June Bug Shirt and Maxi Skirt

My sweet niece Kali just had a birthday.  I love that I have nieces.  It gives me the opportunity to sew for little girls. Kali is a sweet little girl, and has always been called "June Bug" by the family. So this red and black polka dotted ITY knit, seemed like the perfect fabric for our little lady (bug).

I used my silhouette cameo to design a little personalized t-shirt.  I love heat transfer vinyl, and have several projects to show you.  In place of the dot above the "I" in her name, I added a little lady bug.  I didn't know for sure if an eight year old would be down with lady bugs, but she loved it.

On the back of the shirt's neckline I added the words June Bug.  

Kali is quite petite, and this knit maxi fit her perfectly. She was so excited to wear it. 

 I used some scraps from the knit, and made a sailor's knot headband for her.  It was my first attempt at the sailor's knot, and it was fun.  I can't wait to make one for myself.  I followed this Sailor's Knot video tutorial from youtube.

Simple Scrap Headbands

There is something so rewarding about making a project for materials that you have on hand.  Don't get me wrong, I love to go out and purchase pretty fabric for a particular project, but making something out of what you thought was nothing, is pretty rewarding.

I had some small scraps of felt that I've been holding on to.  I don't know why, you can buy a sheet of acrylic felt for 33 cents, but I held on to the smallest of pieces. Thankfully, I did, because I turned them into some cute little bow headbands for some friends.

Aren't they sweet?  I think so. The bows themselves are completely assembled with a glue gun, making them quick and easy.    You can use my leather bow tutorial for reference.  These bows are narrower in the center than the original template. But the basics are the same.

 I also made up a few three inch pinwheel headbands, another great scrap buster. You can find the tutorial for these bad boys on The Mother Huddle.  I love this project.  So simple, so charming, and so perfect for summer.

Long Lost Project: Leather Coil Headband

Here's a long lost project for you.  I've been intending on making myself a leather headband with multiple strips, since I made my leather coil cuffs, but I never got around to (which is ridiculous because it took no time at all). I recently snatched up a piece of bronze colored foil leather, it was perfect for the project.

I cut a 3/4" x 14"  strip. I left about an inch and a half of solid leather on each end, and  cut two slits in my leather (1/4" apart) using my rotary cutter.

I then used this tutorial, and some elastic, to turn it into a little headband.

The cuts in the leather allow you to separate the individual "coils", for a fun look.

I had enough leather left over for a slightly different coil cuff.  I cut three of my strips to 1/8" wide, and two to 1/4".

Feature: Magic Braided Leather Cuff (and Headband)

Over the past couple of weeks I've been trying to figure out how I could make a braided leather bracelet.  I'd been running it through my mind, when I came across Melissa's (I Still Love You) year end wrap up post, and found her Magic Braided Leather tutorial. Don't you love it when that happens...an answer to my crafting questions.

I had to try out the technique the night I found the tutorial.  The great thing about this technique is that you don't have an open end of the bracelet.  You create slits in the material, and in working in multiples of six, can magically braid it.  It really does feel like magic.

I also tried out the technique on a headband.  

I used this tutorial to turn my leather band into a headband (so comfy).

Unfortunately this leather makes me look like I have a horrible case of dandruff.  

I'm so excited about this technique.  Check out the full tutorial on I Still Love You.  

Floral Slide Headbands: More Options

I thought that I'd share a few different headband options that were made using the template that I shared on Monday.  The template is for the leaf base, it is a slide that can be removed, and can also be shifted along the length of the headband for different positioning.

These are all headbands that I made for my booth space.  I used faux leather material for both the flowers and the base, and some embroidery thread for french knotted centers.

The flowers were made using the rose of sharon die  for my accuquilt Go! baby.  The die easily cut through the faux leather.

You can find the template and tutorial for the headband slide here.

Just a little reminder that the template is for personal use only.  Please do not sell any product made using my tutorial or template.  Thanks!

Leather Bow Tutorial and Template

Today I'm going to show you how to make these cute leather bows.  I have made several, in varied sizes, and think that they are quite adorable.  These gwere inspired by this brightly colored leather that I recently procured while on a trip to a local saddle store.  I am not a cowgirl, and to be quite frank, an not all that fond of horses (I've had some less than positive experiences with them).  While enrolled in a book making class I discovered that saddle stores were the perfect place to buy remnant leather.  They often have a box of scrap leather that is sold by the pound. On my last visit to the saddle store I found this bright pink, lilac, and mustard yellow leather.  I was so excited, but I couldn't really imagine making a journal out of it.  I bought it on impulse, and I am oh so glad that I did. I am quite pleased with these little bows and belts that I created.

Well I think that is about enough background information, lets get down to the nitty gritty.

Click read more for the full tutorial.

Faux-Floral Headbands

 

Well I hope that you haven't grown sick of all of my faux leather projects, because I have another one for you.  I am pretty sure that the fabric ladies at my local home decor fabric store are sick of cutting quarter yard pieces of this stuff (in every available color), so if you have grown tired, you're not alone.  I actually have a real leather project lined up for next week...so be excited.

I spent yesterday with my sweet sister in law.  We made ourselves some lovely little floral headbands with one of my favorite materials. I'm sure you recognize it from these booties, this belt, and this table runner.  It is just such a versatile material.  I think that the red and brown combination create a nice color combination for autumn. 

 

This red flower was my first attempt, and is probably my favorite overall.  

  

I had to make a black headband, and I love the gray centers to these two smaller flowers.

 

 

This last one is a slight variation on the first.  I like that it is a bit smaller.  I feel like the larger flower is a bit overwhelming on me (but perfect on my great model). 

Jess made several cute headbands of her own.  She tried out a brown and cream combination that I am really liking.  Thanks so much Jess for spending the day with me, and for being my model.  

I'll be linking up here.  I'll be back tomorrow with the Halloween costume reveal! 

How To Make Knotted Hair Elastics or Headbands

This is one of those projects that I am just excited about.  While I was at girl's camp last week I was teaching the girls how to make friendship bracelets and had, what I thought to be, a great idea.  I figured that if I ran elastic down the middle of the friendship bracelet that it could work not only as a stretchy removable bracelet, but also as a hair elastic. So here it is.

This is a relatively quick project.  Prepare your materials and sit down and enjoy your favorite show.  The elastics take me about 15-20 minutes to knot (with toddler interruption) and the headbands take 30-45 minutes.

The knotting technique that I used for these hair elastics is the same that I used in my chunky braided bracelet tutorial, so if you haven't knotted before hop over here and you can learn to do this simple style.

Materials for a basic hair elastic include:

• Elastic band (I bought mine in a package of 2/12 yards at Joann's) I used oval elastic band, but there is round cord elastic or a thinner flat elastic that might be fun as well.
• Embroidery Floss (6-7 times the length of your piece of elastic)
• Needle and Thread
• Button(s)- (if making a button/loop closure)
• Clear tape (optional)

Determining the length of your elastic band or headband: Before cutting your elastic band you may want to take the end of your elastic and wrap it around your pony tail several times (or your head once, if making a headband) to determine the size that you need.  If making a button/loop closure you will want to add about 2-3 extra inches of elastic for knotting.  If you are stitching your elastic ends together you will only need about 1/2" of extra elastic.  For a small elastic for a child's hair I would probably cut a 4 1/2-5 1/2 inch piece of elastic.  For an adult size elastic band I would use closer to 6 or 7 inches.  I used a 22" piece of elastic for an adult headband.

I made two different types of hair elastics.  The first was a simple button loop closure elastic.  This is the style that I prefer to make.  It is easier and requires less hand sewing. The second is an elastic with secured and attached ends. It is probably more user friendly.

Button Loop Closure Elastic or Headband

Loop your elastic

You start by making a small loop with your elastic (much like in the knotted bracelet tutorial).  You will tie a knot and pull the elastic as tight as you can so that it does not come undone.  You will want your loop to be just big enough for your button to pass through. After looping and knotting your elastic you will want to attach your embroidery thread (about 6-7 times the length of your elastic) by tying a knot as well. I try to keep the ends of my thread pointed down in the direction of the loose elastic, this way we can knot them into our elastic band.  If you would like you can wrap a small clear piece of tape around the loose ends to keep them in place while knotting.

Tie a knot at the end

Now you knot.  You will want to push your knots close together if you don't want your core elastic showing much when stretched.  If you don't care then there is no need to worry.  Knot from the top to the bottom of your elastic.  When you come to the end you will want to tie a knot and pull it tight.  You will then take your button and attach it to your end knot.  When attaching stitch through the knot to secure not only your button, but the knot.

This is a wet pony tail, not greasy hair

I quite like making my headbands this way.  You can put it on without messing up your entire hairdo (or lack thereof). You can also make lots of little embellishments.  I made these simple button on embellishments that slide right over my closure button.  I used simple craft felt, sewed a button hole, and slid them on.  You can make one little elastic band or headband very versatile.

See how they could be worn as bracelets or used as elastics

Circular Elastic

Secure ends by overlapping 1/2" and zig zag stitching by hand

This is more like the elastic that you'd find at the store.  I put off making these because I knew that the ends would be a pain to attach.  I first tried to machine stitch the ends together...that might have worked if my elastic was completely flat, but I wasn't too successful using the oval elastic.  So I gave in and handstitched the ends.  I used a zig zag stitch and put in about 8 stitches in one direction.  After putting in 8 stitches I backstitched (by hand of course) to give it some added reinforcement.

After securing my ends I attached my thread by making a simple but secure knot.  Taped down my loose ends with clear tape, and began knotting.  Having the elastic in a circular shape is a bit of a challenge, but I found if I wrapped it around something like a deck of cards or an old credit card it worked well (don't use active cc or it could break or damage them).  Knot until your ends meet up.  Tie a secure knot and you are done.

I added this cute felt flower to my elastic.  I think that it will look adorable in my nieces hair.

There really are so many different options available.  You can make your elastics all one color.  You can use multiple colors, you can add bobbles, beads, bows, or flowers.  It might be fun to use a wider elastic band for a headband.  I know that there are different knotting techniques out there.  You could come up with some really interesting knotting patterns.  Sure it'd be easier to run to the store and pick up a 20 pack of sparkly pink hair elastics, but it is pretty fun to make them.

I was initially a bit worried that these would pull on my hair and be uncomfortable, but they aren't at all.  I wore a headband all day yesterday and actually forgot that I had it in.

Give it a try and let me know how it turns out.

A big thanks to all of those who have entered the giveaway at Crap I've Made.  You still have time to enter if you haven't. A big Welcome to all my new followers.

Checked Off The List: Ruffles and Stuff's Lauren Headband

It is always quite overwhelming when you have a long laundry list of things to do, even if it is a craft list.  After my post yesterday I was definitely feeling a bit overwhelmed, but I was also left feeling motivated to report back and show you how things were going.

I managed to accomplish quite a bit considering that my son chose not to nap.  I finished the Kimono Top (I'll show you that later), I also put that last coat of paint on the bags for girls camp, mowed the lawn, picked up those scattered toys, and washed some dishes.  I am quite excited though for the Lauren Headband that I whipped up last night.  I didn't make many modifications, but I am pleased with the way it turned out.

I had to head down into our basement and sort through my book binding supplies to find a piece of leather. Unfortunately my leather collection is in need of replenishment.  The only piece that I had that was long enough for the headband was black and thicker than would probably be recommended; I gave it a try anyway.

One modification that I made was to the headband itself.  I didn't have any elastic on hand so I used an inexpensive plastic headband that I'd found on clearance at target.  I cut slits in the leather as Disney recommends and then glued the headband to the leather starting at one end and working to the other.  I slid the ends of the headband through the slits and glued that portion of the headband down as well.  Having the leather on the inside of the tips makes the headband a bit more comfortable.

Now in the tutorial itself Disney recommends two 15" pieces that are 3/4" wide. Because my leather was thicker mine would have worked better if my bow piece of leather was an inch or two longer.  The center piece of my bow wasn't quite long enough to meet up end to end.

I am not the most adept with a glue gun, and it seems that I always go overboard and end up with globs of glue squished out the sides of my project.  I have discovered a trick to removing those unsightly globs...Tweezers.   A pair of fine point tweezers does  a great job of pulling off extra pieces of dried hot glue (especially on leather).

When my husband saw me working with the black leather he asked if I was planning on attending a biker convention...maybe I will.  I like my black leather headband, but maybe it needs a few studs.  I do wish that the leather had been thinner so that the bow wasn't quite as stiff, but I am quite fond of my new biker bow headband.

What should I work on next?