I don’t know about you but I love looking at pretty new fabric.   Waverly is releasing a new fall essentials collection and I’m really excited to share this beautiful fabric collection with with you!    One very lucky reader is going to win 10 yards of fabric of their choice from the new Waverly fall essentials collection. Imagine all the lovely things you could make with all this fabric!

It is super simple to win 10 yards of this gorgeous new fabric!

How to win $200 in Waverly Fabric

All you have to do is comment on this post for a chance to win!

For extra entries: (separate comment for each entry, please)

1. Tweet about the contest!   Feel free to use this sample tweet,
   Enter to win $200 of Waverly Fabric from @skiptomylou. http://www.skiptomylou.org/?p=19668 Comment to enter
   or just click this button to Tweet
2. Like Skip to my Lou on Facebook.

• and for another chance to win pop over to : Waverly’s Facebook Page

Contest Closed  Winner comment #2032

Heather Asays:

Already like ya on FB!

Congrats Heather I’ll be sending you an email and you can let me know what you would like!

Capri Sun Container to Pencil Bag

You will need 4 juice bag containers and an 8 inch zipper for this little pencil case. For a larger pencil bag try 3 containers lined up vertically.

First, cut a slit in the bottom of each empty juice bag and rinse. Allow bags to dry.

Lay two bags end to end, one on top of the other. Overlap the ends until it measures 9 1/2 inches in total length. Stitch through the bags at the bottom of the top bag. I found a heavy duty needle (like for denim) helpful. I was also using a heavy duty thread. Repeat for other size.

Stitch one side of the zipper to the top of the bags —right sides together.

Notice carefully where to stop stitching. Do not stitch to edge.

Stitch the other side of bag to the zipper, again right sides together.

Lay zipper and bags flat and top stitch down each side of zipper.

Bring bags together wrong sides together. Fold zipper ends down on each side.

Starting at top side stitch down the side, across the bottom and up the other side.

I trimmed off just a little on each side to make it even.

There you have it, a recycled pencil bag!

If you don’t drink fruit punch try this lined zippered pouch or this pleated pouch to send your kids back to school with something special. Don’t forget to add a message (maybe an inspirational quote, words of encouragement or a secret love note) to the inside lining of your fabric pouch!

DIY Bunting

About 10 inches of 45 inch wide fabric will give you 5 pennants (each pennant is made of two triangles).

Fold fabric in half. I use a rotary cutter and ruler to cut out the triangles.

The folded edge gives one pennant and then you get four more with the rest of the fabric. (The fabric is doubled because it was folded)

Here the folded edge is opened to show the single triangle and the you see the other triangles which are doubled making four more pennants. The piece on the right is scrap.

I cut a variety of colors.

Sew two triangles wrong sides together to make one pennant. Sometimes I trim the edges with pinking shears after I have sewn to make a fun zig zag edge.

Now the pennants just need to sewed together with double fold bias tape.

I have to interrupt this tutorial to introduce you to pure genius. Of course you can buy pre-made bias tape but you will never need to again because there is the Simplicity Bias Tape Maker!

I can’t possibly explain the thrill of simply cutting a two inch strip of an old sheet ………

feeding it through this little machine and getting yards and yards of bias tape.

I am in heaven! (I know I didn’t make authentic bias tape because I didn’t cut the fabric on the bias) but I did make yards of wonderful binding perfect for my bunting. Can you imagine all the possibilities!

Lay pennants spaced evenly on the tape,

fold top of tape over the top of the triangle, pin…

and stitch.

Pennant bunting is such a fun way to decorate for parties!

Cathe from Just Something I Made writes……

How to make animal sewing cards

Animal sewing cards are not only fun to stitch, but also fun to make!

Just click on the design images below for download. Then, print the PDF files onto heavy cardstock paper. Color in the animals.

I used a scanned vintage quilt to add some color to the animals as well.

Trim out printed images with a fat margin around the animal.

Hole punch the circles. To reach the eye and mouth holes, gently bend those circles in half and use your hole punch to cut half a circle that becomes whole when unfolded. Or, use a craft knife or eyelet punch.

For sewing up the cards, you can use colorful shoe laces, or make laces from yarn or string and wind tape tight around the ends for easy threading through the holes.
Make a pocket folder for your animals with two manilla folders and tape.

Print out a label and stick it to the front of the folder.

You can stitch around the cards with simple in and out stitching…

Or cover all stitching areas by around once (as in the photo above), then come back with the second lace and fil in the gaps.

The final sewn cards can be carefully un-stitched for reuse, or kept sewn and used as wall art!

Just in case you have trouble with any of the above files try these links:

Blank animals:

http://justsomethingimade.com/wp-content/uploads/JSIMSewingCardDog.pdf

http://justsomethingimade.com/wp-content/uploads/JSIMSewingCardBunny.jpg

http://justsomethingimade.com/wp-content/uploads/JSIMSewingCardCat.jpg

http://justsomethingimade.com/wp-content/uploads/JSIMSewingCardBird.pdf

Quilted animals:

http://justsomethingimade.com/wp-content/uploads/JSIMSewingCardDogQ.jpg

http://justsomethingimade.com/wp-content/uploads/JSIMSewingCardBunnyQ.jpg

http://justsomethingimade.com/wp-content/uploads/JSIMSewingCardCatQ.jpg

http://justsomethingimade.com/wp-content/uploads/JSIMSewingCardBirdQ.pdf

For this ruffled butt onesie no need to cut strips of fabric and finish edges. I used 1 1/2 inch wide organza ribbon. So grab a onesie (a nicer quality one than I had on hand)  and some ribbon and you are ready to go.

Position the ribbon where you want the ruffle and measure three times the width. Repeat this for each of the three (or more) rows. I had three lengths of ribbon in slightly decreasing size.

Place Fray Check on the end of each ribbon to keep it from unraveling and fraying.

With the longest straight stitch sew down the middle of each length of ribbon. Pull thread to gather.

Pin ribbon to onesie. I started at the top with the longest ribbon and worked down.

Sew gathered ribbon to the onesie by stitching down the middle of the ribbon.

Repeat for next two rows. My rows were spaced just less than an inch apart.

Imagine the possibilities— hot pink polka dot ribbon with a matching handmade ribbon flower on the front………Just make sure you choose ribbon that is washable!

I used a piece of 1/2 inch ribbon and a ribbon detail to embellish the front.

Christa writes….

Hey there! I am so happy to be here with all of you at Skip to My Lou! My name is Christa and I blog over at Brown Sugar Toast. A little about me:
1. I am married to the love of my life. He’s a youth pastor and is the best one ever.
2. We have a precious little girl – and one in heaven.
3. I love to run and just finished my first half-marathon in November.
4. I have a humongous weakness for all things chocolate – most specifically brownies and m&m’s. amazing.

The title for today’s post is

What to Do with an Old Bridesmaid Dress

You know what I’m talking about, right? This is how the story goes:

Your friend had a beautiful wedding.

Source: loanforwedding.com

(By the way, did you notice the source for the pic above? ha – seems fitting, right?)

You were the bridesmaid.

She chose a satin-y dress.

You wore it and looked beautiful (or not ).

Source: projo

You kept the dress but never wore it again.

Yes, I have been in the same situation.

Recently, I found a bridesmaid outfit I wore in my sister’s wedding. I saved it because I really liked it – but I tried it on & came to grips with the fact that I would never wear it again. So…I decided to make something out of it. Can’t let all that material go to waste, now can we?

Here’s what I made:

Fabric Flower Tutorial

And here’s how you can do it too:

Start with a bridesmaid dress, skirt, top, or…if you don’t have one…just start with a piece of polyester satin:

Can you tell that I hate ironing? Once again, ironing is not needed for this project. Yippee! Sign me up!!

Get some good, sharp scissors:

(don’t be deceived – these scissors aren’t sharp at all. just go with what you have;))

Take the hint that your daughter is ready for a nap and put her down – after removing her from your beloved dress:

Now, to get started…Cut your satin into squares -

the size and amount of squares depends on how full you want your flower to be. Let’s start with 5 layers like I did. Here are the dimensions for the squares:
Layer 1 – 3.5″ x 3.5″
Layer 2 – 3″ x 3″
Layer 3 – 2.5″ x 2.5″
Layer 4 – 2″ x 2″
Layer 5 – 1.5″ x 1.5″

I just held the measuring tape up to the fabric and snipped it, then cut it all the way through.

Now, it’s time to round the corners of your satin squares:

Now, you need a candle. The flame should not be out of control…

It should be a nice, soft flame

Aaaaahhhhh, much better. Take your rounded square, and put it near the flame, like so:

The edges of the satin will begin to curl. Rotate the satin until the whole piece has a nice, curled edge. Continue until all 5 layers are “curled.” If a little bit of wax gets on your flower because you were not paying attention and got to close to the candle:

just cut it off and re-burn the edge. no biggie.

If you begin to see other things in the room catch fire, it might be a good idea to do this:

And, if you’re beginning to feel lightheaded and your eyes are doing funny things from staring into the flame for such a long time, it is most definitely a good idea to have some of this:

yes, I like Ikea for their furniture and super cool “as-is” section,
but this is quickly becoming my fave part about them

Now that all the commotion is over, let’s get back to flower making, shall we? Get some thread that is a similar color to your fabric:

Place the layers on top of each other in a way that looks flower-like to you:

and start sewing them together, starting from the back. I went through quite a few times – just until I felt it was secure.

Now comes the fun part!!! Pick your center for the flower. Here’s my flower with 3 beads left over from a necklace my daughter broke. I just sewed them through the center of the flower. easy.

Or, you can pick up a pack of button-like things (what are these called?) from the fabric store (these were 10 cents!!),

fire up your hot glue gun,

and glue one of those babies on the center of the flower, making sure to press down to seal it together:

I also put a few little dabs of hot glue around the edges of my flower because I didn’t want the layers floppin’ all over the place:

How ’bout it?

There are so many funnnnn things you can do with these flowers!!

Attach it to a headband:

Wear it on a sweater:

Hot glue a clip on it:

and wear it in your hair:

And if you’re going to do that, then why not make 2 of them – one for yourself and one for your daughter?

Then you can wear them together and look oh-so-cute. For those of you who like the look, but don’t want to make them yourself, I have a few in my etsy shop…just for you.

So, what do you think? Anyone have some old bridesmaid regalia you’re going to cut up? Another place I haunt is the fabric remnant section in craft/fabric stores. It’s a great place to get scraps for *cheap* and then you won’t feel so bad if the project doesn’t turn out.

Happy crafting! Let me know if you make a flower!! I’d love to see your pics!

A big thanks to Cindy for letting me join you all today! I’d love to get to know you a little better, so feel free to drop in sometime. The good thing about blogland is – you’ll never find me in my pj’s and without makeup, so anytime is a good time to stop by.

]]> http://www.skiptomylou.org/2011/03/03/how-to-make-satin-fabric-flowers/feed/ 23 http://www.skiptomylou.org/2010/12/23/mini-oil-cloth-notebook-covers/ http://www.skiptomylou.org/2010/12/23/mini-oil-cloth-notebook-covers/#comments Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:40:30 +0000 cindylouh http://www.skiptomylou.org/?p=16030 Here is a super simple quick and easy useful gift.  These little notebooks made perfect party favors for my daughter’s party!

All you need is

one piece of oil cloth 5″ x 8″ (outside)

a coordinating 5″ x 8″ piece (lining)

2 pieces 2 1/2″ X 5″ for inside pockets for the notebook cover to slip in

one 1 1/2″ X 3″ piece for the pencil pocket on the front

Sew pocket on front. Place it just shy of 3/4″ up from the bottom edge and over just over an 1 1/2″ from the side edge. Just eyeball where it works for you.

Sandwich outside piece right side face down, then lining face up, and pocket pieces on each end. Fasten with mini clothespins.

Sew all the way around the edge, removing clips as you sew along.  I sew on the top side.

The inside looks like this.

Get a mini composition notebook (found at Wal-Mart) and a mini pencil. I found my pencils at the dollar store. A golf pencil would work also.

Slip notebook into cover.

There you have one cute little cover!

So easy to whip up a bunch in no time!

Kelly, from According to Kelly shares a wonderful tutorial for making an I SPY toy. What a perfect little stocking stuffer. This quick and easy homemade game would be great for keeping kids busy while in the car, waiting at  appointments or .………

Kelly writes,

I’ve been collecting little doo-dads forever (paper clips, foam stickers, confetti), wanting to make “i spy” bags for the boys. (click on pictures to enlarge.) finally, this weekend, i actually got around to making them. they came together easily & were super quick to make. the best part… the boys love them. here are the directions, they might be wordy, but it’s just because i’m trying to explain everything the best i can. really they truly are easy!

Supplies for I SPY soft toy

2 fleece squares that are 7″ square
a 4″ square of clear vinyl (at least 4 mm or thicker)
Inkjet Fabric (can be found at most craft stores, or you can make your own HERE)
poly-pellets (can also be found at craft sores… it’s usually used for doll stuffing)
aprox. 30+ small doo-dads to fill bag (peruse craft stores, etc. for “little” stuff. buttons, scrapbook stuff, household odds & ends. for ex: paper clip, button, penny.)

How  to make an I SPY bag

assembly (click on the pictures, to enlarge them for a pictorial how-to):
1. on the wrong side of one piece of fleece, using a ruler, find the exact center of the square. using your ruler, measure out from the center & draw a line 1.5″ from the center on all sides of the square (make each line about 3″ inches long). then using scissors or a rotary cutter, carefully cut along the lines to make your “window”.
2. center the vinyl over the window, on the wrong side of the fleece. you might find it helpful to use a bit of tape to hold it in place. very carefully sew the vinyl to the fleece. *vinyl can sometimes stick to the sewing machine, so you might want to test it first. if you find it sticking, you can use a piece of tissue paper between the vinyl & whatever it’s sticking to & just tear it away when you are done.) i personally like to sew with the fabric side against the pressure foot, but do whatever works for you. be sure to double stitch to prevent anything from falling out! i do a straight stitch around the window, and then go over the straight stitch with a decorative zig zag stitch.
3. if you haven’t already, now would be a good time to gather all your little doo-dads, type up your “i spy” list in a word processing program like word. i like to type it in a 3×3″ square text box. then, print the list out onto the fabric paper. cut out your list, make sure to leave enough room around the list, so you can sew around the edges (i figured this one out the hard way.) place your “list” on the solid (back) fleece square, with the right side facing up. zig zag around the edges to prevent it from fraying (you can also dab a little “no fray” on it as well).
4. now that your front “window” square, and back “list” square are done, pin them together, wrong sides together, & carefully sew around the bag, making a sem of about 1/4″ – 1/2″. again, i like to double stitch – the first time around i did a straight stitch, & then i did a decorative zig zag stitch the second time around. *be sure to leave a small opening on one side of the bag that you can use to pour the contents in.
5. fill your bag with your doo-dads, then start pouring in the poly-pellets, a funnel is really useful here. i start with about a cup of poly-pellets & slowly add. personally i like the pellets to fill the bag, to the top edge of the window, but it’s all personal preference. you just don’t want to add so many pellets that it’s hard to manipulate the bag & objects.
6. when you are down filling, carefully shake everything to the bottom of the bag & carefully sew up your opening. & then, ta da! you are finished.

It has been over 100 degrees the last few days around here (Kansas). My son’s girlfriend, Krystal,  wanted to make fabric gel filled neck coolers to keep her and her fellow color guard nice and cool during band camp this week.  We didn’t have to look far for inspiration and a tutorial — Little Birdie Secrets has it all figured out.

So Krystal is here sharing the fabric neck cooler she made with the help from a friend’s mom. She took pictures and put together a mini tutorial for us! Thanks, Krystal!

Fabric Neck Cooler Supplies

1 piece of cotton fabric 36″ X 4″

sewing machine, thread, scissors and 1 tsp. of  polymer  water absorbing crystals (found at Michael’s Arts & Crafts). Water absorbing crystals can also be found in the lawn and garden center of a home improvement store.

How To Make a Fabric Neck Cooler

Fold the  36″ X 4″ piece of fabric right sides together lengthwise.

Sew along long side leaving both ends open.

Turn tube right side out. Fold in half, mark the middle and then stitch across.

Place 1/4 teaspoon of polymer crystals in one side, then measure over 4″ and make another stitching line to keep the crystals secure.

Again add 1/4 teaspoon polymer crystals, measure over 4 inches and stitch. Reapeat on the other side. You will have four pockets.

Tuck in the ends on each side and stitch across.  Finished!

To use, place the fabric neck cooler  into a bowl of luke-warm water to soak for 10 minutes (warm water will absorb faster than cold). Remove it from the water and  move the crystals around so they are evenly spaced in each pocket. Place it back into the bowl to soak for another 10-15 minutes, no longer. Squeeze out some of the extra water and store it in the refrigerator until ready to wear. It can also be cooled in a bowl of ice water just before wearing.

Krystal — she’s cool!