Family Fashion Week Day 1 - T-shirt for Daddy!

Welcome to Family Fashion Week on Sew Homegrown!
This week we are going to revamp the whole family's wardrobe.  Time to get everyone ready for summer!

We're starting out with the men, because they are tricky to make things for.
Okay - how funny is this shirt?!

It's a copycat of this t-shirt from Urban Outfitters.

When Ryan and I saw it we literally laughed out-loud.  This shirt would be a great gift for your hubby, brother, son, cousin, dad, or friend.  It's pretty easy - no sewing required - just some simple freezer paper stenciling.  Now, I know that I am like the last person in blog world to do freezer paper stenciling...but better late than never right?
So let's get to it.  Here's what you'll need:

1 T-shirt in the appropriate size
fabric paint (or acryllic paint and fabric medium)
freezer paper
FREE T-REX PATTERN (that I drew...just for you.  because I love you.)
paint brush
xacto knife

Step 1:  Print the pattern.  Connect the dino at the x's.  Trace it onto the freezer paper.  Cut it out with an exacto knife. It's up to you to make the words.  I just used Microsoft Word.  I would recommend a simpler font than I used - those little curves were tricky.

  

Step 2:  Using a dry, hot iron, iron the stencil onto the t-shirt.  

Paint the shirt.

Step 3:  After it has fully dried, peel the paper off.  If you are using the acrylic/fabric medium combo you will need to let it dry overnight, then iron it, then wash it in cool water.

Easy craft for a guy right?  

Enjoy!

jessica

{DIY} Graduation Hat Bunting - with paint chips!

We're getting pretty excited, Ryan is graduating from grad school in 9 days!!! He's been in college now for 9 years...needless to say we are planning a huge bash.  Lots of things to celebrate!  So I am busy with party prep - including this little hat bunting made from paint chips!

(If the orange and blue offends you...just imagine it in your very own Alma Mater)

If you would like to make your own for that special graduate in your life here's what you will need:

Paint chips in the appropriate colors

ribbon

tape

scissors

hat template

Step 1:  Print and cut out the template.

Lay it on a paint chip and trace around.

Step 2:  Cut it out.  Continue this until you have the desired number of hats. (I had 15)

Step 3:  Next punch holes in each end of the hat - feed the ribbon through them until they are all strung together.

Then hang your little bunting!
(I'll have pics from the actual party too - it's in Florida
so obviously the bunting won't be hanging from my mantle...)

Have a great day!!

jessica

*Inspired Homemaking* - pretty things

Today's post is just full of pretty things to look at.  Some are tutorials and some are just inspiration.  Enjoy!

LOVE, love this display by my friend Beverly @ Flamingo Toes.  

She shares a tutorial here.

Ooooh my.  Do you think I could ever make one of these?

Check this dresser with the different shades of teal...really the whole thing is just adorable.

Cute, cute trio of pillows - with tutorials!

Oh Martha - these are just too cute.  

...and I'll leave you with this:

...I know right?  Would you ever have the patience to make one of these?!?

Have a great Thursday friends!

jessica

Cleaning/Organizing Tip: Children's Books

Since we will be moving soon, I have started sorting through Charlotte's books. It occurred to me that occasionally I should clean, repair, and sort her books (I'm sure some of you already do this...).  I rounded up all of her books and some wipes,

then started putting away the "babyish" ones, and cleaning books that accidentally became coloring pages...

or sticker books...

and repairing pages that have been too loved...
It's sooo much nicer now - I know what she has, and she knows what she has, and things aren't so cluttered.

Give it a try sometime!

p.s.  You will have to excuse my pictures this week.  Charlotte smashed the lens of my camera as she swung it around by the cord...I'm working on getting a new one, but in the mean time I am using my phone...ugh.

xo
jessica

Bloggers Pillow Party

You all remember the Colorpath Pillow Tutorial from February.  Well, I am entering it into the Bloggers Pillow Party over on Stitched in Color.  She says to write a few things about the pillow including...
Q: What inspired you?
A: I was inspired by a pillow I saw online at West Elm
Q: Interesting Techniques?
A: I cut out a bunch of circles from scraps of fabric.  All of my scraps were from Anna Maria Horner's fabric line.  Then I arranged them by color.  Kind of like a rainbow.
Q: Where does it live in your house?
A: It sits on a chair in our bedroom and makes me sooo happy every time I walk by.

So head on over to Stitched in Color and check out many of the gorgeous pillows in the party! peace - jess

DIY Anthropologie-inspired Hairbows

These hairbows are easy, sweet, and a great way to use up fabric scraps!

I saw this bow on Anthro:

It's cute, but it is 7" wide and 5" tall.  Pretty big bow.  I wanted to make a few last minute bows to slip into Charlotte's Easter Basket - somehow our bows are always disappearing.  I altered the bows to be about 2" wide and 1 1/2" inches tall.  I made two of each color so she can have one on each side.  If you want to make some for your little one's Easter Basket here's what you'll need:

Fabric scraps (at least 3"x2 1/2")

Sewing machine/thread/scissors

Hair clip

Wire (I used the kind for jewelry making)

Hot glue

Paint chips (optional)

Step 1:  Cut out your fabric scraps 3"x 2 1/2".  Cut two rectangles out for one bow.  Since I made 8 bows, I cut out 16 rectangles.

Step 2:  Lay the fabric right sides together and stitch around 3 sides, leaving one end open (like sewing a tiny pillowcase).

Step 3:  Flip it right sides out and turn the raw edges inside.  Press.  Topstitch the opening closed.

Step 4:  Now twist the rectangle once so that it makes a bow shape.  Wrap the wire around the middle a few times so that it will hold it's shape.

Step 5:  Hot glue the bow to a hairclip. 

Let it dry and that's it!

Step 6:  I had a few paint chips lying around so I made some slits in the cards with an exacto knife

and clipped the bows onto them.

Perfect way to slip them into her little Easter Basket!

Happy Tuesday everyone!

jessica

"Pallet-able" Home Decor

While browsing Pinterest the other day, I came across a gorgeous, eclectic coffee table that I just loved.  It was made from wooden pallets, and I thought, "Ryan could make that".  So I showed it to him. 

He had scooped up some free pallets a while back and was excited to have something to do with them. 

This project was super easy and fast - he cut two pallets down to size, then stacked them on top of one another.  He then white washed them with a mix of water and white paint.  Lastly he added the casters so we can roll it to the side for impromptu dance parties. 

It's a very sturdy table, and I love the second shelf , because we can put some of Charlotte's books there. 

It really brightens things up in our living room!

hope you had a great weekend! 

xo

jessica