Not Enough Bobbins?

One thing that runs out fast when sewing with a lot of different thread colors are bobbins! So here's a quick tip to fix that problem:

It's OK to add one thread color on top of another to your bobbin!

Simply add more thread to your bobbin (the color you need) in addition to the other. As long as the other thread isn't hanging out you shouldn't have a problem when sewing. The machine will simply stop sewing as if there were no thread left once you run out of the color on top.

Hopefully this saves you from buying a ton of bobbins as well as space!

Princess Crown Tutorial

I love when kids can play dress-up, so I sketched out and perfected this crown for role-playing! It's pretty simple to make, just be patient while turning it inside out! This crown is made to fit any head size as long as you attach about a 4 inch long strip of velcro on the back.

Materials:
1. 3/4 yard of fabric
2. Thin sheet of batting or even felt would work
3. Craft jewels/gems (3 total)
4. Strip of velcro

First: Cut out the crown pattern (click below) out of your fabric & batting. The tallest tier of the crown is where you'll cut on the fold of your fabric - cut two of these. Please note you'll need to continue the back part of the crown to make it as big or little as you like to fit your child's head.

Crown Pattern

Second: Put the two patterns right sides together, place the batting on top, and sew leaving a gap open to turn it right side out. I left my gap at the back end of the crown.
Third: Turn the crown inside out.
Fourth: Sew around the whole crown - this adds a more polished look & closes up your gap without it being noticeable.
Fifth: Add your velcro. Put the soft side of the velcro on the inside strap so it won't pull any hair! I put a white thread in the top of my sewing machine and the thread to match my outline in the bottom so the stitching on the velcro wouldn't be easy to see.
Sixth: Add your gems in the center of each circle! I used super glue because I don't really trust craft glue :)

3 Stripes & You're Out!

I finished this quilt for a friend of mine who hopes to someday soon have a baby! (I'm hoping for sooner rather than later, but that's another story!) Anyway, for a simple quilt project or even a scrappy quilt project, this is a good block to do. 

1. Cut strips (the longest length of the fabric) at 2 1/2" wide.

2. Sew three strips together (hence the "three stripes")

3. Then iron down and cut the three strips at 6 1/2" or measure your width to make a perfect square. 

**Remember to square up all of your blocks to the smallest one so everything lines up!**

For my own personal thoughts - the colors in this quilt ended up being borderline "crazy"! I thought it would come out cuter in a sense, but I still like these colors of children's fabric. What do we think? 

Pretty Patches

A couple of days ago, my church had an activity where everyone brought items they didn't want anymore and then we got to pick through it all taking what we wanted! (I would recommend doing this with anyone you know, it was great!) Anyway...I grabbed this pair of toddler pants and thought instantly, "project!" 

So, here are the holes in the knees that needed to be patched. Basically I got out my patch fabric, ironed it on the wrong side of the holes, turned the pants back inside out, and put on the squares below with a zig-zag stitch. 

Ta Da! Now my daughter has cute pants that don't look worn out anymore! If you're feeling really creative, you could cut out flower outlines instead of squares. And of course if you have a boy you can do more manly fabric! 

Here's a link to some iron-on patches. 

Free Handmade Apron WINNER!

Thanks everyone for commenting and welcome new followers! I am pleased to say that Chelsey, a new follower, has won the apron! (The results were powered by random.org.)

Result:5

Chelsey said...

I am following. Thanks for the giveaway. mybabyappleseed(at)yahoo(dot)ca

July 8, 2010 11:26 AM

Sewing Blogs I Follow

I would like to introduce you to a couple of blogs I like to follow! 

I admit I can be picky when deciding which blogs to follow (besides family ones) because I have certain expectations. 

Here is what I look for: 

1. Website is easy to navigate, appealing to the eye, & has a personal touch to it.

2. Simple projects/tutorials that get straight to the point, and the final product looks more time-consuming than it really is!

3. And of course, projects that I am interested in actually doing. 

Now, for my two most favorite blogs to follow!

Create & Delegate

and

Spun Sugar Quilts

I recommend you check these blogs out (just click on their names) and see for yourself what they have to offer! I think you'll like them!

New Item on Etsy

Baby Girl Crocheted Dress

You can view more photos here.

Free Apron Giveaway!

I do realize this isn't the same exact apron as my "preview" picture, but it is just as cute so I decided on this one!

This apron is yellow and green, adult size, & handmade.

How to Enter:

1. Become a follower & leave only one comment.

2. If you are already a follower, you can leave up to 2 comments which doubles your chance to win!

Giveaway starts now and ends Tuesday July 13th midnight. I'll post the winner on the 14th.

Good luck!