Upcycled Reusable Snack Bag

    Hello! It's about that time of the year where all the kiddos head back to school. With hundreds of snacks and lunches to be made, you'll probably end up plowing through tons of plastic snack or sandwich bags. With this easy tutorial, you can make reusable washable plastic snack bags to use for years to come. 

First off, what you will need more than anything is at least a fat quarter worth of plastic, or recycled woven plastic (almost tarp-like material). I've been rummaging around thrift shops and collecting reusable shopping bags that have cute prints. Most of the bags I've purchased have been $1 or less. You also use oilcloth fabric or another waterproof material. 

You will also need :

1. Scissors

2. A Ruler 

3. A Zipper! I used a 5" 519 Red YKK Zipper  

4. Thread, preferably the same color as the zipper of your choice. 

Step 1. Cut two pieces of waterproof material, both the same size. 

The zipper I used was 5 inches long. My fabric was 6 inches x 6 inches. Have your fabric at least one inch larger than the length of the zipper. 

Step 2. Open your zipper and sew face down on one piece of material. A trick to sewing past your zipper is stopping in the middle of the zipper leaving your needle in and lifting up the foot. Then zip up the zipper past the needle and put the foot down to finish sewing. This way you get a nice straight sturdy seam.

Step 3. Fold the zipper back over to the front and fold the material and hem along the zipper. This extra seam will make the pouch heavy duty. Perfect for all the washings and little hands grabbing snacks.

Step 4. Sew the zipper to the second piece of material face down. Make sure both front sides of the fabric are touching on the inside. 

Step 5. Fold the zipper back to the front side and hem along the zipper on the second side. 

Use your presser foot aligned with the zipper teeth to get a perfectly linear hem. 

Step 6. Open the zipper half way and sew around each side of the pouch. Make sure the pouch is inside out. This is the final step before you turn the pouch inside out through the zipper. 

There should be plenty of room to sew the zipper closed on each side of the pouch.

There you have it! Perfect for lunch boxes or snacks on the go. It only takes a few minutes and you'll never have to use disposable baggies again!

For all your zipper needs make sure you visit www.zipitzippers.com

DIY Zipper Pillow

Hello! Today I will be gracefully guiding all you crafters in zipper land, through creating your own zipper throw pillow. Sewing with zippers can be intimidating and this easy tutorial will help you along step by step. I also had to incorporate this super cute "Enamel Coffee Pot" paper piecing pattern from Sew Ichigo. For this project you will need : 

1. A Zipper! (I used a 9 inch black zipper)

2. Two pieces of fabric ( I used two 14"x14" Squares)

3. Two 3"x 6" pieces of fabric (I used Kitchen Motif Fabric) either matching your zipper or your fabric colors.

4. A sewing machine with preferably the same color thread as your zipper. 

5. Pins 

6. An Iron

Step 1. Take your two pieces of fabric measuring 3" x 6" and fold over 1/2 inch. Iron into place.

Step 2. Fold the two pieces in half so the 1/2 folds are touching.

Step 3. & 4. Pin each end of the zipper with your fabric with the fold opening towards the zipper.

Step 5. Sew a seam across the zipper bring the two folds together. 

Step 6. Is what the zipper head should look like.

Step 7. Is what the bottom of the zipper should look like. 

Step 8. Take one of your pieces of fabric right side up and pin zipper face down on the side you want to be the bottom of your pillow.

Step 9. Iron down your zipper on the non seamed finished side of your pillow bottom.

10. Lay out your pieces facing opposite of each other, then flip the other piece of fabric upside down on your piece in which the zipper is already sewn on. 

11. Pin 2nd piece of fabric onto the zipper making sure both front sides of the fabrics are touching. 

12. Sew the other side to the zipper and iron out both sides so they are flat.

Step 13. Open the zipper half way and pin the whole thing together. Pin the zipper sides as flat as you can so they will be easy to sew. 

14. Sew around the 3 non zipper edges. Sew a double seam for more durability. 

15. Finally turn the whole thing inside out, stuff it with a pillow form or stuffing & zip it up!

There you have it, a simple throw pillow! Now that you've got the hang of it, the possibilities are endless! What a great way to showcase your paper piecing skills. 

For all your zipper needs make sure you come to www.zipitzippers.com

Meg's Crochet Candy Corn Zipper Pouch Tutorial

I used Lily's sugar and cream sunshine yellow and Peaches 'N Cream hot orange and white yarn. 

Step 1: With white yarn and size G hook chain 3 and join with slip stitch to make a ring. Photo #1

Step 2 : Chain 1, then single crochet 6 times around through center of loop join with a slip stitch. Photo #2 

Row 1: Chain 2 count as first half double crochet (now and through out) make 2 half double crochet in each single crochet around 12 stitches total join with a slip stitch Note: To get the candy corn shape go through the two loops not between the spokes. This will keep it from becoming a flat round. (See right and wrong picture above.)

Row 2: Chain 2 (count as first half double crochet) repeat 6 times (2hdc,1hdc). You should have 18 stitches total. Join with a slip stitch, then cut white leaving a tail to weave in, join orange yarn.

To join take last loop of white off  hook. Photo #3  slip knot orange on to hook. Photo #4 Then put  white loop back on hook. Photo #5  Yarn over and draw through both loops. Photo #6

Row 3: With orange yarn chain 2 make 2half double crochet in first single crochet then 1 half double crochet in next 2 single crochet (2hdc,1hdc,1hdc) repeat 6 times around you should have 24 stitches total. Join with slip stitch.

Row 4: Chain 2 make 2half double crochet in first single crochet then 1 half double crochet in next 3 single crochet repeat pattern (2hdc,1hdc,1hdc,1hdc) 6 times around 30 stitches total. Join with slip stitch.

Row 5: Chain 2  make 2half double crochet in first single crochet then 1 half double crochet in next 4 single crochet repeat pattern (2hdc,1hdc,1hdc,1hdc,1hdc) around 36 stitches total. Join with a slip stitch.

Row 6: Chain 2 make 2half double crochet in first single crochet then 1 half double crochet in next 5 single crochet repeat pattern  (2hdc,1hdc,1hdc,1hdc,1hdc,1hdc) around 42 stitches total. Join with slip stitch. Cut orange yarn leaving a tail long enough to weave in and join yellow yarn same way you joined the orange. Photos #7&8

Row 7: With the yellow yarn Chain 2 make 2half double crochet in first single crochet then 1 half double crochet in next 6 single crochet repeat pattern (2hdc,1hdc,1hdc,1hdc,1hdc,1hdc,1hdc) around 48 stitches total. Join with a slip stitch.

Row 8: Chain 2 make 2half double crochet in first single crochet then 1 half double crochet in next 7 single crochet repeat pattern repeat pattern (2hdc,1hdc,1hdc,1hdc,1hdc,1hdc,1hdc,1hdc) around 54 stitches total. Join with slip stitch.

Row 9: Chain 2 make 2half double crochet in first single crochet then 1 half double crochet in next 8 single crochet repeat pattern (2hdc,1hdc,1hdc,1hdc,1hdc,1hdc,1hdc,1hdc,1hdc) around 60 stitches total. Join with a slip stitch. Cut yellow yarn leaving tail long enough to weave in (note: you can pull on work to get more triangular shape). Photos #9&10

Weave in all yarn ends then pin zipper in place one side at a time and hand sew on. I used a 7" zipper but you might need a different size depending on the type of yarn you use. 

To make watermelon pouch: In pink yarn follow steps through row 7. Then cut off and join in green finish pouch. I made french knots with black yarn to make seeds.

To make pizza pouch: In yellow follow steps though row 7. Then switch to red yarn and follow instructions in row 8 but only as single crochet. Then with brown yarn follow row 9 but double crochet instead of the half double stitches finish pouch. To make pepperoni chain 3. Then in chain farthest from hook single crochet 4 join with slip chain 1 make 2 single crochet in each single crochet 8 stitches total. Join with a slip stitch  finish off . To make black olives chain 4 join with slip stitch.

Mariquinha Case by Dreams Factory Tutorial

Check out this cute Mariquinha zipper pouch tutorial by Dreams Factory by Jeane!  

Meg's Crochet Rainbow Zipper Coin Purse

My niece wants me to teach her how to crochet, so I had to find a project that was easy but still fun to do. My first crochet project was wash cloths but I cant imagine that would be all that exciting for a teenage girl. This coin purse is easier than it looks. All you do is crochet a flat round in a specific color order and then fold in half. It’s a very quick project and would make a great gift or first pattern to follow!

How To Dye Zippers- A Tutorial From Blue Nini

We've gotten such an awesome response to the Ykk Organic Zippers. I've had a lot of requests for new colors. The Organic Zippers only come in white tape right now. Sara from BlueNini is sharing an awesome way to dye them.

Beautiful, right?!? If you would like to give this a try we currently have the ykk organic zippers available in 4 inch, 7 inch, 8 inch, 10 inch, and 12 inch. 

Check out more of Blue Nini's gorgeous creations at her Etsy Shop or drop on by her facebook! Thanks so much for sharing Sara!

Meg's Rainy Day Finger Puppets

This is how I kept two unruly boys busy on Sunday when it rained. It’s a great way to use up fabric scraps, or a reason to use the fabric you bought for no other reason than it caught your eye. (I’m guilty of the latter!) All materials used are  any good crafter's staples. And all five of these critters took me only about 30 minutes to make. Also, these finger puppets would make a great last minute gift for any lucky kid.

Items Needed For Project:

Fabric with approximate print size of around 3”

Felt (I used Craft Felt which is made in the USA and from Eco-fi 100% recycled plastic)

Glue Stick

Marker (I used a Sharpie)

Scrap Paper

Meg's Classic Sock Monkey Tutorial

   

This is a super easy gift to make on a budget! I made him for my cousin’s baby shower and it only cost me $5 and took me about an hour.

Items Needed For Project:

One pair of socks  (I used Original Rockford Red heal, but you can use knee socks too.)

White or black embroidery floss for mouth stitching

Polyester fiber fill

Scraps of black felt or fleece for the eyes and nostrils (Black buttons can be used if not made for a small child.)

Piece of chalk for marking sew line

Needle and thread

lia's crafty journey: tutorial: ms. lipsie the pocket girl

Lia from  Lia's Crafty Journey is sharing her Lipsie the Pocket Girl Tutorial with us! Isn't she just darling!??! 

Thank you for sharing Lia!

tutorial: ms. lipsie the pocket girl

A happy valentine's gift and a Chinese New Year's gift to you all :).  I though I'd share one of my pocket idea :)...not suggested for little girls....as they might get too scared of it hahahahahaha...I made this using my unwanted khakis from GAP, the hair was using my husband's unwanted pants from Express (these pants are like 10years++ by now).  For the lining, I used some leftover Balinese batik and I just happen to find the pink ribbon :).  This was supposed to be a goody bag prototype..but I think it's a little too creepy for children :p.  Here is the link to the tutorial+pattern...ENJOY! And...PLEASE send me some pictures when you make your own version...I would so love to see them :)

Ms. Lipsie trying to eat up my Lens cover :)....yum yum yum....

Pouch Tutorial!

This is a cute fun pouch and it's so easy to make! Here's how:
Gather your supplies. The list is short- a handful of zippers and a small piece of fabric for the back.

I used (6) #3 ykk coil zippers in various sizes from 7"-14". As long as your smallest zipper is around the same size as your piece of fabric for the back you will be just fine. My backing fabric is a piece of kokka cotton measuring 5" x 6".