How to clean an iron

So, I got a fancy new iron for Christmas and use it just for crafts (since I don't really iron clothes).  I also like to use stitch witchery sometimes and can be a little lazy about it. 

Turns out I got the iron "dirty." Who knew an iron could get dirty and then result in damaging your fabric, permanently with a stain.  I asked my grandmother about cleaning an iron and she said to just use a wet washcloth and rub it over and over on the washcloth until the stuff comes off the iron-didn't work.

So I am in the store the other day, just standing there waiting on someone searching for something, and I see a man pick up a package off of a thing hanging from the shelf.  Bored and curious I go to see what he bought and what do you know, it is iron cleaner.  This stuff cost like 3.00 or so so I decided to give it a try; it totally works and now I can go back to just screwing things up on my own! yay!

Scarves, scarves, and more scarves

I went on a scarf making frenzy in the winter and ended up with a bunch of scarves, even started making mens scarves. Some scarves are made from scrap kimono pieces and others with scrap wool and mens ties; all are lined in a soft flannel. The one scarf that looks like a quilt is actually made from a recycled old quilt top and is my FAVORITE, it's for sale in the etsy shop-I think I have 2 different ones left.

Grand Revival Ava Bag

my first handmade purse. This is from the Grand Revival Ava Bag pattern and is reversible. I did use a lightweight interface for this bag but if I were to make it again, I would probably use a heavier weight interface or canvas so that this bag would hold its shape well.
Not bad for my first try and not bad considering the directions for this one were a bit complicated when it came to making the handles for the bag.

Purses I made-Swing bag

I made some purses out of 2 different patterns, one was using the Amy Butler swing bag pattern. All of these bags are reversible and on the swing bags I added pockets to all of them. My favorite is the darker bag-that one is made out of a heavier cotton canvas material, but I like them all. The stripes and polka dot bag is for my mother in law, I hope she likes it. And no, the pocket is not crooked, it just looks like it in the picture.

Notes: I really like the size of this bag and how sturdy the handles are. Adding the pocket to the bag makes it better.

What to do with old sheets

I am drawn to these older floral sheets I am finding at yard and estate sales and am inheriting from my mother in law. Some sheets I find have stains on them but the rest of the fabric is fine. I am debating on how to use these without turning them into rags.

Right now I'm thinking of using one of the king flat sheets I found as a quilt back and cutting up the sheets with stains and using those to make a quilt top out of.  It seems like it would be a really comfortable quilt if it were all made out of sheets, I'm just not sure yet (especially since it takes so long to make a quilt). I am going to have to keep brainstorming, however, I do know I would like some pillowcases made out of some, just in case I make the quilt.

Hmm, I bet a skirt, pajama pants, or an apron would be good too.

What to do with old sheets.

1. Make a pillowcase

2. Use flat sheet as quilt backing.

3. Make a duvet cover (if you have 2 flat sheets)

4. Make an apron

5. Make a skirt

6. Make pajama pants (probably really nice for the summertime)

7. Make a quilt top??

8. Yoga mat bag

9. Curtains

10. Laundry bag

Yoga Mat Bags

I bought a yoga mat to use at home because I was tired of my feet slipping around on the floor, plus, if I go to a yoga class somewhere, at least I know mine is clean. Anyway, I thought I should make a bag instead of buying an expensive one. I found some fabric I must have purchased some time ago on a discount and decided on that, thankfully I also had some leftover matching string to use for the drawstring-so I didn't have to buy a thing.

This bag was so easy to make, no instructions needed, no pattern, just figure it out-i love that.

It was so fun to make the one that I made another for a friend who has recently started going to yoga classes and has a mat but not a bag. I highly recommend this project as a gift or for yourself. I think the total time between measuring, cutting, sewing, and putting the mat in the bag was about 30 minutes.

For my mat I needed about a little over a yard to make this.  

Directions: 

1. Roll up the mat and place on fabric (the length of the fabric).

2. Wrap the fabric around the mat leaving a couple of inches extra and use that as your cut point for the circumference.

3. To cut the length, just cut a couple of inches beyond the bottom of the mat and a couple of inches above the mat.

4. Cut the strap to about 34 inches long and 7 inches wide.

5. Cut the bottom of the bag by placing the mat standing up and cutting a circle around the bottom leaving about an inch beyond where the mat is.

6. Take the strap and press a 1/4" seam on all edges. Fold the strap in half and press. Sew the strap on the open side with the wrong sides together, sewing all the way around the entire strap using a 1/4" seam (this gives it a nice finished look).

7. Take the fabric for the tube of the bag and with the right sides together, 1/4" seam where you want the top to be. Then, press a 1/2" seam over that 1/4" seam.  Sew the edge of the seam.

8. With the right sides of the tube together, sew down the length of the tube, but don't sew the edge that you have pressed (otherwise you won't be able to get the drawstring through).

9.  Sew the bottom of the bag to the bottom of the tube by keeping tube wrong side out and placing the round bottom over the bottom of the bag. Sew the round bottom to the bottom of the bag without sewing the bag together.

10. Sew the strap to the bag by placing one end at the bottom seam of the bag and sewing. I used a zig zag stitch and sewed a small square to make the strap extra secure.  Then take the other side of the strap and place it at the bottom of your top seam and sew a small square.

11.  Finally, take whatever you are using for a drawstring and attach a safety pin to it and weave it through the casing you made for the drawstring then tie the drawstring together and there you go, you have your yoga mat bag.

another onesie redecorated

this one is a size 6-9 month long sleeved onesie.  i just cut out some cute puppy fabric for this one. i think it's cute.