19 Ingenious Uses for DIY Doilies

August 8, 2016 by FaveCrafts Leave a Comment

I love learning how to crochet charming and stunning crochet doily patterns. They easily add texture to surfaces all over your home and can really protect your more expensive wooden surfaces from the bumps and bruises of glass tchotchkes or knick knacks. The problem is too many doilies on too many surfaces starts too look a bit like you’re living in an antique store. Now don’t get me wrong, I love some good doily on doily action, but there are even more exciting ways to use your crochet doily patterns and projects once you have finished them! For some ideas, the editors of FaveCrafts turned to our active Facebook audience for their suggestions. Check out what our friends had to say!

19 Ingenious Uses for Doilies

Use doilies on mixed media projects like these stunning journals. –Johana Laskso
Image courtesy of Nooti
Frame them with a contrasting background and hang as art. –Deborah C. Harding
Rugs in doll’s houses. – Melanie Rayner
Transform your finished crochet and lace doily patterns into delicate and decorative bowls. – Tiffany from Cool2Craft
Put a doily at the center of a ring and hang it with feathers and beads to make a dream catcher. – Pamela Heath
Use them on purses, towels, hats, and t-shirt! –Marie Rust
I’ll put a doily half in and hanging out of a drawer. It’s a really pretty accent! Especially on dresser drawers. – Gloria Belanger Baker
Attached to a piece of velvet and framed in an embroidery hoop makes a lovely wall hanging. – Waneta Snyder Miles
String smaller crochet doily patterns onto a necklace for a soft and lacy accent for your wardrobe. – Maya Kuzman from thelittletreasures.blogspot.com
Add them to lampshades by sewing them onto singlets and tops. – Myshelle Cole
Attach to the bottom of a skirt as trim.– Myshelle Cole
Hang them as wallhangings. – Myshelle Cole
Combine doilies to make curtains. – Myshelle Cole
Molded with fabric stiffener to make a doily bowl or made into a cake plate cover. – Gloria Belanger Baker
Use them to add interest while quilting.-Judy Lunsford
Combine multiple doily patterns to make a table runner. – Bernat Yarns
Use smaller doily patterns as coasters for your home! – Morgan (our newsletter editor!)
Use crochet doily projects as bunting. – Dawn Gardner
Wrap them around your wrist to make a lovely DIY bracelet! – Debby from Arty Crafty

Crochet Doily Patterns We Love

If you are dying to try out one of the ideas above, check out these free crochet doily patterns over on FaveCrafts and AllFreeCrochet for inspiration.

How do you like to display your crochet doily projects ?
(We’all add it to the list!)

What You (Almost) Forgot to Bring: Sewing Purses, Organizers, and More for Travel

July 14, 2014 by AllFreeSewing Leave a Comment

Warning: This post contains incredibly helpful information and sewing tutorials.

You were supposed to leave 12 minutes ago for the airport, but you know you’re forgetting something. Your keys? Chargers? ID? What is it??

There just isn’t time to think about it anymore. Boldly you yell at everyone to get in the car, scoop the dazed 4 year-old off the floor, and head out.

Settled at your gate with your group of nomads, a heart-sinking realization sets in that you forgot everything.

Don’t worry! It was just a dream. To prevent yourself from forgetting those personal and family essentials, we’ve created a list of items that you definitely need. Best of all, they’re all simple sewing projects that you’ll enjoy making immensely. How do we know? Come on, you’re on a sewing blog; we’re one in the same. Take a trip with us by browsing through these tutorials on sewing purses, organizers, and more gear for traveling. You’ll be surprised at how incredibly useful each of these free sewing projects is.

Sewing Purses, Pouches, and Toiletry Holders

Sewing Project Ideas for Parents

Necessities to Sew if You’re Camping

How to Sew Helpful Accessories if you Lose Everything All the Time

Sewing Tutorials for the Luggage-less Traveler

Additional Items You Always Forget

Tell us:

Did we forget something? Hopefully not, but if you thought of an item on this list that wasn’t mentioned, tell us what it is!

State Crafts: DIY Craft Projects for Your Home State

October 9, 2013 by AllFreeSewing 7 Comments

Are you proud of your home state? You should be! Here at the FaveCrafts Blog we’re thrilled to explore these DIY craft projects that represent each of the 50 States. Browse through this collection of state craft projects and find out which one best suits your design style. Whether you’re proud of your state flower or even your state bug, you’re sure to find crafty inspiration in this group to effectively represent home.

Want all 5o states?

Traveling Fool Postcard from The Sewing Loft
United States Puzzle from Moms Have Questions Too
USA Cake DIY from Oh Happy Day

What craft would work best for your home state?

10 Totally Tasty Patterns of Food-Inspired Quilts

October 4, 2013 by FaveQuilts 2 Comments

If you’re familiar with basic quilting vocabulary, then you know I’m not talking about dessert when I say ‘jelly roll‘ or ‘layer cake’. However, if there’s one thing I’ve come to learn about deciding on a new pattern, it’s that fresh inspiration for a quilt project can come from anywhere–especially from common household places, like the kitchen.

Do cupcake patterns and other delicious designs sound yummy to you too? If so, you’ll love FaveQuilts‘ list of 10 tasty quilts inspired by everything from breakfast to dessert. From oven mitts featuring patterns to quilted table runners with sugary sweet designs, every quilter can find a pattern that they find absolutely appetizing.

Breakfast Quilt Patterns

Everyone knows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, which is why you should accessorize your morning coffee with adorable quilted decor. For example, the silly design of the Eggciting Mug Rug is the perfect pattern to protect your counter tops from hot cups. For those of you that are definitely not morning people, hanging up the Strawberry Fairy Panel Quilt on your kitchen wall is a wonderful way to pep yourself up on a dreary Monday morning. If you’re really looking for a sugary treat, check out these Breakfast-Print Oven Mitts (shown) for a useful and cheerful design that’s sure to get a smile out of any sweet tooth.

Afternoon Picnic Quilts Patterns

If you’re looking for quilted fruit and vegetable designs, you’ll find no fat quarter here! (sorry, I was dying to make that pun…)

All joking aside, patterns inspired by healthy picnic food, like the Pineapple Applique Welcome Sign and the Apple Core Throw, are cute ideas for new picnic blanket patterns. In addition, the upbeat colors and fruit applique patterns on this Farm Fresh Picnic Quilt (shown) come together to create a splendid blanket for a family picnic.

While fruit applique patterns make refreshing summer quilt patterns, the winter months always give me a craving for sweet afternoon snacks. If you also prefer a sugary snack during the cold season, you’ll love the delectable design of the Sugar Almonds Jelly Roll Quilt.

Dessert Quilt Patterns

Naturally, we’ve saved our most delicious dessert quilt patterns for last! Whether you want to make a yummy Christmas quilt pattern like the Candy Jar Quilted Table Runner or pastel-colored blanket like the Piece O’ Cake Quilt Pattern, you’re sure to get a hankering for something frosted. If you’re reading this and can barely wait to make a dessert quilt pattern, you’ll love this super fast Cupcake Mug Rug Pattern (shown) that would make a scrumptious and thoughtful handmade quilted gift.

Is your mouth watering yet? Get your sugar fix by checking out these 30 Minute Recipes: 8 Fast Dessert Recipes from Recipe Lion.

What kind of food will inspire your next quilt pattern?

Sew an Eiffel Tower Heat Bag from A Spoonful of Sugar: National Sewing Month 2013

September 28, 2013 by AllFreeSewing 41 Comments

It’s Day Twenty-Eight of National Sewing Month! Too see the daily blog posts, projects of the day, and more National Sewing Month details, click here.

Hi, we are Lisa and Sarah, a mother and daughter team who blog over at A Spoonful of Sugar where we share lots of free sewing tutorials, recipes, and crafty projects.

One of our most popular tutorials is our Winter Warmers Lavender Heat Bags. We love to add a French twist to our projects, so we designed an Eiffel Tower Heat Bag Cover. Featuring an appliqued Eiffel Tower, it is a pillowcase style cover with an internal flap that hides the heat pack from view. Simply heat the pack in the microwave and then carefully place it in the cover for use. The cover can be laundered which extends the life of the heat pack.

An Eiffel Tower Lavender Heat Bag would make a great gift.

Materials:

• Fat Quarter of small floral print

• Fat Quarter of green hounds tooth check

• Small piece of blue gingham

• Small scrap of red print

• Applique film such as Steam a Seam

• Black thread

• White thread

• Small pieces of ribbon (optional)

• Fat quarter of white homespun

• Rice or wheat

• Dried lavender (optional)

Eiffel-Tower-Template

1. Cut fabrics:

Floral print – 11 ½ x 6 ½ inches (front cover)

Green hounds tooth print – 2 ½ x 6 ½ inch (cuff); 6 ½ x 15 ½ inch (back cover)

White homespun – cut 2 rectangles measuring 6 x 12 inches

2. Trace the Eiffel Tower and flag from the template onto paper backing of applique film. Cut out leaving a ½ inch clearance around the design. Iron the Eiffel Tower onto the back of the blue gingham, following manufacturer’s instructions. Cut out outline. Iron the flag shape onto the back of the red print and cut out outline. Position the Eiffel Tower and flag on the blue floral print. Fuse in place following manufacturer’s directions. Top stitch around the shapes three times using black thread. Try not to stitch along the same line to give a sketched appearance.

3. Fold the cuff in half lengthwise. Press. Position the raw edges of the cuff along the top edge of the floral front. Stitch in place using ¼ inch seam allowance. Overlock/serge raw edge. Press. Topstitch 1/8 inch from seam.

4. Optional: decorate the Eiffel tower with a piece of ribbon stitched in place. Cut a 2 ½ inch piece of ribbon/tape folded in half, and stitched to the right long edge to create a tag.

5. With the backing fabric, fold under ¼ inch along one short edge. Press. Fold under another ¼ inch. Press. Stitch folded edge in place. Position the backing fabric and the Eiffel Tower front with right sides facing and bottom edges aligned. Fold the top of the backing fabric over to front (as shown). Stitch along bottom and sides. Clip corners. Turn out the right way and press.

6. Position the white homespun rectangles together. Stitch around all four sides, leaving a 3 inch gap in one short side. Turn out the right way. Fill with rice or wheat, and lavender. Stitch opening closed.

Be sure to check out A Spoonful of Sugar right here for tons of lovely tutorials.

How do you stay warm in the winter?

13 Stylin’ Lunch Box Ideas and More to Spice Up Your School Day

September 26, 2013 by AllFreeKidsCrafts Leave a Comment

Sure, heart-shaped sandwiches are great, but if you want the coolest lunch in school, you have to check out these food crafts for kids and DIY lunch box ideas.

AllFreeKidsCrafts has found a few fun ways to pack a little creativity along with your school lunch. Whether you want to keep it simple with a Friendly Froggy Paper Bag or really dig in, these back-to-school crafts for kids are tons of fun. Don’t forget to pack a Tie Dye School Lunch Napkin to make your sweet school lunch even cooler!

Lunch Box Ideas

No matter what’s on your menu, your lunch box should stand out from the rest. Sure, you can write your initials on any store-bought lunch box, but why settle for a boring lunch box when you can have one that’s completely customized for you? The best way to get a one-of-a-kind lunch box that fits your style is to make one at home. If you’re looking for a quick craft, the eco-chic Simple Solutions Lunch Box is perfect for you. It’s an easy lunch box idea that you can decorate any way you want, and since it’s made of a recycled plastic milk jug, your sandwich won’t get squished on the way to school. Here are a few more fun ideas:

Kids’ Food Crafts

These easy, kid-friendly meals are good for you, and they’re good for having fun! Get creative in the kitchen, and see what fun foods you can create for a healthy school lunch. Add some vegetables to your lunch with Angry Birds Bites. Then create your own level and play away. Even though you’ve been told not to play with your food, here are more school lunch ideas that are too much fun to resist:

Best Dessert Recipes

Save the best for last! These back-to-school desserts are way better than a boring old pudding cup. Your friends will be begging you to trade dessert when they see these sweet treats. After you show off your Sudoku skills with an awesome Edible Puzzle, your friends will be dying to know how they can make their own sweet treat game. Here are some other brag-worthy food crafts for kids:

What’s the most entertaining food craft you’ve ever made?

National Sewing Month 2013 Sewing Social: Easy and Sweet Sewing Patterns

September 6, 2013 by AllFreeSewing 58 Comments

It’s Day Six of National Sewing Month! Too see the daily blog posts, projects of the day, and more National Sewing Month details, click here.

While sewing can afford you an invaluable solitary haven, it’s still fun to sew socially. At AllFreeSewing we started thinking about what makes a sewing party great. If you’ve never been to one, it’s essentially a bunch of people getting together and sewing. The formula for throwing a hit, we found, is simple. All you need are people you love to chat with, a fun but simple sewing project, and food.

Some of you advanced sewists may object to our recipe for success, but let us at least defend ourselves. You may not have any beef with our assertion that good friends make great sewing buddies (after all, who wants to sew with someone they profoundly dislike?), but you perhaps find that one should take advantage of company to tackle tricky projects. This is entirely legitimate; especially if you’re sewing for a cause or a deadline, you want to take advantage of your fellow sewists’ expertise. However, we’re strictly speaking of sewing for fun. If you’re planning a party, pick something simple to tackle.

We got to thinking about our sewing and food mishaps. One minute your ruffled linen shorts are spotless, the next they’re stained with the piece of chocolate cake you tried to eat while simultaneously threading your serger. It can be a deadly combination. We took two of the necessary elements for a successful sewing social, easy patterns and food, and created a quick list of sweet sewing patterns for you to make at your next get-together. Of course, we couldn’t resist tacking on a treat for the after-party when all of your fabric is put away. Enjoy these patterns from AllFreeSewing and others, plus brand new recipes for our sister site, TheBestDessertRecipes. Try not to get too hungry.

Easy and Sweet Sewing Patterns

1. Cupcake Wrist Cushion – We love this pattern. It’s a great sewing social project because it’s so simple and easy to make, not to mention functional. Once you and your guests have the body of your cupcakes made, get really creative and decorate them with embroidered sprinkles and candies. This project can be completed in the duration of the party, so these cupcakes will double as a party favor.

Afterwards serve Lovely Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes. Why wouldn’t you want to enjoy these angel food treats after sewing something that looks so tasty?

2. Macaroon Coin Purse Pattern – The zipper included in this pattern is perfect for the sewing party that wants a little variation. Create this easy coin purse in one sitting with sewers of all levels. This is a cookie for the rookie. Don’t be swayed by the sophisticated end product, this design can be easily accomplished by a novice.

When you’re through enjoy English Coconut Macaroons. Since your party decided to sew something totally unique, eat something with just as wild a flavor. The coconut accents that abound in this cookie put a twist on a traditional treat.

3. Ice Cream Gift Box, Card Holder and Present Topper – Learn how to sew gift wrapping like never before with this creative treat from Ever Kelly. We are wild about these delicious looking goodies. No doubt there is ample material here to fill your social hour (or hours) with sewing fun. Try these simple sewing project with your friends when the weather is particularly warm and enjoy a cool treat afterwards!

Your cool treat could be Oreo Cheesecake Ice Cream. Dish out personal portions to every guest and taste the edible translation of your sewing projects!

4. Strawberry Pincushion – Sew a naturally sweet treat with this simple sewing tutorial. These teeny pincushions can be easily tied to your favorite pair of fabric scissors for easy transportation. Totally adorable, these easy-to-make pincushions will be a total success.

Afterwards enjoy Strawberry Banana Mousse. This unassuming dessert will take your guests by storm. Plus, it’s low-fat, so if your party is in the middle of the day everyone will enjoy this guilt-free treat.

5. Felt Food Muffins – This is a purely playful project from Pieces by Polly. Consider making this fun felt food if you have some youngsters attending the party. Easy to make and fun to play with afterwards, this simple sewing project will be a healthy reminder that sewing for the sake of fun is always worth a try.

When you’re finished serve Blueberry Muffin Tops. This spin on the classic muffin is a great party treat.

And there you have it! Some options to host a great sewing social. Our compliments to TheBestDessertRecipes for providing the real counterparts to our sewn treats.

Do you snack while you sew?

Be a Man: Jewelry Designs with a Masculine Look

April 26, 2013 by AllFreeJewelryMaking Leave a Comment

Man does this jewelry look good. I’m not one to genderize much, but there’s something about these pieces that screams, “Manly!” With Father’s Day on the horizon, I got to thinking about unexpected gift ideas for dad. Then it occurred to me that he would never wear homemade jewelry. He’s just not that kind of person, but I am…

I’ve selected projects from AllFreeJewelryMaking and from around the blogosphere to aid you in your manly endeavors. Whether your dad wears bracelets, your boyfriend likes to browse through your jewelry box, or you just prefer masculine accessories, these do-it-yourself jewelry designs will hopefully aid you in your journey to manhood.

Manly Jewelry Designs Anyone Can Handle

Personally I wouldn’t mind seeing this particular DIY ring on a fella’s hand or my own. Its simplicity is straightforward and attractive. This ring hides nothing. As one who likes their rings like their men (eh-hem, honest), I highly suggest trying to learn How to Make a Simple Silver Ring. If you don’t want to keep this for yourself, at least you’ll brush up on your metalwork skills in the jewelry-making process.

Think about making these DIY Cufflinks for those collar-and-tie men who also like to accessorize. When I saw this project on AllFreeJewelryMaking I was immediately struck. You can reuse some bolts and screws around your house and make these recyclable cufflinks. It will be an excuse to craft because, let’s face it, somebody at home has to watch the waste. What’s more, this project holds much more versatility than you may think. If you’re a trendy trailblazer, don’t make these cufflinks for your brother; make them for yourself!

I came across this Paracord Bracelet from Modern Jewelry. This is a strong bracelet reinforced with braided cords. I love the way this bracelet looks. I also happen to love the amazing video tutorial that shows you how to make this handmade bracelet.

Yet another pair of cufflinks. I just think they’re an under-appreciated piece of jewelry. While these Lego Cufflinks from Instructables aren’t necessarily manly, they certainly are boyish. I think I’ll make a pair for myself- that is for my 12-year-old cousin. In all seriousness, though, I think a lot of men would more than likely be drawn to these cufflinks. Keep them in mind as a possible homemade gift for a friend.

This last featured project is for the tough guys (or girls) out there. Learn how to make a necklace from this Personalized Dog Tag Necklace Tutorial. You can inscribe these tags with your name or a special message. These can easily be sentimental gifts for loved ones as well.

I know there are so many more “manly” jewelry designs to explore, but after all, a good man’s jewelry design is hard to find. Hopefully you’ve gleaned some ideas as far as DIY gifts go for yourself or a friend. Check out our site for ideas on men and women’s jewelry designs.

What do you think about men wearing jewelry?

Decorating Differently: Easter Eggs that Won’t Break

March 19, 2013 by AllFreeKidsCrafts 2 Comments

I’ll be the first to admit that I love decorating Easter eggs. However, I’ll forever attach a certain amount of anxiety when it comes to dyeing designs onto an egg shell. Reason being: I’m clumsy and am always surrounded by rowdy siblings when I try it. Usually there are at least a couple of casualties by way of broken eggs by the end of my decorating experience. Having reached the age where I am master of my own Easter projects, I’ve decided to seek out new Easter decorating ideas which eliminate the broken eggs shells. Try these tutorials for a (hopefully) happier Easter.

Alternative Easter Eggs!

What first made me think of venturing beyond a fragile egg shell was this sturdy Colorful Swirls Marble Eggs project. No, these aren’t actually marble eggs (that would probably enhance my fear of coloring Easter eggs), these are wooden eggs! Try breaking one of those babies! I can’t believe these escaped my notice for so long.

Another alternative Easter idea is to use up those plastic eggs. After every Easter egg hunt, they are all around the house. I love plastic eggs because they are indestructible!

But perhaps you’re not keen at giving the little ones (or your immature, adult siblings) wooden or plastic eggs to play around with. No problem. I was thrilled to find that a happy amount of soft Easter eggs existed. These little chicks, for example, are totally felt. Ergo, they won’t hurt if they happen to be thrown at you.

Tough Enough for Tradition?

So maybe you’re happy and careful enough to stick with the classic Easter egg shell to decorate. If so, why not consider some new Easter egg decorating tips? I fond these awesome DIY Blingy Easter Eggs from Lovely Indeed. They’re accessorize your traditional Easter egg with a little ice.

Or you could consider going even more modern by using Paper & Stitch’s Metallic Egg Art Easter DIY. I love the metallic addition to a yearly tradition.

But You STILL Break the Eggs!

If you find yourself with broken shells this year, at least give them some dignity. Maybe these Easter Egg Planters can ease the pain of yet another casualty.

I hope these alternatives help in your Easter adventures this year. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be hightailing it to the craft store to get some everlasting eggs. Otherwise, maybe this is your year to add some variety to the regular decorating experience. Either way, good luck!

What is your biggest Easter egg decorating disaster?

This Week on Cool2Craft TV – EcoHeidi TV – Outside the Box Crafts

October 9, 2011 by Tiffany Leave a Comment

Join host EcoHeidi Borchers for a new episode of EcoHeidi TV on the Cool2Craft TV Channel. This week’s show theme is Outside the Box. EcoHeidi is sharing three super cool projects including a Burnt Brown Bag Butterfly Box, she will transform a pizza box into wall art and she will create plastic bottle cap art on a waxed paper box. Special guest Candace Jedrowicz transforms a chocolates box into a fabric covered gift box. Join us for a fun collection of box crafts!

It’s easy to watch the Cool2Craft TV Channel right from your computer. Monday October 10, 2011 at 9 am Pacific/ 10 am Mountain/ 11 am Central/ noon Eastern. Watch craft demos and join in the live chat at showtime at Cool2Craft.com. See you Monday!

Watch live streaming video from cool2craft at livestream.com