Name Stockings

I made these last year and originally posted about them HERE but I thought I'd share it again in case anyone is interested in making some! They really were a lot of fun.

 Now that our family feels complete, I decided it was the perfect year to sew some stockings. I was so excited when this idea came to me. I knew I wanted to incorporate our names somehow. And lots of my favorite fabrics. So this is what I came up with.

I knew I wanted the base to be felt. Our stockings were made from felt when I was little, and I just think it seems Christmas Stocking-ish. And I knew I wouldn't have to line it. I am glad I went with felt because it was a good base for the letters. I used wool felt from JoAnn. I don't think it's 100% wool, but it's definitely not the acryllic stuff that is the cheapest. It was on the smaller bolt for about $10/yard (I used a coupon, of course).

I tried to draw my own stocking shape, and then tried to trace an old one, but neither of those efforts gave me the exact shape/size I was looking for. I like a larger size, and a nice round toe. While browsing my favorite blogs, I found Mad Mim's "perfect stocking template" and it was just that - perfect! Find it HERE. Thanks, Miriam! So, I simply cut the felt pieces out and then the trickiest part was sketching out the letters. I wanted them big and bold, so I made them fill the entire stocking. I'm glad everyone has 5 letters or less in their names - it was tricky fitting Simon and Greta on there! Technically, Max is "Maxwell" but that's mostly when he's in trouble and Max was easier!

Drawing out the letters and making them look just right was the most time-consuming part (and least fun). But then it was fun to pick out the fabrics and get my applique on! For more letter applique tips, see my tutorial HERE.

 Most of these "process" photos were just snapped with my phone whenever I randomly remembered to take one.
 

I drew the letters normal, but was sure to trace them BACKWARDS on the heat-n-bond before ironing onto the letters. ((take a look at my applique letter tutorial to see what I mean.))

I stitched around the letters -- three times around each letter if you're wondering. (see photo below) I have lots of fancy stitches on my machine, and I tried out a bunch of different things, but in the end I liked the thickness that I got by going around each letter 3x with a straight stitch. Which of course kept me up til 4:30 am one night, but hey they will be on our wall for years and you should see how excited my kids were when they them.

 
 The nice thing about felt is that I just stitched the fronts to the backs (right sides together), flipped them out and that was it! Didn't need to line them or finish the top. I am still debating what to use for a hook (maybe rick rack) so for now they are just hung with some pins. We don't have a mantle, anyway. I told the kids that Santa will take them off the pins before he fills them, of course.

Bean Bags by Ruby - Easy sewing project for kids!

A few months ago, I taught the kids how to use the sewing machine and made a bunch of these simple bean bags. Ruby and I decided they would be a fun gift for her Kindergarten teacher's birthday last week. 

They are simply 5" squares, sewed together and filled with popcorn (it's what we had on hand).

We just put them wrong sides together and sewed around the edge. Leaving an opening on one side to fill them, of course. We rolled up some paper to use like a funnel. Filled them with popcorn and then I sewed the opening shut (a little tricky since you don't want the popcorn to spill).

Then we used the pinking shears to trim the edges once we were done. 
Perfect project for using scraps, too!

We tied them up and Ruby took them to school for her teacher's birthday. So fun and easy! And free, if you have scraps lying around.

New Tutorial for pom-pom pens!

 
I first wrote about my pom-pom pens two years ago and I have been meaning to make a new step-by-step tutorial for them. I  recently used them for teacher gifts as well. 

Here we go ... it's really so simple!

Can you see the needle/thread in the photo? Above the scissors - it's there!

These are the sizes of strips that I used:

The ones on the left are for the pom-poms (already ironed in half), and the ones on the right, you use to wrap the pens. The measurements are not that important, though.You can easily experiment with different sizes! The strips on the right are cut much longer than 13" in the photo because I find it's easy to trim them later, after I've wrapped. But they should be at least that long.

**One note about fabric selection:
I've used all polka dot fabrics for these pens, but of course ANY fabric will do. Small-scale prints work best. Especially for wrapping the pens. I suggest dots, stripes, and gingham if you're asking for my opinion. *wink*

Now that you're ready, 
here are the steps to make a pen:

1. Wrap the pen with fabric. Start at the tip like this, using hot glue to secure it as you wrap.  

I like to make the pens assembly-line style. 
Wrap a bunch of pens while you're at it:

**optional step:
I applied fray check along the raw fabric edges at this point (only the bottom pen part). I found that when I made my first batch of pens, they frayed quite a bit. The fray check makes the fabric a bit "stiff" and I wondered at first if I liked it. As I've been using the pens, they soften up a bit, but they are not fraying as much. So, just squeeze a little along the raw edges of the wrapped fabric on the pen, if you'd like to.

2. Now to make the pom-pom. Fold the 3.5"x13" strip in half (length-wise)and iron. 

2. Make cuts along the raw edges, about 1/4" to 1/2" apart, just eye-ball it.  This doesn't need to be exact at all. Don't cut all the way to the fold or it will fall apart!

 

3. Make a running stitch along the folded edge of the fabric:

 gather it up like this:

 Once it's all gathered, connect the ends with a stitch and tie a knot to secure it.

Once it's together in a circle (above), you can hold all the strips to the side and make a few extra stitches in the bottom like this to tighten it up:

I basically just make a few stitches through the bottom of the whole pom-pom until it seems secure enough. 

wrapped pens and pom-poms - ready to put them together.

 
4. Now use the hot glue to secure it to the pen. I put a generous amount of glue on the base of the pom-pom like this:

 **note about hot glue: 
I prefer to use HIGH HEAT glue gun. It holds much better than the low heat ones.

I like to tie an extra strip of fabric at the base of the pom-pom, just for cuteness. And to cover the hot glue mess a little. :-)

Fluff up the pom-pom and there you have it.
Ta Da! Your finished pom-pom pen:

 Wait, did I say "fluff?" What does that mean? Just separate the strips and pull them apart to make the pom-pom look full. See:

The pen on the left also doesn't have the extra fabric tied around it. Oops!

Let me know if you have any questions. Just leave a comment or email me. Have fun!
Please link back to this tutorial if you make some of your own. Thanks!

linking to FABRIC TUESDAY!

"just write" teacher gifts

I put together these gifts for Teacher Appreciation week. Of course I appreciate them every day of the year, but this was the week where we tried to show it even more. I have been meaning to make more pom-pom pens for awhile now. I wanted to do them for Christmas gifts (and didn't) or Valentine's Day (and didn't) and finally I pulled through and made them. Just in time for the school year to almost be over - ha!

This is the little tag I made to put with the gift. If you're interested in using it, just right click this image below. (personal use only please)

Put it into a word document if you want to resize it (or do it in a smarter way if you know of one, which you probably do *wink*). It's nothing fancy, but I thought I would include it here in case anyone asked.

I put a notebook with the gifts for the teachers, and for the aides and a few other faculty, we put a couple pens through the tag (punched a hole in the corner).

I went to a school assembly at my kids' school today and I just loved it. It's so energizing to be there and see the kids' excitement and also the love the teachers and staff have for the children. I am happy knowing my kids are in good hands at school. Today their principal ate fried worms because the students raised their test scores nearly 50% as a whole (awesome). So thankful for awesome teachers and staff!


NOTE: My pom-pom pens are probably the "most-pinned" item from my blog on Pinterest. I made them a couple years ago and since then I have had a lot of questions about them and I decided to make a new/better tutorial for them and you can find it by clicking HERE. 

Super Easy No-Sew Bows!

 

There are probably other bow tutorials out there, this is just how I do it. I posted some pics of my girls on instagram and a few people were asking, so .... here you go!

 

 I am not a fan of huge flowers, but for some reason I'm loving the bigger bows. Maybe because they lie somewhat flat on their heads? I have made smaller ones, but I guess these are the only ones the girls have been wearing.


All you need:
fabric
glue gun
iron.
elastic. Or a clip, whatever you prefer.

I love my sewing machine, but I also love my glue gun, so I use shortcuts whenever I can! I think they turn out just as well when you glue, but if you'd rather sew them, go for it. I've tried both ways, and it's much quicker with the glue gun. 

glue gun tip:
I always use high heat glue gun. It holds much better and gives a more permanent hold.Yes it's a little hotter (duh) and could burn, but don't be scared!

Just start with a rectangle of fabric. You can experiment with the sizes. 
The size I'm showing here makes a rather large bow, the finished size is about 2.5"x5"

It's super easy math. If you have a piece of fabric, just fold it in half both ways to see what your finished bow size will be.  Or if you know you want a bow that is 2"x4", just start with a 4"x8" piece of fabric. See how I did tricky math right there? Doubled each number. Yup. Get out your calculator if you need to.


So for this example:
5"x10" fabric ---> finishes at 2.5"x5"

Play around with different sizes, basically any rectangle of fabric will work.

5"x10"

It's so simple, I almost hate to even describe the photos!

1. Fold the sides into the center and iron. Eyeball it, this doesn't have to be exact.

2. Then fold the sides into the center (I don't iron this step just because I like the bow to not look TOO flat). I put a few tiny dabs of glue along the middle before I fold in the sides. Doesn't take much.

like the burn on my hand? the iron got me. sadly, this happens a lot.

3. Now pinch the bow in the middle. I just eyeball the center here, too. I am not a perfectionist. If you are, then you may want to measure it... or something. But don't worry about it. Bows are never exactly perfect! 

Sometimes it takes a few pinches to get the right bends/folds, just find the right look. I like to pinch it like this:

I put a few dabs of hot glue in the creases on the BACK of the bow, just to secure it. Like so:

4. Then cut a strip  about 2"x4" (or whatever size you want - again, play around with it for the look you like! wider or skinnier) and iron the sides to the middle like this:

(it's cute to use a contrasting fabric for this step, too.)

I leave it a little longer than necessary, just to make it easier to put around the bow. Then I trim it once it's glued in place. I don't have a pic of this step, but here's an out-of-focus view of the back once it's glued around the middle:

 

5. I used 1/4" elastic to make the simple headband. Ruby really likes these because they stay put really well - with her hair down, or in a pony. I just glued the ends together and glued it on the back of the bow with a small piece of felt over the top, which helps it lie flat on her head. (measure your child's head so it's not too tight or too big). 

*you could also put it on a plastic headband (as is) or wrap the headband with coordinating fabric like I did HERE. 

Then stand back and enjoy the cuteness on your little one!

This pink gingham one is about 2"x3.5" (so I started with a 4x7" piece of fabric).

I used 1/8" elastic for the headband. I made it with Greta in mind, but it looks darling on Ruby, too!

I put an alligator clip on the back of this one. Again, with a small piece of felt. 
 

Sometimes I cover the clips with ribbon. Other times, I don't bother. It doesn't show much either way, so I often go with the quickest route.

 

And here are a couple more examples of tiny bows I did for my sweet neighbor twins. The bows look big but it's only because they girls are still so tiny. 
The bows are about 1"x2.5" (start with 2"x5" fabric) on 1/8" elastic.
I love how simple and sweet they are.

Let me know in the comments if you have any questions. Have fun! Would love it if you link back or let me know if you try any bows!

**If you're on instagram, you can use the hashtag #sewsarabowtutorial to link up, or see other bows that people have made!