icandy handmade

(iCandy) Little Red's Riding Hood

noreply@blogger.com ({autie}) — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Well, I've been working on a little project for my teeny one-year old...(I can't believe it's been a year!) I'm planning on showing it to you next week: I'm really excited about it! But sort of in conjunction with this secret project that may or may not have anything to do with a certain classic fairy tale, I felt like my little Scarlet (whom we call Little Red around these parts) needed to have a red riding hood.

I tried to just find someone that I knew that had one I could borrow, but to no avail: so, when all else fails, make your own, right? I had this {vintage} pattern that I got from a garage sale) sitting around waiting for me to try it. I didn't even know if all the pieces were in there.

{And, I might remind you that I can count on one hand the number of times I've used a real "pattern' with brown tissue paper and everything. they scare me a little. }

I also had the red fabric, the yardage of the turquoise to go inside and the trim...even though I really didn't want to attempt this scary pattern, fate was in my favor. (free, hello?)

Isn't this such a fun pattern?!? I kinda want to try the romper, too!

The original pocket was different, but I wanted a lined pocket...so I made that part up.

I love that her little friend 'Wolfie', that she likes to chew on, fits snuggly in her side pocket.

I can't wait to show you the reason I made her this little scarlet riding hood...get excited for next week!

Any guesses on what the secret project might be?

(tutorial) Vintage May: Mod About You

noreply@blogger.com ({jen} iCandyhandmade) — Tue, 21 May 2013 07:01:00 +0000

This post is part of the Vintage May series hosted by

Craftiness is not Optional and Skirt as Top.

Have you been following along with Vintage May at Craftiness is Not Optional and

Skirt as Top? I had so much fun creating this vintage inspired look for their fun series.

I thought it would be fun to create a little shift dress inspired by the

Mod Dresses

from the late 60's/early 70's.

I found this fun orange and pink print that reminded me of the era too.

Just a bit of trim on the neckline and pockets adds a fun detail to the dress.

By some miracle my picky little daugher loved the dress!

That is always a sweet feeling. :)

If you are wondering who the little guy in the background of some of these photos is...

He was enjoying the photo shoot and posing for the camera.

A cute little V in the back, just a bit of trim, and a cute bow add a little

interest to the simple shift dress.

Want to make one?

Materials:

1 Yard of Fabric (Up to a size 6- it was a bit tight)

1 yard trim

zipper

Done!

Everyday Skirt Featured!

noreply@blogger.com ({jen} iCandyhandmade) — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:58:00 +0000

Super excited to have my Everyday Skirt be featured in

DIY Lifestyle Magazine!

(An e-magazine for the iPad)

Have an iPad and looking for some DIY inspiration? Check out the May issue of the "DIY Lifestyle" Magazine, for free! Each issue contains many DIY projects contributed by talented bloggers. For your free trial download the magazine here! Click on subscribe and then current subscribers, enter in “mayfreeb1” to get the current issue for free; and do it soon because the coupon is only valid until June 1st. Enjoy!

(Guest Blogging) Craft Stew

noreply@blogger.com ({autie}) — Mon, 20 May 2013 03:34:00 +0000

The girls behind iCandy were asked to participate in an online interview this week over at Craft Stew.

If you want to head over there and learn a little more about us, {click here} and {here}!

(tutorial) Shoreline Dress Ombre Bodice

noreply@blogger.com ({jen} iCandyhandmade) — Thu, 16 May 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Well- I finally put together a tutorial for this ombre technique with tulle for the

Shoreline Dress.

Autie is the brilliant one behind it. I remember her explaining it to me on the phone and it was a serious lightbulb moment. Genius, I tell you!

For the tutorial I only showed one back bodice piece.

You will want to follow these instructions for a front bodice pattern piece and both back pieces.

I used an ivory matte satin for my main fabric, and a Williamsburg Blue tulle.

Decide roughly where you want your ombre to start.

(How far down your bodice) Use your pattern piece as a

guide before moving on to the next step.

Start your markings where you want the ombre to start.

For your first piece

of tulle, measure from the bottom of the

fabric up to the top crease. Double this

measurement. For your second piece of tulle,

measure from the bottom of the fabric to the

second crease and double that. And so on.

Your last piece of tulle will be pretty small.

(mini-tut) Perler Bracelet

noreply@blogger.com ({autie}) — Tue, 14 May 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Did you know that Jo-Ann's has a Spring/Summer craft catalog chock full of mini-craft projects to do with your kids? Whether you have to stay inside because it's raining, want a project outside when it's sunny, or want a fun project to have on hand when you're on vacation, this catalog has something that your kids will love!

I had no idea!

I flipped through their Spring catalog {found here} and thought I'd try my hand at one of them! (There are lots!)

Here's what I chose:

The Perler Blue Bracelet

I know my daughter would love getting a new piece of jewelry (what girl doesn't?) and I thought that this might be a fun project that I could do with my 6-year-old (of course making it a little more manly) or to teach some of the older neighbor girls.

I will admit, that when it came time to actually trying this project, I didn't know if I was smart enough to do it! (The zig-zag pattern in the photo looked a little beyond my brain power these days!)

BUT

I decided that it being my first crack at it, I'd make it easy on myself, and forego the zig-zag, and instead I tried for just a 2-colored, striped bracelet.

Turns out, I'm smart enough for this project!

...and I'm super excited to both teach the neighborhood tween-agers how to do this...and share this fun little project with you.

So, the main reason I chose this project because I loved the fact that it was constructed with very few 'ingredients.'

Supplies:

-2 different colors of Perler beads

-1 spool of elastic thread ( I used white, thin beading elastic found by the thimbles, etc)

-1 larger bead ( I used a random pony bead I had, it's just to act as a stopper on one end)

-1 large needle...they say it's optional, but it's required if you ask me!

For the Joann's directions on how to make this bracelet, {click here}

Here's my two cents added to their directions!

{repin my pin (here) to help me win $100 to Joanns}

-Cut 2 yards of your elastic thread. (2 yards was EXACTLY the right length for my 4-year old's wrist...I can fit it on my wrist, but I would definitely cut 3 yards, and then trim the excess when it gets to the size you want!
-Tie a large bead to use as a stopper at one end of the elastic. (leave some tail!)
-Add 6 beads to the string. (I used 2 turquoise, 2 white, 2 turquoise)
-Next, add a 7th bead (turquoise), and thread your needle back up through bead #5
-Add an 8th bead (white) and thread your needle back up through bead #3
-Add a 9th bead (turquoise) and thread your needle back up through bead #1.
-Pull elastic tight.
-Start the weave again in the next row, by adding another bead, and threading your needle back through the previous beads, one at a time. Basically, for each new row, you just add 3 more beads.
-Continue on until your bracelet is the desired length.
To finish:
Untie your pony bead and tie your two ends in a square not. For added security, I added a dab of nail polish and allowed to dry. ta-daa. It's totally easier than it looks...and really, I'd wear it!

This project took me about an hour from start to finish, and I totally did it while watching a show. This would be a great activity for kids, and I'm anxious to see how my kids do at it...They're a hair on the young age at 4 and 6. (I'll let you know!)

Did you guys know about this catalog? Let me know if you try this project, or any others from the catalog out!

(Sponsor Spotlight) Violette Field Threads

noreply@blogger.com ({jen} iCandyhandmade) — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:30:00 +0000

I am DYING right now.

(My daughter calls me Drama Mama...ha ha)

Violette Field Threads has done it again.

Have you seen this adorable pattern? It is the Madelyn Shirt.

The perfect little summer top that would go with everything!

I need to make some of these. They are just perfect.

Here is the back:

And here it is with a patterned collar:

Go take a look for yourself. And check out the other new releases here. You won't be disappointed.

Fabric Match Up Giveaway Winner!

noreply@blogger.com ({jen} iCandyhandmade) — Mon, 13 May 2013 02:48:00 +0000

And the winner is....

Tegan Nilles!

Great Job!

For those who are interested, here is the answer key!

(tutorial & pattern) My Favorite Tee Dress - Revisited

noreply@blogger.com ({jen} iCandyhandmade) — Thu, 09 May 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Remember this dress?

I have been meaning to make a few more of them- but haven't gotten around to it till now.

I had this cute purplish fabric in my stash and thought I would try again, but add a couple of twists.

The one thing about the first version I wanted to change was the neckline- it doesn't lay totally flat all the time. I thought a neck band would work better. With one tiny seam I made it a V-neck... but it could go either way. I also banded the sleeves this time around.

I like the high-low look so I thought it would be a fun twist. I basically did a straight front hemline and just curved the back. I really like how it turned out.

Here is the original tutorial if you want to make one.

Once you have your pattern made (using that tutorial) you can create the neckband. My general rule of thumb is to measure around your neckline (minus seam allowance) using a measuring tape. Take that measurement and multiply it by 80%. That will be the length of your neckband. For the width, take how wide you want it, double that and add a seam allowance times 2. So for example, I wanted my band to be 1/2" wide. With a 1/4" seam allowance, my neckband was

1 1/2" wide.

For the sleeve bands, I measured around the arm hole, (minus the seam allowance) and cut the band the same length.

Once you have your pattern pieces and bands, you can follow this tutorial to sew the dress. Same as sewing a tee- just longer! FYI- I now divide the band into quarters, and the neckline as well, then pin at the marks. Then stretch the band to match up with the pins.

Or, here is my pattern if you want to make a size M.

Arm bands: 14" long by 1.5" wide

Neck band: 24" long by 1.5" wide

Here is what your pattern will look like put together:

My dress is patterned off of an Old Navy tee that is a size medium. If you don't want the high-low, just cut the dress at your desired length.

Feel free to adjust the neckline and sleeve length too- there are so many options!

(iCandy) Kitchen Hooks

noreply@blogger.com ({autie}) — Tue, 07 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Where do you stash your kids lunchboxes?

I've been struggling with this! My kitchen is teeny-tiny, and I of course could carve out a place in a cupboard or a drawer, but I use them so frequently that it seems silly to always keep stashing them away. So, anyway, here's yet another cupboard door project...

1 hook for each kid..

I've loved this simple, new piece of my life. My son knows where to hang his lunch bag everyday after school, I hang my baby's bibs and 'snack bag' that I have to fill and refill every day for baseball practice/games/gymnastics etc.

I started out with a long-skinny cupboard door

I primed and painted it with my free paint from Ace Hardware (same color as here)

Iattached hooks from Home Depot

Finally, I adhered the vinyl numbers just for fun.

What's your lunch box solution?

Match that Fabric Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com ({jen} iCandyhandmade) — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:16:00 +0000

Get Excited!

Today we have such a fun giveaway!

We joined up with some of our favorite sewing blogger friends and are each giving away a yard or two of a fun fabric from our stash.

The lucky winner will receive all of the fabrics below!

To make things fun, you get to play a matching game.

To win all this fabric, you just need to match the fabric with the blogger.

Most of us have used the fabric or some very similar in a project on our blog.

The first person to match all of the swatches will be the winner!

HINT: We use a lot of this type of fabric... and have used this one in a summer project!

A- 1.5 yards, Mini Dot in Sunspray by Lotta Jansdotter, B- 1 yard, Paradise Garden in Periwinkle by Amy Butler, C- Florescent Pink & Gray Striped Jersey Knit, D- 1/2 yard Heirloom Tile Flourish in Garnet and 1/2 yard Heirloom Opal in Fuchsia both by Joel Dewberry, E- 1 yard, Houndstooth in black by Michael Miller, F- Pink/Orange Stripe knit, G- 1 yard, Orange and Light Heather Gray Stripe Cotton Jersey Knit, H- 1 yard, Light pink linen, I- 1 yard, Mustard and Ivory Stripe by Girl Charlee, J- 1 yard, Rally Cream/Grass by Dan Stiles, K- 1 yard Riley Blake Ombre Dots in Aqua, 1 yard Target Polka Dot Sheet Fabric, 1 yard Lizzy House Pearl Bracelet in Persimmon and Michael Miller Happy Tones Charm Pack, L- 1 yard, Remix Triangles B/W by Ann Kelle, M- 1 Yard, Novella Rain Rayon in Aqua by Valori Wells, 1 yard, Lush Running Stitch in Purple by Patty Young, and 1 yard, Porcelain Tile Garden Wall in Olive, M- 1 yard, Mustard cotton sateen, O- 1 yard, Summer Totem in Grapefruit by Anna Maria Horner, P- 1 yard, Black and white chevron, Q- 1 yard, Parenthetical in Berry by Anna Maria Horner, R- 2 yards (1 yard each), ABC 123 by American Jane for Moda Loading...

Here is the list of bloggers (just in case you have a little research to do)-

Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy crafts

The Cottage Mama

crafterhours

Craftiness is not Optional

delia creates

girl. inspired.

iCandy handmade

If only they would nap...

And just to sweeten the pot a little, every reader who submits a guess will be entered in a fabulous pattern bundle giveaway. The prize- The Sugarplum Top + Dress pattern by See Kate Sew, The Surfer Slacks Lounge Pant pattern by See Kate Sew, The Casual Lady Top and Dress pattern by Go To Patterns, Two "Winner's Choice" patterns by Blank Slate Patterns, Pattern 5 Pack ("Winner's Choice") by Peek-a-boo Pattern Shop, Riding Pants pattern by the Sewing Rabbit, the Roly Poly pattern by imagine gnats, and the Ruby Ruffle dress pattern by The Cottage Mama! WOW!

Good luck!

*Giveaway ends at midnight MST on Friday, May 11, US residents only.

(Sponsor Spotlight) Peek-a-boo Pattern Shop

noreply@blogger.com ({autie}) — Mon, 06 May 2013 07:30:00 +0000

It's been a long time since we've spotlighted any of our awesome sponsors...

the home of jillions of patterns of every shape and size...from back-packs and diaper bags to dresses and swimsuits. There is something for everyone looking for a fun project!

Here are some of my favorites:

Lil' Adventurer BackPack
{My Ivy would adore this...she's constantly piling her special things into bags and purses everywhere!}

Lil' Long Johns
{I stinkin' love these old school Jammies...I need to keep this on the radar for Christmas PJ's!}

Clara Tiered Twirl Dress

{and I just love the simplicity of this dress...but it's adorable!}

There are hundreds more patterns, these are just a handful...please head on over to

Peek-a-boo pattern shop to see more!

Make Yourself Something Cute for Mother's Day!

noreply@blogger.com ({jen} iCandyhandmade) — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:58:00 +0000

Celebrate Mother's Day week (month?)

by sewing something for yourself!

Here are a few ideas {tutorials & patterns} to get you started!

Ice Cream Social Skirt

My favorite Tee Dress

Autie's Cardi

Hint of Vintage Maxi

Summer Knit Cardigan

Knit Boyfriend Cardigan

Mismatched Maxi Skirt

The Everyday Skirt

P.S. Solids are cute too.

Mothers Day Gift Idea & Idea: Epiphany Fine Chocolates

noreply@blogger.com ({autie}) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:30:00 +0000

Are you struggling to find the perfect, unique gift for your mom for Mother's Day?

Here's an idea!:

Epiphany Fine Chocolates is at it again, and has a fantastic Mother's day collection of chocolates full of the cutest girls around. And just in time to surprise your favorite girl for Mothers Day!

Please click {here} for details!

But to give your eyes a quick taste:

Holly Woods

Sweet Carolime

The Empress

An 18-piece box of fine handmade chocolate is on the line...

head over {here} to enter to win!

Mother's Day Gift Idea: Kantha Blanket

noreply@blogger.com ({jen} iCandyhandmade) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:20:00 +0000

Are you looking to find that perfect Mother's Day gift for the special woman in your life?

Here is a great idea!

Recently, I received the coolest throw blanket.

It is called a Kantha Blanket from Uncommon Goods.

Click HERE for the details!

(iCandy) hello sign

noreply@blogger.com ({autie}) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Remember {this post} that Jen and I made together?

Well, I've made several signs for it to welcome guests such as {this one}, {this one}, {this one} and {this one}. But, holidays aside, for the most part, my post just sits there...naked. It needed a sparkly everyday sign to welcome friends to our humble home.

So, yet again, I give you another cupboard door sign that was the easiest one yet!

Step 1: Spray Primer
Step 2: Paint (mine was brush on free from Ace Hardware a couple of weekends ago)
Step 3: Use white paint marker (found at Joann's) to handwrite 'hello' across the front
Step 4: Slap a top-coat on there
Step 5: Staple-gun a scrap of burlap to the back to make the hanger.

I have a crush on it.

Project Run & Play Recap

noreply@blogger.com ({jen} iCandyhandmade) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Well, Project Run & Play is over!

Whew.

What a whirlwind.

But a fun, albeit stressful one... moving and all at the same time.

It was so fun designing looks based on challenges, and doing our best work. It was super fun coming up with creative photo shoots, too.

We want to thank everyone who supported us and voted for our looks. It meant a lot! :)

We didn't photograph the sewing for tutorials... but maybe we can put something together.... we'll see! In the meantime... I am going to take a breath... and will be back up with normal posting next week!

(iCandy) April Birthdays

noreply@blogger.com ({autie}) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 07:30:00 +0000

I had 2 special birthdays at the beginning of this month for my two favorite girls for which I whipped up a couple of fun projects with them help of some fun online tutorials.

First, my April fools baby turned 4! She had a fun cotton candy shin-dig in the park. It was the easiest party ever...but super fun.

I whipped up a fun fabric bunting banner (on my to-do list forever) using {this} tutorial and my scraps. It was so fun and easy to sew, I wanted to share!

Then, April 2nd, my baby turned ONE! We invited all of the neighbor kids over to have rainbow cupcakes and play.

Since it was a rainbow theme, I wanted to try out Dana's ruffled streamers for decorations...{link here}. Why on earth did I not take a picture of them up? but, they were super fun to sew...I could have chugged along all night ruffling those fun colors!

PR&P Week 4: Shoreline Dress

noreply@blogger.com ({jen} iCandyhandmade) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Living in coastal California, the ocean is a big part of our culture.

It is a place of serenity and peace. It is a study of opposites- rough yet gentle, hard and soft, tumultuous and calming.

For this last challenge, it is was our inspiration.

We chose to make this dress out of a beautiful matte ivory satin and layers and layers of ivory and Williamsburg blue tulle. Ocean colors. We wanted the effect to be subtle yet elegant.

The skirt is a circle skirt cut out of the satin, with layer after layer of hand pleated tulle which was then attached to the ombre bodice. The skirt reminds us of ocean mist.

The bodice is deceptively simple. To create the ombre look, varying layers of tulle were stitched down onto the satin to create this textile.

I had this idea of an ombre bodice, but hadn't figured out the technique yet... and Autie came to my rescue. She figured it out and explained it to me over the phone... and it was GENIUS!

Covered buttons and a delicate bow complete the look.

This week was a bit crazy. I was trying to make this with my sewing stuff still unpacked. I wasn't sure I would even be able to finish it! Then we went out for a photo shoot and it happened to be one of the windiest days ever... so we had to do it at the VERY last minute yesterday morning! (the morning the post was due) Emily was late to school but the wind was gone, thank goodness!

We hope you like our dress... go to Project Run & Play and VOTE for your favorite!

Jen & Autie

Project Run & Play Week 4 Sneak Peek!

noreply@blogger.com ({jen} iCandyhandmade) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 05:34:00 +0000

Spring Formal Wear Challenge

Stay Tuned - Full Post on Friday!

Monday Update

noreply@blogger.com ({jen} iCandyhandmade) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Hello there- Jen again!

I just realized it was Sunday night and it is my turn for a Monday post. Since I am STILL unpacking I thought I would just give you another little update from chaos central over here.

I am smack in the middle of this week's PR&P look. I am trying to get it finished ASAP. Going to be some late nights...

I am trying to get my sewing space/ playroom set up. I bought some organizational pieces from IKEA that have been sitting in their boxes all week. FINALLY we are almost done putting them together. Here is what the area looks like right now. Hopefully in a few days I will have this place organized.

{That is my big sewing cabinet there-(almost done) Can't wait to fill 'er up!}

This coming weekend is RAGNAR, the yearly relay race that I run. I have not trained. At. All. I went running for the first time in months yesterday morning.

I didn't die, so I guess that is a good thing. I moved to a place that is all hills, so I have to get used to running in these new conditions. A bit challenging to be sure.

Today we went on a fun walk at a nearby historical park, and we saw this albino peacock! Wow. Amazing. His name is Jack, and apparently he isn't very popular with the lady peacocks. They like the more colorful plumage.

(My friend had been on a tour here and learned that...)

Personally, I think he is beautiful.

So there you have it... Check back soon (hopefully by Wed?) we will have a sneak peak of this final Project Run & Play look. Then back to normal, yeah! My family will be happy...

Have a great week!

Jen

PR&P Week 3: Mini Mademoiselle

noreply@blogger.com ({jen} iCandyhandmade) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Hello friends!

Week 3 of Project Run & Play is here already!

This just might have been our favorite challenge yet.

All in the Details. What clothing design is all about.

We loved this challenge.

Our Mini Mademoiselle was inspired by our love of the 50's silhouette and Audrey Hepburn.
Can't you just picture a young Audrey wearing this dress?

We envisioned our girls wearing these dresses at a cute outdoor cafe in Paris and we were super excited when we found this hotel courtyard that had the right feel for our photo shoot.

We called up the manager and got special permission to take our photos! We also found these cute shoes at Target that added a little pop of color.

The front of the dress is classic and simple, which we love-

but then there is a party in the back!

The dress is a simple boat neck, cap sleeve dress made mostly out of white poplin which has a nice crisp feel to it. The back of the bodice is white cotton voile, which has pin-tucks going up at an angle along the neckline.

The voile creates a translucent contrast to the rest of the bodice, which curves up to meet the bottom of the V back neckline. We created a huge bow, out of black poplin, lined with fusible fleece to hold its shape. It is sewn on one side of the zipper, and attaches with a large snap once the dress is zipped up.

The bottom of the full, gathered skirt is scalloped.

The girls loved dressing up so elegantly. They feel so pretty in these dresses.

We hope you love them as much as we do!
We would love your vote- go over to Project Run & Play now!

Jen & Autie

Dream Kitchen

noreply@blogger.com ({jen} iCandyhandmade) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 07:30:00 +0000

I have already designed my dream kitchen. Someday.... :)

Right now I am renting, so there isn't a whole lot I can do with my kitchen.

It is what it is.

We just moved into a new house in a new city. We love so many things about our house, but the owner's taste and mine are just a bit different. Here is what my kitchen looks like:

It is a great size and has so many cabinets that my stuff doesn't fill them up! Crazy- my last kitchen was bursting at the seams. The charcoal paint at the top? I am getting rid of it as soon as I get completely unpacked. It is just plain weird.

If I were to buy this house, this good kitchen could be a GREAT kitchen. I would probably reface the current cabinets. They are in good enough shape, but I just love white cabinets.

Second, I am definitely not fond of white tile countertops. I feel like they are never completely clean. I find myself (maybe this is a good thing...) wiping them down many times a day because it grosses me out to see crumbs on them! My last kitchen had dark gray countertops and I probably didn't clean them enough!

So I would put in a solid countertop- I love the look of soapstone, and I like granite too.

It is amazing what just those two improvements (plus the paint!) would do for this kitchen.

Does your kitchen need a facelift? What are your favorite styles?

Here are some ideas:

(tutorial) XL Park Bag

noreply@blogger.com ({autie}) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 07:30:00 +0000

I've been in desperate need of a large tote bag that I can use to take all of the stuff I need for my son's baseball games.
I seriously wish I had a picture of what I look like pushing my double stroller that is stuffed to the gills with all of my ...well, crap!
Call me a freak, but with a very mobile baby and a 4 year old, games smack dab at dinner time and a very windy city, I bring so much stuff, that my stuff has stuff!
I am in love with my HUGE new tote bag. I've dubbed it my XL Park bag.

My blanket to sit on, and my daughters blanket to cuddle up in when it's windy (happens a lot around here) the snack bag and dinner for all of us, diapers, wipes, toys for the baby, activities for my daughter to do while we're there, my camera, phone. Today, this fit everything in it except my huge wind-blocking umbrella/tent...and it's CUTE!

Thanks to the new HGTV HOME line of fabric and trims that I talked about {here} I had some really fun new, sturdy fabric to use for this desperately needed project.

For this bag, I used durable home-dec style fabric, so not only is it pretty, but it can take more wear and tear than your average cotton bag. It can also be reversible.

I didn't add any pockets to mine, but you definitely could easily!!

I began with 1 yard of each of 2 coordinating fabrics from the HGTV HOME collection

and 1 1/2 yards of trim

To make my bag

To create the square bottom, all you do is open up your bag (still inside-out) so that your side seam matches up to your bottom seam. When you press it down, this forms a triangular corner. You can decided how big you want the base of your bottom to be. I measured mine 2 1/2 inches from the tip of the triangle. Pin your fabric in place, draw a line at you desired distance from the corner, and then stitch along that line.
(the farther the distance from the corner, the bigger the base of your bag will be.)
Repeat this step for both sides of each "bag" (both the outer fabric as well as the lining fabric)
if you need help with this step, you can watch {this video} where I demonstrate how to make the square-bottomed bag.

Now for the trim:

How/where do you start and stop without making the trim look hideous?

Next, for the straps:
With your leftover scraps from either of your fabrics,

This is what you should get:

ta-daa...

I can't tell you what a relief it was to have a big bag to carry all of my stuff, rather than carrying around 5 other smaller ones. This just might be the perfect, easy gift to give this year!

(especially with that dang good sale on fabric that I talked about {here}

Project Run and Play Week 3 Sneak Peek

noreply@blogger.com ({autie}) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:00:00 +0000

PR&P:

This week's challenge: It's All in the Details!

Sorry...we didn't want to give ANY of our details away...

but here's a sneak peek into what the setting of our shoot looked like...

For all the details, stay tuned: our full post will be up on Friday!