The Intermediate Bow

Last week I shared a very simple bow tutorial that many of y'all loved. Today I am sharing another bow tutorial that requires a little more skill and effort. The final effect is so adorable!

What You Need:

-36 inches of ribbon (thicker the better)

-a pin that will bleed through the ribbon (you will not see these markings)

-a duck bill clip

-needle and thread

-ruler

-also needed is hot glue (not pictured)

Start with 31 inches of your ribbon: at one end, mark off 3.5 inches...

Now begin marking six-inch sections. 

You will end up with a total of five dotted-lines across the ribbon. Both ends should have 3.5 marked off.

Now with your needle and thread, stitch along your dotted line.

As you stitch, make sure your ribbon looks like this...

Once you've stitched along all the dotted lines, gently pull the thread, shaping the ribbon as you pull.

Secure the center of the bow by wrapping thread around the center, and putting a few stitches in as needed.

Now using the remaining five inches of ribbon (remember you only used 31" of your 36") fold it into thirds lengthwise and add a few stitches to secure. Tie a loose knot in the center. 

Now using a dab of hotglue, secure the knot to the center of the bow.

Wrap one end of this ribbon around the backside of the bow and hot-glue to the base of the bow. Pinch open the duckbill clip and hotglue only one side down to the ribbon. Bring the other end of the ribbon through the duckbill clip and hot-glue that down as well.

Now you have a precious bow for under $5!

DIY: Tee to Tank

There is something about "ladies-fit tshirts" that I cannot stand. They make my torso appear boxy, not flattering me what so ever! So, when I came across a Pinterest photo- turning a teeshirt into a tank- I knew the perfect shirts I would use for this conversion. I got two John Deere shirts at Lowes for ten bucks. I missed the part where it said "Ladies" unfortunately, so I have never worn them. The pink shirt is used for this tutorial, which I had to use hand stitching. However, when I get my sewing machine later this week (hopefully), I am going to make the green one. I will update this post when I make the green one so you will see the outcome on a "tank" sown together with a sewing machine opposed to by hand! 

Pictured to the right is my final product of this DIY! The supplies needed are listed below:

-1 tshirt (doesn't need to be over sized, you remove no width!)

-scissors (fabric scissors are preferred but I did mine with regular craft scissors)

-needle & thread (or sewing machine!)

The point of my refreshed & reusable segment is to give something not in use a new look- opposed to spending extra money! 

Step One: Cut away excess fabric 

Step Two: Pin & Sew top-front & top-back

Step Three: String draw-string through top-front & top-back holes

you can sew open ends together, make a bow, whatever you please

To feed the string through the holes, I got an ink pen with a cap on it, slid the end of the fabric strip in the little clip part, then just inched it down the hole. 

If you are interested in seeing the tank I make using my sewing machine- check back in a week or so... it all depends on when my sewing machine comes in! 

Good luck and happy sewing :)

original tutorial here

DIY: Potholder Holders/ Cases

I really am not overly pleased with the outcome of this DIY- it could be for the lack of a hot glue gun, and my poor sewing skills, but for a more skilled sewer, this DIY will run a lot smoother, and look a lot nicer. 


My first speed bump was I could not find the pot holders I was looking for. I had bright colors with polka dots in mind, but Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Walgreens, CVS, Marshals, and K-Mart (where I purchased the ones I used) had boring colors in mind. So I ended up setting for a  greenish color. 


It started out as a straighter holder/case...then became a sunglasses holder/case...finally resulting in an "electronic holder," as I have decided me call it. the sunglasses I tried to place in this handy holder were either too large, or I wasn't placing them in correctly. Anyways, I have decided these little clutch-like holders will be used to keep your electronics safe while in your purse! It isn't bulky, like some protective electronic cases. And if you are a good sewer, yours will look fabulous.


All you really have to do is fold horizontally, pin sides together to hold shape, sew on an accessories(buttons, ribbon, lace), then sew up the sides. 

To make the fastener: cut a hair bow/hair tie in two, sew each end together very close together at the top...then sew a button on, where the tie can hook around it, holding the sides together, keeping your electronic from tumbling out! 
I sewed a ribbon on over the ends of the hair bow, camouflaging the 'fastener' but all the extras are optional, and changeable. 

I know the quality of these aren't the greatest, but please understand this was my first time making anything like this. It always takes a few tries to perfect something. If you are interested in making on of these holders for your purse, and want a more step by step instruction guide on how I assembled mine, feel free to contact me at my email address posted on the right hand side of my page! Thanks & good luck!