Burlap Placemat Tutorial

Today I'm guest posting for Jane of Trades as part of Roselee's Bias Tape Tuesday Series.

Here's a very simple tutorial taking advantage of some great printed burlap fabric I found recently at Joann's.

To make 4 placemats, you'll need 3/4 yard burlap and just over 7 yards of 1/2 inch, double fold bias tape (note there is nowhere near 7 yards shown in the above photo).  This is a great excuse to make your own bias tape using Roselee's tutorial posted here. 

Cut each placemat to be 13 x 19 inches.

At about the center of one of the short sides, sandwhich the burlap in the bias tape, and sew down until you reach the corner.

Fold back the bias tape and shown, and make a nice little mitered corner.  Pin, then begin sewing where you left off.  Do the same for all 4 corners.

When you get back to where you started, cut the bias tape so that it overlaps with by just about an inch.  Fold over the end, press and sew in place, hiding the unfinished end where you started.

So simple.

So beautiful.

They make my dining room look so much nicer than it actually is.  In reality, this table never looks this way.  It's usually the spot where all the kids papers and toys get shoved.  Where all my in progress projects get stashed...

A beautiful spot, even if for just one day.

Handmade Gift Ideas - Pin Cushion Jar

Happy Thanksgiving!  Here's a quick post with a fun gift idea.

 A fellow crafty friend has a birthday soon and I wanted to give something handmade but also useful. 

I used this tutorial from Make It and Love It.  

I made it and I loved it!  To add my own little touch, I spray painted the lid to get a antiqued look.

 The jar on the left has the hammered finish, the jar on the right doesn't.  Both look great.

Ready to fill with some yummy treats.

Hope your Thanksgiving Day is full of cheer!

Handmade Gift Ideas - Color Blocked Zip Pouch

 The holidays are right around the corner so it's time to get started on those handmade gifts.  And who doesn't love a zip pouch?  Here's a great little project that you can use some scraps to whip up in no time.  

You'll need some heavyweight fabric for the outer (or you can interface a lighter fabric), fabric for the lining and a zipper. 
 Full tutorial and pattern here.

 
I used some scraps of duck canvas that were 5 inches wide by 14 inches tall.  

(you can see I put together 2 smaller gray pieces)

 Sew the strips together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance and cut in half.

 Cut the pieces to size using the printable pattern, and finish according to the instructions here. 

Fill it up with some fun little treats and it's ready to be received!

What handmade gifts are you working on?

Buckle Bag

So are you excited about the Mirabelle Messenger Bag yet?  Here's a little more inspiration.  I'm going to give you a quick walk-through on some little pattern modifications I made to get this look.  I did this bag with a lightweight, olive corduroy.  I love the detail of the bias tape and piping, but I wanted a more monochromatic look.  So, I used Roselee's tutorials to make my own bias tape and piping.

Since the corduroy can add a bit of extra bulk to the seams, I cut all the interfacing pieces (except for the strap and pocket) a little smaller than the fabric.

 I cut the flap a little shorter and a little more square.  

I used a top-stitch thread and needle to make the stitching really pop.  I love that look. 

Picked up this belt for $1 at goodwill.  

I'm sure there's a better way to add the buckle, but I was a little short on time and figured no one would look too closely.  I made a strip of fabric the same width as the buckle, cut a little hole to slip the pin through, and added a little fray-check.  I sewed the strap down as far as I could and finished sewing in place by hand. 

Don't forget, there's still time to win your own free pattern over at Jane of All Trades.  

Giveaway Ends at Noon!!

Introducing...The Mirabelle Messenger Bag

 My first (and maybe only) for sale e-pattern!  I'm so excited to complete this pattern.  It's something I've been wanting to do for a while and finally was able to accomplish.
 

Here's what I love about this pattern....

 The sizing works well for both kids and adults,

 it looks great done in fabric,

and laminated cotton. 

The adjustable strap allows you to use it as either a shoulder bag or a cross body bag.  

I've got options for a magnetic closure or a button closure, an interior zipper pocket and a padded strap.

The pattern is for sale here and here.  I also have the hardware you'll need, but haven't had a chance to list it yet.  Drop me a line if you're interested.

A great project for your Thanksgiving break.

Want to win a free copy?  Head on over to Jane of All Trades to see her cute version and to enter to win a free copy of the pattern.

Enter her giveaway until Friday, November 16, here. 

 

 

Then come back later in the week to see some tips on how to make this super cute version of the Mirabelle Messenger Bag.

Hurricane PJs and Some News

Somehow I missed the news that Rae is now offering the Flashback Skinny T in larger sizes.  Since we're in the middle of a hurricane, might as well buy a new pattern and do some sewing. 

 I've had a really hard time finding good PJs for the 6 year old in the house.  She's tall and skinny and all the 6T PJs are too short in the length and arms.  Rae's pattern is perfect!  I cut a size 6 and added length in the torso and arms.

I made 3 shirts and 2 pairs of fleece pants.  So much easier than going store to store, buying and returning...

And now for the news....I'll be releasing my first e-pattern in the new few weeks.  Remember this bag I made too late for Purse Week, well I thought it was so cute that maybe others would like to make it too. 

Roselee, my good friend and bag maker extraordinaire, is testing out the pattern to make sure it makes sense to someone other than me.  Then she'll be giving away a copy of the pattern and it will be up for sale.  So stay tuned!

Purse Week Bag - Late

 I started this bag about a month ago and figured I'd have plenty of time to get it done for Purse Week at A Lemon Squeezy Home. 

The deadline was October 12th and I just finished last night.  Oh well, at least it's done. 

I'm pretty proud of this bag.  I came up with pattern myself, made my own bias tape and piping, and even made the strap adjustable! And I'm in love with this fabric from Joanns.  I was kind of shocked when the woman who cut it for me told me it's not a popular print for them. 

Even though I didn't get to enter, it's still really fun to check out all the other entries.  Have you been following?  

Do you have a favorite?

KCWC - Raglan T

 KCWC is such a great motivator to sit down and make clothes for the kids.  But, sometimes I find it overwhelming.  The other night I was paralyzed with indecision and ended up getting frustrated and doing nothing.  I did catch up on Project Runway, so that's something. 

 After a night off, I regained my motivation and threw together this shirt.

 FABRIC:  2 repurposed T-shirts
PATTERN: self drafted using an existing shirt, Rae's Skinny Tee pattern and Hey June's Greenpoint Cardigan Pattern.
RESULT: a perfect fit and he loves it.  He was even excited about the elbow patches.

Have a great weekend! 

KCWC Project 1

My first completed project for KCWC.  The Greenpoint Cardigan is a new pattern from Adrianna of Crafterhours and now Hey June.

 This is a really great pattern.  Easy to follow and make, comes in a great range of sizes, and can be done for a boy or a girl! How great is that.  I made this one from a stretchier than average sweatshirt fleece.  Perfect for fall.

This little handsome cutie reminded me of Mr. Rogers. He's ready for a big day in the neighborhood with his great snack sack.

Are you doing KCWC?  What are you making?

Costume Procrastination

 It's the Kids Clothes Week Challenge this week at Elsie Marley, and what am I up to?  Procrasting.  When I should be making costumes, or some clothing for a tall, skinny, 6 year old with apparently freakishly long arms (nothing fits her!!), I'm making trick or treat bags.  There was more glue gun than sewing machine involved too.  I am working on one clothing sewing project and hoping I can get the boy to let me take his picture.  

Stay tuned!

Reusable Snack Bags

 I'm a big believer in reducing waste and carrying snacks in reusable containers whenever possible.  Yet somehow, we've never found a fabric snack sack that really worked for us.

Enter this great tutorial for a reusable snack sack from Roselee at Jane of All Trades.  Very easy and the bias tape is such a nice touch. 

 I made a few changes to the original tutorial to suit our needs.  I only used 1 layer of fabric and made them narrower and shorter.  My finished dimensions are 6 inches by 4 inches.

I also cut a piece of hook and loop tape in half lengthwise and hid it under the bias tape.

  So quick, easy,pretty....

and functional!

As a side note, I've been doing some reading about food safe fabrics and feeling a bit discouraged.  This fabric IS 100% cotton, but the care instructions say "dry clean only".  I spoke with the ladies at Joann's who said that duck cloth shrinks with every wash and that's why they recommend dry cleaning, has something to do with the way it's woven (??).  For these I purposely didn't use PUL or nylon because from what i read, I wasn't convinced that it should be anywhere near food.  In any case, if anybody has any thoughts on fabric and food safety, I'd love to hear about it. 

 I'll admit, I'm a little hyper-sensitive when it comes to this kind of stuff given that my other life is in Endocrine Disrupter research.