Series 9: Old Towel New - Oven Mitt

Dare I say it again? That old grey towel has come in handy once more. This is the fifth towel project I've made and she may yet have another in her. Not bad for an ancient (and standard-size) bath towel, eh?

For this installment of Old Towel New I referred to Chris's lovely Oven Mitt Template and Tutorial. I highly recommend it. I followed her directions as written with only these few tiny changes: use of an old towel (obvious), straight-line quilting, and a slightly different hanger placement. Also, I didn't have any basting spray so I used straight pins instead. It all worked really really really really well. Don't know why, but I was actually scared of making an oven mitt. True fact. But you know what? It was a piece of cake thanks to Chris.

My old battered oven mitt (which this new one is replacing) could only be described as grody. A fitting description I assure you. So I'm overjoyed with the upgrade. I'd been meaning to make a new mitt since time immemorial and wondered if the towel fabric would do the trick. I'm happy to report that it was ideal. In fact, I think I'm in love with this mitt and its towelly texture. I'm tempted to use it as a pillow. Good idea eh?

Thanks for your most excellent directions Chris!

Other posts in the Old Towel New series: mop pad, washcloths, soft watchband, car sponge.

Have yourself a lovely evening!

♥M

Guest-Posting for Sewing 101: Exploring Loopy Closures

Happy October!

It just so happens that on the first Saturday of every month, Chris from Pickup Some Creativity hosts a gem of a series called "Sewing 101" wherein guests share their sewing tips and tricks. I (little me) have the privilege of guest-posting today with an exploration of loopy closures...

Loopy indeed. View the entire post HERE!

Drop-Dead Denim Guest: Chris from Pickup Some Creativity

I am SO happy to have had Gwen over on Monday and Chris over today for Drop-Dead Denim. I've been under the weather all this week and it is such a relief to be able to turn over my little blog to these exemplary bloggers and trusted friends, and just rest. I can't thank them enough for being here when I really needed them. Hugs to you both. ♥M.

So here's Chris now with a very sweet denim project just for you...

I'm tickled to be included in this month's Drop-Dead Denim party. My name is Chris, and I write about creativity and family life at Pickup Some Creativity. I must confess that this theme stretched me a bit. My beloved sewing machine has been in the shop for her yearly beauty treatment...and I had to think of something to do by hand {gasp!}. We've recently moved, and in the disarray that inevitably follows, I am still finding my groove. I appreciate Michele for giving me a kick start!

Today I'm going to show you a simple way to jazz up some canvas shoes with denim scraps. I found come cute white canvas shoes for my little one. And after wearing them only twice, they were already looking pretty dingy. I decided they needed some disguising so that they will last a bit longer than two wearings! Want to play along? Grab the following items and gear:

• Denim scraps


• Lace scraps (two lengths about 8 inches long)


• Fabric glue


• Two buttons


• White thread


• A small lid for tracing circles


• Your sewing stuff, including scissors, pinking shears if you have them, washable marking pen, needle, etc.

Step One. Using a washable marking pen, trace a couple circle shapes. I used a baby food jar lid, which is about 2 inches in diameter.

Step Two. Cut out the circles, preferably with pinking shears.

Step Three. Gather the lace. Using your hand needle and a long length of thread, sew small stitches along one side of the lace.

Pull the tread tight to gather the lace. Sew the ends together to make a circle and knot the thread, trimming the extra.

Step Four. Add the lace to the denim circle. Center the lace so it just peeps out beyond the denim circle.

Fold the circle in half. Stitch a few times to keep it tight.

Now, stitch a button to the center of the half circle as shown here:

Step Five. Attach the design to the shoe. Put a line of glue just down from the fold. Place on the shoe where you want it to go.

Using a hemming stitch, sew the denim to the shoe.

Add a dot of glue near the toe of the shoe, and add a tack stitch to hold the denim in place.

You're almost done!

Now the shoes are ready for lots more playing and use.

I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial. I would love for you to pop on by and visit my blog. I have lots of tutorials and free patterns for you to see. I also have a little etsy shop where I have a few sewing patterns for sale, and even some handmade items too.

Thank you so much for inviting me to contribute, Michele. I love reading your blog and appreciate your kind friendship.

Such a cute shoe embellishment! Great way to perk up those little canvas shoes that have seen brighter days. I have some footwear that could do with this kind of sweet and simple makeover. Thanks so much for the inspiration Chris!

Okay now... for today I'm Diggin' This Denim: Shoulder Bag by Kackleboan

Have a lovely day now. I'll see you tomorrow with a denim project that had me scratching my weary head...