Embroidery newbie

My parents came over last night and brought me dinner, a craft cupboard they're no longer using and my new embroidery machine! I was beyond excited :) (I've been feeling under the weather lately, so having some of my favorite food that I didn't have to make was incredible)

I don't have embroidery thread yet... but I couldn't wait to try out the machine, so I used some sewing thread I had sitting around to get an idea for what it could do.

Garage curtains

Awhile back when hubby kindly accompanied me on a fabric shopping trip to Joanns, he spotted this dog print fabric and knew we needed it for something.

I thought it was cute too, so we picked up a couple yards, and decided curtains for that pesky garage window that freaks me out at night would be a good fit.

These curtains are split into 2 panels so they can be pushed to the sides from the middle. I had them half done for quite awhile... and finally got around to finishing them. They're just waiting to be hung up where they belong!

How to make a doggie waste bag holder

I've been looking into getting a "doggie waste bag dispenser" for quite awhile, and am too cheap to buy one at the store. (yes, I know, they're only a few bucks) But, they would be really convenient rather than refilling pockets with bags each time we take beagle for a walk.

Instead of getting the real deal, I made a little pouch to loop onto beagles leash. (this can be filled with the plastic bag rolls that fit into the other dispensers or other bags depending on your preference)

How to make a doggie waste bag holder:
(Check out another style of pouch that can be used for a waste bag holder too)

1) Cut some scrap fabric into one long rectangle. Mine was roughly 7.5" wide by 5" tall (when accounting for seam allowances)


2) Fold the fabric in half (halving width to about 3.75"), right sides together


3) Sew the side edge together (that was just formed from folding in step 2)


4) Sew the bottom of the bag together


5) Fray check the top perimeter of fabric (that has not been sewn yet)


6) Fold the top of the baggie down slightly to make a casing and stitch in place (leaving an opening to string ribbon through)


7) String ribbon through casing and tie ends together


8) Flip bag right side out, fill with plastic bags, and loop onto doggie leash

Organizing plastic bags

Plastic grocery bags generally take over our pantry closet, and I've finally gotten around to doing something about it!

Here is how they are usually kept (this actually looks better than normal)

(Hubby uses them as lunch bags, that's why we keep them)

And here's how to make a plastic bag organizer for those annoying grocery bags that pile up so quickly:

1) Recruit some help (only kidding, I had no choice... )

2) Cut 2 rectangles of fabric (mine were roughly 22" long by 7" wide)

3) Sew the two rectangles together lengthwise. (put the fabric right side together and stitch along both long sides, leaving the short sides open)

4) Sew casings on both the top and bottom edges

5) Thread a piece of elastic (mine was roughly 4") through the bottom casing and sew shut.

6) Thread a piece of ribbon through the top casing (the ribbon should be large enough that the top can open entirely up)

7) Flip the bag organizer right side out

8) Fill the bag organizer with those annoying plastic bags

9) Hang the bag organizer somewhere accessible yet out of the way.

A bakers dozen worth of bags fit nicely into this size of bag organizer. We're doing a trial run to see if this is big enough for Hubby's lunch bag collection. If it is... the extra bags that didn't fit in here can finally be recycled :)

This post is linked to:
The DIY Show Off
The Creative Girl

New year, New machines, New goals!

Happy New Year everyone! I am happily saying goodbye to 2010, here's hoping for a better year ahead.

In 2011 I hope to:
* Use patterns more often
* Stock up on my pattern collection
* Make at least one more coat or jacket
* Attempt to make pants or shorts (store bought rarely fit right)
* Post more often on my blog, maybe a post a day? (which it has been lately anyways) We'll see about that... if I get into school or depending on my future job, this may not happen.

I'm so excited for the new year and sewing, as I have new sewing and embroidery machines on their way! (graduation gifts from my recent grad, and 2 years ago) It took me quite awhile to finally pick out the machines, but I think it was well worth the wait.

My Mom is pretty excited too. She let me borrow her sewing machine for the last few months, so she'll finally be getting it back! (thanks Mom :) )