Upcycle: Canvas Storage Bins

Have little ones around? You probably already have the main part for this project

Diaper boxes!!!!!!

If all of your littles are beyond the diaper stage..... start making some friends with babies :)

You will find the tutorial HERE from Positively Splendid

Ric Rac Rings

Oh hello there fabulous little ring... I must make a few of you!
Among my random things that I just love for no apparent reason (ex; felt, glitter, oilcloth & chalkboards) is ric Rac... dont ask me to explain it, I just have a fondness for it.

 I will be making a few of these next week when my son is off of school for furlough days (thank you California school system). LOL..... although, Im sure that HE will be less than thrilled when I drag him to the fabric store. :)

You will find the Tutorial HERE from Maize Hutton

Corsage T-shirt

A fun t-shirt for you to make for yourself or your little lady.

This one is made with matching fabric, but I think it would look great with some contrasting colors as well.

The tutorial by The Crafting Chicks is HERE, on Rea Gun Ramblings

Stitched Love Note

I LOVE,LOVE, LOVE this! I may have to go out tomorrow and go get these thread colors. :)
You will find the tutorial from Flamingo Toes, HERE.

Turkey Tshirt

Have fun fabrics lying around? How about create one of these fun shirts for Thanksgiving? :)

Find the templates and tutorial HERE courtesy of  The Cottage Home

Not a seamstress? Thats ok... just get the no sew fusible web.... voila, with just some fabric, fusible web and an iron, you have a great Holiday shirt for your little turkey :)

Free Pattern: Pocket Purse

Bear with me, I am finding great joy in all of the cute purse and bag patterns and tutorials that I have been coming across lately. :)
You can find the download for this Pocket Purse HERE

And check out this version of the same bag HERE

SOURCE: AllPeopleQuilt.com

Free Pattern: Hot Momma Bag

Check out this FANTASTIC bag from Sew A Straight Line... It's not just a purse, and it's not quite a diaper bag, but it has tons of space and still doesnt need its own zip code... so I, myself am dubbing this the HOT MOMMA BAG. So go make one, you HOT momma!

I love everything about it... I think I'm going to have to start making bags and purses.... I'm adding this one to the LOOOOONG and growing To Do List :)

Get the Pattern and Tutorial HERE

You can find her post HERE

Photo, Pattern and Tutorial from Sew a Straight Line

Fun Pumpkins

Here is another fun and easy to do pumpkin Tutorial.
Grab your fabric scraps and get busy! Dont have a fabric stash? You could go buy new fabric.... but before you do, take a look in the closets in your house, you can probably find some old clothes that dont fit, are torn or maybe have a small stain, etc.... there you go a free craft :)

Find the tutorial HERE

idea and photo from: Oh So Happy Together

Halloween Skirt and Appliqué shirt

Want one of the cutest Halloween outfits for your little princess? Check this out!

You can get the pattern for the the Witch hat appliqué HERE

and the tutorial for the ultra cute skirt HERE

Both were created by Izzy & Ivy Designs

DIY Adjustable Waistband

As soon as I saw this I had to share it with all of you.

My friend Angel and I have been talking a lot lately about adjustable waists on kids clothes and how wonderful they are... when you can find the cute clothes that actually have them... and usually the very inexpensive clothes tend to not have them. So here is your remedy.. make your own. 
You will need a sewing machine for this one... or a LOT of patience to hand sew button holes. :)

Find the tutorial HERE

from Leafy Treetop Spot

SOURCE: idea and photo from Leafy Treetop Spot 

Classy Clutch

Another MUST make. I love projects that can use coordinating/ mismatchy prints. AND if they are useful too... even better! :)
At a glance this project doesnt look like this is a beginner's sewing project... but who am I to say. ;)
The tutorial can be found HERE on Skiptomylou.org, and was writen by from Noodleheads

Photo from Skiptomylou.org

Oilcloth Banners

The other day I mentioned that I love some random items.... another of them is Oilcloth :)

A few years ago (I think 5).... I saw some chalkboard mats... what could be better?! It incorporated a few of my favorite random things, Oilcloth, Chalboards, and fabric... all in one. I was so in love with the idea of this that I (in my at the time, hormonal, pregnant way) convinced my (biggest supporter) husband that it was ok that I spent a like $80 to order some oilcloth and chalkboard cloth.... which I promised him that I would ACTUALLY create something with..... (hanging head in shame) It is all still here.... most of it still wrapped up on its original roll. :( BUT I am going to change that!!! :) Take a look at what I just found!!!!! I think that these will be even better than the chalk mats :) wooohoo!!!

Yes, those are pennant banners created with BOTH chalkboard cloth AND oil cloth :) Just a little bias tape and I will be in business!

Now, that style will require some sewing..... so I found all of you non- sewing types, a version that you can make too. (you're welcome)

Oilclothaddict has created a no-sew banner tutorial (HERE) and be sure to browse arround while you are there.... they have GREAT tips and a TON of Tutorials

Upcycle: Cardigan

Call this an Upcycle or a repurpose.... whatever you choose, I think that you will be making yourselves a few of these. And, I'm pretty sure that you will be able to find me in this cardigan this fall, well my own slightly less frilly version.

But you MUST love how simple the idea is. THIS is made from a longsleeve t-shirt!!! A simple cut and a few stitches, and viola!
Find the tutorial from he emmylouhart blog HERE

Picture from emmylouhart

Project with a Purpose

September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. 

And this is the project that you have been waiting for.

Pillow cases!!!!!

 This is about as easy as a sewing project can get. I'm pretty sure that if you are just learning how to sew, this project is probably a good one to try. Be sure to get your kids involved with this project. If they arent old enough to sew, have them help you pick out fabrics.
Here are the directions from ConKerrCancer's website:

• Choose cheery fabrics for kids – colorful and fun as possible
• Remember many patients are adolescent boys and girls, we always need pillowcases appropriate to teenagers 
• Cotton or flannel only!
• Download the ConKerr Brochure!! 
  
  Supplies:
  
  • 3/4 yard of fabric for pillowcase
  • 1/3 yard of fabric for border of pillowcase
    
  Sewing Instructions:
1. Cut the body of the case 26 1/2″ x 40 1/2″ and the border 10 1/2″ x 40 1/2″.
2. Fold the border in half lengthwise, with the wrong sides together, and press.
3. Place the right side of the border on the right side of the body of the case. Stitch together using a 1/2″ seam allowance.
4. Place right sides of the pillowcase together. Stitch down the side and across the bottom. Turn to the right side and press.
5. Please finish seams so the pillowcases will not fray.
   NOTE: Make sure to wash the fabric for the protection of the children with suppressed immunity. Please check with your local chapter for specific hospital washing instructions. In addition place each pillowcase in a ziplock bag.  Pillowcases must be dropped off at a drop off site or mailed to the coordinator.  Do not deliver directly to the hospitals.

If you are more of a visual learner, Dana from dana-made-it.com has created a tutorial with pictures. HERE She used the instructions above to create the tutorial.

September 13th-19th 2010,  Conkerrcancer.net is hosting Miles of Pillow Case smiles. Click HERE for more info and to see if a chapter near you is participating with events.

You can also check conkerrcancer.org for more info on donating, pillowcases, $ and volunteering time.

*Note that ConKerrCancer has a .net AND a .org site

Not up for the challenge of sewing? You can donate $ directly to ConKerrCancer (HERE) to help them buy needed supplies. There are also many ways that you can volunteer your time. (HERE)

Photo from dana-made-it.com