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Simple Apron Tutorial

cindylouh — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:24:28 +0000

With very little work you can make this smashing tea towel apron. Leave off the ruffle and you only have two lines of stitching.

(Thanks Zack for being my fabulous model and rockin' out my apron! You are a great kid and a really good sport!)

Supplies

1 tea towel (mine measured 20" X 28")

1/4 yard of coordinating fabric 44"-45" wide

4 yards of ribbon (mine was 1/2" wide)

about 21" of twill tape (width of towel plus a touch extra to turn ends under)

Before starting pre-wash fabric and tea towel

The Ruffle

With right sides together sew across each end of fabric.

Turn right side out and press.

Gather the fabric. I zig zag stitched over dental floss close to the edge, then pulled the dental floss to make my ruffle.

Sew ruffle to bottom of tea towel(right sides together). Before turning lay a piece of twill tape across the raw edge and stitch using a long stitching length. Tuck ends of twill tape under before stitching

Turn (open ruffle flat) and lightly press. This is how it will look from the back.

Edge stitch across on the front.

The Apron

Fold in top two corners of the tea towel and trim. I folded my towel in thirds to decide where to cut. If you want it wider at the top try folding them in only 1/4.

Trim off corners, turn raw edge under slightly and stitch close to the edge. Fold edge over wide enough for the ribbon to slip through, allowing enough for seam. Press. Really though, you could just fold over the corners like the above picture and sew the casings!

Stitch, making a casing for the ribbon. Feed ribbon through each casing.

The ribbon goes through each casing, crosses in the back and ties in the front.

Finished!

You might be interested in the half apron made from a tea towel, or this cute apron for kids. Don't forget the chef's hat!

A Drawstring Bag Tutorial

cindylouh — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:36:39 +0000

I was needing a little gift bag to hold some note cards for a sweet friend who has been spending way too much time at the hospital and I thought a fabric drawstring pouch would be perfect.

I used a piece of fabric 6 1/2 inches by 21 inches, but it can be made any size!

Turn each end under 1/4 inch and stitch along the edge.

With right sides together stitch sides together using a 1/2 inch seam, stopping two inches from the top.

Pink edges and press side seams open. At the top where the side seam is open, stitch around the opening on each side.

Fold top edge down 1 inch and stitch all the way around close to the bottom edge.

Cut two pieces of ribbon or cording about 22" long each. Feed one piece through casing and back out the other casing coming out on the same side of the bag.

Repeat with second cord on opposite side.

Tie the string ends on each side together. (You can hind the knots in the casing part if you work at it)

Fill the bag with some goodies and you have a nice little treat!

Oilcloth Receipt Wallet

cindylouh — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:47:23 +0000

I am really going to do a better job this year of keeping my blog and personal receipts separate. I think this handy little receipt wallet will do the the trick! -- personal receipts on one side, business receipts on the other. Really it could have many uses --- coupons, lists, checkbook cover, etc!

The oilcloth receipt wallet went together quickly and I was able to use up some scraps.

Supplies:

2 pieces cut 7 1/4" by 6 1/2"

2 pieces cut 2 1/2" by 6 1/2"

about 14 inches skinny double fold bias tape

miniature clothes pins

Fray Check

Elmer's Spray Adhesive (optional)

Teflon presser foot or masking tape to cover bottom of presser foot to keep oilcloth from sticking to presser foot (if necessary)

Instructions:

Slip bias tape around the 6 1/2 inch side of the 2" wide piece and stitch. It can hang off the edge, it will be trimmed when finished.

Place the two large pieces wrong sides together. I sprayed just a touch of Elmer's Spray Adhesive in the center to keep the pieces from slipping. Try to keep adhesive away from area that will be sewn. Place pocket pieces on each edge. Use miniature clothes pins to keep in place. Sew close to the edge all the way around the wallet, reinforcing when sewing over bias tape. Trim bias tape and place a few drops of fray check on ends. (I was going to just wrap the end of the bias tape to the inside before stitching, however it made it bulky.)

Ta Dah!

Note: I get my oilcloth from Oilcloth Addict! Be sure to check out her personal blog, ModernJune, for some fabulous oilcloth tutorials and great tips for sewing with oilcloth.

How to make a simple apron

cindylouh — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:23:13 +0000

A Tea Towel Apron is one of the quickest and simplest aprons to make!

Grab a tea towel and a half yard (or at least 16") X 45" wide matching fabric and you are ready to make a great gift!

I wanted to make cute holiday aprons and found these tea towels from the Martha Stewart collection at Macy's.

Making the waistband/sash

Cut the half yard or 16" of fabric in half lengthwise, so you have two long pieces at least 8" wide.

Using about 1/4" to 1/2" seam, sew right sides together at one end.

Press entire length of fabric in half lengthwise, wrong sides together.

Open fabric up and press each edge to the middle. Yes, it is a long piece of fabric but the pressing is the hardest part and this makes such a nice looking waistband!

Fold in half and press again.

To finish each end, fold the fabric in half the other way and stitch 1/4" from the edge. Repeat on other end.

Turn right side out, make sure corners are pointed and press.

Attaching the apron to the waistband/sash

Cut tea towel in half, or if you want it a bit longer, adjust accordingly. Place left edge of towel even with the seam and insert the cut edge of tea towel inside the long strip of waistband fabric (make sure the tea towel goes clear up to the fold). Pin.

Start at the end of the sash and edge stitch all the way around, stitching the open side (making sure edges meet) first, then around to the top edge until you are back to where you started.

Finished!

The apron ties on the side with a bow. The ties are long enough that the apron will fit most everyone!

Wrapping

There is half (or a little less if you made apron longer) of an apron. This fabric could easily be used to make pockets, ruffles (or something I will show you later in the week) but this time I made matching fabric gift bags for the aprons!

Are you making something crafty for the holidays? Skip on over to Today's Creative Blog and link up your project. You will love all the creative ideas you will find.

She is giving away 5 free copies of my e-book, "Gifts Kids Can Make."

Enter by simply linking up your crafty post!

Crochet Dishcloths

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:17:23 +0000

Crochet dishcloths are a super simple little gift. Not only do they really work great they make up very quickly. They are the perfect project to have around while watching TV, or for in the car during kid pick up time.

I used this simple pattern that makes a nice scalloped border without having to crochet around the edge. You can find the pattern here. I was able to get two dishcloths from 1 ball of Sugar n' Cream cotton yarn.

Package with a nice bottle of soap and you a really useful gift! By the way there is free shipping today at Mrs. Meyer's Soap.

Don't forget to check out other handmade gift ideas.

Fabric Notebook Cover

cindylouh — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:46:55 +0000

These fabric covers for steno pads make great gifts for teachers, friends, co-workers... really anyone who might like to jot down notes in style.

They can be made totally reversible. They have a handy spot on the cover for a pen or pencil and an elastic closure.

I think these would make great little gifts when you just need a little something. They are quick and easy! If you would like a pattern for these I have a PDF you may download for $1.99.

It is an immediate download so you can have your pattern and be sewing right away! Yes, you could figure out how to make these, but if you don't want to waste the time figuring out all of the measurements simply download three pages of detailed instructions. If you are interested visit the shop!

*3/8 yard each of two different fabrics will make four covers

*You can find steno pads at Wal-Mart for just under a $1.00

You might also be interested in this tutorial for a colored pencil and drawing pad holder, or instructions for making a crayon roll.

Fabric Luggage Tags

cindylouh — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:50:16 +0000

These custom fabric luggage tags would make a useful little gift for any friends, family, co-workers or teachers that travel. They are also a great way to use up some fabric scraps.

Handmade Custom Fabric Luggage Tag Tutorial

To print name and address on fabric, cut white muslin and freezer paper 8 1/2" X 11". Iron shiny side of freezer paper to back of fabric. Send paper through an ink jet printer. You can also buy fabric especially made to go through the printer. I also talk about this technique here. Press printing when finished to help set ink. You could even scan in a business card and print that onto the fabric.

Cut one 3 1/2" X 5" piece of printed fabric with name and address, 1 - 3 1/2 X 5" piece of fabric, two 3 1/2" X 5" pieces of heavy weight iron on interfacing and one 2" X 12 piece of fabric for strap.

Following manufacture's instructions iron interfacing to wrong side of both 3 1/2" X 5" pieces of fabric.

Press strap piece in half lengthwise, open up, press each side to the middle then fold in half. Edge stitch down each side. For an illustrated example see tote bag instructions.

Pin fabric pieces right sides together. Fold strap in half and place inside the fabric with cut edges sticking out 1/2". (Make sure not to accidentally stitch into strap as you sew around the edge.)

Using 1/4" seam, stitch all the way around the outside edge, leaving an opening for turning.

Clip corners.

Turn, press, and edge stitch along the outside edge making sure to close the opening. Stitch another row of stitching if desired.

I have entered this in Today's Creative Blog, Get Your Craft On. So many wonderful ideas linked up over there.

Bottle Stoppers

cindylouh — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:13:23 +0000

Simple, fun and easy enough for kids to make. Fill a bottle with homemade flavored vinegar or olive oil and cork with your handmade stopper. There are also many recipes for flavored vodkas and fun liquors. You could even put homemade lotion in a fun cork-able bottle. My bottles will be filled with homemade Irish Cream liquor (I'll share that recipe later).

Supplies:

1 1/2" wood ball knobs
acrylic paint
acrylic primmer
acrylic polyurethane
bottle corks
gorilla glue or hot glue

Lightly sand wooden ball and then wipe with a damp cloth. Once ball is dry ( a minute) prime the ball with acrylic primer. When the primer is completely dry give your ball a base coat of color and then begin painting your design. I stick a wooden dowel or the end of a paint brush in the hole of the ball so I have something to hold onto while I paint. The wooden dowel can be stuck into a piece of styrofoam so the ball can dry. Once your painted design is finished and dry, give your ball two or more coats of polyurethane. Allow polyurethane to completey dry between each coat.

I have tried many brands of acrylic polyurethane and I am partial to this one.

Glue the ball to a cork. Be careful if you use Gorilla glue, it can be messy but it is strong!