The girls’ skort into a purse project was pretty much quick and easy because all I had to do was sew up the bottom legs of the shorts part:

After sewing the legs closed I sewed a short distance up the center front/back seam to make the purse into two separate “compartments” within the purse.

To make a strap for the purse I found some solid pink fabric in my scrap box, cut the strap 20″ long and 4″ wide.  To complete the strap, fold in half with right sides together and sew the long edge with a 1/4″ seam.  Turn the strap right side out, press, then topstitch 1/4″ edges on both of the long sides.

Attach the strap to the new purse:

This skort cost $1.00 at the Mom2Mom kids resale event, and by using scrap fabric for the strap, the only “extra” thing for cost was my time.  I’m so happy to say that I actually bought 8 of these skorts (various colors and sizes) that I’ll be making into child’s purses for gifts this Christmas.

How to Make Yarn from T-shirts
Photo-tutorial showing how to make yarn from t-shirts

Mini-Tent Pattern + Tutorial
Kerry from Kid Giddy joins us today with a pattern + tutorial for her cute Mini-Tent…

Henley Tee Reconstruction
Photo-tutorial showing how to reconstruct a plain t-shirt to turn it into a Henley t-shirt – a shirt with buttons.

Introducing ~ Kerry
Kerry blogs at Kid Giddy and took time out of her busy schedule to create a fun tutorial for us, coming up next…

Refashion A Boxy Tee Into an DIY Oversized-Armhole Tunic
Turn a baggy T-shirt into a summery top with oversized armholes (very on-trend right now) with a DIY tutorial from Loomstate.

Headband Tutorial from Georgia of Puking Pastilles
Georgia from Puking Pastilles joined us as a board member in the fall, and she’s back today to share a fun headband tutorial. The tutorial includes a free PDF download of embroidery designs inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe…

From the Archives : Hand Knit Bunny
For this installment of “From the archives” we are joined by Tonya and Mike of Natural Earth Farm who share the pattern and tutorial for knitting a hand knit bunny rabbit. This adorable bunny is not only a sweet little toy, it is also a wonderful addition to an Easter Basket. :::::::::::: This pattern is [...]

Spring Clean & Tidy Week: Yoga Mat Sling
We spent the first day of our Clean & Tidy Week, fixing up the family room. Today it’s time for an exercise break. But it still falls under the spick-and-span umbrella, because our yoga mat bag allows you to tidy all your workout clothes and accessories into one, handy over-the-shoulder sling…

Free Bettsy Kingston (Reversible) Hat ePattern
Today Benita from Bettsy Kingston generously shares a free ePattern for you to download! Benita’s pattern shows you how to make a simple, reversible head warmer in a “Viking helmet”-style. Enjoy the tutorial, and be sure to download your free Reversible Hat ePattern today…

Denim Organizer
Sew and embellish a denim organizer for your teen’s locker or bedroom. Use the pant legs of old jeans for this cute, recycling sewing project to keep your teen neat and organized.

DIY No Sew Pillow Covers Using Cloth Napkins
Have you ever wanted to make yourself a new pillow cover but have no clue how to sew or don’t own a sewing machine? Well you are in luck. This tutorial will teach you how to make a no sew pillow cover using cloth napkins! These pillow covers are durable

Upcycling Blue Jeans Into a Skirt
Got old jeans? Wondering what to make with old jeans? Here’s an idea. Upcycling Blue Jeans Into a Skirt is a great way to reuse material and create a thrifty sewing project. Follow this simple instructions and make a cute skirt.

Just a Little Purse ~ A Tutorial
Ginger from wienerdog tricks shows you how to make this easy, small purse with your favorite scraps and just a little time…

Scrappy Upcycled Apron
Everyone needs a good apron to wear around the kitchen. Why not make one with material you already have? The Scrappy Upcycled Apron is a free sewing idea for anyone looking to make something useful and thrifty.

Gathered Throw Pillow
Style your couch by adding a little flair. The Gathered Throw Pillow can help with that. With this simple sewing tutorial, you’ll be able to create a beautiful pillow – perfect for adding to your home decor.

Book Buddies ~ Drawstring Bags with Appliqué
Rachel Measham-Pywell from Four Wise Monkeys designed these Book Buddies. The project incorporates easy appliqué on large drawstring bags…

Open Sesame Fabric Doorstop
Instead of using a dull, ugly doorstop, why not make your own? The Open Sesame Fabric Doorstop will inspire you to create a lovely doorstop for your living or work space. Use this free sewing pattern to make this easy project.

Glam-O-Ruffle Pillow
The Glam-O-Ruffle Pillow stands out in a crowd. Make this fun pillow and really jazz up your couch or bed. It’s a great sewing project for anyone looking to work with different fabrics.

How to Upholster a Chair
Learn How to Upholster a Chair with this sewing tutorial. You can truly rework the feel of the room by simply changing over the fabric on some chairs. Save money and put your creativity to the test with this home decor idea.

Introducing ~ Thomas
Thomas from Way Cool Kid and Thomas Knauer Sews joins us with a project next…

Dandy Handy Warmers
Keep your hands from freezing with this simple sewing project. Make the Dandy Handy Warmers for yourself and the kids. Bear the season’s chill with this quick winter craft idea.

Teapot Trivets with Tea for Two… Embroidery Designs
Thomas from Way Cool Kid and Thomas Knauer Sews is here today to share a Teapot Trivet tutorial with some special embroidery designs for you to download…

These dragon (or dinosaur) tails by Jennifer Hadfield are just the most adorable thing I’ve seen lately!  I adore the bright colors she’s used and the waistband straps with Velcro make them super easy for kids to strap on by themselves for lots of pretend dragon fun.  This is a great idea for using up some scraps and is a fabulous way to keep the kids entertained indoors on a rainy day.  I’m going to have to make five of these in my kids favorite colors!  This dragon tail project is also perfect for those who hold sewing classes or teach lessons because it’s fast, simple and loads of fun.  Lots of great photos are included in the step-by-step tutorial.

Photo credit: Jennifer Hadfield

My kids come home from pre-k with tons of terrific artwork and I’d been trying to find a good way to display the precious pieces when I found this large framed print of Marilyn Monroe on clearance at Michael’s and it sparked an idea for a padded message board.  Of course you can use, or re-use, any old frame you might have lying about or check garage and estate sales for a suitable frame in a size that will work for you.

Materials Needed:

Picture Frame

2″ Thick Foam

Fabric Remnant

Hot Glue Gun

Remove the backing board and the glass from the picture frame.  Cut the foam so that it measures 1″ smaller than the backing board.  My back piece is 12″ x 36″ so I cut two pieces of foam to fit an 11″ x 35″ area.  Next, center the foam in the middle of the backing board and use the glue gun to glue it in place.

I’ve had this cherry blossom print remnant in my fabric stash for quite awhile and I’ve been waiting for the perfect project to use it for.  Cut your fabric piece so that you have approximately 3″ of extra fabric on each side to turn under.

Place the fabric right side down on your work surface and center the backing board with the foam side down on top of the fabric.  Starting with one long side, glue the fabric in place on the back side of the backing board.  Stretching the fabric taut across the foam, glue the opposite long side of fabric in place on the backing board.  Fold the corners as if you were wrapping a package and glue the short sides in place.

Place the wrapped backing piece inside the frame and secure in place to finish the message board.  Now you’re ready to display all of your important papers, messages, or favorite pieces from your budding artists!

When my quads started pre-k last week I had visions of buying dozens of boxes of Ziploc bags for their daily snacks (in quadruplicate!) so I started checking all the local stores for some reusable snack bags.  I had absolutely no luck locally and then was shocked to find that these simple bags range from about $6 to $12 each online.  I wanted something similar to the foldover style baggies with the flap that we used when I was young (if you don’t remember those – don’t tell me about it )  The kids decided to “help” me with the project so we somehow ended up cutting out a few dozen and we serged up some extras that we gave to all of the kids in the class.  I found this rip stop nylon on the bargain fabric table at WalMart for $1.50/yard and you can get enough for 24 bags from one yard of fabric, so they cost six cents each to make.

To make some of your own reusable snack bags just print this pattern, cut out pieces A and B and tape them together at the fold, then cut one piece (or however many you want to make) from a water resistant type of fabric.  Use a serger or the zigzag stitch on your sewing machine to finish the short straight edge. 

Make the flap by folding the short edge over one inch as shown by the “fold line” on the pattern, fold in half at the centerline and serge or zigzag all the way around starting at one corner and ending at the other.  These are super quick and easy to make and the kids love them!  I’m going to have to keep looking for some more nylon in a “girly” print or color before I make the next round.

Photo from Brown Paper Packages

Leisel at Brown Paper Packages created this adorable Do-Rag Style Headband for her daughter to help keep both the headband and hair in place during sports activities.  I’ve been working on some hair accessories for my girls for back to school and I think this design is wonderful.  You can have a lot of fun with the colors and they’re even reversible!  Get the full tutorial complete with photographs of each step at the Brown Paper Packages blog.  I’m even planning to make a couple of these for myself for those bad hair days   Thanks Leisel!

Photo from Prudent Baby

Jaime at Prudent Baby made this neat box style toiletry bag this is perfect for a man or a woman.  I love this style because it can hold so much, and of course if you used a “manlier” fabric it would be a great gift for your favorite guy.  Jaime used oilcloth as the lining with matching canvas for the main fabric, but you could use any type of water repelling liner for the interior.  Check out the complete tutorial with photographs of each step at the Prudent Baby blog.

I carry a notepad with me everywhere I go, I’m definitely a list person, so I was thrilled to find this project tutorial for a fabric folder or portfolio at Niesz Vintage Home!  I absolutely adore her color and fabric choices, and her step by step instructions include terrific photos to help make assembly easy.  I’m planning to make several of these for gifts!