Dolly Diaper Bag + Tutorial

Every time my daughter goes through the American Girl Catalog, the Bitty Baby Diaper Bag is always at the top of her wishlist. At $36 I can hardly justify buying it, so I decided to recreate it for her. I made 2 (one for each of my girls) for far less than the price of one Bitty Baby Diaper Bag. These don't come with all the goodies the real one does, but I am hoping they will still be a hit for Christmas this year. :)

Supplies needed to make this bag:

--1/2 to 3/4 yard main fabric

--1/2 yard coordinating fabric for the liner

--1/2 to 3/4 yard fusible fleece

--thread

--small piece of cardboard

*** Updated 2013: Use a piece of fusible Peltex instead of the cardboard.***

--Velcro

(I kinda guessed with the yardage because I just used supplies I had on hand, but if you are buying fabric specifically for this project- get a little extra just to be on the safe side! Sorry it is not more precise!)

To start, get all of the cutting done...

This bag measures 10 in(l)x 8 in(h) x 5 in (w)

If you wanted your bag smaller or bigger you can just calculate the difference when cutting your fabric

MAIN FABRIC:

8x11= 2 pieces {front and back of bag}

8x6= 2 pieces {side of bag}

6x11= 1 piece {bottom of bag}

5x11= 2 pieces {flaps for bag}

4x20= 2 pieces {straps for bag}

COORDINATING FABRIC:

8x11= 2 pieces {LINER: front and back of bag}

8x6=2 pieces {LINER: side of bag}

6x11= 1 piece {LINER: bottom of bag}

5x11= 2 pieces{LINER: flaps for bag}

FUSIBLE FLEECE:

8x11= 2 pieces

8x6= 2 pieces

5x11= 2 pieces

***Updated 2013-  Fusible Peltex: 

5 1/4 x 10 1/4 inch piece of fusible peltex for the base of the bag- apply this (it will be slightly smaller than the base of the bag to allow for the seam allowance to reduce bulk) to the base piece instead of the fusible fleece as I mention in the tutorial. This will work a lot better than the cardboard since the cardboard just moves around once the bag is sewn.***

Step 1: Take all of the main pieces of fabric and iron the fusible fleece to each piece (the only ones that shouldn't have fleece are the 2 4x20 inch pieces of fabric for the straps.)

Step 2: Take the 2 8x6 inch (side panels) of fabric and line them up with one of the 8x11 inch (front panel) of fabric and sew them to the sides (right side together). Then take the other 8x11 inch (back panel) and sew. When you are done, it should look like this. 

Step 3: Then pin and sew the 6x11 inch piece to the bottom of the bag. Turn right side out. (I ironed the seams once turned right side out so that the bag had more of a rectangle shape.)

Step 4: (forgot to take a picture of this step) Fold and press the top edge of the bag in towards the inside of the bag 1/2 inch all the way around.

Step 5: Take the 5 pieces of the coordinating fabric for the liner and put them together the same way you did in step 2-3 except don't turn right side out when you are done. 

Step 6: Measure the bottom of the bag and cut a piece of cardboard to fit exactly in the base of the bag. This will help the bag keep it's shape when there are things in it. Once the cardboard is in, place the liner bag inside the main bag.

*** EDITED 2013: if you add the fusible Peltex in here to the bottom panel- it would work better than the cardboard since the cardboard can move around!***

Step 7: Take the 4 pieces of fabric that are 5x11 inches and use a cup to trace and cut the top edges of each piece of fabric so they are rounded.

Step 8: Take one liner and one main piece of fabric and place them right sides together and sew along all but the bottom edge of the fabric. 

Step 9: Turn right side out and top stitch along the edge. Do steps 8-9 to the other flap.

Step 10: Take the two 4x20 inch pieces of fabric for the straps and fold and iron each strap in half wrong side together (hot dog style). After it is pressed nicely so you can see the line, open up so that the wrong side of the fabric is facing up. Fold each of the edges toward the center and press. After you are done pressing the edges to the center, fold back in half. (All the raw edges should be on the very inside of the strap now) Press one more time really well.

Step 11: Sew along each side of each strap to secure.

Step 11: Tuck the flaps and straps in between the outside and liner of the bag and pin. 

Step 12: Sew all the way around the top of the bag to secure the flaps and straps to the bag. (take the pins out as you go so you don't have puckers in the liner underneath.

Step 13: Sew a couple pieces of velcro to the flaps.

And you are done! 

I can't wait to see the looks on my girls faces Christmas morning when they open these dolly diaper bags up! :)

{Not So Mini} Mini Skirt + Tutorial

 When I found this corduroy fabric at Joann's, I immediately pictured a little mini skit! I love the pattern and the colors! And of course I couldn't resist adding some pom-poms!

Ok... so here is how you make it.

You will need:

fabric

elastic for back waistband

pom-poms

To create your ratio, measure waist.

Front piece of skirt= 1/2 width of waist measurement by length desired (don't forget to include seam allowances)

Back Piece of skirt= 3/4 waist measurement by length desired (don't forget to include seam allowances)

Just so you can visualize it more, I will show my daughters ratios...

Waist=19 inches

Front piece= 10.5 inches x length (I added one inch to the width for seam allowances- that is why it is 10.5 instead of 9.5)

Back Piece= 15.25 inches x length (added one inch for seam allowances)

 Step 1: Take the back piece of fabric and create a casing for the elastic. ( I was using 1 inch elastic so I folded over 1/4 inch and pressed and then folded over again 1 1/4 inch and pressed.)

 Step 2: Sew along the top and bottom of the casing.

 Step 3: Cut your elastic- divide waist measurement in half and then subtract 1-2 inches and that will be the length for your elastic. 

Step 4: Thread your elastic through that casing.

 Step 5: Once you get it all the way through, pin it on each side so you can sew it to the edge of the fabric.

Step 6: After your elastic is sewn into the waist, line up the front and back pieces of the skirt right sides together and sew down the sides of the skirt. Then hem the skirt to desired length.

Step 7: Sew on the pom poms.

That's it! Easy peasy!

How to Decorate Your Christmas Tree {ON A BUDGET}

Christmas is by far my favorite holiday of the year. For many, many reasons... Just one of them being that I get to put of my Christmas tree!!

I LOVE CHRISTMAS TREES!

There is just something about having a christmas tree in the room that just makes ya wanna burst into song... "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire... Jack Frost nipping at your nose"- Ok... ok... maybe I am the only one that feels that way, but you have to admit that a Christmas tree makes ya feel good! Right? I put my Christmas tree up over a week ago and I have been enjoying every second of it!

Today I am going to share my tips of decorating your Christmas Tree on a budget!

To start, let me tell you the story of my Christmas tree... I got it 5 years ago at Walmart. At the time, I didn't have a lot of money and I didn't have much space. It cost me a total of $29.99 and came pre-lit. 5 years later {still have no money, and limited space} and it works great. It's pretty sparse, but it does the job and I try to make up for the sparseness with decorations! So with that said, let me tell you my tips for decorating your tree on a budget.

Tip #1: Don't spend a ton of money on the actual tree. Like I said, mine cost $29.99 and it does the job! Of course down the road I would love to upgrade, but since I need to decorate on a budget, this tree works great! :) Whatever money you save on the tree you can put into ornaments and all the fun stuff:)

Tip #2: Shop the after Christmas sales and clearance racks. Probably 85% of the decorations on my tree are things that I got 50-75% off at the after Christmas sales and saved to use for the next year. If you are like me, it's hard to do this because I want my tree to look perfect NOW! ;) But when you are trying to save money, this is a great thing to do. And just think- it will be so fun next year when you get to pull out all the new things you were able to get the year before on sale! It's like Christmas- Literally;)

Tip#3: Buy a little bit at a time. My tree has taken me 4 years to get it to the point it is now. It gets better every year and it is so fun to compare pictures from the previous years to see just how far my little tree has come!:) When you see something on sale throughout the year, snatch it up, add it to the Christmas pile. If you wait until Christmas time when all the stores have things full price, it can be pretty pricey to decorate your tree/house.

Tip #4: Buy things that aren't necessarily "Christmas decor" to decorate your tree. I love to use garlands and silk flowers in my tree to fill the sparse branches. These things can be found on sale throughout the year! This year I added 2 small berries wreaths to my tree to fill in the sparse areas- You can't even tell they are wreaths since I wiggled them into the tree branches.

Tip #5: Watch for Christmas Sales (during the Christmas season) and use coupons... Hobby Lobby, Roberts, and Joann are great places to buy things because they almost always have a 40-50% off coupon that you can use on one item. This year, I bought the things to make my 20 Min Christmas Wreath for 50% off at Joann and Hobby Lobby- and I didn't even have to use a coupon since they were having a sale!

Tip #6: Buy big things to decorate with on your tree. Now my husband might fight me on this tip;) You should have been in the room when I pulled out my "new" treasures to put on my tree this year {the 2 BIG vintage looking bottle cap signs that say Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas}... Needless to say, my husband was a little worried about how big they are- But as I always say "Go big or go home!" Once I got the tree all done, he loved them! ;) I love decorating with big things! It fills up your tree super fast and I just love putting chunky things into my tree that aren't really supposed to be put on a Christmas tree. Now- I know some of you are thinking that I broke the cardinal rule of decorating with odd numbers since I only have 2 signs in my tree- I know that I TOTALLY broke that rule, but I don't think my tree could have handled another one and I am happy with the way it looks- rule breaking and all:)

Tip #7: Break all the rules. (This tip doesn't necessarily have anything to do with saving money) Decorate your Christmas tree how YOU think looks good. Put things on it that YOU like. Don't worry about what is in style or what this years colors are. Christmas trends come and go, so just buy things that you love- whether or not it is in style. If you love mauve- then decorate your tree in mauve- gosh darn it;) In the long run, you will be so glad that you went with your style instead of doing what everyone else is doing.


So now here is how I decorate my tree!

Step #1: Have the hubby put up the tree (see how sparse it is to start??)

Step #2: Put ribbons and garland on. Then add your biggest decorations next so you can make sure they are evenly placed. Here is where I added my 2 bottle cap signs (which I got last week at Hobby Lobby for 50% off- they were $5 each!! LOVE!)

Step #3: I added my 2 berry wreaths.

Can you see the red berries on the left side of this picture- it is one of the wreaths.

Step #4: Add all of your biggest ornaments first so you can space things out well. Add the smallest ornaments last to fill in the gaps.

Voila! You are done- Now you are ready to cuddle up with a blanket and a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy your masterpiece! :)

Notice- I don't have a tree skirt! I have looked and looked over the years and haven't found the perfect one yet {in my price range}... might just have to make one myself:) For now I just prop up this snowman picture at the base of the tree to cover the stand until I have present there.

Hope you are all having a great holiday season! :)

20 Minute DIY Christmas Wreath

If I had a nickel for every time someone said "I am not crafty" or "I am just not creative enough to craft" I would have A LOT more crafting supplies at my house! I hear it a lot!

Crafting doesn't always necessarily take "creativeness" to do {in my opinion}! These days we have all kinds of places to get creative ideas to copy cat... Pinterest  has about every idea you could think of- just waiting to be "pinned" and recreated!!

So for those who claim they can't craft because they "aren't creative enough"- here is the project for you! ANYONE can make this wreath- crafty or non-crafty!

I know some of you are probably thinking "We haven't even gotten to Thanksgiving yet- What in the heck is Ashley posting a Christmas wreath for??!?!?!"

Well let me tell you... In my house, Christmas time starts November 1st. Thanksgiving decor doesn't stand a chance in my house because I love Christmas WAY too much to ONLY have my Christmas decor up for one month! I love everything about Christmas! Honestly, if I had it my way- I would create a radio station that played Christmas music year round. Yep- I admit it... I am one of THOSE weird people. You can blame my dad- it was practically drilled into my head growing up. Bing Crosby's White Christmas can still frequently be heard at my family's house in the summer heat of June. LOVE IT!

Well- know that you all know my dark secret, that I am an "All Things Christmas- Especially Christmas Music Junkie"- 

Here is how I created this Semi Homemade Christmas Wreath in 20 minutes flat!

 Supplies:
Grapevine Wreath (mine is 24 inches)

Ribbon (I got mine at Hobby Lobby for 50% off)

Florist Wire

Christmas Sign (got mine for 50% off at Hobby Lobby)

A Floral Swag (got mine for 40% off at Joann- you can find these in the wreath section)

That's it- No glue gun involved even!

To start- Lay your floral swag on top of the bottom of the wreath. Cut 4-5 long pieces of the wire and wiggle the wire in between the branches and flowers of the swag and around the wreath in 4-5 places evenly spaced along the swag. Once you have gotten it snug against the wreath, twist the wire a handful of times to secure it.

 After it is twisted, clip the excess wire off and bend the twisted part up into the wreath.

Once the floral part of the wreath is secured, do the same to secure the sign to the top of the wreath. Make sure it is centered. 

{Tip: I think it is easiest to do this part if you hang the wreath up and eyeball the center while it is hanging}

Once you twist the wires to secure it, clip the excess and bend the twisted part up into the wreath to hide it.

 I fell in love with this sign when I saw it at Hobby Lobby since the bird is kinda 3D- it pokes up off the sign.. Super cute! The fact that is was 50% off sealed the deal!

After everything is secured with wire, you can add the ribbon. There is no rhyme of reason to this part. Just make it look how you want it to. Add a bow on top, wrap it around the wreath, whatever your heart desires! 

Since my ribbon had wire in it and was pretty bendy, I just kinda weaved it around the top of the wreath and used the grapevines to secure it.

That's it! Super easy and super fast!

AND- since it is all just wired to the wreath, if I get sick of it and want to rearrange it next year, I can do it very easily!

I think it looks absolutely gorgeous on my front door! LOVE IT! :)

Have I got you in the Christmas Spirit yet?? ;)

Themes for So You Think You Can Sew

For those of you that have been anxiously awaiting the weekly themes for the So You Think You Can Sew Contest- 

HERE THEY ARE!!!

DRUMROLL PLEASE.......

I wanted to keep the categories pretty broad, so there is not going to be a whole lot of rules as far as the weekly themes go. 

Week 1 {Top 12 contestants}: For the Home--- Basically anything that could be considered home decor/ could be displayed somewhere in your home.

Week 2 {Top 9 contestants}: Repurposed Items--- Taking something that is already existing and turning it into something else. {for example: taking an old t-shirt and turning it into a bag}

Week 3 {Top 6 contestants}: Apparel--- Anything that could be worn- clothing, bags, accessories, etc.

Week 4 {Top 3 contestants}: Contestant Choice--- ANYTHING GOES!! 

Remember that this is a sewing competition so everything must be sewn {hand stitched or machine stitched}.

So get to brain storming and even get started sewing if you think you might make it to the top 12---BUT REMEMBER--- If you make it to the Top 12, all projects submitted for the 4 weeks of competition must be NEW projects and can not have been made sooner than November 10th, 2011!

 If you haven't entered the CONTEST, you still have till November 30th to get your project submitted...

Last but not least, I want to thank all of our AWESOME sponsors!! Make sure you check all of them out and show them some love!!