Embellished Kitchen Towels $cost of towel

My sister Suzette sewed me a set of kitchen towels for my birthday to be used for holidays throughout the year. She embellished each towel using scraps from her sweet stash of vintage and imported fabrics (Fabrics Anonymous, she's a member, it's an issue). She also has quite the button collection. We often lament the fact we don't live in the same state because we would have a ball making things together.

She bought the white kitchen towels at Kohl's. They are the Food Network brand. They are super squishy and nice to dry hands and dishes on.

Stitching rectangles of scraps and ruffled ribbon on towels! Genius! Why did I never think of this?! It's the perfect gift because everyone needs kitchen towels.

Embellishment Notes:

Christmas towel: made from the bottom of a vintage apron (my favorite, look at that typography)

Halloween towel: made from Japanese import Wizard of Oz linen (I die! I die of cuteness!)

4th of July towel: made from vintage feedsack, new and old buttons

Valentine towel: made from vintage feedsack

Cloth Napkin Tablecloth $0

  

 

Before you mock my color palette let me gently remind you I registered for these napkins at Dillard's as an engaged bride-to-be in 1997. I was not about to get rid of these babies ALL the way. So I sewed them together and made a tablecloth for my bistro table on the porch. The sun already faded them nicely...they'll be a whole new color scheme in a few years' time.

This used 9 napkins. (Good thing I registered for 12!) I sewed them into three strips 3 napkins long, and then sewed those 3 strips together. Because my napkins had frayed edges I left the seams facing out for that "rag quilt" look to it.

This would also work with bandanas.

Disclaimer: you do NOT need a Bichon Frise to rest on your project while you sew it. That was just a lucky bonus for me. That Lucy is one serious pack animal.

Stuffed Alligator from Old Clothes $3

  

You will need:

Alligator Pattern by penguin & fish (given to me as a gift)

Fabric (I used a linen skirt and cotton shorts for the body and an old pillowcase for the teeth)

Embroidery Thread or Buttons for the eyes

One Entire Bag of Premium Fiberfill ($3)

*If I make another one of these I will use one layer of quality felt for the teeth and spikes instead two layers of fabric turned inside out. It will be way less clipping, trimming, pain and suffering.

Bags from Old Sewing Patterns $0

My aunt sent my daughter a little Christmas felt craft kit and it came in this bag. Genius. Zigzagged genius. I cannot proclaim how excited I get when I find other people that don't like to waste stuff.

This would work with any paper. The bag is lighter than text weight, but thicker than the tissue paper patterns these days are printed on. (duh) I felt I should clarify in case someone tries to make a bag with tissue paper.

Clothing Modifications $0

I am officially over my nervousness to cut up my existing clothes in an effort for them to be more tailored or more to my liking. I've had this checkered shirt that I never wear because the sleeves are too floofy. So I used my new gathering foot (SHAZAM! *sound of my old world shattering*) to cinch up the sleeves.

I also made a little exposed seam coming down from the shoulder to the edge of the sleeve. Now I'm prarie chic. It works for me.

I've also had these gray capris for years and they bore me despite their usefulness and durability. I was making muffins when the foil muffin liners inspired me to make a "cupcake cuff." I unpicked and unrolled the cuff that had been sewn in place and then sewed six pintucks instead. I like the oddity of them and Lucy is clearly enthralled with the makeover.

So easy. These clothes were old, so if I had messed up terribly I wouldn't have cared. It's easy to sew when there's no pressure to succeed or fear of failure. Just do it! Mess with something!