Karin Jordan Studio

Craft with (or without) Kids: Potholder Loom!

While on vacation in Bar Harbor, Maine last week, we went into a toy shop and let the kids pick one small toy each. Colton predictably chose a cool little white car. To my complete surprise, Annabel wanted a potholder loom! I could not wait to get it home and make one. Er, I mean show her how to. I had one of these as a kid. Mine was probably plastic instead of metal, but I fondly remember churning out potholders as I learned to weave.

This loom is made by Harrisville Designs. They make AMAZING big floor looms. I have one. It's in the basement, waiting for when the kids are older and I can return to the click click whirr of the beater, treadles and yarn unwinding off the shuttle. It's no rush; I've got plenty to do until then. For now, I'm thrilled Annabel is interested in weaving a potholder with me.

I had Annabel close her eyes and choose each loop. She put the warp (first layer) on by herself. Instead of using the metal hook to weave the loops we used our fingers to pull the weft (second layer) over and under. 

It became tight near the end so I finished the weaving and used the crochet hook (included with the kit) to bind the edges off. The kit comes with enough loops to create two potholders. We have one more to make.

The play kitchen now has two new bright and cheery potholders! I might borrow them for the real kitchen at some point, but I'd rather let Annabel experience playing with something she proudly made. I was surprised to discover that she'd slept with it under her pillow last night. 

I hear Spirographs are making a comeback, too. . . 

xo Karin

        

 

Tutorial: Personalized Body Pillow for Kids

Last week I did a fun project for a guest post on Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom. I've been following Jamie's blog for a while; one of my favorite patterns is her fabulous child's apron that I made for Annabel. In case you missed the body pillow tutorial, here it is!

To make this body pillow cover with an envelope-style back you will need:

-20 x 52" body pillow insert. I found this one on a huge sale at Kohl's for under $10. 
-Pellon's EZ Steam II or other double stick fusible web
-The font I used is Arial Rounded MT Bold, 500pt. I created this pdf for you of all 26 letters; simply download and print the pages you need.
-White cotton fabric cut to 13 x 42"
-Print for the back and for the front trim panels; pay attention to which direction the print goes. I used Faster by Michael Miller:
        -Top and bottom trim: 6 x 42" (cut 2)
        -Side trim: 21 x 6" (cut 2) 
        -Back pieces: 21 x 32" (cut 2) 
-Fabric scraps large enough for the letters, one color per letter 
-All fabric should be washed and ironed. 

Step 1: Print the letters you need from the pdf. Using a sunny window or light box, trace the letters in reverse onto the more permanent side of the fusible web (one side comes off more easily than the other). I was able to cram five of the six letters jigsaw-puzzle style onto one sheet and the sixth one on a piece leftover from another project. Cut the letters apart, being careful not to cut too close to the lines.

Step 2: Arrange the fabric for the letters in the order you like. 

Step 3: Cut pieces of the fabric large enough for each letter on fusible web. Peel off the plain backing and iron the letters onto the back of the fabric.

Step 4: Using sharp sewing shears, cut the letters carefully along the lines. Set letters aside.

Step 5: Start the pillow front. Wrong sides facing, align the top trim panel with the top of the white fabric. Pin, sew with a 1/2" seam allowance along the top, turn and press the white side of the seam toward the print.

Step 6: Top stitch 1/8" above the seam. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the bottom panel, making sure to orient the fabric in the correct direction.

Step 7: Right sides facing, line the left side panel up with the left side of the body piece as shown. Pin, sew with 1/2" seam allowance, turn and press toward the print. Topstitch from top edge to bottom edge. Repeat for right side panel.

Step 8: Arrange the letters across the center of the white panel. It helps to use a clear quilting ruler to keep them straight. Remove the paper backing and lightly stick the letters to the fabric until you're happy with how it looks. Press and allow to cool.

Step 9: Make the envelope-style back. On the left short side of one of the back pieces, fold 1/2". Press. Fold again 1 1/4". Press. Pin and sew. Repeat for the right short side of the other back piece.

Step 10: Place the front piece down right-side up. Wrong side up, arrange the two back pieces on top so all four edges are lined up with the front piece. There should be a several inch overlap at the center. I turned the corner down so you can see the overlap. Pin along all sides, placing a pin or two in the center to help hold the fabric in place while you sew. Sew around the perimeter of the entire pillow cover with a 1/2" seam allowance.

Step 11: Remove pins, turn cover through the envelope opening in the back and press.

Step 12: Insert body pillow and you're all done!

Note: If you plan on washing your cover frequently, you might want to consider doing a zigzag stitch around each letter before sewing the back and front together.  

At 21 months old, Colton isn't quite as big as the pillow yet. I have a similar pillow in the works for Annabel so she can retaliate. Let the snuggle wrestling and pillow fights begin!

xo Karin

PS - If you would like numbers that go with the letters, you can download them here.

A few of my favorite patterns and tutorials on Leigh Laurel Studios:

            

An embroidered pillow made from a family portrait drawn by Annabel, washable bean bags for hula hoop ring toss, a pattern for turning an ordinary bear into Super Bear, and a little dog embroidery pattern.

        

 

Craft with Kids: Gathering & Learning to Draw Flowers

 

We went to a local farm the other day for fruit, vegetables and eggs. The kids always love it, and this time we cut flowers so we could draw them. Teaching my almost four-year-old daughter to look closely at something and translate it to a 2-D drawing was more fun than I expected. I thought she'd do one or two but she persisted and completed six entire drawings. Her first three are above. 

Annabel selecting a flower she wanted to draw.

Figuring out how to 'snap' a snap dragon and proudly showing her brother.

Colton finding a hidden bloom.

Inspecting the cut end that just came off the plant.

Happy to be able to hold what we'd just collected!

She chose a flower and we pulled it out of the arrangement so she could draw it singly. I didn't give her much instruction. She wanted help and I insisted she look closely and draw what she saw. I talked her through the first one but did not pick up a pen myself. I asked her about the colors she could see, what shapes were there, and which textures. She insisted on adding the vase to each drawing.

I encouraged her to hold the pens up to the flower to help choose colors. We use Crayola Washable Markers (64 count) for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g around here. They're easier than crayons for babies and toddlers, and they really do wash off. We've had to do a lot of 'tests'. :)

She touched the flower to be able to feel the texture.

She was surprised to discover all the colors that a single blossom contained.

She happily and busily worked on her flower studies for over an hour. 

This is my favorite. I love how it turned out, but I also enjoyed listening to her talk herself through the drawing. 

A snapdragon.

It's just a bonus that we now have a lovely arrangement. If you're ever near Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, Applecrest Farm Orchards is worth a visit! It's the oldest and largest apple orchard in the state, run by four generations of the Wagner family. You get to shop in a 200-year-old barn that also sells antiques, pick your own fruit if you wish, and they also have festivals for peaches, pumpkins, etc. Did I menton the ice cream barn? Be sure to pick up some yummy cider donuts, too. Annabel is already asking when she can go pick her pumpkin. I'm not quite ready for that yet. Fortunately, Applecrest isn't either! 

xo Karin

        

 

Tutorial: Hand Printed & Embroidered Tea Towel

In case you missed my post as creative guest on U Create last month, here it is! Making this tea towel is fun and combines two crafts I love — hand printing and embroidery. 

For the hand printing you will need:

-Tea towel (the one pictured is a 28 x 29" flour sack towel from The Vermont Country Store)
-1 - 2" square block to print the squares — I used the back of a letterpress stamp that is 1 3/4" square 
-Fabric paint — I added a bit of white to the bright yellow to soften it a little
-Foam paintbrush
-Masking tape or painter's tape (I used Frog Tape; it's easier to keep wide tape straight)
-Ruler 

For the embroidery you will need:

-This downloadable pdf of the cherries
-Disappearing ink marker or fine tip permanent marker
-Red and green embroidery floss — I used DMC #s 498 and 3818
-Square of white fabric large enough to fit in your embroidery hoop (finished cut size is 5 x 5")
-Embroidery hoop and needle
-Sewing machine with white thread, or needle and thread if you're hand stitching the embroidered square onto the towel

Step 1: Prewash and iron all fabric. Measure 2" from the bottom edge and mark with a disappearing ink pen or chalk pencil. Repeat for other side to create a straight line 2" from the bottom edge. Apply tape under the marks you just made, being careful to keep the tape as straight as possible.

Step 2: Mark the height of the block above the tape line. Repeat so you have two marks. Repeat for other side.

Step 3: Add tape line above second mark, lined up with mark on right side.

Step 4: Mix the paint to achieve the color you want. Apply paint to the block with the foam brush, being careful to keep the sides clean. Starting on the bottom left, stamp the squares onto the fabric. Reapply paint before each square is printed. Bottom left first, then align the top square with the top right corner of the first square and keep it level with the top piece of tape. Continue all the way across the fabric.

Step 5: Remove the top strip of tape. Aligning the bottom corners of the block with the corners of the row underneath, stamp the squares all the way across to form the third row. Allow to dry, following manufacturer's instructions. 

Step 6: While the paint is drying, start the embroidery. Print the pdf and use a light box or sunny window to trace the design onto the fabric. 

I make dots with permanent marker directly onto the fabric, but you can do a full outline with disappearing ink if you prefer. For my tutorial on how to make this little felt needle book, go here.

Step 7: Embroider the design using three strands of embroidery floss. I used split stitch everywhere except the spots on the cherries where I used backstitch.

I kept the backside of the embroidery as clean as possible so there wasn't much of anything to show through to the front other than the design.

Step 8: Centering the design, cut a 5" square. I folded and pressed the sides first to be sure I had the placement I wanted. 

Step 9: Press the sides in first, then the top and bottom.

Step 10: Center the embroidered square on the printed tea towel. Pin and topstitch with 1/8" seam allowance.

You're done! I'd love to see pictures of your completed project. 

xo Karin

        

 

Tutorial: Fabric-covered Headband Holder

Headbands. Everywhere. Annabel's hair accessories multiply at rapid speed. To help tame the mess on her dresser, I dove into the recycling bin and made this simple headband holder.

You will need:

-One empty container of oats. Headbands fit on it perfectly.
-12 x 18" rectangle of fabric - make sure the image on the box doesn't show through
-Two circles of fabric, 6" each in diameter
-One circle of thin cardboard, cereal box thickness, cut to 4 2/3" diameter
-Fabric or craft glue - I use Sobo
-Popsicle stick or disposable plastic knife for spreading glue 

Step 1: Wrong side up, fold one of the 12" sides over 1/2". Press.

Step 2: Place the fabric rectangle wrong side up on a plastic bag or other work surface. Using the popsicle stick, spread a thin layer of glue over the outside of the oatmeal container, making sure to get the top and bottom edges covered thoroughly. Starting near the unfolded edge of the fabric, place the sticky container onto the fabric. Roll it until the box is covered. Apply more glue to the folded over edge so it stays put. You can smooth any wrinkles with your hand. 

Step 3: Apply glue around the inside bottom edge of the box and fold the fabric over. Please ignore the fact that my oats expired three years ago, which means we moved from Massachusetts to New Hampshire last summer with old oats.

Step 4: Glue the box top and the cardboard onto the fabric circles.

Step 5: Apply additional glue and fold fabric up over the edges.

It doesn't have to be pretty!

Step 6: Glue the fabric-covered cardboard circle into the bottom of the container. 

Step 7: Glue the lid onto the top of the box. Note: If you'd like to be more enterprising than I am, you could attempt to get the oat smell out of the box and use it to store scrunchies and hair elastics!

Enjoy your newfound dresser space! Oddly enough, I made the two fabric-covered boxes waaay back in college in much the same fashion. The cat ears were from Annabel's cat costume last Halloween. For my post on how to make the little bunny, go here. 

xo Karin

        

 

Body Pillow for Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

I'm excited to be today's guest on Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom. I've been following Jamie's blog for quite a while; she's got a TON of cool free patterns and recipes. For my pattern and tutorial on how to make this personalized body pillow cover, please visit her site here today! 

xo Karin

        

 

Tutorial: Pillowcase Dress with Ribbon Ties and Trim

Annabel wore this dress over the weekend and got compliments! It was amazing to hear her reply, "Thank you, Mommy made it." I was the only one who knew the bobbin thread got tangled up while sewing the ribbon around the hem and I had to spend some quality time with the seam ripper. :)

To make this pillowcase dress you will need:

-1 1/2" yards of cotton fabric, washed and ironed
-Coordinating thread for both fabric and ribbon
-Contrasting ribbon, 7/8" width for trim, 5/8" width for shoulder ties 
-Dritz Fray Check for ribbon ends
-Download, print, cut out and tape this 3 page pdf together (there is a small corner of the pattern that does not fit on the page; follow the lines to complete the edge).

Step 1: Cut 2 pieces of the 5/8" ribbon 30" long each. Cut the ends on a diagonal. Use Fray Check on the ends. Set aside.

Step 2: Right sides together, fold the fabric, line the straight side of the pattern up on the fold. Pin and cut. Repeat so you have two pieces of cut fabric. Notes: Annabel is a tall size five, so I added four inches to the bottom of this pattern for the dress pictured. The above photo is not the printout but the Swedish tracing paper I used to create the pattern.

Step 3: Clip the edges around the armholes no more than 1/8". Press. Fold again 1/8". Press, pin, sew the seam. Turn the top edge down 1/8". Press, pin, sew along the top edge.

Step 4: Center the 5/8" ribbon on the top edge of the fabric, just under the 1/8" fold. Mark the center, stitch the ribbon in place. Note: I wound up straightening the top edge in the pattern to make it easier to fold over the ribbon; in the above photo the top edge is slightly curved. Also, I used 7/8" ribbon for the ties but if I were to make another of these I would switch to 5/8" as indicated in the pattern.

Step 5: Fold the fabric and the ribbon down, leaving just enough room to be able to create a seam without catching the ribbon. The ribbon needs to remain loose so the neckline can be cinched. Press, pin and sew along the edge just under the ribbon.

Step 6: Repeat steps 2-5 for other side.

Step 7: Right sides facing, pin the sides of the two dress pieces together. With 1/2" seam allowance, sew the sides together. After sewing the seams, you can either serge the edges (I don't have a serger!) or do a simple zig zag stitch to help stabilize the fabric. Press to one side.

Step 8: Hem the dress. Fold the hem 1/4". Press. Fold again so you reach your desired length; I folded it up roughly 2 inches, keeping in mind that the ribbon will be placed over the hem stitching. Press, pin and sew. 

Step 9: Decide where you would like to place your ribbon trim, measure the width of the dress in that spot and multiply by two. Adding an additional inch, cut that amount of ribbon. Pin in place and topstitch top and bottom of the ribbon, being careful to overlap and fold the end under. I placed the overlap on one of the side seams.

You're all done! Flower the bunny might need a matching dress. Figuring that purple was safe, I chose this fabric; for the next dress I think I'll take Annabel fabric shopping and let her pick.

This dress can be easily shortened or lengthened to fit a variety of sizes. I'd love to see what you come up with!

xo Karin

 

        

 

Pillowcase Dress with Ribbon Ties and Trim

I haven't spent much time in my studio this week; Jason was away on a business trip and the weather was perfect so I was outside with the kids. We all suffer from "pool hair". I did manage to make this fun little purple dress for Annabel. She has a few pillowcase dresses from the local Hanna Andersson outlet, and I thought I'd try and make a pattern for one in a similar style. This is my first attempt at creating a pattern for something wearable.

She loves it! I'm happy she's happy, and I'm thrilled it fits. I'll be putting the pattern and tutorial together this weekend, so check back next week!

xo Karin

PS - Update: The pattern and tutorial are now online and can be found here.

        

 

Saving an Awkward Flower

In one of my first posts earlier this year, I planted seeds in plastic takeout boxes. The calendula are finally blooming on the deck. They are beautiful but don't always make the best cut flowers because of how they grow. 

This one is spilling over the edge of its pot and was in danger of being stepped on. Since they sometimes grow down due to weight and then face up toward the sun, the stems are often bent. This makes it hard to put them in a typical arrangement.  I cut the flower head off and floated it in a shallow, antique dish that had been my grandmother's. It's been cheering up a boring corner of my bathroom counter for at least a week. 

The weather in New Hampshire has been near perfect this week. We've been outside as much as possible — swimming, riding bikes and scooters, going for walks, drawing with chalk in the driveway, enjoying the local farmer's market. I'm planning projects in my head while I'm poking around in the garden, soaking up as much sun as I can before we have to dig out the socks and concede to another change in season.

xo Karin

        

 

Simple Scrap Paper & Ribbon Notepad

Around here, we're always making notes and doodling. I'm a big fan of putting everything to good use, so I tend to collect bits of things. This little notepad was once paper headed for the recycling — those extra pages from the printer with a few words on them, etc. If it's not a clean sheet but there's still a blank area, I chop the 8.5 x 11" piece up into four, hole punch them and tie the stack loosely with a ribbon scrap. I use narrow, wire-edged ribbon if I have it. 

It's even better if there are a few colored scraps included! Oooh, four pages until I get to the pink one. Little joys are always appreciated. :)

The peach is from a weekend outing to a local farm; there are others, and we're waiting somewhat impatiently for them to ripen. Until then, it looks like I've made it to pink!

xo Karin