DIY Masks!

Hello everyone! I hope you are all staying safe! I wanted to show a step by step guide of how I make my face masks.

The pattern I used can be found here at Hello Sewing I will note that in the pattern is says to do a 1/2" seam allowance, this ended up being too much and the masks were coming out too small so I have been doing 1/4" for all seam allowances. I also printed the template out on cardstock in each size so I could have them available when I needed them. 

Ok so let's get started. So in this first photo I have the two pieces of fabric for the inner layer, pretty sides together ready to sew. 

and we're ready to sew our first seam.

 

Here is the first layer sewn together, then I trimmed the excess fabric.

 

In this step I folded down about 1/4" from the open edges and sewed down a straight line.

 

Here are the outer layers ready to sew, as always, pretty sides together.

                                                  

Here are those layers sewn together and the excess trimmed.

                                                 

Now, put both pretty sides together, line them up and clip. Sew down the straight edge first and then do the curved part. 

This is everything sewn together.

Trim the excess and turn the mask right side out.

Run a top stitch down the top and bottom of the mask

                                                  

Top stitching is complete! Almost done I promise!

Fold over the extra on the edges to make the sleeves for the straps.

Sew the straps into place.

You are finished!

Another tip was I used my Cricut Mini Press to help with cutting and pressing the lines so I didn't have my bigger iron to deal with. Once the pattern is cut and you get used to making them you can finish a mask in under 30 minutes. I have made over 100 of them so far and and going to need to replenish my fabric stash when this is all over. (oh and I did my own nails during Quarantine using a Polygel nail kit from Amazon, I didn't go to a salon!)

Happy Crafting!

Taking better photos for your blog

Taking better pictures has always been a challenge for me. I bought myself a Light Box years ago and when I got it I didn't really understand how to use it properly. I still have a slight learning curve (i.e. I suck at taking pictures) but I think I'm starting to get better.
I set up a picture taking station in my craft room which consists of a small foldable table (I like it because I can adjust the height) my light box (for small items) and numerous fabric backdrops ready to go. I have them clipped in binder clips and hung on command hooks. this comes in handy for the bigger projects that can't use the light box. *although I still use the lights.

This is what that looks like...pardon the mess.

If you click on the picture you can see where I labled all of the parts. Now, from this setup, I was able to get this photo.

not bad right?

 

And here is my light box set up

 

The key is to keep trying. Experiment with different things. Maybe you have a perfect spot in your yard, (nothing is better than natural light, IMO) Keep playing around until you are seeing what you love show in your photos. Let your work shine! Aside from making the project itself I get just as much joy when I can capture it's beauty in a good quality photograph.**

 

I am in no way saying that I am a pro photographer, far from it. This is just a very small, IMO easy way to get started with taking better photos. 

 

Auto Wallet Makeover

I just got a new car and while I was going through all of my stuff, I pulled out my old plain auto wallet. You know, that thing that you only pull out when you're asked to show your licence and registration? well mine was the standard black bi fold wallet with Velcro, so I decided to spruce it up. It literally took less than 5 minutes. and it's not perfect but it looks a hell of a lot better!

All you need is your boring-old auto wallet (journal, anything else that needs a face lift)
washi tape - I got mine on sale at Michael's so it was only a few $ and it's a pretty big roll so I'll have it for awhile!

the only other step you might want to do is clean off the wallet with a little Windex to make sure that the tape sticks well. other than that, get to it!

 Roll on your tape, line up the other rows, done.

DIY Superhero Canvas

I don't have a son, but I do have a husband that loves his superheroes. So, for this Christmas I decided to lend some decoration to his computer area. I was looking to purchase some nice prints but after seeing how much money they cost I realized that I could make them myself. Not only did I save a ton of $$ I had fun making these and I would much rather give a hand made gift!

Materials:

Fabric-
For the Superman I found a t-shirt at Walmart for $7.50
The Marvel comic pages were from Jo-Ann, since I needed so little 14" but when you get it off the spool it's 47" long, so I was able to cut enough fabric to cover two 10" canvases. This cost me $1.94 after using a 50% off coupon!
Canvases- I used a 12" for the superman and two 10" for the marvel. Obvioulsy you can use whatever sizes you want!
Staple gun
Hardware for hanging on the wall (optional) you could always use an easel for display!

Stretch your fabric over the canvas and staple away. Just be careful with the corners! I cut mine like I'm wrapping a present so your corners are nice and neat!

That's it!
A super fast- personalized project for any occasion!