A noodle wreath tutorial

With 3 kids, I have a ton of swimming noodles.  Some in good condition...some others have seen better days.  What to do with these not so nice noodles?  Make a wreath of course. 

I cannot take credit for this idea actually.  This month's Country Living magazine had a few ideas on what to use pool noodles for other than the standard floatation device.  Also, Sew to Speak had a cute yarn version of this wreath (with a wreath form) as a class awhile ago.  So I took those ideas and tweaked to come up with this. 

So here goes...

First take the tube and bend into a circle.  Get the handy-dandy duck tape and tape away.  I actually taped and set mine down for a few hours and then came back to it and the duck tape had wiggled/pulled down a bit and the circle was now an oval.  To fix that, just add some tape long ways as well as around the 2 connecting ends. 

 

Then I found a bunch of scrap fabric.  I choose a variety so that it would be super colorful.  You can use all the same fabric if you like too.  You need to cut 3" wide strips.  I ended up using 14 yards of 3" strips to cover this.  It is really long but I would think 1 yard cut into 3" strips of all one type of fabric would probably work. 

 

Then sew all your pieces together.  I used about a 1/2" seam allowance.  Press seams open and then iron lengthwise. 

 

 

Now comes the fun part.  I liked this so much better than the yarn version because I get bored easily and this goes so much quicker wrapping with fabric.  I used straight pins (dressmaker variety) to attach my end.  Duck tape would work too.  (See my extra duck tape I had to add to keep it in a circle.)

 

 

When you get all the way around, use some more pins to secure the end fabric. 

 

 

Ok now onto some decoration for it.  I cut some felt leaves. 

 

 

I made some felt flowers. 

 

The pin is just to hold it together so you can baste the bottom secure.  Using a hand needle, sew back and forth along the bottom so all of the layers are secure.  Then you can cut the flower open. 

 

I actually used pins to attach my flowers so I could reuse them down the road when I get bored and want to change things up again.  Or you could use a hot glue gun to really secure them down.  I did that on a previous yarn wreath and it worked like a charm.  I tried adding a little bird too but then decided against it....too busy?  Anyway...get an old pool noodle and give this a try!

 

 Happy crafting!!

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Michelle

 

 

 

 

 

 

News!

Yes, I am alive and still here sewing away.  I can't believe my last post was March 5.  Whew...

THIS WEEKEND at Sew to Speak - Andie Hanna Trunk Show!  Come in and enter to win some free fabric.  There will be give aways all day long and you will LOVE this new line called Modern Bliss.  And lets support our local artisans!  Andie lives right here in Central Ohio. 

Here is a small preview of samples made with Modern Bliss: 

This is the vintage color way

This is the bright color way

I can't wait to see the Anna Tunic that was made up in the black and white chevron!  It will be there tomorrow and for a few weeks at least.  But stop in and say hi and enter to win some lovely fabric.  What will you make with Modern Bliss? 

Also in other news.... Summer classes!

Tomorrow - June 1 is open registration at Whetstone Community Center.  I am doing 2 kids camps this summer. 

Kids Sewing Camp #1 – June 10, 11, 12 and 13 from 10am to 11:30am

Kids Sewing Camp #2 – Aug 5, 6, 7 and 8 from 10am to 11:30am

Cost is $40, ages 8+, limit 5.  In these classes you will learn the basics of the machine sewing.  We will make several projects that the kids will get to choose.  Some of the projects offered are drawstring bags, headbands, PJ pants, wallets, totes and an animal softie.  Supplies can be provided for some of the smaller projects, but for larger projects you may want to supply the fabric of your choice.   The kids can make as many of the projects as time permits.  Nice to bring:  cotton thread and scissors. 

Have a wonderful summer and keep creating!!

Hugs,
Michelle

 

sample making

So here are some super cool fabrics I will be working with soon.  My cousin Andie Hanna dropped some Modern Bliss off so I could make a few samples for the upcoming trunk show at Sew to Speak. I can't wait!  LOVE the color palettes....

these are so cheerful ...ready for spring and summer!!!

vintage...so pretty and subtle.  Just lovely!

fabric wreath

I love those yarn wrapped wreaths and I have made 2 before.  But then I thought...I have a ton of scrap fabric.  So I tried it and it worked pretty well I think.  I like all of the different fabrics together.  Spring is coming!!!

Spring is coming? really?

I am done with winter.  Really done. 

So here are some events and classes we can all look forward to in the spring. 

Saturday, March 9 - Happy Birthday to Sew to Speak!!!  Come visit for some treats and great fabrics.  Has it really been 5 years?!  I am so happy to teach here. 

Sunday, March 17 - Happy St. Patrick's Day!!  I will be watching my daughter in the Columbus St. Patrick's Day parade while she high kicks and jigs her way down Broad St. 

Sunday, March 31 - Happy Easter!  Let's hope the snow is gone by then...please!!


Saturday, April 6 - Andie Hanna trunk show at Sew to Speak.  This is my very talented cousin.  She is a new designer for Robert Kaufman fabric and her new line called Modern Bliss will be at the shoppe soon.  We will have samples to show everyone and even a give-away! Come meet Andie and check out her very pretty fabrics. 

Classes at Sew to Speak
Wed, March 13 - Intro from 6-8:30pm
Sat, March 16 - Intro from 9am-11:30am
Tues, March 19 - Gypsy Sling from 6-9pm
Wed, March 20 from 6-8pm and Sat, March 23 from 9am-11am - Tote Bag
Wed, March 27 - Intro from 6-8:30pm
Wed, April 3 - Napkins and Placemats from 6-8pm
Wed, April 10 - Intro from 6-8:30pm
Sun, April 14 - Intro from 10am-12:30pm
Wed, April 17 - PJ pants from 6-8pm *change to this class
Sun, April 21- Beginner Pillows from 10am - 1pm
Wed, April 24 & May 1 - Kid's Camp from 6-8pm, ages 8+
Wed, May 8 - Intro from 6-8:30pm
Sat, May 11 - Intro from 9-11:30am
Wed, May 15 - Beginner Pillows from 6-9pm
Sat, May 18 & 25 - Kid's Camp from 9-11am, ages 8+


* my PJ pants class has changed somewhat. I have removed the pattern drafting portion of the class and I provide the pattern and you make the PJ's. We were not getting the pants done in time while doing the drafting as well. Cost is now $30.


Whetstone Community Center - spring session REGISTRATION opens on March 11 at 9am. 

Kids Sewing Camp – Mondays, April 8, 15 and 22 from 6-7:30pm.  Cost $40, limit 5 students ages 8+.  In this beginner class, we will review the operation of the sewing machine.  We will make 2 projects:  Fabric flowers for adding to headbands, bags or to hair clips…fabric scraps will be provided.  The second project is a pair of pajama pants.  I will provide a pattern, but fabric will be need to be purchased for the pajama pants. 

Adult Open Forum Sewing – Mondays, April 29, May 6 & 13 from 6:30 to 8pm.  Cost $40, limit 6 students ages 18+.  In this class, you bring whatever project you would like help with and I will be there to assist you.  If you do not have a project in mind, I will demonstrate a few techniques such as zippers and cording for pillows and you can incorporate these into a project. 

 

As always, let me know if you have any questions!  I look forward to hearing what you have been working on. 

 

Take care and Happy Sewing!!

 

XOXO,

Michelle

 

stuff I have made...

I have been so busy with classes that I haven't had a chance to share my recent creations.  Here are a few: 

a cover for my mixer

Brant's OSU themed rag quilt

It is minky and flannel on the other side

 

Some wallets

 

Mr. Penguin - whetstone kid's class

 

an apron for Sarah (kid's class at Whetstone)

And I have a matching apron...aren't we cute?

the start of a new quilt - using windmills and wonky log cabin blocks

Hello little snail

I loved this little elephant fabric...wish I had more of it

thanks for looking!

Happy Sewing,

xoxo

Michelle

Got kids?

Get some laminated cotton.  It wipes up well. 

A new tote bag

So I was interupted by the power outage when making this tote....but I got to finish it up last night.  I love it!!  A simple tote bag is always very useful for me...

This chevron pattern is so unique because of the little extra "painted" details around it. 

Love it!!

I made the bag reversible so I can show off the painted petals too!

A little rick rack is always fun  

Andie, I love this fabric!  You should be so PROUD!

too hot

It's gonna be 100 degrees today.  Even that is too hot for the pool.  So I will sew in my nice cool basement.  The kids have netflix.  Now to get some projects done.  I am first sewing a tote with fabric I got yesterday from Spoonflower. 

Andie Hanna - the newest designer for Robert Kaufman fabrics!  (and she is my cousin!)

So excited :)

Pictures soon!
xoxo,
Michelle

Freshen

Why is it someone has to be coming over before I freshen up stuff around the house?  Surely I am not the only one who does this.  I have a sewing class here at my house tonight.  My ironing board was looking sad.  So I made a cover.  Cheery!!

It was really easy.  I layed out some fabric on the floor.  Put the ironing board upside down on it and added 3" going around.  Cut it out.  Hemmed it with a 5/8" channel for cording to go through and an opening at the bottom.  Fished some nylon cord through it with a safety pin and put it on.  Very simple and satisfying.  Now if we could just haul all of my sewing stuff out of the basement and sew outside.  It is so pretty today!!

Lotta!

I love the new fabric line from Lotta Jansdotter.  She is fantastic!  So I had some leftover scraps from a pillowcase dress sample I made and I wanted to use every last bit of it because I liked it THAT MUCH.  So I have these old windows from when we remodeled and I have done a few things with them....but then I thought MOD PODGE.  Good stuff...

Busy, busy, busy...

I have caught the sewing bug again.  For many, many months I have not wanted to sew very much. I must have been burnt out or something.  But I have made up for that this weekend. 

Some softies for an upcoming kids class.  This was a free pattern that found and tweaked:

A drawstring bag ...also for a class.  Fabric donated by a kind friend!  The kids will love to make this bag.  

And my favorite thing...a stroller blanket/quilt made from that charm pack from Moda I was talking about.  LOVE IT!  It has a rustic feel to it because of the handstitching around the edge and the light brown minky makes it so super soft.  I can't wait to give this to a new baby girl!

sigh.... it's good to make stuff.  :)

xoxo,
Michelle

I waited and waited and waited... it was worth it!

I am a stalker.  At least that is what my husband calls me.  I loooove Amy Butler.  For those who don't know she is a fabric designer, sewing pattern designer, an author and many more things I am sure.  She resides and works in Granville, OH and she was at Sew to Speak tonight. 

If any of you have been in the shoppe before you know it's smallish.  I have never seen so many people fit into this space before.

I knew so many people. It was great.  I talked to former students, friends, colleagues and Amy!!

Don't we look like stairs?  Amy is the tall one.  Esther (a friend and my CCAD teacher) is the short one.  Sorry Esther...should I say the one in the blue top?  You hung in with me till the end and it was so nice to chat with you :)

And here....the book Santa brought me is now SIGNED:



And she gave us a free pattern for the bed bug pillows.  So cute.  I have to say that she was approachable, sweet and even though she had spoken to a ton of people tonight and went over her scheduled time, she still was gracious and it made me respect her even more.  Thanks Amy and I hope to see you again soon!  xoxo