tutorial Archives - Page 34 of 61 - Ashley Hackshaw / Lil Blue Boo

Fabric Covered Buttons (A Tutorial)

July 6, 2011 by Ashley Hackshaw

I love fabric covered buttons. There are so many unique uses for them as you’ll see in our project roundup at the bottom of this tutorial.

To make the buttons you’ll need a metal button kit which comes in many sizes and can be found in most sewing stores:

Optional Step: Personally, I like to paint my buttons with an acid free primer first so that the metal doesn’t reflect light from under the fabric once they are made:

Step 1: Cut a fabric circle slightly bigger than the button you are making:

Step 2: Carefully push the fabric around the edges of the button and under the metal prongs that will keep the fabric in place:

You can use a point from a seam ripper to carefully grab stubborn, small areas and force them under the prongs:

Continue until all the fabric has been pushed under the prongs.

Step 3: Place the metal backing onto the back of the button……

…..and use a spool of thread to push it down into place:

A finished button! I love using novelty fabric such as the folk art print below:

Just a few button crafts we found around the web!

1. Button Hair Clips from Better Homes & Garden

2. Button Wreath from CountryHome

3. Fabric Button Earrings from Sada Lewis

4. Fabric Button Necklaces from Very Purple Person

5. Fabric Button Brooches from Sania Pell

6. Button Necklace from FiskarsCrafts

7. Pointed Flower Tutorial from Creation Corner

8. Covered Button Ties from Martha Stewart

9. Covered Button Blossoms from Martha Stewart

10. Covered Button Bookmarks from My Three Sons

This post is part of a new ongoing series:

Vinyl Tablecloth Roll-up Diaper Changer (A Tutorial and Download)

July 5, 2011 by Ashley Hackshaw

It’s a baby boom in the Lil Blue Boo family. I have two brand new nieces…..one is only a week old. And of course there’s the recent announcement Boo helped me make. I love round diaper changing pads and wanted to make a few for gifts. I’d been stocking up on these pretty vinyl tablecloths from Marshall’s and TJ Maxx because they were all under $5. I had a few projects in mind for them and this was one of them.

A diaper changer pad in action:

I love the variety of color and how easy they are to make. The most tedious part is making the bias tape……but you could always use store bought trim and you could whip one of these out in 30 minutes.

[Read more…]

A Tabletop Ironing Board (A Tutorial)

July 1, 2011 by Ashley Hackshaw

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.