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8.22.2011

Pillowcase Hamper - Tutorial


 
Yall want to make a hamper?!  For like less than 10 bucks, with one of those vintage pillowcases you've been collecting fo-evah?!
 
Yay!  Let's, then!




 
I made this one when I was expecting Emmy, and it has withstood almost 18 months of use!  I love it so much... and it was a cinch to make.  The room she is in now is super tiny, so I needed a hamper that didn't take up a lot of space.  So out of necessity, I made this contraption and hung it on the wall!  Woot!
 
We're in the process of moving her into a different room (if you can call Pinning ideas and daydreaming "the process of moving"), and the decor is going to be different from her current digs, so I am making a new hamper to match.  Thought I'd take you guys along for the ride! 
 
I hope you'll give it a try!  It's crazy easy - except for the picking which pillowcase to use part.  ;)
 
 


You will need:
 
*  a delightful pillowcase
*  an embroidery hoop
*  grommets/grommet setting tool
*  scissors
*  a hammer
*  a hook to hang your hamper on
 
 




-NOTE- When I made the first one, I actually took my pillowcase to the craft store with me (crazypregnantlady) to ensure the hoop I got wasn't too big or too small.  For reference, my new pillowcase measures 19 inches wide across the top when laying flat, and my hoop is 12 inches in diameter.
 
  I got my grommets at Joanns - they are 3/8ths inch and antique brass.  MAKE SURE you also purchase the grommet setting tool that corresponds with the size grommets you are using.  The tool item number you need will be on the back of the grommet box.  Easy peasy.

Also, the size of the grommet only really matters as it pertains to the hook you will be using to hang your hamper.  You want to make sure the grommet hole is large enough to get over and onto your hook.  Also, a scrawny grommet may not hold up as long as a bigger one.  Go for bigger.
 
 

o1.  Lay out your pillowcase, nice and square and flat, with the side you want as the front facing up.  Iron it if you need to.


o2.  Measure along the top opening and find the center.  Mark where I have here... On the side of the pillowcase that's furthest from you.  Err... the inside.  ;)


o3.  Measure down two inches or so from your center point & mark.

o4.  Place one of your two grommet pieces over your marked point, and trace the inside circle:


o5.  Cut out the circle you just traced.  No need to be fancy here... just err on the side of a smaller hole.  You want the grommet to fit nice and snugly.


o6.  Insert the male piece of the grommet into the hole you cut.  This is the piece that's not flat.



Above is how it'll look from the right/front side.


Above is how the back looks.  We'll work from the back now.



o7.  Lay the female/flat grommet piece onto the male piece as pictured above.  You want the concave side facing up.

o8.  *Not pictured because I LOST MY GROMMET SETTING TOOL*, ugh.  Don't loose your grommet setting tool.  I literally went out to the deck and hammered the whatfor out of this poor grommet, after like an hour of searching for my setting tool.  Fail.  Anyhow, set the grommet gracefully by following the tools instructions, and....


o9.  Now, grab your hoop.  We're going to work with the part of the hoop without the screw.


10. Pull your pillowcase up through the middle of your hoop.



11.  Even out the pillowcase around the hoop.  For this one, I folded the pillowcase over until I hit the edge of the... what do you call it?  That 4-5 inch band at the top of a pillowcase?  I went to the end of that. :)


12.  Place the other embroidery hoop (with the screw) over top of it all and tighten her up!

13.  Hang on a wall and enjoy your saved floor space!



 
 
Let me know if yall make one!  Or two - I was thinking this would be SO cute for kiddos who share a room - you could personalize them so easily!

Also, if anything was unclear or you have any questions, holler!


See ya sooon!!! :D
 



8.21.2011

Working on...



Hi all!  Happy weekend :)

I thought I'd share what I've been *slowly* working on... Getting back into the groove as the summer winds down.

First, I've fallen deeply in love with all of the DIY bracelets that have been popping up all over the place!  Here are some of my favorites:




All images via honestlywtf.com

So being a proud child of the 80's I decided to try my hand at the chevron friendship bracelet.  I literally could NOT wrap my head around it at first - for 80's shaaaaame!!  But it came back to me and it's coming along nicely now:

Don't look to close at the top there :O  Yeesh...

And I'm almost done with Simplicity 2593.  I'm making the version with all the foldy business around the neck, and my hands are aching with Lymie arthritis just thinking about the hand sewing.  Ugh.  But I really wanted to challenge myself to do this, and so far I love it!

  
Just needs side seams, a hem and the foldy business.  Should be done today!
The fabric, fyi, is a delicious, wash AND dry-able stretch rayon from Fabric.com.  It looks like they're out of this color, but they still have it in pink and coral!  For $3.49 a yard, people!!!  GO!  I have the coral too and can attest to its' gorgitude.


And soon I'm going to start on this precious little number:


I'll be sewing view B, the overalls!  CUTE!


I'm using this suuuuper fine, lightweight corduroy.  Isn't it amazing!?  I love the large print... I think they're going to be so adorable.  It's a size 2 which I think is going to be pretty big for Emskie, but I'm just going to take a really deep hem on the legs so she can grow into them.  Yay.  :)


This fabric can be lusted after - here.  :D


So that's that!  Hope yall have a great rest of the weekend with lots of sewing and planning involved!


8.09.2011

Summer


Hello friends and family!
 
As is now evident, I am no good at summer blog updates, summer sewing or summer anything-that-takes-time-away-from-summer things.  I do apologize! 
 
The Hubs works evenings most of the year, but in summer he works days, so we've just really been enjoying our family time while it lasts.  I've got a slew of crafty things on the horizon, but for now I'm making sure I soak up this time with Emmy...  It's been an awesome summer so far. :) 
 
Hope yall are having a good one too!
 
Testing the waters with Grampy







Yes, that IS a Coors Light cowboy hat, why?

First braids!  SO sweet!  :D

Playing with fancycamera off the back deck of the beach house...




Collecting rocks...

Score.


Helping Papa build Stonehenge...


Beach bath! (aka token funny bath picture to show her boyfriends) 

Rainbowy goodness...

Ahh... want to go back!
  
  
This was Jonas's first stay at a beach house, if that wasn't already made clear by this photo.  lol

 
Also, awesome Kim added a spot to the side of the blog for things 'in the works'... I think it'll help me stay focused!  Keep a look out there for upcoming projects and whatnot.  
 
 
Enjoy the rest of your summer everyone!
 

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