Flower Hair Clips

My hair is long, it's summer and it's hot. I've been putting my hair up a lot and experimenting with different style updos. I luv the look of flowers in my hair. It's very feminine and summery.

:: Flower Accessories Tutorial ::

I used ...

- Fake flowers that can be separated into pieces.

- Hair pins, clips, or bobbie pins.

- Hot glue gun.

1. Pull the flower petals and parts apart. This will help the flower lay nicer on the hair clip/pin. You'll also be able to separate the pieces of the flower you don't need.

2. Glue the flower back together. For the center, I cut the stem off the original center piece and glued it on. You can also use buttons or beads for the center.

3. Attach onto hair accessory of choice. For the the big flowers I used clips from the craft store, found in the bridal section. For the smaller flowers I used bobbie pins (preferred choice).

That's all there is to it.

More hair clip tutorials and ideas ...

• Silk Flower Hair Clip Tutorial by T. Mathews Fine Art
• Peony Hair Clip Tutorial by Ruffles And Stuff
• Scrunched Rosetta Fabric Flower Headband Tutorial by Simply Modern Mom
• Flower Headband and Hair-Clip Tutorial by Creation Corner
• Felt Flower Hair Clips by Living with Punks

Fabric Paper Tape Tutorial by Annekata

Brilliant! Absolutely Brilliant! Fun, easy, diy option to the beautiful Japanese print tape ... Fabric Paper Tape by Annekata.

Lavender Satchels

My bf has been kind enough to grow and maintain lavender for me. I've been cutting and drying for awhile now. I finally have enough dried for about 2 satchels.

I wanted the satchels to be an easy quick sew. I used scrap fabric, whatever thread and needle was left in my sewing machine (from last project), and whatever ribbon was on hand.

Satchel Tutorial ...

Scrap Fabric

Thread

Ribbon (2 pieces, 10" long)

1. I prefer to create a pattern out of freezer paper rather than mark the fabric. Below is a picture of my pattern with markings for future reference. Don't follow the measurements in the picture. I changed them as I went. Here are my final measurement decisions ...

Pattern piece measured 5 1/2" x 3 1/2" and was placed on the fold of the fabric.

The casing is 3/4".

2. After you cut out your fabric piece, open it up and serge/finish the raw edges all the way around.

3. Fold the edges of the short sides 3/4" towards the wrong side of fabric. Topstitch close to the opening. This is your casing.

4. With right sides together, and starting from your topstitching line, stitch down the sides of your satchel. Don't stitch your casing closed! I used a 1/4" seam allowance.

5. Turn right side out.

6. Starting on one side, weave ribbon through both sides of casing. Once you come back around, tie the ends of the ribbon together. Repeat on the other side. Drawstrings are now done.

7. Your satchel is now ready to use.

Lavender Satchel Ideas :

• Freshen shoe bins.
• Freshen clothing drawers.
• Place in pillow cases.
• Hang in closets or storage areas.

Awesomeness :: Gocco Tutorial Find

Ready to Gocco, but how do you turn an image into black and white, ready to be Gocco-ed? Melbourne Vintage has a fab tutorial showing you how ... link.

How To: Artwork Clean Up Procedure (Gocco)

This procedure sets and evens out the levels of carbon. By ironing, you help remove excess carbon that would otherwise clog your screen. Along with a laser printer, I've been able to achieve nice solid colored areas since I've started this procedure.

1. Prepare your original. I size mine down first so it's ready to be flashed once I'm done.





2. I lay a stack of paper on my ironing board, to create a flat surface. This is were I'll be ironing my image. Leave a few sheets of paper of to the side for removing the excess carbon.




3. Lay image on top of stack (image side up) and lay a sheet of paper over the image. I iron on medium-low heat (synthetics). Pass over the image 3-4 times (no more than 4 or else you're removing to much carbon). It should take you no longer than 2 seconds to pass over image.




4. Peel back paper. If your image is sticking to the paper, shorten your pass time.You start risking removing to much and you can take pieces of the image off. If by the third or fourth pass you don't see anything, your iron might not be hot enough.



5. Repeat with a new clean paper. Repeat until no more carbon is lifting off.
6. Flash your screen.

This information was a combo of my own experience plus NEHOC. Thanks to Lana Stewart who was kind enough to answer my FlickrMail and help me out.

Gocco Ink Cones

When I first purchased my Gocco supplies, I bought a pack of ink cones. I originally thought I'd use these to store my leftover inks. Then I came across little containers at Michael's and decided to store the ink in there. To use the inks, I just scrap it out with a spatula. It's messier and harder to get the spatula into small spots with finer detail. That's were the ink cones come in handy.


First I fold back the top and turn the ink cone inside out until I reach near the tip (were I'd like to start filling the cone).

Once I've filled it with ink, I twist the top and seal it with tape. Snip the tip and you are ready to ink.

Much more precise, less wasteful and definitely less mess. I liked applying with the cones. I'll make sure to stock up on these before their gone.

Screen Printing - Screen Cover Tutorial

Since my craft/printing space is so small, improvising is a necessity. I created this case so I can safely carry my emulsified screen from the dark room (shed) to the exposure room (kitchen). The top has a flap to slide the screen in. The sides are sealed with Velcro. When I'm ready to expose, I separate the Velcro, and now the cover is used to help absorb light.

Fabric used: Craft Felt (Update: Felt leaves a little lint on screen, not much. I'll try cotton next. I used felt for a little cush.)

Velcro
Other supplies: sewing machine, thread, marking chalk, ruler, tools for cutting
Approximate time for project: 1.5 hours

*Cover size will be determined by size of screen.*

1. You will need to cut 2 rectangles from fabric. Here is the formulas used in determining sizes:

1. Body:

• Width = (depth times 2) + (screen width times 2) + 1"(I used a 3/4" Velcro. I placed the Velcro about 1/8" - 1/4" from edge.)
• Height = screen height + depth (This is being a little generous. You could do half depth and it would fit snug.) + 1"

2. Top Flap/Panel:

• Width = screen width
• Height = 1/2"(Seam Allowance) + 3" + depth of screen

2. Fold body in half width wise. Mark middle/folded edge. Open back up for now. Right sides together, place top panel on body (Middle mark is to the right of top panel). Here is the placement formula:

• From fold/middle: 1/2 of depth .... my depth was 1.5" so my measurement was 3/4" from fold
• From left raw edge: 1" + 1/2 of depth ... my measurement was 1 3/4"

Stitch top panel onto body with a 1/2" seam.

3. Press flap up. Finger press seams open. Clip into SA where needed (body's) to help lie flat. Topstitch close to edge of SA. Fold the body in half like you did in step 2. Top flap is on top.

4. The Velcro is along the open side and bottom. Place Velcro about 1/8" away from raw edge. Start and stop Velcro 3/4" away from bottom left corner and bottom folded edge. Next time I'd like to try 1" away instead of 3/4".

5. Add Velcro to close your flap and then you're done.

What Kind of Superhero Would You Be?

My boys have just entered the phase of capes. They love to run around with jackets on their heads or blankets tucked into the back of their shirts. I think it's time for me to whip up capes for them. Here is a list of tutorials for the little hero in your life:

• Martha Stewarts: Superhero Cape Towels
• Martha Stewarts: His and Hers Royal Highness
• Puking Pastilles: Superhero Cape Tutorial
• The Long Thread: Superhero Cape Pattern
• DIY Network: Superhero Cape

Tutorial Links: Create Your Own Fabric Labels

Finished off my second round of bags.

The one comment I hear a lot is how fabric labels make bags look professional. So I thought I'd gather up links I've come across on how to create your own fabric labels. If that's not the route you want to go. Check out etsy, you can find many shops that will create fabric labels for you.

Create your own fabric labels:

• Allyson Hill: Make Your Own Labels
• Fresh Vintage: Fabric Labels Tutorial
• ISew: Making Your Own Labels
• Carina's craftblog: Make Your Own Fabric Labels
• vanityandagun: Personalized Labels
• Juanitatortilla: Homemade Fabric Labels
• Knitting Box: Labels made with a gocco.
• Burda Style: Make Your Own Sew-In Labels (Updated thanks to Emily of PaperSeed)
• Sewtakeahike: Label Tutorial
• Patchwork Pottery: Fabric Labels Tutorial

Sole-ful Slippers by Heather Ross

The magazine Home Companion, February/March 2008 issue, has the tutorial for Ross's cozy Sole-ful Slippers. The article has descriptive pictures to go along with the tutorial. I can't wait to get started on these, and of course I'll post the pics. These will be my first slippers so hopefully they won't come out a mess.


Check out these links to slipper tutorials I've found:

• Recycled Slipper Tutorial
• Glow in the Dark Slippers
• Felt Slippers
• Fleece Chinese Slippers for Babies
• Bitty Booties
• Martha Stewarts list of slippers

There's so many slipper tutorials out there. I'm sure you'll find one you like.

My First Knitted Bag

I've knitted on and off ever since I was a little girl, mostly scarves. I love bags so this was a real treat. The inside of the bag is lined with cotton. I don't get the chance to knit often, due to my bad cramping hands. This was the first time I've knitted in the round...I really enjoyed it.

The Bag:

The pattern came from Debbie Stoller's book Stitch 'N Bitch. Here's what I did to create the bag.

• Cast on 80 stitches.
• Continue stockinette stitch until you reach the height (how deep) you want. Mine was a little more than 10 inches. Bind off.
• Turn bag inside out. Using the same yarn, stitch bottom closed. Turn bag right side out.
• Lining : width of bag (plus seam allowance) x (double) length. Fold in half (RS together), stitch both open sides closed. Fold over top raw edge. Insert into bag (WS together), stitch lining to bag. Leave enough room at top of bag for attaching handles.
• Use the same yarn and attach handles to top. Pattern recommended handle size is (about) 13 1/2" x 10".

The Ribbon Rosette was courtesy of Adorn Magazine. So easy to make. Click here for the link to the tutorial.

Souvenir Tee Bag With Lining

Created by Donna Jairdullo. This came from Tease, a book about t-shirt transformations.
I saw this really cool t-shirt and new it was destined to be a bag. I made some changes and also added a lining. Here is how I added the lining (bare with me, this is my first tutorial).

T-shirt sizes will vary so your measurements will be different than mine. My seams were 1/2".

Changes/Tips:

• You'll need at least 6" of plain fabric at the top for attaching handles.

• Here were my measurements after attaching extra fabric to top of panels = 17 1/2"w x 18 1/2"h.
• When attaching exterior panels, I make sure I'm starting and stopping above ribbon (so it's included in seam).


• I recommend reinforcing the stitch marks. Open up side seam and do a zig zag stitch (in place) where the start and stop marks are.

Make lining:

• Measure your panels. Subtract 2" from height. This is your lining measurement. Cut 2. My measurements = 17 1/2"w x 16 1/2"h.


• Line up bottom raw edge of lining with the bottom of the exterior portion. Mark on the lining , wrong side, the stop and start stitch mark you made in a previous step. This is your stop/start stitch mark for lining.


• If you would like to add pockets, place them 4 1/2" down from lining top raw edge. My pocket size= 6"L x 14 1/2"W


• Right sides together, stitch the lining panels together starting and stopping at marks.


• Press seam open. Above seam, fold the seam allowance to wrong side 1/2" and press. Stitch in place, make sure to stitch straight across side seam too.

Attach Lining and Exterior

• If you haven't already, turn exterior of bag right side out. Slide lining into exterior, wrong sides together. Match up bottom edges and corners. Pin the top of lining in place. Along the top raw edge of lining, baste stitch to exterior.

Time For The Handles

• Place one handle on the inside of the back panel. Fold fabric over handle, about 2". Gather and pin fabric in place.


• Stitch as close to the handles as you can. Repeat on the other side.

Your bag is now complete with lining.

Custom Corkboard Tutorial Links

I've starting to decorate/remodel my little sewing corner. Since I made some fabric covered thumbtacks, I've been wanting to make a custom cork/inspiration board. Here are some tutorials I've come across while surfing the web:

1. Custom Cork Board


2. Pin Cushion Canvas Board


3. Framed Bulletin Board


4. Totally Cheating French Photo Board


5. Corkboard/Wall Pocket Tutorial


6. Fabric Covered Cork Board


7. Bulletin Board Tutorial (The pictures are not coming up in this tutorial. So if you don't need pictures, this one is for you.)
8. Put A Cork In It
9. Fabric Covered Corkboard by Fresh Vintage

For more ideas take a look at the flickr group Inspiration Boards. They also have a blog with interviews from some of the creators featured in this group.

Recipe Clothespin Holder Tutorial

Supplies:
6" Clothespin, patterned paper, rub-ons, stickers,decoupage, paintbrush or sponge applicator, paint

1. Disassemble your clothespin.





2. Paint desired color, let dry.





3. Decorate patterned paper with rub-ons and stickers.





4. Using decoupage, cover front with newly decorated patterned paper.





5. Once completely dry, reassemble and your done.

*Do not get the decoupage in the crack, on the front side, where the metal prongs go. It thickens the area and the spring no longer fits right. Learned that the hard way.

This is not limited to recipe holders. Try a smaller size, 4 3/4"clothespin, and display your photos or business cards.

I had a very hard time finding the jumbo size clothespin. I eventually found it at Boxer Scrapbook Productions.

Gift Box Tutorials

I've come across a few gift box tutorials that I'd like to share. They would be perfect for any jewelry gifts or trinkets.

1. Origami Folded Gift Box from Cathie Filian's Blog
2. Quick and Easy Origami Gift Box from U-handbag
3. Origami Gift Box video tutorial
4. Origami Popcorn Box ... I like this one a lot.
5. Money Gift Box ... I wouldn't mind receiving one of these.
6. Cheese Box Gift Wrap

The list could go on and on ...

Thanks to Craft and Found, I came across another great gift wrapping idea...reusable fabric gift bags.

Click here for a tutorial.