DIY Life

Here's a great idea for bedside storage. Might I add, it's a great idea because it's really easy and, assuming you already have a tote bag to spare, it's free! Makezine put me onto this idea from Five Whys: repurpose an old tote bag as an underbed pocket.

You will need:

1. An old cloth tote bag
2. Scissors
3. Needle and thread or (even better!) a sewing machine
   
4. About 10 minutes to an hour of your time, depending on your sewing skills

Cut the bag down each side, starting at the top end and ending about halfway down. Fold the cut flap down inside the bag. Fold and sew the cut side edges to prevent fraying. Next, lay the bag's handles and top half under your mattress, letting the newly-created pocket hang down the side of the bed. The weight of the mattress should keep the bag in place. Voila! A place for bookmarks, magazines and other odds and ends.

Want to make a tote bag? Anna can tell you how. Oh, and she knows how to make a bag from old jeans, too!

I do not have any problems finding jeans that fit my waistline; however, finding jeans that fit my short legs is a real pain in the hinder. I have a 27" inseam (on a good day!) and I tell ya, the jeans made for my short legs are also for kids that are about 10 years old. I am a 30 something year old adult who doesn't need to wear butterflies on my butt, no matter how cute that might be!

Kansas A has a hubby who also has a 27 inch inseam, and she has perfected the hemming of jeans. She takes us through the steps necessary to make jeans look like they were professionally hemmed. Measuring accurately and pinning evenly are key steps in getting a great looking jean hem. I know this to be true because I have measured too short, and then had to end up making shorts out of my jeans. Be super careful when measuring; capris for men are not in style!

[via: tipnut]

Do you love to sew and have sewing needles of every length and gauge? Do you have a fancy pincushion to store them in, or do you have to prick your finger every time you reach for a needle? Forget the finger prick, sew yourself a pretty patchwork pincushion.

Using a sewing machine, 6 pieces of coordinating fabric, backing fabric, paper and a pencil, an iron, fiberfill, buttons, embroidery thread and a needle, this tutorial tells you how to make a patchwork pincushion. There are plenty of pictures, and the directions are clear and concise.

Since the holiday season is upon us, the patchwork pincushion would make a perfect Christmas gift for the lady or man who would be lost without their needle and thread. Sew up a few; they make great stocking stuffers.