How To Take In Jeans Tutorial

February 7th, 2012 |

I personally welcome the feeling of loose jeans. However, if my favorite pants are falling off my rear end like a hip hop mogul, something needs to be done. Instead of going out and buying new jeans, you can alter them yourself in the time it takes to drive to the mall and find a parking spot. Basically, all you...

Hanging Wall Organizer Tutorial

February 1st, 2012 |

Whether you’re cramped for space or just want your items to have a place all their own, a wall organizer is awesome! When you make your own organizer, you can personalize it fit your needs and your style. I made this for my toddler’s toys, giving me the chance to use up some kid friendly scraps I had lying around.

Unique Valentine's Day Card Tutorial

January 30th, 2012 |

Aw, Valentine’s Day. That one day of the year that you must prove your love publically is just around the corner! If you are bored with chocolates, fuzzy handcuffs, or “One free kiss” coupons, try giving a handmade love card from the heart.

Recycled Plastic Bag Clutch Tutorial

January 25th, 2012 |

Who doesn’t love a clutch? Now Mother Nature will too because you can make one out of plastic bags! Since learning to fuse plastic bags, I’m always on the lookout for plastic bags with a great color, pattern, or logo because they make the coolest projects. Fused plastic is so easy to work with! It is easy to make, sew, and looks...

Easy No Pattern T-Shirt Tutorial

January 23rd, 2012 |

I went shopping recently and was thrilled to see Bat Winged shirts in style! I absolutely love these shirts because they have such an effortless ease about them. You can dress it up or down and still be comfortable. As a busy mom, comfort is pretty much what I live for. However, when I saw the price tag, that comfort immediately disappeared.

Children's Super Hero Cape Tutorial

January 14th, 2012 |

Ever had your child raid your fabric drawer and run around the house with a yard of jersey over his/her head? It turns out kids really like to dress up in super hero capes and it gives them a distraction from your formerly folded fabric stash. However, if you do have a little munchkin pulling on your pants 24/7, you need a fast solution that doesn’t require too much work.

Homemade Burp Cloths Tutorial

January 13th, 2012 |

Last year I was at our local fabric store and fell in love with flannel! Oh my goodness is there a ton of simply adorable patterns for babies. I don’t know how it worked out, but everyone around us was expecting and I really love to give handmade items to the parents to be. Making burp cloths and wash cloths are great gifts and are super easy to make.

Creative Ways To Organize Your Sewing Supplies

January 12th, 2012 |

I dream of having an entire floor in my home dedicated to sewing, but for the time being, my sewing area is my kitchen table and supplies spread throughout the house. I’ve seen tons of different storage solutions advertized at the fabric store, but they can be rather expensive. Everything you need to get organized you can find around the house...

Hexagon Daisy Pillow Tutorial

January 6th, 2012 |

Hexagon shapes make quiet a visual impact, but can be a bit intimidating, especially if your goal is to make an entire hexagon daisy quilt. The easiest way to make a hexagon daisy would be to simply zig zag stitch appliqué, but if you are interested in learning a way to piece a hexagon, practicing with smaller projects can make the mountain...

Tips For Tackling A Serger/Overlock Machine

January 5th, 2012 |

With a Serger, you get a two for one deal; construction and finishing. You can completely finish a pair of pajama pants in 20 minutes, including cutting. However, you also get the some awesome decorative elements. For instance, a rolled hem on a chiffon scarf using decorative thread or the vintage t-shirt look using a flatlock stitch.

Duct Tape Dress Form Tutorial

January 1st, 2012 |

A Dress Form makes clothing construction faster and easier. If you are making your own clothing from scratch, a dress form is a must have to ensure a proper fit. Buying a pattern from the store has a generic measuring guide, but they almost always need some kind of tweaking. Unfortunately, this valuable tool is also an expensive tool.

Pillowcases with Personality!

December 31th, 2011 |

My kids absolutely love to have their own super fun and personalized pillowcases. One of my daughters likes zebra print and hot pink and the other likes purple and butterflies. So it was fun to give them their own pillowcase. Making one is a great idea for anyone. There are so many ways to embellish them, and they really pop as an extra touch in a room.

Ruffle Scarf Tutorial

December 30th, 2011 |

Making scarves from t-shirts is a great way to reuse what you have lying around. I absolutely love scarves and they are very in style right now. The nice thing about making your own scarf is that you can customize them. I don’t know about you, but I have several t-shirts in my closet just waiting to be returned to something sensational in my wardrobe!

Embellished Tank Top Tutorial

December 29th, 2011 |

Making your own clothes from scratch is incredibly time consuming. And after the cost of notions and fabric, it doesn’t always save enough money to justify the time spent. But if you still want your clothes to stand out and be one-of-a-kind, embellishments can fill the void. You can find clothing at thrift stores or on sale and alter them to fit your taste.

Sew For Charity

December 20th, 2011 |

Sometimes we get so caught up in our own lives that we forget there are people and animals in the world that are suffering. In a time when money is not freely disposable, we must find creative ways to help our fellow mankind. You can use your talent to help the world become a better place for the less fortunate. I was amazed at how many programs there are out there that appreciate the value of homemade sewn items...

Homemade Christmas Napkins Tutorial

December 16th, 2011 |

Not only are we reducing our carbon footprint, but we are doing it in style! Cloth napkins are classy and, I feel, are a defining, elegant touch. I feel they add a formal essence to special occasions and give the table a more traditional look. And cheap paper napkins just weren’t working with my china set. To make these napkins, I found a bundle of Christmas fabric pre-cut into fat quarters at Joann’s Fabric store.

Sew On A Wall Decal?

December 10th, 2011 |

This may seem strange, but it’s actually an awesome project. Don’t worry, we aren’t going to be sticking a needle and thread through your wall…although that does bring an interesting image to mind. Vinyl Wall Decals have become so popular in home decorating, the craft stores have bulked up on their supply and variations. They can look fresh and modern, or elegant and regal.

Christmas Table Runner Tutorial

December 9th, 2011 |

During the holiday season my family entertains often, and I just love to deck out the house in Holiday décor. For Christmas Eve dinner, we bust out all the good china and spend all day preparing food. So, naturally we need homemade table dressings! And who doesn’t love to hear, “Did you make that?” Oh, yes I did. The following project may seem long and complicated, but it’s actually quite simple.

How To Shirr

December 8th, 2011 |

I recently began experimenting with Shirring and, in my opinion, it is the fastest, easiest way to whip out clothing. No need to cut out a complicated pattern, all you need is a long, rectangle piece of fabric! Now, you may think Shirring is only for summer clothing, and to that I say, “Nay!” Simply add a cute cardigan or some awesome sleeves to keep you warm.

How To Use Metallic Thread

December 7th, 2011 |

If you are intimidated by metallic thread, you are not alone. I, for one, am convinced it can smell my fear. Although it’s difficult to work with when learning, in the end, it pays off. It is absolutely beautiful and adds the shine and sparkle we all love. Here are a few tested tips that have helped me tame the shiny beast that is metallic thread.

Accuquilt Go Christmas Project

December 5th, 2011 |

I received the Accuquilt GO for Christmas last year and it is one of my favorite tools. I would dread cutting fabric shapes and I was constantly messing up. My hand would slip, the ruler moved, and I ended up with lop-sided shapes. When I used my Accuquilt for the first time, it was like, “Where have you been all my life!”

Flower Embellished Ex-Turtlenex Tutorial

December 2nd, 2011 |

I was given some turtlenecks for my daughters, just to find out that they do not like things around their neck! Instead of having them be sitting all alone in the closet I decided to redesign the turtlenecks into something my girls would wear. You could be a few simple steps away from a home made masterpiece!