Take Four placemats - sewing

 

Difficulty level? A bit more advanced than beginner 

Equipment needed: Sewing machine, good fabric scissors and a good method for accurately measuring fabric before cutting.

Time spent - about three hours

Materials used (affiliate links included)

* fat quarter - seasonal fabric

* low loft batting - cut four pieces to size

LESSON LEARNED: I bought crib sized batting because I was just starting to learn to sew and wasn't sure how much I would need. If I were to get into this more - I would probably invest in larger sections of batting to save money

* 1/2 binding

LESSON LEARNED: I didn't buy enough binding for my first go at this, it was cheaper to buy in bulk

LESSON LEARNED: that said, attaching binding is probably the hardest part of this project. I saw several tools and methods for making your own binding that's far cheaper, but my skills just aren't there yet. 

PATTERN USED from Nora Springs - "Take Four"

Notes: 

Pattern was super easy to understand. But being my first sewing project EVER - I struggled to learn how to square everything up. Between that and adding the binding, it made it a bit more challenging than probably I should have tried for my first project. That said, they're definitely usable and something I'll make again. Maybe after a little more practice, though.

Could you make money???

Maybe - if you've got the skill and talent to also make matching table runners and more than a set of four? If you could find the right upscale market or store - yes. Otherwise, probably not. Not unless you can make them a lot faster than these.

I easily spent over $30 for my binding, fabric and batting. If I were to try to make back my 3 hours of work at $15/hour - that would be an investment of $75 for a set of four placemats. I don't see people interested in buying placemats for that amount.

You could save money on supplies by buying lining fabric by the yard/on sale/or otherwise in bulk and buying zippers in bulk. Batting could be replaced with other inexpensive fabric. 

That said, if you could make a set of 6-8 placemats and a matching table runner with a little simpler pattern in two hours? And spend less to make it? I could see them in an upscale shop for $60-70. If you had other things to sell, maybe 

Doing multiples won't really save enough time as you can get confused as to which fabric to seam to which.

But they do make nice gifts, very nice gifts and there are definitely people who would appreciate your handiwork... but I don't think it would be something that would be easy to turn into a profit making enterprise. 

Modpodge project - coasters

 Simple, but cute coasters

No painting skill necessary (well, ok, some painting - but no real skill) - like seriously simple project.

Skills needed/learned with tutorial below - ironing, basic painting, using a spray can - seriously

Difficulty level? Beginner - absolutely beginner, child-friendly for about half of the project.

I started making coasters a year ago and have gotten seriously addicted to making them. They are so simple and easy and fun to make. 

Equipment needed: a printer (if printing), Iron, sponge paint brush, parchment paper and something to protect your work surface (painter tarp would probably be ideal - I just use old cardboard)

Time spent - maybe 20 minutes top per set completed - you can complete multiple sets in that time. However, there is a lot of 'drying' or 'curing' time where you need to let the project sit somewhere between steps.

Materials used (affiliate links included)

* 4" wood tiles 

LESSON LEARNED - 2" tiles is just a little too small. 

Substitution allowed - I have also used 4" tiles (like for tiling a shower wall). If you can get access to them inexpensively - go for it. Though they do come out a little heavier.

* 4" corkboard, self adhesive 

not needed if using an actual tile. I use them to 'bulk' up the wood tiles I've been using lately - best part is they hide mistakes if I get too much glue on any one tile, or if I pull up some of the cardboard I used to paint on - easily hide mistakes. 

* Paper napkins OR fabric OR simple copy paper with images printed out from the internet (do not use licensed or copywritten images if you plan on selling them. Search facebook for mod podge napkins to find sellers that will part with just a couple of napkins per pattern. Most resellers are pricing them around $.75 per napkin which can be enough for four coasters. 

LESSON LEARNED - size of motif and napkin matter. Some napkins are just too big for a coaster

LESSON LEARNED - most paper napkins have multiple layers (think 2-ply, though some have 3). ONLY use the top layer. Otherwise the bottom layers will stick and tear and the top layer will peal off... and it creates a mess. Fortunately, as long as it hasn't gotten sealed yet, you can pretty much sand/wash everything off and start over, but you may not be able to recover the napkin and have to use another piece.

* Aerosol Hairspray - used to 'fix' the images if printed using an inkjet printer; any brand works; and very little used

* White spray paint or acrylic paint - enough to coat the tiles in two light coats 

* Mod podge - enough to coat the tiles in two light coats

LESSON LEARNED: if you get addicted, buy the bulk bottles

SECOND LESSON LEARNED: Mod podge comes in a spray - does NOT work well for this type of project

* Engine, high heat sealant - enough to coat the tiles in two light coats 

LESSON LEARNED: This stinks to no end. Harsh chemical smell. There are other alternatives, however, most of the other options are much more expensive. I've done about 3 dozen coasters and still have half a can left. But you have to do it in an area where you don't fumigate yourself.

* Glue stick 

LESSON LEARNED - edges of coasters look nicer if there is a little bit of 'wrapping' around the edges of the tile - see steps 4 & 8 below.

TUTORIAL:

1. If you are printing your images, you need to spray the paper lightly with hairspray and allow to dry. Otherwise when you go to apply your image the ink will run. Only needed for printed images. Napkins and fabrics do not need this step.

2. Paint two light coats of white on the tiles (even if they are white). Allow the paint to dry thoroughly between coats and after second coat.

3. Using a brush, apply two light coats of mod podge on the tiles and allow it to dry thoroughly between coats and after second coat. Yes, seriously, no image yet, just two coats of mod podge you allow to dry.

LESSON LEARNED mod podge will ruin the brush if not really thoroughly rinsed. Up to the individual if you would rather spend the time  rinsing them or buying CHEAP brushes and tossing them out every few projects.

4. Position the fabric, napkin or image over the coaster in the exact location you want it to be on - if you want to trim it down, leave a quarter inch or more on all four sides. ONLY use the top layer of paper napkins

5. Create your stack - tile, image, and parchment paper on top (protects your iron)

6. Set hot iron on top of the parchment paper for ten seconds (don't MOVE iron, this can cause image shifting). Make sure to hit all edges well. Once each tile is cool enough you can test to make sure that the item is fully secured to the tile. The hot iron is going to melt your layers of modpodge which will fix your image to your tile.

7. Once cool, if you have excess fabric or paper, cut the corners off before gluing excess paper to the back side of the tile

8. Spray two light coats of high heat engine spray over coasters in a well ventilated area. Allow it to dry between coats AND allow 30 days for the sealant to cure before using coasters. This will protect the coasters from moisture AS WELL AS heat. If you don't use a heat-proof sealant any hot beverage on the coasters will cause the mod podge to melt again.

9. Apply the cork backing to hide the back of the tile (if you are using one)

 I'm sure you could get a thin cork sheet for cheaper and glue it on, but buying it to the right size and having the adhesive already in place makes this step take about ten seconds - so that's what I've been doing.

Could you make money???

Probably - while mod podge allows for great creations and allows you to get a quality result with little effort - more and more crafters are learning about how easy it is and not everyone will be ready to pay for it. So, it depends on if there are a lot of your customers aware of the ease of making them.

For the coasters I have made, I have only spent about $3.50 per set of four. In 20 minutes (and a month + several days) drying/curing time - I can easily make 3 sets of coasters. I'm sure you could probably make 10 sets of coasters in an hour if so inclined.

You could save money buy buying things in bulk - the glue, the sponge brushes, the tiles, etc. Tiles could be found at surplus stores. Technically you could even cut your own wooden tiles from thin sheets, but then you also have to sand and the time it would take might not be worth the savings.

Giving yourself a base rate of $15/hour and buying in bulk, you could easily make 10 sets of coasters for $3 each. Even if you were to sell them for $6/set you would be able to make a good profit and some sets could sell for as much as $10/set.

Creativity is really your best bet for finding buyers. I like to make seasonal coasters or ones with fun motifs. My dark background, rainbow star fabric has a little glitter in it. I bought some silver and gold paint pens and have painted the edges of some of my other coasters. I haven't delved into adding additional 'flare' with paint on top of the coasters, because I just don't have that skill set. If you do something like that, try it out on a sample before applying the sealant to make sure it cures like it should. 

Other suggestions: Wrapping paper, card stock, even items clipped from a greeting card.

Sewing project - small cosmetic case/travel case

 I'm REALLY new to sewing. Like less than five projects in.

Skills needed/learned with tutorial - ability to insert a zipper; calculating out seam allowances; box corners

Difficulty level? Beginner (but maybe after you've done at least one other project with a zipper first) 

This was my second project with a zipper, first project with denim and maybe fifth sewing project in my whole life.

Equipment needed: Sewing machine, good fabric scissors and a good method for accurately measuring fabric before cutting.

Time spent - less than two hours - probably would have been a lot less if I was more experienced

Materials used (affiliate links included)

* denim I recycled from a couple of old pairs of jeans - four pieces 5 1/4" x 10", two pieces 5 1/2" x 10"

* two left over fat quarters from a previous project  - two pieces 15" x 10"

* medium weight interfacing - two pieces 15" x 10"

LESSON LEARNED: I probably would have had an easier time with the boxed corners if I had either used light weight interfacing or none at all; denim was pretty firm as it was

* a 12" zipper I had bought for another project 

LESSON LEARNED: pattern called for 16" zipper so once I got the zipper sewn in and realized that the project was going to be too wide - so I ended up just trimming the fabric down to 12" instead 15"

* a small length of 1" webbing left over from another project

LESSON LEARNED: I ought to have used a 2" width for appearance

FREE PATTERN USED from Mary Martha Mama DIY Toiletries Bag

Notes: 

Pattern was super easy to understand. Bag works up really quickly. I ran into a few problems when I was trying to seam the corner and the outer fabric corners at the same time. I probably would have been fine with either a) not using interfacing or a lighter interfacing or b) keeping the 15" width. I also had to rip out the zippper seaming at least once when I realized the lining fabric was applied with the wrong side.

I didn't have any pieces of denim that were 15" x 10" - so instead I cut out the pieces as identified above and using a 1/4" seam allowance I created two pieces that were 15" x 10". The larger 5 1/2" pieces in the center were from a slightly lighter colored denim than the end pieces that were 5 1/4" each. The color of denim were pretty close, i think if I made another pair, I'd select denim pieces that were more different for showing off the color differences.

I would TOTALLY make this again. I'd love to see it in stripes of different denim colors or even just patches.

My son has already claimed it for his electric razor and other toiletries.

Could you make money???

Recycling denim that would otherwise land in a landfill? Priceless.

And denim's popularity is skyrocketing right now (published Jan 2024).

My cost was approximately $6 for the lining, interfacing, zipper and thread. Not counting the free denim. 

You could save money on supplies by buying lining fabric by the yard/on sale/or otherwise in bulk and buying zippers in bulk. Lining choices could be done with simple fabrics for universal appeal and/or colorful/fun fabric for a 'I HAVE TO HAVE THIS' pop of color. I used simple black webbing and black zipper - but again, a pop of color could be really fun. 

Doing multiples would be more efficient time-wise. If you made say - 10 bags in one go, you could probably make them in two hours. 

If so - setting yourself up for $15/hour x 2 hours and if you got good discounts on the fabric/zippers you could easily make back the cost of your time and supplies with a price of $6/bag. Not including the cost of actually selling the items.

If you get creative enough with your recycled denim ... I think it would be really easy to charge $10/bag or more (depending on your market).

Another fun tweak would be incorporating some needlework/embroidery. That adds time & expense; but can also allow you to charge more for the right buyer.

Wrist pain preventing specific activities?

 - This post contains affiliate links

I have severe arthritis in my wrists. I have a history of inflammation and other chronic pain as well as having been diagnosed with Raynauds. I have had wrist pain for over 30 years.

Doctors recommended that I should take ibuprofen. I still take it occasionally, but it caused a lot of digestive issues and I can't take it routinely any longer. 

Doctors recommended that I should wear wrist splints. I wear very sturdy wrist sprints every night during my sleep. And less restrictive wrist splints during the day. Some allow knitting, some don't.

Doctors recommended that I use Voltaren gel. It does help, to a degree. Enough that I can work. Not enough that I feel comfortable ALSO knitting as well as working. Since it's not a 'FIX' it seems like it reduces the pain enough that as long as I am not knitting, at least I have less pain at work. But, it wears off fairly quickly.

Doctors recommended that I try diclofenic patches (prescription-based). I use two half-patches on my wrists at night under my heavy-duty wrist sprints. The patches really don't work as well during the day, but work a lot better over night with the splints that keep them from getting stuck to my sheets.

• Dosage Warning: I am VERY careful not to use diclofenic patches AND voltaren AND ibuprofen as they are all three forms of NSAID. Or if I do combine any two - I ensure that I am not exceeding dosages. So, my prescription supports up to four patches a day. I use two half patches per day, which means I can take either a few doses of Voltaren OR ibuprofen, but not both. Don't try this at home unless you talk to your doctors.

Doctors recommend fish oil... I've learned that there's a brand of Evening Primrose oil that can be considered helpful for women, especially peri-menopausal or menopausal women. I find they work just as well as any fish oil supplement, but even better - no fishy taste nor burps.  If I stop taking it for a few months, I can tell that things get a LOT worse, so it helps. But it takes several months before you see any improvements, and it's subtle. It's mostly noticeable when I stop taking it because then I can tell it gets much worse. It's not cheap. But if you have multiple joint pain and don't like fish oil supplements, you might want to find out if it's an alternative option that would work for you.

That said... I found an inexpensive pair of fingerless gloves that are heated by USB port. 

I hook them up to my laptop or power charger and can knit away. I wear them while working and knitting and they decrease my pain exponentially better than all of the above. And it was a one-time purchase UNDER $10. Seriously. I bought a pair for myself and another for my middle son who struggles with Raynaud's much more than I do. He's bought a battery pack so he can wear them out and about and not just when he's near his laptop or charger. I've worn mine nearly non-stop since Christmas. Here's hoping they last. 

HomeMadeHappiness

 I am establishing a website with a targeted audience of handicapped creators.

A forum to discuss crafting, share in successes, share in tools that help make creating easier for those with disabilities.

You don't have to have a disability to join, but our focus will be on helping those with disabilities be able to enjoy their creativity.

I am a not-so-young creator myself. I dabble in dozens of crafts, but knitting is my biggest passion. Unfortunately, I have a chronic pain disability and wrist pain can interfere with my knitting.

I'm nuerodivergent, I am married to a nuerodivergent man, and have three adult sons, each also nuerodivergent. I work full-time in technology and have experience in education. I'm looking for a way to combine all my passions into an online forum that can help disabled creators in their crafting experiences.