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sewing

16 Fabulous Fun DIY Fabric Baskets For You To Make

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You know what it is like to see a picture online that just catches your eye. It is “love at first sight.” You can’t stop looking at it. Well, that is what happened to me when I first saw these gorgeous DIY fabric baskets. I was finding so many of them that I wanted to gather them together to share with you on my blog.

Fabulous DIY Fabric Baskets #sewing #tips

OK folks, this post is growing! Today I have just added basket number 18!!! I know you’ll love it♥

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This blog contains Amazon affiliate links. ❤️

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how to make handbags and totes

If you are itching to get started making your own DIY fabric baskets,  you can get some great ☑️ Sewing Patterns For Accessories– totes, purses, backpacks and more here on Amazon prime!

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I just love baskets for all kinds of uses, like the wicker basket planter that I refurbished last week. So, when I first saw a fabric basket, I went “gaga” over them!

Whether you call them baskets, bins, pods, cubes or containers, fabric storage baskets are so special that I just had to share the best I have found with you. Each one of these projects comes with some kind of instruction on how to they are made. A few even include free patterns that you can use.

So, visit each one, pin them for later and enjoy!

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This is the one that I just added so, it is #17…
Fabric Basket Tutorial – Free Motion By The River [Connie Kresin Campbell]

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And, yes, here is number 18 and it also is from Connie Kresin! !!!
DIY fabric baskets for storage #crafts #baskets
Fat Quarter Fabric Baskets – Connie Kreskin

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Pattern for making tote, baby changing pad and more #ad

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DIY, basket, patterns

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16 beautiful craft baskets #DIY #sewing

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collapsible fabric storage baskets

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crafts, sewing, baskets

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Sewing projects come with clean up?   Of course they do!  ad
shark pet fur vacuum

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crafts, projects, patterns
Storage Pods were originally found on a website called Secret Garden Quilting but I have not been able to locate a pattern for making this exact style.  Below is a tutorial on a website called Instructables for a Reverse Hanging Storage Pod.  Again, very similar but not exact.  I will continue to keep my eye out for the actual pattern. …Sinea

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16 beautiful DIY craft baskets
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16 beautiful sewing baskets

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Best Pet Hair Vacuum Ever!

Shark liftaway vacuum for carpets and floors

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Truly.  I mean it.  Read about how I found it and why I love it so much!
These fur babies were part of the quest. Yellow Labs produce more fur than any dogs I have ever had the privilege of knowing! LOL

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Two yellow lab dogs
Big Lexi and little sis Sadie.

 

How To Make A Drawstring Bag From A Pillowcase

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Drawstring bags are a simple means of transporting and/or storing things. Pirates used them to carry their gold doubloons and other treasures- or at least they do in the movies. Cowboys and gold miners did in the Wild West, too, didn’t they? Maybe their moms made them! LOL
 
Whether it is a nesting place for children’s toys or a quick way to get assorted items from “here” to “there,” drawstring bags are easy to make and do come in handy. 
Baby gift basket with DIY drawstring mommy grab n go bags

Babies, babies, BABIES! Of all the celebrations, I love welcoming BABIES into the world. Our family has had three babies born in the past 6 months -all boys. They are still out numbered by our little girls 4-1, though.

We had a shower recently for one of the little lads and i decided to make a baby gift basket with “mommy grab ‘n go” bags inside. They were filled with essentials that mom might need when out and about with her little ones: diapers, baby wipes, bib, receiving blanket, pacifier and a trashbag to wrap up soiled diapers and wipes while on the road. 

 

how to make a drawstring bag, sewing tips

The mommy grab n go bags are quite easy to make, even for novices.  I decided to buy some vivid blue and white pillow cases to make mine – since the baby was a boy. The wide border at the top of the cases is already a channel for the ribbon or drawstring to run through. Much less work!

How To Make a Drawstring Bag

Tools you will need: scissors, pins, sewing machine, thread, needle (for hand sewing,) iron (optional), 2 pillow cases, ribbon.

I will walk you through it detail but, in short, here are the steps:

  1. measure the pillowcase for size
  2. cut the pillowcase in half (for two bags, you will have leftover fabric*)
  3. pin each pillowcase in half, lengthwise, inside out.
  4. pin along the bottom
  5. using a sewing machine, sew across the bottom and up one side.
  6. STOP sewing as you get to the channel. DO NOT sew it closed.
  7. finish the edges of the open channel, by hand.
  8. turn the newly sewn bag rightside out.
  9. iron it.
  10. attach a safety pin to one end of the ribbon and feed it through the channel.
  11. remove the safety pin.
  12. fill it with “goodies”
  13. done!
*Notice that I used some of the leftover fabric to make a matching bow for the outside of the gift basket.
You can get two bags out of one pillow case with ease. Since the receiving blanket and multiple diapers would take up the bulk of the room,  I laid them on top of a pillowcase to get a feel for just how big they should be. You may want to do the same, assuming you know what will be stored in yours.
DIY, gift, baby shower gift idea, crafts

Tip: Lay a straight piece of paper on the fabric to use as a guide to cut the bottom of the bag in a straight line. 
Cut all the way across the bottom of the pillowcase for the bottom seams of the bags.
DIY, gift, baby shower gift idea, crafts
Now, cut each side seam all the way down. You now have TWO separate pieces of fabric, each with a ready-made channel for the top where the ribbons will be run through.
DIY, gift, baby shower gift idea, crafts
Fold each bag in half, inside out, with the channels meeting each other. Remember NOT to sew that end shut. It has to be left open, edges finished off by hand, to run the drawstring ribbon through.
DIY, gift, baby shower gift idea, crafts
This is what the channel looks like.

DIY, gift, baby shower gift idea, crafts

Pin each bag and, using a sewing machine, sew across the bottom and up the side up to, but not including, the channel.
Turn the bag rightside out. Hand-sew the edges of the channel, folding the edges inside the channel, to make a nice neat piece.
DIY, gift, baby shower gift idea, crafts
 Iron them.

DIY, gift, baby shower gift idea, crafts

The ribbon or cord that you will use for the drawstring should be several inches longer than the channel on each end when the bag is laying out flat. You need substantial ends to be able to pull and tie them. I decided to use a pretty blue ribbon that would be tied in a bow.
Take a safety pin and attach it to the end of your ribbon. Now, thread it through the channel, leaving some of the ribbon hanging on one side and more on the other.
DIY, gift, baby shower gift idea, crafts

 

 

Fill the bags with all the goodies!

 

DIY, gift, baby shower gift idea, crafts
How to make a drawstring bag from a pillowcase for a baby gift basket #crafts #sewing #babyshower Share on X
DIY, gift, baby shower gift idea, crafts
What other uses can you think of for drawstring bags?
Any thoughts on what else we can put in a mommy grab ‘n go bag?
 
Enjoy!
  
This author is an Amazon Affiliate. Anything purchased from Amazon through Ducks ‘n a Row will result in a small commission for me. In advance, “thank you!”  … Sinea

Fun, Super Easy Sewing Tutorial That You Will LOVE!

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This guest post by Katie was one of the most popular we’ve run so we decided it would be fun to do a “blast from the past” and re-run it for you today! Enjoy!
Hi! I am so excited to be here today! My name is Katie and I blog over at {Made to be a Momma} I’m a wife of one handsome man and momma to two little boys under 2 1/2.  
Over at {Made to be a Momma} you will find sewing tutorials, crafts, kids projects, home decor, recipes and the ups and downs of being a Mom.  I would LOVE to have you come on over!  You can follow me on any one of these social medias! I also host the {Homemade By You} link party every Wednesday–live on Tuesdays night.!!
photo yellowfb_zpsf208b49a.png pinteresttwitterinstagramemailbloglovin

 If you do like or follow me, let me know!  I would love to come check out your space too!
Today, I wanted to share a fun super EASY sewing tutorial.  If you have never sewn before this is definitely the project for you!  Even if you are a more advance sewer this will still be a fun project!  
How many of you women lose your chapstick?  Maybe it’s me?–but i’m thinking its not.  Sometimes I don’t lose my chapstick but it gets buried in the deep diaper bag or left in the “date” purse.  Well today, I bring you the chapstick cozy! It’s complete with a simple d-ring to hook on to any key chain, purse, diaper bag, or even a kids school backpack!
easy sewing project #sewing #crafts #makeup
To make you own Chapstick Cozy you need to cut two 2in. x 9in. strips of fabric.  
You will also need 2in. size D-rings.

easy sewing project #sewing #crafts #makeup  
Lay your two pieces right sides (pretty sides)  together. Sew around 3 of the 4 sides with a 1/4 in seam.  Clip corners and turn right side out.  Press with hot iron. Fold up your closed end about 2 1/2 inches. Sew down both sides as close to the edge as you can. 
easy sewing project #sewing #crafts #makeup
Take your unfinished edge and fold under about 1/4 inch.
easy sewing project #sewing #crafts #makeup
 Loop the end around your D-ring and sew in place.
Enjoy!


Thanks so much, Katie!

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Daddy's Old Shirt Becomes New Toddler Shorts

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DIY Guest Post by Parrish from “Life With The Crust Off“


ShortsFromShirt

Ok so before I begin I have a few disclaimers.
1. I am not a seamstress, I do this for fun and have taught myself, probably the wrong way lol.
2. This is a quick and easy way to make shorts, if you want something fancier, there are patterns out there for that.
3.  The pictures suck big time, it was raining and I was unaware Dean had smeared his fingers all over the lens until after I took the pictures.
4. Yes the fabric I am working with is wrinkly, it was down the bottom of my sewing bag.
5.  You should use a wider elastic for the waistband, I used what I had on hand and it works fine, but thicker would be better.
So now that we have gotten that out of the way here is my tutorial on how I make Dean shorts out of his dad’s old shirts.  I like doing this because the shorts are very light being that t-shirt material is very light and cool and it’s free, one quick run through daddy’s closet and you got yourself a whole summers worth of shorts for free, take that Baby Gap!  Oh and you are recycling and reusing which is pretty awesome! :)
Sooooo here we go.  I have never done a tutorial like this so let see what happens.

First find a shirt and fold it in half making sure to match up all seams and hems.
shirt
Next get a pair of shorts that already fit your toddler well, fold them in half and place them on the shirt, matching the bottom hem of the shorts to the bottom hem of the shirt.  Cut along the outline of the shorts leaving space for seam allowance and enough space at the top for the wideness of your elastic for the waistband and waistband seam.
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You will have a longer top than me if you are using wider elastic.
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Now you have your two pieces of fabric, which you will want to unfold and line up with each other right sides facing in.  Sew along the sides, only the areas I marked.
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This part is hard to explain but you want to pick up the shorts and match the 2 seams you just sewed to each other, these will form your shorts.
shorts
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Sew the crotch area with one seam all the way across.  Turn right side out to double check everything and look your almost done!!
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Now get the shorts that already fit and use the waistband as a guide for how long to cut your elastic.  Just lay the elastic from one end of the waistband to the other and then double it and cut it.
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Flip shorts wrong side out, fold over the waistband making sure you have given enough room for the elastic and seam. Then pin the waistband.
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Flip shorts right side out again and sew along waistband, leave ample space for the width of the elastic waistband.  DO NOT sew the waistband closed, you need to leave an opening to thread the elastic through and make to give yourself a big enough opening to work with.
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Now take a safety pin and attach it to the end of the elastic and stick that in the waistband opening and work it all the way around the shorts till it come out the other side of the opening.  Pull the ends a little so you have enough excess elastic to sew together.
DSCF6544
Stitch the two ends of the elastic together and straighten out the elastic in the waistband and then finish sewing the waistband closed.  You can additionally sew a small line from back seam to the top of the waistband to secure the elastic in place, and repeat with the front seam.  This will prevent the elastic from twisting.
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There you go!! 
Shorts are done!!!  
And didn’t cost me a penny!
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Dean certainly loves them!!
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 Thanks so much, Parrish! ♥








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$1 Sierra Dress

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Hi, Ducks ‘N A Row readers. I am Scary from Shaffer Sisters, this is not actually my name but a nickname given to me by my sisters, Al and Jo, a long time ago with a great amount of love and it has stuck ever since. 

I am a mommy to sweet almost 4 year old boy (Ryder) that has way too much energy and cuddly 1 1/2 year old girl (Boston). They both look like carbon copies of my husband’s genes which would bother me a whole lot more if he wasn’t such a good looking guy.

6 Years Ago Slim Jim and I were married, then we had these two cute kids that keep us on our toes. I was looking for our most recent family picture and I was horrified the last one we have was last Halloween, a situation I am hoping to remedy soon.
My favorite domestic chores to do are cooking and sewing. A week seems incomplete if I have not sat down to sew. 50% of what my kids wear is hand crafted. This really a win-win-win for our family because sewing and designing is so relaxing for me, I am able afford clothes that fit my tall skinny kids and they love having things that match their style and personality (click here for more sewing projects for boys or girls).
 

I am a strong believer that sewing doesn’t have to be a budget buster (Bold on Budget) you just have to be creative about where you get fabric from and when you get started don’t feel like you have to spend a fortune on patterns there are a lot of free tutorials and patterns that will give you great results.

 

Before moving to the Salt Lake Valley, we lived in a little college town in Idaho where knit was hard to come by. At the change of season, I would scour the clearance rack of Wally World looking for knits that I could refashion for my kids, prices ranging from $1-$3 (Most of them were 2XL or 3XL, whoot! whoot!). 

When I got home I would throw my treasures in the washing machine (always prewash knit because it will always shrink, sometimes a little and sometimes a lot) and wait for the perfect moment to use it.

Pattern testing (for more on that check out our Beginners Guide to Pattern Testing) is a budget friendly way that I have been able to get several patterns lately. Though pattern testing is not for the faint of heart, it is great way to get a complimentary pattern.  

This project was a $1 long sleeve Tee that I had found in the women’s section that I loved the fabric and have been waiting for over a year to find the perfect project to apply it to. I was lucky enough to get in on Sierra Dress (affiliate link) pattern test over at Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop.

I used the existing hem from the shirt for the bottom of the dress and the sleeves. The Sierra Dress (affiliate link) was easy to follow and has lots options; with a Dress, Tunic and Top Length, Short or Long Sleeves options, a Notched or Banded Neckline, an option for a cut out pockets with contrast trim and  Color Blocking for Dress or Tunic Length. 

When I buy patterns I like to know that it will be able to used a them a lot of different ways and this pattern has those options. I also love how well it moves with every direction that Boston is running.

I think this little black dress is going to be a staple in her fall wardrobe. What are your favorite ways to save money on your crafting or sewing projects? What is your most affordable project that you have done lately?
My sisters and I would love to have you come join our Inspire Us Link Up Party each Tuesday.
If you want to see what we will make next follow us with one of the following:

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Thanks so much, Shaffer Sisters!

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See all of the TEN cupcake parades here: 
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