Funky Pants

This is a great, fun way to recycle girls pants that get a hole or are too short.

Step 1: cut the pants off at the knee at equal lengths.

Step 2: cut a strip of fabric the length you want the ruffle by the fullness desired. For example, I cut a strip of fabric 6" wide by 20" long for each side. The length of the strip should be at least 2X the width of the pant leg. Step 3: Sew ends of strips together. Step 4: Hem one side. Step 5: gather other side. Step 6: with right sides together, sew ruffle to pant leg. Step 7: sew a ribbon on top of seam leaving enough ribbon on ends to tie in a bow. SEW cute!!!!

Project #5 Dishtowel Apron

A group of girls 5 years to 8 years old were able to make these aprons without too much help. This is a very easy, fun project for sewers of any level to accomplish.

step 1: sew ribbon to one edge of dishtowel and fold up the edge 6". Sew fold in place and 2 more vertical seems to make pockets.

Step 2: turn towel over and fold in upper corners to create casing for ribbon to go around the neck. sew 1.5"casing or whatever size your ribbon is.

Step 3: with a safety pin attached to end of ribbon, fish ribbon up through one side and down through the other. This becomes the neck ribbon and ribbon for tie-ing in the back.

Step 4: (optional) Take apart a big flower and sew bloom without all the plastic together with a button in the center. Sew flower with button center to the apron for an accent.

Feel free to email me if you have any questions. deanalowry@msn.com

Project #4 RV Remodeled by Angie

An RV remodel is not for the faint of heart sewers, but is very do-able with a little know how and a lot of patience. You can use the fabric from the old cushions as a pattern and even reuse the zippers if they are still in good condition. For sewing on the buttons, use a 4" to 6" long needle and heavy duty nylon thread. If your thread is heavy duty enough, you only have to go through the cushion once to get to the back side, catch the back button, and then through the cushion again to the front to catch the front button. leave enough of the knotted end on the front side so you can tie off tight with the remainder thread. This old RV went from yuck to very hip, functional, and stylish. Way to go Angie!!!

Project # 3 Summer Dresses

I wanted to find a cute summers dress that had little sleeves. Costco had some cute ones but I wanted something unique and I wanted to use Amy Buttler Fabric. I found a great pattern from Simplicity # 3859 that has the option of sleeves or no sleeves. It is a very simple pattern. It has a back zipper and I opted to line the bodice for a more finished look. Other than that, it is a very simple straight forward pattern. It does run a little big, but I did not pre-wash my fabric, so it should come out about right after washing. Very Cute, very fun, and very simple.

My girls wanted hair bows to match their dresses. I could not find matching ribbon, but did find some fabric Flowers instead. With a little hot glue, flowers, barrette, and a jewel for the center, my girls, ages 5 and 7 made these cute hair accessories on their own.

Project #2 made by Alicia

I think fabric banners are a great way to dress up a kid's room. Recently I made a couple banners for birthday celebrations. It's an easy way to use up some the fabric scraps you have stored away. If you do a search online, you can find lots of patterns and ideas. Here is one to get you started: http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=702I appliqued letters onto my birthday banner using heavy duty fusible web (Pellon Wonder Under) . Just follow the manufacturers directions to iron it on. And while you're at it, you can make a T-shirt for your birthday child. Just ask the gals at the fabric store to guide you to the fusible web that is both washable and sewable. Some fusible web is not made for your sewing machine. It will gum up your needle. Here's a little tutorial to get you going. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDM6ItBmPlo

A gift for you from Fabric.com

Fabric.com is offering any of my blog readers a $5.00 off discount on any online purchase from fabric.com today through next Friday (6/5 through 6/12). I have personally ordered through them several times and have been very impressed with their products and services. I think they have the best selection of Amy Butler Fabrics and many other types of fabrics as well. Click on the Fabric.com link and enjoy shopping. The code word for your discount coupon is blogsewunique. Stay blogged for future sales, discounts, and many great ideas to come. Thank you for the huge positive response and for sharing some of your projects.

Click on BuyFabrics.com to access a great clearance sale on quality fabrics.

Tip of the Week #1

If your serger stitch is not the quality that it used to be, the fix may be as easy as changing out the needles. If your needles get slightly dull or minutely bent, the stitch will sometimes start to look a little messy. Because you may not notice any difference in the needle, you should change the serging needle after every eight hours of use.

Project of the Week #1

Quote quilt with matching bed bolster. Techniques used are stippling, bobbin-ing, quilting, and embroidering. I used Amy Butler fabric and Egyptian ivory cotton for the shams and Ivory squares. Click on my link to fabric.com for best selection of Amy Butler fabrics. I love her line of fabrics, they are fun, unique, and very cute.

stay blogged for future weekly projects, tips, and ideas.

Fun, creative, unique sew ideas and projects