I LOVE this Fabric!!

As soon as I saw this Nancy Drew themed fabric (by Moda, found here), I knew I had to own it.  Of course, I had no idea what I would do it it.  It would make a great tote bag  or a cover for your Kindle, or lots of things like that...  but I decided to make a cover for my sewing machine.

Yes, I realize there is nothing that screams 'sewing room' about this fabric, but it's my sewing room & craft room, and I can do what ever I want to.

Yes, my sewing machine is old.  As old as I am.  But it works pretty well, and until I can actually justify getting a new one, I may as well treat this one nicely.

I used a tutorial by the Crafty Gemini (here).  Except for the fact I hate using iron-on fleece, it turned out cute. I really wanted to add a row of yellow pompom fringe to the bottom, but the only fringe I found was being sold on clearance by the bolt.  I really, really didn't need $9 and 10 yards of yellow pompom fringe.

Ironing Board Diva Part 2

Inspired by a Sew4Home project, I set out to make a little caddy to hang from my ironing board to hold stuff.  Since I didn't really want to follow directions, I just started by cutting & laying it out.  If you want real instructions, you can start here.  

I used an iron-on fleece for the batting.  If you think it looks crooked, it is.  On purpose.  I'm completely nuts and use my ironing board backward.  I like to use the big square end for stuff, and leave the pointy end alone.  so- I needed this to hang at the pointy end.  Which meant in order for my pocket to hang straight, I had to make it crooked.  Get it?  

I made a little pincushion for the top- if I'd been thinking ahead, I'd have sewn velcro to it before I put it together, but I never work like that.  So instead it got this cute rickrack to hold it down.  It also leaves the pincushion removable, so that's not so bad.

Finally, I needed a little thread catcher.  I'm sure there are all kinds of ways to do this.  I ended up cutting 2 squares, 9x9 and sewing right sides together.  Then I cut a little 3" square of cardboard, laying it in the middle,  and pressing creases all around.  I sort of just ad-libbed it, folding all the ends together & stitching across.  It turned out cute, was very simple, and I think I'll make a few more.  

All in all- a quick project.  Especially considering I was making it up as I went!

Ironing Board Diva

Yes, I really just did this.  I re-covered my boring, ugly ironing board. And now it's FABULOUS.

I've just discovered Sew4Home.com, a completely addicting and inspiring website full of great ideas and tutorials.  This is the tutorial/pattern I used for my cover, except I added the stripe at the pointy end instead of the straight end of my board.  Basically, you just need to add enough around the edges for the depth, a hem, and a casing.  I used white cording, the pattern uses ribbon.  I wanted to get a solid knot when I tied it, and was afraid the ribbon may not allow me to do that.

I bought a new ironing board pad at Joann's- using my 40% off coupon, of course (I think it was $9 originally).  And, WOW, check out the difference between the old and new pad!

The annoying part of this project is that you have to take apart your ironing board to trace the pattern, then put it back together to press your fabric.

I love this Michael Miller Dress Forms  fabric (from Fabric.com), and the pink is from Hobby Lobby.  My mom will be proud; I rinsed & dried the pink fabric before using it.  I was a little concerned it could fade & transfer onto whatever I may be ironing.  Which would be bad.  

All in all, it took about an hour to put together.  And it's SO CUTE!!  

see my messy craft room?