Canvas bad

Canvas Beach Bag

I don't know about you guys, but the end of summer is a little nostalgic for me.  It is nice to be able to turn off the ac, open the windows, and enjoy some cooler fresh air, but the fact that fall is around the corner means that snow is not too far away.  That makes me want to barf.  So in order to soak up the last few rays of sunshine by the pool, here is an easy little tutorial for you.

I had looked all over for a great beach bag, but never found one that was big enough.  Now that I have a baby, I have twice the amount of stuff to schlep to the pool, so this bag is extra big.  I can fit 3 towels, tons of sunscreen, and plenty of snacks and toys in it.

Lets get started.  You will need:

•  3/4 yard of canvas.  I used this great canvas stripped fabric from Ikea.  At $7.99 a yard, its quite the steal for a beach bag.
• 60" of thick rope or cord for the handles.  I got mine from Joanns.  You can also just use some of your left over fabric.

There are 5 main pieces you need to create the bag. 

A and B - The front and back of the bag.  These pieces measure 21" x 17 1/2"

C and D - These are the side pieces of the bag.  They measure 7" x 17 1/2"

E - This is the bottom piece of the bag.  It measures 7" x 21"

You also need a square piece of fabric for the outside pocket.  My square measured 10" x 10 1/2"

Step 1: Prep your pocket by folding each side under 1/2" and iron flat.

Step 2:  Fold the bottom corners of your pocket under slightly, and then refold the corners, to give your pocket a little character.

Step 3 - Stitch along the top of the pocket, stopping 1/4" away from the sides (back-stitch to secure)

Step 4:  Place the pocket in the middle of your front piece for the bag (piece A).  I positioned my pocket about 3/4 of the way down the fabric (about 5 1/2" down).  Stitch along the sides and the bottom 1/4" from the end.  Make sure you leave the top of the pocket open (this is the side you just stitched along the seam).

Step 5 - Fold the top of A, B, C, and D down 1/2", and then down another 1" and press.

*Note: The top side for A and B it is one of the sides that measures 21" and the top side for C and D measures 7".

Step 6 -  Now you are going to attach the sides of A, B, C, and D together with 1/2 " seam.  This will create the bag, with no bottom attached yet. 

Sew the right side of A to the left side of C. 

Then the right side of C to the left side of B. 

Then the right side of B to the left side of D. 

And then the right side of D to the left side of A. 

Remember to sew with right sides together.   It may sound complicated, but it will make sense once you do it.  Then you can surge or zigzag stitch the ends of the seams together to keep them from fraying.

Step 7 - Fold along each of the 4 sides of your bag, and press, to create your rectangle.

Step 8 - Pin your bottom piece (piece E) along the sides of the bottom of the bag.  Pin them with right sides together, and the wrong sides facing you.

Step 9 - Stitch a 1/2" hem along the sides of the bottom piece, then surge or zigzag stitch the edges.  Go slowly when you are sewing the corners, it can be a little tricky to make sure you are sewing all of the fabric, so you don't leave any holes in the corners.

Step 10 - Flip your bag right-side out and press the corners to make nice 90 degree angles. 

Step 11 - Now, cut 2 30" strips of your strap material.  I wanted the handles on my bag to be longer so I could hang it on my stroller, but feel free to make yours the length you want them to be.  

Step 12 - Pin the straps onto the bag, and sew all around the top hem of the bag.  When you come to the strap, do a front and back-stitch along the top and bottom of the strap, and make an X in the middle to secure it.

Step 13- Hand stitch on your button to the front of the pocket.  I opted not to sew a button hole, just so the pocket would be easier access,  but feel free to add one if you would like!

Step 14- Load that puppy up and hit the pool!  

source: http://elleapparel.blogspot.com/2010/08/canvas-beach-bag.html (Thanks to the author...I love this so much and I'll try to make it for myself)

May áo đơn giản từ 2 mảnh vải vuông

Wanna learn how to make a super cute and breezy summer top? 

What if I told you it only cost me about 3.50?

And what if I told you it took me about 5 minutes?!

I thought so. 

Guys, this shirt is a dream.
I've been wanting to wear it everyday...
 but since that isn't socially acceptable, I have not. 

It's super light weight and breezy.
Perfect for summer days.
And it's also versatile!
It can be worn many different ways.

Here is how it works...

You need:
2 silk scarves matching in size and color.
Sewing machine, or needle and thread. 

 My studio was way too messy for any good pictures of the process, so I used photoshop.

So, here is a representation of my two scarves.
I got the plain one for about 1.50, and the flower one for about 2.00

I got home and washed them on delicate, then hung them to dry.

You then layer the scarves on top of each other, right sides facing in.

Basically, sew where you see the dotted lines. 

(But probably a bit more even..)

Leave a big enough space for your head, the shirt is meant to be a bit "boat necked."

Also, make sure you leave enough room for your arms, so it's loose and breezy.

The shirt will naturally fall over your shoulders like sleeves.

The scarf should already be hemmed when you buy it, so...

that's all there is! 

4 quick lines on the sewing machine, and you've got a new top! 

Here is a bit of warning, 

in most cases, these silk scarves are delicate and old...

It's not impossible to take stitches out, but it can leave holes, or even tear the fabric.

So, sew carefully!

I hope you try this out, and love it like I do! 

I would love to see pictures of yours! 

May áo dễ thương (basic tutorial)

Anyways.. I've seen a few shirts like this floating around the internet.

I saw them, loved them and thought, 

wow.. I could make that!

So, I did.

It was super easy, super versatile!

It cost about 5.00 to make and took under an hour.

I took pictures along the way, but sadly there is not much light in my little apartment.

So, I have some lovely digital illustrations as well.. 

I hope they can help make things clearer! 

You will need:

A sewing machine

A yard or two of fabric

Fabric or lace for the sash

Matching thread

Scissors 

Like I said in my first tutorial, I don't measure, but this part is pretty simple.

I hold the fabric over my torso, until it reaches my sides, 

I add an inch or so, then cut! 

You will need to make two of these. (Front and Back)

It's okay if you make them a little too big, the shirt is supposed to be a bit baggy.

Plus you can always take the shirt in later.

The long skinny, wavy piece above is for the sash.. we'll worry about that later.

Next, you are going to sew up the sides.

Don't go all the way up, 

You need to leave room for the sleeves and arms!

Next, is hemming up the arm holes. 

You are going to want to take the parts where you didn't sew together,

Fold it a little and sew.

Make sure the shirt is inside out while you do this. 

This is what it should look like.

Pretty easy so far right? 

Well, you are almost done! 

Next we are making the part that holds the sleeves.

Fold where the red line is, and sew the folded part onto the shirt. 

Do that with both the front and the back.

 

The illustrations no longer show the arms being hemmed.. So use your imagination. ;)

It's just a guide to show you where stitches will be.

 (Inside of the shirt)

(Outside of the shirt, plus a Wicket paw)

Next step..

Play with your puppy if you have one. 

He really didn't like not being the center of my attention.

Next step, hem up the bottom of the shirt!

You are almost done! 

Now you add the sash or ribbon.

 You basically just feed the sash  though one hole, 

then through the back, leaving the ribbon out a bit to make a sleeve.

Gather the fabric along the sash, so it has a nice ruffle to it.

And that's it! 

Tie a pretty bow on the side,

or braid the excess fabric, 

you could even attach a cute pin over the bow!

If you don't know how to make a sash, don't fret.. It's easy! 

Cut a long strip of fabric,  again, this is to your liking and size.

sew the sides longways so you have a long tube.

Turn it inside out, so the sewn part is hidden. 

(This part takes the longest.) 

Then hem up the short sides.

(This is the sash being turned inside out)

The best part about this shirt, is that it is versatile! It has interchangeable sleeves.

It looks great on it's own, with a cardigan, a vest, belted.. etc. 

You could even made it a few inches longer and wear it with leggings.

I'm totally going to make more of these!

 The shirt is a tad wrinkly for the pictures.. but only cause I've been wearing it a lot!