Tutorial: How To Make A Vinyl Catch-All Bib

You know those frigging awesome catch all bibs from Walmart that cost $5 and are only "wipeable" on one side? Well they're my favorite except the fact that I have to replace them constantly since you can't wash them (only wipe) and the back gets gross so fast.

SOOOO I decided to make my own with both sides being wipeable and boy oh boy I love them so much!

I made my daughter's with that vinyl that has the fuzzy stuff on the back. $2/yard at Walmart:

Then since they didn't have a cute boy patterned vinyl I just made my son's with the clear stuff and it's actually kind of cool how it's see through! And only $1 something per yard!!! This one is even easier since you don't have to sew at all... just cut and add snaps:

All I did was use my old bib as a pattern.

For my daughter's I had to cut 2 pieces (each a little bigger than the bib for seam allowance) and sew them right sides together leaving an opening at the bottom to turn then topstitch all the way around. If you want more details on sewing this see my other bib tutorial here, it's the same idea minus the batting.

For my son's I only had to trace and cut one piece.

Once the bib is made you add snaps (I like the hammer on kind) in the same place as the Walmart bib's snaps (except I excluded a couple that I felt were not necessary) and you're done.

They're so easy to clean and the only *true* catch-all bib, in my opinion, because the bottom actually sticks out instead of lying flat, because of the snap placement and shape of the bib.

I think I'll be adding these to my Etsy shop since I think everyone should have one!

Tutorial: How To Make A Fabric Covered Canvas

Do you ever look at something you have owned for a while and go, "What the crap"?

I do all the time.

Case in point:

So I got some fabric and found my husband's staple gun.

I know it's been done before. By everyone and their dog.

But I finally did it myself and took some pics to help explain how to do the corners.

Hopefully it's helpful to someone out there!

You can use a canvas like I did or make your own frame.

Here's how you do it...

Staple it all around the back except on the corners. Just leave those alone for now.
Then fold fabric so the back corner of the canvas is mitered leaving the rest loose.
Then you take what was left and pull it taught, placing another staple on the back of the canvas.
Repeat with each corner then add the hangy thingy and you're done.

Tutorial: How To Make A Rag Rug

This is a great little project that I plan to do again one day. It's a rag rug that I made using a big ol' crochet hook and some strips of fabric. You just cut long strips out of whatever fabric you want and connect them together by cutting a slit in each end so you can make a slipknot. Treat it like yarn and crochet whatever shape rug you want with the fattest hook you can find. I just made a chain and crocheted row after row of single crochet stitches til it was the size I wanted. I then worked around the edges to give it a finished look.

My hands KILLED as I did this... I think it was because my fabric was heavier AND I cut my strips too wide for the hook I had. Do what feels good to you. It shouldn't hurt your hands like it did for me :) I'd love to see yours!

Brim Beanie

This is what started it all. I made this brimmed beanie for my son a couple years ago and posted it on my family blog. It was a hit so I started making them for friends and family.

People encouraged me to sell them and one friend told me about selling handmade items on Etsy (something I'd never heard of before) so I set up a crochet shop there with this one item that was customizable.

It was such a thrill to sell to someone I'd never met before! I don't think I'll ever forget the name of my first buyer.

But of course I got tired of making hats and opened a new shop where I could make whatever I wanted whenever I got bored of something :)

But nevermind all that! Let's get to the how-to...

Most crocheters probably already know how to make a beanie (if not, check out The Happy Hooker) but I learned to do the brim from this video on YouTube by Teresa from The Art Of Crochet. I changed it up a little bit the more I practiced and got the hang of it. I increased a little more at the edges of the brim's 1st row and didn't make it as wide as hers but everything else was the same (oh and I didn't do the backwards single crochet at the end either).

Happy "Hooking" lol!

Tutorial: How To Make A Headscarf

If you haven't noticed... I'm finding LOADS of uses for my jersey fabric lol :)

I was making more Loop Scarves to sell in my shop when I noticed that the fabric store cut my jersey a little too long so I trimmed about 10" off the end and viola - my new favorite accessory was born!

I don't get to just pull my hair back when I'm having a bad hair day since it's so short so this has been a lifesaver for me. Plus I've seen it on long-haired ladies with their hair up and I love it.

SO here's another tutorial that's so easy I feel silly even calling it a tutorial :) My fabric was 60" wide to begin with so it was already the perfect length and you could do it however thick or thin you prefer.

Notice that my grey one is more curled at the edge because I've worn it over and over stretching it out, whereas the others are brand new.

What do you think? Is it time to move on to something new already? Geesh! Sorry.

I told you I get obsessed.

And you thought I was exaggerating didn't you? :/