Tutorial - How to Make a Hedgehog Pincushion

Isn't this an adorable pincushion!

HedgeHog Pincushion Tutorial at Maker*land Blog

"I remember my mother making me one of these when I was very young and just beginning to sew.  It's a perfect addition to a youngsters first sewing kit.  The faux fur does a great job of emulating a hedgehog's spines, but you don't have to use fur.  Maybe a fun printed cotton or some towelling.  Of course, she won't look as prickly, but you'll just have to stick more pins in her".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Duct Tape Pouch

I love the new patterned duct tapes

Duct Tape Pouch Tutorial at Make it Easy Crafts Blog

"Back to school is almost upon us.  You could buy one of those ready-made pencil pouches that fit in a binder—or you could use some duct tape (there are tons of prints and colors) and a regular old storage bag to make a stylish personalized one of a kind.  Easy enough for kids but parents will want to get in on the fun too".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Jersey Tunic

Simple pattern to embellish as you wish

Jersey Tunic Tutorial at Little Treasures Blog

"This is a pattern I highly appreciate because this tunic can be made in literally 15 minutes {including a coffee break :) } and this is my third tunic, so I know what I am talking about (I made the first one in 2008 using the same pattern). I thought I would grow weary of it, but 'No, Sir', I love it. And you are going to love it too, since it comes with instructions".... Read more

Tool Time Tuesday...Recycled Packing To Envelope

Happy Tool Time everyone!! Today is a recycling project with a few random tools used along the way. People ask me all the time where I come up with my ideas. Sometimes they just hit me square on when I'm looking right at it.

Today, we'll be making this cute little envelope...you can use it for any occasion. A "just because" love note, party favor bag, goodie bag, place card holder etc...

You know I went to Ikea last weekend with my daughter Courtney and she bought that cute table. Click here for that post. Well, we went back again Sunday and I bought a few pieces for a work project.

You know what you get when you buy things in big boxes...this mess! There's that idea hitting me square in the face.

and this packing material, that feels like "material".

It's thin and easy to work with.

Feels like foam fabric.

So let's get started using up some packing material.

Get out any template that you have around...old envelopes, cd's etc.

I'm using an old coin envelope.

Carefully open up all seams and pin to packing material.

It's easy to cut out too.

Here's where trial and error came in. Can't sew on this stuff...I tried. Skids too much on the sewing machine and doesn't flow under the machine foot.

I wasn't sure about hot glue...although a low temp glue might work.

Just used good old glue stick and it was great!!

Re-glue the seams the way you pulled it apart.

Now you can write little notes.

The fabric is see through so it's perfect if you were putting someone's name on each one...show's right through.

Now for a little "tool" fun...grommets.

Little grommets and the hammering tool they come with.

Just make a tiny whole in the fabric, place in the grommet and then use the tool to hammer set it in.

Add a little string.

I did hot glue on this button with low temp glue and nothing melted! Lol

Add you note and a sweet treat...

and wrap the string around the button to secure!

Cute, easy and what a great way to re-use packing material. You can make them in any size for any occasion.

Great for...

• Christmas secret Santa gifts
• quilting bee gifts
• little Valentine pouches for kid's school parties
• birthday party favors
• love notes tucked into children's lunch boxes

Endless ideas for this recycling material. Have fun with it.

As a side note...if you don't have this kind of packing material handy, you can always use interfacing fabric found in the sewing section. That has the same see through appearance like this idea.

Have a great Tuesday,

~Karen~

Tutorial - How to Make a Fabric Airplane

A noisemaker makes these planes extra fun

Airplane Tutorial at Diamonds, Fur and Laundry Blog

"I kinda remembered taking pictures with the intentions of making a tutorial, so I looked on my computer and sure enough I had. So Elizabeth Here you go: two types colors of  scrap fabric, stiff interfacing, a sewing machine, thread, rick rack if you want, and a noisy wrapper of some sorts I used a baby wipe wrapper".... Read more

Ribbon Organizing Again...Tension Rods

Hi All...working in my sewing room again and moved my ribbon organizing system, so I thought I would share some pictures.

Here is the old way...I loved it and worked great, but I needed the shelf!!

It's just tension rods inside a bookshelf!!

I added a yard stick and scissors for easy measuring and cutting.

Tension rods...love them for so many things!!

Here's the new way to organize spools ribbon...

Between the legs of my cutting table. Definitely an unused space.

Even works great on the curvy areas.

Lots of space on both ends of the table too!!

Look for crazy unused space in your work area. You might be surprised where you can squeeze things in!!

Have a great day,
~Karen~

Tutorial - How to Make a Paperclip Angel

Easy craft using a few supplies

Paperclip Angel Tutorial at Crafty Journal Blog

"This easy paperclip angel ornament is so quick to make, you can make a dozen or two in an hour.  It makes a perfect small gift for teachers, co-workers, neighbors, and others to whom you would like to give a little something".... Read more

Tutorial Exchange - Make a Custom Namesake

Buttons supplied by Lots of Buttons

Namesake Tutorial at Pretty Pretty Please Blog

"As a gift for the much anticipated "little princess" in my family (my sister in law is about to bless our family with our first niece!), I went out and bejeweled some alphabet letters for her nursery.  The process is incredibly simple and with some patience, will yield amazing beautiful results! The letters were purchased at Babys"R"Us - you can find many pre-painted and even unfinished alphabet letters in all sizes and fonts at many local craft stores. I just love the size/font offered at Babys"R"Us - and they come with ribbon and metal hooks as options".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Paper Chrysanthemum

A craft suitable for children

Paper Chrysanthemum Tutorial at Cherished Bliss Blog

"So today I am going to show you a paper flower that I made, I can’t tell you what it’s going to be used for because well, it’s a surprise! I can tell you it has a little something to do with lifestyle crafts! You’ll just have to come back in May and see where this lovely little lady will end up".... Read more

Sew Darn Crafty Linking Party...Week 76

A new week starts on Sundays here at Sew Many Ways and it always begins with the Sew Darn Crafty Party. I just love seeing all the great projects you share each week. For everyone who links up each week and for all of you who stop by to enjoy all these wonderful ideas...A Great Big Thank You. I definitely couldn't do it without you!!

If you're NEW to Sew Darn Crafty, then grab a cup of something tasty, sit back and join in on the fun (starts Sunday and lasts all week long here at Sew Many Ways).

If you want to add the button to your blog's side bar or your list of parties that you're in each week...Click HERE for a tutorial for adding a button

WHAT IS A LINKING PARTY...

I subscribe to a linking service, which provides the ability to link thumbnail pictures on my blog. The picture is a link that other bloggers provide to share their projects.

Two things can happen at a linking party...looking and/or linking

• you can be greatly inspired by wonderful projects, ideas or vacation pictures (looking) and/or
• you can share what you've been up to (linking)

If you want to be inspired by all the great ideas...just click on a picture and it will take you to that post from a wonderful blogger who was willing to share her thoughts and ideas.

HOW AND WHAT TO LINK TO THE PARTY...

Sew Darn Crafty is all about YOU!! Show off your projects, share a tutorial, show us your vacation pictures, share a family favorite recipe...share anything. Not only does linking inspire us all, it also brings lots of new people to your blog for a visit. Click here for past parties and lots of inspiration

Easy steps to join in on the fun...

• link up to the specific project post, not your whole blog. Makes it easier to link right to that post and not  search through all your entire blog. To find the http address to a specific post, just click on the Title of your post. Copy and paste the address that's at the top of your computer into the linky steps.
• link as many projects as you'd like...old or new
• anything goes...cooking, sewing, knitting, crafts, organizing, remodeling projects, vacations, parties etc...
• visit other links to share some blogging love! You know we all love comments!
• linking is open til Saturday night, so plenty of time to join in
• just click the blue "click here to enter" button below all the other links and follow the easy steps

Have fun linking up! Don't forget to come back and take a look at all the great projects during the week

~Karen~

Tutorial - How to Make a Small Oven Mitt

A small mitt for taking lids off pans, or items from the microwave

Small Oven Mitt Tutorial at My Blethering Blog

"Materials: enough fabric to cut out 4 circles of 7" diameter. They don't have to be the same fabrics.  5 circles of insulated wadding/batting the same size - or more or less depending on how heatproof your wadding/batting is.  Bias binding - I used 1¼" wide but you can use whatever width you've got. (If you want to know how to make your own, here's my tutorial for how to do that.)  6" or ribbon or bias binding for a hanger".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Color Blocked Tee

Turn 2 plain T-shirts into 2 stylish color-blocked Tees

Color Blocked T-Shirt Tutorial at Cook Clean Craft Blog

"If you're not hidden under a rock or giant pile of laundry (which admittedly I am most of the time), you've seen how trendy color blocking is in the fashion world this year.  And what's not to love?  Bright colors and eye catching designs that draw attention to the simple details. But pay 14 dollars or more for a boys shirt? I think not. Because my boys deserve to be stylish without me breaking the bank".... Read more

Sew, Sew Saturday...Great Sewing Table

Hi Everyone!  I've been sewing this week, but boring hemming of sheers for a big project at work. I've been decorating 2 waiting room for the dental office where I work. Maybe I can share some before and after pictures of that...need to ask the doctor first!

While shopping for furniture for that project, my daughter Courtney and I took a trip to Ikea. It was her first time and she LOVED it. She actually spent $450 for things for her dorm or first apartment for next year.

One thing she bought for her room this year is this collapsible desk. It's a perfect space saver for a dorm. She needs the storage, work space for her graphic design work (she uses a rotary cutter and mat) and it will be a great place to eat on too.

Both table sides fold down easily...

Stores away at only 12 inches wide.

The width is 31 1/2 inches.

Each side has 3 drawers...so lots of storage. She'll keep her yummy snacks on one side and her graphic design supplies on the other.

The drawers are deep too.

She can keep one side flat up against the wall and have one leaf open.

or expand both sections.

This top is 31 1/2 inches x 5 feet

Why I wanted to share this with all of you, because this would make a great sewing/craft table.

• heavy butcher block
• very stable for sewing machine
• great work space
• stores easily if you have limited space 
• great for spare room or dining room that you convert to your craft room when needed
• the birch wood color is $179, but it comes in white for $199

Here's the pamphlet so you'll remember the name of the table.

P.S the box is heavy, so beware when shopping in Ikea. A very nice man who worked there helped us with it. Lol

UPDATE...Height is 29 1/4 inches high

Hope you have a Sew, Sew Saturday,
~Karen~