Vintage Fabric DIY Teepee

I'm back after a bit of a break, with a fun project. A DIY teepee!
I'll be watching my little niece while she's on her summer break from school, so I try to have something new for her. I had been saving the sturdy cardboard rolls from upholstery fabric thinking that they would be useful for some craft project and this was it!

I used an awl to make a hole through the top of each one...

 

 

 

Then threaded twine through the holes and wrapped the 4 together.

 

 

Next I found a large piece of vintage fabric from the stash (It was a couple pieces that had been sewn together, probably for use as a quilt back). I made a rough template and used that to cut out the pieces I needed. I also added a contrasting trim fabric, just because. ;-)

 

 

In order to keep the seems lined up on the poles, I sewed small ties on the inside.

 

 

It was a quick project, folds up and stores easily, and finally got those cardboard tubes out of my sewing room...crafting success!

 

 



Baby Gift Items in Flannel

 

I had fun sewing baby items for a friends shower last week. I used super soft flannel fabrics for bibs and burp cloths.  Joanns had their Snuggle flannels on sale so, I pick up a few.

I also had a couple of solids in my stash and a pretty vintage pink rose flannel that I found at an estate sale last summer.

For the shower gift I used the mint green cherry blossom paired with a pink minky dot for one set...

And the vintage pink rose and solid pink for the other set.

I used the same pattern for the bib as the last one I made. Its from Heather Bailey's blog.
For the pink rose burp cloth I just free-handed a pattern.
Then, along with several items from her registry, I packed them all into a handmade fabric bin.

I constructed this one slightly different than the others I've made here and here.
It is a bit smaller and the handles are attached to the sides rather than the top edge.

I think bins are always useful...for toys, diapers, blankets, dvds, books, etc.  So, hopefully she can find a place for it.  :)
Babies are so fun to sew for! And I'm always looking for new ideas.  What type of projects do you like to make for baby?

EpiPen Case

This was a little project for a friend of mine. Her daughter has peanut allergies and she wanted a pretty case for her Epipen.

I made two different styles (actually 3, but didn't get a picture of one of them).  I also made a small label to identify the contents.

I used a computer printer fabric sheet for the label, backed it with interfacing and satin stitched around the edge.  Then just trimmed any excess fabric close to the stitching.  Because the ink isn't washable, I just basted it on to the case with large stitches.  That way she can remove it if she ever does need to clean it. (Update: I just found out that they do make one that's washable.)

Have you ever used the printer fabric?  I'm wondering how I could use the other 3+ sheets in the pack.  :)

Sewing Party Projects

This past weekend I got together with a bunch of friends at the local library for a sewing/craft party.  We had coffee and snacks and all brought projects we wanted to work on and fabric we wanted to trade or give away.  One girl was teaching crochet techniques, another was hand sewing a doll, and several of us had our sewing machines and were finishing up half-started projects.

Here's what I accomplished that night; A little bunny wristlet and a few vintage fabric key chains.

I had cut most of the pieces for this little pouch years ago, but as with many projects, it got stuck in a drawer and forgotten.  I love this vintage children's fabric (its a 1940's Puritan Print called "Mail Time") and have used many of the cute little scenes before.  On this wristlet I used the bunny on the front and a strip with the bluebird on the back.

I also tried out some new key chain hardware.  This was just another way to use up tiny scraps of vintage fabric that I can't throw away.  I only needed about a 1.5 inch strip for these.

It was a fun and fairly productive evening.  I wish I would have remembered to take some pictures while I was there, but apparently I felt the need to defend my title as "World's Worst Blogger".  lol
Have a great week everyone!

Quick Sweater ReMake

I don't usually sew clothing items, I'm much more comfortable with small accessories.  But, this weekend I did attempt a very simple sweater remake.  I had been looking for a taupe cardigan to wear with skirts, dresses, and also jeans.  You'd think it would be easy enough to find, but I wasn't having any success despite hitting 2 large malls and several other stores like TJMaxx, Target, and Marshalls.

But, I did find a V-neck pullover at Macy's.  It was the perfect color and it was on sale!  So, I thought it might be a good candidate for a remake.

I simply cut it straight up the center and then serged the cut edges.

Then I just hand stitched a rolled hem.

I wore it yesterday, and I'm happy with how it turned out.  I'm debating about whether to add a closure of some sort.  Maybe a little hidden hook and eye, or a small ribbon tie, or possibly a vintage button with loop.

I'll play around with these options and see what I like best.  All in all, I'm happy with the outcome.  :)
How about you? Have you attempted any clothing remakes lately?

Sewing for Babies

This past week I was able to sew some fun baby items for a friends shower.  She's having a girl and judging from the crib set she registered for, the nursery will be decorated in pinks, orange, yellow and green and have a slight jungle animal theme.
So, I put together a pretty fabric toy/diaper bin. I followed the same construction methods that I used for this larger one that I made a few years ago, but scaled down the size just a bit.

 I also made a couple of applique burp cloths using a giraffe and elephant template that I found here on Sew for Home. 

 

And using a free pattern provided by Heather Bailey of Hello my name is Heather, I made a baby bib out of cotton toweling and vintage fabric scraps.

 

I also filled the basket with a number of smaller items from her registry, a couple of books, and a cute stuffed giraffe (love him!).

 

Have you been able to sew for babies lately?  If so, what kind of items do you like to make?

Progress on the Sunroom and a Roll-Up Shade Hack

Projects move at a snails pace around here. I don't know how others do it...put their mind to something, start a house project, then finish it that same week.  That never happens here.
Anyway, some progress, however little, has been made.  First up I thought I'd show you a quick little sewing project of how I customized an Ikea Roll-up shade.

The shade is a plain white cotton twill called Emmie, and was 12.99.  All I did was measure the space between the button holes. Then cut my pretty yellow floral fabric to size, adding a half inch seam allowance on all sides, turn back the 1/2 inch and press. Then pinned in place, sewed around the edges, and called the door done. Easy peasy.

Next I moved on to the bench. I found the linen bins at Target.  Then made a long bench cushion in linen to match.

The 3 inch high density foam is crazy expensive and wasn't in the budget for this penny-saving make over, so I used a full size egg-crate mattress topper that I found on sale. I cut it into 3 long pieces and stacked them for my cushion.  It doesn't lay as smooth as a single piece of hi-dens, but for a $50-$60 price difference, I'm ok with that.
I once again employed the nifty little trick at whipstitch for continuous bias tape to make my piping, and found a long 48" zipper in my stash for the back closure.

And the cute red poppy fabric (by Joel Dewberry) was made into an accent pillow.
On the other side of the room I added some wall flowers to the brick . Not sure if I'll keep all of them up yet. I'm going to live with them for awhile and then decide if I need to edit.

And lastly, I brought in the antique chest from the other room and accessorised with some of my yellow pottery pieces, a cute little picture my mom found, and a round mirror (that still needs to be hung).

Well, that's about it for now. Still looking into what can be done to the floor economically, and I'd love to bring in a little table and chair for me to sit in, since Hunny has claimed the wicker bench as her own.  LOL
Have a great week, everyone!

Floor Cushions

This week I made a couple of floor cushions with some of my favorite Anna Maria Horner fabrics.  My mom had saved the thick cushions from a sofa she was getting rid of and thought I might be able to use them...uh, yeah!  Foam padding is expensive!
One little hiccup in the process was that I ran out of piping.  I had bought the cream twill piping when it was on sale years ago, so I knew it wouldn't be easy finding a match. I couldn't find anything close ready-made, so I had to make my own.
I used the instructions here at Whipstitch to make the long continuous bias strip. 

From a half yard of fabric I was able to make over 10 yards of piping! A pretty good match, don't ya think?  :)

I made a zipper closure, which turned out to be much easier than I thought. And it makes for a neat and professional looking finish. (of course, it would've been better if I got it centered. lol)

I'm using them downstairs in the family room.

The lighting is terrible down there so the photos aren't that great, but you get the idea. :)

Well, that was my sewing for the week.  Its finally starting to warm up and feel like spring around here, so I'm heading out to play in the yard.  Have a great weekend, everyone!