Stash-busting Sunday: Dinner Napkins

I've been busy at the sewing machine, but not so busy with my camera.

Here's a great way to use up some or your larger scraps (and a great house-warming gift):  dinner napkins!

I cut my fabric to 15" squares, used a 1/4" seam allowance, turned right side out and edge-stitched.

My sister and her boyfriend were the lucky recipients of these, 

but I think I need to make some for myself, too!  

Happy sewing!

Stash-busting Sunday: Pom-pom Adorned Placemats

Remember those kitchen towels I made a while back with Melody's Miller's awesome tea-cup fabric? 

Well... I had more of that fabric and I decided it was finally time to do something with it!

For some reason, this fabric just screams pom-poms to me, so after much consideration, 

I finally broke down and bought some trim.  I'm so glad I did!  The fabric, however, came from my stash.

Traditionally the trim the pom-poms are attached to are hidden in your seams, but I prefer 

the look of the trim, which makes the assembly a little trickier.  

To make your very own pom-pom adorned placements, follow my tutorial below.

Materials:  

1 yard top fabric 

1 yard bottom fabric

3 1/2 yards pom-pom trim

*enough for 4 finished placemats 

1.  Cut 4 rectangles from each of your fabrics, 13" tall X 19" wide.

(8 rectangles total)

2.  Mark 1/2" from the 2 sides of the top fabric rectangles using your favorite marking tool.

3.  Pin your trim slightly inside of the marked chalk line, 

with pom poms facing toward the outside edges.  

Can you see that tiny chalk mark next to the middle red pin?  I pinned the trim about 1/8" from that line.

4.  Go out and buy some more fabric for your stash.  

Wait, what?!  Oops.  Sorry, I have a weird thing for Denyse Schmidt...

5.  Stitch pom poms to your fabric on the inner edge of the trim.  

Attach the trim to each side of the top fabric in this way.  

6.  Pin the backing to the top, right sides together, along the long edges 

(the edges without pom pom trim).

7.  Stitch along the two long edges using 1/2" seam allowance.  

You should now have a tube with the 2 sides still open.  

8.  Press seams open.  I know you don't want to, but trust me.  It makes the next step much easier.  

9.  Turn your placement right side out and press those seams flat!  

10.  Fold the side seams in toward the center 1/2".  

You can follow your chalk line from Step 2 as a guide.  

11.  Press side seam and pin in place.  

12.  To close up the side seam, stitch along the trim close to the outside edge.  

That should easily close up the seam you just pressed.  

How fun is that?!  What projects will you adorn with pom poms?

If you are not using pom pom trim, it's even simpler!  

Cut out your rectangles, stitch front and back with right sides together (leaving a few inches open), 

turn right side out, press and edge-stitch.  

Don't forget to post your stash-busting projects to the Flicker Pool or e-mail me at sparrowsandspools@gmail.com to be considered for a Stash-Busting Sunday feature!

Stash-busting Sunday: Ironing Board Makeover

Goodbye, silly dorm-sized ironing board.  Hello, practical grown-up ironing board.

I found this ironing board at the thrift store for $5.  I didn't mind the look of the original polka-dot cover, 

but the foam batting was worn out and it smelled strongly of smoke, so it had to go.  

Before                                                      After

I used fabric I had in my stash for the exterior of the cover, but I had to buy the lining fabric & batting.  

Find the tutorial I used at The Stitchin' Chicken.

What projects do you have in mind to help you clear out your fabric stash?

E-mail your projects to sparrowsandspools@gmail.com or add them to the flicker pool.  

Coming soon: Stash-busting Sundays

Introducing a new series:  Stash-busting Sundays!

In an effort to save some cash & make space in my tiny apartment, I'll be starting a new series starting this Sunday.  I'll share some ideas for using up my piles (and piles) of fabric, and include links to tutorials or provide them myself.  And...I'd love to share some of your ideas!  If you have a great stash-busting idea, feel free to submit your project with photos to sparrowsandspools@gmail.com to be considered for a feature.  There will also be a flicker pool if you'd like to add pictures there.  

Find this fabric here

Can you guess what I'm making with this fabric from my stash?  

See you on Sunday!