DIY Life

Etsy is a great source for handmade goods (but steer clear if you're trying to limit your spending--- whew!), and every now and then I come across a tutorial for a product that is so perfect I can't believe it's handmade. Such is the case with Etsy seller Michelle (mtraub) and her felt rosette pillows. Luckily, she shows us how to create our own rosettes with this easy tutorial!

The materials are simple enough:

• felt fabric
  
• feather pillow insert
• zipper
• sewing kit
• sewing machine

My favorite part about her tutorial is the fact that the rosette can carry over into any craft you'd like, whether it be a hat, cardigan, tablecloth or even a paper product. I'd love to use a few rosettes in a table setting, perhaps as a napkin ring or a sweet decoration to brighten up the mood.

Whatever craft you decide to make, your rosette will surely be the talk of the town! Enjoy!

Now that summer's coming to a close, it's time to retire my floral wedges for the fall weather. (Don't worry -- they'll come back in the winter with knitted tights!). This can only mean one thing -- time to hem those jeans for flats. Not sure how? It's easier than you think!

Stylist Rachel Bagley of Cardigan Empire shows you how to hem your favorite pair of jeans in just three steps. The process couldn't be easier, and I'm so excited to try it myself (if I can find my dusty old sewing machine).

Of course, not everyone knows how to sew, and some are more talented than others in the arena (file me under the 'non-talented' section, please). Don't fret -- there's also a lovely no-sew hemming option for those of you who aren't sure whether a bobbin is a tiger or a piece of sewing paraphernalia.

So give it a shot -- hem those pants and show off your new fall flats. You can thank me later!

Ever heard of French General? Of course you have. If not, you're in for a treat, as the renowned owner of this lovely craft/notions store has penned her first sourcebook for lovers of French country coast to coast. Kaari Meng includes ready-to-use pattern sheets, embroidery transfers and step-by-step instructions to infusing your home with a bit of 'a francais.'

One of my favorite projects of Kaari's is her gorgeous scalloped tablecloth that looks like an image straight from Martha Stewart herself. I'd love to try the project with a beautiful floral fabric for a last-minute summer dinner party. A similar tablecloth in French General's 'red quilt' fabric would look equally striking, especially for a backyard bbq baby shower I'm currently planning.

I feel silly craving a book that focuses on sewing and embroidery when I haven't yet perfected the art of either, but I suppose a gal can dream (even the French ones!). And dream I shall...

French General: Home Sewn
Written by: Kaari Meng
Chronicle Books, $24.95

In need of something to do this week with your newly-acquired free time (now that The Bachelorette is over, of course!)? Good news -- Weekend Sewing author Heather Ross is sharing a quick and easy tutorial for you crafty chicas that still have some planting to do before school starts!

My gardening gloves are disgustingly dirty (beyond washing machine-dirty, guys) and I've been dreaming of a new pair all summer long. And alas--- Heather comes riding in on her dahlia-colored horse with the perfect pair... that I can make myself, nonetheless.

If you're less selfish than I am, you could make a pair for a friend and partner the gift with these sweet little cricket gift tags (also created by Heather). Can you handle the cuteness? Me, neither.

Download the gardening glove tutorial right here. In need of fabric inspiration for your new cuties? You can design your own with Spoonflower, or, if you're not quite that crafty, peruse FabricShoppe on Etsy for some great threads at a decent price.

After all, store-bought gardening gloves are sewwwww 2008.

I am in desperate need of a kitchen apron. I have been cooking since I was 8 years old, and I have always absentmindedly wiped my hands on my clothing, even though there is always a dish towel nearby. Yup, I need an apron.

DIY Maven on Curbly has written a fabulous tutorial, complete with awesome pictures, teaching us how to turn large cloth napkins into a kitchen apron using a sewing machine. You'll need several yards of ribbon for tie strings and for the apron collar, and of course, some basic sewing skills.

This apron is perfect, not just for the kitchen, but also for gardening. The pockets in the apron could hold your kitchen gadgets, or your gardening tools. Of course, I always absentmindedly wipe my dirty hands on my clothes when I am gardening too.

Check your local thrift stores for some awesome napkins. Mine always seem to have the prettiest sets of fabric napkins on hand, and for the price they sell at (6 for $1.00), there are plenty available to make as gifts for my gardening and cooking friends.

Last week I painted the outside of my front door.

I left the inside of the door alone, so that my kitchen would stay light and bright. I am glad I didn't paint it, since last month I had to move some furniture around to make room for my new freezer-on-the-bottom refrigerator, and the front door is constantly being bumped against the microwave stand. I am desperately in need of a doorstop to keep my door from being marred.

Elizabeth Hartman has a downloadable PDF tutorial on how to make a nine-patch bean-filled doorstop. Choose your fabric, have 5 pounds of dried beans on hand, and sew up that little gorgeous number.

What's really nice about the fabric doorstop is that it has a handle so that you can carry it around and use it for different doors in your house. I also think it would be great to knock out a burglar, should you happen to be so unfortunate as to have one visit.

In any case, I love the doorstop. It's perfect for all my door-opening-and-closing needs.

[via: Whip Up]

I love strawberries, both as a food and as a motif.

Recently, two separate summery strawberry stitching projects were posted over at WhipUp within a couple of days of each other: a pattern and tutorial for felt strawberries from Mr. Monkeysuit, and a felt jam-jar topper with a strawberry applique by Amy at Lucykate Crafts.

Even though they aren't by the same person, they seem like a perfect pair to me! You'll find further suggestions for this adorable project, including links to supplies, after the break.

I love to cuddle, so I can usually be found hugging a pillow if my 3-year-old or my husband are unavailable to be squeezed. Pillows are so comforting, and I just can't own enough of them.

Any project that requires time sitting at the sewing machine gets put on the back burner for me, especially in Summer. I found the perfect no-sew pillow project over at Craft Bits. All that is needed to make the pillow is fabric, filling, scissors, and plenty of patience.

You can use down feathers or other loose filling to plump up your pillow. Polar fleece is a soft, super cuddly material that doesn't fray. Lycra and knit fabrics do not fray, either. Young kids who know how to make knots would be helpful for this project; keeping them occupied on a rainy day.

I admit, even though I know how to sew, it takes a special project for me to actually pull out the machine and get to work. Usually, those projects are gifts, like baby slings in drawstring pouches.

The inspiration to sew may just have crossed my computer screen, with the adorable little girl clothing patterns and tutorials collected by Whip Up.

What little girl doesn't love a twirly skirt? This one is easy to sew, and the tutorial has very clear instructions and helpful photos; if you can sew a straight seam, you can please a little girl in your life.

The only possible drawback? The sizing is European, so you need to know the height of the wearer.

Now that you are wrapping your sandwiches in an eco-friendly vinyl wrap, you can go a step further and carry those wrapped sandwiches in a neat woodgrain oilcloth lunch bag, courtesy of Derek and Lauren over at Design*Sponge.

To make the lunch bag, you'll need 1/2 yard woodgrain oilcloth, scissors, a sewing machine, thread, a ruler, and Velcro sticky dots. Derek and Lauren cut the pine woodgrain into three pieces, then sewed the pieces together. After turning the bag right side out, they attached the Velcro sticky dots, and the job was complete.

While many of the commenters like the oilcloth bag, a few think that the lunch bag really isn't eco-friendly at all. I think the bag is awful cute, and would argue the fact that if you use the bag every day, then it really is environmentally friendly, simply because you aren't using and tossing a paper bag every day.

Look adorable -- and express your patriotism at the picnic! -- with this easy and stylish no-sew red, white, and blue hair sash.

If you dread donning predictable holiday attire, you can whip up your own originally designed homage to the Fourth of July in about an hour. You'll get full credit for being patriotic and part of the gang, but you'll have the satisifaction of doing it your own way.

You could even make these for the kids, the dog, and grandma, and turn out a matching do-rag for the hubby and anyone else who shares your distaste for manufactured stars and stripes garb; after the Fourth, you can still use these instructions to make yourself a great headband. You'll find complete instructions after the break, and a demonstration in the gallery below!

Recently, I've written about projects you can make using fabric scraps, from fabric flower cards to hair curlers. More, more, more, you say!

How about fifty more? That's how many fabric scrap projects TipNut has compiled. Is a diaper case something you've been needing? Maybe an iPod cozy or even a rag rug is more what you are looking for.

I love the trim boxes: cute fabric boxes on a small scale that you can use to store any tiny things that tend to get away from you. But the first thing I am making from this list is the fabric envelope -- no sewing and so classy!

Will you make the door draft dodger, or the layered fabric photo mats? Tell us about your favorite project using your fabric scraps.

You will need: a canvas drop cloth, upholstery fabric for the appliqué designs, and some other decorative fabric for the trim. You will also need a few sewing essentials: fusible web, iron, sewing machine, and scissors. Interested? Check out the step-by-step instructions here.

I have to admit the finished product looks amazing, atlhough I don't think it would work well in high-traffic areas of the house. A piece of non-slip foam backing underneath would be a must for safety's sake.

For more rug-related advice, check out Debbie's post on rug flipping.

Bandanas: they may keep the sweat off your forehead and look darned cute around your dog's neck, but they can actually be useful with a little creativity.

Anna has posted about bandana projects before, including no-sew window valances, toddler clothing, and pillows. If you are looking for a few more creative projects that use bandanas, here are some that might interest you:

Using two bandanas and some fabric scissors, you can create a bandana tote bag that requires no sewing.

Some canvas strapping and four bandanas are all you need to sew this star-spangled bandana tote.

If you can fold a bandana, then you can make this unique bandana visor.

Ten bandanas, some denim scrap fabric, eyelet lace, and two yards more fabric will get you a bandana baby blanket, something not every baby on the block will be sporting.

Bella Online has more ideas for bandana sewing projects: another tote, small appliance covers, and a ragdoll bear or kitty, just to name a few.

With all of these bandana ideas, you've got to have a favorite project that you are going to start working on -- this very minute. Which is your favorite?

Back in September, Francesca Clarke gave us 8 uses for wire clothes hangers.

When I read her excellent post, I decided to find ways to reuse all of my wire hangers. I bought wood and plastic hangers to replace all the wire hangers I had in the house.I like using the wood hangers, and plastic hangers come in many colors, so it is easy to not get bored with them. However, I prefer the look of fabric coat hanger covers.

Notebook Magazine has the perfect project, including a pdf template to download for making your own pretty hanger covers. A commenter suggests putting a button on each end to keep any straps from sliding off the hanger.

Covering plain hangers with vibrant colors is the perfect way to get rid of small fabric scraps and any extra ribbon you may have lying around, not to mention buttons that have no mates. Fabric covered hangers would also make perfect gifts.

[via: Craft]