Upcycle those old ties just hangin' around!

 For a lot of us our wardrobe has changed in the last few years.  Most places we go are more casual in the dress code.  In the workplace employees are now able to wear business casual attire all week.  Years ago it was only on Friday that you did not have to wear a suit and tie.

So, if you have a closet full of ties just hangin' around taking up precious closet space grab them and let's make something useful and fun.  This tutorial will show you how to take 2 ties and create a super cute purse that is perfect to grab and go with only the essentials.  It is also great for those teenagers in your life that love that upcycled unique fashion statement.

Don't worry if you have already cleared out all the old ties from your home.  Thrift stores, garage and estate sales have an abundance to choose from.  

Sew, let's get started!

Danna

It's in the Bag!

 I am always looking for easy ways to store items.  This drawstring bag is quick to make and can be done in lots of sizes.  This project was first made to store the Jenga style blocks from Dollar Tree.  But you can make them to store items like Legos, card games, small action figures, craft supplies, sewing notions and more.  

If you make one share in the comments what you use your bag for.

Thanks,

Danna

Popcorn Bag - A healthy snack made easy

 Are you on a constant search for a healthy snack for you and your family?  I know it is sometimes a battle to find something that is healthy and tasty when there are so many other choices.

I recently came across a project that was a great solution to this dilemma - a popcorn bag.  The popcorn bag allows you to use regular popcorn kernels and cook it with no oils or butter.  This project joined several of my passions together.  I love to sew, in case you haven't figured that out, I love popcorn and I love to do my part to help the environment.

Watch the video below to make your own popcorn bag.  I sometimes add to my popcorn a little salt and some butter powder for extra flavor.  But by adding my own it is much healthier than the microwave bags, for you and the environment.

Happy sewing and eating!

Danna

Beginner Sewing - Let's Make a Popcorn Bag for a quick, healthy snack

Plastic Grocery Bag Holder - an Eco Friendly Project

 Those plastic grocery bags have so many uses once you bring them home.  I use them to line my small trash cans, organize items going to different locations and the list goes on and on.  The only problem with trying to repurpose those bags is finding a place to store them.  The grocery bag holder solves this problem.  

It stores a ton of bags and keeps them in one handy spot.  This project can be made in fabric that makes you smile, matches your kitchen/laundry room decor, or try a bright colored fabric so you don't forget you have them.  

The bag holder only takes a fat quarter of fabric so give this simple project a try and help the environment also.  Be sure to give this video a "Thumbs Up" if this project helps organize your life.  

Oh, I have a GIVEAWAY coming soon to my channel so subscribe today and be on the lookout for the giveaway video announcement.

Sew, let's get started!

Danna

Lunch Box Tag Tutorial

This project combines sewing and art and is a great for beginners.  I prepared a small kit for those attending my Lunch Box helpers sewing class in the summer.  We made reusable snack bags, small cloth napkins and lid grippers.  All great items to have in a lunch box for school or work.  If you would like to make those items go to my Etsy shop WebberWorks where I will have kits available with video instructions soon. 

Lunch Box Tag

Now on to the project.  You will need the following supplies:

2 pieces of muslin fabric 2.5" x 4"
1 piece of batting or felt 2.5" x 4"
1 piece of ribbon or fabric strip for loop - approximately 4" long
Crayons
Wax paper
Needle and Thread or a sewing machine

Follow these steps:

1.  Take 1 piece of muslin and lay out flat.
2.  Place the batting or felt piece on top of the muslin piece.
3.  Line up the edges so they are straight.

1 piece of muslin with batting on top

4.  Fold the ribbon or fabric strip in half and place on top of the muslin with the loop at the top above the pieces of fabric.

Be sure the loop is at the top and the ribbon sticks
 up above the fabric and batting.

5.  Place the other piece of muslin on top of the stack and line up the edges.  Clip or pin to secure for sewing.

Make sure you pin or clip your ribbon loop so it does not slip
while you are sewing.

6.  With either a needle and thread or a sewing machine sew all the way around the outside edge using a 1/4" seam allowance.  Back stitch the ribbon loop to secure.

7.  Now the fun begins.  Using the crayons color a design on the fabric.  You can color just one side or both sides.  I used the Neon crayons and a black Metalic crayon from Dollar Tree.

Color any design you want.  Have fun with it!

 8.  Once you are finished coloring your design you will use the wax paper and iron to "set" the colors.  I slipped my tag inside a folded piece of wax paper so it would set the front and back at the same time and not mess up my ironing board.

If you colored on the back be sure to put
wax paper on both the top and bottom.

9.  Iron the wax paper using a pressing motion not side to side.  If you move the iron around it may smear the crayon.  Use a medium setting on the iron.

Use a pressing motion not moving side to side.

10.  Let the tag cool and you are done!  Attach it to your lunch box and show off  your creative talents to your friends.

This is a great summer project for kids and grand kids.  They will have fun making these tags and putting on their new lunch boxes for school.  Remember if you want to make the reusable snack bags and other lunch box helpers check my Etsy page WebberWorks for kits.

Enjoy!
Danna

Travel Bags for Missouri Star Trip

In my previous post I told you about the trip I took to Missouri Star Quilting in Hamilton, Missouri.  I went with several of my quilting friends and we had a great time.

For the trip I wanted to make each lady a monogrammed bag so they could carry all of their prized quilting purchases.  The bags needed to be roomy but not so big they would be a nuisance to carry.

I found the perfect size, style and price at Dollar Tree.  The bags were large, light weight and had a nice color selection. Best of all the price could not be beat.

I liked the simple design and it provided a nice area to monogram.

I selected a simple but elegant font to use for the monograms.  

This is my bag.

I thought the black turned out very elegant.

A bag for each traveler and our hostess.
One of our friends was ill and did not get to make the trip.
So we filled her bag and brought it back to her.

Inside each bag was a travel pack with some necessary items.  A package of tissues, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, nail file and a plastic bag folded like a paper football.  I wrapped the packs in clear plastic bags with a card stock tab topper.  The background strip is an old map.

Necessary items for traveling.

The bags worked out quite nicely for the trip.  It was able to hold all of my quilting purchases and keep them safe and secure.

If you need a bag for your next trip and want to make one for each of your traveling companions check out your local Dollar Tree.  You might find just what you need.  Happy Travels!

Danna

Christmast Countdown - 17 days left!

Can a girl ever have too many bags.  If you answered no to this question today's project is for you.  I love bags of all shapes and sizes.  My husband is always asking the crazy question "Do you really need another bag?"  I always respond "I use all of my bags just not at the same time."

I made a canvas bag for my friend Kay using my Cricut and the freezer paper stencil method.  Here is her bag when finished. (Sorry for all the stuff in the background I was in a hurry and didn't have time to tidy.)

My friend loves birds so I thought this one was really fun with the top feathers.

 

If you are not familiar with the freezer paper stencil method here are the directions in a nutshell. 

1. Using a Cricut or other method cut out your pattern on freezer paper.  It is best if your pattern is a silhouette type.  You will be filling in the middle portion.  So any small details will have to be ironed in place also.
2. Take the sheet of freezer paper with pattern cut out and iron onto the bag, tshirt, towel etc.  I did have a little trouble getting the paper to adhere to the canvas bag.  It took several tries and patience.  Be sure to keep the iron moving slightly so you do not scorch your canvas.  Use the setting for your fabric type on the iron. 
3. Using a fabric paint and a stencil brush. Paint your design.  I used the Tulip Soft Fabric Paint.  It seems to really work well on fabrics that will have a fair amount of use. (Check out my painted shoes using the same paint)
4. Let the paint dry completely and then remove the freezer paper.  

Be sure to get all the way to the edges to make sure you have a clean sharp edge on your stencil.  (Sorry for the blurry picture)

 

This method works similar to any stencil painting method, the added bonus is that if you have a die cut machine of any type you can create your own stencils.

 

Adding the small jewels to the name and the bird's eye gave the silhouette some necessary bling.  I used plastic jewels and tacky glue to attach them.

 

To complete my bag I added three coordinating fabric ruffles to the bottom and a small ribbon on the top ruffle to give it a finished edge. 

 

You can make your own bags or use a purchased bag for this project.  The possibilities are only limited by your imagination as to the embellishments you can add.  And remember "A girl can never have too many bags!"

 

Danna