Denim Flowers

After hemming a pair of jeans, I had about 3 - 4 inches of denim left and thought; surely there's something I can make with this! So I cut three different sizes of circles, stitched on a button, and kabam! 

I made seven little flowers to put on clips for my hair, my daughter's hair, or a headband. 

Or I can stitch them onto a shirt, a hat, a decorative towel, or onto a quilt top. 

I used quilter's thread to put on the buttons because it is thicker/stronger and therefore you don't need to thread through the button as much to make sure it holds.

Here are the clips I bought: I bought these kind of clips because they lay more flat against a head & head band. Hot glue works to attach the flowers - but I used super glue.

 I think it will work better, if not I'll let you know!

The denim will fray a little sooner or later, but will only add to the cuteness of these flowers.

Here's my daughter sporting her new flower clip!

Hemming Jeans

There are different ways to hem jeans, but I found this way the easiest to understand and do! 

Follow these steps:

1. Try the jeans on with shoes you most often wear or size them up against another pair of jeans that you like the length of. 

2. Fold the jeans up to the length you desire (I just did one side but you can do both if you like).

3. Iron the folded section to create a crease in the jeans.

4. Unfold and mark that crease with chalk or soap - whatever you will be able to see.

5. Then measure 1" down and mark a new line. You'll fold the fabric under to create a new hem OR you can roll the whole hem under. If you choose the latter than skip to step 8.

6. Cut jeans on the line you marked in step 5.

7. Fold jeans under twice at a 1/2" fold each time. Iron each time you fold for easier pinning. Yep, you guessed it, now pin!

8. Sew your new seam! Don't forget to use thread that matches what was used on the jeans already. I also used a specific needle for sewing with denim. You can buy needles at Tacony Corporation Klasse Jeans/Denim Machine Needles-100/16 5/Pkg. Also, when sewing, make sure you backstitch but start sewing   near the side of the pant leg so it's not so obvious.

Here is the finished product on the outside:

And from the inside:

**If you had at least 3 inches of denim you cut off... don't throw it away! I have a project to do with it coming up next!!**

Busy, Busy!

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile! I was busy entertaining a friend who came to visit, then visiting

Or rather, Boise, ID (my hometown)! I did still sew - 

I made up a lot of car seat covers for an upcoming craft fair! I also got this:

And now I am exploring all of my new options with this nicer sewing machine! (Viking Husqvarna)

With it, I've been able to (finally) finish my table runners I made as a part of my service project. Here's the result: 

What do we think? I LOVE summer colors!

I also received this picture of what Anita Waters did for her service project:

Beautiful circle blankets! She even crocheted around the edges which I think is AMAZING!

How about you? What did you do for service in September?? Email me your pictures and who you gave the item to so I can share!

Quick-Tip: Beware of the Sun!

Heat/the sun will destroy your sewing machine!!

Explanation: I had a neighbor call me over to her house because her sewing machine was not running correctly. Sure enough as I tried to turn her needle so it would go up and down, it was as if it no longer wanted to move! I could see that the grease that should be on the machine was non-existent. Long-story short; she had her sewing machine placed in front of her window where the sun would shine directly on it from about noon to sundown. The sun had dried up and warped her sewing machine parts! Her repair bill will now be $60 - $90. So please be careful of where your sewing machine is and keep it away from the sun and heat!