Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Desert Blooms: Making a shabby chic braided bracelet!
Desert Blooms: Making a shabby chic braided bracelet!: "This is a cute little bracelet that is super easy to make. All you need is some fabric remnants, ribbon, and preferably a sewing machine! ..."
Making a shabby chic braided bracelet!
This is a cute little bracelet that is super easy to make. All you need is some fabric remnants, ribbon, and preferably a sewing machine!
You will need:
2 - 12 inches X 2 inches fabric remnants
Pinking sheers
2- 12 inch lengths of ribbon
A sewing machine!
First, lay your fabric remnants so the wrong sides are facing each other....right side out.
Using your pinking sheers, cut out three strips of fabric about 10 inches long by 1/2 inch wide each. Cut 1 inch x 1/2 inch rectangles with the remaining two inches of fabric length. (sorry no photos of this...you will see how these rectangles are used in the final photos).
Find a contrasting color thread, preferably the same color as your ribbon. Sew a zig zag stitch down the middle of each doubled strip of fabric.
Now it's time to braid, which is truly easy, but may be a bit tricky to start. Lay the three ends together and pin. Braid away. I keep the same side of fabric up for the entire braid so it has more body.
When you get to the end, pin the end section together. Now you need your ribbon and the little rectangles you have cut out already.
Place the ribbon facing away from your braid. Place the braid and ribbon between the two rectangles of fabric and pin in place. These are your end caps and complete the look of your bracelet (See in the finished bracelet photo below). This is a good time to measure the length of your bracelet. Place it (carefully! don't get stuck!) around your wrist and see how close the end caps get. If they overlap you will want to trim one end of your braid...remember you will be tying this on, so it is easy to make larger by tying the ribbon more loosely, but impossible to make smaller if the fabric portion is too long.
Switch your sewing machine to a straight stitch and sew a rectangle within your small rectangle squares. Be sure to sew over the ends of your bracelet as well as your ribbon. I make sure I have plenty of both tucked under my end caps. Do this with both ends. Now you should have something like this...(ignore the shabby flower in the back for now).
Put it around your wrist, tie it in a bow, and viola! Your bracelet is complete!
You will need:
2 - 12 inches X 2 inches fabric remnants
Pinking sheers
2- 12 inch lengths of ribbon
A sewing machine!
First, lay your fabric remnants so the wrong sides are facing each other....right side out.
Using your pinking sheers, cut out three strips of fabric about 10 inches long by 1/2 inch wide each. Cut 1 inch x 1/2 inch rectangles with the remaining two inches of fabric length. (sorry no photos of this...you will see how these rectangles are used in the final photos).
Find a contrasting color thread, preferably the same color as your ribbon. Sew a zig zag stitch down the middle of each doubled strip of fabric.
Now it's time to braid, which is truly easy, but may be a bit tricky to start. Lay the three ends together and pin. Braid away. I keep the same side of fabric up for the entire braid so it has more body.
When you get to the end, pin the end section together. Now you need your ribbon and the little rectangles you have cut out already.
Place the ribbon facing away from your braid. Place the braid and ribbon between the two rectangles of fabric and pin in place. These are your end caps and complete the look of your bracelet (See in the finished bracelet photo below). This is a good time to measure the length of your bracelet. Place it (carefully! don't get stuck!) around your wrist and see how close the end caps get. If they overlap you will want to trim one end of your braid...remember you will be tying this on, so it is easy to make larger by tying the ribbon more loosely, but impossible to make smaller if the fabric portion is too long.
Switch your sewing machine to a straight stitch and sew a rectangle within your small rectangle squares. Be sure to sew over the ends of your bracelet as well as your ribbon. I make sure I have plenty of both tucked under my end caps. Do this with both ends. Now you should have something like this...(ignore the shabby flower in the back for now).
Put it around your wrist, tie it in a bow, and viola! Your bracelet is complete!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Bridal Veil
I had so much fun last week putting together a birdcage bridal veil for the daughter of a friend. I think it turned out well!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Redecorating!
I have been in redecorating nirvana for the past few weeks. Loving all things "Anthropologie", my husband and I put together a galvanized steel (plumbing pipe) bed similar to one seen in their store. I finished it off by sewing together a variety of doilies (yes, doilies!) and attaching them to the headboard. I love the geometric, yet feminine look it adds to a very masculine bed.
We love the new bed frame, but the deep red tone wall and navy bedding just doesn't work. Picky me couldn't find a duvet cover I liked, so I made one. I am basically self-taught with the sewing machine, so I am pretty proud of my first "quilt" attempt...and my pillows, two of which have piping and all have zippers so the covers can be removed.
I also used some of the fabric to make matching lamps. They are completely made from scratch. Galvanized plumbing pipe to make the stem, Ikea pendant lamp kit inserted through the pipe for the lighting, and I bought the DIY lampshades and attached this lovely Michael Miller - French Post fabric.
We love the new bed frame, but the deep red tone wall and navy bedding just doesn't work. Picky me couldn't find a duvet cover I liked, so I made one. I am basically self-taught with the sewing machine, so I am pretty proud of my first "quilt" attempt...and my pillows, two of which have piping and all have zippers so the covers can be removed.
I also used some of the fabric to make matching lamps. They are completely made from scratch. Galvanized plumbing pipe to make the stem, Ikea pendant lamp kit inserted through the pipe for the lighting, and I bought the DIY lampshades and attached this lovely Michael Miller - French Post fabric.
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