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No-Sew Tea Towel Pillow

Craft Passion — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 15:21:17 +0000

No-Sew Pillow

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While my old sewing machine was off for a service and repair, I was handicapped. Which in turn, inspired myself to think of how to make a pillow without using a sewing machine. Here it is, a no-sew tea towel pillow was created especially for you, both sewer and non-sewer. Now, everyone can make pillow cover with just some simple tools and materials.

There could be some other techniques for no-sew pillow, have been seeing some using fusible web to “glue” the edges, but I wonder if it is only for no-wash pillow. Here, I am using “lace and fasten” method, by lacing through eyelets at the edges, draw the edges together and fasten them to form a pillow cover. When you are tired with the pillow, you can always take out the ribbon lacing and return the tea towel back to its original flat form.

This is a cheap and quick no-sew tea towel pillow, just need a tea towel, some single-piece eyelets and it’s installation tool, ribbons to fasten, plus other supporting tools, you can make the no-sew pillow that has ribbon-lace and bows at the sides.

Hope you like it. Well, obviously my sister’s puppy loves it a lot

{Get full details on next page.}

Ribbons Storage Organizer

Craft Passion — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:43:55 +0000

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Before and After Organize

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Due to my recent shopping and frequent trips to craft stores, the box that I used to keep my lovely ribbons is exploded and messy. I no longer can find any ribbons without have to pour everything out and de-tangle some of them. I am trying my best to keep my craft room as tidy as the one I posted here after every project. But, it is impossible to achieve that goal if things are too messy to begin with. I don’t want to waste time in digging and searching for the right ribbons any more. So, I decided to reorganize and tidy up the ribbon box and other similar boxes like lace, cord and tape.

As you can see from the above before photo, I can’t even put on the lid to cover the box before stacking it up on the shelf. It is no joke when I need to get a specific ribbon out from the box. I found out I can free up a lot of space by removing the packaging of some of the ribbons. Some packagings especially the spools with big core are simply too bulky to keep. So, I decided to take those out. Then, I need to find a way to keep my ribbon organize and tidy otherwise they will get tangled up after a few digs. This is where the cardboard comes in place to wind them up and keep them in place. A tiny head sewing pins are handy to keep the ends on the winding. Read more after the jump to the second page.

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Halloween DIY Crafts Round-up

Craft Passion — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:03:01 +0000

Halloween is just a week away…. I am counting down and rounding up the Halloween crafts then I can go “Boo”ing around and have fun.

But, before I am allowed to go, I took one of the ghosts from the ghost lights and toss it in a glass jar. He has been naughty lately and not following the rules. This time he ain’t going with me, I hope he learned a good lesson and behave well when I am back.

Along with the ghost lights decoration, I found a bunch of mini mandarin oranges holiday lights in my store room which I have been decorating for my Chinese New year since years. Now, they become part of my Halloween light decorations. All I have to do is to draw the oranges with permanent marker, easy and quick!!!

Here is the round-up of Halloween crafts of 2009-2011:

1. Pom-Pom Jack ‘O Lantern
2. Pom-Pom Black Widow Spider
3. Sock Skeleton Couples
4. Skeleton Costume
5. Pumpkin Costume
6. Pumpkin Treat Basket
7. Ghost Lights
8. Mummy Holder
9. Candy Corn Memo Holder

Not enough Halloween crafts to inspire you? Here are some more from others which I think you might be interested.

That’s all for now… till then…. BOO!!!

Halloween Egg Carton Bats and Leaf Ghosts by Happy Clippings.

Pipe Cleaner Yarn Spiders by Make And Takes.

Pipe Cleaner Spider Ring by Crafts By Amanda.

DIY Spider Sacks by Modern Parents Messy Kids.

Orange Jack O’ Lantern by Momtastic.

Flexi Mummies by Family Chic.

Black Grape Vine Pumpkin With Lights by Jen Goode’s 100 Directions.

Halloween Candles by Fresh Home Ideas.

Ghost Jug Lights by Family Fun Crafts.

Zip-It-Up Pencil Case {Tutorial}

Craft Passion — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:23:06 +0000

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Zip It Up Pencil Case

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“It’s Back To School time, boys and girls.” This zip-it-up pencil case would be of great help for them to keep their stationary in place. Not only that, it is also a great topic for “Show And Tell” session to their new class-mates of how the magic works with this zipper + ribbon strip…”See, this is a strip of ribbon, and I am going to turn it into a pencil case…. *zip**zip**zippppp***…. tadaaaa…. a pencil case!!!!”. School is fun with friends and books around.

Recently, I received an overwhelming and fantastic responses came all over the world to visit the tutorial of the Zip-Itself Tetrahedron Coin Purse, the same concept of this zip-it-up pencil case. Among the feedback and comments, some of you found it difficult to understand at some point, but I am glad that after putting you hands on it, you’ve made yourself some successful coin purses. As usual, practice makes perfect! Grandma G even tried it on with her sewing machine with a wider ribbon that her daughter Jessica of How About Orange designed. Jessica also shared the post with her readers. I was so happy that you all like the coin purse so much. As an appreciation to all your visits and feedback, I developed another tutorial to the same concept. This time both boys and girls can use this zip-it-up pencil case (just have to be fair to the boys too, right?).

I hope you like this Zip-It-Up Pencil Case as much as the coin purse. Please find the tutorial after this.

Finished Dimension: approx. 4″ x 8″ x 1 1/2″

Materials:
1. Zipper (nylon) – 80″
2. Ribbon (7/8″)- 80″ (Note: you can use grosgrain, woven, satin ribbons, or other alternative materials like lace, fabric strip, soft twill tape etc.)
3. Ribbon – short length for the purse loop.
4. Lining fabric strip (1 1/2″) – 80″ (optional)

Tools:
1. Sewing needles.
2. Matching threads
3. Pins
4. Marker
5. Warm iron (optional, use only with lining)

Get ready the materials and tools as per quantities stated above.
You can get the long nylon zipper from craft shop that cut into your requested length, and don’t forget to add a zipper pull.
Sew a few stitches to make a bottom-stop about 1″ from the end of the zipper.
Tie 2 knots on both top zipper tapes to prevent the zipper-pull from accidentally glide out from the zipper.
Measure 4 3/4″ from zipper’s bottom-stop. Mark, this is the START point.
Pin and backstitch the ribbon to the zipper tape along line A, start at 3/4″ from the ribbon end and 1/32″ away from the teeth in order for the zipper pull to glide through.
I sewed with longer stitch on the wrong side but shorter loop stitch on the right side for the backstitch so that the thread is not obviously seen on the right side.
When you reach the bottom stop, bend the zipper tape down, smooth the corner by crossing of zipper ends, continue sewing your ribbon till you have done around 70″ from the start point.

Come back to the start point. Arch the tape at the marking where the marking should be at the center of the ribbon’s width, pin the ribbon to the tape along line B.
Sew ribbon to the tape of the other side of the zipper.
Fold the ribbon’s end in and slip stitch the ribbon to the tape by following the curve.
A nice smooth curvature determine the beauty of the pencil case.
Continue back stitching the ribbon to the zipper tape until you have done 65″ from the start point.
There will be a different of 5″ of stitching between line A & B.
Zip-up the zipper and the pencil case shape is formed through a upward spiral closure.
Measure your pencil case from the bottom stop, it should be around slightly over 8″ and your zipper goes 7 rounds of zipping.
Press the top edge of the pencil case to find the top corners of a rectangular shape.
Mark both points on line A & B.
The point above the the bottom-stop is the end point, whilst, the point above the start point is the pencil case top-stop with a ribbon loop (please refer the last step-by-step photo for clearer picture).

Unzip the pencil case a little. Arch the line A zipper tape at the marking, the zipper ends should meet and intersect at the other marking on line B.
Place a ribbon loop on the intersection point of the zipper, pin & sew to join.
Trim off the extra zipper, crossed them and make a few stitches to stabilized the position.
Trim off the extra length of the ribbon and fold the raw edge of the ribbon, just like the start point, slip stitch to the tape.
Whip stitch the zipper edges at the back of the pencil case to complete it.
You may add a lining at the back of the pencil case. The lining will add some stability and aesthetic look to the workmanship of the pencil case.
Iron the lining strip by folding in both edges to form a 7/8″ double-fold tape.
Slip-stitch along the backstitch line to cover the stitches done for the ribbon. When you reach the curve of the start and end points, trim the ends to follow the curvature, fold in and slip stitch like you did the ribbon.

Zip it all the way up and you will get a pencil case.
Or, zip it all the way down to return it to a ribbon with edges full of zipper teeth.

Sew A Rompers From An Old Sweater

Craft Passion — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:32:48 +0000

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Sew A Rompers From An Old Sweater

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I sewed another clothes for my daughter and this time it is a rompers with ribbon shoulder straps. The main material of this rompers is from my old knitted sweater, my once favorite clothes before it shows some signs of wears on the neck’s ribbing. Instead of donating it away to the needed¹, I think it is better that I recycle the material into something wearable for my daughter.

The approach on how to sew this romper out of an old sweater is pretty straight forward. The top of the rompers is the body of the sweater. The shorts of the rompers are made from the sleeves. Just add some ribbons and elastic bands to complete the rompers.

Rompers, the one-piece garment for kids and adults, has been in trends for the recent years. Be wearing it as it is for the hot weather or add a cardigan and a stocking or tights during the colder weather.

[1] Those needed won’t want to wear a long warm sweater under this crazily hot and humid climate. Those can afford to stay in an air-conditioned room won’t want this worn-off sweater because they can afford to buy a new one.

Material:
1. Woman knitted Sweater
2. Ribbons, 4 yards
3. Fabric scraps for waistband and chest band lining, 2″ wide, 2 x sweater width plus some allowances.
4. Elastic band 1″, waist + chest length + some allowance.
5. Elastic band 1/4″, short length for shorts side seams.

Tools:
1. Sewing Machine
2. Over-locking serger
3. Matching color sewing threads
4. Carbon and tracing wheel
5. Pins and needles.
6. Safety Pin

Measurement needed:
1. Low waist line
2. Upper chest at under arm level.

I found this burgundy purple machine-knitted sweater in my wardrobe which I haven’t been wearing for quite some times.

Lay the sweater on a flat table, adjust and smooth out according to seam lines and hem.
Cut across chest line at the under arm level.

Cut out sleeves and slit open their inseams with a pair of scissors. We only need the sleeves and body part of the sweater.
Keep the rest for other projects. I think the knitted rib on the neckline should be nice for make a rosette brooch.

Trace a shorts pattern from a pair of pants or shorts, or download a 7 year-old & 3 year-old shorts from this post and this post respectively.
Lower the waist-line 3″ below the shorts pattern. Shorten the shorts length to your like or able to fit in the sleeve area. Mine is about 1 1/2″ from the crotch point. Adjust the shorts width to fit to the sweater width.
Pin paper pattern and cut the shortened low waist shorts pattern from the sleeves with 1/2″ seam allowance.
Trace seam lines with carbon and tracing wheel.
Remove pins.

Sew front and back of the shorts at the side seams, neaten the raw edges with 4-thread over-lock stitch.

Insert right-side pair into the wrong-side pair of the shorts, sew and serge the center seam and inseam.

Sew and attach ribbons to the hems of the shorts. Leave enough length for tying a bow at the side.
It is fine if the shorts is slightly bigger or smaller than the width of the body, since it is a knitted material, you can stretch a little to get them fit together.

Insert shorts into the body, with right side facing each other. Pin and sew together with the waistband lining, with 3/8″ seam allowance.
Leave a side opening on the waistband lining for elastic band entry.

Fold the waistband lining up and fold the raw edge in at the level of the ribbed edge. Sew.

Measure the wearer’s under waist and add about 2″ for loose fit low-waist rompers.
Insert the elastic band by using a safety pin, through the lining opening, into the pocket an come out from another opening. Zig-zag sew the elastic ends by overlapping them 1″.
Close the opening.
Sew some short vertical lines on the elastic band to set it in place so that it won’t fold inside the pocket.

Sew the chest lining to the chest line of the rompers, add a pair of ribbons about 7″ apart at the center of the front rompers and 6″ apart at the back.

Turn the lining to the wrong side of the rompers, fold in the raw edge, and sew about 1″ wide of pocket for the elastic band installation.
Leave a side opening for elastic band entry.
Measure the wearer’s upper chest at under arm level, add 1″ for elastic band joining.
Insert the elastic band into the pocket, join and sew like you did for the waistband.

Cut 2 short lengths of 1/4″ elastic bands, around 1/2 the length of your shorts side seam.
Pin them on each side of the shorts’ seam lines with ends align to the top and lowest point of the shorts seam.

Stretch the elastic to match the side seam length. Sew it on the seam to create a gather effect on the shorts’ sides.
~DONE~

Zip-Itself Coin Purse {Tutorial}

Craft Passion — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 07:24:55 +0000

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Zip-Itself Tetrahedron Coin Purse

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This zip-itself coin purse is truly an amazing and creative handmade design… zip-up to a tetrahedron shaped coin purse, unzip to a long ribbon. This zip-itself coin purse is made from 2 simple materials that you can get from the shop easily – ribbon and zipper. Get the tutorial on how to sew zip-itself coin purse with lining after this jump.

I accidentally saw this zip-itself coin purse when I did a search for the tetrahedron coin purse and I love the idea. I knew I am going to scratch my head and drill into the detail of the design and make it one day…. But, this day hasn’t been long before I need to pull my hairs and bite my fingers to find out the how-to from a mere internet picture. The story goes…..

On a relax weekend in June while shopping at a flea market in Straits Quay, I walked towards the only stall that sells handmade materials and finished handmade. I was so happy to find the little cutie zip-itself coin purse hanging at the stall. Dawn and San San, the 2 friendly and lovely lady owners of HaHa Plaza are so nice to guide and teach me how to make this purse. They even gave me a sample and some materials to try it out. Take a peep to see me shopping at Haha Plaza stall, yeah, the one wearing green T (thank you, Vickson, for this wonderful photo and uploaded to their facebook page). I am so glad I made this trip to the flea market, not only to learn to make this zip-itself coin purse but to be friends with these 3 wonderful people, Dawn, San San and Vickson. If you happen to be in Penang and would like to get some nice & niche handmade materials (handles, frames, fabrics, buttons etc), HaHa Plaza will be at the flea market at the following dates:

July 30, 2011
August 27, 2011
September 24, 2011
October 29, 2011
Time: 10 am to 10 pm

If you are not able to make it to meet them personally, then visit their online shop.

Materials:
1. Zipper (nylon) – 20″, 1pc.
2. Ribbon (1/2″ or 5/8″)- 20″, 1pc. (Note: you can use grosgrain, woven, satin ribbons, or other alternative materials like lace, ric rac, fabric strip, soft twill tape etc.)
3. Ribbon – short length for the purse loop.
4. Lining fabric strip (3/4″) – 20″, 1pc. (optional)

Tools:
1. Sewing needles.
2. Matching threads
3. Pins
4. Marker
5. Warm iron (optional, use only with lining)

Get ready the materials and tools as per quantities stated above.

Measure 2 3/4″ from zipper’s bottom stop, including the bottom stop.
Lay the ribbon slightly over the marking. If the ribbon has direction (in this case, the Pucca doll), the bottom edge should point to the zipper.
Back stitch the ribbon to the zipper, about 1/32″ from the teeth in order for the slider to get through.
Note: I sewed with longer stitch on the wrong side but shorter stitch on the right side for the backstitch. Scroll down to the lining step and you will see the stitches on the wrong side. Due to the short stitch on the right side and the way the needle pick up the zipper tap, it didn’t show a lot like backstitch from the back, but I swear that it is backstitch
Bend the zipper tape down at the end, adjust it to make the edge smooth.
Continue sewing the ribbon. Pin the ribbon on the tape will make sewing easier.

Continue sewing until you reach about 4″ – 5″ from the top stop of the zipper.
Your actual ribbon should look longer than this, I trimmed some away before taking this picture.
Unzip the zipper.

Come back to the start point. Arch the tape at the marking, pin the ribbon to the tape as shown.

Sew ribbon to the tape of the other side of the zipper.

Trim off the extra length, fold the raw edge of the ribbon and slip stitch the ribbon to the tape by following the curve.
A nice smooth curvature determine the beauty of the purse.

Continue back stitching the ribbon to the zipper tape until you are about 1″- 2″ away from the top stop.

Zip-up the zipper and the purse is formed through a upward spiral closure.

Press the top edge of the purse to find the top corners of the tetrahedron shape, which is usually the center of the bottom corners.
Mark both points.

Judge the shape from different angle to check if it is balance.
Once you are satisfied with the shape and marking, unzip the zipper for the next step to continue sewing the ribbon to complete the purse.

Arch the longer zipper tape at the marking, the zipper ends should meet and intersect at the other marking.
Place a ribbon loop on the intersection point of the zipper, pin.
Sew to complete the coin purse. Trim off the extra length of the ribbon and insert the raw edge of the ribbon, slip stitch to the tape.
Whip stitch the zipper edges at the back of the purse.
[Update: Thanks to Gandma G's suggestion to add more information in the photo that is self explanatory.]

If you would like to line your purse in order to hide the stitches, do the following.
Fold and press the raw edges to make a 1/2″ wide fabric strip. Slip stitch along the stitching lines of the ribbon.

A fully liner zip-itself tetrahedron coin purse is completed.

Quick Craft: Easy Ribbon Button Headband {Tutorial}

Craft Passion — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:58:22 +0000

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Easy Ribbon & Button Headband

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Thinking of Japan, I made this… red & white ribbon & button headband. Another easy project that kids can get involve, just have to be careful if your kids are too small to handle the hot glue gun. If kids younger than 10 year-old wants to do this craft independently without an adult’s supervising or help, use tacky glue or UHU instead but this will take longer for the glue to dry and set.

You can easily change the color theme of the headband to suit your design or occasion. How about replace or add blue buttons for the upcoming USA Independence day? Pink for younger girls? Green for St. Patrick’s Day? Orange & black for Halloween? and the list goes on….

Besides the ribbon & button, I made another 2 with mini ric rac and lace respectively. Click the next button on the photo album above for the pictures (3 & 4).

Get the steps on how to make this Ribbon Button Headband after this jump.

Prepare the following materials (add or change color to your own taste) & tools:
Materials:
1. 3/16″ (or 5mm) headband, white
2. 3/16″ ribbon -1′, red
3. 1/2″ ribbon – 4″, red
4. 1/2″ 4-hole button – 3 white, 3 red
Tools:
1. Hot glue gun (switch on about 15 minutes before your project starts)
2. Scissors
3. Marker

Mark lightly the point that you want the ribbon to end. Mark the same on the other side and make sure they are at the same level.
I did mine at 3″ from bottom.

Check if your hot glue gun is ready by inserting the glue tube into it, press the trigger a few times until a smooth flow of glue gets out from the tip. If you find that it is difficult to press the trigger or the glue appear to be sticky, wait a few more minutes for the gun to get hotter.
Dip a few drops of glue on the top of the headband, quickly attach the ribbon onto it, press until it stick well.
Do a few drops at a time since the glue gets harden pretty fast.

Cut a short length to bind the end.
Glue it.

Fold both ends of the 4″ long 1/2″ red ribbon to the center to make a 2″ ribbon bow.
Dip a drop of glue at the center, press to glue them.

Attached the ribbon bow onto the headband, off center or about 1 1/2″ from the center of the headband.

Glue 2 button on the ribbon bow, with white at the bottom.

Finished off with another 4 buttons on the side of the headband.

Crochet: Dolly LampShade Cover

Craft Passion — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 15:11:49 +0000

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Crochet Loopy Lamp Shade Cover

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It’s time to give my old lampshade a new look!!! I crochet a lampshade cover for the SKIMRA I bought at Ikea many years ago. See how it brightens up a room after putting on a new dress? This new lamp has since “migrated” to my daughter’s room and never look back any more!

Don’t worry if you don’t have the exact material ie. knitted jersey strips from my stashed and the lampshade I bought from Ikea, follow the tutorial further down to adapt this method to suit your old lampshade and the yarn of your choice. Well, all you need to do are taking some measurements and do some simple maths to create your own lampshade pattern. It’s totally flexible!!!

Get my typical crochet pattern after this jump and jump further down for the tutorial.

Crochet Pattern

Difficulty Level:
Advance Beginner, must know how to crochet ls [loop stitch], sc, sc2tog, slst & ch.

Materials & Tools:
1. Yarn : knitted poly jersey cut strips, 3/4″ wide, qty: not sure (they were from my stashed) but I guessed that 1 1/2 yards of main color and 1 yard of secondary color should be more than enough for a small lampshade I have.
2. Crochet hook: 5 mm
3. Tapestry Needle
4. Lampshade, Ikea’s SKIMRA, or if you used other lampshade, go to the tutorial further down to create your own lampshade cover pattern.
5. Measuring tape or ruler
6. Calculator

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
ls = loop stitch
dec 1 st = sc2tog = single crochet 2 together or single crochet decrease
slst = slip stitch
st = stitch
NOTE: when dec 1 st, do the sc2tog anywhere within the round but away from the position of adjacent dec round. For example: when the dec is on the 3 sts, do the next dec at 23 sts, then 3rd dec at 13 and forth dec at 33 and so on…. This will make the lampshade slopes evenly and won’t tilt at one side.

Crochet pattern:
Ruby pink
Base chain: ch 46, slst to the first ch to form a loop.
rnd 1: ch1, sc 46, slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 2: ch1, ls 46, slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 3: ch1, sc 45, dec 1 st (see NOTE at abbreviations), slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 4: ch1, ls 45, slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 5: ch1, sc 45, slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 6: ch1, ls 45, slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 7: ch1, sc 44, dec 1 st, slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 8: ch1, ls 44, slst to first ch, turn.
Baby pink
rnd 9: ch1, sc 43, dec 1 st, slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 10: ch1, ls 43, slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 11: ch1, sc 43, slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 12: ch1, ls 43, slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 13: ch1, sc 42, dec 1 st, slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 14: ch1 sc 42, slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 15: ch1, sc 41, dec 1 st, slst to first ch, turn.
Ruby pink
rnd 16 – 17: ch1 sc 41, slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 18: ch1, sc 40, dec 1 st, slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 19 – 20: ch1 sc 40, slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 21: ch1, sc 39, dec 1 st,, slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 22 – 23: ch1 sc 39, slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 24: ch1, sc 38, dec 1 st,, slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 25 – 26: ch1 sc 38, slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 27: ch1, sc 37, dec 1 st,, slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 28 – 29: ch1 sc 37, slst to first ch, turn.
rnd 30: ch1, sc 36, dec 1 st, slst to first ch.
fastern off and hide yarn

Tutorial
Method and Concept

Take measurement on the existing lampshade {value in [ ] is my measurement}:
1. Bottom circumference (C1) [ 20"]
2. Top circumference (C1) [15 1/4"]
3. Height or Length (L) [11"]

Use the hook size recommended by the yarn manufacturer, make a 5″x5″ swatch or test square of sc crochet to gauge your crochet tension.
Check the amounts of rows (R) and sts (S) in 3″x3″ square.
[I have 8 row, 7 sts in 3"x3" square]
Do the following maths to get the require rounds and stitches to come out with the crochet pattern for your lampshade {my calculation is in [ ]}.
Bottom circumference in stitch = C1 x S / 3 [46 sts]
Top circumference in stitch = C2 x S / 3 [36 sts]
Length = L x R / 3 [30 rows]
[from my calculation, I need to decrease 10 sts in 30 rows, i.e. make a decrement every 3 rows.]

Make a chain loop based on the number of stitches required for the bottom circumference.
Crochet from bottom up while decrease (sc2tog) the stitches evenly till you reach the length and top circumference. Scatter the decrement stitches so that the lampshade won’t tilt to one side.
Turn while you proceed to the next round, loop stitch (ls) forms on the other side away from the one facing you. Alternate the round of ls with sc, ie. 1 round of ls 1 round of sc, 1 round of ls and so on. {I used alternate}.
Crochet about 1/3 of the total length with loop stitch (alternate with sc stitch), follow by all sc stitch to the rest of the 2/3.
Change color when you reach 1/4 and 1/2 of the pattern.

Embellish the shade with something nice, for example:
Flower bouquet – pattern and tutorial to follow soon.
Pom-pom – just roll the balance fabric strips across your palm (the more rounds the fuller the pom-pom will be), take out and tie really hard at the center. Cut the loops and trim them to make the pom-pom looks round and balance.
Other suggestions:
1. Insert some beads into the strip, and put 1 bead when crochet each loop for a gypsy look
2. Glue a row of pearl bead garland at the top edge for a classy look

Tutorial: Bib Extender

Craft Passion — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 17:44:11 +0000

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velco_0

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It seems like it was just yesterday that I sewed the chenille bib for the babies. Now, the bib can no longer fit comfortably onto the necks of the growing up toddlers. They need bib extender to continue serving their little “masters”.

I am not sure if anyone used this method – sewing bib extension. As a thrifty mom, buying new bibs at every growing stages seems not a wise-able expenses. Especially if the bibs are sentiment handmade gifts from friends or/and families. So… I got this idea from the maternity waistband which I used during pregnancy – EXTENDER. Instead of elastic band for the waistband, I used grosgrain ribbon for the bib but you can use just any ribbons of your choice, or you can even sew fabric tube that matches with the bib you have made or bought.

Ribbon is one of the most convenient materials to use as it is commonly available and with vast selection of colors, designs and sizes. All you need to do is adapting the type of fastener of the existing bib, 2 most common types are velcro and snap buttons.

The first photo is the extender I made using 1″ wide grosgrain ribbon and it is for the velcro fastened bib I bought. The photo below is the 3/8″ wide grosgrain ribbon + prong snap buttons for the chenille bib. The concepts are the same, instead of sewing velcro, just install the no-sew or prong snap button. One thing you need to determine is to make sure that the snap buttons (sew type or prong type) are from the same type in order for them to fasten together.

Below is the tutorial for a velcro bib extender, just adapt the method for your fastening type.

To make a 3″ extension, cut 4 ½” length of 1″ grosgrain ribbon (¾” fold back) or extension + 1½”.
Lightly burn the raw edges of the ribbon to stop them from fraying.
Fold and press ¾” from 2 ends.
Cut 1″ length from a pair of 1″ velcro.
{For snap button – fold the raw edge gain to hide it inside the ribbon}

Sew the hook and loop of the velcro to the ribbon with 1 facing up and 1 facing down. Take note on the hook & loop side from the bib that you are making the extender for.
{For snap button – install the stud and socket with it respective ring and prong with appropriate tool or pliers.}

Attach the bib extender to the bib and you will have a bigger neck hole for the kids.

Make a few with various colors and lengths and you will be able to use the same few bibs through out the growing age of your baby.
Happy Sewing!