How To: Making a Toddler Sleep Sac without a Pattern

This tutorial was originally created and published last winter on my (sadly neglected) sewing blog MADE OF CLOTH. It had a great positive feedback so I thought it was worth revisiting. 

I recommend this as a project for intermediate sewers and assumes some experience with inserting zips and attaching bias binding. 

Last winter Emma had a giant growth spurt, her old sleeping bag is too short for her and a little fitted around the armholes. I had a few hours to spare today and thought it was time to make a nice warm one for this winter. I will share the steps I used to make her new sleeping sac/bag without using a pattern... 

How To: Pixel Coasters

Ever since I used my Japanese cross stitch book to make some cute brooches with Hama beads last year, I've been looking at all cross stitch through totally different eyes.
Especially my small collection of pretty vintage cross stitched doileys and serviettes.
Small motifs translate brilliantly to Hama bead projects like these coasters. Have a look in your linen draw, there may be some wonderful designs waiting to be reinterpreted into pixelated masterpieces.

Giveaway: All Sewn Up + Vintage Bunting Kit

Crafty giveaways don't come better than this! To celebrate the inclusion of My Poppet's Vintage Bunting Kit in the new book by Chloe Owens, All Sewn Up, we are giving away a signed copy of the book and a bunting kit to one lucky winner.

Like me, Chloe loves using colourful vintage fabrics in her projects. She combines them with contemporary prints and free style machine embroidery to create beautifully textured pieces.

And the love is mutual, here is what Chloe says about My Poppet:
"My Poppet has the most delicious array of vintage and handmade goodies! I thought the 'make your own vintage bunting kit' would fit perfectly within All Sewn Up for the 'Stylish Scraps Bunting' project as a lovely alternative to sourcing and cutting out your own"

So to be in the running to win this great prize, leave a comment on this blog post telling me about your proudest crafting moment. What did you make and why was it so special to you?
Entries close 10pm (melbourne time) 22nd May 2012 Winner will be announced on this post and notified by email
(Please make sure you have your e-mail enabled or leave your contact details in the comment)
Winner has been chosen by Chloe and is PJ Edwards - Congratulations!

Free Printable: Patchwork Poster

I've been taking a Photoshop class in the last couple of weeks to improve my photo editing skills. While practicing using clipping masks I created this little crafty patchwork poster which features some of my vintage fabrics. I've printed it here on normal office paper, but for a brighter result try photo quality paper.

Perfect for a craft or sewing room, or even a last minute Mother's Day gift (framed nicely of course!).
Inspired by the cute sewing quote "May your bobbin always be full", I know you sewers out there will get a chuckle from it.

Designed to be printed in A4 size, just click on the link below and save to your computer.

How To: Applique Template Free Printable

A little while ago I posted this tutorial on how add knee patches to jeans. It's a simple way to get some extra life out of your kids clothes. This week the lovely and very talented Draw!Pilgrim has created some free printable templates that can be used to create cute patches to make those tired duds into something special. Read on for links and instructions for using template...

Product Review: Tefal Steam Generator Iron

Product Talk by Nuffnang

Guess who did a little dance when she was offered to review the new Tefal Steam Generator Iron? As a crafter and sewer, an iron is my most important piece of kit after my sewing machine, so I couldn't turn down the  chance to give these fancy steam generators a try. In the interest of full disclosure, I was not paid for this review but did get to keep the product. All opinions are my own.

Product: Tefal Steam Generator Pro Express
Even though I do (occasionally) iron clothes, I've reviewed the iron from a crafter's perspective.
How does the Steam Generator differ from a normal iron? I'm glad you asked!
It has a base station that holds a reservoir of 1.8L of water which pumps high pressure steam through a cable to the iron. I've always just had a conventional iron so was really dying to give this a try.

Kids Craft: Doughnut Garland

Yesterday we had a small party at home for Emma's 3rd birthday. She is a little obsessed with doughnuts (calls them pink bagels, lol), so I thought a doughnut themed party would be fun.
Whilst the cake was baking, we made this pretty garland together with bits and pieces from the craft drawer.

Optus MeTV: The Verdict (and yummy Salted Butterscotch Popcorn!)

Sponsored by Nuffnang

Last month I posted on the new Optus MeTV internet service that arrived on my doorstep.
Now here is the verdict you’ve all been waiting for with baited breath!
Just to recap, MeTV is an internet TV service which also lets you record, pause and rewind free to air television.

What I like about MeTV:

How To: Dip Dye Wooden Cutlery

I acquired a ton of this 'disposable' wooden cutlery recently which was crying out for a fun and colourful makeover. With Emma's birthday approaching I thought it would be a pretty alternative to the usual plastic fare widely on offer.
To ensure the cutlery would remain 'food safe' I used food colouring rather than paint or fabric dye for this project.

You will be able to find this wooden 'eco' cutlery and most good party supply stores and some supermarkets. The rest of the materials you probably already have sitting in your cupboards.

Liven up a party, barbecue, picnic or even lunchbox with these colourful eating accessories.
Here's how...

How To: Embroidered Toasties

Today's tute comes from Nellie at Dabbles.com.au  (where the craft inclined go to download e-patterns that teach as you make!).  Nellie is currently running a ‘have-your-say giveaway’ where you could win one of four printed pattern sets, and when each set is worth $47.45(AU), you should definitely put it on your to-do list! The winners will be announced on the 30th of April so stay tuned to the Dabbles blog and facebook page.  

I love embroidery but haven't ever posted an embroidery project, so when Nellie offered this cute French Toastie bib project, I couldn't resist. So cute!  She also includes some very clear diagrams to teach you the various stitches used.
Take it away Nellie...

One of my favourite friends is having her first baby in the next couple of months, (Maud, if your reading this – Spoiler Alert!!). I love her to bits, so I wanted to hand embroider her some baby bibs as a gift. Both the parents are French, but the newbie will be a little Aussie, so I thought one bib should have a picture of French toast and the other should have a toast triangle with Vegemite!

Today, I will show you how to transfer the French Toast template to fabric, then how to fill it in using Back Stitch, French Knots and Long and Short stitch. You can then apply a similar method to the Vegemite design.