DIY: How To Make Tiny Pom Poms With A Fork! Tiny pom pom's. What more could you ask for in life? This week we thought we would show you how to make these adorable little balls of happiness with just a fork and some wool. Cute, basic and ready to be glued onto everything; now that is my kind of tutorial! Itching to get started? Ok, lets go: 1) you will need some wool and a prong-y fork. 2) wrap the wool around the outer two prongs until it gets really fat. 3) once you are ready, cut the end of the wool and using a new small piece or a little thread, bunch the wool together and tie really tightly so it is secure. 4) take your wool off the fork and cut all the loops. 5) trim all the extra long straggly bits so it is big, round and beautiful.. *Ta*Da* Cute and simple and ready for anything! We like to use these little bad boys to flourish gifts for our nearest and dearist. Enjoy...
Handy Reference Cards for Knitters and Crocheters « The C Side Check out the latest version here Every time I come across a pattern that calls for a needle or a hook thats size is not given in metric I have to go ask Google what size that is. So instead of having to do that every time I decided to make handy reference cards. The PDF includes 3 cards Needle Size ConversionHook Size ConversionWIP, gauge and recommended hook or needle size for different yarn category I also added the WIP card because I buy lots of yarn that does not clearly state what category yarn it falls into. Now I am thinking I need mini project cards and printable ball bands. Download the PDF file for the Handy Reference Cards Print them on card stock, cut them and have them laminated so they can withstand every day wear and tear. For such a lazy person, I spent a couple of hours making these this mornings. Is there anything else I am missing?
Easy No Sew Fleece Blanket Edging What a week I have had – some good and some not so good. How about I start with the good. I think I mentioned the Joann’s fabric store in Grand Island, NE. is having a liquidation sale as they are opening a new store in another location in town and I guess they are not moving any of the merchandise from the old store to the new one so they have had very good sales going on. I purchased the anti-pill fleece in 2 yard segments to make single layer throws for my daughters, sons in law and grand children – 8 in all. I didn’t want the throws to get too heavy so that is why I only used one layer for each. I found directions on the internet for making the throws without the knots you usually see. Here are the step by step photos and directions I used to make them. Step 2 - Cut 1” slits around the entire edge and a 2” square out of each corner. was cutting and either added a little to each 1” fringe or subtracted a little so I wouldn’t have a really skinny or really fat strip at the corners.
embroidery basics: stem and split stitches Last time, I showed you two of my favorite stitches, and this week, we have two of my least favorites. There's nothing really wrong with them, but everyone has their own tastes, right? My problem with the stem stitch is that it alluded me for so long that I still avoid it, and the split stitch? It always feels messy. Still, they are basic, must learn stitches, and you may love them! Get your hoop ready, and let's get started! As someone who likes the stabbing method (see this previous lesson), I'm tempted to take a single stitch, come up from the back just behind the end of my first stitch, and continue on. Instead, use the sewing method with the fabric a little loose in the hoop. Pull the floss through (not too tight!) Continue along the line, and it looks like this! For a long time, I thought I would never learn how to do this. This way is more like doing the back stitch, and I love that! Again, come up like you're back stitching, and go back down behind the previous stitch.
The Zen of Making: Tutorial: Sewable Shrink Plastic Buttons Did you know that you can make your own custom plastic buttons for just about any project, any time you need them, and for super cheap? After seeing this awesome button tutorial from , I’ve been dying to make some buttons of my own. Mine aren’t quite as artistically beautiful as Kimanh’s—I erred on the side of simple kitties and polka dots—but I had a great time trying out different sizes, shapes, and shrink plastic colors and textures. A confirmed sewing nerd, I’m a teeny tiny bit obsessed with buttons. * Shrink plastic sheets or #6 plastic food containers (I used Shrinky Dinks sheets.) * Scrap paper * Parchment paper (baking paper) * High quality permanent pigment pens (I used Pigma Micron pens .) * Circle cutter or punches in various sizes (I used the Fiskars circle cutter and the Paper Source 2 1/8″ punch .) * Paper hole punch * Paper scissors * Oven or toaster oven * Baking sheet * Pencil * Die cutting machine and dies (Optional—only if you want to cut special shapes.) I ♥ buttons, don’t you?
Testing a Theory... ...a theory on inkjet printers, lettering transfers, and washability... I wrote this post on the topic of lettering when I was stitching my Breakfast at Tiffany's block. In that post, I mentioned this class that I had taken with Canby Robertson; a needleartist, teacher and designer who also happens to be a member of my local Embroiderer's Guild Chapter. While taking Canby's lettering class, she made the comment that she had discovered that she could effectively transfer lettering to fabric using her inkjet printer AND that she had also discovered a way that the lettering would wash out. She had found that when she printed out in full black, the transfer did not wash out. Hmmm...I have a number of upcoming projects that require lettering so I wanted to test her theory with my own inkjet printer. I cut out 4 - 4"x6" pieces of freezer paper and ironed the shiny side of the freezer paper to the back of four fabrics: Two pieces of quilter's cotton, one silk taffeta, and one silk organza.
Making paper beads for Christmas crafts! | www.decoratingandcookingforchristmas.com Making paper beads and using them for Christmas crafts is real fun!Paper beads are light weight, eco-friendly and easy to make yourself. You can use them to make beaded jewellery, holiday cards, gift tags or a home decor item. If you are curious to give it a try, collect these handy tools that you already have at home and get started with paper quilling art! You just need a toothpick or a Paper Bead Roller and some paper strips. Hold the paper strip and toothpick in between your index finger and thumb. Keep rolling the other end of the toothpick using the other hand. When you reach end of the strip for about an inch or two, apply tiny drop of glue and roll up remaining strip. Using small brush apply varnish to make your paper bead glossy. Carefully slide off the bead using your fingernails. You can also take printouts of these paper bead making sheets.
Salley Mavor The last part of the animated title sequence in the Rabbitat film (which just hit 2001 views!) includes this stitched signature. We wanted my name to appear below the title made of found objects, so I wrote the script out in a simple line of stitches. On tissue paper, I wrote out my name in pen and then pinned the paper to a stretched piece of black felt. I then stitched through the paper, tracing the lines with orange Perle cotton, making one continuous line. Removing the paper afterwards was a tedious mess. We stabilized the camera by strapping it to a stack of books. We used a tripod and clamps to hold the stretcher upright and rigid, so that I could access the back. Daniel took pictures as I pulled out one stitch at a time. To see the film and read other posts in the Rabbitat series click here. Like this: Like Loading...
Cinderberry Stitches: Transferring designs on felt? One thing I have often wondered in the past is how to transfer stitching and embroidery designs to felt or those difficult fabrics that are too heavy to see through with a light box. Now I wonder no more after finding the Sulky Transfer Pen, so I thought I would share the details with you. You will need a Sulky Iron-On Transfer Pen, felt, paper and a little imagination. Draw your design onto plain paper, the design will be reversed when printed on the fabric so just keep this in mind. Place the drawing onto your felt (right side down) and press lightly. The nib of the pen is quite thick so you have to be light handed when drawing if you like fine lines to stitch over but it does open up quite a lots of options for design and fabric choice. If you are wondering, this is the pen I used when making my army of toadstools - it was a blessing, making cutting dozens of pattern pieces a breeze. And don't forget the kids! Till then, Natalie x