About Me

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NJ, United States
I love to crochet, cook, read and sew. (I'm new to sewing AND BLOGGIN!)

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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Easy Peasy Crochet Hat & Scarf Set


EASY PEASY CROCHET HAT & SCARF SET

Homespun-Painted Desert Scarf
I decided to share this pattern with everyone as I thought the project turned out great.  You will need to know basics in crocheting, YOUTUBE has so many tutorials on how to begin, etc. 

Well, I'm no crochet pattern writer that's for sure, but here goes.  This is such an easy pattern to follow.  I'll try to be as clear as possible.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!  :)

For this project the following materials

The stitches used in this pattern are:
Slip Knot
Chain (ch)
Single Crochet (sc)
Double Crochet (dc)

Now, let's begin!  Remember to soften up your tension.  :)

start with a slip knot on your hook and chain 16.

Row 1:  two dc in second chain from hook (the first chain counts as the first stitch).  *skip next two chains and one sc, two dc in next chain (the three stiches are worked together in the same chain)* repeat from ** three more times.  skip next stitch and sc in last chain, ch two and turn.

Row 2:  two dc in first stitch (next to the dc), *skip next two stitches and work one sc and two dc in next sc stitch (from previous row)* repeat from ** three more times, single crochet in last stitch, chain two and turn.

Rows 3-whatever size you want (repeat row 2). once you are done finish it off with a slip knot.

You can add fringe, do a border all around the scarf of leave as is, it will not curl.  You can use this stitch for a blanket or even a hat as I did!  Just make sure your chain is divisible by three PLUS one.

For the hat, I used the same stitch pattern.  I made a chain divisible by three plus one. (everyone's head is different so you'll have to measure yours ;) )  I measured the chain around my head's circumference to get the desired fit.  I worked back and forth (as with the scarf), continuing to measue from my forehead to the top of my head.  I ended up with a little scarf (kind of).  Once i thought it would be big enough for my head, I finished it off with a slip knot,  I left a pretty long tail to then slip stitch it closed alog the edge.  For the top I closed it exactly like this ---> +.  I slip stitched one line at a time.  You will close it on the begining chain.

Easy Peasy Hat & Scarf
I hope this makes sense!  HA HA!  contact me with any questions!  <3  I'm open to adjusting the pattern!  :)
You can post this pattern on your blog, just link back to my blog!  Thanks!

Friday, June 22, 2012

Totes...Totes...EVERYWHERE..!

Ok!  So lately I've been on a sewing kick!  TOTES!  I've made so many!  
I made them all using unwanted, unloved, thrifted, sturdy material!  
Here are some photos!
        
                Bubblelicious Tote                     Groovy Teddy Tote              

 
      Vintage Tote                    Sunny Beach Tote
  
                                                   Mom's Tote

Upholstery Totes 
(I fussy cut the pocket on the tote on the left)
I gave the one on the right as a gift!

Everytime I find nice sturdy fabric, I'll make Totes.  
I'll build a stash and come the holidays,
guess who's getting a tote (or two)?  ;)

I'm going to use mine when I go grocery shopping of course!

The pattern and tutorial is from Crafty Gemini.  
Excellent for beginners!
It's reasonably priced at $3.00 for the pattern AND the video tutorial.

Have fun!  :)~

I'm going to go back to sewing... a tote or two maybe?  :)

Sunday, June 17, 2012

How to Sew a Pleated Purse!

Well, a WHILE back I watched this video from The DIY Dish on YouTube.  
I loved this bag tutorial and wanted to make one so bad!

How to Make a Handbag-The DIY Dish

This tutorial ^^teaches you how to make evenly spaced pleats.  :)



SO I DID MAKE ONE!  I made one for my daughter.


I added one thick strap to the bag just before closing it up.  
I love it!  I will make one for myself!
Now off to choose fabric!  <3

Embroidery Hoop Pocket Craft

OK.. so... This morning (while sewing of course) I found myself looking for my cutting utensils.  I had one over by the fabric, I had my rotary cutter by the mat, I had my small sissors near the yarn and my stork scissors next to my sewing machine!  gad draddet!  So I decided to search a little (on Google) of course and ran into this cute tutorial.  Although the tutorial I followed didn't involve sewing, I sewed mine with pockets and added rickrack to hide the thread lines.  All of the materials are recycled!  :)  I found the hoop at my local thrift shop, I cleaned them out of hoops figuring that one day I'd "need" them.  I'm glad I purchased them!  :)

I can't wait to hang this up in my sewing corner.  

Here is the new sew tutorial link --->No-Sew Embroidery Hoop Wall Pocket by Blessings Overflowing

The pattern is "sew" easy to follow!

My advice?  leave plenty of fabric room to in the hoop.

Sew Happy!





Monday, June 11, 2012

Instead of my chores, this is what I did today! :)

I decided to upcycle a t-shirt that I got from work.  The fits nice and loose but the neck, ugh, it choked me to death! (not really, but it's uncomfortable)  SOOOO, while looking for things to repin on Pinterest, I found the tutorial I was looking for!  (Pinterest is laggy right now :(, as soon as it's back up I will post the link to the tutorial.

Here is how the shirt turned out (I forgot to take a before picture, but it was a regular t-shirt with a ribbed (uncomfortable) neckline.  For the (new) neckline, I cut off the sleeve cuffs, and cut them in half then attached the 2 pieces together to make one long loop.  The screen print is way up there, but there was nothing I could do about that as it was all the way up by the neckline!  Not bad for a first upcycle though.  I wonder if my husband will miss some of his t-shirts!  HMMMMM!  LOL :D


I made a matching purse with this ARMY fabric I got at my local thrift shop for 50 cents!
The pocket in the front is a remnant from one of the sleeves from the shirt above!

I just went with it and this is what I came up with.  
The straps are extra long so that I can use it accross body. 
I also sewed french seams so that it holds up.
Next time I will make the straps thicker. I like it!  :D 

Now that I have some "new" beach wear....
let me go clean out my husband's closet!  ;)~




Sunday, June 10, 2012

Sew Sew Sew your boat.... :)

So, today I did some gardening, pulled out weeds, trimmed some rose bushes (ouch) etc...

It was SOOO HOT out!  I found myself inside... having a nice cold drink of water when suddenly, I made my way to my---> Sewing ROOM!  :)  My coworker gave me an old ass bed sheet of hers to upcycle into pillow covers for HER!  :)  So I did, I made her three!  (that was AFTER I made a little Japanese Knot bag).  I think it's so cute!  I have to practice my top stitching, otherwise, it's a keeper!  :)


Here is my little Japanese knot bag.  It's reversible!  :)
Here is where I downloaded the pattern and instructions.
The instructions are a bit wonky (maybe because I'm a beginner)
I will put it together differently next time.

Here is one of the French seam pillowcases I made.  Looks vintage to me!
I followed this tutorial which was so very easy!!!!  

Well, I'm going to have another drink of water and check on my husband!  I think he's done with the gardening.  OOPS!  he he he