Liberty Lifestyle Coin Purse

One of my favorite fabric collections is Liberty Lifestyle. I made a top using this fabric, and as usual, I couldn't bear to throw away any of the scraps. What better project than a coin purse?

Grab a purse frame and head over to Whimseybox for the how-to, including making a coin-purse template for any size frame.

Simplicity 2444: Sewing with Slippery Fabric

I admit that when I first saw Simplicity 2444, I was seriously turned off by the gigantic bow and the cape collar. But as with any other pattern, you have to look past the packaging and check out the elements of the dress. And I'm so glad I did!

From now on, I'm referring to this dress as my Cinderella dress. The dress turned out a bit fancier that I intended, and I felt like I was going to a ball when I put it on. Definitely a good twirling dress.

Will It Go Round in Circles: Spinning Yarn

Last Saturday, Haywood Community College hosted a free community craft day to preview some of their classes in continuing education. The free classes ranged from making bracelets to quilting a pillow, but I decided to choose something entirely different that I'd never tried before. Fiber spinning!

I walked out of the class with a two-ply and single-ply yarn spun from Romney wool. (Nothing to do with Mitt Romney, though I do hear his home state is a great place to raise sheep.)

Fiber spinning isn't the most accessible craft to try, especially since the wheels can cost around $600. And let me tell ya, spinning is difficult. The class lasted about 3 hours and by the end of it, I was just starting to get in a rhythm. (My finished yarn was far from perfect, as you can see.)

As a knitter, crocheter, and yarn hoarder, it was nice to see the work that goes into spinning by hand. I also got a better understanding of plies, fibers, and all the technicalities of yarn.

I don't think it would benefit me, financially or otherwise, to buy a wheel and spin my own yarn, which makes me wonder: why do spinners choose to spin?

Kids' Sunprint Tees the Cheater's Way

I always wanted to test out sunprint fabric, but the kits can be expensive so I never tried it. Instead, I used fabric spray paint to make these t-shirts -- kind of a cheater's way of creating a sunprint look.

Head over to Grandparents.com to see the how-to. Get ready to forage in your own yard!

Flowers and Butterflies Clutch

Do you read Mollie Makes? It's one of my absolute favorite craft magazines. The most recent issue had this amazing clutch project in it, so I whipped one up!

How to Reupholster Dining Room Chairs

Check out Whimseybox today for my how-to on how to reupholster yucky dining room chairs. I took my second-hand dining set from puke-yellow to fun flowers.

No crazy carpentry skills are required. (Trust me. That birdhouse I built in 11th grade is proof that I can't even use a hammer and nails.) Just make a run to the craft store for a few extra upholstery supplies and start stapling!