Making Standard Binders Pretty In my last post I showed you my new DVD storage. I love, love, love it! The binders are so handy right next to the TV instead of in the dining room hutch, its almost like I thought it through, or something. :) The easier thing to do, would've been to buy four of the gorgeous binders that Target or Staples sells, but the patterns are really not me. Do you find that to be true for you as well? When I initially went shopping for this project, I had every intention of buying a binder right off the shelf, but the prints were either too modern or had too much colors for my taste. Supplies: - Fabric (For 4 binders I used approx 2 yards) - Binder - Spray Adhesive - Book plates (Martha Stewart Line at Staples. Cut the fabric to size, leaving a 1/2" to 1" to fold over all the way around. Cut each corner so there is not a bulge when you fold over on the top and bottom of the binder. I don't have a picture... but adhere the fabric to the front first flap. It should look something like this.
Colorful Coasters Are you ready for a quick and easy gift idea? I'm Amy DeCesare from Pennsylvania, and I'm so happy to be the newest chef here at Moda Bake Shop! My blog is called Amy Made That!...by eamylove and I hope you'll pop on over to visit me there. {You're welcome to stop by any time!} Today I'll show you how to make a charming set of coasters to give as cute and practical gifts. 1/3 yard Bella Solid fabric {I chose Gray} (8) squares from a Moda Charm Pack OR (8) 3" squares from a Moda Layer Cake {I chose a Simply Color Layer Cake} 1/4 yard fusible interfacing, such as Pellon 987F Matching thread Iron and ironing surface Pinking shears Cutting: From solid fabric, cut background and backing pieces: Cut (2) strips 5” x WOF Cut each 5” strip into (8) 5” squares, for a total of (16) 5" squares. From the charm pack or layer cake, select (8) prints, and cut each into a 3” square. Cut (8) 3” squares. Fuse the Pellon 987F as follows, using manufacturer’s directions: Or all fanned out!
Fabric Coaster! From Fat Orange Cat: Jox at The Knitted Blog requested an appliqued coaster tutorial, and I’m happy to oblige. Keep in mind that I’m completely self-taught, so just because I do it a certain way, that does not necessarily mean it’s the “right” way to do it! But I’ve established a way that works well for me, which I’m happy to share. I used double stick fusible web to create my applique design. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. e-Reader Sleeves: iPad or Kindle Cover Pattern Looking for an e-reader sleeve to protect your iPad, Kindle, tablet or other device? This easy zippered iPad sleeve is lined and quilted to keep your device protected and dust-free! The e-reader cover can be made with our easy and free sewing pattern, which will teach you how to install a simple zipper in a fully-lined pouch. It also works great as a simple, lined pouch for your journal, pen or crafting supplies. The device cover makes a great gift, too! Materials – 2 fat quarters (18”x22”) of cotton quilting fabric – Quilt batting scraps (4 pieces slightly larger than outer fabric) – 11″ or longer zipper (1.5″ longer than the widest measurement of your device) – Sewing machine with zipper foot Finished Size 10.5″ long x 8.25″ wide All seam allowances are 1/4″ unless otherwise noted. Cutting: iPad Size Sleeve: From outer fabric and lining fabric, cut (2) rectangles 9.25″ x 11.5″ and (2) zipper tabs tabs 1.5” x 3”. Quilting the Panels Stack outer fabric on quilt batting. Prepping the Zipper
spring in my step: a blog hop {with giveaways!} Thank you Pinterest for making this one of my most viewed posts! If you like crafty tutorials, be sure to check out my other fun projects linked above. I am so thrilled to be a part of Scrapbook Heaven's first ever blog hop (and it happens to be my first blog hop, too)! Thanks so much for joining us! If you're popping by here and didn't know the fun that's going on, please go back to Scrapbook Heaven to get all the deets for the Hop. The theme for the Hop is "Spring in my Step". So here's mine: A *green* journal. There's lots of recycling packed into this little book. Rescue a pair of poor, ripped, never-to-be-worn-again jeans from the trash and cut yourself a leg and a pocket. Prepare your materials: 2 pieces of denim and chip board (I used the backing of last year's blotter calendar) cut to the same size Patterned paper scraps cut 1/2-3/4" larger than the chipboard A flower embellishment (mine is made from used dryer sheets--more on that later)
Journal and Tote Tutorial It’s about time I’ve been able to get back on here and post something. I guess all I can say is that I really have a 2 year old ;). I had made this journal a while back to give to my husband for our anniversary. He journals a lot when he does Bible studies, quiet time, writes songs, etc, so it’s a perfect gift. I’m going to share a tutorial for how I made the journal cover. …this is a tote bag I did using the same method. Journal Cover: What you need:-2 pieces of felt-Scrap Fabric-Journal-2 Buttons (for closure) -Small pieces of elastic (think about reusing broken hairbands or elastic that holds shoes together when first purchased) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. The Tote Bag: I basically did the same thing. Covered it in scraps. Pinned them in place. Sewed them on and added other embellishments (crocheted flowers, felt heart, embroidered stems on the apples). That’s it.
Recycled Jeans Kindle Cozy My Mom recently texted me a picture of a tablet cover that was made from a pair of yellow jeans. I don't have a tablet, but I do have a kindle and a pair of old jeans. I don't like sewing blue jeans so I just recovered a kindle cover rather than sew one. It's much easier. Here's how I did it: Supplies: Hard Kindle Cover/Cozy to recover, Old Blue Jeans, Scissors, Spray Adhesive, Flat Backed Rhinestones, sTrong Adhesive (like E6000) 1. It's really easy.
Felt Forest Friends Keychains/Ornaments When I started out making these adorable little felt forest friends, my thought was to make them keychains, but after I put the first one together, I thought they would make wonderful Christmas tree ornaments. And wouldn't they also be adorable hanging from a mobile in a nursery?! I am going to run through a quick tutorial on how to make the toadstool mushroom and then you can apply that method to the rest of them. I am also providing you with a downloadable PDF template of all 4 of the basic shapes for you to print out, trace and cut. First, download the template HERE You will need felt in various colors (see picture for color ideas). You will also need small amounts of ribbon for the loop at the top, and yarn that coordinates with each felt color for stitching. (Note: Don't be confused by the picture of the toadstool. The template includes the major elements you will need to cut out and trace onto felt. I lightly stuffed the "bodies" of each one to give them a little dimension.
Butterfly Wings Tutorial For Lu's bug birthday party, she wanted to be able to "fly" around the park with her friends. She was very specific as to what her wings should be like. They should be flow-y, not stiff. And colorful, like a real butterfly. This is the solution we came up with, inspired a bit by these more-complicated but commercially available parrot wings. Keep reading for the complete tutorial. Measure your child's arm span and add a few inches. The fabric on the bolt is usually folded in half. Cut your fabric along the fold so that you have two fabric pieces that are the width of your child's wingspan (in my case, about 42 inches in length). I sewed a straight stitch along the side of the fabric just to minimize the unraveling. I tied each corner to the elastic hair tie using a simple knot to attach the fabric. I then just scrunched up all of the fabric in the center of the fabric piece and attached it to my daughter's back using a safety pin. Tada!
Quilted Circle Coasters Enjoy this project excerpt from "1, 2, 3 Quilt: Shape Up Your Skills with 24 Stylish Projects" by Ellen Luckett Baker and published by Chronicle Books! Whip up these sweet and simple coasters in under an hour, using just a few bits of fabric. These coasters are placed together in squares, then cut to the circle shape. This project is a great introduction to sewing along curves and teaches you basic construction for making coasters, a perfect go-to gift for any occasion. Materials (for four coasters): - Quarter-Circle Coasters Template - 16 fabric scraps, at least 3 in/7.5 cm square, for patchwork coaster tops - Matching thread - 1 fat quarter (18 by 22 in/46 by 56 cm) for backing fabric - 1/4 yd/0.25 m fusible fleece Sew patchwork coaster top pieces. Cut circle shapes. Fuse fleece to coaster top. Quilt the tops. Sew backing to quilted top piece. Close and topstitch.