So I finished these mailbags today. I've been trying to do more and more complicated projects and I was surprised at how easy patterns, techniques, and sewing lingo in general has been coming to me. Its really nice to know that if I make something I will not become too too frustrated and it will actually look how it is supposed to.
Thinking about that, its so cool that I now have a drive to finish projects and do not get angry. I can remember the first time that I tried to sew. 7th grade, Home EC, tried to make a gym bag that failed to epically that I think I pitched the project as soon as the class was over. The other projects were one failure after the other of embroidery, stitching, and heaven knows what. Then over break I decided to just do it. I could not be happier with the projects I've been doing because I know I can do them for years to come. Now how to sew money to pay off college loans....

Makeshift Headband of Awesome

Possibly the easiest project I have done, I made a headband, out of scraps. It was a lot of fun and got rid of some of the clutter in my sewing basket.


It was really simple. Cut three thin pieces of scraps (about 1/2" wide and 1ft in length) , braid the three pieces, then sew another piece to cover the ends and make a secure back. Make sure to make the braid a bit shorter than the length of your head since the fabric you sew on will elongate the ends to fit your head snugly.
Its quick, its fun, and the sewing part is pretty forgiving when it comes to mess ups. So clean out your baskets! Make something pretty and put it on your head!

Pretty Sweet Bulletin Board

So my latest project is a bulletin board. It was an extremely easy project with absolutely no sewing required. I only needed a picture frame, a large piece of cardboard, some sweet fabric, stapler, pen, and scissors. Another project in "One-Yard Wonders", its easy, quick, and you get a bulletin board that is one of a kind and very cheap.
My reason for doing all of these projects is simple. Its winter break, I have two weeks with nothing to do. Now I've used the time I've had left to create some pretty cool stuff I can use for years.
If you're a bored college student watching Dora the Explorer or have been playing Assassin's Creed for five hours straight, get out of there! Get a big ol' cardboard box, go buy a sweet frame at Salvation Army, steal some weird fabric from your momma and make something you can use for semesters to come!!

DIY: Kinda Obsessed

Ever since I was little I've been exposed to people who have sewn their own clothes, grew their own gardens, even made their own soap.
So I fell in love with the idea of DIY pretty easily. Its cheap, fun, and you have a lot of pride in what you own.
The bed organizer (left) is my latest project to use in my dorm room. Thanks to the book, "One Yard Wonders" there will hopefully be a lot more.
Now, as I'm sure you can see, I am no seasoned seamstress. But after finishing this project I was inspired to look at some of my earlier projects. I've tried making two skirts, one made out of t-shirts, and another made out of a pillow case that did not match any of our bedding.















Even though the pillow case made me cringe, and the t-shirts seems scare me, its pretty neat to look at these compared to one another. It gives me hope that I can improve and gain more experience to make my own clothes, gifts for others, and hopefully things my future apartment, home, and family will need.
Hope this made you want to start a project of your own!
Here are some cool links if you need more inspiration:
http://www.diyideas.com/ (good for the home and quick ideas)
http://www.craftster.org/ (good for something cute and fun)
http://www.threadbanger.com/ (great step by step videos)