Recycled Men's Shirt to Super Cute Apron...

Hi Everyone! I've been cleaning out closets over the last couple months and most all of the clothes have gone to charity. There were some things that just need to go to the trash, but I saved them and "upcycled" them to useful things for around the house.

My husband's shirts were some of the things that I saved. They are worn out and sad, but perfect for aprons. I've seen these on Pinterest and wanted to give them a try.

Here's the before...

Here is the after…

Just a few minutes of sewing and you're done. Come on in and see!!

Recycled Sweatshirt Apron…One Minute of Sewing!

Hi everyone! This week, I posted a tutorial for making a scarf made from my daughter's sweatshirts that I've collected from school, dance and college. If you want to see that post, you can click HERE.

When I was cutting out the fronts of the sweatshirts for the designs, I left the pouch pockets intact. You know I love anything that's already sewn and one step away from being up cycled to something else.

Well, here's the new sweatshirt apron!!

You only have to sew 2 lines of stitching and that's it. If you don't sew, you could use an iron on seam or even hot glue it in place! Come in to see how easy…

Placemat Apron...Great Holiday Hostess Gift

Hi Everyone! With all the holidays coming up in the next few months, this is the best time to start making little things to keep tucked away for last minute gift ideas.

I had a few placemats left over from other projects I've made in the past, so I thought I would share another idea for a quick sew apron using one placemat!

These projects are my favorite, because they are semi homemade with the placemat already sewn for you. With just a few lines of straight stitching, you can make these quick and easy gifts too!!

Come on in to see how easy...

2*10 Apron Tutorial...Very Easy

Back in the summer of 2010, I did a guest post on another blog sharing a tutorial for sewing an apron. I did the introductory post on my blog with a link to the tutorial. That post on the other blog is no longer available, so the link is broken.  I've had a few requests in the comment section of my original post to re-post the apron instructions here on my own blog.

I didn't have the full tutorial, but I went back and found all the old pictures. I've written the new tutorial, so I wanted to share it with you today!!

I called the apron a 2*10 Apron. Why 2*10? Well, you only need 2 fat quarters and only takes 10 minutes to make!! Further down this post is another option for a 3*10 apron with a pocket.

It's reversible too!!

Here are the two fat quarters.

What's a Fat Quarter you ask? If you aren't familiar with the quilting term, you can click HERE.

Tool Time Tuesday...Father's Day Gift Wrap

Father's Day this year is Sunday, June 17th.

No matter what dads receive for Father's Day, the gift wrap is probably the last thing on their mind...unless it looks like this!

A useful apron from Home Depot (or any hardware store), brown craft paper, paint chips and ribbon or string.

"Brown paper packages tied up with string...these are a few of my favorite things."

I know you're singing it your head right now!! Lol

Just tuck the presents into the apron...

and fold the apron in half...you will use the strings to tie it up.

To make a free quick card, I used paint chips that I've saved after we've had a painting project and stick on letters.

Have the kids make the card and they can sign it on the bottom color or on the back!

Use the apron strings to tie up the apron in half.

The apron can fit two or more packages on both sides.

Not bad for a 77 cent apron and a free paint chip!! Yes these aprons are 77 cents. Click HERE for a girlie version I made a long time ago

You know all Dads will love this!!

Have a great Tuesday,
~Karen~

Tool Time Tuesday...2*10 Apron Tutorial

Hi to all my wonderful blogging friends out there! I want to say thank you to all my new friends who clicked the follower button this week. A great big hug to everyone!

Today's "Tool" for this Tuesday is an easy one...

Your sewing machine!!

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Here is a super easy tutorial for a 2*10 apron.

What's a 2*10 Apron you ask? Well, hop over to Stash Manicure  (click the red link to go) and you will find my tutorial full of pictures on how to make an apron for yourself or for gifts.

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I was asked by Rae Ann to do a guest post on her amazing blog. Stash Manicure is a place where you'll find wonderful ideas from other bloggers on how to organize and start using your stash of fabric. Even though we may find ways of using up our stash, it doesn't mean we can't buy more fabric...right?

Sorry to my friends who are also friends on Stash Manicure and you saw this tutorial yesterday, but it's a good one and I wanted to share it with all of you.

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The aprons will make great gifts and they are super fast to make. Head on over and leave a comment there if you'd like and let me know what you think.

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Thanks a million for always being there,

~Karen~

Tool Time Tuesday...77 Cent Apron Redo

Where I'll turn the ordinary into the extraordinary!

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well, it's really not extraordinary...it's just really cute and cheap.

just sounded like a good lead-in to grab you!!!

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Today's hardware store find is a 77 cent, 2 pocket canvas apron from...you guessed it, Home Depot. If you don't live near a Home Depot, I think most small hardware stores sell these with their name and logo on them. They are also on the Home Depot website, but they only sell the 99 cent ones on line. The 77 cent aprons are only in the store. (Ok, I just said Home Depot 4 times already...I think they need to pay me for this post!!)

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Here is the plain and boring apron...who would want to wear this, when you can wear.....

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This little cutie!!!
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All you need to do is finish (or hem) the edges of a rectangle piece of fabric to fit the size of your apron front. I sewed ric rac to the top edge of mine. Pin the fabric to the apron and sew, through all thicknesses, along the short side, across the bottom and up the other short side...leaving the top with the ric rac open. I also sewed down the center to create 2 pockets.
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The fabric serves 3 purposes...1) to cover up the store name, 2) to add more pockets and 3) to make it really, really cute. I added the matching ruffle to increase the cute factor.
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and this is what it looks like on...sorry the picture is so dark.

four pockets to hold your seam ripper (we all know the seam ripper always needs to be handy), eye glasses, pens, pencils, little post it notes to jot down a measurement...you name it.

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You can picture the scene...you're standing at the cutting table and there is crap everywhere (admit it, because there is) you are searching for something under fabric, patterns, books etc. Well, just keep all those things in your apron. You can move all around your sewing room and always have everything close at hand.

If you want to make it really handy, just add one of these babies. I found this package at Walmart for $1.88 for four. They are the clips that hold a name badge, but the have a retractable cord in them.

Here's the little red one, to match the apron of course!

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Here's an action shot of me hooking on my rotary cutter to the clip.

Store it in one of the pockets when you're not using it. Don't forget to close the blade though!!

When you're ready for rotary cutting action, just pull the cord out and you're ready to go. You can also attach little scissors. My retractable cord glides out very easily and at a long length. If you don't feel comfortable with your rotary cutter on a cord, it's still great just to store it in one of the pockets so you're not constantly looking under a pile of fabric for it.

I hope you enjoyed this third edition of TTT. I really do love coming up with crazy things to make everyone's life a little easier and a little cuter.

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Have a wonderful Tuesday!

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~Karen~