Gifts/Scarves and or Shawls with a Tutorial

It's that time of year again! 

I don't know where I found the piece above, but I love it! I have never started to make handmade gifts a couple of days before Christmas, but I have bitten off more than I could possibly accomplish :/

I recently received a message from Fabrics-store.com about a linen they carry that's perfect for scarves/shawls. So, I thought I would give it a try. I really do like the fabric. They recommended getting 2 yards for an over-sized shawl/scarf. I would recommend getting 2 1/2 yards. The pieces that I made up are fine, but a little extra yardage would be nice.

I purchased 2 colors, the black and the poinsettia. You can find these and other colors HERE. Remember, you will get 2 scarves out of 2 1/2 yards of fabric.

I was so pleased with the fabric. The scarves below have been washed and pressed. There was very little shrinkage. The only problem is that I want to keep at least 1 for myself...maybe 2.

 

The tutorial was only available through an email, so I have attached it below in the event you decide to give it a try. 

Oversized Linen Shawl - Your Comfort! A neutral and light accessory that can fit in the purse should it not be needed. But, is right at the fingertips to be wrapped around for warmth or to hide from the strong sunshine rays. Something that is low maintenance and can be washed at home in the washing machine - I like my free time spent not running errands to the dry cleaners An exquisite looking item - comparable to brand names that are selling their shawls as I type this for $168 (and theirs don’t even have tassels!) 2 yards and about an hour of sewing will make 2 Shawls ( so think of who you can gift one to - the shawls turns out pretty amazing) Here are the steps to gift yourself and a lucky friend - sun protection, warmth, and convenience - aka - a linen shawl Pick your color scheme - 2 yards  of the color you like - I went with Fog (picking your color we need to save for last so I can show you the steps to make the shawl :) Receive the box - we ship your order either same day or the following morning Find the middle of the width (I folded the cloth in half - selvage to selvage) and pull a thread down the middle of the entire length Cut down the middle where you pulled the thread and cut off the selvage We need to hem the length of the cloth - fold under 0.25 inches 2 times and stitch Unravel the raw edges to make the tassels ( you can also leave it as just fringed without the tassels) Take 10-15 loose threads and bunch them up like a ponytail. Use the nearest thread to loop around the “ponytail” and tie a knot. Do 2 knots on each ponytail/tassel. Tassel both sides of the shawl Throw in the wash - gentle cycle - cold water. Dry on a delicate cycle with low heat ( iron should you like - the left one is not ironed and right one was pressed) Your shawl is ready to be worn and face the summertime with you Not only is this an opportunity to take care of your skin and stay comfortable regardless of the weather, but this is your opportunity to have a finished HANDMADE item that would have cost you upwards of $160. A couple pointers: - if you are going for sun protection during the day - don’t pick dark colors. They will absorb the heat leaving you hot while wearing the shawl. - If you aren’t in a tassel kind of mood, you can fringe, but make sure to run a securing stitch so the thread doesn’t keep unraveling. And now the fun part - click below to find the color you want your shawl to be... Pick Your Shawl Colors Here P.S. 2 yards are just the right length for 2 shawls size 27"x70". This is a very quick project that will keep you looking and feeling fabulous throughout the hotter season. Plus, this will leave you with a beautiful and useful item that was handmade by you and would have cost you over $160 at a store (these also make great gifts if you decide you want to share). Don’t forget your 7% discount code ilovelinen at checkout. You Risk Nothing - if, for some reason, you find the fabric is still sitting in a box a month down the line - simply return it to us with the receipt and we will refund the fabric cost.

I just had to share this! You may remember that I made a poppins bag with fabric that I had printed from a painting that I did last year. I had a little left over, just enough for a king-size pillowcase. 

One day last spring, I came home to find that my poor Gracie had chewed a huge hole in my duvet cover. We had a rain storm while I was out. Why she decided to chew the duvet cover, I have no idea. At least she didn't tear apart the down comforter inside!!! I loved the cover, and decided to see if I could find another. I did! Most of the fabric from the old cover was good, so I saved it thinking that I would find something to do with it. When I realized that I had just enough of my cone flower fabric left for 2 pillowcase tops, I remembered the duvet cover. I now have pillowcases in my very own fabric, and coordinating pillowcases too! Mr. Berkley thinks they're pretty great as well :)     

  
Remember, pillowcases make great gifts too! The children in your life would love a special pillowcase made out of a character fabric. You can also make lovely linen pillowcases and edge them with antique crochet lace. 

Happy Gift Making Season!
Just don't stress yourself out!!!
Rhonda

A Lovely Gift

Just a quick Friday check in :) I'm FINALLY beginning to get over my cold. This one has really been a bugger! But...I look at it this way, get it over now, build up my resistance, and the winter will now be mine!!! We're expecting 8" of snow over the weekend, so come the first of the week, Gracie and I will be heading out for a good tromp through the snow :)

I received the loveliest gift this week from my sister-in-law. Her daughter is friends with Heather of Design Roots, a lovely blog BTW. My sister-in-law saw this on Heather's blog one day, thought of me, and had her do one especially for me! The calligraphy was done on a lovely piece of paper and it's about 5" x 7", so once I decide how I want to frame it, it will make a lovely piece to tuck into my studio.  

As I scrolled through Heather's blog, I thought I would share a little as it might be something you too would enjoy.

She sells these wonderful little pouches. When I saw them, my first thought was, "wouldn't it be fun to make up a pouch and then add the calligraphy?!" 

If you have never done any calligraphy work, you can purchase a guide kit that comes with everything you need to get started.



On the blog, you'll find lots of inspiration, and even a few little goodies, like the recipe for the Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins,

  
With a free printable of the recipe card that you can find HERE. What a thoughtful gift a batch of muffins with an attached recipe card would be.

Calligraphy is something I have always thought would be fun to do. So check out Heather's site. You just might find a new passion :)

Happy Friday!
Rhonda 

Sewing For The Holidays/Christmas Gifts

I have never been one who enjoys fighting the crowds during the holidays. I'm fortunate enough to live in a neighborhood where there are quite a few shops within walking distance, so I can leisurely walk over and not be bothered by the crowds. But, I also enjoy making gifts for Christmas, and I am VERY blessed to have a husband who would rather one of my homemade shirts any day over a store bought shirt. I have 2 in the works for him, so he is going to be quite pleased this Christmas :)

For today's post, I thought I would just remind you of a few things that I have done for our Thrifty Thursday posts. The patterns are free, so a simple download. They have all been a blast to put together, and they are all things that if I didn't sew, I would be thrilled to receive. Even though I do sew, I would still be thrilled to receive any of these items :)

First up is one of my most used Thrifty Thursday makes. This little I-Pad holder has a permanent home in my studio. I love listening to podcasts while I'm working, and this holds my I-Pad beautifully. You can find my post and all the info HERE. 

I absolutely fell in love with Yuki, the designer of Waffle Patterns, while I was doing the Pepernoot Coat sew along for Sew News. Her patterns are well designed and go together easily. This Newsboy Hat is a free download and can be made as I did in cotton, or wool for winter. Great for guys and girls alike!

This faux fur collar will dress up a plain coat, and it also looks great over a sweater or jacket. 

I have 2 favorite evening bags, the Clam Shell Wristlet that I shared with you yesterday, and this fabulous little bag from Sew Vera Venus. I made the bag out of a piece of gold leather and it works with almost every evening garment that I have. You can find my post and a link to the pattern download HERE.

What a fun hat this was to make. It can be made out of a sweater knit, or a recycled sweater. You can find the info on this pattern, along with a link to the flower pattern HERE. I really liked the mitten pattern too. You can find the info on those HERE.

This bag is quick and easy to make and would work for just about any woman on your list. You can find the free downloadable pattern HERE.  You can find my post on the bag HERE.

I have not made these patterns up yet, but I feel safe in recommending them to you. 

The apron is from Sew4Home. I really like that the top is buttoned to the bottom. 

I really like the shape of the oven mitt. This pattern is from Skip To My Lou. 

The heart shaped potholder is adorable. You can find the pattern at A Spoonful Of Sugar. 

To round out the gift, a casserole carrier that conforms to a number of pan sizes. It's basically just a rectangle, so super easy to make. You can find all of the instructions at How Does She?

Another super simple hotpad gift idea would be a set of these egg shaped pot holders. They can easily be customized to whatever a friend might enjoy. 

Great for stocking stuffers, this is a gift that will help to ensure a great night's sleep. Something most all of us could use. You can find the pattern for the sleep masks HERE.

And finally, I love this pattern. Who wouldn't love a customized accessory pouch? 

With all of these ideas, your holiday sewing should be off to a great start!

Have fun!!!

Rhonda

Monday Morning Inspiration/Christmas Gifts

For those of you here in the U.S., and those of you who are not, but still celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope you had a wonderful holiday. We had a lovely day with friends, did our traditional Thanksgiving day hike. It was just the boost that my dog Gracie needed. She misses Little Bit so much, but I think that she is finally beginning to move on. 

I usually do a bit of the cooking for Thanksgiving. I did Roasted Cauliflower, recipe HERE(skip the wrap and just serve the cauliflower, it's delicious!), and I also roasted Brussel Sprouts. I always soak my brussel sprouts in salt water for a few hours before cooking, removes the bitter aspect. I then added the same ingredients as the I did for the cauliflower. A great touch for brussel sprouts is to add toasted walnuts and crumbled blue cheese. Give it a try, I think you might like it :) 

The day after Thanksgiving marks the official start of the Christmas season here in America. So many of us enjoy giving handmade gifts, I know I do :) So here are a few ideas that are quick to make.

If you look at the top bar of the blog, you'll see a tab for free patterns that make great gifts.

The Free Beret Pattern

You can find the instructions HERE, and the pattern HERE.

Free Slipper Pattern For The Family

You can find the patterns HERE, and HERE. The instructions can be found HERE.

Free Poinsettia Napkin Ring Pattern

Not only does this make a great accent for your holiday table, it's a fun and easy project to do with your children, or grandchildren. You can find the pattern HERE, and additional pictures HERE.

Make a pile of headbands with THIS tutorial.

From my Fabulous Free Pattern Friday series;

Kimono Bag

This bag is nothing more than 2 rectangles. You can find the instructions HERE.

Necktie Cummerbund 

Just combine 2 coordinating neckties and you have a fabulous belt! You can find the instructions HERE.

Fleece Ski/Winter Hat

This is my favorite winter hat. It's nothing more than a rectangle, so it goes together in minutes. You can find the instructions HERE.

Tote Bag

This bag is super easy to make, just purchase a panel at your local fabric store. It's large enough to carry everything! All the instructions can be found HERE. 

Pompom Collar

Super cute and will dress up jackets as well as sweaters. Find the instructions HERE.

High End Clutch Bag

The lovely Cennetta of The Mahogany Stylist did a guest tutorial for us on making THESE fabulous clutch bags. Just be careful if you do decide to give one as a gift, it might end up being a gift for yourself!!!

Clam Shell Wristlet 

You can find my pattern for the Clam Shell Wristlet along with the instructions HERE. Great for any holiday party. Great gift for upcoming proms and weddings too.

That should be a nice start to get your creative juices going :)

I'll be back tomorrow with a few more ideas.

Just remember....

 Happy Holiday Making!
Rhonda

Monday Morning Inspiration/Gift Giving Made Easy

It's been a rather tense morning as my dog Little Bit is not feeling well. As I drove her to the vet's office this morning, I couldn't help but shed a few tears. She's 15 years old, so our time together is drawing to a close, faster of course than I would like. The good news is that the vet feels that she will pop back. So today, I am making some special food for her and just staying close in case she needs me. 
Since I am in the kitchen today, I decided to make up a few jars of Fire and Ice pickles for friends and relatives who have been asking for a new jar. If you like pickles, and you like a bit of heat, these pickles are just the best. I originally posted the recipe HERE. They do have a little kick, but only a little.

The pickles are so easy to make up and make a wonderful "homemade from your kitchen" gift. And, they cost next to nothing to make! The only problem is that once you give someone a jar, they will want more. So print out the recipe
on a cute card and attach it to the jar. Maybe they'll get the message that they can make their own jar next time...maybe :)
I have 4 batches going at the moment and I'm thinking that I may need another 4. At least they are easy to make!

Remember too that I have a few free patterns available that make up quickly, and make a wonderful gift. The poinsettia napkin ring can now be downloaded by just clicking HERE. They really do give a holiday table a special touch.

I also have the Beret and the slipper pattern available. Sadly, I have not figured out how to get the patterns onto a downloadable file, at least not yet. But if you would like the pattern, just send me a note and I will get it out to you as quickly as I can, sewbussted@yahoo.com. If by chance you don't hear from me, please try again as sometimes the messages go to my spam folder and I may miss it.

Hope you are having a lovely day. 
Just remember to enjoy the simple moments, as in time, they become our most precious memories.
Rhonda

Thrifty Thursday

As the holidays grow closer and closer, and we panic more and more :), a quick gift that's easy to make looks better and better. Just because a gift is quick to make doesn't mean that it can't be special. I found this bag pattern at www.verypurpleperson.com The bag was intended to be reversible, but mine is not for 2 reasons. First of all I decided to make it a little more special by making it out of leather, and second, I wanted to add a closure. All in all, I am super happy with the outcome.

I top stitched all of my seams.

To give the bag its lovely shape, there are 2 darts on the front and back at either side. I top stitched both to accent the darts and make them look a little more special.

As I said, I added a magnetic closure to my bag. If you do decide to make the bag and add a closure, be sure to back your fabric with a piece of iron on interfacing. The closure will need the stability.

Just to give you an idea of how long the bag will hang. It feels very comfortable on my shoulder, but you may want to add a couple of inches to the length of the handle.

You can find the pattern HERE. On the page that I've linked to, you will find the pattern link down near the bottom of the page. It will print off very easily, not like the owl pattern from last week. There will be 3 pages, so there is a little taping, but not much. I think this bag would make a GREAT present for just about anyone.

Now, I would like to give a quick shout out to http://stineundstitch.blogspot.de/ . Remember the Soho Leather Tote? Here's a link, http://rhondabuss.blogspot.com/2014/08/make-your-own-leather-soho-slouch-tote.html

Well, Kerstin made a lovely bag using synthetic leather. This is another great idea for gift giving!!

Hope you have some time to make a few gifts and have your own Thrifty Thursday!

Rhonda