10 August 2014

Fabric Bins



 Theirs - $129                                                                                             Mine - $20



 Fabric or canvas bins are a great way to hide clutter and organize smaller items on a shelf. Unfortunately, they are usually significantly outside of my price range for organizational tools. I just can't bring myself to pay $10+ for a glorified cardboard box... so I made my own!



A couple of years ago I made a set of three smaller bins to organize an open shelf in the bathroom. Between the humidity and normal wear, I only have one left.













Not long ago, I decided I needed a better solution for my nightstand. I'd been using a small table, but it didn't offer much storage. I found a set of wire shelves and set out to make a set of fabric bins to use as drawers.








When I made the set of blue bins, I had just moved and had an ample supply of cardboard boxes to cut up for the sides and base. This time, I only had very lightweight cardboard and wanted to make larger bins. After much searching and deliberating, I finally found 14" packing boxes at Walmart for $0.68 each. Armed with 3 boxes and a black sheet from the thrift store, I set out to make a set of bins.

The top and bottom flaps were perfect for the sides of the bins, and I cut one of the box sides to use for the base. The base is 13"x 13" and the sides are about 7" tall. 
I prefer to taper the the sides so they are a little bit wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. It takes a little bit more care and effort, but I think it makes the bins a little sturdier and they look very nice.

The sides are 13.5" at the top and taper down to 13" at the bottom.

Once all the cardboard had been cut, I used the cardboard pieces as a pattern to cut the fabric, using a 1/2 in seam allowance. 

(Actually, I almost always use a 1/2" seam allowance... I never could understand why pattern companies decided that 5/8" should be standard... 1/2" is easier to measure and easier to estimate during pattern drafting.)

Anyways...I'll get back to my project at hand. :)

You can't tell from the photograph, but I cut two layers of fabric together, one for the outside and one for the lining. I could have made the lining of a different fabric, but decided to keep it simple for this project.


 Before I started sewing the pieces together, I decided to make a contrasting handle. It's just a tube of fabric with the ends flipped under and top-stitched. I attached this piece to the fabric for the front first.

Then, I sewed the sides together to form a box - four for the outside and four for the inside. 






Placing wrong sides together, I top-stitched along the seam, creating separate sections for each cardboard panel.











Then, I sandwiched the cardboard for the base between the outer fabric and the lining. Flipping the sides inside out, I pinned the bottom edge to the base.









Like this... and stitched around the edge.
 Next, I flipped the bin right side out again and slid the cardboard pieces into the "pockets" around the edge.


Finally, I pinned a seam binding around the top edge and top-stitched all the way around. This is definitely the most challenging part of the whole project. You can see in the photo on the right, that I had trouble keeping the stitching line even. The bigger bins were even more cumbersome to hold onto and manipulate while stitching, but I eventually got them all done... I just didn't take any close-ups of the top-stitching on them. :)

Here's my finished nightstand/dresser with fabric bins. 

I had a coupon, so the shelf unit was about $15. The cardboard was $0.68 each for three boxes and the fabric was a $2 sheet at the thrift store. Grand total = $19.04 :)



19 June 2014

Beach Ensemble... Sarah Style!

In conservative circles, we bemoan the state of modern swimwear on a regular basis. Many of us alternate between wearing garments that make us feel uncomfortable and exposed or donning a number of different items that were never designed for water activity in an attempt to cover all of the "eek!" zones.

On top of the complications of simply staying covered, a day at the beach or pool involves a variety of other activities. Sometimes I will be inside under ac for hours before swimming. Other times, I want to relax beside the pool without showing my thighs. Maybe I want to play with one of my little nieces or nephews or take a walk without wondering who is staring at my flesh.

I tested out the ensemble above about two weeks ago at a cookout at Poe Springs, FL. It worked wonderfully! It's comprised of 5 pieces, which makes it sound complicated, but really gives me tremendous flexibility.

The undergarments are an old bra, covered in swimsuit fabric and bottoms made from my normal underwear pattern... maybe I'll post more on those two another time, although I must admit, discussing my undergarments on the internet feels a little odd... hmm.

The primary garment is a one-piece, unlined dress made from polyester/lycra knit.

I got the idea from a product sold by a company called Nuu-Muu. I loved their idea of a simple, A-line dress to wear for exercise or swimming. The only thing I didn't like is that all of their dresses have a keyhole in the front neckline, which doesn't work with my body type at all... So, I made my own version.

Swim suit fabric is expensive, so I looked at thrift stores until I found a dress made from a similar type of fabric. One of the most important skills in up-cycling and creative re-purposing is to know fabrics and fiber content. For swimwear, you want a fabric that does three things:

Stretches - you want a fabric that springs and snaps when it is stretched. Look for a knit that you can pull to almost twice its size in all directions.

Dries quickly - it may feel great to be wet when you first get out of the pool, but you don't want to still be sitting in dampness 8 hours later. As much as I love cotton, swimwear is not it's strength, so leave it alone. I've had cotton knits take close to 24 hrs to dry... yuck! The fabric you are looking for here is polyester. Polyester is a man-made fiber. It's basically glorified plastic spun into tiny fibers and woven or knit into fabric. Because of this, the fibers themselves absorb very little moisture. When you get out of the pool, the liquid is mostly suspended between the fibers and drips out much more quickly.

Resists fading in the sun - if you're going to go to the trouble to make yourself swimwear, the last thing you want it doing is turning into a totally different color after 5 wears. Again, cotton isn't going to work here. Cotton accepts dye readily, but it also loses that color pretty easily, too. Polyester gets another point, as it typically takes much longer to fade in the sun.

The fabric I used is a polyester/lycra knit. I didn't think about taking pictures of the dress before I cut it or recording the exact fiber content. The exact ratio of polyester to lycra isn't a big deal, as there is a range that will work well. Generally speaking, the more lycra, the stronger the stretch will be and the finished garment will be more clingy. 92% polyester with 8% lycra seems to be a pretty common ratio, and it very likely was the fiber content of this dress.


Over the swimwear, I wore a simple printed skirt that picked up the navy blue from the swimsuit. Since I wear skirts most of the time, I felt completely comfortable. On top, I added a light weight knit cardigan. The very top picture shows a long sleeved cardigan that I made using the techniques I demonstrated in this blog post. The picture just above shows a short sleeved cardigan I made from a knit sheet. One of these days, I will convert the pattern for it into a PDF... one day. :)

15 June 2014

Pillow Case Shrug

After
Before

In the summer, I'm always looking for lightweight shrugs or cardigans to cover my shoulders. For years, I've used sheet sets for a variety of projects. Recently it occurred to me that there should be something I could do with a pillowcase! 

First, I cut off the hem and both seams. Most pillowcases are sewn from one big rectangle, so the other edge is just folded. 

 Then, I opened the fabric and folded both edges toward the middle. I left about a 4-5 inch gap in the middle because I don't need the shrug to meet, but do want to have it come over my shoulders.

Next, I folded it down the middle, cut a small section out for the neck and cut the arm holes. 
 7" ended up being about the right depth for the armhole for me. I cut a teardrop shape out of the fabric.
 I decided to give the back a little shaping, so I pinched out fabric and made two simple darts. I didn't even really measure, I just used the first to mark the proper distance and depth, so the second would match it.

Apparently, I then got so excited about finishing the project that I forgot to take pictures until the end... I'm still figuring out this whole blogging thing... Anyways, after making the darts, I sewed the shoulder seams and a narrow hem around the bottom edge.

To make the binding, I cut the hem down the middle (right on the crease) and sewed it together to make one long strip. Then, I sewed a seam at the edge and flipped it.

As I pinned the binding in place, I marked where it needed to end and sewed the other end in the same way. I placed the binding against the right side of the fabric and used a zig-zag stitch to hold it in place and to catch the raw edge a little. Then, I laid the binding flat and top-stitched all the way around. 







Here it is finished!


 And here's another I made with a second pillowcase.


12 June 2014

Air Conditioner Baffle

Yesterday, I was brainstorming topics for blog posts. I had been focusing on sewing creativity, which is my specialty, but had totally forgotten about some of the other quick projects I've rigged up around the house. This is a picture of a baffle I made from scraps of foam board to help direct the air more effectively through the living room. 
If you know my family, you would know that I come by this skill quite honestly... my dad has been building baffles of varying sorts since long before I was born. One favorite family story involves my mother returning home after 6 weeks in Mexico to a tube fashioned from black trash bags channeling air from the living room ac into the bedroom! I haven't gotten that extreme... at least not yet. :)

However, I was tired of the air going in all the wrong directions. Here's a photo showing the old air-flow pattern.
Not only did the cold air fall to the ground before reaching the far end of the room, but the ac blew directly on the table, cooling hot food quickly! I tried to think of a different way to arrange the living room first, but it's a small room and this seemed to still be the best arrangement for the flow of traffic. 
I had scraps of foam board from another project, so I cut a rectangle the same size as the vent and two right triangles for the sides. The rectangular piece has slits cut about an inch into the bottom to accommodate the plastic vent pieces. After taping the pieces as shown, I taped the contraption to the ac unit. 

Here is the new air-flow pattern. 
Without the baffle, I can feel distinct cool and warm spots in the living room. With the baffle in place, the whole room stays at a pretty even temperature. 

Total cost - less than $1

06 June 2014

Thinking Like the Pioneers

Generations ago, courageous men and women set off from the more settled eastern side of the United States toward the wild, unsettled west. They faced all kinds of hardships and learned to do without many of the luxuries they had taken for granted in their former homes. They gave up short-term comfort in the hope that they would be able to build an even better life in another place.

Today, our global society makes it extremely unlikely that any of us will ever take off into the great unknown with only an occasional letter to connect with family back home. It is easy to forget those characteristics and traits that enabled the pioneers to survive and build a life against incredible difficulties.

Yesterday, a man approached me in a parking lot to ask for money to buy his baby diapers. I didn't have any small bills, so I had to turn him away. I don't usually give money to people in parking lots at all, but he was very respectful and I felt compassion for him. If I'd had cash to give him, I would have.

 As I walked into the building, I continued to think about his plight. As a problem-solver, I started to think about what I would do if I were in a similar situation. I know his challenge is not unique, as many people struggle to buy even basic necessities for their families.

 Within minutes I knew how I would approach the situation. I would find any old towels, sheets or clothing that I didn't need. I would cut rectangles from those fabrics and layer them to place the most absorbent one next to the baby's skin, thereby fashioning cloth diapers. Would it be convenient? No. Would it be perfect? No. Would it be a long-term solution? Probably not. But they would work. Baby would be covered and I would wash them in the sink and hang them to dry.

Please understand, I don't judge the gentleman for asking for help. Sometimes that is the best solution. Sometimes, though, there are other options...but it requires a different mentality.

7 Ways to cultivate a "Pioneer" mentality. 

1. Is this a need, or a convenience?
We are a people of convenience. From microwaves and fast food to streaming video, we like to have our every whim granted in a moment. However, these whims are not needs. It will not hurt me to wait 20 minutes to warm my food in the oven instead of owning a microwave... and I just saved over $50.

2. How did people meet this need in previous societies?
Very few of our daily needs are new. How did people meet your current need in the pioneer days? In the 1950s? In medieval days? Many of our machines are simply automated methods of doing the same tasks that have been done for thousands of years. By doing my laundry in the sink and hanging it to dry, I save the $5-$8/ week that I would spend at a laundromat.

3. Someone makes this item
Cake mix, toothpaste, clothing, cars and computers are all composites of other items. Someone makes these items. The next time you need an item you don't have, pause and think about the process of making that item. Now, I'm not likely to build my own computer anytime soon... that's not my area of expertise. But I have made my own cake mix, toothpaste, clothing and several other items. Before I buy an item, I stop to think about a way to make it instead.

4. Keep a mental inventory of your excess
On their long journey, many of the pioneers kept journals, walked or pieced quilts. They had an excess of time and used it as well as they could. A few years later, many of them had farms with egg-producing chicken coops. Then, they ate egg-rich dishes and sold eggs to make the best use of that excess. What do you have that you don't use up?

5. Match excess to need
List your excesses and resources. List your needs. What do you have that you can use to make what you need? The internet is a beautiful resource in this regard. I once had a jar full of raw almonds, but was out of creamer for my coffee. At the time, I was in the midst of a "no groceries" challenge. I had all kinds of food in the fridge, freezer and pantry and was determined to use up most of it before going shopping. I found a recipe online, made almond milk in a blender, added a couple of ingredients for thickening and sweetening and had creamer!

6. Enjoy small comforts, but don't be too picky.
My almond creamer wasn't as good as half-n-half and the next time I did go shopping I certainly picked some up! However, not as good doesn't mean it's bad. If your choice was the makeshift version or nothing, which would you choose? Imagine traveling across the prairie in a wagon. Halfway through your trip you run out of coffee altogether. It will be two weeks before you come to a town with a general store and even then, the price may be prohibitive. In comparison, a make-shift creamer is a great luxury!

7. When you do buy, buy long-term and multi-use
Now that you're thinking of using the stuff you already own and making composite products from their basic components, you will realize that some components are extremely useful. When I buy clothing, I think about what I can do with the fabric when the garment no longer meets my needs. I've found that cotton/spandex knits are incredibly versatile and can become anything from underwear or socks to a new waistband for a skirt. If I must buy a blouse, I buy one that I will be able to re-use later.

These ways of thinking also have the advantage that they tend to minimize waste. When you are using up every resource, far less ends up in a landfill. Also, many recycling methods use a lot of energy. Re-using items at home is the superior solution. In the process, you will be saving money!

05 June 2014

Short-sleeve cardigan from large tee-shirt

Before
After
I love wearing pretty cardigans and shrugs over simple tank tops. Especially in the summer, it seems that everywhere I go is a different temperature and I'm constantly adding and removing this extra layer. 


A few years ago I realized that I would put together cute outfits, and then spend most of the day covering it up with a neutral cardigan. Now, I wear neutral tank tops and skirts and wear a pretty top, cardigan or shrug over it for color. Summer time is hard, though. Many cardigans are simply too heavy for the sweltering Florida summer.

This top adds that bit of color that I need, but is short-sleeved and light weight.

Step 1: Find a pretty tee in a large size - mine was a 2x.

Step 2: Cut the shirt up the middle. Trim off the collar and hem and shape the edge - I opted for rounding those edges.
  
Step 3: Take in the side seams (if necessary). I've made similar shrugs/lightweight cardigans and many already fit nicely through the sides. Put the shirt on, pinch out the excess fabric and then mark a seam that will take out that excess. 
Step 4: Hem the edge. There are several methods for this. I like to use a very narrow stretch zig-zag stitch. Since jersey knit doesn't ravel, you can flip the hem only once and sew it. My machine doesn't sew very well on lightweight fabrics, so I ended up flipping the edge under twice. That gave the edge just enough stability for my machine. Make sure to use a ball-point or stretch needle.

All done!



 
I had bought this pink tee-shirt for exactly this kind of a project. I think it was about $1.50 from the thrift store. When it wears out or I get tired of it, I will turn it into liner socks or underwear... not bad for a $1.50 investment. :)

04 June 2014

Daily = Done

This blog is about creativity, specifically about creative ways that I save money and re-use other things. Sometimes, my greatest obstacle to creativity is chaos. Disorganization, confusion and distraction make it hard to focus on the projects that are important to me. Instead, time is wasted shuffling piles, making lists and generally spinning my wheels. 

Disorganization leads to procrastination which leads to unfinished projects

There are countless methods to organizing time, space, money and practically anything else you can think of. The catch with all of them is getting started and being consistent. This summer I have identified several projects and goals that I want to see completed.
While walking into the library this afternoon, I was enjoying an immense sense of peace and stability. After three just days of my new system, I feel more focused, organized and purposeful than I have in months! 

Daily habits keep awkward or unpleasant tasks under control

My new "secret weapon" is a list of tasks to do every day broken into 4 routines throughout the day. The plan is that, with these recurring tasks consistently completed, I can focus my energy and creativity on the projects that I really care about... like this blog!


5 Steps to building routines that stay on top of life

1. Step away from the chaos
Take a walk, drive to a library, take a cup of coffee onto the porch or whatever you need to do to step outside of the chaos.
2. List all the tasks that must be done daily
Go ahead and list things like getting ready for the day, packing lunches and other things that may already be in your routine. These items will be the "hook" that we will hang other tasks on to help make them habits faster. 


3. Divide these tasks into 4 categories depending on the most logical time to complete each one.
My four categories are: 1) first thing in the morning, 2) beginning of my work day, 3) when I get home at the end of a work day and 4) before bed. Chances are, you already have the beginnings of routines around these same times. (You did brush your teeth this morning... right?) Now, all we need to do is to build upon the foundation of these routines. 

4. Add tasks that are related to the routine by either category or proximity
While I cook my breakfast, I unload the drainer and put away clean dishes. It wouldn't have to be done now, but by doing it when I'm standing there anyway, the task is done for the day and doesn't bother or distract me later. Also, I've found that a full drainer (or dishwasher) discourages me from washing dishes throughout the day. By staying on top of this task, I also make it easier to stay on top of dishes, too!

5. Implement the schedule (preferably on a weekend or day off)
I'll be honest, the first day you run through these new routines, you won't save much time. In fact, you may be surprised at how long some items take to complete. Most of us notoriously under-estimate the amount of time needed for our activities. However, a few days into the routine, you'll start to get faster. You'll find your rhythm and won't have to keep checking your list to see what comes next.
Stick to your routines, even on weekends. I like to sleep in as much as anyone, but when I do get up, I still run through the tasks on my morning routine. As a result, the transition back into the work week is relatively seamless.


Bonus notes:
Be realistic and remember that life still happens!
You will have days that you won't get to everything on your list. In fact, you may decide that you had too much on your lists to begin with! That's okay. Highlight the items that are the most important and, if needed, focus on those. Tomorrow, try again to make it through the whole list.
If it's really important to you, some aspect of it should be on your list
Daily=done. If you do something toward your goal daily, you are much more likely to actually achieve the goal or complete the project. Having a hard time deciding what to do daily toward that goal? Good. Now you know that you need to break that big goal down into more concrete steps in order to accomplish it. Do you want to run a marathon? Then run every day. Even if you take off a day to rest, keep the task on the list and do something related, such as a long stretching session.
Re-evaluate your list regularly
The habits that are most important now, won't necessarily be the most important in 2-3 months. By then you will have new goals to work toward. Re-assess as often as you need to in order to keep your routines relevant to your life.
Guard those routines!
Being faithful to your own priorities is essential to managing your time wisely and knowing where to allocate your energy. It's so easy to stay up late watching television and then to cut the morning routine short. Be faithful to the schedule and routines you have set. Sacrifice a little now in order to re-claim greater flexibility later. When you are current or ahead on all of your priorities, you have the "wiggle room" to change plans at a moment's notice. Think of it, if the house stays mostly clean, you can have guests on a whim! If your bills are paid a little early, you know what's left to play with! When work is in control, you can find time to spend with a visiting friend.
Daily habits and routines allow us to keep tasks in control, which allows us to focus our attention on the things that matter most!

03 June 2014

No Show Liner Socks




Ballet flats are my absolute favorite type of shoe. I love their classic simplicity and versatility. As an incurable skirt/dress wearer, I spent years trying to find a shoe that was practical, yet worked well with a casual skirt. Don't get me wrong... heels are fabulous for special occasions, but I needed shoes that I could live in! I started out buying little no show liner socks, but when they started wearing out within a few weeks, I knew I needed a different solution. At $2.50/pr I couldn't justify replacing them that often.

So.... I made a pattern! One of the great things about this project is that since it uses only small scraps of fabric, it is a perfect way to re-use an old t-shirt! 


Step 1: First, I cut out this shape. To purchase a PDF with the pattern, click here

Step 2: I sewed the seams on the side of the toe and the heel. 

Step 3: Then, I cut a piece of elastic, sewed it into a loop and pinned it to the inside of the sock, flipping the fabric over the elastic.

Step 5: Using a zigzag stitch, I sewed around the edge of the sock, pulling the fabric to fit the elastic. I used contrasting thread to show the stitches - usually I use matching thread. 

Step 6: Repeat for the other sock.

All done! Here's how they look inside shoes... oh wait, you can't see them!!! Perfect.