Window Valance. Easy Beginner Sew Project!

Window Valance Project!

The time had come for some new window treatments in my daughter's room. The bedding that she has is brightly colored so we wanted to choose something that wasn't to overpowering.  She and I decided to make a valance for her window. We went to the fabric store together and she picked out all the supplies for the project! She is a "tween" now and it is good for her to put her own stamp on her room.

A valance is an easy sewing project for beginners in my opinion because basically you are just sewing straight lines!

To get started, she chose a light green fabric. To determine our width we measured the window and multiplied the width by 3. She wanted the valance to be full. I suppose if you didn't want very much fullness that you could multiply by 2 or 2.5. The fabric was not as wide as we needed for our window so we stitched the sections together, right sides facing, until we had the width we needed.

 Next, I hemmed the bottom of the valance. This was done by folding up the bottom evenly. I used a ruler as I went along the bottom to pin it. Then, I ironed the fold nice and flat.

Then, I sewed a straight line along the fold to secure it.

I repeated this step along the top edge but I made the fold much larger, large enough for the curtain rod to pass through.

 

 

Next, I lined up the embellishment along the bottom edge. I pinned it in place and sewed along the bottom edge then the top edge to secure it.

Finally, we hung it up! My daughter is  super excited about the way it looks and she loves the idea of having her own personality in her room!

Let me know what you think! And share your projects with me:)

Men's T-shirt to Tank Top Refashion with Crochet!

I saw this idea on pintrest. The directions are HERE. From a blog called Designs by Studio C

This inspired me to make a new tank top from a men's t-shirt on this yucky April (Winter Go Away Already!!!) Day.

Things you will need:
Men's T-shirt
Good Fitting tank top- to use as pattern.
Scissors
Sewing Machine and Thread
Crochet hook
Needle and thread

(For a no sew option... just use a tank top that fits you and you can skip the first few steps, just go on to where you mark the design out on the tank!)

 First I found a tank that fits how I want this new tank to fit. I turned the t-shirt inside out. Next, lined up the tank to the men's shirt I had.

 Then, I started cutting the shape of the tank. First, I cut the bottom. Then, I cut the sides open and the arms off.

 Next, I cut the neck.  This is where the sewing comes in... Two quick seams up the sides to get the top to be fitted.

OK... Now you will have a basic tank, but this could be done on any style tank. Using a ruler, or your eye, mark lines to make the cuts.

You can go in any design pattern you like. I chose some straight lines.

 Cut slits along the lines, I made mine just under an inch wide and about a quarter of an inch apart.

Take your crochet hook and insert under 2 of the first slits. Pull the 2nd slit under the 1st.

Now you have a loop on your hook. Insert your hook under the next slit and pull it through the loop on your hook. Continue this until you get to the last slit. Stitch the last loop down to keep it from unraveling.

Do this to all of the slits you cut until you are finished with the entire design. Here is how mine turned out. I am going to make more!!! It was easy and I like how the design looks!

I am definitely going to be doing this again. I would not recommend crocheting all the way to the bottom as this has caused the edge of the tank not to lay just right.  Stopping the slits about 2 inches away from the edge will help it lay better!

Fall, already?

It's getting to be that time of year already! Fall! I'm seeing Halloween decorations going up around town and fall themes in the stores. My favorite thing about fall is Halloween! I have loved it since I was a kid. There is something exciting about feeling scared... and I love the idea of getting to dress up as anything you want! In the spirit of fall, I'm going to share with you all today a Halloween costume that I made for my daughter a few years ago and it will always be my favorite!

 I found a parrot costume pattern at the craft store and I just used pink to make her a flamingo! If you think you want to give a little more advanced sewing a try, I think costumes are a safe place to start. They dont have to be perfect! Just fun!

New purse!

Just finished another purse! I did this one last week and it turned out super cute! The colors turned out really nice. I really like the yellow, black and grey together! It's awesome to be able to make this so quickly using fat quarters! Next one I make will have instructions!!

Men's T-shirt to ladies tank top refashion

My hubby was getting rid of some old t-shirts and I snagged this one from the bag! I decided to make it into a tank by tracing the shape of one I had onto the shirt and seeing up the edges!!! I really like how it turned out!! I even saved the cute skull tag!!

New purse pattern!

Just downloaded this purse pattern the other day. I have been wanting to make a new purse for a while, but was having a hard time finding one I liked. Then I saw an awesome bag on pinterest, and I had to find a pattern for it. This pattern worked out great because it was so similar to the one I like on pintrest and you can use fat quarters! Let me know what you think! I even added a little cell phone pocket on the inside!

Baby Sundress T-shirt Refashion!

I had been hanging on to some of my daughter's old t-shirts, with the idea to make something out of them, but I didn't know what. I was about to give them away when it came to me... a sundress for my new niece! (We can't wait to meet her she is due to be born later this month!) So, I got to work!
I started by cutting the shirts into 3 inch wide strips starting from the bottom. As I got to the top of the 1st shirt I cut a wider strip. Then, I folded that strip in half width-wise, to make the "bust" area of the dress. I had to guess on how big to make it to fit around a baby, but if you have a dress or top that fits the child, you can use that as a pattern. Then, I took the remaining strips and gathered them with a loose stitch, pinned them together and sewed them up. For the straps, I just cut thinner strips from the first shrit and stitced them in place. I will adjust them when she gets here and tries it on!!!!

Scrabble tile pillows DIY

My good friend, Andrea, came to me with an idea of making these cute pillows that she saw online. Pillows that look like scrabble tiles. We got together to make them and they turned out super cute!
She bought 4 pillow forms, fabric enough to make covers, and matching thread. I had the sewing machine ready, the cricut machine set up an we were ready to go.
First, we measured out all of our pieces. Andrea decided that she wanted to have an envelope back on the pillows so that they would be easy to remove for washing. To learn more about making an envelope back, check this out: Sew envelope back pillows!. So we cut 4 squares for the front panels, then 8 pieces for the envelope back panels. Then, we sewed them together on the machine.
Once the pillow cases were constructed, we cut out the letters on freezer paper using the cricut machine. To learn about freezer paper stenciling check this out: Freezer paper stenciling. Using the freezer paper cutouts as stencils, we sprayed the fabric paint onto the pillow covers. It took about an hour for the paint to dry. I think they turned out so awesome! Great job on a sewing project, Andrea!

T-shirt to a drapped front top! Easy!

I saw this really cute sleeveless drape top online the other day and had to have it. But by the time I go around to actually buying it it was sold out! It was probably a good thing because I didn't need to spend the $92.00 for it.

So I did a little research... I saw this post by Anne on her blog WobiSobi. ( it is really great... thanks Anne for this inspiration) http://wobisobi.blogspot.com/2012/01/re-style54-five-minute-draped-vest-2.html Then, I thought if I added one stitch for the front, I could make a draped front top! So, I started with a basic black tee. Then I cut the neck out and the sleeves off and cut up the sides.

Then, I tried it on, inside out. I brought the bottom togetherto get the size for around my waist. I left it a little loose for taking on and off. Then, I carefully took the top off and laid it flat. From where I pinned I went straight across to the other side with a row of pins. Then, I machine sewed the line making sure to reinforce the ends of the stich by going backwards at the begining and the ending. Sorry I was so excited that I didn't take pics and I had to draw diagrams!

Next, I cut away the excess at the bottom of my stitch line.

Finally, I turned it right-side-out, And put it on!

I love it! I think it turned out so cute! I can't wait to wear it out and I think in warmer weather it will look so cute with a tank underneath. The best part is it only took me about 20 minutes and cost $3.00! Sweet!

Homemade Communion Veil How-to

First communion veil!
My daughter is making her First Communion this year! Super exciting so we decided that she would wear a home-made veil. I started with my supplies.
A communion veil (purchased at craft store)
A plain white head band (Also purchased at craft store)
Some white flowers and some lacey beaded ribbon or other embellishment that you like.
Curved needle
Thread
Possibly some craft glue
Pins

First, I pinned the veil where I wanted it on the headband.

Next, using a curved needle I hand sewed the veil in place. It was a little tricky because my hand sewing is not that great, but the stitches won’t be seen so it’s OK! I tried only going through the satin covering that is on the headband.

Next, I used fray check on my lace so make sure that the ends don unravel.

Then, I pinned the lace onto the headband.

Then, I stitched it into place. I used a regular needle but you could use the curved one. I also took some craft glue and dabbed it on to make sure the edges stayed down.


Then, I pinned the flowers in place and stitched them into place.

Here it is! The finished product!!

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The best part is my daughter thinks it's too pouffy at the top... so back to the old drawing board!