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Rhinestone Portable Speakers
Add comment November 18, 2008
DIY Swarovski Rhinestone Table Setting
By Eleah
This week I embellished a segment of a table setting to show what a little bling might do to your dinner table. I used size 12 and 16 rhinestones in Light Peach, Crystal, and Palace Green Opal. For 1 fork, 1 knife, 1 napkin ring and 1 small candle holder it took about 7 packs of rhinestones in various sizes and colors. The amount and size you need to do this for your own setting will depend on the amount of silver wear and other table accessories you plan to embellish.
Supplies:
- Rhinestones
- Table settings + dressings
- Wooden stick, wax and Gem-Tac glue and plastic syringe (or a Rhinestone starter kit)
Directions:
- Come up with a basic pattern of which you would like on your settings. I suggest keeping it simple since there is not much surface to cover on something as small as a fork. It is also a good idea to lay your rhinestones out unglued to make sure they will fit properly across the surface.
- Once your pattern is decided set the rhinestones to the side, flat side down for easier pick-up. Pinch off a pea sized piece of wax and stick in onto the end of your wooden stick.
- Apply glue with your syringe in a small section (start on the straightest edge for best results) Pick up one rhinestone at a time by lightly touching the wax end of the wooden stick to the top of the stone. Place the stone onto the desired glue covered area. The glue should pull the rhinestone from the wax but sometime a little nudge with your finger is helpful. Continue this process until you have completed your design and repeat on the rest of your table settings. The glue dry within a half hour of application but I suggest letting it sit a full 24 hours before actually using it.
- Don’t run your project through the dishwasher since the jets could possibly disrupt your design by loosening the stones.
*Remember, this project does not have to apply only to table settings. Rhinestones can be added to a variety of home decorations. *
1 comment November 5, 2008
Halloween Ribbon Candy Basket
By Eleah
This week I threw together a cute little basket for handing out Halloween candy. The supplies are simple and it only takes a few minutes to make.
Supplies:
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2 yards of 63mm “Wired Night Out” wire edge ribbon
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1 ½ yards of 3/8 inch grosgrain polka dot ribbon in black.
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basket (mine was 10″ in diameter and made of woven wood)
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Fabric large enough to line the inside of the basket + visibly hang over the edge
Directions:
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Spray a couple coats of polyurethane on all surfaces of the basket. Let dry for 15-30 minutes between coats. This step is optional, I just like the way it glosses the surface of a wooden basket.
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Line the basket with fabric. Keep raw edges exposed or fold under and seam with craft glue. No need to bother hemming with the machine since this is really just a seasonal project.
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Tie your piece of wire edge Halloween print ribbon in a bow + glue to the back center of the rim of the basket (onto the fabric of course). Shape the arms + loops of the bow as desired.
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Cut the polka dot grosgrain ribbon into 8 inch segments and tie all of them into bows. Along the remaining blank fabric covered rib of the basket, glue each bow using the sobo craft glue.
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Fill with candy and you’re done.
1 comment October 7, 2008
Velvet Ribbon Striped Pillow
By Eleah
This week I wanted to make an accent pillow with stripes but didn’t have any striped material on hand. What better solution than to make my own stripes! With the cool weather rolling in, I wanted it to be extra soft. I selected some leftover high-pile apoulstery fabric for the body of the pillow. For the stripes I used 22mm velvet ribbon that complimented the color of the fabric. Since I used two different fabrics for each side, I wanted something to break between them with out clashing with the ribbon so I picked out velvet cordedge in a neutral color so the stripes would not disappear.
Materials:
- Two 13×13 inch squares of fabric
- 51 inches of 22mm (style# 00856) cordedge
- 3 ¼ yards of 22mm velvet ribbon in 1 color, or 1.6 yards of 2 different colors.
- Sewing Machine, needle, thread to match ribbon
- Stuffing
Instructions:
- Pin down ribbon evenly spaced on 1 of your 13×13” squares of fabric
- Remove pins as you hem down the ribbon. Try to keep the stitch as close to the edge of the ribbon so as not to interrupt the pile of the velvet.
- Refer to one of my earlier blogs for instructions on the rest of the pillow. Begin with step 8 from my textile transformation blog. FYI-you will probably want to pin the cordedge to the side of the fabric that has the ribbon sewn to it. Since that will be the front, you will want more control of a perfect hem.
- And you’re done!
1 comment September 23, 2008
Beaded Sequin Fringe Table Cloth
By Eleah
Table looking a little drab? Fancy it up with a tablecloth! This week I wanted to spruce up a little a night stand with a tablecloth and fringe. It’s a quick project and requires no sewing!
Supplies:
- Measure the surface of the table you would like to cover and add 5 inches to the length and width. So…if your table surface is 35″ x 30″ then you would need a piece of fabric that is 40″ x 35″. HINT: most fabric stores sell fabric that is between 44″ to 54″ wide, so for a small table you might only need 1 yard (FYI: 36″ in a yard) I picked medium weight cotton in mint green to match the ball fringe from my lampshade project.
- Add the width and the length of your fabric measurement and multiply that number by two. Add a couple inches for good measure (Pun fully intended) and now you have the measurement for your fringe. I decided on 4.25″ Beaded Bone Sequin Fringe in black…. mostly because in combination with the mint green fabric, it reminds me of mind chocolate chip ice cream and that is my favorite.
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Unique Stitch Glue
Making The Table Cloth:
- Once you have cut out the fabric, all you have left to do is glue the fringe to the edge. No need to hem it since the glue will prevent any fraying. You can sew this project if you like, but today I was feeling especially lethargic and sometimes there is nothing wrong with cutting corners.
- Apply glue to the backside of the ribbon that the fringe hangs from. I would suggest adding it in about 5 inch sections at a time to ensure a straight application. Press the glued-up side of the ribbon to the edge of your fabric. Remember to let the dangly part of the fringe point away from the fabric.
- When you get to the end fold over a piece of the ribbon and secure the fold with some fabric glue. Pinch it together for a moment until the glue begins to dry. Let this finished end overlap slightly over the raw edge of where you started. Cut off access fringe.
- You’re done!
Add comment September 12, 2008
Fancy Fringe Pillow
By Eleah
This week I designed a little decorative pillow. I am going to leave the measurements open, so you can make a custom pillow in a size that best suits your room. I wanted something neutral with a touch of femininity. I chose a textured brown and cream-colored fabric for the body of the pillow and ribbon fringe in sand for the trim. The ribbon fringe has a criss-cross pattern that leads to a shower of thin ribbons in various shades from the same color family. It’s the perfect little accent for a room that needs something soft and inviting.
Supplies:
- Fabric: Decide on the dimensions you want your pillow to be and add ½ inch for seam allowance. Cut out two pieces of fabric in said measurements.
- Ribbon Fringe: measure the perimeter of one of the pieces of fabric you have cut out for the body of the pillow and add about 4 inches for good measure. No pun intended.
- Scissors
- Sewing machine + thread
- Stuffing
- Straight pins
Making the Pillow:
- Pin the two identical pieces of fabric together using straight pins with the right side facing in.
- Sew the two pieces of fabric together with a half-inch seam allowance. Remember to remove the straight pins as you go…if your needle hits one it could break. Leave about 5 inches unhemmed. You will need this to turn the pillow right side out and to insert the stuffing.
- Turn the pillow inside out (see I told you not to hem the whole way around! Now look at what you’ve done!)
- Fold over one end of the Ribbon Fringe about ½ inch and quickly hand stitch the fold in place. Lay the fringe along the parameter of one side of the pillow and begin to hand sew it in place. The only part you should be securing down to the fabric is the gimp trim. The criss-cross and loose ribbons should hang free from the pillows surface. The more time you put into securing the trim, the longer it will last without need for repair. When you come around to where you started, cut off all but 1 inch of extra fringe. Fold that end and hand stitch it in place and up against or even slightly overlapping the beginning.
- You’re done!
Add comment August 26, 2008
Eco-Friendly Jute Carafe and Glass Set
By Eleah
An easy way to add an element of green to your table is to create a covering made from a natural fiber cord such as jute or hemp. As mentioned in Milton’s Earth Friendly Jute Belt blog, Jute is 100% biodegradable and requires little to no chemicals for production.
I picked up a cute little set of 4 juice glasses and a matching carafe at a local second hand shop. If you want your set to be eco friendly try your second hand shops, stuff you already have or look into sets made of recycled glass (an ever-growing industry).
Supplies:
- Carafe/Pitcher + glasses
- Scissors
- Glue gun + glue sticks
- 8mm Jute Cord (00650-JUTE) (5 ½ yards for the carafe, 1 yard/glass)
Directions:
- Glue one end of the 5-½ piece of cord to the base of the Carafe. Leave a little bit of the end unglued so that you can later point it upward and wrap the cord over it as you secure it around the circumference of the Carafe. I also started mine slightly above the actual bottom of the carafe so that it does not touch the table surface. This is optional.
- Continue to lay down about 3 inches of glue in the desired path of the cord. Keep snaking it around until you get to the end. You should be able to pull up part of the glued down cord with the end of a pair of scissors and tuck the raw end of the cord into it so that it is hidden.
- Repeat the same steps with the glasses.
- You’re done! Now you have the perfect set to serve wine or water in to your guests!
Add comment August 6, 2008
Lace Sheet Trim
By Eleah
Got boring sheets? Tired of plain old cotton sheets? Me too. But there is a solution to mundane nights. Ladies and gentlemen…lace never dies. Trimming your bed-sheets with lace does not have to mean transforming your sleeping quarters to grandma’s doily collection. Lace comes in so many different patterns and designs that it’s easy to select one that suits your style. *Machine sewing parts of this project are recommended for a more professional finish. *
Supplies:
- Good old fashion elbow grease because you may be hand-sewing parts of this project.
- Iron + Ironing board
- Sheet set + 2 pillowcases
- Four yards of lace for a full or queen sheet set and 2 pillowcases -OR- five yards of lace for a king sheet set + two pillow cases. I chose the 88mm Cotton Eyelet Lace. Style #38903 for my sheets. If you are looking for a something a little less soft than regular lace, you should try metallic lace for a more modern look.
- Needle and thread to match the lace
- Sewing Machine
- Scissors
Directions:
- Preshrink your sheets if they are new
- Preshrink your lace if it is 100% cotton on the gentle cycle and I recommend putting it in a lingerie garment bag or tied pillow case to protect it. No need to preshrink if it is a cotton blend.
- Iron sheets + pillowcases
- Cut two 41″ pieces of lace for the pillowcases. The rest will be for the top sheet.
- Fold one piece of lace in half, right side in and hem the two ends together with a ½ inch seam allowance. Repeat with second pillow case piece. Press open seams with iron.
- Pin lace loops right side out onto the pillowcases so the top lines up with the hem on the cases. Machine-sew the top edge of the lace to the pillowcase. Remember to backstitch! Hand sew all other parts of the lace down the pillow cases…the need for this step can be omitted if the lace you choose looks better free-flowing.
- Lay the remaining piece of lace across the top hem of the flat sheet. Fold ½” at each end of the lace around the back of the sheet + press + hem.
- Machine hem the top edge of the lace across the width of the sheet. Hand-sew the rest as needed.
- Make your bed, turn on some tunes and take a nap. You deserve it.
Add comment July 23, 2008
Tips & Tricks (Sewing a straight line)
By Eleah
Need help guiding your fabric to keep your stitch straight? Try wrapping a rubber band around the end of your sewing machine and use it as a guide to keep things straight. Don’t forget to check back often as I will add more tips and tricks.
Add comment July 22, 2008
Lightweight Ribbon Tieback
By Eleah
Now that it’s warm out I like to keep the windows open at home. I made some curtains for my bathroom and wanted a way to tie them back to let the fresh air in. Most home décor curtain tiebacks are made from very heavy material that just don’t suit the curtains. Organdy ribbon is lightweight and the perfect replacement for lightweight fabric.
Supplies:
These are only suggestions. You may also want to experiment with buckles, buttons, tassels, lace or cord depending on the fabric and room you are working with.
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3 yards 38mm Imported Organdy Ribbon
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2.5 yards 10mm Imported Organdy Ribbon
(Pick colors that compliment your curtains or something else in the room that needs to be tied in color-wise.)
Making The Tiebacks
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Cut both pieces of ribbon in half. Cut all 8 ends of your 4 pieces of ribbon at an angle for a more finished look.
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Tie a piece of 38mm ribbon in a knot around the gathered curtain
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Tie a piece of 10mm ribbon over the 38mm in a knot
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Make a bow with both pieces of tied on ribbon.
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Repeat on second window and you are done!
1 comment July 9, 2008
