Summer scarf gifts

Need a summer girly gift?  You've got to try out these scarves!  I used this tutorial:

http://www.danamadeit.com/2008/07/tutorial-summer-scarf.html 

and then adapted it a little which I'll show below.  

I actually made these for a friend who is having a brunch for some ladies.  These will be tied to each of their chairs.  How fun is that?

 The tutorial says to serge the edges, iron 1/4" under, and then sew.  So this is how that turned out. 

 But, with the ruffles and how the scarf curls up when you wear it, I didn't like seeing that serged edge as much.  So, I tried folding under twice and sewing.  This worked but was time consuming.

 By the third scarf I had it figured out.  Rolled hems with your serger are the way to go!  It creates a more dainty hem with a great finished look for the scarf!

Look what fun you can have with lightweight fabrics!

I hope the ladies enjoy them!

Recovered kitchen chairs

When it comes to home decor I love unique, unexpected, conversation starters:)

Such as. . . 

this bold shower curtain

 Or my "coffee table"

 Or masking tape wall decor???  and burlap ruffled lamps all in ORANGE?

 I say it's FUN!

And now it is time to get my kitchen chairs into the FUN mode:)

After 9 years of wear and tear this is what the seat looked like - yes, off-white fabric chairs are not so kid friendly. . .

So what was the fabric of choice?

Giraffe of course!!!!!  

And I LOVE them!  :)

 I did make these kid-friendly:)  Through blog land I found out there was such a thing as iron-on vinyl.  I found the fabric I wanted, ironed this vinyl on, and basically got "oilcloth" fabric to cover my chairs with.  They wipe right up!  Hooray for giraffe print chairs!

One more funny story. . .

A couple years ago when giraffe print purses were just getting big I was in search of a new purse.  I asked my sister if I should go for the giraffe print purse, but she wasn't so sure about them.  I ended up getting a plain yellow purse instead.  So when I had the idea for this project I couldn't wait to tell my sis how I was covering my chairs.  Good thing I chose to use the fabric somewhere not very noticeable!  Haha!  

Swimsuit cover ups

I was strolling through Target and saw this swimsuit coverup.  

 Darling!  

I think I could do that!

  Quick, take a picture to remember:)

 So, I bought a fun bath towel, coordinated some tulle fabric, and started cutting and piecing.

We end up with this! (the sun was pretty bright in their face-thus the squint and closed eyes!)

 Ready for fun in the sun!

Couch slipcover

I did it!

I accomplished my goal!

I no longer have an "ugly" couch  :)

Do you????

 Why not give it a little TLC and make it like new with a slipcover?

Not the slipcovers that tuck in all over the place and then mess up every time you sit on it.  This is a custom made slipcover that fits and stays!

Complete with zippers on each cushion and on the back corner so you can remove and wash it.

See it peeking through?  Still your dear old couch, but with a new look!

All cleaned up and ready for another 20 years!  :)

Let me know if I can make a slipcover for you!

A few more projects

My kids love their hooded bath towels, so I had an idea to make hooded beach towels for swimming this summer.  They have worked out great!  I bought them each a different designed towel, coordinated a washcloth with it, and sewed them up!  

I had another chance to make Roman shades.  What fun fabric!  Thanks, Wendy, for your order!  I hope you enjoy them!

Need some alterations?  I "summerized" (made ready for summer) these maternity jeans for a friend.  We cropped some into capris, some into bermuda shorts, and some just hemmed to the right length.  Then I added some length to the jean dress and coordinated it with a flower.  Great job recycling these jeans, Stephanie!

Shirt to romper

Several years ago I bought two similar polo shirts and wore them for a while.  Then passed them on to my sister to wear for a while.  She then passed them back to me.  And now they are going to my girls:)  Yes, I think I am getting my money out of these shirts!  

I saw this romper on zulily and thought it would be a fun sewing project to do for the girls.  

So, when I retired these polos to the re-purposing stash, I decided to try the romper idea out.

As Pioneer Woman would say, "Here is the cast of characters".  But actually I guess if this were truly the "cast of characters" there would be a scissors, sewing machine, and serger:)  I'm just showing you the 2 original polo shirts and the tank and shorts I used as a pattern to make the romper.

I love the ruffle collar on the zulily romper, but thought the buttons were enough for these.  Can you believe I didn't do ruffles?

Summertime here we come!

Lined curtains

My sister-in-law wanted panel curtains for 3 windows in her living room.  These are the first curtains I have lined and I thought they turned out great!  Made them look so professional!  haha

This is the back of the curtain.  The white fabric is the lining.

 The best part was the fabric she bought for me to work with.  It was from Ballard designs and I could tell it was good quality!!!  It sewed up so nicely!  

Thanks Perri for letting me make these!  I hope you enjoy them!