beach towel bonanza

Thought I would go ahead and share what I guess posted at Tatertots and Jello on Friday. 

I'm getting ready to take a small trip to the beach so how about something to use...How about a towel that has a little pocket across the top to hook across the top of the beach/lounge chair? That way you don't have to constantly keep readjusting your towel throughout the day and pulling it up? I'm talking something like this:

Personally, I had never seen this until a friend of ours was at our pool on Father's day and had one. I scoffed and was like, I can make that!

Now, for all of you sewers out there, you will immediately see how this project can be improved upon. For all you non-sewers - WELCOME my friends! I didn't sew a single stitch. There I said it. For those of you who want to click to another page I understand. Still with me? Wow. Ok well, I'll go ahead and let it out that I didn't measure either. Go ahead, I can't watch. 

Wow, okay so some of you are still reading, be still my heart. Well, then here we go. 

Here's what you need:

a beach towel, or 2

scissors

iron

ironing board (that's right people that's a counter top one and it's the very first one I've owned, have you lost all respect?! - I'm a big fan of take it out of the dryer and shake shake shake!)

Steam-A-Seam

Velcro (optional)

*sunglasses (totally optional, but they get you in the mood)

 

I did take my towel outside to the lounge chair. I put it on it, an I sat on it making sure I had enough pulled up over the top of the chair. I had this to look at, so it wasn't bad inspiration.

I didn't even have any pins or safety pins with me because I'll confess, it's not my pool. I'm staying at a friend's housesitting. Fortunately, I had just received a package from the Pleated Poppy and there were a few safety pins in there. Literally, I am talking three. So I used one on each side (the two sides and the top) to pin the towel, just so I did have some type of marking. Then I came inside and got to work with my Steam-A-Seam. I just followed the directions for that (and yes, I'm even ashamed to admit that it was my first time working with it).

 

And TA-DA! I'll be honest, I was impressed with myself, even though it's like a very simple thing!

  

And even after this, I questioned its adequacy for Tatertots & Jello - so just for you I took another towel and folded it in half. I took the pieces across each top and created a hem (again with the Steam-A-Seam) leaving room to wiggle a rope cord through. I then also closed up the sides almost like a pillowcase. Thus, we have a drawstring bag made out of a towel. 

1. It's a big bag - it can hold the towel we made plus many others. 2. It matches! 3. and this was truly most important for me - when you open it completely and lay it on the bottom half of the chair it is multifunctional. It served as a bag, coming and going, and while there, it provides a place for your feet (I'm a freckle-faced, redhead so as much as I love the sun, it doesn't love me, and I wind up having to stay covered). Plus it's nice little bonus to tuck your cell phone or whatever else, so it's not in the blaring sun!

 

Now my live & learn 

- yes, it'd be better to sew. or top stitch. or I even wonder about stitch witchery vs. steam-a-seam

-i'd also use bigger cording for the drawstring, and I probably will replace it. 

Hope you've been having a great weekend!

scrap happy and a happy friday!

Yep, it's pretty much official - the Wal-Mart Singer machine has bit the dust. I guess that sweet little old man I went to visit last weekend was right, "Ya get what ya pay for!"

I needed something I could whip up quick, and boy was this the project!

Basically all you need are some scrap strips of fabric, about 15 inches long. and braid them. I used a safety pin to hold each end until both braids were done. Then I held both  braids together and put one end through the sewing machine (this was right before it broke), and then did the same on the other end. This way both braids are now attached to each other. Like this:

Then the last step once you have attached the two braids is to cut the excess off the ends, and attach the elastic (approx. 5-6 inches). I had to hand stitch that part. 

I've got the most adorable 7 month-old niece with beautiful red hair. This little mini will be beyond cute, I have a feeling!

You can see I even used a paperclip to hold the spot in the braids because I couldn't find another safety pin at that moment. Whatever works! All this with just some scraps. Quick and fun, what could be better?!

Check this other one out, she did a great job. 

Also, here's another fun giveaway going on...love stitched is hosting one for Sherri's Boutique for this awesome Amy Butler bag. Love it!

bags, bags, and a giveaway!

So we got my sewing machine fixed the other day and as we were about to finish my cute cute clutch it broke again, in a completely different spot, a different piece and all. I guess there is something to be said for the old quality machines! So much for my instant gratification on what was supposed to be a quick little clutch. I'll show you what I have so far though.

And here's another bag I've been working on. But not having a machine sure does put a damper on these projects, so I think I will be back to some no sew ones.

However one thing I love about blogland is that there are always some fun giveaways to help you try for some instant gratification and tatertots & jello has a fun one going on right now with kristen's custom creations. Go check out it. There's some fun stuff, even this for a dad, like my brother, cause it's his first father's day coming up and I think he's a pretty great one!

things that make you go hmmm...

I've got about 2 or 3 projects in the works, but my tonsils just came out yesterday morning. So I can't work on certain ones that I would like to finish up since I have been in bed and sleepy. However, my sewing machine is right next to my bed (tempting me, urging me to get better and sit there to use it). We all know I am still learning, but I am also the type of person who likes some instant gratification. After I've practiced my stitching on some scraps, I just can't take it any more. I need to see something tangible. I am super excited because I found a pattern that has basic straight stitching. today may be the day it, though I make no guarantees, and if not you'll know why. But it's a goal. I'll give a little sneak peak!