Archive of ‘tutorial’ category

28
Jan
2015

Kindergarten Chair Pockets

categories: D-I-Y, sewn, tutorial

Ooh, what is this stack of rainbow goodness? It is, in fact, a stack of kindergarten chair pockets. You know, those easily accessible pockets that hang over the back of a child-sized chair making their folders and supplies within reach?

How to:: Quick and easy kindergarten chair pockets

Or maybe you don’t know.  I didn’t know about them until C started kindergarten a few years ago and I immediately thought they were so clever.  They are super simple, basically a rectangle with one pocket on one end to fit over the back of a chair and one pocket on the other side that you can reach into.  When J started kindy this year and his teacher didn’t have them I asked her about it and she told me SHE couldn’t afford them (Yes.  She, as an individual.  Don’t even get me started).  They are, apparently, around $8-$10 each, which gets pretty pricey when you have 20-25 kids at any given time. (more…)

02
Dec
2014

DIY :: Make your own Product Tags for Handmade Items

categories: craft community, craft fair, D-I-Y, tutorial

Hello December! It is getting busy around here.  I’m gearing up for a wonderful artisan market coming up this weekend (it’s here if you are local) and I’m so excited.  People inevitably ask me, at these markets, where I get my product tags and are always surprised when I tell them I make them.  But, it so darn easy!  And, super cheap!

A super cheap and easy way to make your own product tags! Label your lovely stuff!!

Today, I’m sharing how I make them so you can add them to your handmade items.  (Quick public service announcement: Whether you sell things or not, you should label your handmade goods.  They are so special! You made them.)

This is my super cheap, easy and spectacular method for making product tags.  (more…)

14
Nov
2014

10 Inventive Ways to use Zakka-Inspired Gift Bags {tutorial + giveaway}

categories: craft community, D-I-Y, tutorial, tutorials

Today I’m over at Skip to My Lou as part of the Bake Craft Sew & Crochet Along. I am sharing a wonderful zakka-inspired gift bag perfect for holiday gift giving. sewing giveawayIn fact, you won’t want to miss all the handmade gift ideas! I have joined over 100 bloggers to share some amazing homemade gift ideas…….and I get to be part of an amazing sewing giveaway too. More on the giveaway below.

Be sure to check it out. I was inspired to make these humble gift bags by a desire to give teachers money at the holidays. I always want to give teachers money (or gift cards) because they spend so much of their own on classroom supplies but it can feel odd and uncomfortable.  A sweet little gift bag adds just the right amount of handmade to the whole exchange.  It’s also a great way to give money to anyone in an extra special way…your broke Uncle or ramen-eating sister, anyone really! It is my favorite way to take the awkwardness out a gift of cold hard cash.

How-To Make Zakka Inspired Gift Bags

I find little gift bags so handy that I pulled together ten other inventive ways to use them:

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13
Nov
2014

Pattern Sale and Free Tutorials

categories: craft community, holiday, inspiration, tutorial

This is your holiday season!  You are going to rock the handmade this year, I’m sure of it.  It is time to bust out the thread and pre-wash that fabric, it is your hour!  I love the way that handmade gifts make the holiday season so much more amazing; about gratitude and the giving of time above all else.  To jumpstart things and spread the sweet hand-making mojo I’m offering my first ever pattern sale and linking up with some of my favorite gift-giving free tutorials. A Happy Stitch Pattern SaleFirst, the pattern sale.  A whopping 30% off every pattern in my Etsy shop.  All my patterns make items that are great gifts or stocking stuffers and they are filled with pictures and clear instructions.Use the pattern code MAKEME in the coupon code box from now until December 24th.  I’m here for you!  Plus, at 30% off that means some will come to just a bit over $2!

A Happy Stitch Free Patterns

Now, let’s make some stuff for free! Clockwise from the left-hand side: A sturdy, industrial-style apron,  pint-sized bow tie for awesome holiday photos; stitch up some fun pillows or mini-quilts with this half-square triangle tute; exchange duck cloth or canvas for the oilcloth in my perfect pool bag; and tuck treasures into an awesome zipper pouch.

I hope this helps to motive the beginning of a handmade holiday frenzy! Be sure and share what you make with me!

26
Aug
2014

How To :: Make an Easy Workout Headband

categories: clothing, D-I-Y, sewn, tutorial, tutorials

Oh, this blog is sooo on an August schedule these days! I’m writing blog posts in my head all the time but, so far, I haven’t figured out how to convince little elves to turn all of that internal chatter into an actual conversation here. Boo.

How To- Make an Easy Workout Headband

That must mean it’s time for a kick in the butt.  For this reason, I’m going to teach you how to make the easiest ever workout headband.

As you may have gleaned, I am a runner.  Nothing serious, no super long distances; I’m not keeping track of my personal best time or working toward anything at all, really.  I run a steady ten minute mile and I try to run three or four times a week even if sometimes I only run a mile.  It clears my head and it keeps my happy.  When I am out running it’s my time, just for me, and I think better when I run so I often solve family or work problems.  Maybe this blasé attitude officially makes me a ‘jogger’, who knows? I don’t care.

Anyway, I had been running with the same stank-y headbands when I decided I needed an upgrade.  But, workout headbands can get weirdly pricy.  I saw one for $15! Say what?!  And, the cheap ones sometimes fall off.  So, I grabbed some excess jersey knit and devised this easy headband-making method.

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06
Aug
2014

Tutorial :: Make The Perfect Pool Bag {and a giveaway}

categories: inspiration, pattern, tutorial

Great Tutorial | How to make the Perfect Pool Bag {and a giveaway}

If I were a good blogger I would be talking about Back To School. But, really? Back to School already?  It makes me want to plug my fingers in my ears, close my eyes and hum loudly.  We are just getting to the dog days of summer! Growing up, the month of August felt like a humongous and vast stretch of hot, muggy weather best spent wet and outside with a popsicle dripping down my chin.  I liked it like that.  I want an August like that.

Great Tutorial | How to make the Perfect Pool Bag {and a giveaway}

So, I’m officially resisting the Back to School mindset and to hammer home my point I’m showing you how to make the perfect pool bag.  Perfect because there is space for your towel and smiwsuit as well as enough pockets to store your phone, snacks, flip flops, water bottle and your summer reads, even a place to stash the kid’s wet stuff.  (more…)

26
May
2014

Bow Tie Guest Post :: The Outtakes

categories: craft community, tutorial

Super Cute Kids' Bow Tie tutorial with a velcro closure | by A Happy Stitch for Sew Mama Sew I’m so excited to be sharing a bow tie tutorial for Father’s Day over at Sew Mama Sew today.  The photoshoot for this one was SO MUCH CRAZY FUN!  I just had to share more of the pictures with all of you.  So, go read through the tutorial and then come back and enjoy these amazing cuties!! Bow Tie Tutorial pHoto OuttakesHow lucky am I to have friends who say “We’ll be there” when I ask them to bring their kids and show up by the side of a building in a dress shirt?  Yes, very lucky! Thanks so much for the help everyone!! Bow Tie Tutorial Photo outtakes Super cute Bow Tie Photo Outtakes Super cute Bow Tie Tutorial Photo Outtakes And, you are welcome.  Now try not to smile ALL. DAY. LONG. (takes a bow).

02
May
2014

Mother’s Day Slippers :: Guest Post on Sew Mama Sew

categories: craft community, sewn, tutorial

Mother's Day Slipper

 

I’m so excited to have my eco-friendly, upcycled slipper tutorial up on the Sew Mama Sew blog today.  I tried to make an easy, accessible slipper that you can custom make in any size, so they work well for Mother’s Day but also for Father’s Day or just Any-Old-Regular-Day.  Go check it  out!

Here is the little secret about them: I originally made these as sewing slippers.  See, I always sew without my shoes on so I have the best control of the machine but my little feets and toes get cold.  Last year, my sister bought me a pair of beautiful wool slippers but after only five months I had already worn a hole in them! So, I developed a pattern I could use to make a new pair again and again.  By using an old wool sweater I don’t have to feel guilty and wasteful.

So…pretty glamourous life, huh?  Wearing holes in slippers.  Please don’t hold it against me.

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