Asthma Inhaler Covers

Christopher the day of his track meet, O2's were 82% after this jump!

I have a child (Christopher) with sever asthma, its not fun for him or me, but we try to make it better by making or re-purposing holders for his inhalers. So, if it can cheer up my wheezy kid it might do the same for one you know with asthma too. It is very important to carry something even if you are having a good or in the green day.

You can use/re-purpose:

old Mace case,

small knife pouch (these have handy belt clips),

flash light holders (most of these have carabiners),

old cell phone case

 Make one!

Nick jr. has how to's to make kid friendly ones:

Yo Gabba Gabba! No-Sew Asthma Inhaler Case

---

Kai-lan No-Sew Asthma Inhaler Case

If all else fails order, we found this.

I went to EIBactive to fill out a survey and he got this pouch in about 6 days FREE. Its the one he currently carries with him because it is soft and bright so every one knows he's packin. He attached to a lanyard so he can wear it around his neck.

Usually if he is going somewhere without me, I add a medical info card to his pouch so if anyone has to help him they will see his asthma plan. This site that has a Complete FREE Medical Record ID Wallet Card, its what we use to print Christopher's. I do this every other month so it stays up to date.

Two For - Lace Trimed Shorts

I covered already "Boys" cut offs, but what about Mamma?

Today is a "Two For" day where I give you two links to two different projects in just one post.

First off: By Wilma, DIY – Lace shorts

These are in my opinion Very country girl.

image from: by wilma

Next we have: Craft and Creativity, Turning torn jeans into shorts

It's technically a little girls jeans how to but it would work for older girls to by using different trim. This tutorial is in another language but it is translated below pictures.

image from craft and creativity

DIY Crackle Textures

Here is a great way to get a Crackle texture using Elmers Glue for a fraction of the price.

image from Make the best of things

Tutorial is found at Make The Best Of Things
Are those just awesome or what? Oh, the things I could do this on, endless! The only thing I see that could effect this would be if it got wet but if you did this on something out of the way of moisture it shouldn't matter.

Why not to buy double

Buying two or more of the same pattern for your kids because they are not the same size, don't, only buy one! If the envelope has all the sizes one is all you need, if it does not go ahead and buy one for the next set of sizes.

Here is why,

I learned this only by trial and error and making the mistake of cutting out a pattern that was the wrong size. With all my boys their sizes change often and I needed a way for my pocket book not too change size. By tracing the size/s you need, you can keep the master pattern for a infinite number of uses and not just one per envelope. Rarely does the pattern get the waist and leg length right so this allows for adjusting the traced pattern with out messing up the master. I keep traced individual sizes that I have altered on file to keep track of what works for my boys and what alterations didn't. This is also a easy way of expanding your pattern collection with different styles from the same base pattern.

You WILL save money and some sanity by using this method.

Taffy's Shirt Tutorial

The chest stays the same on the pattern but the belly is adjustable. Taffy has a chest of 17" but her tummy is 11". The pattern goes up to a 17" belly for those of you using the pattern for a dog with out a figure. My pattern is intended for small dogs with a chest of 17" and a waist of 11-17". So you need to measure your dogs tummy to see what size to cut.

So as requested here is the Tutorial on how to use the pattern and put the shirt together.

bicycle bucket tutorial

photo from: Noodlehead

I would love to be able to do this, its a great idea.

You can find this bicycle bucket tutorial over at Noodlehead.

Sweetie Pie Alternate Instructions

  First off this tutorial is on how I  put the Sweetie Pie Dress together before I made the final pattern instructions. As I was taking photos of almost all of the steps I discovered that there was an easier way to put it together. My original intent was to use the photos for the instructions but when I figured out a better way I decided to leave the instructions plain instead of making another dress to get new pictures. This post is just if you absolutely need photos to sew or if you are curious on how I made mine.

The Perfect Bow

 

(Source unknown)

This is supposed to be how to make the perfect bow, I have not tried it out yet. I don't really have a need for bows in a house full of boys.  

Acorn Applique Shirt Tutorial

Acorns for Fall! 

What to use:
Fall colored fabric (for the top layer of applique)
Fall colored felt (for under applique)
Acorn stencil (at bottom of post)

1. Pin and cut out the top fabric layers.

 2. Then pin and cut out the felt layer leaving 1/8" edge all the way around.

I used thread that sort of matched the acorns for the stitching.

(now is the time to figure out where you want the acorns to go)

3. Pin the top and bottom layers of one acorn to the shirt in the position that you want. 

 

4. Sew a zigzag stitch all the way around the acorn catching both layers, pull the pins as you go.

5. Strait stitch on the inner edge of the zigzag stitching all the way around.

6. (Optional) I did detail stitching on the tops of the acorns in the shape of diamonds to make them look like the texture on real acorns.

Repeat steps 3-6 for the other acorn and your done!

Now isn't he one cute fall nut?

Here is the stencil I used for the applique.

Brown Spider Shirt Tutorial

 Any little boy (or big boy) that loves bugs will love this shirt and it is so easy to make.

 What you will need: 

Spider stencil (at bottom of post), t-shirt, fabric for the spider

 Optional magic cover (clear film laminate)

 Step 1: Print out spider on a full sheet of paper. Trim around the spider, I left lots of white on mine because of the weave of the fabric that I used was loose and I did not think that the spider would hold together. That and I wanted it to look more like a tarantula.

Step 2: Cover the spider while it is sitting on the brown fabric with magic cover so you can cut it out easier without any worries. If you don't have any magic cover just pin the stencil down and cut around the spider carefuly.

 Step 3: Pin the spider to the shirt. Picture is fuzzy there are only 12 pins on it at the ends of legs and main body.

 Step 4:  Zig Zag stitch all the way aroud the spider

 Step 5: Strait stitch on the inner edge of spider all the way around to reinforce it so it does not slip out of the zig zag stitching on the legs. Make sure this step is done, one of mine wanted to come loose when turning the spider stitching it, but after reinforcing it it was secure, even when stretched it stayed.

Step 6: Add eyes, do this by taking embroidery floss and on the under side pull it up through making a knot on the top, then pull it back down to under side, tie it off.

Your done now, enjoy you spider Shirt!  

Here is the spider stencil I used. 

 

Bat Wings Explained

 I have had questions on how I made the insert wings to the bat costumes so I will explain.

 I started off with the arm and side measurements for a basic triangle. Then what ever the difference between the two I divide by 4 and add it to each line to work up to the longest line. 

So if my arm is 16 and my side is 20 

the lines would be: 

16" arm line 

17" between arm and middle line, 

18" Middle line

19" between middle and side line

20" side line

I draw all of these onto the fabric with a fabric pencil, then I stitch a wide line onto the fabric following the lines that I drew (zig-zag width 4.0 and length .7). Do Not stitch the arm or side lines these will not been seen for they will be under seams. Next I draw the ends of the wings with the pencil and do the same stitching starting and stopping at each point. 

 After your wing is all stitched cut the excess fabric off carefully alone the stitched edges leave 1/8" just in case. 

I found that by doing the edges this way it looks better than just a plain zig-zag on the pre-cut edge. Now your wings are ready to be sewn into your top!

I added this picture because it reminds me of dragon wings, don't you think so?

Little Chaps From Jeans Tutorial

You can download My Pattern for "Little Chaps" sizes 2-9 
from Burda Style or Media Fire.

What you will need for this project:

1 pair of old jeans

2 pieces of 2" long elastic

2 pieces of 4" long elastic

Start by cutting up the inner leg seam to the crotch and back down again. Don't cut through the inner leg seam, we will be using it.

 The pattern is half of one chap leg, used by placing it on a fold of fabric to get a whole chap leg. I am using jeans so I have drawn the other half back on. 

Measure your kids side seam length (waist line down to ankle) and cut the appropriate size out. Pin the pattern to the jeans centering the side seam of jeans on pattern and cut out.

Cut out and save the pockets and that inner leg seam strip you saved earlier. Make sure that you cut out the back of the pocket as shown above right pocket. I am using the pockets for my son who has to have pockets on everything, you don't have to have them if you don't want pockets.

 This is what you should have so far: 

2 chap legs

2 pockets

1 long inner leg seam strip

Zigzag stitch around the chap legs starting at bottom edge stitching all the way around to the other edge.

Pin down 1 1/2" of the tops of chap legs and straight stitch 1/4" above zigzag stitching  leaving edges open.

 I added some of my own decorative stitching to the pockets after picking out the old stitching.

Pin and sew pockets down in the place where you would like them to be. Mine are 4" down from the top centered on the seam, so that my son's hands just fit in to them.

 Lace the inner leg seam strip through the open edges of both chaps. Position them both 1" from either edge of the middle and sew only those edges down (click on picture above to see closer).

I tried these on my son to get the positioning of the elastic strips right at mid thigh and at the ankle. Once you have the positioning right pin the elastic to the chaps (2" pieces on thigh and 4" pieces at the ankle). Sew the elastic on and your done.

The inner leg strip will wrap around the waist and tie in the back as shown above. Since the chaps are only connected to the strip at the back middle you can adjust the waist by scrunching it for smaller waists or leave it flat for larger waists.

Happy Sewing,
Charlotte 

Sailor Pant/Shorts Pattern Tutorial

As I promised a tutorial for making my version of the Sailor Pants Pattern or Sailor Shorts Pattern in this case.

This tutorial works best on little kids sizes up to a 3 Toddler maybe even a 4T.  Because of the fact that there is little difference between front and back of toddler pants/shorts  we are using already existing clothing that fits them WELL for the initial pattern. 

 (The difference between Kids and Toddler sizes is that Toddler sizes accommodate a diaper) 

Baltic Tee Shirts Tutorial

 What you will need: 

Clear Blue Elmers Glue, 

Tempra paint ( I suggest 3 colors at a time),

Paint brushes,

White or light colored T-shirts,

Tarp or a garbage bag to paint over (paint stains wood tables),

Aprons for everyone involved,

A picture to trace if kids have trouble drawing free hand 

We did a few test pictures and placed them inside of the shirts to see how they would look before agreeing upon the final ones. Once you find the picture you want leave it in the shirt. Again these can be drawn free hand we only traced pictures because of how young one of the kids were.

 You pictures will either need to be traced at this point or free handed with the glue. One of the boys chose a skull, as you can see the paper is still under it from being traced and you can make out the lines just enough to see the drawing. It might be a good idea to leave the paper in the shirt while the glue dries so it does not run through to the back of the shirt and if you do the drawing free handed place paper in between. Leave it to completely dry for a few hours.

 When the glue is nice and dry you can remove the paper drawing from the inside of the shirts, don't worry about any paper that rips and gets stuck it will wash off. Cover your surface you will be using with a tarp or trash bag because the surface of what your working on will get really wet. Squeeze 1/2 teaspoon of each color of paint into small disposable cups and add 3 teaspoons of water, mix well.

 Place the aprons on your child or you so your clothes don't get paint on them. If you don't want your shirt colored on the back place a folded grocery sack into it but make sure you don't go over the edges. We wanted the back to have color too so we did not put a sack into the shirt.  Now your ready to Start Painting!

 When the shirt is done being painted leave it to dry! If you Don't let it dry before washing it the color will wash out to a really light color. Once it is dry you can wash it either by hand or in the washing machine separately until all the glue washes out. When your done washing the shirt dry it as you would any other shirt.
 Congradulations you have just made a Baltic shirt that is ready to be worn.

 This shirt sat and dried for 24 hours after being painted then was washed.

This shirt was washed right after being painted and did not hold the color very well!
If you look close you can see the skull.