Reversible Coffee Cozy

My latest favorite sewing project is making these adorable reversible fabric coffee cozy's or sleeves. I'm not an every day coffee drinker, but I do love an occasional java or hot chocolate to get me through the day. Some places give you a cardboard sleeve, others don't give you anything to keep your hand from getting too hot. These cozy's not only keep your hand cool while enjoying a hot beverage, they're stylish too! 

I have Kristy to thank for making me this adorable polka dot sleeve and introducing me to these handy gems. They make great gifts! I've been trying to encourage Kristy to start her own blog with all of her crafty projects but she hasn't listened to me...yet.

I had to try making one. I followed this excellent tutorial with free downloadable template.

Materials:
2 strips of fabric (one cut facing left, one cut facing right)
1 strip of InsulBrite (insulated batting) or regular batting
hair tie rubber band
two buttons
thread

I followed the tutorial exactly and was pleasantly surprised how easy they are, once you get the hang of the first one.

I ironed on a "Sohl Design" tag and packaged it up to gift. Can't escape the packaging designer in me!

Front and back

Reverse side front and back

The stitching gets a little thick around the outside, so go carefully with your machine. One major tip is to sew the buttons a little loose so the rubber band can loop around them comfortably. 

You'll be sipping in style in no time!

Kitchen Chairs Makeover

We've been sprucing things up around here. A LOT. It feels like I've done so many little and big projects, that I don't know where to start. I'm diving in with my dining room chairs. 

I've moved this table in and out of rooms about a hundred different times, and I think it's finally found a permanent home in our eat-in kitchen. No need for a formal dining room these days.

The neutral cream tweed fabric cushions started to look a little drab to me. Bor-ing. I always pondered covering them with a fun fabric. That day finally came. 

I LOVE chevron pattern. I know, so does everyone else. There are so many great colors and ways to use it. I've secretly longed to incorporate it into my living space some how. Now that I've taken that leap, I have to hold myself back from going chevron-overboard. 

I found this pale blue chevron fabric with an oatmeal base at Hobby Lobby and decided to go for it. I was quite torn between blue or gray, but decided the blue would add a nice punch and contrast to the red walls.

All it took was cutting the fabric to size, enough for all 8 chairs, and putting my muscles to use with the staple gun. The stapling was the wost part. Those things really pack a punch! And are quite noisy. Am I right Triple C ladies?

After doing the first 2 cushions, I figured out the best way to fold/gather the corners - always working from the inside out, and pulling the fabric taut (with guidance from Miss Christy).

I love seeing them around the table. The fabric adds so much character to our dining space!

I liked it so much, that I made a valance with it out of burlap for over the kitchen sink window.

It makes me happy to look at it. I wonder if it could use a couple fabric flowers to embellish the corner maybe?

One thing's for certain, these two like the new chairs - a little too much! 

If you're looking to spruce up your kitchen/dining room, re-covering your chairs is a quick and affordable project. You can mix and match patterns or change it up every couple of years. A little fabric can have a big impact on a room and give new life to existing furniture.

Elastic Empire Waist Skirt

I've been wanting to make an elastic empire waist skirt ever since I saw few examples on Pinterest. 

I was inspired by this dress made by Meg at Tripping Over Joy

Meg referenced this dress tutorial at Smashed Peas and Carrots

I've had this $7 dress sitting in my closet for a year or longer but I didn't like the top. It was too drape-y and wrapped at weird angles. I never wore it, but I liked the fabric and the teal color. I decided to cut the top of and make it into a skirt.

I bought thick black elastic, measured the length I wanted and sewed a seam connecting both ends.

I cut off the top of the dress and laid out the skirt fabric on the table.

Next, I gathered and pinned the skirt fabric to the elastic waist band, trying to make even pleats, all the way around.Then I sewed the fabric to the waist band (going around twice). It was fairly easy to do. The one thing I should have done was use elastic thread instead of regular thread, to allow it to stretch with the elastic. Next time. 

I decided not to attach a tank or shirt to the skirt, which makes it more versatile. I can wear it with a tank top or T-shirt. I can also add a fabric flower or dress it up with jewelry. Now I have a cute summer skirt that I re-purposed from a dress!

Flutter Flower Shirt

I finally finished my flutter flower shirt, and I'm really happy with it. This was the first project I ever pinned on Pinterest, almost two years ago! I was quite inspired at the time, and got the materials right away, ready to go to work. And then, as some of my projects do, it sat in the closet for about a year. Until I brought it to craft night around Christmas time, and decided to give it a go. I cut out all the flowers (about 26 of them!) but didn't feel like sewing them on by the time I was done. Then I brought it to craft night again in the new year and worked on it some more. Then I didn't like where I placed the flowers. I almost gave up on it. But my motivation to have a new article of clothing was strong, so I finally finished it at our most recent craft night, adding the last few flowers. Hooray! 

 This was my inspiration. A full step by step tutorial can be found here. Isn't it cute? 

All you need are two of the same shirt. One in your size (medium, in my case) and one much larger for cutting out flowers (XXL). The best part is these actually didn't cost me a penny, because they were on sale for $5 each at Old Navy and I had two $5 reward coupons. Score! 

I followed the tutorial and cut 1.5 inch strips out of the XXL shirt. 

Then cut and assembled the flower petal shapes with matching thread. 

And two years later (ha ha), I have a new embellished shirt! I do like how it turned out in the end. Ruffles and embellished clothing are everywhere you look. It's not that difficult to make one yourself - you can actually accomplish this in one sitting, I promise. If you don't start and stop and start and stop like me.
 

Glad I didn't give up on this one!

Yes, I took this photo of myself while riding (not driving) in the car. 

And yes, I always wear my seat belt. 

Golf Towel for Dad

At the risk of spoiling my Father's Day surprise, here's a little something I whipped up for my Dad, who likes to golf - a custom golf towel.  It's in the mail, Dad!

Just like my embellished kitchen towels, all you need is a white dish/hand towel.

Some, "manly" golf appropriate fabric (argyle is perfect!) and 1 XL eyelet or grommet. 

Measure, cut and iron back the edges of the fabric you want to use. My finished rectangle was about 14 inches by 7 inches. You can make it wider or thinner. Just be sure to leave enough towel at the bottom. 

Turn your fabric right side up and pin it in place.

Sew all the way around all four sides. I like to use a zigzag stitch. Iron your now-attached fabric.

Mark the spot where you want the grommet to go, by tracing the inside of the ring. 

Snip a tiny hole through the fabric and towel, just large enough to fit the grommet. 

Follow the instructions for hammering the grommet in place. 

Isn't that fun? So stylish!

One more finishing touch - gotta add my label! 

Now my Dad can hook this specially made towel to his golf bag and think of me while he's out on the links! I have a feeling he'll like it.

This would make a great gift any golf enthusiast - you can customize the color to match their bag. Or incorporate their favorite sports team. Add a monogram. Make a whole set!