Everything Hand-Made

Big Flower Head Band

2012-05-25T11:01:00.000-07:00

Here is another head band for little girls. This one is best for girls a bit older than mine but I still made it for her because its just so cute, and I love big flowers on tiny heads.

I didn't make the head band part, it was bought. For the flower I used silk and its best if its a light weight silk that way the flower stands up more.

Cut out 10 flowers in this shape. (I couldn't upload a file here to print of the flower to use as a pattern but if you want one email me and i'll send you one).
Fold it in half and in half again. Thread all the fowers onto the thread through the center.

Once they are all on turrn them in differnt directions so that it looks like a flower. My silk was a bit heavy for this flower so that's why the petals in the center don't stand up. Yet.

With a hot glue gun put some glue on the bottom of the flower and glue it to the head band. And then cut a strip of felt and glue that on in the inside of the head band.

And since my petals didn't stand on their own, I put a few dots of glue in different places to glue the petals together to help them stand up.

And it looks so darn cute.

And she actually likes it too. She puts it on, looks in the mirror and smiles at herself.

Turn A Skirt And Shirt Into Dress

2012-04-25T12:58:00.001-07:00

At the thrift store I found a skirt that looked like it was hand made it wasn't very pretty or fit me but I liked the material and colors. In my closet I had a coral color shirt that matched the skirt. And since summer is on its way I decided that another summer dress wouldn't hurt.

Its very simple and easy to do and there is nothing to it.

Start by measuring how long you want the top part of the dress to be. I cut my shirt 2 inches longer than the length I wanted, just in case, because it looks different when you try it on. You can cut the extra off if its not needed at the end.

Cut the waist band off of the skirt and take it in if needed. But the skirt should be at least 3-4inches bigger than your waist that way you can gather it. I made mine a perfect rectangle.

With the shirt inside out place 2 pins at the seams on the sides. Then fold the shirt in half with those pins touching and place 2 pins one marking the middle of the front and another marking the middle of the back.

Do the same thing with the skirt.

Line up the 4 pins on the shirt with the pins on the skirt and pin in place.

Then work your way around pinning the rest of the skirt and making half an inch pleats. I made 6 pleats in the front and six in the back.

Then try it on and see if it fits good. Sew in place. Cut extra fabric off.

Hem the bottom to the desired length. And your done.

Since my skirt had a nice waist band on it originally I hand stitched it back on, but it looks good with out it too. And that's it. It's quite simple.

And then we took the dress and Alina for a carousel ride. Ha

Baby Head Band

2012-04-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

After being very busy the past week and not being able to sew what I had started I decided to make something easy that I knew I could start and finish in the same day. And to make myself feel better that I finished something. I had a lot of material laying around that was used for curtains by my sister and she gave it all to me. I've been looking for ideas to make out of the curtains and this head band came to mind.

Originally I was going for a very big flower but it didn't turn out so big.

Want to make your own head band?

On a piece of paper cut out a flower with 5 petals (It doesn't have to be perfect) and use that as a stencil to trace on the material. I used 7 flowers but it depends on the type of material and how ruffly you want it.

Fold each flower in half twice so that you get a triangle shape. Place them on top of each other and sew the corners together in a circle. Leave one extra flower for to sew on at the end.

This is what you get-top view

That's what it looks like from the bottom

For the head band part I used 1/4in elastic and thick ribbon since I didn't have any black material. I cut my ribbon 1 3/4in think. Fold the material in half and sew along the long edge. Then turn the tube that you make right side out like I did in the Tulip Hat.

Place a safety pin in the elastic and feed it into the tube all the way through.

Sew the two ends together and hand stitch the material also it doesn't have to be perfect because it won't be seen.

Cut out a strip of material and sew the end to the bottom of the flower.

Wrap the strip around the head band the part where the elastic comes together. Sew the other end under the flower. Sew the last flower into the middle to cover up any the middle. If everything is done right no stitching should be seen.

Last Minute Easter Decor Idea

2012-04-06T19:40:00.001-07:00

If you actually see this post before Easter it might be of some use to you. If not I'm sorry for thinking of it so late. I was thinking of a gift to make for my husband for Easter, and though this would work great because if he doesn't like it then I will enjoy it. And it can be use as a decoration. 3 in 1.

I never really liked to color eggs for Easter and this year is the first year that I colored eggs after getting married, and I only did it because this idea came to me. This egg filled vase looks really good just as a decoration or even for a center piece.

All you do is put a skinnier vase inside the large vase to hold the flowers and put the eggs around. I added the moss just to fill the gap but it looks good without it also.

And husband was happy and surprised to receive a gift. I guess I set the bar high. hah.

Ruffled Scarf

2012-04-03T11:06:00.001-07:00

Last weeks cold weather has brought out the scarfs again and looks like they are not going anywhere this week also. I'd like to share this awesome pretty scarf that I knitted. And the best part is that it doesn't have to be used to keep warm it can be used as an accessory and looks pretty good.

They are made from a special netted yarn, and come in many different colors.

And there are a bunch of ways to style it.

Do you like it? Do you want one? If your interested in getting one write me an email and we'll talk. everythinghandmade.blog@gmail.com

Add Some Fashion To A T-Shirt

2012-03-28T07:08:00.000-07:00

Got an old t-shirt? Or new one works too. Is it too plain? Want to make it fun and pretty looking? Follow my easy and quick tutorial to add lace to the sleeves and you'll have yourself a pretty new t-shirt.

See how I made it

1.) Measure the width of your lace. Mine was 5 and 3/4 inch. Divide that in half ( just fold the tape measure in half and see where the middle is. I think mine was like 3 and 1/4 inch.

2.) Now take the number that you get (in this case 3 1/4in) and subtract 1/4 inch for seam allowance and measure it starting at the top of the sleeve and pin it.

3.)Measure like that all the way up to the neck line and pin.

4.) Cut out what you have pinned. But do not cut the neck line.

5.) Take the piece that you cut out and lay it on your lace. If you cut it out right the lace should be slightly bigger than the cut out piece. Cut the lace 2 inches longer than the sleeve.

6.) Fold the lace in half and pin the middle.

7.) Line up the pin with the seam on the neck. This ensures that the lace is in the center of the shoulder.

8.) Pin the lace around the neckline right sides together. And then sew it in.

9.) Then pin the sides and try it on before sewing because it looks different on.

10.) Then sew that in place. And finish of the sleeves by folding the extra under and sewing a straight line or two.

And you got a pretty shirt. Simple and easy way to change the look of a plain t-shirt.

Tulip Hat Perfect for Summer

2012-03-22T19:37:00.002-07:00

Getting ready for summer yet? We sure are. Especially with the nice weather that we've been getting its hard to believe that it's only March. Even thought this nice weather is not here to stay we were still prepared for all the sunshine.

Since this is the first real summer for our baby girl we had to take special precautions, like covering up for the first couple of days and wearing a cute little sun hat. And I say "real" because last summer she was only 6 months and couldn't sit or crawl she basically slept through it all. Ha.

So we needed a hat for these sunny days to cover our little head so that our little one wouldn't get too much sun. And I found the perfect pattern for a tulip hat here. I followed their directions and then tweaked it a little in the end to make different straps. I wanted a snap on my straps so that it would be harder for little fingers to take off. Don't let a snap closure intimidate you, they are easier than you think.

Make your own tulip hat
1.) I started of by folding my pattern piece in half so that when I cut my material out it would be symmetrical.

2.) Then folded the material and placed the straight edge of the pattern along the fold and pin it down so that it wouldn't move when you cut it out.

3.) Cut along the curvy edges don't cut the straight edge.

Cut out all your pieces like that and sew them together like shown here.

4.) For the straps measure your child's head from top of ears to bottom of chin and add 1 inch for seam allowance. And cut the width twice the size you want it to be plus 1/4 inch for seams.

5.) Fold each strap in half, right sides together, and sew along the long edge. (marked in black but do not sew the top).

6.) Attach a safety pin to one side of the tube that you made and push it in to flip out the tube.

7.) Attach snaps using instructions given on the package of the snaps you purchase.

8.) Pin the straps to the hat at the center so that there are 3 petals on top and 3 on the bottom. Don't attach them at the very edge of the hat because then the petals won't flare out (attach about 1/2 inch from the bottom). And make sure to attach the straps so that the snap comes together correctly.

9.) Sew in place and your done.

I added a yo-yo to the top with a flower glued onto the middle. To make yo-yo's see my previous post.

We are ready for the sun and even the beach...

Fabric Yo-Yo's

2012-03-20T15:49:00.000-07:00

These fabric yo-yo's are very quick and simple to make and can be used to decorate just about anything. Shoes, shirts, purses, even stationary. Take a minute out of your day and make a few of these cards to send to friends or relatives to brighten them up just because. Surprise them with what you can make. And don't worry these won't go in the garbage like all the other ones do. Hah. (not saying that I do that :P) They are perfect for this beautiful spring weather or great for party invitations. It adds a little bit of 3D to a plain flat card. And the best part is that its all hand made.

Here's what you do.

1. Cut out a circle on fabric twice the size of the yo-yo you want. I traced a glass cup on cardboard to have it on hand always.

2. Fold the edges 1/4 inch in and hand sew around close to the edge. If you use short stitches the opening in the center of the yo-yo will be bigger but if you use longer stitches there won't be an opening. I used shorter stitches.

3. Then pull the thread so that all the material gathers. And flatten so that it looks like this.

Tie of the thread and you can sew something into the middle like a button or a bead or any other object.

And you got yourself pretty little yo-yo's and cute personalized cards.

ENJOY!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2012-03-18T15:41:00.002-07:00

Yeah I know this has nothing to do with sewing but we had a fun day, so I thought I'd share.

We don't celebrate St. Patrick's day at all. Ukrainians are pretty different from the Irish but we had to do something since there was so much commotion going on. There was a parade in Syracuse it was supposedly the biggest one in NY (excluding NYC). So we went to look at that, I guess it was ok. Alina couldn't really understand what was going on. Her favorite thing to look at was all the little kids running to pick up candy that was thrown. And when we just got there she wouldn't even pick up her head, she only wanted to look at the ground. Poor baby was probably scared out of her mind. But then she got used to it.

We even got ourselves some beads :)

And we decided to take Alina out for some junk food at McDonalds. She was
so happy eating her fries.

How was your St. Patrick's day???

Baby Girl Shoes/Slippers

2012-03-17T13:50:00.006-07:00

Baby feet are just way too cute, and when they are embellished they are even cuter.

So Ashley over at makeit-loveit.com (who by the way is a phenomenal repurposer, is that even a word?) made the cutest little baby shoes from thrifted purses. YEAH purses from the THRIFT store. I fell in love with them immediately and knew I had to make some. I was debating whether or not to make a pair for myself also. Ha. So after reading her blog I ran to the thrift store, found a purse, came home and realized it will be too small, ran back to the thrift store, exchanged for a bigger one, and made my baby some shoes. Oh and yeah the thrift store accepts exchanges.

I forgot to take before pictures of the purse but I got some after shots.

Yeah theres nothing left of it. It was a New York and Co. purse,
so now my baby has New York and Co. shoes. Hah.

Aren't they just so cute? I couldn't get pictures of my baby in them ( she wouldn't stand still) but they look darn cute especially with a skirt.

Want to know how I made them? Well Ashley has a whole tutorial here. And I purchased her Abigail shoe pattern here. Don't be scared to buy it, they are great step by step instructions and couple sizes to choose from.

So after tyring to make these shoes and getting a better understanding of how shoes are sewn I decided to make my own pattern and make slippers.

I added pom-poms around the edge for some extra fun. And there is also an elastic on the back so that they stay put on the foot.

I made my soles out of the same fabric thats on top, but I would recommend using non-slip grip material because they are a little slippery. And another thing I would do differntly is add fusible web to make them more stiff. More on what that is later for those who do not know. Or Ashley has a great explanation of it here.

If your interested in making a pair of your own and would like a pattern just send me an email. I'll recreate the pattern, its a pretty simple one.

There she is little miss cutie herself, enjoying her new warm slippers.

Amazing giveaway over at SimpleSimonandCo.

2012-03-16T09:09:00.001-07:00

I've been following Simple Simon & Co. for a while now. The ladies behind the scense are fantastic at what they do. And they are offering an amazing give away of a dress form. For FREE. It ends Friday so head on over there quick and enter. Click here to go to giveaway.

Welcome All

2012-03-15T16:36:00.000-07:00

WOW!!! I finally did it, I made a blog where I can organize my thoughts, my ideas and my to-do list. Haha just kidding about the last one. But I definitely needed to organize all those ideas in my head and they don't stop coming. Be prepared for this blog to be filled with all sorts of wonderful sew-alongs, and crafts, I'll even throw in a few recipes since I like to cook. I might even show a glimpse of my garden during the summer and share a few tips and ideas in that department as well.

Most of my effort will be put into sewing only because I enjoy it the most at the moment. I will share ideas that I get from other crafty bloggers and post them for all to see. And the ideas I get from thin air, or after visiting the thrift store. Ha. I'm only a beginner in sewing but I have a pretty good handle on it. And plenty of instructions will also be provided for all those beginners who were just like me. If I did it anyone can do it.

So don't go anywhere hang around and see what I have up my sleeve...After all making things by hand is worth way more than store bought.