A Fast Sew!

I think that is the name of the game these days, my mantra, so to speak!  Fast sewing.  Summer time is here and it seems as if sewing goes on the back burner.  Not my ideal, comfort-zone, don’t like, not fair, I miss my fabric, etc…. Okay, now that my rant is over(at least for today) here are some quick projects for my nephew and niece.

On Easter Sunday, my family was over his house spending Easter together, and Michael was reading and reading all the new books he received.   Hmmmmm, reminds me of my 2 daughters(and myself).  We are a bunch of bookworms for sure!  Well, that is the inspiration for this tote bag for him.  My sister frequents the library  and the bookstore with the kids LOTS during the summer.  As do my 2 DD’s and myself!  Perfect for him to carry his new treasures in!  I also placed a fun little activity book in there and some new crayons.

But of course, for Miss Kate, something pink or a dress created from my sewing room has to be…

I think I accomplished both!

Just as these are fast sews, this is a fast blog post, too!  Enjoy your holiday BBQ’s this weekend.  I plan on that….Now off to the kitchen to cook up some holiday treats!  

Animal Print Tank Top Makeover Tutorial

It’s official.  Summer Break is here. Now.  I know…..  We have cleaned out our closets to make room for the summer clothes we will be shopping for!  Aaaaaaaah, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  Love shopping.  In cleaning out our closets, this shirt was tossed in the donate pile.  I yanked it out SO fast as I just love animal prints.  It would make a great tank top-matches our current weather!

I cut the top just under the sleeves!  Of course, saving the cut pieces of sleeves.

I hemmed the top part that I cut.  I love the fact that the bottom is already hemmed.  Great quickie makeover!

The cut sleeves now become your straps!  This is definitely to your liking.  I like a thicker strap so it covers those pesky bra straps.  Yep, one of my pet peeves…. I measured how long I needed my straps to be.  I put on the shirt/tank part and measure from the top of the tank, over my shoulder, and reaching the top part of the back of the tank.  Easy peasy….  I came up with 16 inches and cut my fabric strips at 18 inches giving me seams allowances and sewing it to the tank itself.  I had just that measurement….

I cut 4 inches wide by 18 inches long.  I folded the strip in half(so it is 2 inches wide) and ironed it.  Open up the strip and lay it flat.   Then I took the raw seams and turned them towards my ironed lineby a scant 1/4 to 1/2 inch and ironed that.  I then folded my strip along the original ironed line ensuring that all raw edges are encased inside.  I then sewed all sides again making sure raw edges are inside!  Repeat for other strap!

Try on your tank again and place your sewn straps where you like them.  Pin in place front and back.  (you might need a friend to help pin the back)  After carefully removing your pinned tank, sew them in place-front and back!!

You are DONE!!

I still had some scraps leftover and just eyeballed it and cut out some flower shapes, added a button, and hand sewed it to my new tank top!

This particuliar shirt is made of a knit fabric.  Sewing with knits is super easy-ONLY if you use a knit needle.  It makes all the difference in the world.  This is such a super easy and fast makeover.  I LOVE these projects because of that and also for the fact that I can repurpose fabric that I just love but may not LOVE the style of the shirt! 

I am sure you have some long sleeved shirts that you can makeover as well.  Anyhow, who wants to wear a long sleeve shirt.  I am happiest in my tank top and my flip-flops.  It’s a good day….

Desk Set Accessories

It must be Spring because I have been doing lots of organizing and updating!  Summer break starts in just a few weeks(can you believe it) and this time of year lends the surge or “last chance” feeling I have been having!

When I saw this post for desk accessories, I knew I had found the answer to my unorganized, needs something, help, boring desk area in my kitchen.  It is by far, the catch-all area of my kitchen.  Until now…

My before picture shows all those pesky, ugly plugs and electrical wires that I loathe.  Big time.  I am very fortunate to have a desk area in my kitchen, but I have not showcased it properly.  Until now….

Ta-da!  Ta-da!  The big reveal…..

All the fun accessories, too!!!

My DH notched out the back of this shadow box so those pesky wires could be somewhat hidden and all the outlets would be hidden.  This also made for a flat-to-the-wall appearance.  My idea, of course!  The shadow box is extra-deep, 3 inches, and was purchased at Michael’s.  My DH’s concern was “how to we affix it to the ceramic tile”?  3M sells tape that adheres pictures to the wall without damaging it.  Perfect!

I had this little lamp lying around the house.  I have always admired it, but just did not have a place for it.  It had a black lampshade and I just covered it with brown fabric and added some leftover trim I had to match my kitchen décor.  I used spray adhesive for both the brown fabric and the trim.  Love that spray adhesive!

Some different angles of my desk makeover. 

There are tutorials for the blotter, pen cup, and photo frames on this wonderful website.

http://sew4home.com/projects/fabric-art-a-accents/554-french-desk-set-blotter

It was the total inspiration-transformation because of these how-to’s.  I am so thrilled to have my kitchen desk area soooo prettttttty.   A big huge thanks to sew4home!   Visit and read some past posts and you will want to decorate your home…

Now, to write all those letters I have been putting off…. Oh, but Mother’s Day is just around the corner, too.  Well, at least I have a very inviting space to accomplish that

 

Headbands, Headbands, Oh, My!

Can you say addicting?  Yes, these In-the-hoop headband flowers are SO easy, fun, and a great way to use up your fabric stash.  Although, every scrap you find and made a garment out of, you may want a matching accessory like these.  You can use it for a headband, barrette, or just pin it on your blouse.  I have even thought of making a few of them in a coordinating fabrics and attach them to a purse.  Trust me-your inner girl will come screaming out at the first stitchout of these frayed flowers!  It’s Spring, so us girls are allowed to be oh-so girly!

Here are a few I have made and have been able to take pictures of without my girls stealing them!

Here is the link to where I purchased this great ITH project!

http://www.picklepiedesigns.com/items/frayed_flowers_in_the_hoop.aspx

BTW, Nicole from Coles Corner and Creations(button on my sidebar) “Thanks” for the CONSTANT posts of these ITH flowers.  Yours are awesome and I HAD TO HAVE them!  I just LOVE, LOVE them!!!