Cloth Napkins: Two Layers of Fabric

I work with a lot of fabric and have a very large inventory of textiles.  In that big stash, there are quite a few fabrics that I won't use for most of my regular projects.  I found a solution for all those fabrics -- make them into cloth napkins.

However, some of the fabrics are printed/screened, so the back of the napkin would not look quite as nice.  I decided to do two layers of fabric to hide the wrong side of the fabric.  See my basid tutorial below.

Cut out two pieces of fabric to desired size of cloth napkin.  With right sides together, sew a seam around edges of napkin, but leave a small opening to turn inside out.  Clip corners.

After the napkin is turned inside out, press seams.  Top stitch around the entire napkin.  Top stitching an additional line or two through the middle of the napkin is recommended since it will make the napkin sturdy and the fabric will be less likely to shift around with use.

Give napkins another press, if you feel like they need it.  Voila!  A set of cloth napkins ready for a dinner party or everyday use.

Custom Wig with Hair Style

Recently, I acquired an Asleep Eidolon Peppermint (16 cm doll), but I've been having a hard time finding a wig that's a good fit. What solution did I come up with? Use a mohair-like wig that's been collecting dust and turn it into a brand new wig with this great tutorial provided by a talented member of the online BJD Magazine.

I decided to take the tutorial one step further and give Peppermint a little more complex hairstyle. I didn't want something too simple. I decided to add a couple bows to the hair that would help pin it down. If you are interested in the pin idea, I'll give you a little tutorial.

First, get out some of those old sewing pins that have been bent by the sewing machine so they can be given a new use. Take a wire cutter and needle nose pliers (jewelry tools versions are very helpful), cut off the pin top and straighten out the pin a bit. Bend the pin in half to it can be inserted through the hair like a bobby pin. I attached some ribbon to the pins so little bows would be in the hair.

Support an artist! Visit my Etsy Shop. You can also follow my Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest pages. I'm planning on offering discount codes on the Facebook page from time to time!

The Memories in Cork Boards

Cork boards made from old wine corks is not a new craft, but I found something quite noteworthy about them when I was constructing my own. After constructing the cork board using an old wood frame I picked up at a thrift store and corks I have saved throughout my experiences, I realized that my cork board was full of memories of events in my life. The day I graduated college, my first dinner at my new home, great dinners and recipes with people I love, the big summer party, and the list goes on. So, I am mentioning this craft idea to y'all not just because it is great decor to adorn the walls of your home, but also because it can provide you with lots of memories. It does not require more than a frame, cardboard, hot glue, and quite a lot of corks. I even used champagne corks. If you are interested in detailed instructions, let me know via email or the Facebook page.

Save those corks!

Support an artist! Visit my Etsy Shop. You can also follow my Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest pages. I'm planning on offering discount codes on the Facebook page from time to time!

The Art of Home Taking Off

It's been a while. I've started a new local sewing group, The Art of Home Sewing Guild, and we have been having tons of fun! We are an eco-friendly group inspired to make lovely items out of new and like new second-hand and remnant items (typically at least 50% upcycled/reused products). All of our products try to provide a green alternative for our homes to save our planet. Thus far the group has been doing quilting from of a variety of different fabrics I've collected that don't really work for doll clothes. Below are some pics of the quilts. It's a great way to use up fabric, but get something artsy and useful out of it.

Support an artist! Visit my Etsy Shop. You can also follow my Twitter and Facebook pages, just click on the links on the right-hand side of this page.

Discarded Books into Cards

After wandering through some second-hand stores lately, I've noticed there are a lot of discarded books in pretty poor condition and I wanted to give them a new life. My new repurposing project was to turn some of the illustrations in these books into new blank greeting cards. With the help of some other repurposed items, like fancy paper from other used greeting cards and envelopes, I took the old illustrations and added a little of my own flare to each card. I personally love the look of old meets new in these cards. This project is great for scrapbookers and a very affordable project for anyone. I recommend picking up some cheap young adult books at your local second-hand store for the illustrations. You might also start looking at paper you would normally just throw away in a whole new way. Ask yourself, can I use the paper in this [insert item here] for a greeting card?

It's cheaper than Hallmark and eco-friendly!

Some of the illustrations in the pictures above are from vintage books such as, "On Your Toes, Susie!" and "Shadow of a Bull."

Support an artist! Visit my Etsy Shop.