I am in the process of cleaning out my home and getting rid of things that I don't need. I happened upon this lovely stack of dollar store placemats that I bought at Christmastime thinking that I would make crayon rolls with them. They didn't work for that purpose but, I couldn't just throw them out. They are perfectly good fabric and you can't throw fabric out (I have a bit of a problem and probably need a fabric intervention.)
So, when I came across them yesterday, I looked at them wondering what I could do and it hit me to try a box. Now, these aren't show stoppers by any means but, they are fun, functional and you can whip up a ton in hardly any time at all.
You will need only a dollar store placemat (or more expensive if you really want) and a sewing machine. You might be able to do this with glue.... I am just too lazy to figure that out right now. The placemats are perfect for this because they are already lined and have the interfacing sewn in so you skip about 5 steps right there. Here is how to proceed:
Start with a placemat and iron it to get out all of the creases and wrinkles.
Fold your placemat in half and measure a 3" square in the NON FOLDED corner. Cut out the corner the square and repeat on the other side.
It should look like this when you are done.
When opened up, it should look like this.
Match up the sides of the cut out squares and line them up from the top edge down and pin into place. You will see your box begin to take form.
Sew down the edge about 1/4" in.
Zigzag stitch over the raw edge if you don't want it to fray. However, fray is in right now so, feel free to leave it be.
Press your small edge in on top of the box as shown and line up the bottom part of the previously made seams. Finger press the line between the two seams and stitch between the side seams (does that make any sense???)
It should look like this when you are done. Repeat on the other short side.
When the short sides are sewn. Fold over the long edge and finger press that crease. Sew between the previously made seams. Repeat on the other side. When you are done, it should look like this.
It will be a little flimsy but, it is perfect for entertaining for holding chips or rolls or even bread for toast.
I went to Hobby Lobby and bought a T-shirt for $2, washed it and ironed it. 
With my handy dandy acrylic guide, I measured up 6 inches from the hem and marked it with dressmakers chalk. 
Now I didn't show this part but, you have to hand wind a bobbin with elastic thread and put regular thread through the upper threader. Sew along the chalk line that you have drawn. Make sure you back stitch over the first few stitches or all of the elastic threading will come out. 
After you finish the first line of stitching and using your presser foot as a guide continue making lines around the t-shirt. I did about 8 and next time I would do about 6. Just do it so that the waist is the width that you want. 
And this is what you end up with. A cute, flouncy tank top. 
I am in the process of cleaning out my home and getting rid of things that I don't need. I happened upon this lovely stack of dollar store placemats that I bought at Christmastime thinking that I would make crayon rolls with them. They didn't work for that purpose but, I couldn't just throw them out. They are perfectly good fabric and you can't throw fabric out (I have a bit of a problem and probably need a fabric intervention.)
Match up the sides of the cut out squares and line them up from the top edge down and pin into place. You will see your box begin to take form.
It should look like this when you are done. Repeat on the other short side. 
When the short sides are sewn. Fold over the long edge and finger press that crease. Sew between the previously made seams. Repeat on the other side. When you are done, it should look like this. 
It will be a little flimsy but, it is perfect for entertaining for holding chips or rolls or even bread for toast. 
After about 1/2 inch, twist the strip and turn it to go along side the triangle that you already sewed down. 
Turn your felt square as you are sewing and sew along the middle of the fabric strip. Continue to twist your fabric and turn it around the center of your flower. Overlapping slightly will eliminate any chance that you will see your felt backing. 
Continue to twist, turn and sew. Notice that my needle stays down the entire time.
Continue to turn around the center. Your flower will be getting bigger the more times you circle the center.
When you come to the size that you would like to have for your rosette, cut the remainder off of the strip of fabric. 
Tuck the end under your rosette and stitch over that part concealing the end of your fabric strip. 
Finished product on felt. 
What the underside should look like. 
Ta Da!
" /> 
Posts
