Tag: crafts
Patriotic Projects
July 1, 2014
In this previous month I worked on a few patriotic projects and wanted to share them on my blog. I love the colors red, white and blue and usually have them decorating my home for the months of May through August. The colors just seem to fit my summer mood and go with the holidays of Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day.
The first project was a star garland that I made. It was super quick and easy. I was at Pier 1 back before Memorial Day and found these cool grapevine looking colored stars. I used some of my red, white and blue yarn and strung them to make a mantel garland.
The next project I made was a wreath for my front door. I was at Michaels back in May and saw this tied fabric garland and decided I could make my own and use up some of my fabric scraps. I then used the fabric garland on a wire wreath that I first covered in burlap ribbon. I had a few of those stars leftover from my garland project and took some jute twine and tied them to the wreath.
Below are the photos of the steps to make the wreath. I used a glue gun to secure the burlap after wrapping it onto the wire wreath and I also put a little glue on the fabric garland after wrapping it around. To make the fabric garland I used jute twine and just cut 4 to 5 inch pieces of fabric about a half inch wide and tied it to the jute. It was a great way to use up some leftover fabric in my stash.
The last project I made were fabric coasters made from 1 1/2 inch wide strips of fabric. This is another great way to use up some of your stash. To make these coasters you will need:
- a sewing machine
- 1/4 inch presser foot
- thread to match project
- 1 1/2 inch strips of fabric
- 2 1/2 inch strips of fabric for binding edges
- 6 inch squares of fabric for backing
- 6 inch squares of warm and natural cotton batting
- rotary cutter
- quilters ruler
The first step is to lay your 6 inch square batting on top of the wrong side of the 6 inch square of fabric. 
Then you will lay your first strip of fabric wrong side on batting and right side up – then place your 2nd strip on top of that strip right sides together and sew using a 1/4 inch seam – it is helpful to have a 1/4 inch foot for this step.
After sewing the strips together onto the batting and fabric backing you will press them and continue to sew strips in this manner covering both sides of batting. After a final pressing use a ruler and rotary cutter to square off all your edges. You will have a piece that looks like the photo below – front and back views. This called quilt as you go strip piecing.
The final step is to attach the binding. For this I used a 2 1/2 inch wide strip pressed in half and sewed it to the wrong side of the coaster with the raw edges even. Since there were no curves in this coaster I did not use a bias edge binding, just a straight strip. You can probably google how to make and attach quilt binding for a better explanation of how to do this.
After sewing the binding to the wrong side you press it over the raw edge to the right side of your coaster. You may want to clip the corners a little. I like to pin it in place before sewing. Also, you will need to miter the corners by folding them in and pressing them in place. I then sewed around the folded edge of the binding using a narrow zigzag stitch. Photos below are of the finished coaster.
I like to use these coasters outside on my patio and in my kitchen and living room. They are super simple and quick to make if you have all of the supplies on hand – they make a good housewarming gift, too. You can also use this same process to make a matching potholder by using a larger square of batting and backing fabric – like 8 or 9 inches. For potholders you may want to use the thermal fleece type of batting so they are more heat resistant and even use 2 layers. I have also used 2 layers in the coasters if you want them to be thicker. If you decide to use 2 layers you may want to use a walking foot to sew the strips down so they don’t shift.
I hope you enjoyed reading about my projects and get inspired to make something patriotic for the summer season. If you have any projects you have currently made I would love to hear about them – click on Leave A Reply and tell me about them.
Have a great day!
Kimberlee
Simple Burlap Easter Wreath
April 7, 2014
This wreath idea was something I came up with after seeing all the fun and pretty spring and Easter wreaths on pinterest. I have actually had this 4 inch roll of burlap ribbon that I got at Hobby Lobby a couple of months ago and it was time to use it for something.
This wreath is super simple and easy to make. I think you can easily make one in 45 minutes or less. Here is what you need to make one:
Supplies:
- 1 wired frame wreath whatever size you choose – mine was smaller as I wanted it for the back door that we go in and out of a lot
- 1 roll 4 inch wide burlap ribbon
- 1 package small plastic easter eggs
- 1 chenille stem to fasten bow
- glue gun
Step 1: Wrap burlap around wire wreath, overlapping edges as you go – glue at back when get to where you began to secure
Step 2: Glue plastic eggs onto burlap in desired areas – leaving an open area where the burlap overlaps for your bow
Step 3: Make a bow with the burlap ribbon and secure to wreath with chenille stem – do this where burlap is glued to cover
Step 4: Glue a plastic egg in middle of bow to hide chenille stem- you could glue more than one if you wanted to
That’s it – you are done – find a place to hang your new wreath and admire it!
Note: For hanging purposes you may not want an egg in the top center – mine is hanging a little off center because I glued one there – but it doesn’t bother me.
Below you can see a better view on the door of the size and how small it is. I didn’t want a really big wreath because we go in and out this door to our patio a lot. Also, for the purpose of storing the wreath I think this will fit in my Easter storage box that goes in the attic.
I hope everyone is having a great start to the second week in April.
Kimberlee
Deco Mesh Olympic Wreath
February 20, 2014
As I mentioned the other day in my post, Crochet and Knitting Olympic Style, I have been on an Olympic craft spree lately. This past weekend I created this really fun wreath from a wire wreath frame and deco mesh that I bought at Hobby Lobby. This is the easiest project and can be made in less than an hour.
To make a wreath like this you will need:
- 16 inch wire wreath frame
- 1 roll 21 inch wide deco mesh
- 1roll 5 1/2 inch wide deco mesh
- 1 roll wire edge ribbon
- pipe cleaners to match your deco mesh
- scissors
- Wrap 21 inch deco mesh around frame using pipe cleaners to secure every 5 or 6 inches leaving the mesh kind of full to hide the pipe cleaners. When you make it all the way around to the place where you started overlap the beginning a little and secure to the back the end – you will have to cut the deco mesh
- Use the 5 1/2 inch wide deco mesh in between the previous wider layers – this layer I just secured at the beginning and end with pipe cleanrers
- Make a bow with your wire edge ribbon – (I am not the greatest bow maker so I am not going to tell you how to make your bow). Secure bow to wreath using a pipe cleaner or some type of floral wire
That’s it – All Done! Super EASY! I really like how it turned out and I have had it up all week to show my Olympic spirit. I will also be able to use it for other holidays like Memorial Day and 4th of July. I have quite a bit of the deco mesh left so I figure I can use it to make another wreath or decorate my patio out back for the holidays I just mentioned.
I am thinking this deco mesh would also make a fun St. Patricks Day wreath.
I hope you enjoyed this short tutorial on how to make this fun wreath. Please follow me via bloglovin, email or RSS to receive future updates on other craft and sewing projects. The icons are in the sidebar.
Have a great day!
Kimberlee
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