Embellished Sweater Headband Tutorial

Have you noticed that headbands seem to be coming back in-style?  I have always loved headbands and I think they are super cute way to enhance an outfit! 

As you have read in my previous posts, I love repurposing items.  Several weeks ago I repurposed a woman's sweater and turned it into a little girl's cardigan (remember this post?)  Well, when I was transforming the sweater into one that would fit my daughter, I cut off the bottom 2-3 inches of the sweater to make it the right length for her.

I kept seeing that strip of felted sweater laying around my craft area and finally decided to do something with it.  In the most recent issue of "Altered Couture" magazine a woman took many different tops and turned them into really neat embellished headbands, so I decided to do the same.  Here is my tutorial on how to make an embellished sweater headband:

Embellished Sweater Headband Tutorial

Supplies:

1 plastic headband

3 scraps of fabric

Embroidery Floss

Fusible Interfacing (I used Wonder Under)

Scissors

13" - 15" long strip of sweater material (2"-3" wide)

Pencil

Hand Sewing Needle

Sewing Machine

Directions:

Cut 3 different sized circles.  You will need 2-small sized, 2-medium sized, and 1-large sized.  You will also need a front and back of each circle.  For example if you need 2-small sized, then you will need to cut 4 circles.  You will also cut fusible interfacing for each circle set - 2-small sized, 2-medium sized, and 1-large sized.

I just used some different objects around my house to make these circles (i.e. a cup, the lid to a jar).  The exact sizes are as follows; small - 2 inch, medium - 3 inch, large - 3.25 inch.  But just make them whatever size you like.

Use fusible interfacing for each circle set to bond the front and the back together.  This will give each circle some stability and structure.  Follow the instructions for whatever brand of interfacing you are using.

After you have fused all of the circles together, fray-check around the edges so that your circles stay neat.  If you like the frayed look, then feel free to skip this step.

Now, onto making the actually sweater headband.

Fold your sweater strip in half and pin.

Sew your fabric strip so that you form a tube.

This is what your sweater tube will look like after you sew it together.

Now you need to turn your sweater tube right-side out so that your seam is on the inside.

Now slide your plastic headband inside of the sweater tube.

Sew your sweater tube closed around the headband.  Cut off excess sweater material.

Now hand-sew your circles onto your sweater headband.  You can do this however you like - I chose to layer the circles and added decorative stitching around the exterior of each circle with embroidery floss.

PS:  Sorry, the picture above is not the best - it was my best effort at taking a picture of myself wearing the headband.

Cottage Mama's Note:  If you are making this for a child, then reduce the size of your circles.  Also, if you prefer a more subtle headband, then you can simply do the sweater portion and omit the circles - that looks cute too!!

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Spicy Chorizo Sausage Fajitas

I am a big fan of fajitas.  Typically I make chicken, shrimp or veggie fajitas here at The Cottage Home, but this week I decided to try something new - Spicy Chorizo Sausage Fajitas!  If you've never tried chorizo, you can find it in most local grocery stores these days.  It sort of has the consistency of ground beef, but is a little drier due to the fact that there are many herbs and spices mixed in (especially chili powder).  If you are looking to add something new to your cooking repertoire - give these a try!!

Spicy Chorizo Sausage Fajitas

Ingredients:
1lb. Mexican Chorizo Sausage
Flour Tortillas
1 Poblano Pepper
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Yellow Onion
Salsa
Cilantro
Sour Cream
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/2 tsp. Fajita Seasoning

Directions:

Cook chorizo over medium heat until cooked through.

Meanwhile, slice peppers and onions.

Once chorizo is cooked, removed from saute pan.  Add peppers and onions and saute in the oil that was left from the sausage - this adds tons of flavor!  Also, add fajita seasoning.

While onions and peppers are cooking, slice your cooked chorizo sausage.

Add sliced chorizo to the cooked onions and peppers.  Saute for 1-2 minutes.

Now it is time to assemble your fajitas.  Place a spoon-full of sausage, peppers, & onions onto each tortilla.  Top with cheddar cheese, fresh salsa, sour cream, green onions, and fresh cilantro.

And there you have it - Spicy Chorizo Sausage Fajitas!  Serve with tortilla chips, salsa and sour cream.  Garnish with fresh cilantro.

Cottage Mama's Note:  When I sliced into my red bell pepper for this recipe, it had gone to the dark side, so that is why you don't see the red bell pepper.  Mexican rice and beans would also be delicious with this meal.
*PS: To keep your herbs fresher longer, try placing them in a glass of water and then storing them in the fridge - kind of like fresh flowers. Pin It

Mason Jar Pin Cushion Tutorial

I wanted to share this fun, easy Mason Jar Pin Cushion Tutorial with all of you.  I have been trying to get my craft space organized over the last few days (trying being the operative word).  I have a big stash of these mason jars that I got super cheap at the thrift store (.39 cents each).  I am going to be using them to store all of my extra trims, buttons, ect.  I decided to add a pin-cushion to the top to make them dual purpose (and I think it makes the jars so fun and decorative)!

So if you need some extra storage, grab a mason jar and give this tutorial a try!

Mason Jar Pin Cushion Tutorial

Supplies:

1 Mason Jar (any size) - with lid

Scrap piece of fabric

Scrap piece of cardstock/scrapbook paper

Glue gun (or strong craft glue)

Pencil

Scissors

Fiberfill

Directions:

Trace a circle around the interior lid of the mason jar onto your cardstock.

Cut out the circle with your scissors.

On the wrong side of your fabric, freehand draw another circle (about 2 inches wider than your lid center.)

Using your scissors, cut out the circle.

Here is your completed fabric circle.

Place your fabric (wrong-side up) over the exterior lid of the mason jar.

Center the circle over the lid exterior.

Place your fiberfill in the middle of the fabric circle.

Push the fiberfill into the fabric, pushing it through the lid exterior.

Take the lid interior and push it into the lid exterior.

This is what it will look like when you lock the lid center into the lid exterior.

Now hot glue your fabric down over the lid center to set it in place.

This is what it will look like when all of your fabric is glued down.  Don't worry - this doesn't need to be neat, as you won't be able to see this when the pin cushion is complete.

Now to cover up the fabric edges, take the cardstock circle that you cut earlier and glue it into the center of the lid.

And there you have it - the completed Mason Jar Pin Cushion!

Cottage Mama's Note:  I tied a pretty pink ribbon around the top of the jar.  I plan to make several of these to store all of my colored trims.  I used pink & cream Amy Butler fabric because this jar will hold all of my pink trims.  I also used Amy Butler scrapbook paper for the inside of the lid.

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Craft Organization: Ribbon

My craft/sewing space is in dire need of some serious organization.  I will partly blame my disorganization on the fact that my craft/sewing room is also the office, so I can't have it set up exactly how I would like.  The other part I will blame on myself.  I get so excited about a new project and just have to get it finished; therefore, I don't clean up as I go and that just leads to utter chaos with all of my fabric, thread, ribbon, scissors, patterns all over the place........you get the picture......not pretty.

So I thought I would do a few posts on craft organization.  I am trying to get better about keeping everything in its place and it is much easier to do so when you have a proper organizational system.

Multiple Pant Hanger

This is what I did - I used a multiple pant hanger to organize all of my ribbon!  I saw this idea many years ago - it may have been in Real Simple Magazine (oh, how I LOVE Real Simple), but I'm not exactly sure.  This is such an effective way to store all of that pretty ribbon that you use to embellish your craft/sewing projects (or you could use it for wrapping ribbon as well).

Yes, you could go out and buy one of those fancy "ribbon organizers" that they sell in the stores, but this is much more affordable and just as effective.  I got this one from The Container Store, but I'm sure Target or Walmart has them as well.

Just slide each spool of ribbon onto each one of the pant hangers.  You can color coordinate it or put like-types of ribbon together.  You can hang this in a closet or just hang it from a hook in your craft room (if you are lucky enough to have a space specially dedicated to crafting).

Then when you need to use some ribbon, you can clearly see all of your options and choices - just pull it off the spool and cut.  I think being able to see all of the pretty things you own helps breed creativity and makes creating that much more fun!

Happy Organizing!

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My Girls!

Oh, my heart is so full of love today that I just wanted to share a few pictures of my little ladies - Savannah Rose (22 months) and Matilda Jane (6 months).  I have to say, I am not a photographer and getting a picture of two under two actually looking at the camera at the same time was a big accomplishment for me!

Now many people told me that having two children so close together would be hard, but that it would be so worth it.  And now I think I know what they meant about the......"so worth it" part.

Over the last few weeks I have really seen Savannah interacting more and more with her baby sister.  She definitely knew she was around before, but things are different now.  She is really acting like Matilda is an actual person.

Savannah is doing things like trying to get Matilda to play drums with her by handing her a drum-stick (mind you.....Matilda can't even sit up yet) or playing pretend by handing her a little spoon and telling her they are eating chicken soup.  Savannah is just so sweet to her little sister - giving her random kisses and hugs throughout the day, bringing her a binky, giving her a blanket when she thinks she needs it - it is SO cute and it melts my heart.

I just can't wait for them to be able to run around together and play dolls together and do all those things that sisters do together.  It's going to be so wonderful for them to have each other as they grow up.  I love my girls so much and I know that I am truly blessed! Pin It

Repurposed Woman's Turtleneck = Sweet Little Girl's Cardigan

I have had several sweaters laying around my office / craft room that I purchased some months ago from Goodwill (remember this post).  I had already felted them and they were just waiting for my creativity to get a hold of them.  Except that was the problem........I just didn't really have too many ideas that motivated me to do anything with them......until today!

I decided to take a felted woman's turtleneck and turn it into a little cardigan for my sweet Savannah Rose.  So here's what I started with:

And here is what I ended up with:

The felting REALLY reduced the original size of the sweater so I took off about 2-3 inches on the bottom, but that was it.

Here is a picture of the front.  I used fabric covered buttons that coordinated with the ruffle I used on the back.

The ruffle is a piece of fabric that I folded in half and attached to the collar.  I also put a coordinating ribbon underneath the collar so in case it pops up (while playing), you won't see any raw edges.

I cuffed the sleeve to make it the right length for my daughter.  I added some piping and cute pink trim and then stitched the cuff in place.

It is so fun to take something that has been discarded by someone else and turn it into something fabulous.  Maybe you have an old sweater laying around that you are just waiting to donate - well don't!!  Change it up with a pair of scissors and some trim and you've got a new look for just pennies!!

Cottage Mama's Note:  If you have never felted before, it is super easy and very fun.  What you need is a 100% wool sweater - if you can't tell, usually wool sweaters say "dry clean only" on the washing instructions.

Take your "dry clean only" sweater and throw it in your washing machine on the highest heat setting possible.  It's a good idea to put your sweater in a lingerie bag so you don't clog the machine with all the wool lint.  You will know your sweater is felted when it looks like one piece of fabric all tight together and should be considerably smaller.  You may have to run it through the wash several times.

Once your sweater is felted, I like to run mine through a hot dryer as well.  Felted wool is awesome because when you cut it, you do not have to worry about it fraying.  If you've ever worked with fleece, it's sort of the same concept - no worrying about finished edges - yippee!! Pin It