Ok, so I feel a little bit weird about the title of this but I didn’t know what to call it! :P You know that hole that’s left at the beginning of a crochet project when you’re working in the round? Here’s how to close it up!

Obviously, this isn’t always necessary, sometimes things look fine with a little bit of a hole in the center. Actually, I rarely close it all the way, but sometimes I want to make it smaller. It’s mostly a matter of personal preference! But certain designs (like the star hat and bag I’m working on) really benefit from having it completely closed up.

It’s been a while since I’ve done a non-themed tutorial round up! I thought themes would be more fun but it turns out, having to pick a theme just makes me not do round ups as often. Lame! Not to mention there are so many cool things I’ve come across that I haven’t gotten to post because of it. I’m sure I’ll still do themed round ups sometimes, because they are fun! But for now, here goes the first of many totally random ones!

1. Tassel garland - I love tassels and need a reason to make this!
2. Painted cork board hoops - I think these would be great to use as inspiration boards!

3. Clay jewelry dish - I need to make a couple of these because I have a habit of leaving jewelry all over my bedroom.
4. Fringe lantern - I love fringe! I don’t have a place for one of these big things but I wish I did!

5. Tin can windsock - for a while, I was obsessed with glass jar crafts, now my thing is tin cans! Making this!
6. Lampshades on a string - plastic cups covered with fabric! So simple an pretty!

7. Floral words - I would love to decorate a wall with this! What to write though? hmm…
8. Driftwood cottages  - These would be so cute in the garden as little gnome homes! :)

I’ve been wanting to make more of my own clothes so I’ve been trying to think of things that will be fairly simple to make but still cute and fashionable! Gotta love things that are easy, right?! Complicated stuff just isn’t as fun (for me anyway). Here’s a tutorial for the skirt that I was wearing in this post. It’s really simple and can be made in under and hour easily!

Supplies:
♥ Stretch knit fabric for the waistband
♥ Non-stretch fabric for the skirt
♥ 1/4 inch elastic – I’m using the clear kind because it’s what I have. Any type will work.
♥ Sewing machine that does a zig zag stitch
♥ Basic sewing tools/supplies

Pattern:
The pattern is just simple rectangles. You’re going to need to know two measurements – around your hips and right below your bust (where the waistband will go). Refer to the picture below and cut out your pieces.

After you’ve cut out your pieces, here’s how to sew them together:

Step 1: Sew your two skirt pieces together, with right sides together, using 1/2 inch seam allowances. Just along the sides, not top or bottom.

Step 2: Use your sewing machine’s zig zag stitch to attach elastic around the top edge of the skirt to gather it (sew the elastic to the wrong side of the fabric). If you’ve never done this before, it’s pretty easy. All that you do is keep some tension on the elastic by slightly pulling it towards you while zig zag stitching over the top of it. This causes the fabric to bunch up/gather, as you can see in the photo below.

Step 3: Fold your waistband in half, with right sides together, so that the short sides meet up. Sew together using 1/2 inch seam allowance.

Step 4: Now fold the waistband in half the other way, so the long sides meet up (right side out) and pin.

Step 5: Pin the waistband to the top of the skirt with right sides together. Zig zag stitch along the edges.

Step 6: Hem the bottom (there is an inch for seam allowance here).

I hope this tutorial was easy enough to follow! This is the first time I’ve attempted a clothing tutorial. I’d love to hear any feedback so I can improve future tutorials! :)

I’ve been eyeing these skull beads on Etsy forever now! I finally picked up some and put together this wrap style bracelet using a really simple technique and a some basic supplies that I already had. It’s kinda similar to my dainty metal beaded bracelet tutorial, just longer and more sets of beads. Wanna make one? Here’s a tutorial! :)

Supplies:
♥ Colorful cord. I’m using Superlon bead cord #18, but embroidery floss or crochet thread would work for this too!
♥ Skull bead (you can find them cheap on Ebay or Etsy).
♥ A variety of little beads. I used size 6 seed beads and small wood squares.
♥ Lobster claw clasp
♥ Glue & Scissors

Step 1: Cut 2 pieces of cord – decide how long you want it to be + add several inches, you’ll need the extra for tying knots.

Step 2. Put the clasp and a bead on one end of the two cords a tie a knot behind it.

Step 3: Tie a knot (both cords together) about an inch or so away from the clasp. Add a few beads and tie another knot immediately after. Repeat this process down the whole bracelet. I kept my spacing and beads totally random. Make sure to try it on as you’re making it to ensure that the skull bead will end up in the front.

Step 4: Make a loop at the other end of the cords, add a bead, and tie a knot to hold the loop.

Step 5: Trim the extra cord off the ends and put a tiny bit of glue on your knots.

I have a confession to make. I absolutely despise quilt making. Most time consuming, least fun thing I’ve ever made. Seriously. My head hurts thinking about sewing all of those little pieces together. I have so much respect for hardcore quilters – I don’t know how they do it! It’s art and I don’t have the talent for it. BUT! I’ve been seriously wanting a quilt lately. Because they’re pretty. Seeing coordinating fabrics together makes me happy. So I went on a quest to find some quilt tutorials that won’t make my head hurt. And I’m really excited to try one some time soon!

Stripe quilt | Chevron quilt

Sunburst quilt | Ric rac blanket

Simple solid quilt | Simple 4 square quilt

Easy rag quilt | Circle applique quilt

I think I’m most likely to try the stripe quilt first. And the ric rac blanket inspires me to make a quilt with pom pom trim around the edges. I kinda love that stuff!

Have you ever tried to make a quilt? Love it? Hate it?