I love bias tape….but I seriously dread making it. My bias tape machine makes it a little more fun…..and Boo LOVES watching it work (I do too).
A Tabletop Ironing Board (A Tutorial)
I have multiple work areas for projects and I’ve decided I need an ironing board for each one for convenience. This small tabletop ironing board is perfect for my cutting table and other work tables because I can move it around easily and it doesn’t take up a lot of space. It took me about an hour to make but it will save me about 30 minutes every day not having to move from work table to ironing board anymore. I made it using an old wood shelf, felt, fabric and a staple gun:
Step 1: I covered the shelf with a layer of felt first:
Starting on one side I used the staple gun to attach the felt and then moved to the opposite side and worked my way around to the corners last.
Step 2: I trimmed the excess felt and then covered the felt layer with the layer of fabric….
…….and stapled opposite edges ending with the corners.
Step 3: This is optional, but I applied a smooth paper backing to the bottom of the board….it helps the board to slide across surfaces easier when I am reaching for it. To adhere the paper you’ll need spray adhesive…..
…..and apply it to the back of the board:
I sprayed brown contractors paper with a layer of adhesive as well….then placed it on to the back of the board. These two layers will increase the adhesion (just like rubber cement works).
I used a razor blade to carefully trim the edges of the paper (be careful not to cut your fabric):
A smooth backing to the board….nothing to snag on fabric:
Finished tabletop ironing board that can be made in almost any size! Note: if you plan on doing lots of industrial-type ironing you might want to invest in ironing board cover fabric that can withstand excessive heat. It can be found at most large fabric stores.
The Square Top (A Tutorial)
Super easy summer top…..made from a simple square piece of knit fabric. This top definitely has its roots in my mathematics background. I kept trying to visualize how to make it work with minimal sewing and finally one day it just clicked. So here it is…..the Square Top. It’s a perfect project for a beginner!
Step 1: I cut a 30″ x 30″ square piece of knit fabric for Boo’s size (a solid 4T)…..I got that measurement by measuring from her shoulders to below her hip (15″). I folded it in half on the table and marked the center:
Step 2: I marked two 2.5″ semi circles on the fold about 3.5″ to the left and right of my center point for the arm holes (the 3.5″ measurement because I want the front and back piece to be about 7″ wide to cover her chest):
Step 3: I carefully cut out the semicircles:
Step 4: I cut the fold connecting the 2 circles…..creating the front and back edges of the top.
Step 5: I cut 3″ strips of fabric for the trim. Two pieces 32″ long for the ties and 2 pieces long enough to trim the front and back edges (about 8″ each):
Step 6: My least favorite thing to do is make bias tape….so I cheated a little here. I folded the trim pieces in half and sew the edges shut….
…….very close to the edge:
Step 7: I ironed the pieces flat so the sewn edge is in the center where the fold will be:
Step 8: I folded the front trim around the top edge of the top and stitched carefully so the needle caught both sides:
The trim was slightly longer than the top edge so I just trimmed off the edges. Same process for the back top edge.
Step 9: I started at the center of the arm holes and pinned the center of the longer trim in place…..and pinned along the rest of the exposed arm hole edge.
Step 10: Starting at one end of the folded trim, I sewed the trim shut and all the way around to attach it to the arm hole and back up the other end. I did this for both sides/arms.
Step 10: Lastly I trimmed the ties at an angle to make them look neater:
Updated: A few closeups of the finished top and straps:
Quick, easy, comfy and stylish.
Fun and billowy.
Long enough to be just a tunic with leggings.
