Tag: handmade purse

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Recover your Card Table Tutorial

It appears as though hubs and I have entered into the redo or maintain your stuff phase of life. My card tables were in sad shape after years of school projects and art projects. Simply covering them with tablecloths didn’t change the fact that they looked awful. I have had this little idea percolating in my mind for awhile.  I have recovered a card table chair and there would be no reason why I couldn’t recover a card table the same way. All it would take is the laminated fabric or vinyl for the top. I already had the tiny staples and staple gun left over from the chair recover (or so I thought).

Recover your Card Table Tutorial

 

Doesn’t my table top look sad, ugly and dirty. I did clean it and it just doesn’t get any better.

Pretty much all card tables have a little layer of padding under the vinyl. You can see it in the photo above where it is cut. I saved this padding to reuse as it was already cut to size and not in too bad a condition. It is the thin packing wrap that

The supplies you will need are.

  • safety goggles
  • Staple gun and short staples
  • Enough vinyl for the top or laminated fabric
  • scissors
  • staple pulling devices ( we used everything from a staple puller to pliers and a flat head screwdriver)
  • 2 small shallow bowls or jars for screws and used staples
  • scissors and craft knife
  • phillips head screwdriver

Keep in mind that small children and these tools do not mix well. This is probably the reason why this job didn’t happen any sooner.

  1. Measure your card table top and while you are measuring check to see if your table top screws into the base and legs.Recover your Card Table Tutorial

See the little brackets that are riveted to the table top then then screw into the metal table base.

Now you know if your card table is able to be recovered.

Buy your vinyl or laminated fabric for the top.  I tried to buy a non- stripey design so it wouldn’t matter if I lined up the stripes perfectly. Un-aligned stripes drive me crazy over time. I chose vintage looking Paris postcards.

Put your card table upside down on your dining table or the floor. It is easier on your back and your knees. Using your phillips head screw driver remove all of the screws.

Recover your Card Table Tutorial

Take the legs off of the top and set them aside. Then start to remove all of the staples any way you can. Take a photo of the corner so that you can see how the vinyl was stapled in the corners.

Recover your Card Table Tutorial

It was stretched really tight and stapled a bunch.

Remove the vinyl and place your choice of top face down on your work surface. Place the padding on top and then your table top. It will make a sandwich with the top face down, then the padding and lastly the table top also face down.

Cut the top about four inches longer than you need on all four sides. This gives you something to pull on when you are stapling. We will trim the extra off later.

Staple one time in the middle on the first side.

Then I pulled the Paris fabric tight on the opposite side and put one staple in the table (through all of the layers) also in the middle. Then work one on each side of this first staple alternating opposite sides. Leave the corners alone for now.

Then staple the other two sides.

Recover your Card Table TutorialIt will  be stapled on all four sides with no corners done about 1/2 way through.

If your staples don’t go all the way in then you can get a hammer and tack them down firmly.

Then do the corners the same way as the photo stretching and stapling as you go. I tried to staple little bits instead of big folds of the vinyl.

Take the craft knife or scissors and trim the extra vinyl just on the inside of your staples away from the table edge.

Put the table base and legs back on your table top and put the screws back in.

 

Recover your Card Table TutorialSee Tom put the screws back in for me. He also did most of the work but that happens at my house whenever I get out the tools. He did a great job and I just did other things.

Recover your Card Table Tutorial

I also have vinyl left over to do the chairs as well. So I am pretty happy about this project.

Things I would watch out for before starting.

  1. make sure you have enough staples for the staple gun before you get started.
  2. Make sure the staples you have fit the staple gun you own.

The top isn’t as tight as the original top but it isn’t wrinkled and the laminated fabric stretches more than the vinyl did. It looks good and is easy to clean. It gives new life to an old table and keeps me from wanting to buy a new card table. This is good since we have two tables and they both needed recovering. It keeps them both out of the landfill.

talk to you later,

Karen

 

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70 of 100 Items!

70 items out of 100 in the 100 items in 100 days Challenge! Whew, I never realized that it would be this easy. Yes, easy to create 70 items out of supplies I already have on hand. I almost hit a road block yesterday when I ran out of pins for the felt brooches. I found a bunch more this morning and I am started on some different style of brooches using different beads. I can’t wait to show them to you. Here they all are in random order. There are some items that I am not thrilled about but I promised to show you the good, the bad and the ugly.

I’m off to sew and bead some more!

See you later,

Karen

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Pot holder Tutorial/pattern

I had some questions about these pot holders that I made for my daughter.

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I am not big on piecing tons of tiny squares so I found this tutorial on Sew Mamma Sew that sent me here: http://www.sewmamasew.com/2009/10/elizabeths-fabric-focus-quick-piece-tiny-squares/

Basically you line the squares up on iron on interfacing (sticky side up) and iron them down. Then follow her tutorial for stitching them together.

At the time I thought that I would make some place mats (yes, we do have that many squares). I put them aside (for months) until I was making pot holders this weekend. When I decided to see if they would work better for pot holders. Then I simply cut them into 9″ squares placed them on top of one piece of batting and quilted the front of each pot holder. I cut the backings to fit and placed them over another piece of batting and quilted each back of the pot holder. I added small pieces of ribbon for the hanger loops to each corner and basted them in place. I like basting better than pining. It isn’t as hard on my sewing machine to sew over.

If you need to see the tutorial I used it is here: http://www.mygirlthursday.com/2011/05/diy-scrap-busting-pot-holders.html

They worked out quite well! I’m sorry I don’t have any photos but I was on a sewing kick and I needed to get a bunch done! So this isn’t really my tutorial but a combination of several techniques!

 

talk to you later,

Karen

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Some Purse Organizers!

This post is just mostly photos today as I must run. Our oldest has his birthday dinner tomorrow and I have to get a bunch of things done. Life seems to be on fast forward these days. I sure wish it would slow down for a day or two.

These are all made out of up-cycled denim. They are fully lined and three of the bags have pleats in the bottom so they can stand up if they are full. I had great fun matching the different fabrics and of course the denim is soft. It feels really good in your hands.

 

Must run,

talk to you later,

Karen

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Week One of 100 Items in 100 days Challenge!

I have been working on my different 100 item projects and I think I am doing ok so far. I am worried that I will run out of ideas…not supplies… but ideas! I still have a ton of supplies but it feels good to take the before photos and after photos of different  little projects and see how much is actually being used.Here are some of them so far.

They looks so…so… FINISHED! Hooray! Stash used and finished up!

So I think that I am doing ok. I am finishing up little projects and bigger ones.

How are you doing? Are you getting a bunch done on cleaning out your supplies.  My sewing machine isn’t happy so I really haven’t been sewing much but I do have high hopes for my fabric stash.

Talk to you later,

Karen

 

If you are wondering what I am talking about here is the link to the original post!

http://www.chocolatedogstudio.com/2014/01/17/1-thing-for-100-days-challenge/

 

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Use Your Stash Challenge #6,

Here are numbers 6, 7,  and 8!

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I love this purse. It has such a clean classic look to it! I had everything I needed to make this from my stash including the lining and the snap closure.

2014-01-19 11.27.22 2014-01-20 11.55.46

 

There is the tiny smidge of yarn I used to create the rose leaves!

Talk to you later,

Karen

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My Un-Word

My Un-word this year is Procrastinating.

I am working hard at not procrastinating. That is the reason for the 100 items in 100 days. The reason I am working hard at being in the moment. The reason I am teaching myself to not procrastinate. Everyday I ask myself. Is _____________something you are procrastinating? You CAN do this and I break the steps down into little baby steps. I am documenting each and every baby step I take so I can see progress and to keep myself motivated.

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If you want to know more about the Un-Word you can read this blog by The Nester here: http://www.thenester.com/2014/01/un-word-of-the-year.html

Talk to you later,

Karen

p.s. I am not procrastinating on the blanket that you see above. It is now 11 x 14 squares and well on its way!

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1 thing for 100 Days Challenge

I did some serious thinking about the 1 thing for 100 days. I like to challenge myself in different ways. I am already doing the New Year’s resolution thing with exercise, house cleaning and devotional/reading time. I really didn’t want to repeat those things again. So this is my challenge and you are welcome to join me.

Here it is!

I will try to make 1 thing in 100 days using only the supplies I have on hand. I will not buy any more supplies except for thread, buttons and elastic. I am going to try to use a variety of supplies and techniques to make my 100 things. I have a 100 + item board on Pinterest if you want to see some of the inspirations for my projects. http://www.pinterest.com/chocodog/100-%2Bideas-for-using-up-my-supplies/

I have fabric, yarn, paint, batting, canvas, etc… I hope to make some things for our house that I have been putting off as well as come up with some new ideas for the ChocolateDogStudio shop.  I am not going to simply make 100 cup cozies or Granny Squares. I could do that in three days.

Some of the projects that are half done will count as well as ideas that have been percolating for some time. I DO have yarn that I ordered last week and fabric that I bought before Christmas. So some of the supplies are new and some are very old. I have a bunch of vintage cottons that are screaming out to be place mats, quilts, houses or bunnies!

These adorable mice are from mmmCrafts.  http://mmmcrafts.blogspot.com/2012/02/wee-mouse-tin-house-pattern-available.html

I do have tins! Do, I ever have tins!

Ticker tape quilts! Yes, I have batting and backing! I have a ridiculous amount of crafting supplies, sewing supplies, art supplies, recycled materials, kids craft materials, etc. If you need something just ask. It is overwhelming to think about, dig through, sort, manage, keep organized and find what I need I have so much stuff. I do have two sets of purse handles, modge podge, bracelet blanks, animal fleece, wool suiting and several very nice larger pieces of fabric. It will be a challenge but I am more than ready. I have felt for some time that “Hoarders” could come and make a movie about the amount of craft things I have.

Here are the rules:

  1. I must make 100 items out of the items I already own before I can buy any more fabric, or yarn.
  2. I will take photos of the supplies while I am making the items and post to this blog. My last purchase of sewing/craft related items was last week and is yarn for a specific blanket idea.
  3. Crocheting granny squares, circles or anything like that doesn’t count.
  4. A completed blanket will count, a crochet flower with a pin back will count. It must be a finished item, no partial projects will count.
  5. Plain cup sleeves don’t count, patchwork ones do! So, creativity has to be involved.
  6. A unfinished project that I completely finish does count as I will still be getting rid of supplies
  7. Sewing for the house, hemming curtains and recovering chairs count as long as I do not buy any supplies.
  8. Doing clothing repairs and hems also count as they sit in my studio and take up room.
  9. If it doesn’t work out, I will still post my fails. It is going to be a lot of stretching creatively and my sewing will cover a bunch of new ground. So I will probably fail at some things. That is ok, everyone fails from time to time.

Join in with me and post your item links in the comments. I will post your items on my blog as well. Worst case scenario we will 100 prototype items and the Best case scenario is that we will have found new uses and homes for hundreds of craft supplies that were laying around.

I haven’t been so excited in ages. This is going to be so hard and so much fun at the same time. I am also getting ready to start another challenge. It is a granny square challenge. I will share more about it later.

See you,

Karen

****Note****************************************************************************************After I posted this I started a Pinterest board for all of our wonderful projects that we are going to finish!  Reach me via my Etsy shop if you want to be added to the Pinterest page. I will need the e-mail you used to sign up for Pinterest with. I reserve the right to remove you from the board if anything above a PG level is posted. I will never, never use your e-mail for anything else, EVER. I will personally start posting on Saturday Jan. 13, 2014!

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Owl Applique

I have been working on owls lately and decided to make an applique for free download.   This tutorial is photo rich as I feel that one picture is worth more than one thousand of my words and probably much clearer as well. This owl is simplified and  super easy for beginner applique seamstresses. You can use this as a patch on a blanket, pillow, pants, where ever you decide to use it.

I put my owl on a cross body bag for my daughter. It is a perfect size for her phone, glasses, a pen and anything else she wants to carry. It has a zipper on the top and a strap that can be used several different ways. I used up-cycled denim, fabric scraps and  some jelly roll strips and a remnant for the lining. There will be a tutorial for the bag later.

Cut out your pattern pieces. Pin them to the fabric of your choice and then cut them out.

 

You can use a fusible web tape  behind each piece to keep it aligned. I didn’t do this as I used pins and it isn’t rocket science.  The background is a 4  x 6 piece of recycled denim.

 

Center your body onto the background fabric. Pin it to keep it straight.

Here are the wings, and eye patch cut out.

You will need to adjust the settings on your sewing machine. Mine has a button to keep the needle down when the machine stops stitching. You will want to do this either manually or simply push the button.

Change your stitch to the blanket stitch. You also need to change the stitch width. I put my stitch width to about a 2.5 or 3.  

Position your needle at the edge of the body shape so that the straight stitch will be on the denim or background fabric. The blanket part of the stitch will be into the body of the owl.

See that little bit where my attention wandered.  Thankfully it fits under a wing and I don’t feel any compulsion to rip it out and start over.

Ahh, this is the right way to sew it.

One wing placed, pinned and sewn… and now to the other.

Pin all your pattern pieces together so you don’t lose any.

Place the beak and pin it like so. Sew down one side and then move the pin to the last edge you will sew. I simply leave the needle down and lift the pressure foot and rotate the  whole thing until it lines up where I need to sew. Then put the pressure foot back down.

Like so!

See the beak is finished and now we add the eye patch.

See how the pin is in the fabric. I will be able to sew two directions  and leave that pin in for most of it. Treat the eye patch like a box shape when you are sewing and it will be easier. There is a bunch of sew,stop, leave the needle down, lift the pressure foot, and turn to this part.

Now your Owl is finished except for his eyes. I sewed the eyes on at the very end of making the purse/bag.

Isn’t he cute. I know that the sewing purists in you would say. Where is the interfacing and the stabilizer? My thought is:  I made this for a teenager. In two months or less she will probably not be using it as she will want something else.  I can always make her another. If I wait until I have all of the things needed to sew, I would never sew. This isn’t rocket science or even an entry to the fair. It is a bag for my girl. i learn something every time I sew and I am getting better at it everyday.

talk to you later,

P.S. She loves it!

Karen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Christmas Gifts….

It seems that Christmas comes earlier every year. I know by the calender that it doesn’t but sometimes it feels like it creeps up on me. I am going to try to post some Christmas gift ideas as I am hunting some down for my Christmas gift list. So, I will start with gifts for the chef, cook, or kitchen.

These are crocheting gifts…

The ever present potholders!

1. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flower-potholders This pattern is free from Ravelery.

2. http://www.helloyarn.com/potholder-swap-potholders/

I love these,

Talk to you later,

Karen