Diaper Clutch {Tutorial}

I don't have babies in my house anymore, but I have lots of friends who do. I decided to make something baby-related because it's Spring and lots of baby showers happen in the Spring. It's been awhile since I did a baby-related post so here you go! This diaper clutch is very practical for throwing in the diaper bag or car to keep a few diapers and the travel wipes in. Just grab it and go when you don't need the whole entire diaper bag. This is perfect for the quick trips into the store or for keeping in the car or stroller for those unexpected diaper changes! I decided to make this one to match the tote bag/diaper bag I made here. {And you may see these in my etsy shop real soon.}

First, take your chosen fabric {I used leftover dropcloth from these projects} and measure one piece - 20" long x 8" wide.
Now, fold fabric longways with right sides together. So, you'll have a folded piece that is 10" long x 8" wide.
Pin sides together. Sew or serge the sides.
Turn right-side-out.
Follow directions below.

Make the strap by taking a 2.5" wide strip of fabric, folding it in half. Iron. Then, fold rough edges under 1/4" and iron. Finally, sew a straight seam down the open edge. Strap is done. Sew it as pictured above.

 You can find the freezer paper method here.

I'm sharing this with a few of these parties!

Mustache Tote Bag {Tutorial}

WARNING: Long post ahead! Long tutorial. Looks harder than it is!

We all know that mustaches are ALL.THE.RAGE. right now and have been for some time.

{Even Hubs got in on the mustache action!}

I am just loving and laughing at all the mustache printed fabrics that are available right now. So, when I came across this one I had to buy it. Actually, someone else was purchasing it and that's how I noticed it. I couldn't forget about it after walking all through the store so I went back and bought some. Then, I decided it would be the perfect fabric for a tote bag or diaper bag, library bag or any type of bag!!
Here's how to do it. It's lengthy, but I tried to put as many pictures as possible to help you through it. If you still have questions, feel free to contact me.

 

Stay tuned - More mustache-related projects ahead! You will see this bag in my etsy shop very soon. 
I'm sharing this with a few of these parties!

 

How to Make Your Own Basket Liners {Tutorial}

Several years ago, I found a neat idea from Martha Stewart. She {or her people} had taken a coat hook shelf and hung it at counter height in an entry way. It served a great purpose and allowed the shelf part to actually get used since it was now at a height that was usable. I thought it was genius. That's when I began my search for a shelf kind of like that to put on an odd wall in my kitchen underneath my chalkboard. I found this one at the Pottery Barn Outlet for a good deal and snatched it right up. It's perfect for holding hairbrushes, hairbows, and all sorts of girly stuff. Keys, loose change, etc. also get thrown in there. Sometimes they're just full of junk and have to be cleaned out, but it's much better than having everything all over my counters. Backpacks and purses hang on the bottom hooks. It's the perfect solution for my space.

It did not come with baskets, so I started looking around. That's when I realized how expensive baskets were! I looked for awhile because I needed just the right size. One day I was shopping at Big Lots and found them! $7 each and they were already lined. I brought them home and was thrilled that they fit and were the right color. The liners worked great for 6 years, but with all the changing of the color scheme around here I just noticed the other day that they no longer match. So, what was I to do but try making my own....out of drop cloth. So, here ya go....  It was very simple and quick. It took me longer to write this post than to make the liners. That's how simple it was. I can't believe I put it off for so long!
BEFORE:

Use your current liner as a pattern or lay it out on top of new fabric to mark and cut. My liners only had two seams. The main piece of fabric went from front down the middle and to the back, then, two side pieces were sewn on. If you do not have a liner in your basket to use as a pattern, measure your basket {front facing you} from front top, down the inside through middle and up the back. Add a few inches to this measurement to account for the edge that is folded over the basket edges + 1" for the hem. Measure the width + 1" for 1/2" seam allowance on each side. Then, measure sides by starting at the top and measuring just to the bottom of the side (don't go all the way through the basket and up the other side - the main piece takes care of that). Add the same amount of inches you did for the main piece to account for the edge that is folded over + 1" for hem. Measure the width + 1" for 1/2" seam allowance on each side.

 Place liner in basket and fold the top edge over each side of the basket. Mine fit perfectly! {Sigh of relief}

I'm sharing this with some of these parties.

15 Minute Dropcloth Table Runner {Tutorial} + Centerpiece

My kitchen table is the most used table in the house. It gets eaten on, drawn on, colored on, crafted on, etc etc. It was the first table I ever bought and I've had it for 11 1/2 years. So, it's starting to look a little worn. I normally leave it plain or just with a vase of flowers on it because it gets used constantly, but after making my dropcloth curtains for the door behind it, I felt like it looked mighty plain. I started thinking about what to do and decided that since I happened to still have the dropcloth left out from these projects, I'd make a table runner out of it! It literally took about 15 minutes start to finish. It's as simple as sewing a straight line. Everyone can do it! So, if you need to brighten up an old table consider using this durable and washable dropcloth.

 If you want to make a quick and cheap centerpiece for Spring or Easter, this is what I made. My girls love it. It's simple and I think they just like having something Eastery on the table.

I spent $20 on two 4'x15' dropcloths at Big Lots and so far I've made these curtains, this kitchen curtain, this pillow cover, a tote bag {soon to come} and the table runner out of them. I still have quite a bit left to make many more projects! I'd say that's pretty thrifty.

What dropcloth projects do you want to make?

I'm sharing with these parties. Happy Spring!!

Bunny Silhouette Pillow Cover {Tutorial}

This is a two for the price of one kind of tutorial! I love throw pillows because they can change the look of the room in just a matter of minutes and usually for just a few dollars {if you make your own!}. This post will show you how to make a pillow cover with a velcro closure AND how to personalize it. I love the idea of using throw pillows for seasonal decoration, but I really wanted to be able to use the down pillow insert for more than just a few weeks during the year. With the velcro closure on this pillow cover, I can use this pillow insert all year and just change the covers with the season. It's a win-win situation!!
I made this pillow cover out of ... dropcloth! I told you to stay tuned for more dropcloth projects, right?? Here's how...

Now, you can leave it like that or you can personalize it. I chose to do a bunny silhouette in honor of Spring and Easter.

I love how this turned out! And I love even more that I can take the cover off and store it until next year and still use my pillow insert for another DIY pillow in the future! I'll definitely be making more. To see more of my dropcloth projects, click here.

I'm sharing this with some of these parties!
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