Sewing Archives | Fly and Design https://flyanddesign.com YOUR CREATIVE WINGMAN Fri, 30 Oct 2020 07:29:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.3 https://flyanddesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/flyanddesignicon500x500centered-100x100.png Sewing Archives | Fly and Design https://flyanddesign.com 32 32 Indiana Jones DIY Costume https://flyanddesign.com/indiana-jones-diy-costume/ https://flyanddesign.com/indiana-jones-diy-costume/#respond Fri, 30 Oct 2020 07:11:42 +0000 https://flyanddesign.com/?p=5834 Put Together Your Own Indiana Jones Costume When my kiddos start a sentence with, “Mommy, I need you to make…” It’s like music to my ears! I was thrilled when Bug announced that she needed me to make her an Indiana Jones costume for Halloween. We’re still in the middle of the 2020 pandemic, and […]

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Put Together Your Own Indiana Jones Costume

When my kiddos start a sentence with, “Mommy, I need you to make…” It’s like music to my ears!

I was thrilled when Bug announced that she needed me to make her an Indiana Jones costume for Halloween. We’re still in the middle of the 2020 pandemic, and I’m not even sure where she’ll be wearing the costume.

Halloween is only a few days away, and we haven’t decided what we’re doing yet.

Either way, she’ll need a costume!

My first stop was the local thrift store. I found a pair of khaki pants, a blouse, a pleather jacket, a hat, and a whip. Now she just needed a few additional accessories.

I used one of the Little Hunter’s old Nerf guns and spray painted it black. I added some orange vinyl to the tips for safety. Of course, she needed a pistol holder, too. So I made one out of pleather.

Next, I made a belt out of some webbing and D rings that I had in my sewing stash.
Then, I made a satchel out of some inexpensive muslin.
She had the perfect black boots to tie the outfit together!

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own. Please read my full disclosure for more info.

SUPPLIES FOR THE SATCHEL

  • Cereal Box
  • 1/2 yard muslin
  • 2 D Rings
  • Strap
  • 2 Snaps
  • 2 Covered Buttons
  • Thread
  • Hot Glue Sticks
Indiana Jones satchel DIY

TOOLS FOR THE SATCHEL

  • Scissors
  • Sewing Machine
  • Hot Glue Gun

HOW TO MAKE THE SATCHEL

Step 1

First, I took an old cereal box and opened the seams. I cut off one of the sides. Then, I flipped it inside out and hot glued it back together.

cereal box

Step 2

Using the cereal box as my guide, I sewed the muslin into a box shape.

I sewed the corners of the bag to make a box shape.

satchel inside out

Step 3

I took these jeans that were old and stained and cut off the top part to reuse the fake leather and D rings.

old jeans

Step 4

Using the fake leather and D rings, I made buckles for the purse strap.

I took an old purse and removed the strap. I put the strap on the D rings.

Next, I added some snaps to the front.

costume satchel

Step 5

I used my InkScape software to design this to look like the Indiana Jones logo.

I printed it out on iron-on paper and ironed it onto the bag.

Riley Jones

Step 6

I used a scrap piece of muslin, and using the cereal box as my guide; I cut out this satchel flap.

I added some snaps to the inside. For the outside, I used some of the fake leather to cover some buttons and then just hot glued them onto the snaps.

satchel closure

Step 7

I inserted the cereal box.

inserting cereal box

Step 8

Once I inserted the cereal box, I sewed the seam shut, and it lined the inside of the box well.

indiana jones satchel completed

SUPPLIES FOR THE HOLSTER

  • 1/2 yard pleather (plastic leather)
  • thread
  • velcro
  • snap
  • buckle
pistol holder

TOOLS FOR THE HOLSTER

  • Scissors
  • Sewing Machine
  • Hot Glue Gun

HOW TO MAKE THE HOLSTER

Step 1

Draw out your design for the holster using chalk or a sewing pencil.

Cut it out.

Sew it closed.

fake leather

Step 2

Add a loop to the back for the belt.

Now, use a piece of the fake leather to make a belt.

Add the buckle to the end.

holster buckle

Step 3

I added a strap with some velcro to hold it closed.

pistol holder

Step 4

I took an old broken Nerf gun and spray painted it black. I added bright orange vinyl to the tips for safety.

nerf gun
nerf gun painted black
indiana jones costume

BLOOPERS

This costume came together pretty easily. I can’t think of any bloopers.

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]]> https://flyanddesign.com/indiana-jones-diy-costume/feed/ 0 Sweater Pumpkins https://flyanddesign.com/sweater-pumpkins/ https://flyanddesign.com/sweater-pumpkins/#respond Mon, 05 Oct 2020 04:03:51 +0000 https://flyanddesign.com/?p=5732 Make Your Own Sweater Covered Pumpkins SKIP TO VIDEO SKIP TO SUPPLIES SKIP TO TOOLS DIY Pumpkin Sweaters This was such a fun project! This post is jam packed full of different techniques! I love the look of the sweater covered pumpkins for my fall decor. I had a sweater that I thought would be […]

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Make Your Own Sweater Covered Pumpkins

SKIP TO VIDEO
SKIP TO SUPPLIES
SKIP TO TOOLS

DIY Pumpkin Sweaters

This was such a fun project! This post is jam packed full of different techniques!

I love the look of the sweater covered pumpkins for my fall decor. I had a sweater that I thought would be perfect to make some pumpkins out of.

Picking Pumpkins

I picked up two Dollar Tree foam pumpkins. I already had one in my stash but never used it because it looked so cheap. I purchased a black glittery one at the Good Will for $1.49 and a nice carvable one that someone colored all over for $1.00. It was an excellent assortment, to begin with.

I Didn’t want the orange to show through. So I gave them a quick spray with white spray paint.

Natural Dye from Onion Skins

I didn’t want all of the pumpkins to be the same color. So, I decided to dye some of the fabric pieces brown. But, I didn’t want to spend any money on dye.

I went to our local Nugget Market and asked the produce guy if I could have the onion skins from the bottom of the box. He didn’t have to think about it, and I didn’t have to explain myself. He immediately said, “Yes! Help yourself!”

I was able to collect a whole brown lunch bag full. I put them in a pot of boiling water for 30 minutes. Then, I added the sweater pieces and let them simmer for an hour. Then, I let them cool.

The Sweater

I had five pumpkins to cover. I used the sleeves for four of them. But, I really wanted to use the cable knit and buttons on the front of the sweater for one of them. So I just sewed the front closed and stitched the back closed to sort of form a sleeve.

Then, I cut holes in the tops and bottoms of the pumpkins and glued the sweaters on.

The Ribs of The Pumpkin

I used some old jute/twine that Had in my stash. I glued them at the top of the pumpkin and followed the rib around to the other side. I glued the other end to the top of the pumpkin.

The Leaves

I used some old jute/twine that Had in my stash. I glued them at the top of the pumpkin and followed the rib around to the other side. I glued the other end to the top of the pumpkin.

The Tendrils

I purchased a package of wired jute from the Dollar Tree. One package was the perfect amount.

I just curled them around a pen and added them with hot glue.

The Stems

While the onion dyed fabric pieces were cooling, I got to work on the stems.

I had this clay in my stash. I knew I had it a long time. But, I was surprised that it said 2005 on the package! I’m not a packrat, I’m not, I’m not, I’m not! Also, do you know how many houses I’ve lived in since 2005? Seven! I have packed and moved that clay seven times!

Anyway, I used the clay to make cute new stems for the pumpkins! Mrs. Wallace, my ceramics teacher at Casa Roble High School, would be proud. I think they were the icing on the cake! I love them!

The Finishing Touches

After gluing the fabric onto the pumpkins, I added the twine around the ribs. Then, glued on the leaves and tendrils. Finally, I glued on the stems. They look adorable!!!

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own. Please read my full disclosure for more info.

SUPPLIES

  • Foam Pumpkins
  • White Spray Paint
  • Sweater(s)
  • Jute or Twine
  • Polyform Clay
  • Wired Jute
  • Green Felt
  • Hot Glue Sticks
  • Brown Acrylic Paint

TOOLS

  • Exacto Knife
  • Scissors
  • Hot Glue Gun
  • Sewing Machine (If you are need to piece the fabric together. Or, you can sew by hand.)
  • Small Paint Brush

HOW TO VIDEO

cute diy sweater pumpkin Sweater covered pumpkin cute diy sweater pumpkin no jute cute diy sweater pumpkin Cute Cable Knit Sweater Pumpkin

BLOOPERS

I forgot to add the twine around the pumpkins to form the ribs. I could have left them without it. But I thought it would be cuter if I added it. So, I took off the stems and some leaves and tendrils. I added the twine and then replaced anything that I removed.

Making Sweater Pumpkins

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]]> https://flyanddesign.com/sweater-pumpkins/feed/ 0 Office Chair Makeover Part II https://flyanddesign.com/office-chair-makeover/ https://flyanddesign.com/office-chair-makeover/#respond Tue, 15 Sep 2020 00:13:51 +0000 https://flyanddesign.com/?p=5677 How to Finish off the Back of an Office Chair This is Part II. You’ll definitely want to check out Part I of this tutorial. CLICK HERE to see the transformation process!  To finish off this office chair’s back, I had to try some techniques that I’ve never done before. But when has that ever stopped me? The back […]

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How to Finish off the Back of an Office Chair

This is Part II. You’ll definitely want to check out Part I of this tutorial. CLICK HERE to see the transformation process! 

To finish off this office chair’s back, I had to try some techniques that I’ve never done before. But when has that ever stopped me? The back of the chair was reasonably easy to do. 

So, step out of your comfort zone and just go for it!

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own. Please read my full disclosure for more info.

This is the same upholstery tack strip that I purchased and used for the back.

SUPPLIES

  • Upholstery Tack Strip
  • Staples for staple gun
  • Cording
  • Needle and thread
edging supplies
upholstery tack strip

TOOLS

  • Scissors
  • Sewing Machine
  • Staple Gun
  • Hammer
Tools for office chair makeover

HOW TO

Step 1

Once I was done stapling the vinyl all the way around, it’s time to add the piping.

NOTE: This is an image of the seat bottom, but I wanted you to see what it should look like. I forgot to take a picture of the actual seat back at this point.

seat bottom

Step 2

Cut your vinyl in 4 inch wide strips on the bias. The length will be determined by how much it will take to go around the chair’s back.

Sew your strips together on an angle.

Piping

Step 3

Fold your vinyl in half with your cording sandwiched between the fold.

Using your zipper foot, sew close to the cording to form the piping.

Making welting or piping

Step 4

Starting at the bottom, staple the piping/welting around the edge of the chair’s back.

Once you get back around to the bottom, cut your cording slightly shorter and overlap the vinyl with the other edge. Staple.

Trim any excess vinyl.

office chair makeover seat back

Step 5

Slip the bar under the piping—you many need to take out some staples to get it just right.

Once you have it in place, secure the piping around the bar.

seat back

Step 6

Next, start stapling your upholstery tack strip around the edge of the seatback. Make sure the teeth are facing outward. Place a staple in each hole, all the way around.

Using clippers (I just used wire cutters), clip the tack strip when you get to the end.

Using a hammer, hammer the teeth closed slightly.

upholstery tack strip office desk chair

Step 7

Cut your final back piece of vinyl with a 1-inch allowance around all four sides. This will be the main piece that covers the rest of the wood.

On the edge that will be at the bottom of the chair, cut two slits about 1 inch up and about 2 1/2 inches apart.

Fold the small edge over and double stitch.

double stitch

Step 8

Cover your hammer with a piece of vinyl. This way, when you hammer the teeth all the way closed, it won’t damage the vinyl on your chair.
Starting with the bottom, fit the edge of your vinyl into the teeth. Hammer the teeth down.

Go to the top of the chair and fit the vinyl into the teeth, stretching the vinyl a tad.

Tuck the vinyl into the teeth all the way around and hammer down.

Go around one more time and hammer all of the teeth closed.

hammer with vinyl

Step 9

Assemble the rest of the chair.

Back of office chair makeover
Back of office desk chair

BLOOPERS

This was the first time for me to use this upholstery tack strip. Here is the photo of how far along I got the first time before I realized that I was putting it on wrong.

It is supposed to go on with the teeth facing out.
So I had to pull all of the staples out and redo it.

teeth wrong

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]]> https://flyanddesign.com/office-chair-makeover/feed/ 0 Make a Freezer Paper Template for Screenprinting https://flyanddesign.com/freezer-paper-template/ https://flyanddesign.com/freezer-paper-template/#respond Fri, 17 Jul 2020 03:33:18 +0000 https://flyanddesign.com/?p=4873 Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own. Please read my full disclosure for more info. New Cricut Maker and It Can Cut a […]

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Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own. Please read my full disclosure for more info.

New Cricut Maker and It Can Cut a Freezer Paper Template Easily!​

So, I finally broke down and purchased a new Cricut! Oh. My. Word. Why did I wait so long? What a considerable difference it is! I bought the Cricut Maker from Amazon. I forgot it was coming, so I didn’t have a project prepared when it got here. But, I decided that a freezer paper template would be the first thing I make.

cricut maker cutting freezer paper template

Every time I tried to cut a freezer paper template, the blade would rip it to shreds. Not this time! This baby cuts like B-U-T-T-E-R!

I have been on a pajama bottom kick lately. The other day, I purchased a few flannel fabrics at Joann’s for 50% off and then all the discounts on top of that they offer. This morning, I made these for the Little Hunter and thought I’d make a matching t-shirt to go with them.

fabric samples

Look at all this scrumptious material!

pajama shorts
upclose of fabric print

The first thing I did was take an up-close picture of this buck on the material. Next, I uploaded it to Inkscape and created an SVG file. I opened that up in the Cricut Design Space™ app that you can download for free.

I will list the steps of how to get the design on your t-shirt, below.

SUPPLIES

TOOLS

  • Cricut or scissors if you are cutting by hand
  • iron

HOW TO

freezer paper template cutout

Place your freezer paper wax (shiny) side down on your mat.

Look at that precision! [TIP] I put my finger in cornstarch and rubbed it over the design to see it better. This is an excellent technique if you are weeding small areas and can’t see the design.

cricut mat with freezer paper cut out

Be sure to remove the actual design. You want to keep the outline to use as a template.

t-shirt with iron creases

Prepare your shirt by ironing in half vertically and horizontally. You’ll want the horizontal line to be where the armpits are for this design.

You’ll use this as your placement guide so that your design isn’t crooked.

freezer paper ironed onto t-shirt

Fold the template in half vertically and horizontally to give you a guide. Place it onto your t-shirt matching the lines, wax (shiny) side down.

Iron the freezer paper to the shirt. Just use the setting of the garment you are ironing. In this case, my iron was set too COTTON.

I added tape around the design because I can get messy with the ink. (Not shown.) Dabble on some white Speedball fabric ink and using your squeegee, pull the ink down the design.

screenprint design

After a couple of hours, I peeled the tape and the freezer paper template off of the design and let it dry a little longer.

iron screen print with teflon sheet

Place a Teflon sheet or parchhment paper over the design and heat set with an iron. Again, I have my iron set to COTTON. Move the iron around so that it doesn’t sit still too long.

blooper buck cutout on cricut mat

These are so cute, and he loves them! In his words, they’re “dope.” This fabric is so comfy; the kids have been wearing them for their AM jammies and their PM jammies during their summer break. LOL

BLOOPERS

I was so excited to try my new Cricut that when it finished cutting the design, I weeded the outline instead of the buck. I was supposed to do it the other way around.

I grabbed my freezer paper and cut it out again, this time being mindful to only remove the part that I want to be painted.

blooper buck cutout on cricut mat

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]]> https://flyanddesign.com/freezer-paper-template/feed/ 0 Top 5 Sewing Tips https://flyanddesign.com/top-5-sewing-tips/ https://flyanddesign.com/top-5-sewing-tips/#respond Tue, 07 Jul 2020 00:08:53 +0000 https://flyanddesign.com/?p=4554 Carolyn's TOP 5 sewing tips. Are you already doing these?

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Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own. Please read my full disclosure for more info.

Carolyn's Top 5 Sewing Tips

I learned how to sew when I was just 10 years old. That summer I made a whole wardrobe of shorts. I loved sewing right from the start and have made clothes for myself, my kiddos, friends and family. Let me share my top 5 sewing tips with you that I have learned over the years.

Bug needed some new PJs. Fortunately, even though she’s 11, almost 12, she still lets mommy pick out her clothes. Or, in this case, fabric. I didn’t have a shorts pattern in her size, so I was going to rip apart a pair that she already had to use as a pattern. But she only has Jean shorts and leggings type shorts and who wants to put those back together? No thanks. So I picked up a pattern at Joann’s. It went up one more size, so I didn’t want to cut up my pattern. I had this tracing paper in my stash. I’ve been sewing since I was ten years old, so my stash is huge.

I trace the pattern, cut it out, and sew the pieces together. I added a bow to the front so that she knows which is the front and the back.

Carolyn's Top 5 Sewing Tips

1. Always pre-wash your fabric.

sewing tip 1

2. When putting your fabric together, place the pins so that the needle will glide over them, and not hit the tip. That way, you can sew right over it and take all the pins out when you're done. Instead of taking them out as you so.

sewing tip 2

3. This should be tip number one because I genuinely believe that the key to sewing is ironing. I try and iron as I go. See my post about my ironing station. You can't always do this if you are surging as you go.

sewing tip 3

4. I add a safety pin on the back pieces of shorts; this way, I don't get my pieces mixed up. This step can be avoided if you cut out the little notches on patterns. I tend to leave those out.

sewing tip 4

5. I'm not ashamed to say that I occasionally use blue painters tape to mark my sewing machine to make a straight seam. Another option is to place a large rubber band around the arm instead of tape.

top 5 sewing tip supplies sewing tip 1 tracing paper supplies tracing paper fabric for top 5 sewing tips sewing tip 2 sewing tip 3 sewing tip 4 bow on shorts Shorts

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]]> https://flyanddesign.com/top-5-sewing-tips/feed/ 0 French Country Throw Pillow Covers https://flyanddesign.com/throw-pillow-covers/ https://flyanddesign.com/throw-pillow-covers/#respond Fri, 03 Jul 2020 20:00:36 +0000 https://flyanddesign.com/?p=4484 How to make envelope throw pillow covers out of a drop cloth. These turned out so adorable!

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Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own. Please read my full disclosure for more info.

Envelope Pillow Covers

Our couches have been needing some new pillows. I love the French Country look, so I thought I’d make my own. I purchased the down pillow forms from Amazon (link below) and bought a 6′ x 9′ canvas drop cloth from the Home Depot to use as the fabric. I was so excited when I discovered that the Home Depot had curbside pick up because we are still quarantining at our house. I used Inkscape to design each cover, then I cut it out using my Cricut Expression. Yes, you read that right! My Cricut is over 10 years old! I use Sure Cuts a Lot 2 software to send the design to my Cricut. On one of the pillows, I used blue painters tape and washi tape to make the stripes. I sewed “envelope” throw pillow covers so that I can change them out seasonally or clean them. 

I ran the drop cloths through the washer three times. Two times I used bleach, and the third time I added vinegar to the rinse cycle. Then, I dried them on high. I wanted them to shrink as much as they were going to before I painted them. That way, if I have to take them off and wash them later on, they won’t shrink. They turned out so lovely! I’m delighted with them!

SUPPLIES

I purchased 2 sets of these! I just love them!

TOOLS

HOW TO

  1. Cut out the fabric pieces.
  2. Cut stencil out of vinyl using a Cricut or by hand.
  3. Place vinyl on fabric front.
  4. Using a sponge brush, use light strokes to fill in the stencil. Take your time, go slow.
  5. Once the paint is dry, you can sew your pieces together.
  6. Add pillow.

BLOOPERS

After I was done with the pillow with the stripes, I realized that there was not enough overlap of fabric in the back, so I need to add a button. No problem. But then I accidentally added the buttonhole on the wrong place. So to remedy this, I sewed the button on the inside of the other piece.

On the flower market pillow, I accidentally mirrored the image in my software. When I’m doing an iron-on, I have to mirror the software’s image because I have to flip it around to iron it onto the fabric. But this wasn’t an iron-on, it was just vinyl. I didn’t even realize my mistake until I painted the pillow! So I printed the design out again on vinyl, turned the fabric around, and tried to line up the new design on the backside of the material as closely as possible. I draped it over my computer monitor so the light would shine through and show me where the design was on the front. Then, carefully placed the new vinyl on the fabric. It actually worked! 

I repainted the design on the back. But you won’t believe what I did. I accidentally sewed it together backward, so when I turned it right side out, I had the wrong design facing out. This project was going downhill fast. So, I decided to do a French Seam instead of frog stitching the entire thing. It actually turned out better than all of the other pillows, in my opinion! I mean, it better have, LOL… I spent more time on it than all the rest of them!

Button hole sewn on inside out
paint for throw pillow cover stencil design up-close of design French country pillow cover envelope pillow cover throw pillow cover made from drop cloth le petite marche throw pillow covers blue painter's tape Button hole sewn on inside out French seams throw pillow covers

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