The Corduroy Infinity Scarf

The Infinity Scarf is so popular this Fall.

You see them all over in the stores, blogs and pinterest!

What I haven't seen is one made out of corduroy.

I love the look, the texture and weight of it.

Corduroy is definitely a fall fabric.

So here it is...

{The Corduroy Infinity Scarf }


I was inspired by this tutorial over at The Cottage Home.
Corduroy is a bulky fabric so I made some modifications.
I cut the fabric 5 1/2 in wide and 72 in long.

I'm really loving how this scarf turned out!

Its extra long so it works tripled like I've done here.

Or you can just double it like this.

It's finally getting cold around here 

and my new scarf it keeping me nice and toasty!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Ruffle Fabric Apron

I have fallen in LOVE with ruffle fabric.

Have you heard of it?

It's awesome!

Check it out RuffleFabric.com.

You are going to love it too.

Ruffle Fabric Apron Tutorial:

1 Yard of ruffle fabric

1 Package of Bias Tape

I used one of my other aprons as my guide.

The ruffle fabric is great to work with but it is also kind of tricky.

It doesn't require seams or even a serge stitch. 

It doesn't unravel.

Awesome right!

To cut the fabric:

Lift the ruffle up and cut just under it: 17" x  25".

Make sure when you cut the length of the fabric

to be sure all the ruffles are facing the same way.

Cut the Bias tape: 58"

Fold the tape over and iron.

Like so.

On each end iron and fold into a point.

Like so.

To attach the bias tape to the bottom skirt I used fusible webbing.

Like I said its kind of tricky to work with.

It stretches and the ruffles sometimes like to get in your way.

Using the webbing just made it easier so I didn't have to pin it in a hundred places.

Here is a close up.

You can see the raw edge of the ruffle skirt.

Open up the bias tape,

lay the fusible webbing inside,

and sandwich the raw skirt edge between the fold of the bias tape.

Now iron it together.

This is what it will look like after you iron it.

Stitch 1/4" from the edge,

from one end of the bias tape to the other.

Cut your top piece: 15" x 12".

Again using the fusible webbing,

iron the top piece to the bottom piece.

I did this just to hold it in place

until it could be sewn.

Sew two stitches - one on the top and one on the bottom.

The fabric is thin, I thought it needed a little reinforcement.

Roll the top edge of the top piece and stitch using a gathering stitch.

Don't back stitch.

Pull the thread so the fabric gathers.

Once you have the top gathered as you like it,

stitch in place with a zigzag stitch.

Here is a close up of what the finished top looks like.

Using the last of the bias tape (apx 29"), cut it in half.

This will become the two pieces (each 14.5") that you will tie around your neck.

Using the same technique as before iron and stitch them to the top piece.

I could't resist making a flower for my apron.

I used Satin and burned/melted the edges.

 Added the feathers.

I made it into a pin so I could easily remove it so I can wash the apron.

There you have it.

  A Ruffle Fabric Apron.

Doesn't it just make you want to cook or clean something!

A Simple Market Bag

Did you miss me on Wednesday?

Awe thanks ;)

I love "Idea Sharing Wednesday"

so I was happy to move to Fridays!

I am super busy these days, 

Sewing, Crafting, Painting, oh my!

I'm preparing for a big show next month, 

Molly Mo's Antique Faire.

Today I am going to share how to make a simple {Market Bag}

I've made a few of these for the show and I just LOVE them!

You do not have to be a professional sewer (I am not).

If you can stitch a straight stitch, you can make this bag! Promise :)

 The really great thing about this bag is you can make it any size you want.

You just need TWO fabric pieces cut the same size for the outside.

and TWO muslin pieces also cut the same size for the inside liner.

For these two bags, 

I used a vintage floral sheet for the outside.

I used new fabric for these.

Ok, let's get to the How to part.

Here are my four fabric pieces cut.

If you choose to embellish the bag, 

you do that before you sew the panels together.

For the flower I used some lace I tore off a vintage pillow case.

To ruffle or gather the fabric.

Set you sewing machine on the highest tension and the stitch to the longest.

It will gather it as you sew.

Then, pull on the bottom string to gather it tighter.

Tie the end strings together so it doesn't unravel.

 Pin it on your fabric and stitch it to the panel.

 Sew on a button for the flower center.

Moving on to the straps.

Again, this is completely flexible. You can make your straps any length you like.

For this bag, I made mine 20" long x 4" wide {x2}

Loop 18" long x 4" wide {just the 1}

 Fold in half and iron.

 Open up the fabric and use the center seam you just created as your middle.

then fold both sides in so they meet and iron.

Then fold one more time, down the center and iron. {not shown in this photo} 

Now you should have a strip 1" wide.

This will become your strap.

 Fold in one end of each of your two 20" straps.

Like the photo below shows and iron.

 This will be the finished end you will tie to the loop.

 Ta da!

 So, to re-cap.

Two 20" straps.

One 18" strap {this will become the loop you will tie the straps to}

Stitch all the way around the straps.

For the outside and the liner.

First of all: 

Place right sides of fabric together 

and stitch on three sides leaving the top open.

Repeat this process for the liner.

 Next: Fold the bottom of the bag so that the corner is pointed and stitch 1 1/2 in in.

This will create the flat bottom of the bag.

{you can skip this step if you want to}

 Final Step:

Turn your liner, right side out.

Leave the outside fabric, wrong side out.

Stuff the liner inside your outside fabric.

Tuck your two matching straps in between the liner and the outside.

Also tuck your loop strap inside.

Pin your bag so everything stays in place as you sew.

Stitch all the way around the bag {leaving a 3-4 in opening}

Then pull the inside out and stuff the liner back inside the bag.

The outside should be on the outside now 

and the liner tucked inside the bag and the straps should be sicking out. 

Iron the bag, so the top seam is really flat.

Stitch all the way around the top of  the bag this time.

This closes the hole and finishes off the top of the bag.

 Tie or knot the straps around the loop.

And Done!

I made a few variations of this bag this week.

I added: Ruffles. Pockets. Lace.

 Have fun with it!

The teal bag with the ruffles...

my favorite!

The bag with the yellow flower...

my sister in laws favorite!

Which bag is your favorite?

See you next time!

Be sure to stop by by blog:

Living A Radical Life

for more crafting ideas!