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Wagon Cover Tutorial

August 7, 2009 by Ashley Hackshaw

We love our classic red metal Radio Flyer wagon….but it gets SO hot in the summer and TOO cold in the winter. I made an easy reversible cover for it (the cover is much cuter than the old towels we were using for a while….and I needed to finally use this fabric for something).

You’ll have to measure your own wagon since they come in so many sizes, but I use my own measurements in this example:

Wagon Cover Tutorial step 1 via lilblueboo.com

Step 1: My wagon measures 36 inches long, 18 inches wide and 5 inches in height. Based on these measurements, I cut two large squares of coordinating fabric with the following dimensions: 51″ x 33″

X = length of wagon + (3 x height of wagon) = 36″ + (3 x 5″) = 51″

Y = width of wagon + 3 x height of wagon) = 18″ + (3 x 5″) = 33″

Wagon Cover Tutorial step 2 via lilblueboo.com

Step 2: I pinned the two pieces right sides together.

Wagon Cover Tutorial step 3 via lilblueboo.com

Optional step: If you want to round your corners to match your wagon shape, fold your pinned fabric in half and then in half the other way and cut all four corners slightly rounded so they match. Notch the edges to reduce bulk when it is turned right side out.

Wagon Cover Tutorial step 4 via lilblueboo.com

Step 3: Then I sewed all the way around the edges using a 1/2 inch seam. I stopped 4 inches from my starting point to leave a hole to turn the cover right side out. (Note: I drew a line all the way around using a disappearing ink pen to give me a line to follow…..I’m an impatient sewer so it lets me go fast!).

Wagon Cover Tutorial step 5 via lilblueboo.com

Step 4: Turn your cover right side out and iron all of the edges.

Wagon Cover Tutorial step 6 via lilblueboo.com

Step 5: Set your sewing machine to about a 6 or 7 stitch length and top stitch your cover 1″ from the edge ALL the way around. I draw this line with the disappearing ink pen as well. It just helps me keep all my lines REALLY straight.

Wagon Cover Tutorial step 7 via lilblueboo.com

Step 6: Measure the circumference of your wagon bed and multiply by 2/3. This is the length of 3mm elastic or elastic cord you will thread through the casing you just created.

For example: My elastic measurement was: 2 (Length + Height) x (2/3) = 2 x 54 x (2/3) = 72″

Wagon Cover Tutorial step 8 via lilblueboo.com

Step 7: Sew the elastic ends together when you get it pulled all the way through.

Wagon Cover Tutorial step 9 via lilblueboo.com

Step 8: Then top stitch your opening closed!

Wagon Cover Tutorial step 10 via lilblueboo.com

And you are done! If you want it a little more padded you can add a layer of cotton batting in between your two layers. The best part is that it is reversible too! When one side gets a little dingy I just reverse it.

Wagon Cover Tutorial finished via lilblueboo.com

It is kind of like a big fabric wagon shower cap!

Radio Flyer….are you listening? I’ve just invented your newest accessory.

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OCD, my Coke Rewards, and I am SOOO NOT perfect…..

August 6, 2009 by Ashley Hackshaw

For example, today I was working on the cutest project and THEN I found an ant crawling around….THEN I found some juice spots on the floor…..THEN I remembered I missed my workout this morning to take the dog to the vet. So time stopped, I couldn’t function anymore. So for the last two hours I have been mopping, putting everything in its place, labeling some stuff that needed labeling, cleaning toilets and I won’t be able to get back to normal until the house is spotless and perfect, I am showered, finally eat some lunch and then my daughter will wake up from her nap. So….my cute little project tutorial that I was going to post will have to wait. (By the way, if you don’t have a Magnet mop, you are missing out….I actually enjoy mopping.)

OCD, my Coke Rewards, and I am SOOO NOT perfect via lilblueboo.com

I thought I’d share this so I don’t give a false impression. Yes, I get a ton accomplished during the day, but some of it is out of necessity to keep my life in order. I have some attention issues and I have very obsessive tendencies. It drives people nuts when I am adjusting the volume on the TV and I can’t stop until it is on an even number or on a multiple of 5. Mathematics and numbers rule many parts of my life. I clip coupons and sometimes spend 2 hours at the grocery store making sure I get every discount I can….then I keep a spreadsheet and do analysis on it. Then other days I won’t even think about coupons. AND…..when I mop the floor, I mop in a precise pattern of “quadrants” 😉

But every so often I’ll amaze myself with the details. I started collecting my coke rewards a few months back. So here is my question, which is worse:

that I have enough magazine subscriptions to supply a doctor’s office

that I drink enough diet coke to renew all of these magazine subscriptions with Coke rewards?

Hand-Sewn Ribbon-Top Curtain Tutorial (and using ribbon to pull a room together))

August 4, 2009 by Ashley Hackshaw

These are as easy as curtains get. I used ribbon to hang simple square curtains and then used the same ribbon throughout my daughter’s room to tie everything together (no, Sienna does not have a mural yet). I’ve also used this ribbon technique for shower curtains. Sienna doesn’t have an overhead light in her room, so I made her curtains so light would show through. In this tutorial I also include an option for adding a liner or blackout fabric.

Hand-Sewn Ribbon-Top Curtain Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

Here are some curtains in Sienna’s room, the lighting makes it hard to get a good photo.

Hand-Sewn Ribbon-Top Curtain Tutorial 2 via lilblueboo.com

Materials needed:

Fabric

Fabric lining or blackout layer (optional)

Coordinating thread and sewing needle

Ribbon

1/2 inch plastic drapery rings

Quilter’s beeswax (optional)

Fray Check

If you’ve never made curtains or drapes before, here is any easy tutorial I put together for the main curtain piece, I made it a download so you can print it off easily. You will need to create this piece/pieces first.

Main Curtain Piece Tutorial

I like to hand stitch the sides of the curtains with a slipstitch like I show in the download. For me, the slip stitch looks nice and I think it is relaxing to do in front of the TV while I am catching up on my taped reality shows! Make sure to have some quilters beeswax (I use Dritz) on hand to run your thread through or you will be cursing the thread as it tangles!

Hand-Sewn Ribbon-Top Curtain Tutorial main curtain via lilblueboo.com

Once you have your main curtain pieces finished, sew 1/2 inch plastic drapery rings (you can find them in the drapery section of your fabric store) onto the main curtain piece about 1 inch down from the top edge. Space the rings out about 6 to 8 inches apart making sure that you have one ring at each corner.

Hand-Sewn Ribbon-Top Curtain Tutorial plastic rings via lilblueboo.com

Next for each plastic ring, you will need 30″ of ribbon. I like to use the kind with wire in it so I can shape the finished bow. Thread your ribbon through each loop like shown below: