ next to both sides of the zipper. This will hold the fabric in place and it won’t catch in the zipper.
Make sure the bag is unzipped!!!
Turn the bag right side out.
Stuff the lining down in the bag and press the bag as needed. Done!!!
Store-Ad Coupon Pouch {tutorial}
June 8, 2013 by 14 Comments
This is my purse. Cute on the outside…..
…the inside is a mess!!!
It is mostly store-ad coupons like Joann, Michaels, Kohls, Macy’s, etc. Some of my friends clip the coupons and put them in a little coupon wallet. For some reason, I like to save the entire ad. Most of the ads are good for a few weeks and I can’t always remember what is on special.
Yes, I know I can have all the coupons and ads I ever want on my phone. Did you know you can use your phone coupons AND your store coupons? So I will continue to have one foot on the cutting edge of technology and one foot back in ancient history of paper coupons!
For the past several years I have thought everyday, “I should sew something to keep all these papers organized in.” I woke up this morning and decided today was the day!! There are a lot of pouch tutorials out there. Instead of finding one that would work I just created my own. Here is how you can make one too!!
Materials:
1/3 yard outer fabric
1/3 yard lining fabric
44″ Therm O Web Heat n Bond fusible interfacing – light weight
hair elastic
button
trim (optional)
Begin by cutting your outer fabric and lining fabric 12 1/2″ x 21 1/2″
I LOVE Therm O Web products! I go through yards and yards of their fusible fleece. For this project I decided to use a Heat n Bond fusible interfacing. (For more info on Therm O Web products & how to order click HERE.) I wanted the pouch to be firmer. Cut 2 pieces of your fusible interfacing 12 1/2″ x 21 1/2″. Fuse them to the wrong side of your 2 pieces of fabric.
Get a small plate or bowl and trace to round the top 2 corners of your main fabric. Trim along your line.
You can embellish this pouch any way you want. You can top stitch fabric, ruffles, ric rac, etc on the main piece. I choose to be speedy and added a piece of crochet lace to the center.
Take the pony tail holder and sew it in half like this. It only needs to stretch about an inch so you don’t need the whole thing. I sewed it back and forth a few times to make sure it doesn’t pull out.
Trim the excess. Make sure you trim so it looks like this:
Now layer right sides together and pin. I used a generous 1/4″ seam. leave a 2″-3″ opening on the side to turn.
Clip the rounded corners and the square corners. Turn and press.
Fold the bottom half up 7 1/4″ and pin in place. Top stitch around the pouch.
Sew your button on.
Fill with coupons & now you are ready to shop!!
OK – I really love this! Can’t believe it took me so long to make one! You can make this project in under 30 minutes 🙂
Here is a little peek into my purse and all my little pouches:
I also have a first aid kit that I forgot to photograph. How many pouches do you have in your purse?
Zipper Pouches
June 7, 2013 by 5 Comments
I LOVE zippers! Do you? I spent so much of mu life avoiding zippers, I feel I am making up for it now. (Like the time in my life I didn’t eat cheese….such a shame!) I love going to the fabric district in LA and buying my zippers for 25 cents each – any length!!
I just finished these cute pouches. My girls wanted to give them to their friends & teachers on the last day of school. We really want to keep them all…..but happy to be giving them away 🙂 I am working on a tutorial so you can make some too!!!
Lanyard Tutorial
May 30, 2013 by 3 Comments
Over Memorial Day we went backpacking in the Sierras. This was my first real backpacking trip on over 20 years! We had a BLAST!!! I thought it would be fun to make the children lanyards for the trip. I bought felt stickers at Joann Fabrics and glued pins to them. Throughout the trip the children earned pins to put on their lanyard. I also attached a whistle to the end – just in case they got lost or saw a bear 🙂
Here is how you can make one – they are super easy!! (excuse my ironing board cover – I need to get a new one!)
BEFORE YOU SEW THE ENDS TOGETHER…..slide a keychain ring or D-ring onto your lanyard.
Now, unfold the ends and pin them right sides together. Sew a 1/4″ seam and press the seam. Then refold the lanyard and give it a final press.
Top stitch all the way around the lanyard on both sides close to the edge. Making sure the seam is at the back of the neck, s
lide your D-ring or keychain to the opposite end and sew a little square with an “X” to secure. (See photo below for placement)
Last year, I sewed all these lanyards for Girl’s Camp. They are lots of fun to make – you can choose any fabric – you can even piece the fabric if you have time!
Vintage Sheet Pillowcases, New Bedding, & the Bengal Cat
May 23, 2013 by 2 Comments
I bought new bedding for my bedroom! That is always a big deal for me! Are you like me & need like 5 pillows to sleep??? Which means I needed more pillowcases then the 2 that came with the sheets. I got out the box of vintage sheets and came up with these!
This is how to make them: (this will make 1 standard size pillow)
Cut the main fabric on the fold measuring 21″ high and 26″ long (fold is on the long side)
I used the lace ruffle off a different sheet. I cut this 1 1/2 inches away from the ruffle seam.
Sew it to the edge of your pillow fabric. Press seams. The lace on the sheet was super crooked. I came up with a way to cover it up.
I bought this bolt of lace in the LA fabric district. 50 yards for $15!! I will be using it on everything!!
Sew the lace covering the seams.
After the trim is sewn on, fold the pillow right sides together and sew the 2 sides. I didn’t sew French Seams, I just zig zagged so it wouldn’t fray.
I love how they turned out! So does Marbles! He loves my new bedding and sleeps there everyday now! The quilt is Tahari from TJ Max, sheets are from Target. I was hesitant about buying sheets from Target. I LOVE these! They have super deep pockets and a double row of elastic to keep the sheets in place. And they are super soft and comfy! The quilt at the bottom of the bed was $16 at Home Goods!
Vintage Sheet Peasant Dress
May 21, 2013 by 8 Comments
I am participating in “The Easiest Sew-Along Ever” over at Windsor & Main. This dress is my project. It began with a big box of vintage sheets.
I narrowed it down to a pink set of sheets. I bought these at a thrift store in Virginia when I was out there for spring break. I love them! The fabric is so soft. I also had this pillow case with embroidered kitties on it. The pillowcase had stains on it. I decided to make a little apron for the dress using the kitties.
The apron is attached to the dress. I also added some crochet lace to the hem of the dress. The tie of the dress is made using a white sheet. This dress is 100% upcycled!!! I love it!
Monogram Pillow – Bridal Shower Gift
May 18, 2013 by 2 Comments
I am still not over my throw pillow obsession!! Lately I have been giving them as bridal shower gifts. I love making personalize gifts!! This one was for a friend who loves aqua!!
It turned out cute & she loved it!!
