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Monday, September 20, 2010

Tutorial: How To Make A Vinyl Catch-All Bib

You know those frigging awesome catch all bibs from Walmart that cost $5 and are only "wipeable" on one side? Well they're my favorite except the fact that I have to replace them constantly since you can't wash them (only wipe) and the back gets gross so fast.

SOOOO I decided to make my own with both sides being wipeable and boy oh boy I love them so much!

I made my daughter's with that vinyl that has the fuzzy stuff on the back. $2/yard at Walmart:

Then since they didn't have a cute boy patterned vinyl I just made my son's with the clear stuff and it's actually kind of cool how it's see through! And only $1 something per yard!!! This one is even easier since you don't have to sew at all... just cut and add snaps:


All I did was use my old bib as a pattern.

For my daughter's I had to cut 2 pieces (each a little bigger than the bib for seam allowance) and sew them right sides together leaving an opening at the bottom to turn then topstitch all the way around. If you want more details on sewing this see my other bib tutorial here, it's the same idea minus the batting.

For my son's I only had to trace and cut one piece.

Once the bib is made you add snaps (I like the hammer on kind) in the same place as the Walmart bib's snaps (except I excluded a couple that I felt were not necessary) and you're done.

They're so easy to clean and the only *true* catch-all bib, in my opinion, because the bottom actually sticks out instead of lying flat, because of the snap placement and shape of the bib.

I think I'll be adding these to my Etsy shop since I think everyone should have one!


Thursday, September 16, 2010

Tutorial: How To Make A Fabric Covered Canvas

Do you ever look at something you have owned for a while and go, "What the crap"?

I do all the time.

Case in point:
So I got some fabric and found my husband's staple gun.
I know it's been done before. By everyone and their dog.
But I finally did it myself and took some pics to help explain how to do the corners.
Hopefully it's helpful to someone out there!
You can use a canvas like I did or make your own frame.
Here's how you do it...

Staple it all around the back except on the corners. Just leave those alone for now.
Then fold fabric so the back corner of the canvas is mitered leaving the rest loose.
Then you take what was left and pull it taught, placing another staple on the back of the canvas.
Repeat with each corner then add the hangy thingy and you're done.



Friday, September 3, 2010

Tutorial: How To Make A Rag Rug

This is a great little project that I plan to do again one day. It's a rag rug that I made using a big ol' crochet hook and some strips of fabric. You just cut long strips out of whatever fabric you want and connect them together by cutting a slit in each end so you can make a slipknot. Treat it like yarn and crochet whatever shape rug you want with the fattest hook you can find. I just made a chain and crocheted row after row of single crochet stitches til it was the size I wanted. I then worked around the edges to give it a finished look.

My hands KILLED as I did this... I think it was because my fabric was heavier AND I cut my strips too wide for the hook I had. Do what feels good to you. It shouldn't hurt your hands like it did for me :) I'd love to see yours!