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how to sew a placemat zipper pouch with only four seams

zipper pouch tutorial

I found this cute Orla Kiely placemat at Target a few weeks ago and wanted to make something quick and easy for my knitting. Because the edges are already finished, I only needed to sew four seams. If you want a gusseted pouch, you can sew two more seams. Either way, it’s a very fast and easy project.

zipper pouch tutorial

Materials
a placemat (mine was 14 x 17 inches)
a zipper that’s at least 14 inches
coordinating thread
heavy duty sewing needle
zipper foot

zipper pouch tutorial

Using your zipper foot, stitch each 14 inch side to the zipper, beginning and ending 1/2 inch from each side.

zipper pouch tutorial

With the zipper halfway open, turn the placemat inside out. Sew your side seams while holding the zipper out of the way. (This is why you left 1/2 inch unsewn on each side.)

zipper pouch tutorial

Turn the placemat right side out and you’re done! If your zipper was longer than 14 inches, you can trim the extra.

Optional Gussets

zipper pouch tutorial

Box your corners, but don’t trim. The triangles are small and won’t take up much room. Plus, you’ll have no raw edges that might unravel.

zipper pouch tutorial

Want to see more projects using Orla Kiely placemats? Thimbly Things made a cute purse with hers and linked to a bunch more adorable bags.

refashion: Using finished items like placemats make your projects fast and easy because your edges are already finished.

Thanks to Whip Up, Craft Gossip and One Pretty Thing for linking to my tutorial. Subscribe to my RSS for more crafty goodness!

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vacation fabric: omaha tote bag

I don’t buy a lot of my craft stash new, especially without a sale or a coupon. There are times, though, when I indulge myself and it’s usually on vacation. No matter where we go, either for a week or just a night, there’s usually a yarn or fabric store to visit. I try to buy something that I normally wouldn’t find in Lincoln. Most of the time it is yarn. Last year, when T and I had “date night” in Omaha, it was fabric.

amy butler fabric

All I really wanted for Mother’s Day this year was some time to myself to sew something for me. Kind of self-indulgent, I know, but I always seem to be making for someone else these days and this fabric has been calling to me. I didn’t buy a lot — only 1/2 yard of each. I am planning to make a matching zipper pouch and change purse. To make the most of the floral print, I used some yellow fabric from my stash for the lining. I was planning to box the corners, but I kind of like the squareness without them. What do you think?

stash: floral print was “vacation” fabric, lining fabric from garage sale, batting was a remnant, zipper thrifted from goodwill

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embroidered handprint for mother’s day

bella's handprint

My mom really wanted a handprint of Bella. When she last came to visit, she spent a lot of time tracing Bella’s hand, along with Pete the Penguin’s wing and Puppy the Dog’s paw, of course. I traced one of those handprints onto some muslin and embroidered it. It turned out way cuter than I thought possible. I made one for my mother-in-law and hope to make one for myself.

bella's handprint

notes: embroidery hoops from goodwill craft bin, muslin and embroidery thread from my stash, inspiration from plumpudding

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crafty garage sale finds

crafty garage sale finds

I’m showing some serious garage sale constraint this season because I’ve got a pretty good stash established. However, yesterday morning was beautiful and the next neighborhood over was having their annual sales. I found some fabric for a future skirt, 2 yards for $1. I also found a ton of elastic for my new clothing adventures, $2 for all. I couldn’t pass up this brown wool sweater; it was free!

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ruffling up some boys t-shirts

When I go to Neat Repeatz, I check the girls clothing first, then head over to the boys clothing. Why? Most of the time the boys stuff is a lot cooler. A girl can only have so many pink shirts with flowers and hearts. What about dinosaurs? Cars? Trains? I never see those in the girls section. It’s always Dora, Dora, Dora. My daughter doesn’t even watch Dora. She likes Thomas the Tank Engine, Lightening McQueen and Mickey Mouse.

On my last trip, I found two shirts I knew Bella would love. They were 3T, but a little too short for my tall toddler. I was afraid they wouldn’t last until the end of the season. Inspired by Rachel’s tutorial for lengthening pants, I added a few inches to the shirts with some ruffle trim.

ruffle shirt

Both were iTalk shirts, so I removed the big patch on the front and tossed the little computer chip thingie, which didn’t work in either shirt. Then I washed them so the holes from the patch stitches would close up a bit.

ruffle shirt

I used about a yard of ruffle trim for each shirt. After a few attempts to pin the ruffle to the hem, I just put it in the machine and aligned it as I went.

ruffle trim

I’m really happy with how these turned out. Both shirts took less than an hour to sew up. Bella was a little worried when she saw them in the machine. “What are you doing with my Lightening McQueen shirt, mom?” When I showed her the finished shirt, she loved it.

refashion: Adding trim is a great way to freshen up an old t-shirt, especially one that’s too short.

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my faux burberry scarf

flannel

Remember when I mentioned that some of that stash flannel was going to become a faux Burberry scarf? It was a really easy project and great for some instant sewing gratification.

  • The original piece was about 14 x 43 inches. I cut it in half and joined the 7 inch ends with a french seam.
  • I sewed the edges just as you would for a napkin or tea towel: fold all four sides 1/4 inch and press, then fold over again, press and pin.
  • Then I top-stitched the edges down. I mitered my corners, but don’t think it was necessary.

That’s it! Here are some online tutorials for a french seam (via Hoppo Bumpo) and mitered corners (via CraftStylish).

recycle: This would be a great way to save a flannel shirt from the landfill. If you have smaller scraps of flannel, just add a few more french seams.

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formula one applique

Usually those words don’t go together. Most Formula One gear isn’t on the crafty side, but when has that ever stopped me? This shirt was a birthday gift for our dear friends’ son Wyatt. I was a little worried about whether or not it looked like a car when I was finished. I asked my daughter if she could tell what it was and she said, “A car! A race car! A Ferrari!” Mission accomplished.

ferrari applique

refashion: The t-shirt was new* from the craft store. The fabric, Heat-n-Bond, and embroidery floss were from my stash. The fabric matched the t-shirt a little too well. Adding the black embroidery floss outline really helped!

*Purchased before my pledge.

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recycled crafts at the farmers’ market

farmers market

I am so excited that it’s May because that means Saturday mornings at the Farmers’ Market. There’s a little area called Iron Horse Park where Bella likes to play. This is also where you’ll find most of the craft vendors. So, while T and Bella hang out by the fountain and the train-shaped jungle gym, I wander and window shop (or should that be e-z-up-tent shop?).

I saw a lot recycled crafts this year. My two favorites were the t-shirt grocery bags and earrings made out of cds. I didn’t think to take pictures, but they are similar to this bag and these earrings on etsy. The lady who makes Capri Sun tote bags (like these) is also back this year.

Later in the season, when there are usually more vendors, I’m hoping to see more recycled crafty goodness. (And hopefully, I’ll remember to take some pictures!)

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10 garage sale tips for crafters

It’s that time of year! Green grass, budding flowers and garage sales! At below thrift store prices, though, it’s easy to come home with too many potential projects. Here are some tips for productive bargain hunting. I’ve written them from the perspective of a sewer and knitter, but most apply to all types of crafts.

Go online. Check the newspaper classifieds and craigslist. Search for terms like craft, yarn, fabric, sewing, etc. and read through the ad. If you’re looking for fabric by the yard and the description says fabric is cut into quilting squares, skip it!

Make a list. Group sales that are near each other and start closest to home. Save the sale on the other end of town for last. You want to spend more time bargain hunting and less time in the car.

Stick to the basics. Garage sales are a great way to enhance your stash. When you’re shopping without a specific project in mind, look for neutral fabric, yarn and ribbon. Stock up on batting, interfacing and thread.

Stay focused. Go with one or two projects in mind. I’m looking for a big, sport sweatshirt to make another remote control pillow. I’m also looking for a few floral print shirts to make into tote bags. Focusing on these things will keep me from coming home with things I don’t really need.

Don’t waste your time. Drive by the sale slowly to see if it is worth parking your car. If you don’t see anything promising, keep driving.

Ask if the price is firm. You’ll be surprised how many people mark up their prices expecting you’ll barter down. Note: Don’t haggle with the little old lady who is selling yards of fabric for 50 cents each. Give her a little extra and tell her to keep the change.

Inspect items closely. Look for tears, holes and snags. It’s not a deal if you can’t fix it!

Buy clothing a little too big. You can always take it in, but it isn’t always possible to let it out.

Take along a snack and a drink. Wear comfortable clothing. Use sunscreen when walking around neighborhood sales.

Don’t be afraid to walk away. Chances are that if you’re not sure if it is a good deal, it probably isn’t. It’s better to regret missing a bargain than wasting money. Besides, there will be another deal in your future. That’s what garage sale shopping is all about.

Do you have any tips for your specific craft: paper, stamping, beading, etc.? Please share them in the comments!

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Thank you to all who entered the coffee sleeve giveaway! The random number generator picked comment 11. Congratulations Cicoi Ingrid!

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wardrobe refashion: the pledge

I, julie k, pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of “new” manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2 months. I pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovated, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings!

The pledge officially starts on May 1st. I’ve got a lot of projects already in mind. I hope to go more than two months. We’ll see!