Child's Library Bag

This is essentially the same as my Reversible Library Bag, but I've added a spot for a library card and pencils - making it not reversible. But you don't have to add the pocket so that it can be reversible! This bag is also smaller than the adult one. Please refer to the tutorial here if you need more pictures - it has step by step pictures. The only ones in this tutorial are of additions to the bag. Now, let's get started!


What you'll need:

• 1 fabric strip for the contrast strip on the front, 5" x 12"
• 1 fabric strip for the left front, 4.5" x 12" 
• 1 fabric strip for the right front, 8" x 12"
• 1 piece of fabric for the back, 16.5" x 12" 
• 2 pieces of fabric for the lining, each 16.5" x 12" 
• 4 pieces of fabric for the straps, each 1" x 18"
• 4 pieces of fusible interfacing for the straps, each 1" x 18" (optional)
• 1 piece of fabric for pocket, 5" x 8"

If you don't want to have a contrast strip, just replace the contrast strip, and the left and right front pieces with a front panel measured at 16.5" x 12".

Here's how:

Iron your fabric and cut out all pieces.

Place your contrast strip and left front piece right sides together and sew. Press the seam open.

Place your right front piece right sides together with the contrast strip and sew together. Press seam open.

Place your bag front right sides together with the bag back. Sew together along the SIDES and BOTTOM. Not the top!

Creating the gussets:
Fold the bag so the side seams are centered on the top and bottom (on top of each other). This will make a point at the bottom of the bag. Measure 2" from the tip of the point and cut off in a straight line.

Pin each flap. Sew each corner, separately.

Onto the inside of the bag, the lining:
The pocket will go on the lining piece. First, fold over 1/4" of fabric on all four sides and press.

How I folded the corners:

Before sewing it on the lining, sew a straight line across the top of the pocket, so it looks finished and keeps the fabric folded. You want to do this first so it's not attached to the lining.

Place it where you want it to be on the lining and sew down one side, across the bottom, and up the other side. Do not sew the top.

Then measure 1 1/2" over and sew down once and again another 1 1/2" over from that spot. This is for the pencils!

Place the two lining pieces right sides together and sew along the sides and bottom, just as you did the outside of the bag.

Now create the gussets just as you did for the outside of the bag - Side seams together, make a point, measure 2" up and cut a straight line. Pin and sew each flap.

Straps:
Fold each strap lengthwise wrong sides together and press.

Open the fold. Place interfacing above crease.

Fold fabric over interfacing and press. Place another interfacing strip below the crease and do the same for the bottom half of the fabric.

Fold strap in half at the crease and press. 

Sew strap along the folded edge and along the open edge to close it up. Repeat on opposite strap.

Pin one strap to the front of the bag, each end 3 1/2" from the sides. The bag is outside out now! The strap will lay on the outside of the bag once sewn on, until the lining is in. Sew in place. Repeat on the back side of the bag with other strap. Make sure you don't catch the other side of the bag when sewing the strap on.

Insert the outside bag into the lining, with the right sides touching. The straps go inside, too.

 Line up the side seams and pin in place. Sew together, leaving a 3" section open on the back. Flip it right side out now, through the opening you just left.

Tuck the lining to the inside of the bag. Press, tucking the raw edges of your open stitch to the inside of the bag. Edge stitch around the top of the bag to close up the opening and give it a nice finished look. Make sure the straps stay out of the way when you top stitch.

Reversible Library Bag

What you'll need:

• 1 fabric strip for the contrast strip on the front, 5" x 15"
• 1 fabric strip for the left front, 4.5" x 15" 
• 1 fabric strip for the right front, 8" x 15"
• 1 piece of fabric for the back, 16.5" x 15"
• 2 pieces of fabric for the lining, each 16.5" x 15" 
• 4 pieces of fabric for the straps, each 1" x 18"
• 4 pieces of fusible interfacing for the straps, each 1" x 18" (optional)

Here's How:
Iron your fabric and cut out all pieces.

Place your contrast strip and left front piece right sides together and sew. Press the seam open.

Place your right front piece right sides together with the contrast strip and sew together. Press seam open.

I did a decorative edge stitch on the front at this point, but this is optional.

Place your bag front right sides together with the bag back. Sew together along the SIDES and BOTTOM. Not the top!

Creating the gussets:
Fold the bag so the side seams are centered on the top and bottom (on top of each other). This will make a point at the bottom of the bag. Measure 2" from the tip of the point and cut off in a straight line.

Pin each flap.

Sew each corner, separately. This is what your bag should look like at this point.

Onto the inside of the bag, the lining:
Place the two lining pieces right sides together and sew along the sides and bottom, just as you did the outside of the bag.

Now create the gussets just as you did for the outside of the bag - Side seams together, make a point, measure 2" up and cut a straight line. Pin and sew each flap.

Straps:
1. Fold each strap lengthwise wrong sides together and press.

2. Open the fold. Place interfacing above crease.

3. Fold fabric over interfacing and press. Place another interfacing strip below the crease and do the same for the bottom half of the fabric.

4. The bottom strap is what it should look like.

5. Fold strap in half at the crease and press.

Sew strap along the folded edge and along the open edge to close it up. Repeat on opposite strap.

Pin one strap to the front of the bag, each end 3 1/2" from the sides. Notice the bag is outside out now! The strap will lay on the outside of the bag once sewn on, until the lining is in. Sew in place. Repeat on the back side of the bag with other strap. Make sure you don't catch the other side of the bag when sewing the strap on.

Insert the outside bag into the lining, with the right sides touching. The straps go inside, too.

 Line up the side seams and pin in place. Sew together, leaving a 3" section open on the back. Flip it right side out now, through the opening you just left.

Tuck the lining to the inside of the bag. Press, tucking the raw edges of your open stitch to the inside of the bag. Edge stitch around the top of the bag to close up the opening and give it a nice finished look. Make sure the straps stay out of the way when you top stitch.

Grocery Bag Holder

I completed another Pinterest project! This time, thanks to the inspiration of Ashley. I changed a few things from her tutorial to suit my own style, but here it goes!

Here's what you'll need:
7 strips of fabric measuring 18" x 4"
12" of matching ribbon
2 pieces of elastic (one measuring 10"; another measuring 6")
Sewing essentials (machine, thread, needle)

Here's How:
Cut your 7 strips of fabric 18" long by 4" wide and lay them out how you want them.

I think the hardest part for me was figuring out which strips I wanted where. But! I got it accomplished! 

Sew strips together along the length of fabric and iron the seams down. (This helps when stuffing the holder with bags!)

On one end of the fabric, create a casing for the elastic. Do this by folding 1/4" of the top fabric over, iron it and then fold it over again 1/2", iron it. Sew, leaving enough room for the elastic to fit through. Repeat on the other end.

String the 10" elastic through casing that you want the top of the bag to be and the 6" through the bottom casing. Sew the elastic.

Now flip the bag inside out and sew your bag up! Zig zag stitch will hold it best, especially if you are REALLY going to stuff it with bags! 

Once it's all straightened out sew on the ribbon. I ironed the ribbon under so it doesn't fray. (You can partially see in the picture below). You could hand sew the ribbon on (which I will definitely do if I ever make another one!) I used my machine and it got away from me slightly. 

This is why I would have hand sewn it...oh well, mistakes happen!

Yes! Now a place for all those pesky bags I tend to collect (even though I've been trying my best to use my "green" bags when shopping!)

Bedroom Wall Art 2

Another bedroom wall art? I think, YES! 

I started out painting a canvas red.

Cut out a heart and traced it with pencil.

 Then glued on my gems! 

It looks like it's missing something, so I think I will add some black vinyl lettering underneath the heart.

Upcycling Baby Formula Cans

We go through formula cans pretty quickly and I hate throwing away such a big item that could be put to use. However, they aren’t that attractive just by themselves- they needed something more.

Using my lovely decoupage I figured something out! I always could use more storage for my crafting supplies- scrapbooking, sewing, or for bathroom supplies, maybe kitchen utensils? I’m sure I’ll get to use some for anything I come up with as we will definitely keep using formula cans!

What you’ll need:

Any can (the bigger the better!)

Decoupage (you can make it yourself here)

Sponge brush

Scrapbook paper of your choosing

Paper cutter

Measuring tape

 Here's how:

First and foremost- clean out that can!

You will also want to take off the label from the outside, because once you put the new paper and decoupage on the first layer of paper bubbles up and makes your beautiful creation look, well, not so beautiful. Trust me.

Once the can is clean and naked, measure it by height and circumference. Cut your paper accordingly. For big cans, you will most likely need two pieces of paper.

Now “paint” the can with the decoupage. You can do this part in sections if you’d like. Apply the paper after a layer of decoupage has been applied, then add another layer of decoupage on top of the paper. Doing this just once should be fine, but make sure the seam has a good thick layer.

Take your brush and get rid of any excess decoupage and let it dry.

Decorate with stickers, vinyl letters, anything you want. You could probably even throw a photo on there and decoupage that too. 

DIY Decoupage

Have you ever found yourself thinking, “Mod Podge is so expensive”? Me too! After looking online for anything that could take the place of it, I found something just great! A do it yourself decoupage “recipe”. And the real kicker – it only cost me 74 cents! Compare that to $3.99…DEAL!

What you’ll need:

Glue (I used Elmer’s)

Water

A jar of some sort

Here’s how:

Make sure your jar is nice and clean. I used an old baby food jar as it was short enough that I could just dip my brush right in it.

Pour the glue in almost half way up.

Add the same amount of water as you did glue, making it a 50/50 solution.

Shake, shake, shake!

I shake it before every use, even though it doesn’t necessarily look like it needs it. I also clean my lid up a bit before putting it back on so I don’t have to deal with it getting too glued on.

Enjoy!