Holes in the knees?

The first thing that wears out is always the knees! 

I don't like the look of the iron on patches that go on the outside of the pants.....so, this is my solution.

Grab some scraps of fabric, fray block, and fabric glue.

Start by putting some Fray Block around the perimeter of the hole.  This will stop the hole from fraying any bigger.  Use a small amount and be careful because it is runny stuff.

Let the Fray Block dry.

Next, put some plastic up the pant leg to protect the leg from gluing to itself.

Cut a piece of fabric larger than the hole.  Use pinking shears if you have them because this will help prevent fraying.

Insert the fabric into the pant leg (on top of the plastic) and position it under the hole.

Working from the outside, lift the edge of the hole and put a thin line of fabric glue around the perimeter of the hole.  Let Dry.  That's it!

Sometimes I take it one step further and cut the pocket out leaving a good 5/8" around the perimeter so you will have something to glue your fabric to, and for that "frayed" look.  

Wash them, and your done.  It is like a new pair of jeans.  My daughter gets tons of compliments!

Chore Sticks

My kids and I needed a way to keep track of their chores.  This is a simple solution.  

1- Print out a list of the chores on colored papers.  Make sure you leave space in between the lines because  

     the finished sticks are 3/4 inch wide.

2- Spray paint Jumbo Craft Sticks (found at any craft store).

3- Cut the papers so they are slightly smaller than the sticks.  You can do this with scissors or I used a 

    paper cuter to cut the chores into strips.  Then I only had to use scissors to cut the round edges.  If you 

    are careful you can stack the papers and cut four rounded edges at once.

4- Use Mod Podge to glue one chore to each stick.  When dry seal the top of the paper with Mod Podge.

I found some 1/2 cups made for locker organization that have magnets on the flat side.  Each week, I put the kids chores in their cups.  They actually ask me when I will give them new chore sticks.  We will see how long that lasts!

Pirate Flag

This flag is serving a double purpose: a halloween decoration, and my sons pirate party.

I purchased two yards of black broadcloth and 1/2 yard of grey.

Fold the black fabric in half and sew the 2 raw cut edges together. Turn and iron flat.

I drew the skull and cross bones (using Disney's "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" as a reference).  Trace your design onto the paper side of Heat n Bond*** fitting the pieces to take up as little space as possible.  This will save you on heat n Bond and your grey fabric.

Iron onto the grey fabric following the directions that come with the Heat n Bond.
Cut out your design.
Remove the paper from the back.
Position the pieces onto your flag and iron.


***Heat n Bond is like a sheet of glue lightly attached to paper that is activated by heat from an iron.  You can purchase it at any fabric store.  There are other brands but I like the performance of this product especially when you are not sewing around the applique.