Instructions for a No-Sew Fleece Blanket

This is so easy, you can do it watching TV or talking on the phone. The kids can help, and you can use this same method to make snuggly pillows to match. Get the fleece on sale, and it just doesn’t get better!Instructions for a No-Sew Fleece Blanket, Jan 2009

While surfing the Internet today, I found these instructions for making a warm, snuggly polar fleece blanket from one and a half to two yards of material - and you don't even need to be able to sew!

I'm not sure how much polar fleece material costs, but, the chances are that you will be able to find some reduced in price in the January sales, so this project won't cost you much money.

I plan to hunt down some cut price polar fleece material and make this blanket just in time for winter to arrive in Australia.

If it is already winter in your part of the world, you could make this quickly and easily and snuggle up underneath it! Or, you could give it as a gift to someone who would truly appreciate a little extra warmth in the midst of the winter.

Transform a Fabric Remnant into a Pillowcase Using Basic Sewing Skills

You will need:

Fabric remnant large enough to make into a pillowcase
Pins
Sewing needle and cotton (or a sewing machine, if you have one)

Cost: US$0-5

1. Fold the material once widthwise, so that you have a rectangular shape (you may need to adapt this if your remnant is a different shape, perhaps by folding it lengthwise or cutting out two identical rectangles of fabric)
2. With right sides together, pin each of the long sides of the fabric together (and one of the short sides if you have two rectangles of material).
3. Using back stitch, sew each of these seams.
4. Turn the fabric to the right side and fold down to the wrong side of the material approximately four inches of material on each side of the open side.
5. Iron both of the folds to the wrong side of the material.
6. Pin and sew across one of the folded down sides and leave the other one open to form the flap of the pillowcase.
7. Neaten the edges of the seams, so that they don’t fray.
8. Insert a pillow and you have a fantastic new pillowcase!
   

My daughter spotted a lovely remnant of material covered with fairies, butterflies and flowers in our local fabric shop. She asked me if I could make it into a pillowcase for her. Although I don’t have a sewing machine and hadn’t done any sewing in years, I thought, “Why not!” The remnant looked as if it was large enough to make a pillowcase, so I bought it for A$3.

When I got home and measured the material against a pillow, I realized that, although the width was fine, it wasn’t long enough. So, not to be defeated, I cut a piece off a remnant of calico that I had bought at the same time, and sewed it to the fairy fabric, so that it was long enough to make a pillowcase. As you can see from the photograph, you cannot see the calico from the front of the pillowcase.

It only took me about four hours to make this pillowcase by hand and I’m not a fast sewer by any means. It would be much faster with a sewing machine.

Look out for material that would appeal to someone on your gift list and sew him or her a pillowcase too!

New Year’s Resolutions for Thrifty Crafters

In these times of economic difficulties, it is good to know that there are still ways in which we can enjoy our creative hobbies without spending a lot of money. As we start a New Year, here are some resolutions for budget-conscious crafters:

1. Collect as many materials as possible for recycling in your craft projects, without going mad and cluttering up your house with all kinds of rubbish that should go straight into the recycling bin! I used to be guilty of saving too many things “just in case.” Now, I am much more selective in the things I keep. For example, I kept a Christmas advertising brochure that came into my mailbox because it included some beautiful photographs and some elegant lettering that I thought I could use for card making, scrap booking or collages.

2. Use the Internet to find free patterns, instructions and materials for each of your projects. The Internet is a fabulous free resource for crafters. I try to exploit it as much as possible, gaining endless inspiration for my projects.

3. Look for materials at bargain prices but don’t stockpile them, just because they are a bargain. As I am frequently guilty of this, I have decided that I will only buy materials for three projects that I haven’t yet started. Even if I see an absolute bargain, I still won’t buy it, if I already have enough material on hand for three future projects.

4. Visit your favourite craft store just once a month (or less often) and set a budget for each visit. That way, you won’t be tempted to spend too much money. If possible, try to arrange your visits at the times when the craft store has a sale on. I have signed up for the e-newsletter of my favourite craft store, so that I can always be informed of their sales.

5. Make time for your craft projects. This resolution really doesn’t have anything to do with being thrifty but reminds us that we should schedule in time for the activities that we enjoy. There are many craft projects that I would like to start but my time is limited. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to set aside just one evening per week to focus solely on my craft projects.

Let’s hope that 2009 is a year in which we are all inspired to create many beautiful things!