Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Free Purse Patterns

Blossom Bag, Little Boxy Pouch, Framed Purse, Clutch, Gathered Clutch, Butter Cup, Phoebe Bag, The Weekender, Ruffled Bag

There is so many free patterns online! I had no idea until I started searching. Above are some of my favorite bag designs I found. Most come from fellow bloggers. Check out Every Day Beautiful and Whip Up blogs to look through more free patterns. Hope this gets you inspired to sew your own bag. Sometimes projects like these come together far more easier then clothing. So find a pattern you love and try it. You can create an adorable custom bag no one else will have.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Rice Bag

Just pop this rice bag in the microwave for 1-2 minutes to heat it up and then put it on those aching, sore muscles. It feels amazing. I absolutely luv mine and use it all the time, especially during that time of the month. Just follow this five minute video tutorial I created on how to make a rice bag. It's simple and inexpensive to make. Enjoy! I know you'll love it just as much as I do.

Sorry but I forgot to get a picture before I gave the rice bag away, so I found a variation of a rice bag on Etsy by Lil Bo & Co. As you watch the video you will notice my version is a square and doesn't have the one cut off corner.

Cost: $5
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials:
-  1/4 yard flannel fabric
-  Matching thread
-  2 lb. bag of rice

Friday, December 17, 2010

Burlap Table Runner

Here is a great rustic table runner you can make for the holidays. It's easy and inexpensive.

Cost: $5
Time: 2-3hrs
Stencil Brush
Supplies:
  • Burlap
  • Fabric paint
  • Stencil Brush
  • Card stock
  • x-acto knife


Whenever I do a project I am always inspired by things I find in stores or on the internet. For this project I came across two photos that gave me the idea to create a table runner for thanksgiving. You will need to measure your table adding 8 - 12inches on each end. You do this so that the ends of the runner will hang off the table. Mine turned out a little short because I forgot to account for the table leaf; don't make the same mistake.
  1. Cut out fabric according to your measurements, sewing together pieces if you need to.{The width of my table runner was 15 inches. Add an 1/2 inch on each side. You will be turning under fabric to create a finished edge. The total should be 16 inches when you cut out the table runner.}
  2. Fold fabric in half, hot-dog style, placing right sides together.

   5.  Fold under raw edges ¼ inch; press.
   6.  Then fold over edge another ¼ inch; press.
   7.  Sew all around table runner at lining edge with foot.

How to embellishment the table runner is up to you. For my table runner I wanted it to say Thanksgiving. You can have it say something else or create designs. You just have to make them into a stencil first. Here is a great video on creating stencils. 
 
1.      On your computer decide on a font that you like best. For mine I used Georgia, 675pt. Then decide on a size, making sure your word will fit onto the table runner.
2.      Print each letter out on a separate piece of card stock.
3.      With an x-acto knife cut out the letters.
4.   Place where you would like the letters on the table  runner. Space each letter 1/4" apart.
5.      With a dry brush, dip it in the desired paint color and stencil in the letters. When you stencil you don’t do brush strokes, instead you dab the brush against the surface. Watch this video

Table Runner Ideas

Here are cute table runner ideas I found off Etsy. Most of them use burlap and are embellished with textures, embroidery, paint and other fabric. Burlap is a cheap fabric that can be dyed and embellished, making any table look amazing.

Moufelt, annajoyce, DreamsMadeEasy, BJelvgren, HenryandZoeStudio, Jadewink, Kainkain, SewnByDCC, ElkhornDesign, ArtoftheSalior, Kainkain

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Chiffon Flower

This is an adorable headband you can make at a cheap price and in less than 20mins! Choose to do 4 or 8 layers for your flower. Finished flower measurement is a 2 1/2" diameter. If you can use left over materials from previous projects.

Cost: $1 - $2
Time: 10-20 mins
    Materials
  • 4in. of Chiffon
  • 1mm stretch cording (buy according to head measurement)
  • Felt or Scrap Fabric
  • 3 pearl beads 
  • Print out pattern located at bottom of post

DIRECTIONS
 
STEP 1: Cut out circles 1 – 4 in Chiffon fabric. Cut out circle 5 in felt or scrap fabric.{OPTIONAL: if you want the fuller flower picture by the women above who is wearing the headband, cut circles 1 - 4 out twice, so that there are 8 layers instead of four.}

STEP 2: Singe the edges of fabric by holding near the flame as shown below. Practice on a scrap until you get the hang of it. Do each circle one at a time. Layer circles, 1 on top and 4 on the bottom. Secure the center with a pin. {If doing eight layers, layer them, starting from the top 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4}


STEP 3: Tie the cording ends into a tight double knot, like how you tie your shoes.






STEP 4: Sandwich the knotted cording in between the circle 5 cutouts. Set machine to a tight zigzag stitch. Zigzag, so the cording is in between the stitches.



STEP 5: Pin flower to the felt/scrap circle. Double thread a needle and tie a knot at the end. Make sure the bead will fit through the needle. Then Sew three pearl beads in the center, through the flower and felt/scrap.Knot the end when done.


 
STEP 6: Using fabric or craft glue, glue a piece of scrap fabric on backside to cover up stitches. DONE!





If the headband keeps on slipping out of your hair, use some bobby pins to secure it.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Hair Acessories

Here are some adorable, affordable hair accessories I found on Etsy. Stay tuned because I will be showing you how to mimic some of these styles…or you can just go buy them.


Bethany Lorelle, Coco Rose Couture, Creations By Chelsea, Be Something New, Acute Designs, La Mya's Boutique, My Sweet Bee, Be Something New, Bethany Lorelle

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Pillow Texture

Here are some fun ideas you can use to decorate your pillows. Adding texture can make a simple couch or bed fun and exciting.