Make : Grow : Thrift

Each Monday you can link to a post on your blog sharing with us something that is handmade, homegrown, homemade (such as a recipe) or recycled/thrifted.

This does not need to be craft or sewing based. This is all about making our lives a little greener week by week.

I had quilted some extra squares when making the throw (pictured below) for my daughter, to make up some matching cushion covers.  The four squares weren't quite big enough for the cushion insert so I added a quilted border from a vintage sheet I'd thrifted from the op shop - the zip in the cushion cover is also from there!

 Did you have something that was Made : Grown : Thrifted this week? 

Please share below, we would love to hear about it. 

Don't forget you can also upload your photo's to The Haby Goddess facebook page.

Add this button to your blog to let others know you are making a difference this year. Just copy & paste the code below.

&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;center> &<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;a <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">href</span>="http://www.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">thehabygoddess</span>.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">blogspot</span>.com">&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">img</span> <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">src</span>="http://<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">sewschool</span>.com.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">au</span>/images/makegrowthrift200.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">jpg</span>"/>&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;/a>&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;/center>

Tutorial : how to add a faux fly

Using a pj pant pattern I drafted a while ago and a 50c thrifted pillowcase, I shortened my pattern to make a cute pair of boxer shorts for Miss 9 adding a Faux Fly.

The pattern add on for the fly is quite simple to do yourself.

After washing pillowcase, open up at the seam to create a fabric piece.

When creating the fly add on pattern piece, ensure you allow for the seam allowance and waistband.  

It should be a continuation of the waistband fold line.  

The pattern piece you are using is for the front and it's not likely to be straight as it's the inner crotch side. 

Allow the pattern piece to follow this slight curve as best as you can, keeping the proportions the same.

The size of the faux fly can be any size you want.  Mine is 11cm x 3cm when sewn - the pattern has a 1cm seam allowance which has been added.

Once you cut the pattern you will have two odd looking fronts like this.

Pin your right sides together.  I have quickly overlocked my edges. Sew along your seam allowance to the crotch point where my last pin is.

Once sewn, turn your piece over and the fly should naturally flop to one side.  I know there are certain rules for which side the fly is sewn to but I don't think it matters.

Once you have folded the fly piece over into it's correct position and it is even from top to bottom, give it a good press.  When you turn it over to the right side it should look like this.

Pin in place and sew either one or two rows of top stitching from the right side of your fabric.

Keep your pins in place and finish off your garment as per your pattern instructions. When finished, the waistband will hold the fly closed or you can add some buttons as I did.

Another option if you don't want the fly open, is to run an edgestitch from the top waistband along the centre seam all the way down before sewing your pieces together.

The Haby Goddess is Hoooked on Zpagetti

You all know how much I love Hoooked Zpagetti and have shared a number of blog posts with you in the past on little projects I've done.
I'm very excited that The Haby Goddess online store is now stocking a great ranged of Zpagetti products.

You those of you that aren't familiar with this awesome product, it's strips of high quality cotton with a small amount of lycra or elastane.  The strands which are between 0.8 cm and 1.2cm come from the off cuts of new collection fabrics so it is a sustainable product.  The yarn is usually knitted or crocheted with a large crochet hook or knitting needles made from bamboo.

You can use Zpagetti for a huge range of projects including handbags, homewares or scarves.

The Haby Goddess online store is now stocking a gorgeous variety of colours along with the 'Crochet with Zpagetti' pattern & inspiration book, hooks & kits.

Here's a previous review post I did on the 'Crochet with Zpagetti' book by Geesje Mosies.

Make : Grow : Thrift

Each Monday you can link to a post on your blog sharing with us something that is handmade, homegrown, homemade (such as a recipe) or recycled/thrifted.

This does not need to be craft or sewing based. This is all about making our lives a little greener week by week.

This week I'm sharing something will grow and remain close to my families heart.  Last month my grandmother Dorothy passed away.  My wonderful sisters in law gave me this beautiful Camellia plant this weekend to plant in my garden in memory of her.  I've yet to find the perfect spot and will spend some time this week deciding and planting.

 Did you have something that was Made : Grown : Thrifted this week? 

Please share below, we would love to hear about it. 

Don't forget you can also upload your photo's to The Haby Goddess facebook page.

Add this button to your blog to let others know you are making a difference this year. Just copy & paste the code below.

&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;center> &<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;a <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">href</span>="http://www.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">thehabygoddess</span>.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">blogspot</span>.com">&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">img</span> <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">src</span>="http://<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">sewschool</span>.com.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">au</span>/images/makegrowthrift200.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">jpg</span>"/>&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;/a>&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;/center>

How to use Eyelet Plier Sets

I have just added eyelet plier sets to The Haby Goddess online store.

There are two different sizes available and each come with 100 eyelets.  

The smaller size includes four colours of eyelets : copper, gold, silver & black.  

The larger eyelets are gold only.

 

These are very similar to using snap fastener pliers, except you only have one piece to worry about.  Which makes them even easier to use. You can use them on fabric, paper, vinyl or a combo of these.

• Make a hole where you would like the eyelet to go
• Push through the eyelet prong to the other side.  The flat rounded side should be facing the right side of your project.
• The eyelet prong sits over the plier prong
• Make sure the rounded top side sits securely in place on the pliers other side
• Squeeze the plier handles together until the eyelet prongs have closed at the back.

Available in The Haby Goddess online store

Make : Grow : Thrift

Each Monday you can link to a post on your blog sharing with us something that is handmade, homegrown, homemade (such as a recipe) or recycled/thrifted.

This does not need to be craft or sewing based. This is all about making our lives a little greener week by week.

I love Paella but had not ever made it until last night. Every recipe I read was different so I created a mish mash of all recipes to suit the ingredients I had in the cupboard.

Here's how I made it:
Saute1 onion, 2 cloves of garlic crushed, 2 sliced chorizo sausages, 1/2 a red capsicum diced
Add 1 tsp of Sweet Paprika, 1 tsp of Turmeric
Add 2 cups of rice.  I used basmati but next time will use arborio
Add a glass of wine and stir until rice is coated with all flavours
Slowly add the 1 - 1.5 litres of chicken stock like you would a risotto
5 minutes before rice is cooked add seafood - I used 1 kilo of seafood marinara from the deli. It included fish, prawns, mussels, salmon & calamari
Next time I will leave the calamari rings until the last minute to add.

 Did you have something that was Made : Grown : Thrifted this week? 

Please share below, we would love to hear about it. 

Don't forget you can also upload your photo's to The Haby Goddess facebook page.

Add this button to your blog to let others know you are making a difference this year. Just copy & paste the code below.

&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;center> &<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;a <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">href</span>="http://www.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">thehabygoddess</span>.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">blogspot</span>.com">&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">img</span> <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">src</span>="http://<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">sewschool</span>.com.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">au</span>/images/makegrowthrift200.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">jpg</span>"/>&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;/a>&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;/center>

Weekend Haby Delights

 Tea Cup pincushion with Moustaches by Twigg Studio

 Bernat Baline Skeins from Becaruns

 DIY Fabric Label Tutorial by The June Bride

Folklore Vintage Trim from Pouch

 Tape Measure Washi Tape from In The Clear

 Curious Robin PDF Pattern by The Paper Shed

Spools and Thread Postcard from Pink Pink Peony

DIY Geometric Pocket Notebook by Curious Doodles

10 Minute Craft: Fabric Covered Jars

With a new delivery of Art Viva Knitting Needles arriving this week, I couldn't bear to have them sitting in a plastic bag amongst stock.  Have you smelt these needles? They smell so divine.

So I thought I would pretty up some old jars I had thrifted from the op shop and display the needles in my office.

This crafty project will take you no time at all.
You will need:

• Jars any size
• Fabric straps cut into strips (mine are 1 inch)
• Craft glue that will stick fabric to glass

• Join your strips together as you would for making bias into one continuous strip.
• Press and trim your joining seams.
• Add a little glue to the top of your jar and with a stick shape it over the rounded bit at the top.
• Continue until the jar is covered.
• Using your stick again, mould the last row over the bottom edge. 
• Put your lid back on and fill with all your crafty treasures.

Make : Grow : Thrift

Each Monday you can link to a post on your blog sharing with us something that is handmade, homegrown, homemade (such as a recipe) or recycled/thrifted.

This does not need to be craft or sewing based. This is all about making our lives a little greener week by week.

After a discussion with a friend this week, she got me thinking about the way in which I craft.
I had been wanting to make some new outdoor cushions for home and had seen some brightly coloured vinyl at Spotlight.

This meant that I would be spending an hours round trip in the car and purchasing new materials when I could be using the stuff I already had at home.

So I re-thought my project and this is what I ended up with.

I borrowed from my PVC place mat tutorial and my cushion guest post for Epheriell Designs.
A front panel from magazine pages was created, I then added a pvc layer and attached it to a backing vinyl fabric I had.

When I turned the cushion slip inside out, the paper creased which I tried to iron! This was a task in itself as the vinyl couldn't touch the iron.  I think this could be eliminated if I added another pvc layer to the back of the paper but the creased paper look has actually grown on me. And I think I'll make the others the same way.

 I love the result, and as it was way to hot over the weekend to be outside, it still made a very cushion for my bean chair.

Did you have something that was Made : Grown : Thrifted this week? 

Please share below, we would love to hear about it. 

Don't forget you can also upload your photo's to The Haby Goddess facebook page.

Add this button to your blog to let others know you are making a difference this year. Just copy & paste the code below.

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Weekend Haby Delights

Vintage doll faces from Becaruns 

Painted ceramic buttons by Clayful Impressions

A pale peach lace from 5 Gardenias

Cross Stitch counting pins from TJB Designs

Needle Book and pincushion set by Jenn Maruska Design

Little Queen toy sewing machine available from Vintage Sams

Timber clothes pegs from Anything Goes Here

Deer Cross Stitch design from Sewing Seed

10 Minute Craft: Dyed Doily Embroidery Hoop

Some time ago I dyed a heap of doilies and hadn't used them all.

This embroidery hoop was so quick and easy to make and all you need is a hoop, a doily & some double sided tape.

• Add a row of double side tape to the outside edge of your inner hoop.
• Place doily over the inner hoop and add the outer hoop.
• Gently pull the doily into place and centre - it doesn't want to be pulled too tight or the tape won't hold it when cut.
• Take off outer hoop and ensure the doily is stuck to the double sided tape.

• Add a row of double sided tape to the inside edge of the outer hoop.
• Place outer hoop back on and make any final adjustments before cutting.

• Because of the doilies transparent nature, it can't be folded over into the inner hoop as you would normally do so I have just cut it off.  This is why you don't want it pulling to tight.  As it's sandwiched between two layers of double sided tape plus has the outer hoop tightly fastened, it will stay if just being used as an ornamental feature.

Turn fabric tubes inside out in minutes

One of the many perks of owning The Haby Goddess is I get to play and test all the new products that arrive on my doorstep.

Today's afternoon has been spent oohing & arghing over the new Turn-it-All tool.  This is a simple but genius gadget for turning fabric tubes inside out in just minutes.

Why had I waited so long to get myself one of these?
Here's how it works:

• There's 3 different sized plastic tubes to choose from so select the one most suited to your fabric tube.
• Poke plastic tube into the very end - I forgot to clip my corners so make sure yours are!
• Use matching poker to push fabric into tube.
• The 3rd pic shows what's happening at the other end.
• Told you it was awesome!

So head over to The Haby Goddess online store and get yourself one of these time saving gadgets.

Make : Grow : Thrift

Each Monday you can link to a post on your blog sharing with us something that is handmade, homegrown, homemade (such as a recipe) or recycled/thrifted.

This does not need to be craft or sewing based. This is all about making our lives a little greener week by week.

This week I'm sharing a family Sunday night favourite - Chickpea Minestrone.  The last thing I really want to do on a Sunday evening after a busy weekend is think about preparing dinner, so I usually prepare it first thing in the morning so it can be reheated later that evening.

It's quick, easy and is great for using up left over vegies from the week past. Our version is vegetarian but you could also add bacon.

Chop onions (I used spring as that's what was in the fridge), garlic and saute for a few minutes.

Add chopped vegies such as zucchini, capsicum, carrot, celery and add to pot.  Cook for a few more minutes.

Stir in 1 - 2 tbs of tomato paste and cook one more minute.

Add tin of tomatoes - I only use organic.  (did you know that many popular Australian brands add a firming agent (509) to the tins.  It's not really harmful - but is it really necessary???)

Add tin of drained & rinsed chickpeas, a good 1 1/2 litres of vegie stock, 1 cup of Risoni pasta or whatever you have on hand.

Flavour with seasoning if that's your thing and add fesh or dried herbs.  I used fresh basil, oregano & chives.

Serve hot with freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Did you have something that was Made : Grown : Thrifted this week? 

Please share below, we would love to hear about it. 

Don't forget you can also upload your photo's to The Haby Goddess facebook page.

Add this button to your blog to let others know you are making a difference this year. Just copy & paste the code below.

<center> <a href="http://www.thehabygoddess.blogspot.com"><img src="http://sewschool.com.au/images/makegrowthrift200.jpg"/></a></center>

Weekend Haby Delights

Vintage display case with ribbon available from Abbey in France

Mini Needle Case by Knitter Bag 

Scrabble word photography by Marasca Photography

Caramel vintage buttons from Celessa Bazaar

Embroidery DIY Panel by September House

Chunky Bakers Twine from Sew Lola 

Little Craft Book by Fieltromania Shop

Tartlet Tin Pincushion by Smile Mercantile

Cutting sewing patterns the easy way.

Believe it or not, there is an easy way to cut sewing patterns.

You know I have a love of Freezer paper and one of the reasons being, it adheres to fabric.  It's something that I've only recently discovered and now there's no turning back.

With many designers now printing multiple patterns per sheet or offer multiple sizing, we need to trace our patterns.  Freezer Paper is perfect for this as it's plastic coating to one side gives it a much better strength than normal paper.

Once you have traced your pattern pieces onto the freezer paper, cut them out and iron them to your fabric.

Care needs to be taken here.  Make sure your iron setting is low to medium and steam is turned off.  Test a piece of the freezer paper to a scrap of the fabric you are using to ensure the plastic coating doesn't leave behind any markings and does in fact remove easily.  In most cases it will be fine.

The fabric needs to be perfectly flat and not creased underneath.

Once the pattern piece is adhering to the fabric - cut!
The absence of pins, means you are less likely to pucker or pinch the fabric. I use my hand that is not cutting to hold the fabric steady in case there is movement.

Peel away pattern.

A little tip: Never allow your fabric to hand over the table or surface you are working on.  It can pull of the fabric and make it difficult to cut accurately.

I use Reynolds Freezer Paper and it is available in The Haby Goddess online store.

Today I'm guest posting over at Handmade Kids

Looking for tips on teaching kids to switch from hand sewing to machine sewing?

Today's guest post at Handmade Kids offers lots of suggestions to make sure your kids enjoy sewing and how to create a life long love of handmade.

Make : Grow : Thrift

Each Monday you can link to a post on your blog sharing with us something that is handmade, homegrown, homemade (such as a recipe) or recycled/thrifted.

This does not need to be craft or sewing based. This is all about making our lives a little greener week by week.

This week I've started planning my next quilting project - told you I've been bitten by the bug!
Last time I made it up as I went along.  This time I need to do a little more planning.

Miss 9 is in desperate need of a new bed skirt.  The one she has is ill-fitting - it's meant for a king single - and it doesn't reach the floor.

So I've taken my measurements of the bed base and have created a template for the quilting pieces.
It will be similar to Miss 13's bed quilt in design where I plan on quilting the pieces as I go.

The problem I have is fabric choice.  I have oodles of cute girly fabric scraps which I would love to use up but I know she will want something a little more older looking very soon. Like all quilting projects, it will be costly and time consuming so I need to spend time getting the fabric combo right.

What have you been up to?

Don't forget you can also upload your photo's to The Haby Goddess facebook page.

Add this button to your blog to let others know you are making a difference this year. Just copy & paste the code below.

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Weekend Haby Delights - Valentines Round Up

This week's Weekend Haby Delights is a little different, with so many fantastic Valentines Day tutorials being posted on crafting blogs, I thought I'd show you a collection of the ones I love.

Clever Charlotte shows you how to make these cute felt pockets & cards.

My Poppet's Valentine Doily Dreamcatcher.

Heart Memo Holders by A Spoonful of Sugar, guest posting on Omiyage Blogs 

Reverse applique pleated heart from V and Co

I love Diorama's. Please Note tells you how to make one.

Printables by The Sweetest Occasion

Cupids Love Arrows by Wear The Canvas

Printed doily coaster by Maya*Made

Making your own beach stone buttons

Over the holiday's I gathered a few stones from my beach visits to have a go at making them into buttons.

 

 They will need to be fairly flat and not to big.  There are soft rocks and hard rocks - sand and lime stone are the easiest to drill. Some of the ones I collected where too hard for these cheap drill bits.

Also take into account the size of the stone. The bigger they are, the heavier they are and they will not be useful.

 I purchased two different types of drill bits from the local hardware store.

You can go all out and purchase proper drilling bits more suitable but they will cost a lot more.  But these were cheap and a good place to start.

The 3mm bit was designed for masonry such as bricks, tiles and concrete.

The 1.5mm was a Hi Power Bit to be used for metal, wood & plastic.

Mark where you would like the holes to be.

Add a piece of wood under the stone to protect the surface top you are working on.

Hold the stone in a Multi Grips or an adjustable plier to keep it still.

Some suggest working in water but I found it awkward to hold the stone flat with the grips and drill in the water.

You may wish to protect your eyes with glasses.

Carefully drill your holes.

Surprisingly, the larger 3mm masonry bit didn't really work.  It blew out the back and the front hole entries were also messy. The drill was set to hammer.

The 1.5mm bit was easier to use and gave a much cleaner hole.

So overall for a first up attempt it was an OK result, I think purchasing more suited drill bits are the answer.