Category Archives: scraps

Using scraps, adding products and making a display.

Posted on July 22, 2011 by SewTara| 4 Comments

I made a pile of fabric scrap magnets. Some of the fun ones are gone already, but I thought I’d share the fun little display ideas we came up with. At the craft show on Friday all my little magnets were in a dish together and sticking to each other whenever anyone took a look at them. Luckily I was with a creative friend and she came up with a great idea. Then we both went home and made one! Hers is way better though . . . her kid is quietly contained in her belly so she has more time than I do.

Joanna’s idea was to take a cookie tin lid and Modge Podge some fabric on the inside for a nice backing. I’ll probably add some piping or something around the inside.

I whipped mine up really quickly and wasn’t sure how permanent it was, or if she got to making one, so it’s really easy to take this one apart. Which is good if you need something like this but only have 1 cookie tin and need it later . . . or something.

Using a smaller cookie tin lid I cut a circle of fabric and wrapped it around it and secured it in place with a circle of cardboard and an elastic for good measure.

It would stand up nicely on a little plate stand or one of those book display easels. They were a great addition to my cup cozies and bags and totes. Small, cute and inexpensive a lot of people picked one up as they paid and added it to their purchase.

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Posted in DIY, repurposing, scraps, tutorial-ish

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In case you haven’t heard . . .

Posted on July 13, 2011 by SewTara| 7 Comments

I have a table at a craft show Friday and Saturday and I’ve had this apron lying around for a while. So the other night I decided to do something with it.

I raided my scraps and hand cut some letters. Then I used heat and bond and ironed them on.
I made sure to keep cute little red riding hood intact for the I.

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Posted in scraps

Coasters are done!

Posted on July 2, 2011 by SewTara| 6 Comments

I finished my scrappy coasters. Here they are in the latest vintage find, a fantastic Pyrex dish. Totally in love with this one, it’s like I saw it from across the room and time stopped. And it was Thrifty Thursday and everything in the Goodwill was 50% off!

I’m going to fill one side with guacamole and the other with chips to dip!

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Posted in cozy, scraps, vintage

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Summer hanky headband DIY

Posted on June 27, 2011 by SewTara| 2 Comments

I guest posted over the weekend at amy is the party where she featured a bunch of fun summery projects, like cupcake fondue!! Plus other post by some superfunawesomecool people including Thursday and Crafty Minx. So head over there and have a peek!

Ok I’m going to show you how to turn a hanky into a fun hair accessory for the summer. It’s a super quick project that you can make with thrifted materials and probably things you have on hand, scraps material and a bit of elastic. I’ve burned my scalp already this summer and I’m hoping this is a cuter alternative to hats.
You will need
– a hanky you like
– a piece of elastic (mine was 7″)
– a strip of fabric (3″ x 15″)
Other handy items – safety pin, turning tool,

I picked this one because it has a great pattern on one corner which is perfect because you’re going to fold the hanky diagonally.

First fold the strip of fabric in half and sew down one side with a 1/4 inch seam.

Turn it right side out. This part was a bit tricky, I used my handy little turning tool, this long metal stick thing with a hook on it. Once you have it turned right side out take the elastic piece and feed it through the casing. Sew it in place at one end. Then pull the elastic through so it’s sticking out the other side. It’s easy to guide through if you put a safety pin on the end first.

The casing fabric should be all gathered up like a hair scrunchie.

Fold the hanky in half diagonally and sew the stitched up end of the elastic to one corner of the hanky.

Chceck to see how it fits on your head. I had to trim about an inch from the scrunchie piece. Once it’s a comfortable tightness at the back of your head stitch the other end of the scrunchie piece to the other hanky corner.

And voila, a great cool summer alternative to hat head!

Here’s my ‘I’m not ready for a photo’ frontal shot. Sorry for the sunny bit.

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Posted in DIY, repurposing, scraps, sewing

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Sewing machine cover

Posted on June 20, 2011 by SewTara| 8 Comments

Well I did it again, stayed up way to late but, also again, it was for a good reason!

I made myself this sewing machine cover. I got on a roll and was inspired. I’m in some craft swaps so I was being a bit of an assembly line into the wee hours and working on a few different takes on this general idea.

I took inspiration from I Love Patchwork by Rasida Coleman Hale and Fresh Quilting by Malka Dubrawsky.

I didn’t add any straps or grommets or anything like that to mine, so it just drapes over the machine. I figured that way it’s reusable as a table runner or something else if I ever change my mind. At least it keeps dust off the top.

I love how it turned out! Pardon the poor pictures but it’s hard to take shots in a windowless basement corner. It’s my cozy little nook.

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Posted in crafty books, scraps, sewing, vintage

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Fabricy packages

Posted on June 12, 2011 by SewTara| 1 Comment

I make up words. Have you noticed?
On Friday I was super lucky to have 2 fun packages in my mailbox. I had a busy morning so I tossed them in my bag on the way out and ended up opening them at work at the very end of the day. I was dying to open them while on lunch time yard duty but I figured I should watch the kids instead.

First my scraps from my scrap swap. They came all the way from the Netherlands, and thanks to Wendy for playing twice. I didn’t realize until I got her address that she was so far away but then I was really excited to see what sort of different stuff I might get.

The other package was one of my prizes from the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day. I didn’t enter all of the giveaways, there were sooooo many. I did click on fellow Canadians to see who’s in my neighbourhood being crafty and bloggy. I also clicked on anyone international because if I was going to win something I wanted it to be all exotic and cool. Even just clicking on a slimmed down list I was still bogging down my browser with tabs and spent the whole holiday Monday clicking around the internet. It was crazy.

Ok back to my story. I won these 2 charm packs, some more fabric scraps and there was some lovely tea in the package as well. Canadian Ice Wine tea, the entire box smelled so lovely. Thanks Steph for all the goodies.

AND I forgot to share this one before I tore it all apart and spread the pieces here and there in my workspace but these are some of my favourite scraps from the pile I got from Janee over at Yellow Bird, Yellow beard.

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Posted in scraps, sewing

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Scrappy coasters, a work in progress.

Posted on June 2, 2011 by SewTara| 9 Comments

I needed a quick new something to whip up the other night for a break from my usual projects. DIY is coming!

I turned to some of my scraps that are already cut into little squares and got inventive and made some coasters. It’s always annoying, especially in the warmer weather, when your nice cold drink sweats all over the table and leaves a big wet ring. With a 4 year old and 2 year old we’re not ready for furniture big leagues yet, most of our stuff is from IKEA but still, won’t hurt to keep it pretty.

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Posted in repurposing, scraps

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An elephant never forgets.

Posted on June 1, 2011 by SewTara| 7 Comments

These cute little fellows reminded me about my blog. Hi there!

I made this.

It’s stinkin’ cute.

Yeah, I’m kinda bragging & sort of sharing.

I achieved that ‘Oh I just threw some scraps of fabric together’ nonchalance I always see in other peoples projects where it turns out freaking amazing, with fabric pairings I’d never think of myself.
Oh I thought of them.
It appears I’m pretty awesome too now.

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Posted in scraps, sewing

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Recent packages in my mailbox and more fabric swapping

Posted on May 28, 2011 by SewTara| 1 Comment

My treasury worked! My hubby got me this, from here.

And these! Only they say ‘Tara’ and not ‘Stephanie blahblah’.

I also took advantage of a Heartsy deal and ordered some packaging supplies from this shop.

If you missed my fabric swap, or want to see scraps before you get them, my friend Tabatha is looking to part with some lovely pieces in return for some new to her fabric. I was with her when she bought most of these recently and it’s great stuff. Head over if you’re interested in taking a peek.

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Posted in fun finds, gifts, scraps

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Swap partners, sorry I’m late.

Posted on May 22, 2011 by SewTara| 2 Comments

Hello everyone.
Just wanted to let you all know who you’re matched up with if you signed up for my 3rd scrap swap!

Here’s what I’ve randomly slapped together

Annabel & Monica
Sara & Wendy
Wendy & Sarah See what I did there?
Ooh Leela & Ashley
Anita & Margot
Me & Janee

Gather up 10 ounces of odds and ends of fun fabrics, and feel free to toss in some other fun things.
So get sorting and packing and mailing by the deadline!

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Posted in scraps

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