sewtakeahike

diy swiffer pad

 

 

I'm probably late to the game here since I *just* got a swiffer in November, but I thought I'd go ahead and post this anyways since I got so very excited when I realized today I could make my own swiffer pads out of some scraps of vintage sheets and chenille. And instead of throwing them in the trash like the disposable ones you can buy, I can throw them in the laundry! That seriously makes me happy!

 

I've seen crochet versions of these around the internet that are super cute, but I really didn't want to spend the time to crochet one. So if you're on the same wavelength as me, come on and make your own! It's really easy and it's easy on our landfills.

 

Step 1:

 

 

Cut a piece of old sheeting and chenille to the sizes indicated in the photo.

 

Step 2:

 

 

Center the chenille back to the right side of the sheet and pin.

 

Step 3:

 

 

Zig-zag stitch aroud all edges of the chenille.

 

And that's it! The sheeting won't fray (and vintage poly blend sheeting is perfect for this because it's usually sorta thin and will fit in those little pad grabbers on the top of the swiffer nicely), and now you can use your swiffer pad wet or dry, and reuse it after washing. Isn't that exciting?

 

 

 

Happy homemaking!

~Penny

spicing up the kitchen, with bags

 

After seeing that my friend Amy had joined the spicing up the kitchen swapon flickr, I was compelled to join too.  What if, just what if, she ended up being my partner?  I'd be thrilled!  Since it's a secret swap, I can't tell you if she is my partner or visa versa, but that will all be revealed in time.

What I can share for now is what I've made for my {very secret} partner:

 

A couple of reuse-able produce bags and a couple of my "wrap it up" shopping bags. 

The wrap it up bag is from a couple years ago and it's such a handy bag!

I'm finally thinking of making a pfd pattern for it!

 

~Penny

 

zipper reduction

I'm such a junker at heart.  I think it must have been imparted to me when I was growing up.  I dreaded driving anywhere with my dad in the summer because those trips that should have taken 20 minutes, always ended up taking 2 hours with all the detours to follow garage sale signs around town.

Now, I'm often just.like.him.

One thing I usually see in abundance while junking/thrifting are zippers.  And I snatch them up.  You can't beat the price at 5 or 10 cents each, and most of the time they are new, still in the package.

And yes, they're usually odd lengths like this 22 incher.   And that's perfectly fine with me since I can always cut it down to the size I need.

Here's how.

I have a project that needs an 8 inch zipper. 

Zippers are measured from the top of the zipper pull when the zipper is closed, down to the little metal stopper at the end when the zipper is open.

I measured from the top of the zipper pull, down to eight inches, marked the zipper, and then used the bartack stitch on my sewing machine (see the blue, highlighted stitch #25?)

to tack the zipper on my marking.  Then using a pair of craft scissors (not your good sewing scissors), cut the zipper about 1 inch below your new zipper stop.  Don't be timid, this will work even if the zipper teeth are metal.

There it is, the perfect zipper color and size for my project.

Happy Wednesday to you!

~Penny

Wednesday giveaway

Just to say thank-you to each and every one of you that take the time to visit me at sewtakeahike.  I appreciate you!

The roses were sewn on with this tutorial.  The back is envelope style and you provide your own pillow form.

Just leave a comment, one entry per person (and please make sure you leave a valid email address in the appropriate space or you forfeit your entry.  ok, I'll quit hinting around :), I'm talking to those of you that sign in with typepad, and in your profile, have chosen not to leave an email address). I'll choose a winner this weekend sometime.

Happy Wednesday to you all!

~Penny

all buttoned-up frosty

The office Christmas party is tomorrow.

We're having an ornament exchange.

Frosty, (the link will take you to the how-to) melting from the tears he was shedding, begged me to be "the one".

I couldn't stand to see him sitting there in a puddle.

I'm obliging him.

Have a great weekend wherever you are!  ~Penny

p.s.  go check out Amy's Friday sew & tell!