Owl Onesie

Yep I've been making baby things again. It just never gets old!  

This time I created an applique! I usually just do an initial or shape but wanted to make an owl. 

So I googled 'free owl applique pattern' and found this...

Owl Pattern by Duckling Pond

I had to enlarge a couple of times to get the size I needed.  I didn't take photos of how I did this but it's so very easy!  All you need really is scraps. I cut everything out then starting with the eyes I sewed the inner eye to the outer eye. Next I sewed the eyes to the face and beak. Then sewed that piece and the wings to the body. Now it's one piece! To keep things simple I leave all edges raw. I use Pellon Wonder-Under to apply shapes/initials to any size onesie. 

The result is cute custom creations!

I have more to make too! I'm getting a new nephew in about 2 1/2 months!

Happy Thursday!!

{See my Link Parties Page for the link ups!}

Sofa Pillow Makeover

I've been wanting to makeover our sofa pillows for a while now.  Hunkie bought all of our living room furniture right before meeting me so that's why we have the matchy matchy set.  Don't get me wrong he did pretty good for being a single guy but now that we have our home it's time to freshen things up a bit.

I actually made some easy slipcovers for the 4 pillows I had already then found 2 coordinating ones last weekend at Garden Ridge.  And I'd like to see if you can tell which ones were bought and which ones were made.  Take a look....

I'm asking that question because when buying the new ones I went off of memory of what my fabric looked like!! So I'm pretty proud of the result!!

Ready?

The one on the left is from Garden Ridge and the one on the right is the slipcover I made!  And I actually bought that fabric {from Hobby Lobby} to make a valance for the dining room window but changed my mind! I had 2 yards and barely got out 4 slipcovers! The pillows were 19 inch and I think 18 inch is more standard.  I can live with barely for $13 for 4 freshened up pillows!! The Garden Ridge pillows were $10 each.  I'm loving the result! Now I just need some curtains!! {Which are on their way from Target!}

The slipcovers were so very easy to make! I used I Heart Nap Time's tutorial for How To Sew A Pillow Cover In 20 Minutes.

And I've seen other tutorials so didn't think it was necessary to do another one.  Just wanted to share my fabric choices and to testify how easy slipcovers are to make!  It's such a cost effective way to change an accessory too!

I'm almost done with the entryway too! Waiting on a rug, can't wait for you to see!

Have you ever made slipcovers?

Happy Thursday!

{See my Link Parties Page for where I like to share at!}

Easy Sewing Machine Cover

Well today is the last of my craft room projects. My sewing machine isn't really all that old.  It came with a flimsy plastic cover that just didn't last long, especially with Lil' Hunkie around.  So I knew I wanted to make a new cover for it since it has to be stored on the very bottom shelf of the bookcase, plus there's all that light!   I had a stretched out in the neck knit shirt that was in my pile of things to do something with that I thought would make the perfect cover! Bonus: this cost nothing!

I shared this over at The Crafty Scientist a couple of weeks ago in case you missed it!

Here's what I did!

Supplies:

Shirt

Sewing machine and general sewing supplies

Scrap fabric

Pins

Hot glue gun

Such a cute shirt!! Glad I thought of a way to keep it around!

Good ole' Singer!

Started off by cutting off the top 1/4 of the shirt.  I had eyeballed measured and the top of the lace on the bottom half was just right for length wise so when I cut I allowed for a seam.

Now I have a tube basically.  I slid the shirt down over the machine and pinned at the ends of the handle to leave a slit.  

I then marked underneath....

Next I turned the shirt inside out and using the seam as a guide ran a stitch from both sides inward towards the marks....

Then I measured the sides, about 3 inches from the edge, and ran a stitch on both sides....

Finally I made a couple of rolled flower pins, pinned them on and done!!

I love it and love that it was free!

Happy Thursday!

{See my Link Parties Page for the link ups!}

Netbook Cover & A Confession

Have you entered the Megan Brooke Handmade Giveaway yet?
OR
Linked up your project to Show & Share?

I have a confession.

I can not sew perfectly!! Or craft perfectly for that matter!

Don't we all have days that whatever we're working on just doesn't come together like we thought or wanted?

Well I had one of those days!  Now I can fanaggle {like that new word?} things so they turn out alright and that's how I'm able to show you my netbook cover!  And trust me I learned from my 'do nots' on this one!

I'm headed out this weekend on our Ladies Retreat and knew I wanted to take my netbook with me but I don't have a cover/case.  I looked briefly last week for one and just didn't find anything I liked. 

 So why not make one since I had the materials?

And so begins the cover journey......

Supplies:

2 coordinating fabrics

quilting batting *this was kinda thick in spots!*a 'do not' for the future!

Velcro

sewing machine

hot glue gun



 Isn't this fabric great? I won it from Rocknregalia! Thanks girl!

What I did........

First I had to piece together my batting.  I basically made an envelope type cover.

Next I sewed the outside fabric {houndstooth} to the batting.  I traced a straight line on the sides of the batting since it wasn't cut perfectly straight.  I realize now that I need some basic sewing supplies!

Then with right sides together I sewed the lining fabric {floral} to the houndstooth/batting. I left a small opening on one corner.....

.....now turn it out.

Oh joy!! Why can't I sew straight? Oh joy!! What can't I measure right?

Yes it is NOT wide enough.  And it is barely long enough! Enter The Fanaggling!!

Fold in the corner where it's still open and sew shut, then making a finishing stitch on the bottom edge.

Using my netbook, I measured where I wanted to fold up the bottom at.  Then I pinned it and made a finishing stitch along the sides and the edge of the flap.  Now I have an envelope. The  flap is just barely long enough to close it.  So this is where I got the bright idea that I could make a cute ruffle to sew along the flap edge and it help in length.  Well the houndstooth doesn't want to ruffle so I decided to 'pleat' the edges of a strip of  fabric.....

Oh look! I'm measuring!! See? Lesson learned!

Isn't it nice?  I sewed it to the edge of the flap and added the Velcro....

Done! Ah..but it needs a little sumpin, sumpin..

Flowers did the trick!!

Ah! All done! I may not be perfect at sewing but I'm pretty darn good at fanaggling! ☺

Now then.

I am featured at a cool place today..Gingerbread!

And I would love for you to head on over and take a peek!

See my Link Parties Page for where I'll be having fun at!!

Have a Happy Day!

Purse Size Tissue Holder

Today's little project is compliments of one of Hunkie's Aunties!  She requested directions on how to make a purse size tissue holder.  She's hosting her Bunco group in August too and wanted to make some!

Here's the ones I made last year that she remembered!!

These are quick and easy and make great little gifts!

♥

Supplies

2-6 x 6 1/2 inch pieces of fabric

sewing machine

iron

Optional: embellishment such as ribbon

Measure and cut fabric.

 With fabric wrong side together, fold edges of the 6 inch side inward no more than 1/2 an inch and iron down.

Do this on both edges of both pieces of fabric.

Then fold each edge inward to the middle, the edges should not lap, just meet.  Iron.

 {Edges folded in.}

Flatten back out and cut ribbon and lay on edge, then sew edges closed.

 Fold edges inward again,  if you're doing an embellished edge like I'm showing then, the embellishment goes facing down like in photo....

 Run a seam along the ends, I just use the foot peddle as my guide for width. 

 Turn inside out and you're done! 

 Fill with tissues and toss in your purse!!

See my Link Party Page for where I'm linking up at!

Happy Thursday!

Guest Post-Sweet Sewn Stitches!

Today is a new day for Vintage Gwen!!  I have a guest!!  It hit me about a week or so ago that there's no reason why I shouldn't be having guests!!  In my opinion guest posting is a beneficial opportunity for both parties and it's high time for some benefits!

I'm excited to introduce you to Alyssa of Sweet Sewn Stitches!

She has a lovely blog and what drew me to her place was her fantastic vintage highchair that I featured last week in Darling day.  She was gracious to be my first guest poster!

Enjoy!!

♥

Hi, I am Alyssa from Sweet Sewn Stitches! I have been blogging for a few years, but just recently have been inspired to kick it up a notch and dedicate more time to my story. 

I am thrilled to share a tutorial for pintucking today. Pintucks are a great way to add visual interest and texture to your space. These sewn tucks can be used to add a bit more glam to bags, pillows, clothing, and linens!

Be sure to pintuck your fabric before cutting your pattern piece. 

 To begin, gather all of your MATERIALS:

1} Fabric cut to size. I used 100% cotton and began with a 8 inch x 45 inch strip. The final width after pleating is 2.5 inches. Be sure to allow extra fabric to pleat.

2} Ruler / fabric pencil or chalk {optional}

3} Sewing machine and matching thread

4} Iron



I am sharing two methods for pintucking. The first is very concise, but I had trouble getting my pleats even. The second method is more freehand and gives control to vary pintuck width as desired.


FIRST METHOD
Mark lines using a ruler on the right side of the fabric as a guide. Width between lines should be double the desired width of the pintuck. Here I marked 1/2" lines for a finished tuck of 1/4".

Fold fabric {with wrong sides together} matching the first two marked lines. Pin or iron.

Straight stitch along the marked line.

For the next tuck, match the third and fourth lines and pin wrong sides together. Stitch. Repeat this method until all pintucks are made. Finally, iron pleats to one side.

PINTUCKS USING FIRST METHOD

SECOND METHOD
Tucks can be sewn using your presser foot as a guide rather than marking lines on the fabric. I felt my tucks were more concise using this method.

To make your first tuck, start by folding your fabric {wrong sides together} near one edge. Stitch together using a 1/4" seam allowance.

For the following tucks, fold fabric to make 1/2" fold from your previous line of stitching. Then stitch another tuck using 1/4" seam allowance from folded edge.

Continue this method for all pintucks. Lastly, iron all tucks in one direction.

PINTUCKS USING SECOND METHOD

You can now add your pintucking to any project or pattern. The possibilities are endless! These pillow covers are available in my Etsy shop.

Thank you to Jennifer at Vintage Gwen for inviting me to share with you today. I hope you have been inspired to try pintucking, and invite you to stop by Sweet Sewn Stitches anytime to see what's new!

Yay for pintucking!!  I learned something new, how about you?

Here's some other fabulous features from Alyssa!

1st Birthday Party for her daughter....♥♥♥!

Yummy recipe...Double Chocolate Banana Muffins!!

Graphic and photos courtesy of Sweet Sewn Stitches.

Be sure and check her out!!

Sweet Sewn Stitches blog.

Sweet Sewn Stitches Etsy Shop.

Thanks again Alyssa....fabulous, just fabulous!!

Happy Thursday!!