Bonus Sewing Project

With my sheet set I have used the flat sheet for a table leaf cover and the fitted sheet for two comforter bags.   Now I am left with two standard pillowcases.  What to do?  Sew them together!  And that's just what I did. The result was one long pillowcase which can be used for a body pillow, to store a table leaf or . . . anything you can imagine!

Materials:
2 standard pillowcases (or cotton fabric)
matching thread
(other materials if necessary, ie. zipper)

All seams 1/4in

Instructions:

1.  Turn one pillowcase inside out and remove stitching from bottom (closed end) of pillowcase.

2.  If desired, remove stitching from the open end of the other pillowcase. (Optional step)

3.  With right sides together pull the first pillowcase (from step 1) with two open ends over the other pillowcase.  Make sure the bottom open end lines up with the top open end of the other pillowcase.  Match side seams and ends.

4.  Sew all the way around.

5.  Turn the inside out pillowcase, right-side out.  You are finished!

OR:  3.  Turn both inside out.  Match bottom open end of pillowcase from step 1 to the top open end of the other pillowcase and sew around.   Then turn right-side out. (This is another way to sew them together).

Standard pillowcase

Step 3

Closed end stitching removed

Match seams

Sew!

Finished product

DIY: Comforter (Duvet or Quilt) Bag & Storage

This project idea came around after I ordered a comforter bag set several years ago.  I found and ordered one set from Overstock.com and used them to store my other comforters and quilts.  However, I recently found that I needed a few more to hold another quilt with throw pillows so that I could use the plastic zipper bag (the ones that sometimes come with a blanket or comforter) for a few other blankets.  I also have a few different quilts and comforters in my house.  Usually I have a quilt for the summer since the quilt is thinner than a traditional comforter.  And my comforter I save for winter to throw over a few thermal blankets to stay warm at night.  But this project can be tailored to fit your comforter, duvet, quilt, blanket, or pillows.

Again I used my extra sheets, the fitted sheet this time, and my extra cord stops to complete the project.  I also used my box of drawstrings and old shoelaces which came in handy.  I think my grandmother would be very proud of my resourcefulness, reusing items I have and expanding my sewing skills.

Materials:
1 fitted twin or twin xl sheet (or cotton fabric)
1 cord stop
1 drawstring
matching thread

Measurements:  Fabric 26 3/4- 27in wide, 86-87in long, Bag finished measurements 26in wide, 42in long

Note:  You can cut separate pieces that are over 26in wide and 43-44in long; 1 long piece (with measurements for fabric above); or one wide piece that is about 53in wide and 43-44in long.  Depends on what fabric or sheet you are using and if you want to save some of the work of stitching.

All seams are 1/4 in.

Instructions:

1. If using a fitted sheet, remove the corner stitching in all 4 ends.  Then using scissors cut along the edge to remove the fitted stretch stitching all around.

2.  Trim the two ends to make a square/rectangular piece of fabric.  You should be able to get two slightly smaller then the Overstock bags from 1 twin/twin xl fitted sheet.

3.  Measure fabric and mark measurements for your bag.  Cut fabric.

4.  Pin the wide edge about 1-1 1/2 in down on wrong side of fabric.  This will be the drawstring loop (just like yesterday's project for the table leaf). If using one long piece or 2 pieces you will have to pin on both wide ends.  If using one wide piece you will have one long  (about 53in) fold for the drawstring.

5.  Sew along the edge of fabric.  Be sure to sew along where the fold-over edge meets the other piece.  Not along the top.  You want to create a loop area.

6.  With right sides together attach all edges together to form the bag.  Pin in place, if desired.

7.  Sew along the edges.  If using one wide piece, you will sew the two edges that do not have the loop; if using 2 pieces you will be sewing three edges; and if you are using one long piece you will have two separate edges to sew.  Sew all the way to the previous stitch in step 5.

8.  Turn right-side out.

9.  Pull drawstring through entire piece and attach cord stop.  If you want to make a clean and professional piece you may want to add eyelets to each end for the drawstring to go through before you attach the cord stop.

10.  You are finished!

Step 1: Remove corner seam

Step 1: Cut and remove edge-stretch seam

  

Step 3: My cut piece of fabric before trimming

Step 4: Pin drawstring loop

Step 8: Finished sewing!

Drawstring in place

Overstock bag with eyelets and drawstring

All organized for storage!

DIY Table Leaf Cover & Storage Bag

Anyone that has a table with table leaves to extend the table, understands my dilemma.  How do I store the table leaf without scratching it?  I finally came to the conclusion that the table leaf needs to be in a bag, which would cover it and make storage simple.

There are two versions of this bag:  1. with a zipper; 2. with a drawstring.  Using a drawstring is the cheaper version and may be easier if you have never sewn on a zipper.  Measurements for the bag can be altered if your table leaf is larger or smaller.

I used a twin sheet folded over to create a thicker bag and a drawstring saved from another item.  You can use items you already have or purchase new materials.  My twin sheets were leftover from a previous mattress that I no longer have and instead of turning the sheets into rags I decided to use one flat sheet for this project.

Materials:

1 flat sheet twin or twin xl (or fabric to cover your table leaf)
1 cord stop (if using a drawstring)
1 drawstring that measures the length of the width times two plus a few extra inches, (if using)
1 zipper (if using)
matching thread

Note: All seams are about 1/4 inch
My measurements: Table leaf: 45in length, 18in width, Bag: 54in length (before drawstring loop), 42in width

Instructions:

1.  Measure you table leaf, length and width.  Add a few inches to each measurement.  If using the drawstring method, add 2-3 more inches to the length to make the loop area.  If using a zipper add 1-2 inches more to be able to sew on the zipper.

2.  Measure your fabric or sheet.  If using your own fabric, select a fleece, flannel or similar thickness material.  Cut fabric to appropriate length and width, you need 2 pieces or one large piece that when folded equals your measurements.  If using a twin sheet fold in half twice, cut only if you are altering for a smaller table leaf.  I left seams intact, folding and sewing over them to create the piece.  You may remove stitching if desired.

3.  Sew on zipper or fold over ends about 1-1 1/2 inch width-wise for drawstring and sew all the way across the width. (Repeat for other side if you cut the pieces separately instead of folding fabric over).

4.  Pin the long (length of table leaf) edge and bottom edge.  Sew.

5.  Turn inside out.

6.  If using drawstring, pull cord through and attach cord stop.

Finish.

Step 2: Fold over for drawstring loop - matching seams of sheet

Step 3

Stitch along seam for sheet (not applicable if using your own fabric)

Finished Step 3

Step 4

Step 4 - again matching seams of sheet

Step 5 - Finished!

Cord Stops

Step 6 - Drawstring drawn through

Finished product

Sewing Week

This is sewing week for me.  I have been working and completing several projects this month and wanted to share them with you.  For each I will be posting a tutorial to go along with the project.  Here's a preview of the projects:

Tuesday's Project: Table leaf cover & storage
Wednesday's Project: Comforter (Duvet or Quilt) bag
Thursday's Project: Curling iron travel/storage bag
Friday's Project: Hair Dryer travel/storage bag

Most of the materials I have used are leftover fabric or sheets and other sewing supplies from previous projects.  You will learn how to make a drawstring with cord stop, attach a zipper and use bias tape.  All great projects for a beginner sewer (like me!).

Let's sew . . .

Stitch Red & Filati Knitting

For those who enjoy knitting (or know someone who does), maybe you have heard of the Stitch Red movement.  Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the US and affects men too.  There are many individuals that have a greater risk of heart disease in their families then others.  So let's "Stick it to heart disease"!  Check out the movement here.   I found some fabulous red yarns by Artyarns that give a percentage of your purchase to help heart disease research.  And if you don't knit or crochet, there are other ways to get involved or become heart healthy.

My other knitting find this month is the Filati magazine by Lana Grossa out of Germany.  You can check out the many different magazines full of neat patterns here.  I really like their new summer patterns, but I found some cute accessories and dog patterns too.  There really is something for everyone at Lana Grossa.  I find it hard to find a store that carries all of the magazines, though I did find a few websites where I can order previous issues.  

Lana Grossa Filati Handknitting magazine Issue 48

I should start my next knitting project, but have been taking a break while I was getting my garden in order.  Next week expect to see several sewing projects and ideas, as I have been working on a few projects of late.

Garden Update - There's ripe Tomatoes!

Summer is almost upon us and my garden is growing.   My parsley has sprouted and I have a few peppers and tomatoes already on the vine.  My melon vines are growing and I have my summer squash in the ground.  And I finally had a few sweetheart cherry tomatoes that ripened.  More should be ripening with the current heat spell, and I can hardly wait!  Freshly picked tomatoes cannot be compared to anything else.  The closest someone can get without gardening is a local farmer's market.  So juicy and sweet, unlike imported tomatoes that are picked green.  That's another reason why I really enjoy eating with what's in season.  For example, I just bought about 20 pounds of apricots at the farmer's market.  Freshly picked, these apricots are sweet and juicy, even my dogs love them.  I will probably can or jam some to savor apricots in the winter.  It's really just going back to the basics for me.

 

Chipotle Sloppy Joes Recipe

I was recently inspired to recreate my own sloppy joes recipe (I haven't eaten sloppy joes since I was a kid) when I was flipping through a magazine the other day.  The recipe I saw was for a barbeque sloppy joes on Texas toast, so I decided chiptole sloppy joes with sourdough bread would be a great revamp.

When I was a kid, my Mom used to make sloppy joes on occasion, which usually consisted of tomato sauce, ground beef and some spices.  So in order to recreate this recipe and also make it healthier I needed to add some diced veggies and I chose to use bison meat which is 90% lean instead of the usual ground beef.

Here's my recipe:

1 lb. ground bison meat
2-3 carrots, diced
1 large or 2 medium white/yellow onions, diced
6-8 baby bella mushrooms, diced
4-6 garlic cloves, chopped
2 chiptole peppers with some of the adobe sauce
1 24oz jar of chunky tomato sauce (more if you desire more tomato taste)
1-3 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp agave nectar or honey, to taste
about 2 tbsp of cumin
1-2 tbsp chili powder
1-2 tsp mexican oregano
1-3 tsp smoked paprika
olive oil
Beer or wine, to deglaze
salt and pepper to taste

1. Heat a pan on medium heat with about a tbsp or so of olive oil, saute onions.  Add carrots after a few minutes of cooking onions and a little salt.  Saute until softened.

2.  Add mushrooms and garlic, cook until all are soft and aromatic, about 5-7 minutes.  Remove from pan and set aside.

3. In the same pan, add a little more olive oil and cook bison meat until there is no pink meat.  Add about 1/4 cup of beer or wine to deglaze pan.

4.  Add cooked veggies from step 2 to the meat, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and chiptole peppers.  Cook for about 2 minutes.

5.  Add the remaining spices and combine.  Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer, stirring occasionally.

6.  After about 15-20 minutes, taste the mixture, if you like the seasoning and taste, serve, or continue to cook a few more minutes.

7.  Serving suggestions, sourdough bread and avocado.  Garnish with parsley, basil or cilantro.

Other variations:  Add swiss chard, kale or collard greens, cauliflower or corn.  Enjoy!