Bias Tape Napkin Rings {a tutorial}

I'm so excited I was able to fly out to PA and attend my future sister-in-law, Mckenzy's bridal shower this weekend! My big, little brother finally proposed to his girlfriend of two years this past spring. She is so sweet and adorable, and we're all so excited to make her a permanent part of our family! The wedding is in September and her shower is this weekend, so I've been busy planning what homemade goodies I'm going to make for her (and my brother too, I guess). :)

I used a couple tutorials to come up with these beautiful gifts using Michael Miller's Posh Paisley in Yellow: 4 cloth napkins, an oven mitt, and two pot holders. (The pot holders are presently at home in MI sitting unfinished in my craft studio. I waited till the last minute to finish them, and ended up not being able to because of my need for a walking foot for my machine- so those will be given at the wedding!)

cloth napkin with bias tape napkin ring

I learned alot of new sewing techniques with these projects. The first was learning more how to use my serger, sewing a rolled hem on all the napkin edges! Next, was my first experience with quilting on the pot holders and oven mitt. I loved how it turned out, and I really enjoyed it. But I really need to get a walking foot now. Thanks, Laura, for your patience with all my questions and frustrations!

After I made the napkins, I was really wishing that I had some cute napkin rings to go with them. With it being the weekend before our vacation (when they needed to be done by), and living in a small town without a vehicle, I had to use what I could find on hand, or not have napkin rings at all! What I ended up using was some matching double fold bias tape I had for the pot holders. It was so easy and I loved how they turned out! Here's a tutorial for how you can make them too!

Bias Tape Napkin Rings Tutorial

4 6" strips of double wide bias tape
fusible interfacing
matching thread
poms poms, rosettes, or another desired topper

Cut 4 thin peices of interfacing to fit inside each bias tape strip, and fuse them together.

Pin the edges of each peices together and edge stitch. For a uniform look, also edge stitch along the folded edge. (looking at my pictures, I just realized I didn't do this step! oops!)

Next, fold the ends of the strip together and overlap about 1" to form a loop. Pin and stitch in place. I sewed on two spots. Before you sew, you might want to be sure that the napkin ring will be right size for your napkins. While the bias tape strip is pinned in the loop, slide it over your desired napkin to be sure it is the size you want it!

Now, you're done with the basic part of your napkin ring. You can top it with whatever decorative item you would like! I made pom poms out of brown fabric that I had laying around. (Remember the Pom Pom Bib Necklaces we showed you for the Naptime Craft-Along? Visit that post here!)

Okay! Here's a basic tutorial for a pom pom. If you'd like a more detailed version, visit this post, because I don't have a whole lot of pictures.

How to make a Pom Pom

fabric

scissors

felt

glue gun

First, cut lots of circles out of your fabric. Also cut two circles out of the felt. (I use a template that is a 1 1/2 in circle.)

To make a pom pom, take one fabric circle and pinch it so the center is pointed out.

Put a dab of hot glue on the end and put it on the center of one of your felt circles. Repeat gluing the circles around the center circle peice, until the flower looks full.

It should look similar to this!

To attach the pom pom to your napkin ring, trim the excess felt and hot glue it at the part where you sewed the loop closed.

Take your second piece of felt and hot glue it to the bias tape and the felt underneath. I glued right on the bias tape and then on either side on the felt. Make sure it's good and secured.

Trim excess felt and you're DONE! :)

See, so easy and quick!

Slip them on your napkins, and they should look as gorgeous as this!!! I can't wait to give them to McKenzy! I know she'll love them! I'll definately be taking pictures, so maybe I'll have to share them with you soon!

I'd love it if you'd leave some feedback and let me know what you think of these- especially if you make some yourself!

New Mama*Style products in the shop + a GIVEAWAY!

***This giveaway is now closed!!! Winner will  be announced Saturday, 7/2. Thanks for playing, everybody!***

Okay, Moms (and any non-moms too!), we have some beautiful new products in the shop just for you! Forget about the kids stuff right now, we're so excited to show you the additions we've just made this week just for you to our Mama*Style line! 

 Even though we began sewing for our kids, we're enjoying more and more making beautiful things for ourselves! And we want to give you the chance to wear our handmade line for women as well! We brought you the flirty and fun Lucy Skirt in March for our birthday celebration, but now we have a few accessories to add! (read all the way to the bottom for a surprise!)

Turquoise Knot Necklace

I am so in love with this necklace! I want to make more in every girly fabric I own! If you're looking for a beautiful and fun new accessory to compliment your wardrobe, this approximately 30", knotted-style necklace is perfect! It features a gorgeous turquoise fabric with a floral pattern. With lots of fun colors, it's sure to look amazing with many different tops and dresses! We hope to bring many more fabric options to this necklace soon!

Wristlet Clutches

These beautiful wristlet clutches are perfect for every on-the-go mom! They have already been so popular as a custom item before they were even listed! I first created this little bag for myself as an alternative to carrying around a purse, in addition to a diaper bag. This has made nursery/childcare transition so much easier too! I just grab my wristlet from out of the diaper bag when I drop my son off- no more digging for my wallet, cell phone, keys, sunglasses, etc and no more carrying two bags! I never go anywhere without my wristlet anymore! It holds just about everything I need when I go out! (It currently holds my wallet, cell phone, checkbook, lipgloss, ipod, etc.) We have a variety of fabric choices, and an option to add a ruffle! :)

Pom Pom Elastic Headband {in fuchsia}

Remember the Pom Pom Bib Necklace for our first Naptime Craft-Along? Well this is a variation of that project! Since I got my short summer haircut, I've been looking for new things to do (and put in!) my hair! Headbands are the perfect accessory, especially for short hair! You can either go elegant and vintage, or fun and quirky! :) As with my pom pom necklaces (I now have many!), I love to wear this headband for a splash of color with a simple outfit of solid colors! But you could just as easily add it to bright, bold patterns- wouldn't it look stunning with a flowery summer dress!? Pom poms have become my new favorite accessory and I know you'll love them too, especially with all the compliments you'll get wearing them! :) And the best thing is, you can even order a matching version for your little girls!!!

And don't forget that all these accessories make amazing gifts for your moms, sisters, friends, etc! Believe me, every woman loves a beautifully unique, handmade accessory!

Okay, now check out all these fun new Mama*Style accesories in the shops!!!

http://www.theblueladybug.com/

http://www.theblueladybug.etsy.com/

Comment below on which new Mama*Style product you like best and be entered to win your choice of one of these three new products!!! 

For extra entries, (1) share this post on your facebook, (2) blog about our giveaway (post the link)

Giveaway open until Friday 11pm EST. Winner will be announced Saturday. US entries only.

{GOOD LUCK!}

Naptime Craft-Along {pom pom bib necklace}

Welcome to our very first Naptime Craft-Along!

{We gave you a sneak peak + a supplies list this past weekend, so that you could be ready!}

Does this mean if you don’t have kids or if your kids aren't napping you can't craft with us? No! (Our kids often refuse naps on afternoons we craft!) Naptime Craft-Along is our catchy little title for this new blog series we're starting… We simply want to give you permission to stop in the middle of your day to do something creative! We find, especially as moms, that being creative through a handmade craft is often stress-relieving and also gives you a sense of accomplishment because you actually have something to show for your time and hard work. (We know in parenting, that isn’t always the case!) Without further adieu, here’s what we have for you to make today! You’ll love it!

{Pom Pom Bib Necklace}

This is a very easy craft and requires NO sewing! (We know this will be great news for some of you.) It’s a beautiful, modern necklace that dresses up a simple shirt. Once you make one, you’ll want one in every color and one for all your favorite gals! I, Mary Beth, recently made one for my mom on her birthday. She LOVED it and has already received compliments! Of course, I had to make one for myself too. I already know what other colors I need next! We also will have a variation of the craft if you'd like to make a headband instead, or you could very easily adjust the instructions to make a brooch too!!

This tutorial is not original to us. In fact, we will show the pictures of the necklace we made, and then we’ll link you to the actual tutorial from Little Miss Momma. We want to give credit where credit is due! 

Okay, ladies! Get the kids in bed, grab a cup of coffee & turn on some fun music. It’s time to get your craft on… Head over to the Pom Pom Bib Necklace tutorial! (Make sure to post a pic on our Facebook page when you're done!)

Here's the supplies list again:

Felt {approx 1 sq foot}

Cotton fabric in the color of your choice

Fabric scissors

Necklace chain, pearls, etc.

Hot Glue gun 



A Handmade Christmas

I know Christmas was a week and a half ago, but we just celebrated Christmas with my husband's side of the family on New Years day.  I have anxiously been waiting to share with you what I created for everyone for Christmas. I couldn't post before the parties, since I know some of our family members read this blog.  Marybeth and I both committed to making handmade gifts for our family and friends this year.  A year ago, I would have chuckled at the suggestion of "making" gifts for everyone.  I wouldn't have had the foggiest idea of what to make anyone.  But the craft/sewing blogging community has so graciously shared their tips and tricks and instructions on how to make the coolest things.  I have a whole Favorites folder full things to make.   So here are my handmade Christmas gifts.

Most of the men on my list received this Hot/Cold Rice Bag.

This particular one was for my brother in law.  He's a sports fan!  The other men received a camouflage/fleece rice bag, since they're into hunting.  I found the tutorial for this amazing gift at Make It and Love It.

I'm thinking I need one of these for my shoulders, while I'm sewing. 

I made these rolled rosette napkin rings and napkins for sister in law.  

Their house has this charming, almost victorian feel to it.  They're refinishing a table that will add to that decor.  So when I saw this fabric, I knew it would be the perfect napkins for her new dining room. Did I mention that she LOVES blue.   I cut the napkins into 16" squares and used my serger to finish the edges with a beautiful rolled hem.  I found a great tutorial for the rolled rosettes on Little Birdie Secrets.

My other sister in law and sister both received this iPod Touch case.

I found a great tutorial for these here.  I may or may not have made one for myself too.  Wink wink.

I had alot of fun making the gift for my youngest sister in law, who is 4 years old.  

I made her a dolly diaper bag with a few cloth diapers and cloth wipes inside.

I found a great tute for the diapers, with a pattern here.  The wipes and wipes case here.  The diaper bag is my own design.  I used the super cute fabric from our "Let's Go to the Zoo" pillowcase dress.

I made my nephew a car caddy from the ever popular Homemade by Jill.  I love her 'boy' ideas.

This photo is actually of the one I made for my son this past summer.  He absolutely LOVES his car caddy.  It has been a lifesaver waiting at the doctors office or in a restaurant.  I try to keep it in the diaper bag, but he often pulls it out to play with it at home too.

I used a combination of Jill's tutorial and this tutorial here, for the inspiration for the inside of Cameron's car caddy.

He loves filling up the cars with gas at the gas station and driving them through the car wash.

Then I decided to make my mother in law this hot pad and oven mitt.

It was TONS of fun making these.  Although my husband may say her heard different, since I did do a lot of muttering under my breath while putting these together.  It was my first experience using batting, doing some quilting with my walking foot (which is amazing by the way), and using bias tape in this fashion.  I can't wait to make my self a set now.   The oven mitt tutorial was at Skip to My Lou and the hot pad was at Prudent Baby with a cute new variation just posted here today.  Can't wait to try that one.

Overall, I had a blast making Christmas gifts for everyone.  I hope some of these ideas and links to the great blogs help inspire you to create handmade gifts for birthdays, appreciation gifts, or maybe even Christmas next year.