stitch: Last minute Valentine’s Day Gift

 

I decided to make mini aprons for all my single girlfriends this Valentine’s with Alexander Henry’s “Game of Love” fabric paired with Moda’s Pink Ombre fabric. I mean, who wouldn’t want to receive this on Valentine’s right? Right.

Supplies:
– 1/2 yard for the front, cut 22in x 18in
– 1/2 yard for the back, cut 22in x 18in
– 4 ft of coordinating ribbon

Directions:
Place front fabric and back fabric right sides together. Cut the 4 ft of ribbon in half. Place and pin one ribbon in the upper left corner 1/2 in from the top (between the front and back fabric), with about an 1in of the ribbon sticking out. Repeat the same process on the right hand side.

Pin the rest of the sides together, sew the fabric with a 1/2in seam, but remember to leave an opening at the bottom of the apron. Turn apron right side out. Iron bottom seam close and top stitch with 1/4in seam.

Viola! Valentine’s Day apron is finished.

Enjoy! xo Kristi

make: DIY Go Rangers! Shirt

Next week I’m heading to the Rangers vs Yankees game and while I’m most excited for the game, I have slight problem on my hands. I don’t own any rangers gear. My bad, I know. So I’ve decided to make my own rangers shirt with this awesome jcrew shirt I picked up this week and place the Rangers T on it with Katie’s freezer paper tutorial transfer.  The shirt is 100% linen, so I’m a bit nervous it’ll end up disastrous, but I won’t know until I try. Regardless, it’s the perfect weekend project. Will let you guys know how it turns out next week. Cheers and Happy Friday! xo Kristi

make: chevron throw pillow cover

After my sewing debacle earlier this week, I decided it was time to repair and finish the Chevron Stripe pillow.  Boy am I glad I did, I love this bad boy.

As I mentioned on Monday, the original back to this pillow was supposed to be black, white and grey striped but as you can see in the picture above, I failed to calculate and measure properly and ended up with a back that was 2 inches too short.  Of course, I figured this out after I had already sewn in the invisible zipper.  I knew I didn’t want to go back and have to start over, so I decided to repair it with a quick and easy fix.  I simply measured the black section of the first back and cut it four inches from the zipper.

I then cut another piece of black fabric 4 x 20 to be the bookend on other side.  Then I measured and cut the center panel so that it was 13 x 20.  This gave me 1/4 inch seam allotments to sew the center panel to the left and the right to the center resulting in a 20 x 20 back.  If you measure correctly the first time, you won’t need to do this.  I recommend that you simply cut a 20 x 20 piece to start with and skip this whole headache.  But if you do happen to screw up like I did, realize for the most part there are ways to save a project.

If done properly, pillow covers are a cinch to make.  Start with two matching sizes panels, my pillow form was 20×20 so that’s the size of the panels I used.  Sew the invisible zipper along one of the sides.  For more on how to do this, see this post here.

Then once the zipper is in, pin the panels right sides together along the remaining three raw edges.  Make sure that your zipper is open at this point.

Sew using a 1/4 seam allotment.  Trim the excess fabric and turn the pillow right side out.  Insert form and there you go.  Houston, we have a pillow.

To learn how to make your own chevron stripe fabric, check out our tutorials here and here.

Let us know if you make these, we’d love to see your new pillows.  Enjoy the weekend!

xoxo

Katie

whisk: chocolate covered cinnamon bears

going, going, gone.
Chocolate covered cinnamon bears are my absolute favorite candy in the world. But I hate that I can only find milk chocolate covered in the stores. So the other night, on sugar craving whim, I decided to make my own using a combination of bittersweet and milk chocolate. After tasting these bad boys, I know I’ll never go back to store bought again.

Here’s what you’ll need:
+ 8 oz. bittersweet chocolate (60% cacao)
+ 4 oz. milk chocolate
+ store-bought cinnamon bears
The key to this is tempering the chocolate, which essentially means, controlling the temperatures. So to do this, start by filling a pot with about 2 inches of water. Heat over medium heat until it just simmering. While the water is heating, take 4 oz. of bittersweet and 4 oz. of milk chocolate chop/break into pieces and place in a glass or metal heatproof bowl. Next, take a sheetpan/cookie sheet line it with parchment paper and place a cooling rack on top. Set aside.

When the water is simmering, remove from heat and place the bowl on top and stir with a spatula or metal spoon until it is just melted. Remove the bowl from the pan and stir in the remaining 4 oz of bittersweet chocolate. Stir until all the pieces are melted and then place back on top of the pot for about 30 seconds. If there are chunks, remove using your spatula or metal spoon.
Then about 10-15 at a time, add the cinnamon bears to the chocolate, roll them around until they are covered. With a pair of tongs gently shake the excess chocolate from them and place on a cookie sheet. Repeat until all of the chocolate is used and/or you are out of gummy bears.

Let the chocolate dry for at least 2 hours or overnight. Remove from the rack, serve and/or store. Consider yourself warned, these won’t last for long.

They are such a great combination of spicy with a hint of chocolate from the outer thin layer, I’m almost tempted to buy an enrobbing machine and open a sweet shop. I made about 4 dozen of these in 30 minutes on Tuesday night and 24 hours later, they were gone. I will admit that I took down my fair share of these bears and I’m nervous psyched to try others. I’m wondering if Sour Patch Kids can stand up to the heat of the chocolate and red swedish fish. I’m sure I’ll be back to share those results. In the meantime, melt some chocolate and share these with someone you love.

xoxo,
Katie

stitch: Chevron Tutorial

Now that you know how to create the squares for your chevron fabric (thanks Katie!) I’m now going to show you how to assemble your  fabric into a chevron pattern with a quilt that I’m currently working on. Step one, figure out how many squares will be in one row and then place the squares in two piles (indicated below). My Chevron quilt consists of one row of ten squares = 5 squares in two piles.  

Step two: Place the squares in a row, creating the top half of the chevron pattern. Then stack the squares on top of each other, starting to the left. I’ve found this is a great way to keep your squares in order when sewing them together.

Step 3: Take the top two squares, place right sides together and sew with 1/4in seam. Then take square 3 and place it right side together with square #2 and sew with 1/4in seam. Continue down the line accordingly until your stack is complete.

Step 4: Place your completed row right side down and begin to assemble the second row underneath row one. Once row two is complete, repeat steps 1-3.

Step 5: Place row one and row two right side down (to double check that the chevron pattern is correct) and then pin the rows right side together and sew with 1/4in seam.

Steps 6: Congrats, your chevron pattern is now complete! For those of you who want a step-by-step illustration on how construct a chevron row, download the MDG_ChevronSteps PDF.  Below is a sneak peak of my chevron quilt that is halfway finished. Quilt top is done, now it’s on to the back. xo Kristi

stitch: chevron fabric

I don’t know about you but I am obsessed with stripes lately, specifically chevron stripes.  A few months ago, Kristi and I were talking about this chevrons and I mentioned how frustrated I was that I couldn’t find any chevron striped fabric in my local fabric store.   At the time, I was ambitiously hoping to sew my own bed skirt (it didn’t happen) but she wisely pointed out that I could easily make my own chevron striped fabric using a basic quilting technique.   This is why it’s so great to have someone to share your obsessions with, a healthy dose of perspective and plethora of ideas.   This week we are going to do an entire series on the Chevron stripe.  Today, I’ll start by showing you the basics of how to build your own striped fabric and then throughout the week we will show you different ways that you can apply this in your next sewing project. So let’s get to it!

Here’s what you will need:
+ Two or more different fabrics (I chose solid grey, white and black)
+ Marking pen or chalk (optional)
+ Rotary Cutter & Mat
+ Ruler
+ Thread, Pins & Scissors
+ Sewing Machine

Let’s start by figuring out the dimensions we want the of the final fabric we need.  I am going to use this to make a 20″x 20″ pillow cover.  So to give myself 1/2 in for seam allotments, I want to have a 21″ x 21″ square and I want to use the following pattern:

I know I want this to be 6 squares wide and 6 squares high.  21 divided by 6 is 3.5 and I want to give myself 1/4 inch on either side for the seam allotments, which means that I need my bi-colored squares to be 4″ x 4″.   I can also determine by looking at my pattern, that I will need a total of 36 squares, 24 black and white and 12 grey and white.  Which means that I will need to cut 18 squares of white, 12 squares of black and 6 squares of grey.

This project is based on a quilting technique where you sew together two equal squares of fabric to create half square triangles.

Start by placing the two fabric squares together and using a marking pen, draw a straight line along the diagonal.  Alternatively, you can just cut the fabric down the diagonal.

Then, using your sewing machine, with a 1/4 inch seam allotment, sew two lines on either side of the diagonal line.

Then, if you haven’t already, separate the into two squares by cutting down the diagonal and then press open the seams.

Then, using your ruler and rotary cuter, trim the excesses.  Now is also the time to make sure that your squares are even.

 

Once my squares are finished, I can begin to lay them out into the pattern:

You can also this technique to create a herringbone pattern like this:

Isn’t that fun!  Tomorrow Kristi will show you how to sew the pieces together and will show us her Chevron Quilt she’s been working on.  Then on Thursday, I’ll show you how to make a Chevron Striped pillow cover!

xoxo,

Katie

stitch: pillowcase dress tutorial

One of my favorite kids is turning two next week and for her birthday, I decided to make her a pillowcase dress. This simple pattern is so fun because it doesn’t require any special materials and is washable, because its cotton — a must for any active girl and her parents!

This sweet birthday girl has the biggest blue eyes, so I decided to go with a green and white Lisette fabric and my favorite blue and white polka dot ribbon. The following tutorial fits a size 2T little girl.

Here’s what you’ll need:
+ 1 yard of cotton fabric
+ 2 1/2 yards of 3/4 inch wide grosgrain ribbon
+ Rotary Cutter & mat
+ Ruler
+ Sewing Machine, pins, scissors

Start by washing, drying and ironing your fabric. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise (with the selvages together). Using your ruler remove the selvage. Then using the following measurements, cut your fabric:

Since you will need two identical pieces, a shortcut is to fold the fabric twice. So after your first fold (matching the selvages, fold your fabric again widthwise.) The original fold should be lined up against the 20 1/4 inch cut and the second along the 10 inch or bottom of the dress. I’m a visual person, so here is the process (using different fabric). Click the image to enlarge.

So once you have everything folded and lined up, use your rotary cutter and ruler to cut according the measurements listed above. The armholes should be 6 inches down from the neck and 3 inches out.

Once you have cut the pieces out, make one last cut along the bottom (10 inches folded) to make two separate matching pieces. If you are using a patterned or striped fabric, you will want to take extra care in cutting your fabrics so that your stripes or pattern line up. If this is the case, make a template using copier paper and lay it out on the fabric before cutting. And you may need more than 1 yard of fabric to make sure your patterns match.

Once you have cut the two pieces, lay them flat on your table. Cut two 20 inch pieces of your grosgrain ribbon, place the top of the ribbon two inches from the bottom of the dress (the 10 inch cut, 20 inches long if unfolded) on the right side of the dress. Pin and sew ONLY the top of the ribbon in place.

Then, place the two pieces wrong sides together down on your table. Pin from the bottom of the armhole to the bottom of the dress and sew using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Remove the pins and press the seam to one side using your iron. Make sure that it is on the appropriate setting for your fabric so that you do not damage it. Do not press the seam open! Repeat on the other side. Then turn the dress inside out. Again, pin from the bottom of the armhole to the bottom of the dress. Sew again, using a 3/8 inch seam allowance. This is called a french seam and eliminates the need to surge or zigzag the edges.

Next, with the dress inside out, fold and pin the armholes in using a 1/4 inch seam. Carefully sew in place. Cut the remaining ribbon in half, you should have two 25 inch pieces. Find the center of the ribbon and pin the wrong side of the ribbon to the wrong side of the neck at the center. You will want to pin the ribbon 1/4 inch from the edge. Sew in place the width of the ribbon. This will hold the ribbon in place but will still allow you to gather the fabric on it later to form the neckline.

Once the ribbon is sewn in place, fold both the ribbon and the fabric down 1 1/4 inch to create the casing at the neckline. Pin in place and sew. Be careful not to sew the ribbon during this process. This will prevent you from being able to gather the fabric on the ribbon for the neckline.

Lastly, finish the dress by sewing the bottom hem. Fold the raw edge of the fabric up 1 inch and pin in place. Turn the dress right side out and make sure that the bottom of the ribbon is pinned in place. Make adjustments if necessary. Then turn the dress inside out and sew the hem in place.

Once you are finished, turn the dress right side out and gather the fabric on the ribbons at the neckline and tie the ribbons into bows. There you have it, the pillowcase dress. I can’t wait to see her in it! I imagine, it will look a little something like this:

Blurry (because two-year olds are very busy…) but loved. Happy Birthday WEW!

xoxo

Katie

make: simple DIY packaging

I don’t know about you but Valentine’s Day really sneaked up on me this year.  I feel like I am scrambling to get everything in order and ready for tomorrow.   Because of this, I wanted to share with you one of my favorite ways to package and label gifts.  This quick and easy technique will come in handy for Valentine’s Day or any occasion.  I often do this as a personalized gift tag and I’ve even used it to make last minute place cards/napkin rings at a dinner party.

Here’s what you will need:
+ Card Stock
+ Scissors
+ Ribbon
+ Double Sided Tape
+ Wax Paper
+ X-acto Knife/Utility Knife
+ Pen or Marker

Start off by wrapping the items in waxed paper like a present and secure the packet closed with double sided tape.  Then, take the card stock and write out your valentine’s sayings.  I like mine to be more clever than romantic so I chose a few of my favorite song lyrics and TV show references.  I also hand wrote mine but if you hate your handwriting, you can also type and print the sayings on the labels.  I’ve pdf’d a few of my favorites, you can download them here.

With a scissors, cut the labels into squares and rectangles and using an X-acto knife, cut two slits on either sides of the label.   Next, take the ribbon and “thread” it from the front to the back and then back to the front again.

Wrapped the label around the sugar cookie pocket and secured using tape. Voila, easy and personalized Valentine’s. I think my favorite may be this Downton Abbey inspired one:

Did you see last night’s episode?!?!?  Matthew and Mary just have to get together in the end.

xoxo
Katie

make: framed chalkboard art

For the last few weeks, I’ve been playing with a few different DIY artwork techniques.  Until now, they’ve all been pretty disastrous.  I’ve used water colors and puffy paints; tried words and patterns but nothing really worked.  So, I turned to an old favorite.  Chalkboard paint.  Maybe its the repressed teacher in me, but I have always loved writing on chalkboards.  Plus I am amazed that you can buy paint that will turn any surface into a chalkbaord.  Sidenote, did you know that you can also buy magnet and whiteboard paint.  Those folks over at Rust-oleom are geniuses!

So, this easy project only took about 30 minutes of real work time (25 hours total with drying time).  Plus since I tend to constantly move art around my house, I love that I can pop that bad boy out of the frame and change the quote whenever I feel like it.   Ah chalkboard, you are my favorite!

Here’s what you’ll need:
+ 1 piece of poster board (larger than the frame/matte)
+ painters tape
+ pencil
+ ruler
+ chalkboard paint (I used rust-oleom spray paint in black)
+ chalk

With a pencil and ruler, draw an outline of the shape of your chalkboard.  Then using painter tape (or masking tape) outline the shape.

Follow the instructions on the paint can for application.  If you are using spray paint, be sure to work in a well ventilated area.  I got a little bit of a headache from this project (even though I was only applying the paint to a 12 inch x 12 inch square.)   Spray in even sweeping motions from side to side.  Allow first coat to dry for 1 hour and then apply a second coat.

Once you have finished applying the second coat, carefully remove the painters tape. Allow to dry for at least 24 hours.  Then to finish the paint, take a piece of chalk rub the side on the chalkboard surface.  Erase and you are ready to go.

Start drawing or writing.  I came across this quote recently and knew I had to put it somewhere in my house to remind me to stop comparing myself to others.

I’m think I’ll make a few more of these and put them in frames around the house.   What’s your favorite use for chalkboard paint?

xoxo,

Katie