House hold tips

Here are somethings that i learned and have tried that i think everyone should know:

1 If you use dryer sheets in the dryer like i do or even just fabric softener then pull out your lent trap and after cleaning out the lent run a little cold water through it. The water beads because of the build up on the filter. If left on there it will reduce your dryers effectiveness and shorten the life of your dyer. It will also use more electricity. To get this off use dish soap and hot water scrub with a tooth brush then rinse. Now when water is run through it doesn't bead on top so more air is getting through. This needs to be done at least once a month.

PILLOW CASES

Here is an examples of pillow cases with decorative inserts. There are many ways to make fancy pillow cases; Embroidery, Paint, Crochet, Decorative stitching, Color blocking, and Pieced edging to name a few. In the next few weeks I will write about how to get started and give instructions on each of these techniques.
Making pillow cases was the first thing I learned in Home Economics class when I was in the 7th grade. However, the embroidering and crocheting I learned as a much younger child. My grandma used to talk about making things for a hope chest so when I grew up and either got married, or just moved out on my own, I would have things to help me get started.
I think young girls should be encouraged to do things like this. Completing a project gives a since of accomplishment and builds self-esteem. It also gives them something to do besides sitting around watching TV all the time. The sewing techniques learned on pillow cases can be applied to all manor of sewing, so get a couple yards of fabric (100%cotton) and go with me on this journey.
One more thing I wanted to mention is the embroidery designs. Most of the time I just draw my own designs (like the one in the picture) but if you need to, Aunt Martha's transfers can be purchased from Wal-Mart or other fabric and craft type stores for a very small price. They have a wide variety of designs to choose from. For beginners, don't pick a design that is too elaborate. Simpler is better to start with.

Bunny Candy Jar

This is a bunny candy jar that I made using an old shirt, a sock that had no mate, and a jar that once held cheese dip.











The jar in this picture is an old jelly jar.
Step one. Wash jar with hot soapy water and rinse with vinegar. Trace the lid on a piece of cardboard and cut it out (make two of these) and set aside.
Cut a circle out of the fabric that is at least a half inch larger than the lid all the way around. Glue the lid to the fabric, centered. Glue the edges of the fabric to the sides of the lid and trim off excess. Cut a piece of bias tape long enough to go around the lid. To find the width of the tape, measure the side of the lid and add 1/2 inch. Iron both edges in towards the center 1/4 inch. Glue around the side of the lid to hide the raw edges. Screw lid on the jar.
Step two. The head, hands, nose, and ears are cut from the sock. Cut a line straight across the sock about half way between the heel and toe (this is the head). Cut the leg part of the sock off, then cut the band off the top. cut straight up both sides making two equal sized rectangles (these are the ears). With the heel section that is left, cut a circle that is slightly larger than a quarter from the center of the heel (this is the nose). Cut two rectangles that are about one inch wide and two inches long from what is left (these will be for the hands.
Step three. From fabric cut two 5 inch squares (sleeves), and one large circle (hat). I used a large dinner plate and traced around it to make the large circle. Measure in from the sides of the circle about 1 inch, draw another circle in the large circle (I traced around a medium sized dessert plate to make this circle).

Step four. For each hand, fold the small rectangles in half with wrong side out and stitch from the open end in towards the folded edge, rounding both corners and back to the open end. Trim rounded corners and turn right side out. Stuff lightly with fiber fill.

For sleeves, make a shirt tail hem on the lower edge of each of the 5 inch squares. Then fold in half and stitch side seam. turn right side out and press. Run a basting stitch about 1/4 inch up from the hem . Slip hand into sleeve and pull on the basting string , adjust gathers and secure hand to sleeve with either stitches, or glue. Stuff sleeve lightly and gather across the top. Lap upper edge of sleeves over upper side edges of lid; glue in place.

Step five. For ears, fold rectangle in half lengthwise. Start stitching along the long open side. About half way down the side start aiming your stitching toward a center spot on the short side. Do not sew all the way to the edge, stop about 1/4 inch from edge. Turn and sew (using the same aiming technique) towards the folded edge about half way up. These aiming stitch lines should not be straight, but rather arched. Trim off excess fabric on both sides of the ear tips and turn.

Stuff head. Glue the two circles of cardboard together for extra stability. Slip cardboard circles into the neck. Glue the edges of the neck to the bottom of the cardboard. Make the nose by running a gathering stitch around the edge of the small circle and pulling the string while tucking the edges in (use extra poly fill if necessary to make the nose full). Attach nose to face. Attach Ears to top of head. Use buttons (I used pony beads because I didn't have any buttons) for eyes and attach to face. Use markers or embroidery to make mouth. Glue head to the center of the jar lid over the sleeves.

Step Six. Using a satin stitch, stitch around the outer edge of the large circle. Run a gathering stitch on the line drawn about 1 inch in from the edge. Cut slices in hat large enough for the ears to go through on each slide about 1/4 inch in from the gathering line.
Pull ears through and tuck raw edges down so they don't show. Pull gathering string and adjust gathers. Then secure it so gathers won't come out. Glue rick rack or any other trim you like to the jar. Make a tiny little sign and attach to both hands. Fill jar with candy.

I had a lot of fun making these. They can be made for any occasion. Dogs, cats, pigs, bears, or cows could be made with these same instructions just by changing the ears. You could even leave the ears off, add grey yarn for hair and change the mouth and make a Granny full of treats for the grand children.

Basket made with Recycled Jeans

This is an Easter basket that I made from the flat fold seams of my son-in-law's old jeans. I cut all the double sewn seams off the jeans, including the ones that go across the back yoke that has the little red wrangler tab that you can see in the bottom picture.This basket took two pair of jeans to make. When cutting the seams out, I leave about 1/4 inch of material on both sides of the seam. I also used both waist bands. On one I left the belt loops attached to the top of the waist band and used a seam ripper to rip them loose from the pants before I cut the waist band off the pants with the extra 1/4 inch of fabric.


To start, with the right side of the seam facing up. I pulled a 4 inch length around and butted it up against each other. I Started at the loop end and, using a wide zig-zag stitch, I began sewing the two together. The hardest part is the first turn. Just keep the seam as flat as possible and turn the corner making sure that the zig-zag stitch is catching fabric on both sides. Continue in this fashion, going around both ends until you come to the end of the first piece. Then just butt the next piece up next to the last one and keep zig-zagging until the bottom is as large as you want it. At that point, pull slightly on the piece that is being attached and continue. This pulling will make the sides start to take shape. When you run thru all the pieces of flat fold seams, use scissors to taper the end of the last piece so it has a smooth rather than an abrupt end. Now, put the waist band on. Attach the waist band with the loops (I cut the snaps and or buttons and holes off first)to the top of the basket in the same manor as before, trim to insure that the two ends butt up against each other. Zig-zag waist band together. Use the other waistband to make the handle. First, fold it in half length wise and sew (with straight stitch). Next, fold it in half and attach the folded side to the basket. Then, twist the two like a rope (twist just enough to make the handle hold its shape, if you twist too much, the handle won't stand up) and attach to the other side of the basket. Use hot glue and attach the loose ends of the belt loops to the basket. Decorate with ribbon thru the belt loops and a large bow. Flowers or other decorations could also be used, it's up to you.

Chenille Potholders

These are pot holders that I make from recycled clothing. I used a old pair of jeans and a old shirt. The only important thing to remember when deciding what to use is to make sure that the fabric content is 100% cotton. Cotton, when cut on the bias will frey readily, giving it the desired chenille effect and it will not melt like polyester or other synthetic fibers will.

Cut the jeans open on the inside of the leg seam to lay them flat. I used 6 inch squares, but the size you choose depends on the size jeans you are using, and the desired finished product. Each pot holder has four squares of jeans for the center, one square for top, and one square for back. In the picture you can see that I used a square of jeans for the top for the pot holder on the left, and a square of the striped fabric (from the old shirt) for the pot holder on the right. I used squares of striped fabric for the back of both of them. Set the backs aside. Layer four squares of jeans and one top with right sides all facing up. With a sewing machine, sew lines a half inch apart. Sew diagonally from tip to opposite tip first. Then turn the potholder around sew the next line across. Sew all lines on one side, then the other side, turning the pot holder each time a line is sewn. If you sew all lines in the same direction, the material will "walk" on you, and you will have a twisted potholder that is not the size you wanted.

After all lines are sewn, the hard part begins. With sharp scissors, cut thru the top and three layers of jean material leaving the bottom layer intact. The cutting is done between the seam lines as centered as possible. You can cut a few layers at a time, or all four at once if your hands are strong enough.

Place the backing square on the back side and pin in place at the corners. Cut bias tape 2 1/2 inches wide (I used the sleeves of an old work shirt to make the bias). The length of bias tape needed for each pot holder is approximately one yard. Iron bias tape in half. With raw edges facing out, place the end of the bias tape at the top corner of the top side of the pot holder. Use 1/4 inch seam allowance to sew bias around the pot holder rounding corners. Make sure that the end of the bias tape is sewn across the beginning of the bias tape to the edge of the potholder so the raw edge will be hidden when tape is turned. Leave about four inches of tape at the end to make the loop.

Trim rounded corners, turn tape to the back and blind stitch it down. Continue blind stitching the extra 4 inch tail of tape and whip the end down on the back of the pot holder to form the loop.

Run pot holders thru the washer and dryer to make the cotton jeans material poof up, giving your pot holder that chenille effect. If it isn't poofy enough when it comes out of the dryer, use a brush and brush across the seam lines to help the jean fabric to frey.

I make these and sell them at a little shop in town. They are very popular and sell for $5 for a set of two. They also make nice gifts. One pair of jeans (adult size jeans) usually makes two sets of pot holders.

Hot Dish Mat

Materials needed: Solid color or striped fabric--One eight inch circle, Eight six inch circles.
Large print fabric--Four eight inch circles
Small print fabric --Eight five inch circles
Quilt binding
Interlining--One eight inch circle
Set aside interlining circle and large solid or striped fabric
Fold and press all remaining circles in half, then in half again. Then turn the two fold edges into the center crease line and press to make a tent. Place the 4 Large print 8 inch tents on the interlining circle.Tack tips in center.


Add the solid color or striped tents, lining up the outer edges, and making sure that the fold lines match up. Tack tips in place.

Add small print tents directly over the solid or striped tents. Tack tips in place. Put the eight inch striped or Solid color circle on the back. Baste around outer edge to hold tent flaps in place. Cut a length of quilt binding long enough to go around the dish mat plus the length needed for a loop. Open it out flat, then iron in half. With raw edges out, sew binding to the right side of Hot dish mat, making sure the tail (loop) end of binding passes over the raw edge of the beginning of binding. Turn binding to the back, and blind stitch binding in place by hand. attach tail of loop to the back.

As you can see, the finished Hot Dish mat is very nice looking and can be made to match the color scheme in your kitchen or for holidays, for instance --colors of red, white, and blue for 4TH of July. Pastels for Easter. Red green and white for Christmas. Shades of green for St Patricks Day. Your imagination is the only limit.

Why bother with home making.

I was talking to my mother the other day about the fact that young people don't really like home made things in their houses or apartments. If it doesent come bottled, boxed, or bagged they don't have it. I don't think it is because they don't like them, I think its because they don't really know how. When I was a teen, they taught home economics in school. Stuff like sewing, cooking, tayloring, and all kinds of craft classes like macreme, crochet, and woodworking to name a few. It has been told to me that they don't offer classes like these anymore. I don't know if it is for economical reasons on the part of the school board, or from lack of interest from the students, but I think they are still important.
My grandmother was the smartest women I ever saw. She could do everything. She quilted, made clothes, she could crochet and made the prettiest doilies, dresser scarfs and pillow cases you ever saw. She also raised a garden from which she cooked for her family and canned enough vegetables to last all winter. She made jellies and preserves too. I always had such admiration for her and being a grandma myself now, I wan't my grandkids to grow up and remember me in the same way.
In this blogg, I want to talk about the different aspects of home making that I think every young girl should learn. I will give different recipes for canning or preparing meals for a family. Also Crochetted lace edgings, pot holders and other items to make a house a little more homy. I have a million ideas I just hope i can get them all down and I also hope someone out there is interested enough to look and maybe try a few of them.