Burlap Table Cloth and Burlap Pillows

First, let me just say that I absolutely hate burlap.  I am terribly allergic to it, and it's a mess to clean up especially with allergies.  I had to wear a mask, clean my work area, vacuum my floors, and run a lint roller all over my surfaces and me every day I worked on this.  It is just not worth it.

Having said all of that, I think they turned out really well considering I don't like it. LOL

This is a burlap table cloth with detachable skirt.  The skirt Velcros on and off.  So if you just want the topper, you can remove the skirt very easily.  This is not the table the cloth was made for, but it was the closest thing I had to the real size to get a picture.  I made this for a friend who wanted to be able to sit at the table without pulling the skirt under.  But she didn't want to be able to see under the table either.  So the skirt is made with 4 pieces - 3 skirt panels and a band to hold it all together.  

Burlap table cloth with detachable skirt

This is just a square pillow.  I'm showing this because I want you to see the difference in cutting your fabric to eliminate those dreaded dog ears.  I actually made the adjustment once, and I still had the dog ears.  I think it's because this linen burlap just stretches so much.

Don't like those dog ears!

I went back and made the same adjustment a second time, and it looks much better.

Much better! (linen burlap)

You can get more information about making this adjustment here.  Just scroll through the slides.

Oh, I have to show you my invisible zipper.  It is by far the best one I've ever done.  If the slide wasn't there, you wouldn't know it zipped!

Lovin' that invisible zipper.

You can find a fantastic tutorial here on how to install an invisible zipper.  She is doing it with welting, but it works on just a plain pillow too.

And this last one is just a loose, floppy, flanged pillow using the same linen burlap as the square pillow.

Linen burlap floppy pillow with a 2" flange

If you work with burlap or linen burlap, you really have to be diligent about cleaning your machines when you are finished.  It really builds up a lot of lint inside.

Thanks for stopping by!
Angela

DIY allergy mask

I know this is funny, but do you know how hard it is to find allergy masks that don't break the bank??!!  I decided I would just make one.  I thought about what the masks look like that doctors/nurses wear, and I just kept that in mind when designing and stitching up this mask.

I am terribly allergic to burlap!!  I didn't realize it until I made Robbie's Halloween costume 2 years ago.  I am making table cloths for a friend made of, yep you guessed it, burlap!  Ugh!!  But I love burlap, and I absolutely love the organic look and feel.  I would even make some for myself, but I can't even have the fabric near me.

This mask was super easy, but I'm sure it's not the only DIY mask out there.  Honestly I didn't look really hard to find one.  I wanted something that wouldn't fit really snug across my face.  I mean I have to breathe, right?!  I used 2 pieces of cotton fabric.  The focus fabric is an Amy Butler pattern left over from Britt's Weekender Bag.  The elastic is 3/8" soft underwear elastic.  I really needed 1/4", but this will do.  I measured across my face (across the nose) from just about 1" in from each ear and from the bridge of my nose down to just under my chin.  I added 1" to the width and 3" to the length.  I made 3 small horizontal tucks/pleats in the fabric (both lining and focus) to give me extra room around the nose and mouth.

I stitched the two pieces right sides together leaving an opening for turning and leaving openings at the edges for the casing.  Turn right side out.  Stitch the other line for the casing and run the elastic through.  And you have a mask.

I can't say that this is medical grade, but it keeps those burlap fly away pieces away from my mouth and nose making sewing with it a breeze.  It's washable and very comfy. 

Incidentally, I did find out later that you can buy masks at Home Depot.  Didn't think to check there. Duh!  But guess what?  This was from stash, so it is free!!  Who doesn't like free??

Happy Wednesday!
Angela

DIY Guitar Strap (Tutorial)

Robbie got a guitar recently and is taking lessons.  He is very good according to his instructor.  We think he's pretty good too, but we are a bit biased. :)

Anyway, he wanted a strap for his guitar, and you all know that he is the first to ask me to make him something.  So he asked for a strap.  I had this skull fabric left over from some boxers I made him, so it was the chosen fabric.  Please read through the entire tutorial before you make any cuts.  This was a "snap pics as you go" kind of thing.  I made some changes as I went.

The first thing I did was decide how wide I needed the strap.  I used several belts I had to use for comparison.  I just put the belts over his shoulder to gauge very roughly.  I decided 2" was plenty.

What you'll need:
1 piece of fabric 5" x 45" (or whatever your measurements are)
1 piece of batting 4" x 44" (make this 1/2" less all around)
1 piece of Pellon SF101 fusible lining 5" x 45" (or the size of your fabric strip)
1 piece of twine roughly 1/4" in diameter(use what will go around the neck of the guitar)
1/4" Double sided wash away wonder tape (optional)

I cut my fabric 5" wide by the width of the fabric.  In this case, 45".  I used Pellon SF101 to stabilize the fabric.  I cut a piece of batting (warm and natural) the same width.  Here it is all put together.  I fused the Pellon to the fabric then used an adhesive spray to keep the batting in place.  Sorry I forgot to take pictures of them all separated.

The one thing I did, and you'll notice in later pics is I cut back the batting by 1/2" on the edges.  Once I got to this next part, I realized it was way too thick.  So use the measurements above for your sizing.  I changed mine after the above picture was taken.

Fold in 1/2" on each of the long sides and iron really well.

On one side, place the wash away wonder tape.  And peel off the backing.

Fold the strip in half and press down with your fingers on the edges to seal the wonder tape.  Iron really well.  This just helps keep everything in place until you stitch it down.  You could simply press the strip in half and pin if you prefer.

Stitch very close to the edge leaving 1/2" open on both short edges.

Fold in both short edges 1/2" and stitch.

Next mark 1" in from the edge and centered on the strap.

Make a button hole on both short edges 1" in from that edge/dot.

Button one end to the bottom of the guitar.

Determine the length of your twine based on where you want the guitar to fall.  Wrap the twine around the neck of the guitar two times, then thread it through the other button hole.  Tie it off, and you are done!

And there you have it!  A custom guitar strap for you little one's guitar.  It's light so it doesn't add extra weight.  It's padded to make it comfortable.  And your little guy/girl doesn't have to struggle to keep it on his/her lap to play.

I hope this helps someone else.

Happy Sunday.
Angela