I’m so excited to share this tutorial with you! Jo-Ann so generously sent me some fabrics from their new line of HGTV Home Fabrics to try out and review and I used them to make a big yarn storage basket! I really love this Urban Blossom fabric that they sent me because it’s honestly really me! It actually reminds me of the fabric that I have in the header on my blog. The HGTV Home Fabrics line also has some chevron prints that I really like as well as some other floral prints! Jo-Ann also sent me a coupon for you so if you’d like to try these fabrics, scroll down for a coupon! :)

Now, I’m going to show you how I made my yarn basket! It’s a pretty simple project, but definitely requires some sewing experience! This basket is big (12″ high x 17″ wide) so it would be great for so many things, like a laundry basket even!

Supplies:

♥ 1 yard each of two coordinating fabrics – I’m using HGTV Urban Blossom Berry & HGTV Checkered Past Berry
♥ 54 inches of matching trim – I’m using HGTV 1” Pleat Twill Mulberry
♥ 2 yards of extra stiff interfacing
♥ Sewing machine and basic sewing supplies/tools

Step 1: Cutting out all the pieces:

♥ From both fabrics & interfacing – cut 1 circle that is 17 inches in diameter (53 inch circumference) + 1 piece (for the sides) that is 54 inches long x 13 inches tall.

♥ From the outer fabric – cut two pieces that are 12 inches long x 3 inches tall (for the handles)

Step 2: Handle pieces: With right sides together, sew along the long edge (green line) using a 1/2″ seam allowance.

Step 3: Turn the handles right side out and use your iron to press them flat. Top stitch along the green lines.

Step 4: On both of your fabrics & interfacing: With right sides together, sew along the short edge (green line) using 1/2″ seam allowances.

Step 5: On both of your fabrics & interfacing: Pin the bottom circle to the side piece (right sides together) and sew around the circle (green line) using 1/2″ seam allowances.

Step 6: Pin the handles in place on your outer fabric.

Step 7: Putting all the pieces together!

Put the outer fabric inside the interfacing and then with right sides together, put the lining fabric inside the outer fabric. Pin all the way around then sew together using a 1/2″ seam allowance. Be sure to leave about 6 inches unsewn so that you can turn the whole thing right side out.

Step 8: Turn right side out and pin the hole shut that you left for turning.

Step 9: Pin your trim in place all the way around the top edge. Sew around (this will also sew up the hole that you left for turning).

All done! Now stuff it full of yarn and enjoy! :)

I was able to fit about 45 skeins of yarn in there! If you wanted to make a smaller basket, it would be really easy by simply making a smaller diameter circle. Here is a circumference calculator that I always find helpful for this sort of thing!

Here is a 10% off coupon for you to use! From April 14 – May 4, the HGTV HOME line is 50% off at Jo-Ann and the coupon can be used during that time for extra savings!

Over the Summer when I was making Barefoot Sandals, I kinda fell in love with embroidery floss because it comes in sooo many pretty colors, and kept thinking of new things to make with it! I came up with these fun little tassel bracelets!

I like pairing the bright colors of embroidery floss with neutral colored beads (try seed, nut, or wood beads!) to add a subtle and fun pop of color to your outfit! Here’s how I made them:

Supplies:
♥ Embroidery Floss
♥ Beads (I’m using 8mm buri seed beads)
♥ Needle
♥ Scissors
♥ Elastic Cord
♥ Crimp Bead
♥ Pliers
♥ 2×2 inch square of cardboard

Step 1: String your beads on the elastic cord and secure it with a crimp bead using pliers. Be sure to leave a little extra space (about the size of a bead) where the crimp is because you’ll need room to put the tassel there.

Step 2: Wrap embroidery floss around the cardboard square about 35 times (more or less if you want a thicker or thinner tassel).  Cut the embroidery floss leaving approximately a 10 inch tail and put your needle on the end.

Step 3: Insert your needle under the threads and pull through. Pull tight and repeat once more.

Step 4: Cut all of the threads along the opposite end of  the cardboard. Carefully slip the cardboard out and carefully slip the bracelet in so that the tassel is wrapped around the crimp bead.

Step 5: Tightly wrap the thread around the tassel several times. Insert your needle under those wraps and pull through. Pull tight and trim the end to the same length as the rest of the tassel.

You could also do this with chain to make a necklace! :)

So I had this idea a while back to stud a hula hoop! I knew it wouldn’t be the most usable hoop though since the studs kinda hurt or get in the way for certain tricks, so I never made it. Until recently when my friend’s boyfriend mentioned how much he wanted a studded hoop! I was so stoked that I finally had a reason to make this hoop! So here’s what I did:

First of all, you’re going to need a hoop that’s already taped (or tape one especially for this! You can see my taping tutorial at the bottom of this post.). I had this old heavy hoop that I never use anymore so I just peeled off the old gaffer tape and it was good to go since the sparkle tapes were still in good shape!

You’re going to need 1/2″ gaffer tape, Studs (I used 1/2″ ones), Ribbon (I used 3/4″), and pliers.

Start off by putting two studs on the ribbon, about an inch apart. Hold the ribbon along the outer edge of the hoop and wrap your gaffer tape around, in between every other stud to hold the ribbon in place. I worked my way around the hoop adding two studs at a time. When you make it all the way around, you’ll have to go around again with the gaffer tape between every other stud. Make sure the ribbon edges are secured and taped over.

It’s a little time consuming but unique and bad ass! :D

It’s been a while since I made my last how to make a hula hoop tutorial, so I wanted to make a new one because hoop making has gotten so much easier! You might be wondering, “what’s polypro?”. It’s a type of tubing that is super light and awesome for anyone who is a more experienced hooper! If you’re a beginner, you can still use this method to make a hoop, but I recommend a different type of tubing (see the next section) because it will be easier to learn with.

Where & What to buy:

I recommend buying everything from hoopsupplies.com because they have a huge selection and the best prices. They also make it really easy by automatically including insert tubing (to connect the hoop) that fits whatever tubing you buy.

♥ 3/4″ polypro tubing is good for anyone who is more experienced with hooping. It comes in colors or clear.

♥ 3/4″ HDPE tubing is good for anyone who is a beginner (it’s heavier & easier to use). It comes in colors or white.

10 feet (the minimum you can buy from hoopsupplies) is enough to make a 38″ diameter hoop, which is a good beginner size. Some people start with a 40-45″ hoop. The size is up to you but keep in mind that the larger the diameter, the easier it will be to use. And you can always cut the hoop smaller as you get better so no harm in going big to start! :)

Supplies:
♥ Tubing
♥ Insert tubing (comes with it if you order from hoopsupplies)
♥ Pipe cutters
♥ Sharpie
♥ Measuring tape
♥ Gaff tape (I used 1/4″ hot pink) or sand paper

Step 1: Use your pipe cutters to cut a piece of insert tubing that is about 6 inches long. This will be your connector.

Step 2: Decide on what diameter your hoop will be and calculate the circumference. Measure your desired circumference around the outside of the tubing and make a mark there with your Sharpie.

Step 3: Use your pipe cutters to cut the tubing on the mark you made.

Step 4: Insert your connector tubing half way into one end of the hoop. Then connect the other end of the tubing.

Step 5: For grip, you can either wrap tape around the hoop or use sandpaper to sand the inside of it. I like using tape because it adds color! ;)

If you have any questions about hooping or hoop making, I’d be happy to help! Just ask! :)

*Just for the record, this is not a sponsored post. I recommend hoopsupplies.com because they make it easy to buy everything you need for hoop making, they have a huge selection, and the best prices! When buying from them, if you say that I (Julie King) referred you, I will get a couple dollars in store credit, which I would love and appreciate but totally do not expect from anyone. You can also purchase tubing on Ebay or Etsy but will have to buy insert tubing separately and usually an entire roll of it, which is pricey for something that you only need several inches of.

It’s finally September so I’m allowing myself to start posting Halloween stuff now! yay! Joann’s was cool enough to send me their Fall press kit, containing lots of project ideas for Fall & Halloween! Feeling inspired, I chose to try this silhouette embroidery hoop project first. But with a twist – I made mine glow!  Read on to see how I did it!

Rather than using lace fabric or doilies like the instructions called for, I used a fabric that is kind of like a really open burlap. After putting it in the hoop, I pulled on the strings to make the edges look all tattered.

If you want to make yours glow, you’re going to need a glowstick! I recommend layering two pieces of felt for your bat because just one piece is too thin and will allow the glow to shine through (which doesn’t look so nice). After you’ve attached your bat to the front, flip it over and sew two small strips of felt onto the back to hold your glowstick.

Here’s what it looks like in daylight. It’s such a simple, cheap, and quick project! :)