First Sewing Venture

Well, I finally did it.  I dug out the sewing machine and cleaned it up and got it working again!  I'm actually kind of proud of myself.  It's been so long since I've touched the machine, that I had to do Spring Cleaning on my brain!  Dust up the cobwebs, so to say.  But, sewing is in my blood.  My Nan was a Seamstress for Singer, and she made all of my clothes when I was a kid, and I feel somehow obligated to carry on that tradition somehow. 

Now, I'm NOWHERE as good as she ever was.  Granted. But, I'm determined not to give up.  Little projects here and there, and I will be on my way to not being so rusty, and not being so "afraid" of the machine.  Not that I'm afraid of the machine itself, but lets face it, it is a tad bit intimidating. My Mom wouldn't even go anywhere near it, unless it was to help fix it.  But, I have to say, I actually got her behind the wheel, so to say.  She actually used the machine to sew!  HA!  Ok, so it was only a small table cloth, but it was great!  And it was actually semi-straight, so props to her.  Isn't it great?

I have to honest and say, I wasn't exactly planning on a sewing project any time soon.  But, we were in JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores, one day looking for yarn to match a project that was already in progress at the time, and they just so happened to have a lot of fabric half price.  There were so many adorable prints that we just loved!  I wanted to get some of them just for the heck of it, that's how cute they were, but that was just not going to happen.  Then my Mom pops out with oh I'd love some new shorts!  Of course, the dummy that I am replied, "OH? Well, I do have a pattern at home I could use.  And now would be a good time to get the fabric."  HA!  

Well, I got myself into it this time.  It wasn't so much they sewing that caused all of the nightmares, and the headaches, but the machine itself.  I'm telling you, if there was something to go wrong, it did.  Ok, I deserve it.  Really, I do.  I mean, I did let the poor thing sit, neglected, for well over a decade.  So, yes... it is my fault.  I am quite lucky she works at all.  We cleaned her up, gave her a bit of oil and a spray of air, and she was as good as new.  Well, a tab bit slow, but she worked all the same.

Once I got the machine itself going, then I had all of the smaller problems.  The nesting, where the thread was  gathering up in a ball when it sewed.  Or where the fabric getting stuck on the Feed Dogs.  Or the Needle getting stuck inside the bobbin.  Then I was having the issue with hemming.  Its one thing to have the person try them on so you can pin them up in the right place, but then you have to make sure they are straight and even.  Well... what a nightmare.  Yes, I know... I haven't done it in a long time.  I shouldn't let it get to me.  But, it did.  I think it took me like two whole days just on this part LOL.  After I finally got them straight, folding the fabric over to get the 1 inch hem was fairly easy.  It was sewing them up that I had some issues with.  I was completely fine then entire way around, until I got to the end, where I was going to join the stitches together where the fabric decides that its going to pucker up on me.  Go figure.  Right at the end.  

Oh well, the shorts hem got a bit of a dart in them LOL, but they are finished.  I think it was just the fabric.

I was even clever enough to make a tag for the back of the shorts, so you know which way to put them on, hehehheeee.  I'm good like that.  What do you think?  Did I do a good job?  Now I just need to figure out what to do for my next project!!

Happy Crafting, (and Sewing) from Homespun by Design,

Melisa

Amigurami Donut

Amigurami Donut

This adorable Amigurami Food Donut could have been used in so many different ways, but I decided to use it as a pin cushion! It was super easy to make, and made in 5 different steps. The first step is the use the tan color to make the base, or the actual donut part, which is just a ring. Step 2 is to stuff the donut; I used acrylic stuffing. Step 3 is to use the brown (or you could use pink), for the icing part of the donut. Step 4 is to add the bling, or the sprinkles for the donut, which is optional. And last but not least, Step 5 is to sew the icing to the donut. Voila! You have an adorable little donut!

Happy Crafting from Homespun by Design,
Sunflower Mallory

Personalized Wall Decor

I was talking to my one friend, who just had her baby, one afternoon, and we were talking about crafts. She just moved into a new house, and they havn't had much time to decorate the Nursery, let alone their older son's room, or theirs.  And their son has been asking them to redo his room for some time now, but of course they want to do the baby's first.

As we were deciding the things that she wanted in their rooms, she mentioned something about wanting to have their names up on their walls.  So I thought about it for some time, and did some browsing.  Of course, she sent me some links to things that she likes.  I decided to go for it and make Name Plaques!

I found these really cool pink glittery sponge letters and I had to have them!  I knew my would love them because she loves anything that is "girly-girly", and they are super cute!  Next, I found the plaques, and instead of going with just squares or circles, I got both to break up the visual menotany.  At first I thought I was going to paint the plaques, then I thought, wait....  what if I cover them in fabric??  How awesome is that?  I know its kinda 70-ish, but it turned out really awesome, right?  And, of course, I got two different fabrics.  One for the squares and one for the circles.  And then for the ribbons!  I also got two different ribbons, so I could put the opposite color on the fabrics.  I was able to hit the jackpot with the ribbons and got them on sale, as well so that really helped!

When I posted these on my Facebook Page, Homespun by Design, someone noticed these and asked if I could make one for her.  She is pregnant and is having a boy!  Lucky her, they have already decided on a name, Ethan.  They have also decided that his Nursery is going to be in Greens, Blues and Browns, with Monkeys.  So, off I went, on the hunt for awesome things.  Boys are a bit tricker to design for a lot of times because you can't go overboard.  You have to keep it clean, classic, beautiful and timeless.

I really lucked out this time!  I found the same letters that I used for Emma's, but in Blue.  The sparkles might be a bit much for a boy, but they help bring out the blues in the fabric.  I also lucked out huge with the fabric!  Not only does it have Monkeys on it, but its Green and it has blues and browns on it.  Since I found Blue letters, I decided that I should do I Brown ribbon.  I kept with the square and circles, but stayed with the same fabric because I loved it so much.

I hope both of you ladies loved your wall hangings!
What does everyone else think?

Happy Crafting to Everyone from Homespun by Design,
Sunflower Mallory

Lorelei The Crocheted Ladybug

Lorelei the Crocheted Ladybug

Ever since my friend got me to help her with her Baby Shower I've been on a Lady Bug kick.  Her theme had ladybugs on them, and so did the bedding set, mobile, lamps, and wall decor.  She keeps telling me she's not crafty and wants to do all of these things for her kids rooms, so of course now I've got it in my head that I could make some things for her.  But when does a few things end?  For me, I could keep going for months LOL.  Once I get something in my head, I have a hard time getting it out of my head untime I'm interupted.  And no, it doesn't help to throw other things at me, because I can have many projects going at the same time and it will not slow me down at all.

I remembered seeing a crochet pattern for an Amigurami Ladybug on my Pinterest travels, so I decided that was going to be my next project!  I hunted up the pattern and got to work!  I couldn't decided what colors to make her.  I mean ladybugs are Red and Black right?  But, Emma's room is in Pink and Brown.  So what do I do?  I decide to make both.  I just gives me something to do right?  Which one do you like better?

Do you have a favorite? Happy craftin from Homespun by Design! Sunflower Mallory

The Day of Pin Cushions

Not that long ago, I decided that I was going to get my Sewing Machine out and "RE-learn" how to use it again.  It's been a good 20 years since I've used the things, so it's going to take me awhile to get reaquanted and get back into the swing of things.  Everything, except from the machine itself is my Nan's, though I do still have my Grandmother's machine as well.  One day, I'm working on a project and I've got my antique pin box out.  Now, my cats are like most, they insist on "helping" on everything.  Which of course means, that they set you back most days because they are sitting on your stuff, putting their tails in your face, or knocking your stuff over.  That day, my cats decided they were going to knock my pin box over a good ten times.  I was beyond frusterated, to the point where I packed everthing up and quit for the day!  Of course, as I was packing up, I found that there was a hole in my pin box.  Now, that really doens't have much to do with my cats knocking my box over a million times, but it doesn't help.  It just gave me an excuse to look for another project!

I looked for pin cushions for days.  Looking for ones that I liked.  Of course there were a lot I liked that were sewing, and I'm still very sewing challenged.  So, I stuck with crocheted ones.  And I found a few, but I picked two.  An Apple and a Flower!  They're different, and they suit me.  What can I say?

This one is a yummy little Green Apple! Not only can you use it as a Pin Cushion, you could also use it as a great gift to a Favorite Teacher, Decorations or Ornaments. This is made out of 100% Acrylic yarn, and stuffed with Polyester filling. The stem is a Taupe color, the leaf is a Paddy Green and the body of the Apple is made of Honeydew. The Apple is 3.5"x3"x3.5".         

This is an adorable flower Pin Cushion that was orginally from a nice girl named Liselotte from Denmark, who allowed us to use her pattern. It is a very simple "stash buster" project that you can do within an hour, and anyway you please! Let your imagination run wild with this one girls. You're basically making two hexagons, stitching them together, and stuffing it. Then you take two strands of yarn and you wrap around and pull tight, to make the petals, then put the button in the middle. Viola! You have an adorable pin cushion!!

Happy Crafting from Homespun by Design,
Sunflower Mallory!

Patriotic Stars and Stripes Wreath

Patriotic Stars and Stripes Wreath

With Summer upon us and The 4th of July right around the corner, I've been searching for things to do that are both easy and fun to do.  I think I've hit the jackpot with this one!  The Patriotic Stars and Stripes Wreath is both easy and fun to make and it is super cute when its done!  It's also customizable.  You can use your own choice of ribbon and hanger.  If you think it needs something else, say a bow, knock yourself out!

All you have to do is have a Styrofoam Wreath, Red, White and Blue Yarn,  Ribbon, and a hot glue gun, and you can have one of these beauties in no time!  I found the directions on FaveCrafts.com , so hurry on over and get crocheting so you have a Sparkling Wonder for The 4th of July!!

Happy Crafting From Homespun by Design,
Sunflower Mallory

Go USA Crochet Stars Headband

GO USA! Crochet Stars Headband

With The 4th of July coming up a lot of people are going to be looking for some easy crafts they can do for the Weekend to calm the nerves, or pass the free time.  We've made a cute headband to rock out for the 4th!, and here's how I did it.

I took Scarlet, White and Navy Blue, and made the headband.  With a USG6/4.00mm Hook, I chained 3, turn and in the 2nd chain from the hook you single crochet, and single crochet to the end.  Turn and chain.  Single crochet to the end (2 st).  Continue this for approx. 65 rows for an Adult Headband.  You can change this to suit whoever you are making this for.  Once you get to your desired length, instead of closing the loop, I took our 3 colors and made tassles at the end.  I have Red, White and Blue strings tassles on the Right and Left.  And then repeated on the other end.  Then trim the ends of the tassles so they are even.

Tutorial to make Patriotic Stars. Make one in each color. 
Chain 2. 
Round 1:  Single Crochet 10 in 2nd chain from hook.  Join with Slip Stitch in the 1st Single Crochet.  Round 2:  Chain 1.  2 Single Crochets in each around (20 sc).  Join with Slip Stitch in 1st Single Crochet. 
For your first point, Chain 1. 
1 Single Crochet in the next 4 Single Crochet, then Turn. 
Chain 1, and Single Crochet in the next 4. 
Chain 1.  {Draw up a loop in each of the next 2 Single Crochets.  Yarn Over and pull through both loops on your hook - Sc2tog made} twice.  Turn. 
Chain 1 and Sc2tog.  Turn. 
Chain 2, Slip Stitch along the side, from Point to Base. 
Slip Stitch in last Single Crochet worked on 2nd round. 
Make 4 more points for a total of 5 points and Fasten Off.

Happy Crafting from us at Homespun By Design!
SunflowerMallory