Tag Archives: DIY

Vintagey laptop sticker DIY

Posted on February 21, 2011 by SewTara| 7 Comments

My last laptop was plastered in fun goofy stickers. Then I got my new shiny Macbook and it’s just been all simple and silver, until now. I tracked down some vintage Contact paper to adorn my lappy. After checking around in a few thrift stores, and frankly just not wanting to wait, I went ahead and ordered some on Etsy. I’ve been checking back frequently and the selection does vary from day to day just in case you want to grab some. Also, be sure to check under the ‘supplies’ and ‘vintage’ categories, you get different results. While I was waiting for my goods to arrive One Pearl Button coincidentally posted a link on covering idevices yourself with helpful links to templates. But I wanted to do my Macbook and the templates don’t take into account the apple cut out. So I got adventurous.

First I used my printer/scanner/copier and made a copy of the front of my laptop so I’d have a copy of the apple logo. Next I carefully cut out the apple with my little exacto knife pen thingie. I placed it over my laptop just to make sure I trimmed it well.

I measured the top of the laptop and guesstimated at the size of the surface area before the slight curve. I have a 13 inch and I figured it was about 12 x 8 1/2.

I cut the apple out of the Con-tact paper, aproximated the center and cut the piece 12 x 8 1/2. Then I used my scrapbooking corner rounder to clip the corners.

Sticking it onto the laptop proved a bit finicky. I didn’t want to start at one side and work my way across so I carefully took the backing off and exposed the sticky side of the Contact paper in the middle where the apple is. This allowed me to line up the apple all nice and straight and then just work my way out towards the edges.

Once it was all nice and flat I opened the cover and examined my handiwork with the apple lit up. There was a spot where I needed to trim and I just used the exacto really gently to shave off a teeny bit. I’m sure happy with the results, I love the grey and yellow combo.

Plus I’ve got some other patterns in my stash and so when I get bored of this I can just peel it off and switch it.

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Posted in other crafts, repurposing, tutorial-ish, vintage

Tagged contact paper, cover, DIY, floral, flowers, laptop sticker, sticker, vintage

Cheap easy gift/item tags.

Posted on January 24, 2011 by SewTara| 5 Comments

I’ve been floundering trying to decide on how to prettily package my items I sell. I know it’s so fun to get something all wrapped up beautifully, it’s enough of a present to get your order, then it’s like another present to have it look beautiful. It doesn’t determine wether or not I re-order from that person, but it does make me smile.

I absolutely adore all the MOO products I’ve accumulated but I’ve noticed it can get pricey to decorate your items with pretty packaging so I was looking for a inexpensive way to create some packaging and reusing things I already have is a bonus.

I gathered some paper stuff I had lying around, used envelopes, those return envelopes that for some reason still come with all the bills I pay online and some pages from an old atlas. I cut them up into little rectangles sized to fit my SewTara custom stamp.

Then I SewTara’d one side, punched a hole at one end and used these cool kraft reinforcements I’ve had sitting around waiting for the perfect use. You can also find white or coloured reinforcements in stores.

On the other side I stuck a small piece of Japanese washi tape to create a little canvas for my thank you message.

This would be a great technique for gift tags. There’s even little ‘To: From:” stamps out there you could use if you didn’t want to just write it. Every year when I pack away the Christmas decorations I keep the stack of cards we received. Next year I’m going to turn those into tag for all our gift giving fun!

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Posted in DIY, gifts, papercrafts, repurposing, scraps, tutorial-ish

Tagged DIY, ephemera, gift tags, packaging, stamps

DIY – Adding a zippered pocket while lining your tote!

Posted on January 13, 2011 by SewTara| 7 Comments

Ok, welcome those of you who are feeling adventurous! Here’s my little part 2 on lining a tote where I’ll walk you through the steps to adding a zippered pocket to the lining.

I cracked open my Bag Making Bible for this part and followed the instructions for inserting a zipper. Lisa Lam explains very well, I’ll give you enough information, hopefully, to tackle it yourself. I used the panel of fabric I cut off the bottom to make my pocket. I just folded it in half and cut it to have 2 squares to use for the pocket.

Decide how big you want your pocket and cut 2 pieces of fabric to that size, allowing for a 1/4 inch seam. The zipper should be placed with about 3 inches on either side of the pocket pieces. I didn’t know this, but you can just cut off the end of the zipper if you need to shorten it.

Place one of the pocket pieces right sides together on the lining piece where you want to have a pocket. Trace out a rectangle the same size as your zipper. Mark a line down the middle and those cute little triangles at the ends.

Sew along the outside of the rectangle, this will sew the pocket piece to the lining piece.

Cut along the guide lines you drew inside the rectangle, the half way line and the little triangles.

Next turn the pocket piece through the hole, as Lisa says “like you’re putting a letter in the post”. Press to get a nice crisp seam. Lay your zipper on the wrong side of the pocket. The book suggested using double sided tape stuff to secure it, I don’t have that and just pinned it. Use your zipper foot to sew along and stitch the zipper in place.

Lay the lining piece right side down and place the other pocket piece, right sides together, on top of the pocket piece with the zipper in it. Sew around all four sides with a 1/4 inch seam. This will stitch both pocket pieces to the lining fabric.

Flip it over and access the pocket through the zipper! Voila!

Now head back to post part #1 to finish lining your tote.

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Posted in crafty books, DIY, sewing, tutorial-ish, uncategorized

Tagged DIY, lining, lisa lam, pocket, tote, zipper

DIY – Lining a tote!

Posted on January 12, 2011 by SewTara| 5 Comments

I have this great Etsy tote I picked up at the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago. As a crafty blogger and shopkeeper I was so thrilled to have something with the Etsy name on it! Normally I use it as my work/school bag. Over the Christmas holidays I planned on relining it with some fun fabric. Initailly I was going to use a vintage sheet, but then I thought of better plans for those where they’ll be seen more and settled on this cute little print I was given in one of those loads from a friend. Those ‘oh I came across this at my house/mom’s/grandmother’s and thought you might be able to use it’ sort of things. So here are some steps you can take to turn a simple tote you have into something way cooler.

You will need a tote, fabric for lining it, tape measure, scissors, sewing machine and iron.

If you want to follow my Little Miss Fancy Pants steps you’ll also need a zipper. Just in case you want to take the more adventurous path.

First measure your tote. Measure the width and length. My tote has boxed corners so I flattened the bottom out to get an accurate measurement.

My tutorial contains some very technical steps so bear with me. Mostly it’s me just making up things I think will work along the way. Don’t worry, they do work.

Lay the tote onto the fabric you’re going to line it with and leave some seam allowance along the top and sides, 1/4 inch is good.

Because of the boxed corners I measured to the seam and added that measurement to the lining fabric. Then later I had enough material to box the lining as well. Mine was about 2 1/2 inches so that’s where I made my cut across the bottom of the lining fabric. Cut down the remaining side to leave the 1/4 inch seam allowance. Now you have your tote and 2 pieces to line it with.

*If you’re feeling up to adding a zipper I’m going to post those steps tomorrow in a part 2 DIY*

Otherwise carry on here!

Head to the sewing machine, lay the 2 lining pieces right sides together and sew around the sides and bottom, leaving the top open.

Now you will have this big pocket type lining piece (possibly without a zipper). Can you tell I was screen printing with my lovely emulsion covered thumb?

Fold over the top edge 1/4 inch and press. I think I need to put ironing board cover on my To Sew list!

If your tote has boxed corners, lay your lining piece under your tote with the top edges lined up where they will be sewn. Mark off the bottom of the exterior tote so you have a guide line to sew along. Now note it was late at night and you can see my lovely jammie clad knee.

Fold the bottom of the lining at the mark line to make a squared bottom and sew straight across the tote to create a boxed corner. You can trim that excess triangle of fabric off or just fold it under.

Now plunk your lining inside the pre-made tote exterior. Make sure you get the boxed corners down deep in the tote and pushed in at the corners. Match up the top seams of the lining and tote and pin all around.