Pillowcase Challenge #2: Ruffle Tote

I found this flower tote at the craft store this week on clearance for $1.97...so I knew there was something I could do with it since the flowers on it weren't really my taste.

So I went through my fabric stash and found these solid colors that I thought would look good together as ruffles for the front of the bag. I am considering this #2 in my pillowcase challenge since two of the colors I used were from pillowcases:)

1. Assemble colors that you want for your ruffles. They can be solid or prints. I thought about throwing in the grayish purple in the picture below...but decided against it at the last minute.

2. Cut out strips that are double the length and double the width plus 1/2" of your finished ruffle. I wanted my ruffled 3" long when finished and so I cut them 6 1/2" long...and then only 27" inches wide because I didn't have enough of my fabric scraps for any more.

3. Fold the strip lengthwise with right sides together and sew up both short sides. I used a 1/4" seam so I wouldn't loose much on the length. Flip right side out and press the seams.

4. Fold the top of the ruffle down 1/2" and press.

5. Repeat with the rest of the ruffle strips.

6. Pin the ends of the ruffle strip to the ends of the bag and then the middle of the strip to the middle of the bag. This will help keep the strip even when you ruffle it on the sewing machine.

7. Sew to the top of the bag. To create a ruffle, gather the material as you go in even segments.

This was a little too much for my sewing machine...so without running the risk of breaking it...I cheated and glued on the rest of the ruffles:) Sewing would be a stronger way to go and will last longer...I just didn't want to push my machine too hard.

8. Under your top ruffle, measure out equal lines for your remaining ruffles. This will make it easier to keep your ruffles straight as you add them. Add your ruffles the same way you did your top ruffle.

I think I will use this bag for our weekly trip to the library:)

Price:

tote bag: $1.97

fabric: $1.00

Total: $2.97

Flower Headband from Scraps

I love flower headbands! I love them on my daughter (who won't keep them on more than 5 minutes) and I love to wear them too! I had some scraps left over from a corduroy that I LOVE...so I made it into a flower headband.

I used 1/8 of a yard for this project.

1. Start by cutting circles out of your scraps. I made the circles about 1 1/2" in diameter. Then cut those circles in half so that you have a bunch of half circles.

I cut out 24 half circles total...but didn't end up using them all.

2. Cut a circle out of felt that is the diameter you want the finished flower to be. I used my camera lens cap which was 3 1/2" in diameter.

3. With your hot glue gun, start gluing your half circles around the edge of your felt circle. Always work in odd numbers...it makes the flower look more realistic.

4. Now for the next layer we want more dimension...so put a dab of hot glue in the bottom center of the half circle. Fold in half so the glue oozes a little bit to create a crease in the center of the half circle like shown below. Do this for all the remaining half circles.

5. Glue those around the inside of the flower overlapping the first layer.

6. Continue adding layers of flowers until you reach the center. It may help to cut down the half circles a bit once reaching the center.

You can put whatever you like in the center, a button, a gem, a brad...but I wanted a covered button.

6. Cut out a circle of fabric that is about 1/2" larger all around than your button. Apply hot glue to the outer rim of the button, pressing your fabric in as you go.

7. Glue the button in the center of the flower.

Now this flower can be used on almost anything, a picture frame, a hair tie, a pin for a blouse...but I chose a lightweight metal headband.

To attach to a headband, place the headband on your head and hold the flower where you would like it to be. Grab the headband with your fingers at that place and while taking off the band, keep your fingers in place marking that spot. You could also mark the spot with a bobby pin.

Glue the flower in that spot, and then for durability and comfort, cut out a smaller piece of matching felt and glue that over the headband to the back of the flower.

Price:

material: $0.75

headband: $0.20

Total: $0.95

Remove the Collar From a Dress

I found this dress at Target on the 75% off rack for $6.00...so of course I tried it on...and I loved it!...except it had a collar. See, me and collars don't get along too well. I have a shorter neck...so I feel like I lose it all together when I wear one.

So here I am trying the dress on, loving the fit everywhere...but the neck (which is the LAST place I normally dislike!). So I folded the collar under and loved the look...so I decided there had to be a way to remove it...and I took a chance on the $6.00 dress.

Here is what I looked like in the dress before:....:)

The collar was top stitched on (not between any layers)...so I took my seam ripper and started taking it off. I had hoped that the fabric underneath was going to be finished and I wouldn't have to do anything at all...but no such luck:)

I thought hard about how to take in the raw edges without it looking like I did...so I finally decided that since this was a wrap dress...I would take in the edges 1/4" all the way around the dress.

So I folded them in 1/4", pinned, and sewed.

And TA-DA! A collarless dress for my tiny neck:)

So what did I do with the collar? Recovered an old headband for my daughter of course! She has a pair of leggings this exact color (also from Target)

I'm going to call this project free since I didn't have to spend any additional money to complete it. Don't you love it when that happens? Plus now I have a dress AND a headband for $6!

Ribbon Photo Frame

Recently I was in Target looking around and saw this idea for a photo frame. Anyone else go to Target just to walk around and soak in the decor goodness? Every season they seem to put out things that I love...it's like they can read my mind! Also, the Little Miss loves Target because we get the popcorn and drink combo for $1.50...so she snacks on "pocorn" and Mommy also gets a diet soda treat:) We have done it so often...that now she yells out, "Yeah pocorn!" when we pull in the parking lot...

So here is my version of the frame I saw...sorry I couldn't find a pic of it on their website.

Materials:

$1.00 frame from Michaels

paint

ribbon (I used satin)

scrapbook paper...or decorative paper of choice

Mod Podge (I used the matte finish)

sponge brush

hot glue gun

1. Cut the shape of your frame out of the paper. Also cut it a little smaller all around the edges and inside.

2. Paint the frame.

3. Apply Mod Podge to the frame and back of your paper with the brush. Smooth out the paper with your fingers frame the center moving out towards the edges.

Then brush on another layer of Mod Podge all over the top and sides of the frame.

Optional: I sanded around the edges and inside of the frame. I liked the shabby look that it created.

4. Cut a piece of ribbon the length of the frame and glue on either side of the back of the frame.

5. Tie a bow with the rest of the ribbon. Glue it to the center of the frame and then trim the edges the desired length.

And you're done! Now I just need to hang the shelf in my daughter's room for this to sit on...

Also these frames from Michaels don't come with a piece of glass...so what I have done in the past is buy the largest (sometimes 11x14) frame at the dollar store that comes with that thin plastic instead of glass...and then cut it to size for other odd shape frames. Just an option!

Price:

frame: $1.00

paper: $.25

ribbon: $.50

Total: $1.75

Make a Bedskirt from a Flat Bedsheet

We don't use a flat sheet, but it is more expensive to buy a fitted sheet and pillowcases separately, so I just buy sheet sets with the flat sheet left over. In the past I have turned the matching sheet into curtains, but this sheet set was jersey knit...and I needed a bed skirt:)

1. Place the flat sheet on top of the box spring so that it is hanging down even on all sides.

2. Pin the sheet to the top and side of the box spring. This keeps it in place for when you cut.

Now you can use the flat sheet for the piece that fits on the box spring (that meshy material panel), but since I wanted some material left over to make another set of pillowcases, I took apart another bedskirt that I had purchase for $1. I cut off the ruffle part and used the meshy part for the new bed skirt.

So, in my picture I have the old panel on top of the flat sheet.

3. Cut from the corner of the sheet to the top of where your seam will eventually be at the top of the box spring. Repeat on the other corner.

4. Cut the flat sheet around the bed at the top of the box spring making measurements for a 1/2" seam allowance.

This is what it looks like all the way around after it has been cut.

6. Flip the front panel up and with right side down on the large piece, pin the edges together. Sew along the edge. I used a zig zag stitch.

7. Place back on the bed to make sure it drops at the right length. Repeat that process with the other two sides.

Here is the second side.

8. Once the third side is complete, place the bed skirt on the bed right side DOWN.

9. I wanted a sharp corner to the skirt, so I pulled both pieces of the corners together until it made a clean square corner. Pin and sew. Repeat on the other corner.

And you're done! As I was making this I realized it would have been much easier to use the whole flat sheet and complete step one of centering it on the box spring, and then skipping to step 3 of cutting a slit up the corners. Then you can skip to the final step of sewing the corner pieces together. I would have done that if I didn't want the rest of the fabric from the sheet. That would be like a 20 minute bed skirt!

Price:

bedskirt: $1.00

flat sheet: $3.00 -Prorated from the sheet set:)

Total: $4.00