Sew Crazy

I’ve been a bit of a crazy sewing lady lately.  During naps and at night, I’ve been sewing away.  Thank god for Pinterest.  I still consider myself a beginner, but I’m getting better with each stitch.  I’d like to take this time to thank all the bloggers with their free tutorials!  So here are some of my favorites so far:

• Snappy Toddler Top by Prudent Baby

I sewed a few things before I got to this top.  It’s not difficult, but you need a little experience before you make this.  I really wanted to make T some clothes.  I can’t say I’m going to make ALL of her clothes, but it’s fun to make a few really cute items for her.  I cheated a little with the closures on the neckline.  Instead of buttons or snaps, I used velcro with a button on top to fake people out.  It works just as well.  The watermelon pattern is from Joann’s, which has become my favorite store.

• Tote Bag Tutorial by Craft Buds

The project itself wasn’t difficult, but it did take a few hours to do.  And I certainly can’t go wrong with ANOTHER tote!  I picked up some vintage upholstery fabric from a local antique store to make it really sturdy.  There are plenty of simple bag tutorial out there, but I liked this one because it was boxy and provides a big open space to fill with junk, er, stuff.

• Zipper-Free, Removable, Pillow Cover by mama and baby LOVE

I’ve been dying to get new pillows for the couch, but once I got the sewing machine, I knew I’d be able to make some for myself.  With T, the messy little toddler that she is, I decided to make pillow covers instead so I was able to wash them whenever she put her cute little sticky fingers all over them.  A great beginner project as well!  Joann’s had a fantastic sale for the pillow form and the fabric is also from the antique store.

• Grocery Bag Holder by A Few of My Favorite Things

I hate plastic bags.  For the past few years they’ve been stuffed in a shelf in the pantry until it’s so full they fall out every time you open the door.  I usually don’t get them when I shop, because I love my totes and reusable bags, but I do forget my bags sometimes and end up with some.   I do use them for dog poop bags, so I don’t want to get rid of all the plastic bags.  This holder is great!  I made mine with another vintage fabric.  Instead of elastic at the bottom, I made a drawstring. (I didn’t have elastic, oops!)  Another awesome beginner project.

• Summertime Wallet Tutorial by Midwestern Sewing Girl

An excellent beginner sewing project.  My purses and backpacks are mainly filled with T items.  Back in the day, I filled it with all sorts of stuff for myself (makeup, brushes, notebook, pens, contact solution, the list goes on), but I’ve condensed my section of my bags to just credit cards, money, chapstick and phone.  I can fit everything in a little pouch that was beginning to become really disorganized.  Receipts and credit cards and cash were in disarray, but now, no more!  I wanted just a simple organizer for cards and money.  I used some scraps I had from other sewing projects to put this together in less than an hour.  Now, when I go out by myself,  all I need to grab is this little wallet and my keys.  (Chapstick and phone fit in my pants pockets.)

• Double Sided Fabric Headband by Happy Together

Normally, I hate fabric headbands.  They usually drive me nuts, because they are too tight/too loose.  This one is just right.  It’s wide enough that it doesn’t slide off my head and the measurements fit my head perfectly.  Again, I used some scraps from another sewing project.  It took me about an hour to make.

Now, I just have to make some sort of organizer for all my sewing things…  Right now, everything is dumped in an empty diaper box.

By the way, you can follow me on Pinterest!  I’m always finding little crafts or recipes to make!  Maybe you’ll find something that strikes your fancy as well.