Pattern Success: Nigella Yoga Bag

I found this while browsing the interwebs one day & decided to try it out.

Here is a link to the free pattern: Nigella Yoga Bag

And here's how mine turned out. I made one for my sister and one for me. It took less than 2 yards of fabric, and I used IKEA's fabric so that I wouldn't have to line it. It's very sturdy & has two functional pockets. This pattern comes highly recommended by me (and I'm not always the best at following the directions exactly and it still worked out--that's how I know it's good).

The bag is big enough to fit a yoga mat with a yoga towel comfortably. Mine is the blue one & it fits a Pilates mat perfectly too!

Do you know any good free patterns? This would make a great gift & the holidays are right around the corner! Now go make one & be inspired to do some yoga!

Craft Day Projects: Stuffed Birdies

Crafting is obviously very cathartic to me & being creative with a friend is so much fun. That's why at least twice a year Chelsea & I get together and craft for hours together. This time we tackled some stuffed birds & two random other projects: leaf garland headband & a cute coaster.

Here is the pattern we used: Mister Blue Bird.

Here is the link to the pinspiration for the headband: Leaf Garland Headband.

It feels so good to see the finished projects all lined up like that!

T-Shirt Upcycle: Adding a Customized Pocket (15 minute project!)

Here's how you can update an old t-shirt you don't wear very much with a cute little pocket in a print of your choice.

What you'll need:

T-shirt

Fabric of your choice

Thread

Scissors

Sewing machine (or hand sew)

Iron

I used cardboard and created a simple five point pocket by free handing it. You can skip this step if you want! I like to use the cardboard pattern for future projects.

Cut two pocket patterns from your fabric.

Place them right sides together & sew a 1/4 inch seam across the top.

Press the seam open.

Fold in half, enclosing the raw edges you just sewed & ironed. The right sides of the fabric should be on either side of the pocket. Then sew a seam about 3/4 inch down from the top.

Use an iron to press the raw edges of the pocket in. It should look something like this:

Pin the pocket directly on to the t-shirt. I put mine on the left side, but most pockets come on the right (FYI), just felt like being different.

Using the sewing machine, sew down the two sides and around the point at the bottom. Leave the top of the pocket open (do not sew across the top or you will no longer have a pocket but a patch). 

Done in just about 15 minutes! Repeat with as many shirts as you like! Enjoy!