How to Make an Infinity Scarf

I saw this idea on Pinterest (let’s be honest, this is now where I get most of my great ideas now a days…) and wanted to try it.

These awesome wrap around scarves are called infinity scarfs.  I have enough fabric laying around, and wanted to make one for myself.

Start with a light weight fabric, something like Jersey or a light linen would work best. The tutorial for the one shown above said to make sure your fabric was 60-74″ in length. I used about 72″ and think it was just a hair too long. You can maybe go with 68″ for the perfect length. Also, make sure you use a stretchy fabric if you are going shorter, so it fits on your head easily.

I used a lightweight cotton/ linen I got at a garage sale for $1. It’s white with little nautical black stripes in it.

Just throwing this out there now, cats love crafts. A LOT. And any activity that takes place on the floor. This fabric measures to about 74″ long x 4′ wide. I only wanted to use half of the width, because I didn’t want a giant bulky scarf. The other tutorial said to sew just the top to the bottom, and if you are using Jersey, it will roll itself over, omitting the need for a hem. Well, i’m not using Jersey.

It was easy to cut the fabric (about 2′ in width) because the fold mark was there. Otherwise I recommend marking the fabric in from the edge every foot or so.

I decided to sew the entire sides up, making a long tube shape. That way, I still had the bulk, but no fraying. You can do a tube, or you can just sew the ends to itself. It depends on what you want, and the fabric you are using.

I then folded the fabric right side out, (sewn part on the inside.) Face the ends towards eachother and grab the two matching seams, right sides touching. See below:

Carefully sew the rim into itself, with the right sides facing each other, all but about 8″ of it.

Start sewing! Of course you can’t do that the whole way around. You’ll notice that you will get stopped with about 8″ left.

You’ll notice you get stopped when the fabric starts folding in on itself.

You’re now left with a little hole, easy to fix. There will be a small part with a seam showing, but once you sew it shut and put the scarf on, you can hide that.

Fold the fabric slightly in on itself in the opening, and stitch just what’s open with a very small seam allowance, maybe 1/8″.

You should be left with a small, barely noticable spot where you sewed shut the opening. You can hide that by wearing that part in the back.

Here it is again. You can barely see it.

The finished product! I’m pleased with it. and since it’s black and white, it will go with a multitude of outfits. This is the full length 74″ verion. I thought it was a little long, so I took out about 14″, and now it fits much better.

Here’s the newer, shorter version. Happy sewing!

Anthropologie Knock Off Clutch

A friend of mine bought a clutch at Anthropologie a few months ago when we were shopping around in Chicago one weekend. I saw her take it to the register and asked her how much it was, and she didn’t want to disclose the price for a such a small clutch (it was $30 ish.) I thought it looked easy enough to make, and with my supply of fabric scraps, I knew I could do it. With my luck I came across the tutorial thanks to Pinterest about how to make the exact one I wanted.

Here’s one of the Anthropologie Clutches mentioned. Adorable, but no longer available.

Here’s another Anthropologie clutch. Very glamourous.

This is the amazing knock off from the tutorial I found on Pinterest. The tutorial is HERE from Flamingo Toes. I don’t have a tutorial myself, because the one she gave was so good, there was no way I could replicate it. I would check the link and follow the instructions given there. Here’s what I came up with:

This little clutch is made of ALL recycled and found materials, minus the key ring I bought to attach the leather to the zipper. It will be for sale once I open my Etsy store this spring, of more items made of recycled materials.

I bought a bag of zippers at a thrift store that I have been finding small projects for since high school. I thought the blue matched the outer fabric nicely.

I got all of the fabrics from work, using ALL discontinued samples. I used a discontinued piece of leather to make the tassel on the zipper, and super glued a piece around the tassel to hold it all together.

Here’s one sideHere’s the other side.

If you follow the tutorial perfectly, your inside and outside will be seamless. It was a little difficult at times understanding how to attach the zipper, but once you do, and flip the piece right side out, it’s almost like watching a magic trick. I strongly recommend using fabric that’s pliable, not too thick, and easy to sew many, many (a minimum of 8) layers together. I didn’t use the thinnest fabric for the ruffles, and broke a few sewing needles in the process.I love the finished product! And I love the fact that it’s 90% recycled materials. It would be perfect for a summer wedding, night out, or luncheon with friends, where all you need is some money, your phone, your Driver’s license to get you a martini, and some sunglasses. Happy Sewing!

A Place for Necklaces

So a while back I saw an adorable picture in a Better Homes and Gardens magazine about where to hang your necklaces, and thought, I can do that! (Like I think with SO many things I see in magazines…)

My inspiration

So I set out on a quest to get supplies. I found a picture frame at Goodwill for $5 that I took the glass out of to replace a broken piece in another project. I cut cardboard to fit in the back of the frame, I would recommend doubling up on cardboard if the depth will fit in the frame.

I covered the frame with some old fabric, added push pins, and hung it in the bathroom. Voila! Cheap and easy necklace solution!

Any size pushpins would work, as long as they are the kind that stick out, not the flat ones. You could also cover your cardboard in wallpaper, cork board, or get creative and use your favorite cereal boxes. When you craft, the choices are up to you! Happy crafting!

Re-Use Those Old T-Shirts

I was between Doctor appointments yesterday and with a lot on my mind, I decided I needed to clear my head. So, I made a trip to the local Goodwill (an odd comfort zone for me, but it always hits the spot.) I love to look at the little boys t-shirts (I have no nephew or little brother to shop for) But that’s where a lot of the cool T’s with sayings and graphics get placed. There are also a TON of crafts that you can make with old t-shirts. I have this cap sleeve T from Target, my super favorite. Robin’s egg blue. But I’ve worn it so much there are little holes in the front. So, I have a few options for making something else out of my favorites. Here are some ideas for you.

THIS is what I am going to make with my favorite blue T-shirt. I also have this amazing fuscia T-Shirt that is a little small for this, and I may have to turn into a pillow or something.

This pillow is adorable. It almost looks like a thicker T-shirt material. Here’s the tutorial ala “The Sweet Life”.

I LOVE and must try this idea a-la P.S. I Made This. So easy!

Ok, so this extremely plush looking Latch Hook Rug looks like it took FOR-EV-ER (to be said in Sandlot style voice) but most likely well worth the effort. Baby likes it.

This is a great idea for an old beat up T-Shirt that you can’t bear to part with. Perfect for Summer. Thanks to P.S. I Made This.

I am loving this Mosaic patchwork bag from Try Handmade. You can find cool images, and letters to create your own saying. Check out zJayne‘s Etsy shop for more cool creations.

 Check out CreativityisMessy’s page for this cute recycled T-Shirt necklace.

I am also loving anything that looks like a big ol’ flower that’s made from old fabrics. Speaking of which, I just got a whole new bag of discontinued fabric samples from the studio that I want to craft with. You could make fridge magnets, bouquets, pen toppers… I digress. Check out Cosa Verde‘s page for more ideas.

Other Ideas:

• Rags
• Yarn for knitting a chunky scarf
• Stretch and staple over a canvas for a cool picture. Be nostalgic and use a T-Shirt from your youth, like a sports team or sleepaway camp.
• Baby Spit Up Towels
• Dog Neck Tie. Just cut into a big triangle.
• Cat Bed warmer
• Seat Cushion for Dining Chairs
• Shopping Bags (Just cut off Sleeves and cut out neck.)

Possibilities are endless! Just have fun with it, and happy Up-Cycling!

Upcycling- A Hot New Trend

I came across a new term today while I was browsing one of my favorite sites, Apartment Therapy.  Wickepedia says that “Upcycling” is “the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value”.

So Upcycling is like recycling and reusing put together. You don’t throw away items, but find creative ways to repurpose them in your home, or sell them/donate them so someone else can. I don’t think there are too many “useless” materials here on this planet, I mean sure there’s garbage like wrappers, broken glass, old apple cores and food scraps, and things that should be thrown away/composted, but with many old products, Upcycling is a great option and is something that we all can incorporate into our lives. I found many items that have been “Upcycled” and would LOVE to share them with you for a little inspiration.

Here’s a neat way to reuse a ladder as a bookshelf. I’m sure there’s heavy duty bracketing involved in this installation.

I love the idea of using a dresser as an island in a kitchen. Not only is there adequate storage for all those pesky little kitchen items, but you can top it off with a piece of laminate or natural stone for a clean fished top.

This one would take some skill… Someone took old glasses and made them into a really cool pendant light.

Here’s one of the MANY ways you can re-use old wooden crates.

Here’s a cute little way to keep ribbon organized and make it easy to dispense.

I love this one! Using little teacups to keep a medicine cabinet organized.

You’ll want to put a backing on the shutter if you want to use it for a letter organizer like shown here so your letters don’t slip through.

Here’s a way you can make lanterns for magical looking outdoor lighting. You can hang them from a tree, a fence, or set them up in the yard. There’s sand in the bottom to make sure the votives sit up straight, and collect the excess wax.

Old doors add charm and are a great way to decorate. Use them as a headboard, a chalkboard organizer like the one above, or room separator.

I like this idea of adding a mirror, and some hooks to use as something you check your self out in on the way out the actual door.

I LOVE the idea of using an old door as a headboard. It would even look cool with some wall hanging sconces wired into the sides for night time reading. Make sure to sand out  an old door and refinish so you don’t get splinters!

You get a piece of glass cut to fit and you can make yourself a really neat table top.

I hope you got some ideas here for how to re-use, I mean Upcycle some of your old cast off items and create something new and awesome. Happy Upcycling!