Working with Cork Fabric

So, I am not an expert in this - based on using it for one project.  However, I did a lot of research before buying it and watched quite a few videos on how to use it. You can really see that it makes a nice accent to this bag.  I also used some of the little scraps to make accent pieces.  This stuff is really easy to topstitch.  There is nothing there to fray. 

I recommend using a longer stitch length to top stitch this.  It just looks nice to have the bigger stitched.  You do not need a teflon foot.  That's ridiculous.  You can stitch with your basic feet.  No special needles either.  You want a sharp needle - I used a size 14 because it gets bulky when you are sewing through the piping and all the other layers. 

The finished bag seems like it's going to be nice and sturdy for the summer.  I actually always line my bags (unless I'm making something really special) with plain old felt and not stabilizer.  Why waste all the money for a simple bag like this?  It's really not worth it. 

I'm actually pretty proud of myself for using the plain sheet first.  My typical thing would be to use the one I really live (the blue fleck), screw it up, and then be really annoyed that I used up the best stuff first.  For an unintentional bag, I'm really happy with how this turned out.  I'm totally into this cork and I will be ordering lots more.  I'm thinking wallets for my dad and brothers for Christmas.  Probably try to apply some vinyl Cricut decals to it to see if that sticks. 

I was actually pleasantly surprised when I got this cork and I'm going to order more.  I bought the smaller sheets for the first try because I wanted to know what it was like.  It feels really flimsy, but it's not.  It's super flexible and easy to work with.  DO NOT IRON it.  Finger press only.  The cork is certainly glued down onto the mesh and when you iron it, you can smell the glue.  It smells terrible when it's hot.  I accidentally got it while pressing down my seams and it stunk.  

It's not hard to work with this cork fabric.  The weight it very light and pliable.

I hope to see all your projects on Instagram @indipatterns.  Follow me on Facebook or Pinterest to see all of the new patterns as I publish them.

Free Sleep Mask Pattern -Turn Old Tees and Scraps into Fun Face Masks

I actually got hooked on masks in Iceland.  If you have never been, I totally recommend a trip there.  However, if you are a neurotic sleeper like me, you are not going to do well with the endless day of summer.  it literally never gets dark in the summer.  So, I brought masks and now I'm addicted to sleeping with these things.  Especially since we live across from a ski area and the lights are on all night during ski season.

I also like these because they are fun for teens and tweens.  It's so hard to find sewing projects once kids hit certain age.  I'm pretty sure my kid never wants another cosmetic bag.  I just made 4 more this week because I'm going crazy with the boredom.

Check out my second ever video tutorial below.  I think I'm getting the hang of these little by little.  I'm really loving not having to appear in the video myself.  I did get my nails "done" for this video in a new salon my 12 year old has opened in our living room called Chez Kamille.  She's not quite there with serving coffee and wine, but maybe in a few more weeks.  So far, I've gotten two facials, two manicures, and used some Biore pour strips for the first time since high school.  It's good for an hour of social isolation boredom busting and some mommy daughter time.

Supplies needed:

Scissors
Pins
Elastic
T-shirt Fabric or Cotton
Fleece
Printable Pattern

I'm putting links to the supplies here.  I really love these scissors.  They were a gift last Christmas.  Two years of cutting and they are still pretty sharp.  I like that they are heavy.  Some people might not like that.  I like it because that makes them hard to lose.  Somewhere in my massive fabric stash is a $75 pair of titanium scissors folded up in a project.  They are so light, I didn't realize and now they are just lost.  These gold scissors are massive.  There is no losing them and there is no "accidentally" using them for something else.


Some hints here.  I'm using fold over elastic.  I love this stuff and order it in bulk.  I have this rainbow assortment and it has really come in handy.  It's good quality too for all sorts of projects.  There are so many uses for it.  If you don't want yards of elastic - I think those elastic headbands from Dollar Tree or Target would work too.  Plus, you can get those today and not have to wait for anything to come in the mail.  I'm pretty impulsive, so if I decide I need to make something - I need to make it NOW!.  I always use sharp pins so that my fabric doesn't get snagged.  Pins wear out and get dull.  Also, this is best to sew with a size 11 needle, maybe a 14. The fabric gets a little thick once it's turned and you are topstitching.  You don't want a ballpoint needle.  It's not going through all the layers.  I use fleece as a padding inside.  I'm sure you could use batting too.  But, I always have fleece scraps and it's cheap.  I don't always have batting lying around.  Fleece gives enough padding for me. 

You could totally repurpose old clothes for these.  I personally like t-shirt material.  Yes, the cotton masks look nice, but this in on your face all night.  I want comfort over the look.

Click here for the free printable face mask sewing pattern.  You need to set your printer to print to actual size.  Some people don't check that when they print patterns and they end up with a tiny version of the thing they are sewing.  That's why there is a little square that says 1".  If that's not 1", your printer shrank the pattern.

Don't forget to tag me in your finished product on instagram @indipatterns and Follow Me on Facebook @Indipatterns.  You will get to see any new items I put up on the blog.  I'm trying to take the over 200 patterns I have designed and make them all available free through my blog.  It will probably take me the next several months to get through the, but I'm working on it slowly but surely.

Turn old shirts into new scrunchies

It took me 4 hours but I managed to make my first video tutorial.  I'm pretty proud of myself for sticking with it.  Since I've lost all track of time during the stay home stay safe orders, I've forgotten about my nails.  They were a train wreck in this video.  Thanks to my mom for immediately pointing that out.  ;) 

Since I wait til the last minute for everything, I'm trying to put together some last minute Easter basket stuffers and I thought scrunchies would be a great addition.

I'm using some old t-shirt fabric to make these.

I really prefer t-shirt scrunchies as they are softer.  If you want to use cotton that works too.

For this pattern you need a 3"x14" strip of t-shirt and another piece about that size to make the optional bunny ears tie.

The tie is cute and functional.  It's covering over the seam on the scrunchie.  I am not ladder stitching a freaking scrunchie together.  Not happening!

Supplies:

Scissors 

T-shirt fabric

Elastic threader

Tube turner

1/8" elastic

Pins

If you don't have an elastic threader or a tube turner you can make a safety pin work.  I invested in some additional tools and it really makes sewing more enjoyable.

 Full disclosure I used all my 1/8" elastic for face masks I donated so I used some fold over elastic I had...but I would have really preferred not using good elastic inside of these.  

Please tag me in your finished scrunchies on Instagram @indipatterns.

I hope you enjoy this beginner project. 

For those of you who don't feel comfortable cutting without a pattern, you can download the 1 page printable pdf pattern here.  

Bonnet Sewing Pattern

I've used this bonnet pattern so many times.  It's great for holidays and baby shower gifts.

 It's fully lined and can be reversible.

Always remember when you are printing pdf patterns you need to set your printer to actual size - not fit to page.  If you print this pattern as fit to page you will be making a pattern for a doll, not a real baby.

I've recently used this pattern to make an Easter bonnet for my 4 year old niece.  This pattern is really sized for little babies.  But, I added an extra 1/2" all around when I cut it out and it made the perfect bonnet for a 4 year old.  With the stay in place orders, I've been getting my sewing supplies online from www.CreateForLess.com.

I added ears into the bonnet.  It's pretty easy to do. 

It's clearly getting some use for the entire Easter season.  

I also made a really pretty embroidered version of the bonnet for Easter service.  

These photos are not great.  With all the social distancing, I'm trying to give some of the peeps at home space and take pics in the sewing studio rather than my well lit living room.  It's not working out as well as my normal photo set up.  A while ago I bought a Brother Embroidery Machine.  I love this thing.  I've been embroidering on all my projects since I got it.  It's more than paid for itself just in savings on sportswear.  I'm able to personalize all my kid's cheer, swim, and lacrosse gear.  I use this machine: Brother SE1800 Sewing & Embroidery Machine

Actually I also used the machine to do the Easter Baskets in the photo above.  Like I said, I've gotten more than my money's worth out of the embroidery machine.  I've done hats, wallets, chap stick holders, backpacks, socks, and so much more.  I really love having it.  It comes with lots of built in designs, but it also hooks to the computer so you can buy other patters, make your own, or get them for free and just download them right into the machine.  

Also, if you are looking to step up your sewing game, try taking an online class with blueprint.  That's how I learned so much about zippers.  Get Started With Bluprint  For the next couple of weeks all the classes are free.  There are 2 AMAZING heirloom sewing classes.  I love these techniques - because you can make something plain look fancy.  I used pin tucks on this baptismal bonnet.  I learned how that technique from an online class.  Even an experienced sewist can learn new techniques.  

Click Here for the Free Bonnet Sewing Pattern

Craft Care Package free for 2 weeks

Just when we are all about to go crazy from this social distancing one of my favorite websites is giving away a free 2 week subscription to all their online crafting classes.  I have learned so much from these classes and they sell a selection of my most popular patterns in their online marketplace...plus a couple that a cute freebies.

Craft More Happy Moments with our FREE Creativity Care Package 3/26-4/9/20! Watch over 1,300 creative education classes ranging from sewing, cooking, family crafts, and more!

I really recommend checking it out.  People often ask me how I can stay same having such an incredibly stressful and depressing job.  It's self care people and having hobbies is one of my top self care go tos.  My grandma always used to say "there is no such thing as boredom, just boring people".  I really took that to heart.  I am never bored because I have nurtured a lifetime love and learning and artistic expression.  My parents indulged every single creative whim my sisters and I had - from basket weaving, to ceramics, to jewelry making.

My current obsessions are baking and sewing, but I also made all my own patio furniture, put in a potager garden, and am keeping up with my bullet journal.  I'm staying sane in this crazy time because I have stuff to do at home...also lots of hiking.

My kid is making a diamond picture, friendship bracelets, learning water colors, doing origami, making us work at homers lunch every day, baking treats, sewing (she made an adorable cat bed yesterday).  Because I spend less time working about the messes and more time letting her explore creative outlets.

Free Easy Beginner Spring Chick Sewing Pattern

Looking for a cute and easy little project to sew while you are stuck in the house?  This little chick is a favorite of mine.  It's are really silly little project that you can make with scraps.  I love how easy it is the sew up these little guys.  It's a fun little project to make now for Easter.

I used safety eyes, but you could also use buttons.  If you are looking for a way to keep kids busy, they are sew these up and glue the faces and eyes on or hand sew on faces and eyes if you make the bodies for them.

Download the free pattern here.

Free Pretty Petal Bib Sewing Pattern

 I just love this free pattern.  It makes a really sweet baby shower gift because it rolls up so nicely into a flower.  It's very easy to sew and I make it with scraps or fat quarters.

Click here for the free petal bib sewing pattern.

I love patterns that use of scraps.  I actually keep my scraps in plastic shoe boxes like the ones above.  I used to keep them crammed into a bag and I never ended up using them because it was such a pain to find them.  Taking the time to organize the scraps into small bins has made a huge difference.  When I'm done with a project, I just put the scraps away right away.






This pattern uses bias tape.  If you have not used bias tape before, it's a good pattern to try it out with.  I make my own bias tape most of the time. I put a link below to the bias tape makers I use.  I used to press my tape and make it totally by hand.  What a pain! You can also use a special foot for your machine.  I typically use sewing clips and my regular foot.  Sometimes I'm just too lazy to switch out the feet. But, the bias tape foot it worth using if you plan on making several of these bibs.  You can also use premade bias tape.  I like making my own because it's less expensive and you don't have to use standard colors.  That said, if I'm in a hurry I will use some premade tape.