Glamorize a Sweater - a Tutorial

Do you have an old sweater that needs a little pick-up? For an easy, easy project, take that sweater and glamorize it with some ribbon and a few pearl beads. You'll be impressed with how quick and easy this project is to complete!

(This sweater was refashioned for an older child but this technique would work on any sweater, any size.) 

Supplies needed:

• 3 different ribbons
• thread
• needle
• scissors
• sweater
• pearl beads
• Bowdabra (Mini Bowdabra® Bow Making & Design Tool – Small)
• Aleene's OK to Wash-It Fabric Glue

Let's get started.  Find a sweater that you want to refashion:

Thread a needle with a length of thread that's been doubled over. FYI, the thread color should match your basic sweater color.  Using a Bowdabra, push the thread into this tool vertically.  Now horizontally, push 2 loops of ribbon onto each side of the dividing piece on this tool.  (This handy gadget holds the ribbon in place while you continue to push more layers of ribbon in place.)  You'll do this step with all three ribbons.  I started with the widest ribbon and ended with the narrowest ribbon. 

Push the ribbon tightly to the bottom.  Once all the loops are in place, take the thread and loop over the ribbon, pulling the ribbon loops to the top of the tool. Tie a knot onto the back side of the ribbons.  (The back side is the side with the widest ribbon.)

Push the needle through all the layers of ribbon.  Push the needle back through all the layers of ribbon loops and wrap the thread around the center of the ribbon.

Make as many ribbon loops as desired for your sweater.  I used six ribbon loops.  Next sew the loops in place going through the ribbon and the sweater several times per ribbon loops.

Now it's time to add the pearlized beads to the sweater.  Use white thread and a small eyed needle to sew the beads in place.

My 9 year old neighbor seemed happy with her new glamorized sweater.  

Give this technique a try because it's really easy to make these ribbon accents when using this simple Bowdabra tool and by adding pearlized beads this sweater looks more glamorous.  xoxo Grandma

Linked to:  Creating My Way to Success, Nap-Time Creations, Crafty Allie

2014 Top Posts

Can you believe it's the end of another year?  It's that time of year to reflect upon the past and think about the future. I want to thank you all for making this such a fun year for me. I've created so many new and fun crafts (some not so fun, as it turned out) and I've loved hearing all your valued feedback along the way. Thank you so much for following along with me this year as I tried to be creative.  

And now...  drum roll please...  here are your top 10 favorite posts from 2014:

Readers' Top 10 Favorite 2014 posts:

1.  Warm Lined Baby Booties - a Tutorial and Free Pattern 

2.  Summertime Clothing for American Girl Doll - a Refashion using a child's swimsuit

3.  Turning Dollar Store Purchases into Doll Clothes - Little Miss Santa Outfit  

4.  Never Throw Away An Old Wallet  - Free Pattern   

5.  $1.00 Doll Night Gown - FREE PATTERN & TUTORIAL 

6.  Making Doll Sized Sandals

7.  Newborn Leggings - Free Pattern 

8.  Warm Baby Bunting for a Cold Winter Day

9.  Nativity Finger Puppets - a Free Pattern

  10.  Designing Boys Shirts With Bleach Pens - Free Pattern & Tutorial

I'm seeing a pattern with these posts, you like free patterns.  I'll admit that I like free patterns too. I'll try to provide plenty more in 2015! 

My Favorite Projects:

Vintage Tea Dyed Onesies - a tutorial

Layers of Ruffles Blessing Dress

How To Make a Tee Pee From Sheets - a tutorial

Make a Baseball Cap from a Onesie - a Refashion and a Free Pattern

I also loved creating the Halloween costumes for my grandchildren

...but I'll spare you those links this time of year.

This may be your last chance to voice your opinion in 2014, what free pattern(s) would you like created next?   All IDEAS are welcome via the comment section. 

Thanks for your support and kind comments throughout 2014!  xoxo Grandma

Petite Penguin Ornament - FREE Pattern & Tutorial

Let's face it, everyone loves little furry animals. And penguins rate right up there with the cutest creatures!  I bet you might even know someone who collects penguins, do you? Here's a last minute ornament to make, perfect for tying onto a gift or putting on your tree.  When it's finished, this petite penguin ornament stands just 3 1/2" tall.

First up, you'll need to download the free pattern HERE.  Print it making sure the "fit to page" is not checked.  

Supplies needed:

• White fleece or felt
• Black fleece or felt
• Gold cord
• Black embroidery thread
• White embroidery thread
• Fiber fill
• Scissors

1. On the front of the penguin:  Lay top of head onto white body and stitch around the inside of this piece.  Sew on French knots for the eyes.
2. Sew on the stomach piece but stitching a running stitch all around this piece.
3. On the back of the penguin:  Stitch lower edge of round head in place. Stitch two feet together with a blanket stitch.  Find the center of the penguin and pin the feet in place.
4. Tack the feet in place on the wrong side of the fabric.

5.     Sew beak using 4 strands of golden orange embroidery floss.

6.     Sew around penguin using a blanket stitch.  Use black thread for the top of the head and white thread for the body.  At the top of the penguin's head, do the following: 

.

Cut 2" of gold cording and tie a knot toward the bottom of the cord.  As you are stitching closed the penguin's head opening, sew the thread in between the stitching.

When you have about 1 1/2" to sew, stuff the body with fiber fill.  Continue sewing until the whole body is stitched together.  Pin the flippers in place.

7.  Sew the flippers in place with black thread.

You adorable petite penguin ornament is finished! Enjoy! Have a great Christmas!  
xoxo Grandma

What To Do With a Bad Book - a Craft Tutorial

I'm a total book worm at heart. So when I come across a bad book (you know, bad story lines, too many cuss words, or whatever your reasoning for not liking a book), I usually just throw it away.  Well, I found a good use for those books with less than stellar reviews.  I make them into fun Christmas decorations instead.  

So, start this project with one bad book. Its time to put this book to better use!  Take the book and divide it into about 100 pages by slicing with an matte knife right down the spine of the book.

Gather together these supplies:

FYI:  I found the glass candle stick holder at my local dollar store.
You'll also need:

• tacky glue
• scrap of golden yellow paper
• 1 rounded toothpick

STEP 1:  fold pages from spine corner (top) to the bottom corner of the page.  I use a plastic bone folder to crease the pages.  Unfold.

STEP 2:  Fold the page from spine corner to the fold you just created.  Crease.  Add glue to the underneath side of that fold and press flat toward the fold line.

STEP 3:  Add glue to the top of the last fold and press toward the spine.  Make sure the original fold is not altered.

STEP 4:  Watch a good movie or listen to Christmas music as you fold the rest of the pages using these same steps because this will take a while.

STEP 5:  Fan out the pages so they form a paper tree.  Glue the first and last page together.

STEP 6:  Turn the candle stick holder upside down.  Add epoxy glue and spread the bottom of the pages over the center of the candle stick holder.

To add more height you can stack two candle stick holders into each other, just make sure you glue the holders together with epoxy glue.  

• To add a star on top of your book tree, download this free start pattern HERE.  
• Using this pattern, cut the star out of golden or yellow paper.  
• Add tacky glue to the star.  
• Lay onto the center of the star a rounded toothpick and press the other star on top of the toothpick and the star.
• Trim stars to match one another if needed.

I hope you enjoy your "bad book" now! It's probably much better this way (at least it's a lot cuter). Happy folding!  xoxo Grandma

Dollar Store Purchases - Doll Zebra Coat from a Scarf

The dollar store purchase transformation for today is how to make a doll jacket from from a fleece scarf.  (If you're just joining me, we're having fun for the past couple of weeks turning cheap finds from dollar items into cute doll clothes (you can find links to my other tutorials at the bottom of this post).

For today's project, you'll need the following supplies:

• Simplicity pattern #3551. (This pattern is extremely easy sewing and makes a darling jacket.)
• $1.00 fleece scarf from your local dollar store
• 2 buttons (mine were recycled from an old jacket)
• Thread

I simply cut out the pattern using every scrap of scarf available.  Sewed it together (following the directions) and in about 30 minutes I had one zebra coat perfectly sized for a doll.

Little Miss Santa Outfit from Santa hats go HERE 

Sweater Dress from thermal socks go HERE 

Leggings from knee hights go HERE

Elf Outfit from Christmas Stocking go HERE 

Doll sleeping bag from a chair cushion & tea towel go HERE 

Shorts from shirt sleeves go HERE 

Skirt & scarf from a scarf go HERE 

Party dress using a sequin headband go HERE 

Night Gown from a baby fleece blanket go HERE 

Zebra Jacket from a fleece scarf go HERE 

xoxo Grandma

$1.00 Doll Night Gown - FREE PATTERN & TUTORIAL

I've saved my favorite dollar store purchase transformation for today.  To make this project you'll need a fleece baby blanket from your local dollar store.  I transformed this purchase into a doll night gown. This post features a free pattern which I created to fit an American Girl doll. 

(If you're just joining me, we had fun last week and this week turning cheap finds from dollar items into cute doll clothes (you can find links to my other tutorials at the bottom of this post).

(When you print this pattern, don't forget it needs to be printed at full size. First download the free pattern HERE.) If you download this pattern, would you be kind and leave me a comment below and let me know how you found my blog?  Thank you in advance.

Supplies needed:

• Thread
• 30" of contrasting ribbon - 1/8 - 1/4" wide
• Small safety pin
• 18" of single fold bias seam tape
• One dollar store fleece baby blanket

Side note:  The fabric used to make this baby blanket has to be the cheapest fleece I've ever used!  But do not be fooled, it  worked great for making a doll night gown which is the important thing, right?

Cut out the fabric using the pattern pieces as directed on the patterns.  When sewing, use 1/4" seams unless otherwise stated.

Follow the pictorial steps below and in 30 - 40 minutes you should have a doll night gown:

Sew the sleeve seams together.

Slit the buttonhole open.  
From the right side of the project, do the following:

Sew both side seams together using an overlocking stitch.
Sew the sleeves into the armholes with an overlocking stitch.

Turn night gown right side out and thread the ribbon through the casing. 

Sew through all layers of fabric and the ribbon at the back center casing.  

(This will prevent the ribbon from being accidentally pulled out of the night gown while playing.)

As a child, night gowns were my personal favorite sleep wear.  In the chilly mornings, I loved to sit on the heater and have the warm air shoot up my body billowing my night gown out. Awww, the memories!  My sister and I use to laugh at how fat we looked.  (We stopped laughing and joking about our weight years ago!)

Thanks for joining me...don't forget if you download the pattern a comment is required!

Little Miss Santa Outfit from Santa hats go HERE 

Sweater Dress from thermal socks go HERE 

Leggings from knee hights go HERE

Elf Outfit from Christmas Stocking go HERE 

Doll sleeping bag from a chair cushion & tea towel go HERE 

Shorts from shirt sleeves go HERE 

Skirt & scarf from a scarf go HERE 

Party dress using a sequin headband go HERE 

Night Gown from a baby fleece blanket go HERE 

Zebra Jacket from a fleece scarf go HERE 

xoxo Grandma