OK guys, this tutorial will be long and at times a bit difficult, at least for me it was.

It will be hard,but just keep in mind when you just want to say " No More!" think about what you are learning.

You are learning to make something that every woman needs. And as far as I am concerned every woman should know how to do. No, not because they might be a Zombie apocalypse and we might be without this and that, no... You should know how to do this so you can make and get exactly what you want.

Imagine being able to design and personalize and make your own underwear. Seriously!!! Do you realize what kind of power that wields?

It's so empowering to be able to get exactly what you want by making it.

Yes it will probably take you more than a few tries to get what you want, but imagine when you do get there.

My point is stick with me, this tutorial is worth it I promise you. If you don't do it the first time you try this, keep going I'm sure there is plenty of fabric around your house you can keep practicing on.

Keep trying til you get it because you are going to feel like a dam super hero once you get it right. I'm still practicing, Yeah I started sewing late October last year, but I am still such a beginner.

So as you can tell today we are making our own knickers!! Woot! Just in time for Valentines day!

I made sure I posted this soon enough so you would get plenty of practice before the big day comes. And if there is no other half, hell everyone feels pretty with cute little knickers on especially knowing you made them.

I'm sure this is not the only way to be able to make these, but this is how I figured and learned to do it. Pretty much trial and error. this is officially my third try making them.

First try, I made them out of that flannel sheet that I also used to make my Wrist watch Pin Cushion. They were comfy, but my sewing machine was acting crazy so these was extra thread everywhere and the stitching was horrible ( more than the usual).
Second try I once again used a flat sheet, this time it was purple but it was not flannel ( just a normal sheet). Made them exactly as I made the first one. Went to put them on and the fabric did not stretch (duh) and I also used a different stitch and Bam! The side seams tore the fabric before I could even get them on. Yeah... that did really well for my self esteem.

I am happy to report that the 3rd try was perfect, I loved how they fit. Nothing tore and they looked super cute on me. And now I can finally post this tutorial since I have had success :)

Materials:
1. Fabric you intend on using. (Mine is from an old dress that one of my girls donated me, I thought it was the perfect fabric for Valentines day).
2. Sewing machine and your usual sewing accessories
3. Coordinating fabric
4. Enough cardboard to trace front/back/liner of your Knickers ( Used two of hubbies beer box I was saving).
5. Something to trace with
6. Freezer paper or any paper you can trace on.
7. Elastic for waistband ( I got mine off a fitted sheet that I deconstructed for a different project)
8. Knickers that you like the fit and style of
* Please read all directions before starting project


1. Take the knickers that you like the fit and style of and trace the front and back on the cardboard. I actually cut mine on the side and bottom seams to make this easier. I dint mind sacrificing them for the project.

2. Once they are both traced, take your ruler and measure half an inch around the front and back of what your traced. Mark it with a dashed line as I did in the picture above.

3. Connect your dashed lines, now you have your half an inch seem allowance. Mark with arrows the direction your pattern should be and also label the front and the back so it will not confuse you later.

4. Cut both front and back out using your seem allowance.

5. Take the knickers that you were using to trace everything and lay it out so you can trace the lining. The fabric that you use for this should be Breathable. Add dash line for 1/2 inch seem allowance, connect them and cut out just as you did with the front and back.

6.Grab your freezer paper and take the 3 cardboard pieces and trace it.

7.Get your fabric prepared. Iron it if you haven't already. I got my fabric from deconstructing a summer dress, no iron needed thankfully.

8. Cut out all your patterns on the freezer paper.

9. Pin your patterns on the fabric you want them on.

10. Pin the pattern all the way around. you are going to be cutting this out by hand, you want to make sure you have an exact copy.

11. Do this with all your patterns.

12. Cut it all out and carefully take the pins off the patterns and freezer paper.

13. Take the front piece,find the inside part(the part that is going to be touching your skin) measure half and inch and pin. Do this all the way around your fabric for your seem allowance, but do the top part where your elastic is going to be last.

14. Do this to the other 2 pieces also. Hang in there, we are more than halfway. I know its a pain but its worth it.

15.Take your knickers lining (smallest piece) and sew all the way around.Do a better job pinning it unlike me..lol also make sure you take the pins out as you sew, otherwise it will ruin your sewing machine.

16. Take front piece and bottom piece and line them up. Wrong side should be facing up.

17.Quickly pin together. Both outside parts should be facing each other.

18. Sew together using your seem allowance. use Zig Zag stitch so it can stretch if it needs too.

19. Using your seem allowance sew the leg parts of both your front and back. DO NOT do the top parts where your elastic is going yet.

20.Take your knickers lining and place it between the front and back parts ( You know where it goes) and pin it.

21. Almost done!! Line it up appropriately while you sew it on. Just go over the seams that you have already done on it.

22. Now do the sides that touch your hips. Make sure your on the inside part of the fabric. Use zigzag stitch so it can stretch if it needs too.

23.When you turn your fabric right side out this is what it should look like.

24. Turn it wrong side out again and grab your elastic and slip it into the seem allowance on the top and pin it.

25. Go back to your sewing machine and slip it under the foot, take your pin off while doing so. It should keep your elastic in place. Stitch your zigzag stitch for about half an inch, then go over it backwards so it stays in place. As you sew the elastic under the fabric ( lining it up as you go) stretch elastic (not to much though).

26. You can go all the way around fabric if you want with the elastic or you can stop once you do the front then cut. Then do the back part the same way, its up to you. Cut any extra thread that's hanging on and your done!!!!

Like I said before we started this whole thing if you don't get the results you want the first time, do it again. remember this is my 3rd try and there was a lot of contemplation on what I did wrong between the 3.
Keep your cardboard patterns, the next time you want to make another one you have it and when you trace it on paper you can change the design ( smaller hips straps or whatever ) and cut it out that way. Good Luck and Have fun!!

10:12 AM

Need some new ideas for gifts? especially for the grandparents or In laws?
Today I'm going to show you how to make a family portrait, not your typical 8X10 family picture, but something I think is a bit more special.
Considering its made by your own hands and you took the time and effort to make it, whom ever receives this gift will love it, or add it to your hand made wall art collection.

I was intending on showing ya'll a completely different tutorial today, but unfortunately the phone with the pics which I had that tutorial on is nowhere to be found at this point, so this is going to have to suffice you until next weekend.

Materials:
1. Coordinating Thread (Color for each hand and one more for the monogram and the date.)Use needle work thread or this will take longer, I used normal sewing thread and I just finished the letter this morning.
2. Cross stitch hoop.
3. Any fabric that your thread is going to stand out on ( Once again used left over woven interface. I love this stuff, it reminds me of canvas and plus I seriously have to use this stuff so I don't feel guilty buying more interface for other projects which btw I think this is the last of.)\
4. Any frame you want to put it in.
5. Fabric Pen
6. Stencil of letter you want. (optional)
* Please read all directions before starting project.



Directions:

1. Take your frame and trace it with your fabric pen on your fabric, this will be your work area. ( Press fabric after, Unlike me..lol)

2. Trace you families hands on top of each other. make sure you can tell from each hand.

3. Write the date where you want it.

4. Take your stencil and trace it where you want it, or you can just write the letter. I personally used a stencil cause I wanted to try my hand at different stitches.

5. Apply your fabric to the hoop. Work on your hands first. I used a back stitch on it. If you dont know how to back stitch you can watch this tutorial. Its crazy easy. Do the same thing to the date.

6. Once your hands are done, move your fabric so that the hoop is focused on the letter, outline the letter using the back stitch.

7. Once the outline is done, all you need to do is fill in the letter with a satin stitch. If you don't know how to do it go to this tutorial and just scroll down to satin stitch. This is where I learned to do it, also super easy but a bit time consuming especially if you don't have the right thread.

8. Once your done, all you need to do is cut out the work so if fits in your frame. Which I have not done but you get the gist :)

* I found that I loved doing needlework, Its very time consuming but so relaxing. I intend on doing more when I get the chance. I'd love to see projects using this tutorial. Have fun and always try to use what you already have in hand.

11:18 AM

After months and months of Hubby stepping on pins I finally figured out I needed a pin cushion that some how attaches to me. Yes, I have one but it just never seems to be any where near me when I need it, so I usually just end up putting them on the counter. I also saw something like this on the show Project Runway JR and the fact that I had stepped on two back to back that morning. These are fabulous and adorable, I cant belive I waited this long to make one.

Materials:

1. Scraps of fabric big enough to make 2 circles the size of what you want your cushion to be.
2. Fiberfill
3. Sewing Machine
4. Coordinating fabric
5. fabric Pencil
6. Something to trace your circle ( I used one of my measuring cups)
7. Sewing pins
8. Velcro
9. Fabric Scissors

*Please read all directions before starting tutorial.




1. Grab your scrap fabric and trace two circles of exactly the same size.

2. Cut those out.

3.Measure your wrist and cut out a rectangle piece of fabric as wide as your wrist. Make sure its wide enough so it will fit around your wrist comforably. Eye ball it to give it at least an inch an a half or two just in case.

4. Take both circles lay them on top of each other with the prints facing and pin right in the middle. Fold wrist fabric in half length wise and pin.

5. Yey! Finally the fun part! Go to your sewing machine and sew your circle ALMOST all the way around slowly, leave a few inches open so you can put the fiberfill in it. Don't judge the stitches, I did this in quite a hurry. this is the little ones anyways, she insisted I make her one also. Its just for play :)

6. Grab the rectangle fabric that is for your wrist and sew it on the long side. make sure it is wrong side out (print facing in).

7. Sew ONE short side close.

8. Turn both fabrics right side out using the spaces you left unsewn.

9. Fill your ball up with fiberfill.

10. Hand sew your the rest of your ball up.

11. When that is done, push your needle though the top middle of your ball.

12.Go back to the top middle and push it though again. Arrange your thread so that it is spread out throughout the ball so it looks like your typical pin cushion.

13. Take your Velcro and cut 2 out two pieces that fit on your wrist strap. Place Velcro on wrist wrap so it fits your wrist.

14 Sew the Velcro to wrist wrap on OPPOSITE sides.

15. Take your pin cushion and hand sew it on the strap. I did one with it on the side and one with it on the middle of the wrist wrap.

16. There you go, now you have a must have sewing accessorize that cost a bit over $5 or more at a craft store, but this is personalized by you and hand made by you.

The little one loves hers, she's been wearing it for days like a bracelet..lol

7:19 PM

We have a real issue in this house with stuffed animals, I'm sure anyone with kids can relate. They are seriously everywhere! I've been thinking for a long time in what to make so I can keep these little monsters somehow contained. I looked at the DIY cages, those bags that hold them that look like bean bags. I had an issue with all of them.

One I don't want to spend the money buying anything. I mean I figured I could somehow make something out of an item that I am no longer using.

Two. I am a beginner when it comes to sewing and my machine is also for beginners. I did not want to try to attempt that 5 pannel bean bag. It was exhausting just reading the directions.

It was sometime last week that I was cleaning. I looked in the Lil One's closet and wanted to scream. There were stuffed animals all over the floor, toys all over the floor and clothes I swear I just folded the day before.
Yeah, she's a messy girl. Considering she use to have a playroom and since we've moved, her toys now have to share a walk in closet with her clothes. She has no room for anything. Now this is after we donated more than half her big toys that she's grown out of.

Anyways back to the point. I decided I needed to make something right then to fix the problem. I looked in my fabric stash ( all donated by friends or old clothes/curtains/sheets/blankets that we no longer use) and found a strip of fleece that one of my girls donated to me ( thanks woman!). Yeah it looks like its for a boy, but seriously who cares. The Lil one did but I explained to her that it was a quick solution and I would replace it with "prettier" fabric when I found the right one.

Materials
1. Any fabric. Handles(6 of these) Body measures 46x32
2. Coordinating thread
3. Sewing machine
4. Fabric scissors

*Please read all directions before starting project.

1.Laid my fabric out, It came from a friend like this so I just eye balled it and measured it after I cut out the part that I wanted for the straps. Decide how big of a bag you want. Mine measured 46x32.

2. Take the smaller part or the fabric that you cut off and cut it into 3 long straps then cut those in half. Turn those wrong side out and Pin. Do this to all 6 of them.

3. Sew along the long part of the fabric. Make sure that the front of your fabric is on the inside. Then sew ONE end close.

4.Turn them right side out and they should look like so.

5. Take the "bag" part and turn it inside out, then sew the sides.

6. Take the top of your bag and pin it to an inch seam allowance, decide where you need the straps, pin all 6 straps to both sides of the bag, 3 on each side. Then sew the top of the bag all the way down.

7. When that is done go back to your straps and sew the top parts of it to the straps to the bag. Do this with each strap it will reinforce it.

8. Turn it inside out and tie it to wherever you need it, tie straps in a bow then your done!. Simple quick storage solution.

*This pic will show you exactly how big the bag is and how may stuffed animals it should fit, yes it's almost as big as she is.

9:17 AM