12 Handmade Days of Christmas: Throw Pillow Day 6

Target is selling fabric! Random, right? I bought this beautiful teal hummingbird burlap. The fabric is sold in 1 yard pre-cuts or fat quarters. I have a very large fabric stash, but I couldn't resist the impulse. I'm a sucker for fabric.

Materials Needed:

1. 1 yard of pre-cut burlap fabric from Target.
2. Batting: I think pillow forms are ridiculously over-priced so I used a standard $4 pillow from Target and it yielded two throw pillows.
3. Thread
4. Needle 

Step by Step Directions:

1. Cut 16x16 Squares from the burlap. Cute 4 squares or two sets if you plan on making two throw pillows.
2. Place one of the 16x16 squares ontop of the other. Rightsides together. Pin.
3. Sew around the square leaving an opening at top of one of the sides. Don't forget to backstitch.
4. Trim the seams and corners.
5. Turn inside out and Press.
6. Fill the square with batting through the opening. (If you used an inexpensive pillow, cut the pillow open and tear out batting in chunks. This allows you to fluff the batting as you go along.)
7. Slip stitch the opening closed with needle and thread once the pillow is nice and full. Et, Voila!

Here is today's Sweet Reminder....

Sweet Reminder No.6: Stress during the holidays is a choice!
You don't "have to" do anything during this time of year. You don't have to bake, host, make, or create anything if you don't want. I hear a lot of "have to" around this time of year; coupled with a whole lot of resentment. Be clear and honest about what you can and cannot do. If you choose to live in a state of stress and chaos during the holidays, remember your stress is a choice. You don't "have to" do anything. 

Have fun with the tutorial. Any questions on the directions, please feel free to comment below.

Click the link to see more projects in the 12 Handmade Days of Christmas Series.

12 Handmade Days of Christmas: Day3 Slouchy Clutch

Welcome to Day Three of the 12 Handmade Days of Christmas! Today's tutorial is the slouchy zippered clutch. I made mine from some sweet purple upholstery suede I found on sale at the fabric store. I bought the 16 inch metal zipper in the Los Angeles garment district. If you are ever in the LA area, check out the stores on Maple Avenue between 8th and 9th streets. They have great notions and knit fabrics.

Here is what you will need for this project:  

1. 16 inch Metal Zipper
2. Fabric with enough yardage to cut two 17 x 20inch rectangle from your main fabric and your lining fabric.  I used purple suede and some striped purple lining.
3. Matching Thread  
4. Interfacing (optional for extra body)

Step by Step Instructions:

1. Cut four rectangles 16 x 20. Two rectangles from the main fabric and two rectangles from your lining fabric.

2. If your fabric needs extra body, cut interfacing and iron it onto your main fabric. My fabric was upholstery fabric; I only added interfacing to one side of my main fabric so the fold side would hold up better.

3. Unzip your zipper so you can attach the body pieces to it. On one side of your zipper layer your pieces: Lay your lining right side up, your zipper right side up, and your main fabric right side down.

4. Pin and Sew the pieces together on one side of the zipper and repeat on the other. (Some people prefer to sew with the zipper closed. There are multiple ways to skin a cat. Do what is easiest for you!)

5. Pin the fabrics together so the main fabric is touching rightsides together and the lining fabric is touching rightsides together. 

6. Sew the side seams of the lining fabric. Trim the edges

7. Sew the side seams of the main fabric. Trim the edges

8. Push the lining fabric into the main fabric of the clutch. 

I had some left over suede and lining fabric so I made a small envelope clutch and added some pleats to the front for details. Have fun with this tutorial. Don't stress over it. It is meant to be big, slouchy, and relaxed. It does not require everything to be perfect.

Sweet Reminder No. 3: Christmas is not only about traditions!

Christmas is about traditions. I hear this a lot. "Each year we do this or that and have done this or that for 20 years. Therefore, we must continue to do this or that even though we hate it because we have always done so." Now, does that make sense to you? Or does it just sound super exhausting and soooo not fun at all. Traditions are only traditions if you say they are. If you adhere to them slavishly then they become an obligation and not a sweet celebratory ritual. Check your heart and be honest with yourself. Who needs your obligation? Nobody.  If you don't want to do this or that, then don't! Free yourself to have a sweet peaceful Christmas.

Enjoy the tutorial! If you need help, feel free to ask in the comment section!!

To See More Projects in the Series, check out other projects in the 12 Handmade Days of Christmas Series.

Partying at: ShineBlogHop#25, LivelaughRowe

Happy Weekend 10.31.2014

Happy Weekend! Here is what I am reading, listening to, and working on this weekend:

1. Reading: The Money Class by Suze Orman

2. Listening to: Bonito y Sabroso by Benny More

3. Working on: My 101 in 1001 Days List 

What are you working on this weekend?