Working on Xmas Gifts (edited)

here is a wonderful hat I found - I am making a spin-off for Oma!

I have a few other things in the mix too!

Currently: 

• I've designed a neck warmer (by request) for my step-dad that's ALMOST done - I think I have 3-4 rows left...we'll see.  I've written it all down, so it should be reproducible if you're looking for one too!



These are based off a pattern I found HERE

• AND I am making little stockings for my Sunday School class - stick some candy canes and other long skinny objects in 'em and we're good to go!

Need to Do/Find:

• A scarf pattern for Opa? . . . maybe I'll make him a neck warmer too...
• Something for Mutti
• ? Maybe something for my sister (but she's got A LOT of things I've made her already...) - she's getting clothing with my hard work put into fixing/altering it

And Done:

(C)2014 CMisso

• A Hat for my step-Grandma based of Hat No. 35 here (there are 35 other hats to try from the 1970s!)
• I've designed a neck warmer (by request) for my step-dad is DONE 

(MORE PICTURES TO COME! :) maybe in a new post...)

How to Cover/Line a {rectangular} Basket!

PLEASE CLICK TO BLOW-UP PIC!

So we all know that those lovely covered baskets are expensive!  I set out to make one of my own--you can buy many baskets for a much cheaper price, and the one in this tutorial is from the Dollar Tree!

You will end up cutting two pieces of fabric; I used the same colour for both layers.  If you chose a patterned fabric, be careful that the pattern ends up on the outside!  Also, make sure you iron out all of the kinks before measuring and cutting.

Start by figuring out all of the dimensions of your basket (see how I figured this out in the photo to at the top-right). You need to know:

• the measurements for the bottom length and width
• the measurements for the top length and width
• the height of the basket
• the measurement from the top edge around the bottom to the top edge on the opposite side for both the long (let's call this y) and the short sides (and this x) - see the picture up to the right
• the amount of overlap you want over the top of the basket (we'll call this z)

Cut your fabric into a rectangle that measures [x + 1/2" seam allowance + 2z] by [y + 1/2" seams + 2z] - cut the pieces at the same tine to keep them the same size.  Make sure they are pinned together really well!

The corners will need to be cut out; I basically cut out the coloured-in sections of my diagram.  Measure where the bottom section of the basket should line up.  Around the edges and z + 1/4" in, mark the top-of-the-basket measurements. (I wanted about 1/2" overhang, so I measured in 3/4")

I coloured the sections I cut off on the fabric too (this helps me too!) and, also, drew the seam allowance for the corners.  Now cut the corners out (below on left), pin the sides together to make the box corners (below on right), and sew up the corners (I used a straight stitch)... 

[if you wanted your liner to fit more snug around the edges, this would be the time to add elastic-cut it about 2" shorter than the parameter of the top of your basket and stretch it along as you sew]

 

Put the two "boxes" together inside out (above) and sew around the top leaving about 2/3 of one of the shorter sides open to turn it right-side-out.  Iron around the corners and top seam and straight stitch around the top to close the gap and give it a nice finished look.

Put it in the basket, turn down the top, and Viola! You just lined your basket!

Making a Kindle Cover

Father's Day Gift! (don't let him see!!!)  My mom got a Kindle for my step-dad for Christmas, and he has yet to protect it...so I got to it and made a cover!

I was looking for a book-type design, but nothing I found completely suited my fancy.  I got my final ideas from Dixie Mango (here and here) and did a lil combo.

Things I changed from the tutorials: snap instead of velcro, I put 1" elastic in the triangle corners (which I stretched when sewing in to give a lil extra holding grip).
Things I used: interfacing (soft for cushioning and sturdy for support), the Kindle holder but I enlarged the corner fabric, I also gave the cover an outline of book-binding.

Things to keep in mind: put the soft interfacing closest to the device and the sturdy stuff on the outside, make sure to measure your device (this kindle is approx. 4.75" x 6.75" x .35") and keep it handy as you work to double check all the fittings, and you can change the design to hold an number of technological devices!

You can sometimes find my creations (and sometimes my sister's art) for sale as well as request items here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/stuffbychrissy

Notice: Change of Blog Purpose

Because I am not focusing on this blog strictly for class anymore, I have branched out and will now be including my crafty-side (sometimes I might even give you a tutorial!) and possibly some of those sciency things I find so interesting!

So...

STAY TUNED! :)