Today I have a quick and simple craft that makes a great stocking-stuffer or gift for a teacher or bus driver.  I’m going to package these up with some treats and hot chocolate for all of the para-educators, bus drivers, and teachers that work with my children.

Supplies:

Felt

Pinking Shears

Thread

Rice

Lavender (optional)

Cut 2 pieces of felt into 2 1/2″ X 3 1/2″ rectangles. I used embossed felt from Eco-Fi.  I mixed two different shades of brown but you can really use any mix of colors or type of felt.

With right sides out, sew around three sides. Place a few spoonfuls of uncooked rice inside. If you have any lavender or potpourri lying around, you can add a bit of that as well.

Sew up the open side. Trim thread. These are also small enough that they can be sewn completely by hand. Maybe add an initial or decorative stitch before seaming it up.

Finish it off by cutting around each edge with pinking shears.

There you have it! What are you making for the teachers this year?

I made a blouse!  All for me! The picture above was taken less than a month ago. The ones below were this morning. My hair sure does grow fast!

Details:

Simplicity Pattern 3887 view E

Fabric is red cotton gauze bought on mega-sale. This shirt cost less than $5.

I didn’t add embellishments to the neckline.

I added elastic to the sleeves. They were too big otherwise and getting a peek at undergarments just isn’t a good look.

I didn’t add the elastic to the bottom of the shirt. The balloon shirt is also a look I don’t really need to try to pull off.

I really love this shirt. The fit could use improvement and my sewing skills were a little off but it works. It is a great wash and wear shirt and living in Nebraska, the color is perfect.

I’m going to make another one of these tops using a different fabric to see how it turns out. I’m really enjoying making my own clothes.

I’m not a big fan of commercial patterns. I hate cutting them out. They are hard to understand. Sometimes I just don’t have the time (or brain power) to figure out a pattern on my own so I rely on commercial patterns. I don’t know what I was thinking but I’m trying to finish this by tomorrow.

If you’re like me and have commercial pattern issues, I’ve compiled a few resources that might help you out.

Reading a Sewing Pattern for Dummies

How to Read a Sewing Pattern

I had to get some cysts removed from my head over the past couple of weeks and my hair has seen some better days. I’ve had to get some chunks of hair cut out and this latest round has my head looking not so hot. Don’t you think it’s time to bring kerchiefs back?

I whipped up this little guy yesterday morning. Here’s how you can make one for yourself.

SUPPLIES:

Fabric 14″ X 14″

Bias tape approximately 28″

Sewing machine

Thread

1. Cut fabric to 14″ X 14″ square. I have a big head, so this was a good size for me. 12″ X 12″ would probably be good, too.

2. Hem each side of the square. It doesn’t really matter what size hem you do, as long as you are consistent all the way around.

3. Fold the square into a triangle and sew along the open edges.

4. Find the middle of the long side of the triangle. Fold your bias tape in half to find the middle, as well. That way you have an equal amount of bias tape for the ties on each edge.

5. Open up the bias tape and pin it along the edge. Sew  just along the side of the fold. Stop at the end of the fabric.

6. Fold over the bias tape to the other side of the fabric and stitch close to the edge to catch both sides. Sew along the length of the bias tape past the fabric to form your ties.

Trim your bias tape to the length you want for your ties. Enjoy your kerchief!

The fabric I used for this potholder is from my stash of practice fabric. I think this used to be someone’s tablecloth.

Because I used the iron board fabric, the batting didn’t need to be as thick. I like having them be a bit on the thin side so the iron board fabric is a great way to accomplish that.

I did some concentric squares quilting and I really love the way it looks.

I’m thinking of making some more of these in some better fabric to have as ready-to-go gifts.

I made an ironing board cover as part of my online HomeEc class.  I used an Alexander Henry fabric with a sewing motif.  It makes me happy!

I thought this project would be more difficult, but it was really quick and easy.  The hardest part was measuring and cutting the fabric–just because of the size of the ironing board.

This is ironing board fabric.  You can find it at most fabric stores.  It is heat resistant and perfect for ironing boards, pot holders, oven mitts, or anything else you’d like to use in extreme heat.  I lined the cover with the fabric and attached elastic around the edges to hold it onto the board.

The elastic does a good job of holding the cover on but it doesn’t hurt to add some board clips.  They also sell these at fabric stores.  The clips help to smooth out the cover and keep it taut.

This cute cover almost makes me want to iron.

This is a super quick project and uses very few supplies.  Here is the link to the Cloth Baby Shoes Pattern.

Since I made only the smallest size, I omitted the bonded fleece for the sole.  If you’re making these for a toddler, I would add that for sure.  I also didn’t add the interfacing because I found that made the shoes a bit too stiff for an infant shoe.  Again, if you’re making these for an older infant or toddler, I would include the interfacing.

I made a card to match.  How sweet is that?  I used my circle punch to make the dots and one quick stamp layered on some paper finished off the card.  Super quick and easy!

I made some bibs, too.  We’ll save that for another day.

This is another Home Ec class project.  I didn’t really have much use for a banner so I asked around to see if anyone wanted one.  My friend Wendy, the actress in the craft challenge commercial, is the Young Women’s President at our church and she said I could make one for them.  Done.

It was really difficult to take pictures of this long banner.  But, I hope you can catch the vision.

I used brightly colored fabric as the base and the backs of the circles are felt.  I cut the felt flowers using my Sizzix Big Kick and the Flower Layers #3 die and the Circles die.  I attached the flowers to the banner using Fabri-tac.  I used a wide white ribbon along the length of the banner.

Each value is represented by a color.  The theme shares what these young women stand for and learn each week:

We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him.
We will “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things,
and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9) as we strive to live
the Young Women values, which are:
Faith
Divine Nature
Individual Worth
Knowledge
Choice and Accountability
Good Works
Integrity and
Virtue.
We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values,
we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants,
receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.

I hope they are able to get a lot of use out of it each week and enjoy having it in their room.

I learned some new techniques on this project including how to iron fabric into circles.  I’ll have to show you all that in a video or more in depth post in the next few weeks.

This supply roll-up was a fun project to make because it came from totally thrifted and upcycled fabric and notions.  For the outside brown fabric, the hardware, and the pink tie, I cut up an old apron that never really fit well.

For the interior pockets, I used fabric that was given to me.  Bonus.  It is a light blue and you can’t really tell in the pictures, but the main brown floral fabric has light blue accents.

I don’t know how much use I’ll actually get out of this project, but it was a good learning project.

I love the fabric on the top of this drawstring pouch.  You might remember I used it when I made a Circular Knitting Needle Holder.  I had just enough left over to use it on the top of this project.

This was another quick project and I’m glad I made it.  I just wish it was lined.  I have a tutorial on how to make a lined drawstring bag if you all would like to make one.  It’s easy to customize and I love that it uses a buttonhole for the tie to come through.

There’s still time to win one of my pincushions!  Go to the Facebook page for the details.