Helpful Craft/Sewing Tips

Did you know that I post tips and updates on projects on my facebook page?  Follow me to see!
https://www.facebook.com/AmberingAlong

Yesterday I gave tips on creating your own pattern.  Check it out!

Minecraft Creepers

My son is really into Minecraft so I figured it was time to make some creepers.

These guys are about 15" tall and made from fleece.  I was very happy that they even stood up on their own!  I'm selling these at craft fairs for $15 each.  I am even making a large size.  I'll post pictures when those are done :)

How to Sew Circles with your Sewing Machine without any special tools

I love the look of circles in sewing.  They look very complex and difficult if done right.  Done wrong, and they just look like a mess.

I recently tried a new technique for sewing circles that I want to share.  It worked beautifully and was so easy!

Beautiful, precise circles!  I sewed 4 place mats with 3 circles each in just over an hour.

To get started, you need one tack with a flat(ish) back.  These tacks have a bit of a curve on the back and they worked just fine.  you also need duct tape. 

This image is blurry, but it was the best I could get.  Put the tack face up on your sewing machine and cut tape in place, sticky side down.  My sewing machine doesn't have much room to the left of the needle so I chose to go to the right of it.  It would have been easier had I gone to the left instead, but this worked just fine.

Choose your stitch (I did a zig zap with metalic thread).  Sew slowly making sure that the fabric is not loose.  The pin will pivot the fabric sewing a complete circle that matches up exactly.  I sewed the circles 3 times to get some bulk on the circle. 

Beautiful!

The back view

If you want to sew fabric circles, simply cute a piece larger than you need and add it to the pin.  Sew a strait stitch over the fabric in the circle shape.  Trim off the excess around and zig zag around the raw edge of the sewed on circle. 

Portal Turrets

This is my own pattern that I created.  I will have these available for order, but I don't think I will post the pattern online because of the hours of work I put into it.

I might put the pattern up for sale on my etsy site, but I still need to write the tutorial.

Here are the images!

just two turrets, hanging out

Side view

Love these guys!

Up close side view

A little personal bottom view ;)

Felt Cake

My friend had a birthday so I made him a cake.  A felt cake!

The pattern is from the book:

I have made a few things from this book and I have enjoyed the projects very much!  They are a little more time consuming than I would have originally thought but the outcomes are amazing!  (This is not a sponsored post, I just really like this book). 

Top of the cake

Piece out of the cake

Yum!

More Cloth Dolls

I really enjoy making the cloth dolls.  This time I made ones for a friend of mine's grandchildren.  I think they turned out so cute!

More of the cloth dolls I have made :)

PVC Bow and Arrow Set

My son has been frustrated with the (no) selection of toy bows and arrows.  I have been thinking that I should try to make him a set and scoured Pinterest looking for inspiration and found "Skip to My Lou"'s post here.

She put together a great tutorial so I will just add my project notes.  First, I used eraser tips on the end of dowels (but in half) as the arrows.  I decorated them all in duct tape in bright colors so they would be easy to spot in the grass and not get wet if left outside.  I used a nylon rope that is tested for 100 lbs.  I didn't want to chance anything breaking.   I used 5/8 inch dowels, but I think I might get bigger as one is already broken (my son was swinging them around like spears, so no surprise).

First shot

Trying it for himself

My husband drawing the arrow - i don't recommend pulling this far back and kids can't anyway.

The complete set

Closer shot

This is how he carries the bow and he has a sack for arrows on his back that I quickly made him with fabric.

Aiming just so