Table Runner Tutorial

Wow time really does fly!  It feels like just yesterday I promised you a table runner tutorial, and here we are weeks later and I am finally getting the chance to upload pictures and write a how to guide for this project!  If Allen my sweet husband had not insisted on taking me to D.C for a weekend get-away, this project may never have been posted :(  

Here I am relaxing for the first time in weeks with a few extra minutes what do I decided to do....that's right....spend a few moments with you!  After all my DIY friends have waited long enough for this project. 

 

 

You will need a straight stitch sewing machine, an iron, scissors or rotary cutter & board, fabric of your choice with matching thread and pins to make this table runner.

Step 1:  Choose your fabric.  When we originally designed this runner we used pretty fabric on the front, and lining on the back.  Then Kandi had the great idea of using coordinating fabric on the back so one runner, two great looks.  She is pretty smart!  I like my runners between 15-20 wide.  I think this number can be very flexible.  We make runners from the left over fabric from our pillows so they vary in width.  More important than the width is the length.  Our first runners we 54" long.  I think they look good, but the new trend is to have them overhang the table by 4" so if you are making this project for your home, measure your table and then add 9 inches. (1 inch for the seam allowance). 

Step 2.  Cut two pieces of coordinting fabric.  Pin right sides of fabric together.  (Notice my bottom fabric is a little wider because I use scraps...if you find yourself in the same position just pin fabric so your larger piece is on the bottom.

Step 3:  Sew fabrics together. 

Step 4:  Make sure you leave a large enough opening so you can pull the fabric through to it's right side.

Step 5:  (OPTIONAL) If you do not have a Serger use a zig-zag stitch and then cut the remaining salvaged edge.  I like to have nice neat seams so I serge my edges before I reverse the fabric.

Step 7:  Reverse fabric and press with iron. 

Step 8: Top stitch the table runner. (Use a thread that works well with the fabric.)  See how close my needle is to the edge of the fabric?  I do this to save the step of whip stitching the opening (remember how we reversed the fabric) closed.

Step 9:  Enjoy!!!

Thanks for spending some time with me today!

 

Rebekah

PINsperation: DIY Moss and Split Pea Decorative Balls

I discovered a great new blog a few days ago via Pinterest.  Sand and Sisal.  Am I the only one who has been missing out on this awesome blog?  She had a super doable tutorial on making your own decorative balls so I had to try it out.  I have to say that I am actually really bad at crafting.  In my head I am Martha Stewart but in reality I'm just no where close.  95%  of the time things do not come out right the first time and what I think is going to be a 5 minute project turns into something much longer and more frustrating.  But, having said all that, I only made one boo boo on this project and only had to start over one time which in my book is a total success!

Kim has an amazing tutorial on her blog but here is my short version.

 1.  Gather supplies:
-Styrofoam balls
-1 bag of split peas (one small bag made 1 medium and 1 large ball with a few peas leftover)
-Bag of moss (I got mine from Michael's... don't forget to download their app if you have a smart phone!  Great coupons!)
-Glue sticks and gun
-Green paint
-Paint brush
-Mod Podge (in matte)

2.  Paint your balls green to help disguise any open spots.

3. Hot glue on peas/moss completely covering the ball.  Your moss balls are ready for display at this point.  (FYI... it will not work to try to Mod Podge the peas to the ball unless you have plenty of patience/time...something I do not have...)

4.  For the pea balls Mod Podge over the entire ball... use the matte as Kim suggests and they will look better than mine :-)

Next time this table shows up in a picture it will be a nice creamy white!

Getting my basket of pine cones off the table was LONG over due!  This was a one nap time long project and doing it yourself saves quite a bit of cash!

I'm off to do some painting. 

Kandi

Linking up here.

Long Lumbar Pillow Tutorial

A couple weeks ago I showed you C's new extra long lumbar pillow.  It was created out of a need for color in his monochromatic room. 

Today I will share with you the steps I took to make this pillow.  As I said in my last post, this project is really not that expensive if you are able to sew, and if you can find a fabric you love, at a great price.  This pillow cost me less than $20 including the down pillow form.  However, if you were going to have one custom made, the cost would be well over $100 and depending on the work room you choose, perhaps even a couple hundred dollars.  As always, if you have any questions please ask me at the bottom of the tutorial under comments.  That way I can share my answers with everyone.  (Don't be afraid to ask me even the most obvious questions, I have been known to leave a step out here and there....) For this project I am going to show you the general steps to take so that you can make your pillow any size to fit your space.

Step 1:
Finding your inspiration fabric.  You will need approximately 2 yards for a pillow this size.

Step 2:
Cutting out your pieces. I like to use round household objects usually found in my kitchen to create circles...for this project I used a pie pan for the diameter of the circle.  Trace the circle with a fabric pencil, and then cut it out.  All other measurements come from this cut.

Cut out the rest of your pieces.  For this step you need to determine the circumference of your circle.  The first way you can do this is by measuring the diameter of the circle (the length of the entire circle through the center point) So in this case, 10 inches.  Multiply that number by pi (3.14) and you will have a length of 31.4 inches.  Add one inch for seam allowance so we need to cut our long piece of fabric 32.4 inches long.  The long strips are for the self cording.  (Cut them 2 inches longer than your circumference, and 2 inches wide)

If you are terrible at math like me, you can do it this way too...

Pin your circle to your remaining long piece of fabric.  As you follow your circle, you will be gathering the length of the rectangle. Add one inch to allow for seam allowance, then cut.

Step 3: 

Sew your cording.  Use your zipper foot, and put the needle in the left most position.  (I sew this entire pillow with my zipper foot in the left most postition so I can be right up on the cord).

Sew cord to the circle piece.  Repeat.

Sew your zipper into the long rectangular piece. I am going to assume you know how to sew in a zipper.  If you don't leave me a comment and I will write a zipper tutorial.

Sew long rectangular piece together.  (Sew fabric together on either side of the zipper.)

Sew rectangular piece to the round pieces.

Your pillow case is finished!  Now follow the steps omit the cording step to make the pillow form.  I always stuff with feathers. (I buy cheap down pillows and use the feathers in my custom pillow forms) Because this pillow is so large, I used two standard queen pillows to fill this one form.  I am able to buy pillow forms at Ollies for $6.99 each.  This is the most expensive part of the project.

Stuff pillow form in case, and ENJOY!

Rebekah

I linked up to the parties on our Where we Party Page!

Hydrangea Wreath Tutorial

This happens to be the worlds cheapest and easiest wreath tutorial.  I was inspired by what else... Pinterest.  I randomly searched "wreaths" on afternoon and you wouldn't believe how many awesome ideas popped up!  Seriously... go search it!  I ended up making this one because I not only loved it, but I had plenty of dried hydrangeas so I knew I could make it quickly and easily and for zero dollars. 

Supplies:

- piece of cardboard

- dried hydrangeas

- hot glue gun and glue

- scissors

- length of string

For me it made more sense to make a wreath for out of cardboard because the flat back worked well for hanging it on a wall and the dried hydrangeas are so light weight that the cardboard will be plenty sturdy. I used the old elementary school method of making a perfect circle.  Tie a length of string to your pencil at the desired circumference of your circle.  Draw around while holding tight in the center.  Shorten the length for your inner circle.  Cut out.  If you are like me you will not care if your circle isn't 100% perfect because its going to be covered up.   If you are like my husband you will start over and do it until it's perfect therefore wasting precious time...

I only have one picture of the glue it on step because it's kind of a no brainer.  Add a length of ribbon to the back for hanging if needed first.  Next, cut the stems from your hydrangeas  and cover a surface area of the form with hot glue.  Stick your hydrangeas  down putting even pressure so it will stick but taking care not to crush it.  Continue until you're finished!

You will have to go back at the end taking small cuttings to fill in the gaps.  I think this wreath took me a total of 15 minutes from start to finish!  I have had it a few different places and I like it everywhere.  I have a love affair with hydrangeas though and my house is surrounded by them.  Their leaves are just now beginning to come out for the year and I'm already excited! 

I have since moved it to the dining room.  Quick  note... if you are going to be hanging it from a window or in front of a mirror take into account what the back looks like.  I ended up covering the back of mine with strips of burlap so it would look a little better from the other side. 

Check out my new dining room chairs!!!  More on those later this week along with the beginning of the dining room makeover.  (See the old ones here)

A note on drying hydrangeas.
I had the dried hydrangeas for this wreath already from my yard last year but drying them is super easy even if you buy them from the grocery store.  Basically display them in a vase with water and they will slowly dry as the water evaporates.  They usually retain their color but it may be a little more muted.  It doesn't always work as well with flower shop hydrangeas but I have had plenty of luck.  If you are planning on drying them from your own bush wait until the second half of summer when the start to feel slightly papery.  They seem to do perfectly from here.  If there are a couple brown petals they are easily removed once dried.  The funny part about this is this is the way I have always dried my hydrangeas but before typing it here I thought I better Google to see the "real" way.  Love it when I just happen to do things right the first time... that's not usually the way things go for me! 

This is an easy peasy and potentially free beautiful wreath.  I am thinking it is worth it for you to go ahead and plant yourself a hydrangea or two if you don't have one already!  Now is the time! 
I hope you are having this amazing spring weather like I am!  I am headed outside to enjoy it and start working on weeding my flower beds, doing a little pruning, and getting the ground ready to add annuals in a few weeks!  YAY!!  Spring is the best time of year!  Stay tuned for some gardening posts and tutorials coming up.

Kandi

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