blanket scarf

I've been loving the look of the blanket scarves showing up on the internet lately but not the prices.  When I saw these soft light wool's at Joann's last week I decided to make a couple for myself and family or friends.  For the scarf shown  I bought 3 yards of fabric and split it into 2 pieces width wise.  That gave me 2 45X54" pieces.  I trimmed off the selvages and fringed all the ends which took about 20 minutes per scarf,  hint use a pin or seam ripper to help get the threads loose.  For this look I folded it into a triangle and placed the point in the front.  I pulled the ends around the neck and pulled them to the front.  I hid the ends in the folds of the scarf.  AH wasn't thrilled to be  my model but there was no one else around and the cats wouldn't sit still long enough for a picture.  I think they will make great Christmas gifts.

fab fabrics

I just had to do a little sprucing up in the living room so it looks as good as the new kitchen.  When we were in the big city visiting  my parents, of course Mom and I had to make a trip to Joann's.  I had seen a fabric in a magazine earlier this spring that I thought would be great for new pillows in the living room.  Yea, they had it at 40% off.  At $50 per yard even on sale it was still pricey.  I bought a yard and got three pillows out of it.  I also found the panels of the butterfly and hummer.  The pictures don't do justice to how beautiful the colors are in the fabric.  A little painting and possibly a chair recovered and I'll reveal the new living room look.

I made these panels into two 24" pillows using a cream solid for the backs.

Diva coat

Some how I managed to leave Divas coat at my parents house during our last visit.  She gets so cold she had to have a new coat to brave this nasty winter.  Out came a blue wool sweater and I started cutting.  One piece big enough to cover her back from neck to tail, one piece to cover her chest and belly and the ribbing to fit her neck.  I just stitched it together, did a little fine tuning, finished the raw edges with a zig-zag stitch.  I added a bow and sparkly button for a little bling.  She loves it so much she runs away from me when I want to take it off of her.  Since I had everything on hand this was a free project compared to $10-15 for a dog caot from a discount store.  A good snowed in day project.

Sweater pillows

I've been picking up sweaters this fall to make into pumpkins, snowmen and pillows.  I've made several to give to friends.Just lay your sweater flat and cut off the main body front and back as large as you want the pillow to be.  Include buttons, zippers and pockets for more interest.  Pin and stitch around the sides, leaving an opening for the pillow form, turn and stuff.  You can cut your sweater down to a standard form size, 14'-24" or leave it whatever size it comes to and make your own pillow form by sewing muslin into a bag, stuff and stitch closed.  You can add vintage buttons, belts or fabric flowers for fun.  Shirts and tees also make fun pillows.

designing fabric

I'm using several coordinating fabrics in my living room redo.  I loved the large black floral print that I've made a couple of pillows from but wanted a table runner that was a lighter background for my dark table.  This is what I came up with.  I used painters tarp again and drew on my own flowers and leaves with permanent markers.  Hem up the sides and fringe the ends.  In less than an hour a new runner.  If you are unsure of your drawing abilities use a stencil.

This was my inspiration fabric

faux grain bag fabric

I'm in the process of making a slip cover for my couch out of painters drop cloth.  It's a bunch of work but will give the living room a fresh new look when it's done.  Along with the slip cover I'm making pieces to cover the arms and sides where the kitties lay all the time.  I'm also making a couple of table runners and maybe a few dish towels.  Drop cloths are sturdy fabric that can be washed and bleached when they get dirty.  I spent $60.00 for two drop clothes, I like the brand from Menards better than from Lowes because it washes up softer.  I already had everything else I used.
Back to the main idea of the post.  I wanted some of the pieces I'm making to look like grain sacks so this is how I did it.  I cut the washed fabric adding 2" for hems.  I pressed each article and laid out my pattern on scratch paper.  I then made pencil marks where each line went.  Using a steel yard stick and Bic fine line permanent markers, I drew the lines coloring in the wider lines.  I think they turned out great.  I had tried this project using acrylic paints and  fabric additive but I didn't like the stiff feeling of the fabric.
With many real grain bags selling on the Internet for over $50.00 I'm loving how much money I'm saving.  Yes you will be able to tell they aren't real up close, but your looking that close you are just being too darn nosy.

faux roll up shades

We repainted the living room and kitchen over the holidays, you know I couldn't just let it go at that.  I have to move things around, revamp and redo.  I decided to redo the window treatments and roll up or stagecoach shades.  They don't really roll all the way down to the bottom of the window but they are adjustable.
Measure the length you want you shade to be most of the time and add 24-30" to the length, plus 6" for hems.  Make the width 1" wider if you're lining(highly recommend it) 2" if not.  Attach your lining and fabric together like a pillow case, then fold over, press and sew hems.  Press and you're done.  If you aren't lining fold in your side seams press and sew then add hems.
Cut a fabric tube(ask any where that sells fabrics they usually throw these out, or use a thick dowel)  It need to be 2" narrower than the shade.  Run heavy duty double face tape along the hem of the fabric and press on the dowel or tube.  Roll up to the desired length and tie with ribbon, cord, fabric strips whatever goes with your decor.  I wanted mine to be very discrete so I used 6" tulle tie in a knot, turn the knot to the back side or tie in a bow, adjust and there you have it.  Simple shades, if you make them the full length of the window you can let them down all the way for light control.
Here are the shades and the other fabrics I'm using in the rooms.

quick pillow

When I was accumulating sweaters to make pumpkins with I picked this heavy knit one for $1.00.  I used the sleeves for pumpkins but decided to use the body to make a quick pillow cover.  Lay the sweater out flat, measure the pillow form you want to use and cut the front and back 1/2" bigger all around.  Sew your seams and turn the cover right side out by opening the buttons, insert form.  If your sweater doesn't have buttons leave one side open, insert your pillow form and hand stitch.  A less than 30 minute project.

fitted jacket

I almost never sew clothes for myself, but this turned out so cute I may have to make a couple more.
I've seen several jackets made out of sweatshirts on the web lately but I wanted something a little more upscale and fitted.  It was a simple project and took very little time.
You need 1 pullover sweatshirt 1 size larger than you would normally wear
Cut off the cuffs, bottom band and neck band
Mark with chalk and cut straight up the front of the shirt, using a plate add a curve to the bottom of each edge
Slip the jacket on inside out and have a friend place pins at each side to nip in the middle and form darts in the back and the front if necessary
Stitch in the darts and sides.  My sweat shirt did not have side seams so I started at the seam of the sleeve and sewed down to the bottom of the side  in a gradual curve to the narrowest point and back out at the bottom.
Once you are happy with the fit fold under the raw edges 1/2" and top stitch around the sleeves and the body of the jacket.  You could add a button to the top or middle of the front as a closure.  I'll probably use a pin.
No model again and the dog refused to take my picture, so you'll just have to take my word for it that the fit is great and the jacket is cute enough to wear to work if your place is more casual.

darts in the back