Think Crafts Blog – Craft Ideas and Projects – CreateForLess

By Kid’s Craft Contributor, Gillian from the blog “Dried Figs and Wooden Spools”.

I’m kind of an opinionated sewer. And I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad one. I have my ideas on when you need to follow rules and when you don’t, what you must have and what you can frankly do without, and I have serious opinions on patterns. Mainly that most of them are terrible these days.

I’m not sure who the pattern companies think they are making patterns for, but many of the ones I’ve run across in recent years are so garbled they would confuse even advanced sewers. I bought one for a simple elastic neck dress for my daughter last fall that seemed to have been written in some language other than english and then badly translated three or four times before it got to me. Awful.

So when I do find a good source for patterns that are well made, and that make great garments, I’m pretty jazzed. For grown up girl patterns you can’t beat Wendy from Built by Wendy. But for little bugs I think some of the best patterns available come from Oliver + S, like this Ice Cream Dress.

First off, they are unbelievably cute. As in, I would dress my child in nothing else if I had time to make them all cute. Secondly, they are obviously made with kids in mind. No tight closures or seams in weird spots that are likely to itch. They are most definitely designed to be comfortable and long lasting.

Now, obviously they don’t sew themselves, and they aren’t necessarily beginner patterns. But they are well written and well illustrated so if you are a reasonably competent sewer and you read the directions carefully, you’ll turn out a beautiful outfit for your kiddo. At our house we’re part way through making a second Ice Cream Dress (the first get A LOT of wear) as well as a Birthday Party Dress which I’m finding equally satisfying to sew. One note I’ll make is to be sure to pre-wash your fabric. I know, I know, I hate to prewash too, but your kids will love these clothes, and it would really be a shame to have them shrink up all funky on that first wash. So Pre-wash, and then sew away!

By Sewing Contributor Jessica, from the blog “Life Sew Good”.  

My friend Summer lost her dad a little over a year ago to cancer.  After she heard about a program that is trying to collect 1 million pillowcases to be donated to various hospitals, she jumped on board.  Patients like to have pillowcases that are their own when they are in the hospital for long stays.  I definitely wanted to be a part of this, and I thought it would be a fabulous idea to have our ThinkCrafts.com friends join in!  Summer’s blog, has all the info you need on where to send pillowcases, as well as the story behind her motivation for doing this.  All the pillow cases collected will be sent to St. Jude’s, a children’s hospital.   I’ve provided you with a simple tutorial to make a sweet standard pillowcase.  Please send pictures of the pillow cases you make and I can include them on a future post.

You’ll need:

1- 1 1/3 yd. main fabric—flannel or cotton
¼ yd. coordinating fabric—flannel or cotton
Measuring tape/ruler
Fabric Pen (optional)
Scissors
Thread
Pins

Preshrink your fabric using HOT WATER ONLY (no soap!).  This is important if you are making the pillowcase to send to children in the hospital.

1. Cut  1 piece 27” x 42” main fabric  (piece “A”)
2. Cut 1 piece 8 ½” x 42” main fabric  (piece “B”)
3. Cut 1 piece 5” x 42” coordinating fabric  (piece “C”)
4. Take piece B & C, fold in ½” length-wise and press.
5. Lie piece C on top of piece B, raw edges together

6.  Lie piece A on top of piece C, lining up the raw edges and pin in place.

7. Sew ½” seam along raw edges.  Back track on each end.

8. Serge or zigzag edge. Open so that you can see all right sides.  Press piece C so that it lies on top of piece A.  Turn the case over to the wrong side & press seam up toward piece B.  Top stitch.

9. Fold pillowcase in half, right sides together, finished edges together.  Sew ½ seam along all raw edges.  Sew ½” seam along raw edges.  Back track on each end.

10. Serge or zigzag edge. Open so that you can see all right sides.  Press piece C so that it lies on top of piece A. 

11. Turn the case over to the wrong side & press seam up toward piece B.  Top stitch.

12. Fold pillowcase in ½, right sides together, finished edges together.  Sew ½ seam along all raw edges. 

13. Serge or zigzag edge.

14. Turn right side out.

You did it!!!  Now make a few more & send them to Summer, along with a personal note with a prayer or special message for the unknown recipient.  You will be part of a huge effort to bring specially made pillowcases to children at St. Jude’s!

Congratulations to TishSch who was randomly selected as the winner of Free Stuff Friday and this complete apron making kit put together by The Apron Lady herself!

The Apron Lady Little Flirty Skirty Pattern - Named for the way the front and side panels of this bib apron, curve with the body. Girls of all ages will love the sassy fit of this apron, with 2 pockets, and the flattering way it ties in the front. Also featured in this pattern is the adorable Half Apron, with an old style Hollywood Waistline. Patterns are sizes 2 through Preteen. Look for the adult size so Mom and Daughter can have matching aprons while they present their holiday creations.

The Apron Lady Hoot Owl Apron Pattern – Your little one will love all of the 4 projects included in this pattern, each with an owl theme. Projects include the apron, a purse, a pillow, and an adorable stuffed “owlette”. And “Whooo” knows, if you make her the apron she may want to help in the kitchen. Child sizes 2 to 8. Includes instructions, diagrams, and paper pattern.

TishSch’s winning answer to ”What is your favorite project that you’ve made?” was…

“My favorite craft projects are my scrapbooks. They can tell my family things that simply words cannot, and hopefully they’ll be here to remind them how much I love them even long after I’m gone!”

By Sewing Contributor Jessica, from the blog “Life Sew Good”.  

First off, you should know that I am under no obligation nor do I get paid to write anything for these companies, but love to give you some product review so that you can enjoy the little pleasures in life that I have discovered! 

Valori Wells is not only a fabulous fabric designer, she also creates beautiful patterns.  I ran across the Little Wallet pattern at her store in Sisters, Oregon,  Stitchin’ Post, when I was there in May.  The pattern was so simple and fit on a card the size of greeting card.  Easy to read, easy to follow directions made this pattern so fun that I decided that more people needed to know. 

Last week, I taught a class on how to make the Little Wallet to a group of 17 women, ranging in age from middle school girls to middle-aged moms.  There are literally 5 seams to be sewn, so it is a very simple project for beginners.  In fact, if you don’t own a sewing machine, it would be simple enough to sew by hand. 

One of the best things about the Little Wallet is that you can use your scraps!  Although it indicates using a main fabric and coordinating fabric, you could easily use 5-8 different fabrics and end up with a super cute product.  It’s also a short enough project that you can make quite a few on both little time.  I love that!  Finally, although it doesn’t say so on the pattern, you could embellish your Little Wallet with buttons, flowers, yo-yos , or whatever fits your fancy. 

What would I do if I were you?  Get a pattern for yourself, make a bunch to give away as gifts, and get a bunch of the pattern cards to stick in birthday cards!  I also think it would make a unique and functional gift card holder. 

I would love to see links to wallets you make!

Enter to win this complete apron making kit put together by The Apron Lady herself! The Apron Lady picked the fabric, Ric Rac, buttons, and flower embellishments plus included her Hoot Owl Apron Pattern and Flirty Skirty Apron Pattern!

The Apron Lady Little Flirty Skirty Pattern - Named for the way the front and side panels of this bib apron, curve with the body. Girls of all ages will love the sassy fit of this apron, with 2 pockets, and the flattering way it ties in the front. Also featured in this pattern is the adorable Half Apron, with an old style Hollywood Waistline. Patterns are sizes 2 through Preteen. Look for the adult size so Mom and Daughter can have matching aprons while they present their holiday creations.

The Apron Lady Hoot Owl Apron Pattern – Your little one will love all of the 4 projects included in this pattern, each with an owl theme. Projects include the apron, a purse, a pillow, and an adorable stuffed “owlette”. And “Whooo” knows, if you make her the apron she may want to help in the kitchen. Child sizes 2 to 8. Includes instructions, diagrams, and paper pattern.

Every Friday we’ll post a giveaway on Think Crafts and all you have to do is comment on the blog post answering the question of the week. We’ll pick the winner and contact them via email. Deadline is midnight tonight and the winner will be announced Monday. One entry per person please. Contest opened to all US residents, no purchase necessary.

Question of week: What is your favorite project that you’ve made?

By Sewing Contributor Jessica, from the blog “Life Sew Good”.  

My daughter Bee’s friend Em turned 4 years old last week and it was time to pony up and make a gift!  Her mom informed me that she loved cooking, so an apron would be perfect.  Although I made this apron for a 4 yr. old, you could add 1 more fat quarter, adjust the waist measurement, and have one made for yourself easily!

Here’s what you need:

2 coordinating Fat Quarters
Thread
Scissors
Measuring tape or ruler
Fabric pen

1). First, measure how wide & long you want your apron.  While I was making mine for a little 4 year old, I wanted it to be something she could wear for years to come, so I made it fairly long, with the waist band coming around the sides of her waist.  Measure the front of your waist, wrapping a little around the sides to come up with your finished apron width  measurement.

I decided I wanted the finished apron—after gathering the waist–to be 12″ x 15″.  I added ½” seam allowances to the top and bottom, so I cut my fabric 22″ (normal width of the fat quarter that we will be gathering) x 16″ (length). 

2). Once you decide your measurements, mark & cut your fabric:

Main Fabric:      

22″ x length        [CUT 1 for main apron]

22″ x at least 2″  [CUT 1 for binding bottom]

Coodinating Fabric:

Finished apron width + 2″ (seam allowance) x 4″ [CUT 1 for waistband]

22″ x 4″ for ties  [CUT 2 for ties]

22″ x 5 ¾” for pockets [CUT 1 for pockets]

3). We’re going to work with your coordinating fabric first.  Take your 22” x 5 ¾” piece.  Fold the long side ¼” and press.  Fold again ½” then press again.  Sew seam.

4). Sew seam.

5). Take your main piece of fabric and lay your pocket piece on top as shown.  Make sure that your finished seam is on the top side of the pocket piece.  Don’t worry!  So far, it should be your only finished edge!  Pin pieces together as shown.  Note that both right sides are facing UP. 

6). Baste bottom edge, so your pocket and main piece are attached.  This will make your life easier!

7). Now, take your apron and fold in half, wrong sides together, & press.  Open.   Fold your right edge so that it meets the center fold.  Press the fold.  Open and repeat on left side.  Your fabric should have 3 folds, so your fabric is separated by creases in 4 equal sections.  Use picture below as a reference for what I mean! 

8). Your creases now serve as guides for where to sew seams for the pockets.  Sew seams along each crease only on pocket fabric (ie, in pic, floral fabric).  Make sure to back-tack.  Set that piece aside.

9). Make the binding for the bottom of your apron.  Simply fold & press the piece in half, lengthwise.  Open.  Then, fold both ends in toward center crease.  Press.

10). Attach binding to skirt.  Take  your binding, middle crease open,  just like the picture above.  Line up the center crease with the bottom of the apron, wrapping the folded creases around the bottom of the apron, enclosing the raw edges and pin.  See picture below.

11). Sew binding on close to the top edge. 

12). Take waistband piece and prepare it following the directions from step 9. 

13). Gather your waistband by basting (use a long stitch) 1 seam ¼” from top of apron and 1 seam ½” from top of apron.  Pull bottom  threads, gathering the fabric until it measures your finished apron width + 2” (seam allowance). 

14). Just like you did with the bottom binding, pin your waistband binding to the top of apron. Sew waistband onto apron.  Sew seam close to the bottom of the waistband.             

15). Make the ties.  Again, prepare ties the same you made your bottom binding and waistband binding, following instructions in step #9. 

16). For each tie, we want to make sure one end looks nice. The other end will be sewn into the apron, so the raw edge is okay.  

17). Fold over  one end ½”. 

18). Fold corners in to make end pointed, like picture below.

19). Fold tie in ½ length-wise.

20). Sew ties closed, starting from point all the way to your raw edge.

21). Prepare side seam by folding side of apron over ½”.  Lay the raw end of your tie on top of the first fold, lining up with the waistband like photo below.

22). Fold side of apron again another ½”, this time folding the tie in with the waistband like photo below.  Pin & Repeat other side.

23). Sew side seams, reinforcing waistband and ties by sewing a square where ties and waistband meet.

24). Top stitch all along from the end of ties and the top of the waist band. 

Viola!  You’re done!

By Sewing Contributor Jessica, from the blog “Life Sew Good”.  

My friend Anna has an amazing ability to take great high-end decorating ideas and making them practical and affordable.  After seeing some great pillows, she decided to ask my friend Aimee to make some for her . . . out of burlap! 

Friends, it may not be a pillow you’ll cozy up to, but the burlap adds great texture and dimension.  They are perfect for a neutral throw pillow to add in with other pillows or to throw on your outdoor bench.  Maybe it sounds crazy, but try it.  In another post will include ways to “spice up” your burlap pillow, so make it now, and get ready for crazy fun.

Here’s what you need:

Scissors
Thread similar to this
Pillow Form
Burlap

Because burlap is see-through, we double-layered it.  You could put colored duck cloth or other fabric underneath, but burlap is inexpensive and it’s just as easy to double it.  The rest of the instructions will assume you just folded over your burlap and are measuring it together.

Figure your dimensions: 

We used a 12” x 16” pillow form.  We accounted for ½” seam allowance on all sides.  We also decided we wanted the make it a pillow case so that when we change our minds and want to do something different with our pillow, we can!  So, we allowed for a 2” over lap in the back plus 2” fold-over (which makes it look good.)  Here’s what that ends up looking like:

Here’s the math: 

Height:  12” (front) + 12” (back) + 1” total seam allowance = cut 25”

Width:  16” (front) + 16” (back) + 1” total seam allowance + 8” fold-over/over-lap =  cut  41”

You should have a 25” x “41 double layer piece of burlap.

Fold over and pin the 2 short ends 2 ½” (2” fold-over + ½” seam allowance).  Sew ½” seam on each end.

With RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER, fold burlap in thirds, over lapping your folded edges 2”, so that the fold on one side meets the seam of the other folded side.

Pin sides.  Sew sides together with a ½” seam.  Don’t worry about raw edges.  It won’t matter in the pillow! 

Trim corners, being careful not to cut through your seams. 

Turn right side out, and viola!  Burlap pillow cover!

Stay tuned for further ideas in burlap décor!