Violette Field Threads Isobel Pattern Review

Making the endeavor to learn to sew it both scary and exciting all at the same time. There are so many things I had learned when I first started and I always stuck to the same projects because I was afraid to fail. I took the plunge and Purchased the Isobel From Violette Field Threads Shop. I was so overwhelmed when I first bought it, the looks of the finished product looked so complicated. I read over the pattern and instructions for a couple weeks before I decided to start.

The fabric I used was purchased form Joann craft store and I only needed a yard of main fabric and liner fabric each. I had already made up my mind to not add the sleeves because I was going to put a matching sweater over the dress and it made the choice clear not to do flutter sleeves. The second time around I did decide to add the sleeves so I could get some practice in ad get familiar with the pattern.

This is a great pattern for a beginner to learn different techniques that go into dress making. Getting the gathers was where I struggled the most but it took me buying a different thread to make it a breeze. I did snaps instead of buttons because of how wiggly my daughter can be when I'm trying to get her buttons on. One year old's do not like to sit still when you are behind them and they are trying to see what mommy is doing. The second dress I opted to not add the ruffles and do tulle instead to give the dress a "princess" look because it was a gift for her first birthday.

Since I had made my dress they have released a new hack for the pattern to add an elastic back instead of the buttons. I am currently working on mine and will add the pictures when I am finished. if you have any questions about the pattern feel free to ask:) Thanks for stopping by!

Ariel

                                                               

DIY Key Fob with Free Template

One of the easiest and quickest gifts you can give to just about anybody, it’s easily customized with a change of fabric, iron on or some ribbon for added personality. Key fobs can be a simple 10 minute project from start to finish and given for any occasion. For you, I have a free printable template and a link for Cricut users to use their maker for fabric or explore and cut a paper template. More on the maker here.

First things first, supplies. For this project you will need

-Fabric

-Fusible Fleece

-Sewing machine

-Thread

-Key fob heardware

-Duck billed pliers

-Scissors

-Iron

-Pins or wonder clips

-Pattern

Instructions
1. Print your template and cut it out.

2. Trace the pattern on the fabric and fusible fleece.

3. Set iron to cotton setting. I used my Cricut Easypress for this step because it gives more even coverage at once and its always on my desk. Easypress was set to 305 for 30 seconds.

4. Place fabric right side down and fusible fleece bumpy side own in the center of your fabric and iron. Heres a picture of the bumpy side for reference.

5. Fold the fabric around the fusible fleece so the sides that don't have it are tucked in and fold your fabric in half, like a hotdog :)

6. Pin your fabric closed alone the open side, you don't need to do top and bottom. I love love love wonder clips! I poke myself so many times that I stopped using pins til I found these. They make it so easy to keep your fabric together and are really strong. Amazon has them really cheap and come in cute containers too!

7. Sew along the open side using 1/4 seam allowance. Flip and sew along the other side for added stability or you can leave unsown if you would like. I added another down the middle because it made it firmer, the one in the post photo was done with just the two sides.

8. Fold in half with the two open ends touching and sew across to keep it closed. If you worry about fraying, you can apply fray check to keep your fabric from  fraying after the key fob is placed.

9. Time for the hardware! If you don't have the pliers on hand you can use regular pliers but don't apply too much pressure to the sides while bending the clamp down. I found it easier to hold from the sides when applying so I can hold the fabric and hardware at the same time.

That's it! Try not to make a million of these, or do! You can make a ton for really cheap. You can use cotton webbing instead and skip the fusible fleece, just cut 10in and sew in half then apply the hardware. It's that simple!

Thank you for sticking around this long. Come back for more tutorials, please show your support by pinning, clicking my affiliate links or sharing with a friend. See you soon!

Faux Leather box with Free Template

You see them everywhere, Etsy, Pinterest,Facebook but how are they made? Do you really need a cutting machine to make them? No. It would take the work out of cutting but they can be made at home by hand. Today I have a Free Template for you to make your own. They can be made from faux leatherr, fabric vinyl, or felt.

For todays project you will need
-Felt, Faux Leather,Material of your choice

-Hot Glue or E6000

-Free Template

-Clip or Headband

First, print out the template. I cut it with my Cricut so I didn’t have to print it out. Be sure to write what sizes go with what so you don't loose them after cutting. Each size is a double loop but if you only want a single layer keep the biggest for each set. Trace out your bow layers and cut. I didn't use the center piece because I lost it but it was easy to make with a rectangle, I trimmed it longer than I needed so I could just cut the extra after I was done. I don't cut the best by hand which is why I bought my cricut.

To make the loops, glue the outside of each loop to the middle and let it dry. If you are using E6000 it may take awhile, I used clothes pins to hold them closed while drying. I use hot glue for felt and E6000 for vinyl or faux leather.

Layer your bows together and before you glue the center glue headband or clip to keep it secure. That's it! I found some little hearts from the dollar tree to embellish my bows. You can use buttons, vinyl or ribbon on yours. Cant wait to see how they turn out! If you followed the tutorial and made a bow feel free to the the tag #hofd so I can see your projects. 

In case you missed it here's the Free Template. Here is the link to my Cricut project https://design.cricut.com/#/design/80663561, it already has everything sized. Thank you for stopping by. Please pin to show your support and share this post if you are sharing the template. 

Get to know the Cricut Maker

The cricut maker is the newest personal cutting machine for the cricut brand. It’s Adaptive Tool System is what sets it apart from the explore models.You can still use the blades and housing from the Explore models such as the deep cut blade and the fabric blade. Each blade attachment is professional quality and made for specific materials. Here is the list of materials along with recommended blades from Cricut.com help site. 

With over 500 digital sewing patterns available along with their extent of fonts and graphic designs its no wonder the Maker is on the top of everybody's list. Uploading your own images and fonts is also an option if you cant find something you are interested in on their free software. Design Space Software is compatable with iOS, Android^™, Windows^®, and Mac^®. It is easy to use and saves all of your projects to the cloud. It has the same Bluetooth® wireless technology as the Explore Air and Air 2 along with the double tool holder.

The Maker has extra built in storage, docking slot for phone or tablet and USB port for charging. They removed the cartridge slot to add another cupholder and the fold down door has a storage compartment for your extras.

Rotary Blade for cutting fabric.
Knife Blade for cutting thicker materials up to 2.4 mm
Scoring Wheel tools for razor-sharp folds and creases
Washable Fabric Pen for marking pattern pieces
Fine Point Pen for writing and drawing designs
Calligraphy Pen for writing calligraphy fonts

What’s in the box?

• Cricut Maker™ machine
• Rotary Blade + Drive Housing
• Premium Fine-Point Blade + Housing (comes pre-installed in the B clamp). 
• Fine-Point Pen
• FabricGrip™ Mat 12” x 12”
• LightGrip™ Mat 12” x 12”
• Welcome book
• USB cable
• Power adapter
• Cricut Access™ trial membership (automatically activated when you complete the new machine setup)
• 50 ready-to-make projects, including 25 sewing patterns (automatically activated when you complete the new machine setup)Materials for your first project

My thoughts on the Cricut Maker

I have owned my Maker since April 2018 and previously owned the Explore Air. As a beginning sewer the maker has been a dream come true. Not only can I personalize my items, I can cut them out before I make them with the rotary blade. The rotary blade takes your crafting to a whole new level and makes the perfect cut every time. I have been more encouraged to try new materials I didn't want to work with because how difficult it was to cut by hand. The Adaptive Tool System leaves room for many more tools to be part of the line and with the most recent Knife Blade and Scoring wheel it leaves what you can do to your imagination. 

When you open your box to get started you get to create an account, if you haven't already, and set up the software. They start you with a beginners project to debut the rotary blade and show you how the pen and cutting blade work. Its a nice way to get you going to your next project but it can be a bit overwhelming at first. The 50 ready to make projects are a great place to start, if you don't sew they have projects with kraftboard, leather, felt and cardstock of course.

I highly recommend Cricut products in general, even if a maker isn't in your budget they have a whole line of wonderful machines to get you started. 

Happy Crafting!

Click to enlarge

Felt Corner Bookmark

This is about the same tutorial for the corner bookmark but I wanted to focus of the felt part of it for those who are using it. It uses different tools so listing them all in one can be a bit confusing to a beginner. I used my maker for this project because I am in love the with rotary blade it comes with. It gives clean cuts and makes working with felt a breeze for those who cant cut it by hand. 

Supplies needed
-Cricut
-felt
-Hot glue gun or fabric glue for a no sew project
-Cut file
-Sewing machine 
-Pink Fabric Mat
-Brayer (optional)

CRICUT INSTRUCTIONS
1. Open the link to my template for the corner bookmark. The project is set to a random color I picked but you can change it for visual purposes.

2. Delete the extras you wont need like the words and the template you wont be using. You will only need the template with the single flap for this project.

3. Hit the "Make it" button to make to the next page.

4. Once you review that your project looks good, click "Continue" and insert rotary blade. Lay you material on the mat and use a brayer if you have one to make sure its smooth.

5. Select your material, I used wool felt, upload your mat and hit the blinking "C" and let it cut :)

6. Once your material cuts, unload the mat, peel it off the mat gently and set mat aside.

7. Fold down the flap to make a square, glue the open side down or sew along the edge for a more decretive look. Decorate with your favorite book quotes or monogram, make it your own or as a gift! Here is my list of free SVGs for some adorable images to use for your bookmarks!

Corner Bookmarks with the Cricut Maker

Reading is one of those things I don't get to do as often as I'd like, especially hard copy books. With the little ones around it makes it difficult to leave a book sitting somewhere they can get to it because I'm always nervous they are going to rip it. So in between readings I like to hold my place with bookmark to keep up with where I last left off. I wanted an excuse to use my cricut as well :) I did some experimenting with felt and paper bookmarks to see what I would like better and as gifts of course.

For beginner this is a simple project to get to know your cricut.

Supplies needed
-Cricut
-Cardstock or felt
-Gluestick, Hot gluegun, ATG tape gun (Any will work)
-Cut file
-Scoring tool or scoring wheel(For maker only)
-Blue Light Grip Mat for cardstock



CRICUT INSTRUCTIONS
1. Open the link to my template for the corner bookmark. The project is set to a random color I picked but you can change it for visual purposes.

2. Delete the extras you wont need like the words and the template you wont be using.

3. Hit the "Make it" button to make to the next page.

4. Once you review that your project looks good and score lines are attached, click "Continue" and insert the scoring tool you will be selecting.

5. Select your material, upload your mat and hit the blinking "C" and let it cut :)

6. Once your material cuts, unload the mat, peel it off the mat gently and set mat aside.

7. Fold down the flaps to make a square, glue the two flaps together and that's all! Decorate with your favorite book quotes or monogram, make it your own or as a gift! Here is my list of free SVGs for some adorable images to use for your bookmarks! This was the same sheet of paper by the way, such a color difference!

I made separate instructions for those who want to use felt right Here. Its worth a read to get an idea of what the difference is with felt and cardstock projects. If you followed the tutorial and made a bow feel free to the the tag #hofd so I can see your projects. 

*If you are having trouble viewing the shapes just change the color and they will appear.*

DIY Hanging Organizer

For many moms with tiny humans running around our home they make such a big mess for being so small. I think I tried everything to get them organized and keep the mess in one spot, their room. Of course when you’re not paying attention they decide to bring everything out to play by where you are doing things. Since keeping their things in their room didn’t work too great we put a shelf in their room to keep the stuffed animals in one spot and a fire engine toy box for the little things. The organization didn’t last very long.

While I was trying to find a better way to keep the boys together and have an excuse to use my sewing machine I stumbled upon DIY hanging organizer by She Can Sew And was immediately excited by the project. It includes a free pattern to complete the project along with instructions and a link to her blog for step by step pictures.

What you need-

• 1 yard natural cotton duck canvas fabric, 60'' wide
• 3/4 yard coordinating fabric for the exterior of the baskets (pretty quilting cotton or
home decor fabric both work great)
• 1/2 yard Peltex 72F ultra firm double sided fusible stabilizer
• a heavy duty sewing machine needle, 90/14 or 100/16 recommended
• a 12'' long piece of a 3/8'' wooden dowel
• 26'' natural twine for hanging
• pencil or fabric marker
• Wonderclips (optional but very helpful for attaching the curved pieces)

I had almost everything on hand because I had already purchased duck canvas to sew some zipper bags and I substituted the fabrics for felt to use up what I had. It turned out way cuter than expected and I only used the canvas for the back because the felt was stride enough on its own. What I wish I did different was add the Peltex 72F like in the original to give the bottom more sturdiness. It turned out adorable the way it is and can hold plenty of stuffed animals but my toys also have Hotwheels that I am trying to keep out of reach that weigh the bag down.

The curves of this project for the round bottom wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be and as long as you clip it right and take your time it will be fine. The strip of fabric I added to go with the cars theme they have going on in the play corner but I may go back and cut some iron on words with my Cricut to make it looks a little more organized. Over all it was an amazing project that can be done with different additions to make it fit your own room with one of the many free svg finds.

Thanks for stopping by!