Tag Archives: way back craft

Way Back Craft: Knitting Bag

The friend’s daughter that I made this for is a teenager now, so wow, it’s been a while! I’ve made several of these bags since, but have never created a pattern. It’s my favorite go-to tote bag style!

I have no idea if she still enjoys knitting. I’ll have to ask her mom!

original post, September 30, 2007:

Hot off the sewing machine for my friend’s daughter! She’ll be 11 next month and is a brand new knitter. She told her mom she’d like a knitting bag and I jumped on the chance to make something special for her.

I didn’t have a pattern, just dimensions and sketches I did before starting my project.

Made with denim for the outside. The purple fabric is something I had in my stash. I’m not sure what it’s made of, but it’s pretty heavy and feels like it could be upholstery fabric. I used some unattractive corduroy in place of interfacing.

The straps are made as one continuous piece, like a big loop. They hold the pocket down. The pocket was sewn top and bottom, right sides together then turned. It goes all the way around, but I sewed stop lines just above the fold line for the bottom. 2 pockets on the inside, too.

I’m really pleased with the finish product. I may have to make another one!

I made the buttons for her too. They’re various manga characters she likes, as well as a personalized and knitting button.

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Way Back Craft: Snape Dammit Doll

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If you’re not familiar with Dammit Dolls, the idea is this: a basic soft doll with long legs to hold on to, usually accompanied by a poem that goes something like this:

When you want to kick the desk or throw the phone and shout,
Here’s a little dammit doll you cannot do without,
Just grasp it firmly by the legs, and find a place to slam it,
And as you whack it’s stuffing out, yell,
dammit, dammit, dammit!

What? Sometimes a girl has to vent her frustration! Of course, I can’t do that in an ordinary way, it has to have a fandom twist to it.

Print the Free Pattern Here

My original post on Craftster, January 27, 2007:

I’ve been feeling a bit… erm, craftipated, and decided on a simple & fun project that might help me get back on the crafty track.

I’ve seen Snape as a dammit doll before and decided to do one of my own. I’ve left him with a, shall we say “blank” expression? (Read: I suck at faces.)

One of my friends has suggested Voldie, Umbridge & the Malfoys as possible future candidates to be dammit dolled.

Now I need a Snaperific poem to go along with him.

For the pattern, I drew out the shape I wanted then cut the hands, feet & head away from the body, cut those out of muslin and the body out of black adding seam allowance to all the pieces. I then attached hands, feet & head, then sewed front to back. I stuffed it & stitched up the hole I’d left for stuffing. For the hair… I wrapped black yarn around a 6″ ruler, then stitched it down the middle, hand-stitched it to his head then gave it a trim so to achieve those “greasy black curtains” of hair.

I had some issues with the corners (under the arms, neck, etc). I think it was more the fabric than the pattern. The black fabric was a little too loosely woven, so the stitching was pulling out. I think if I used a tighter fabric, I wouldn’t have the same problems.

I’m may make some shoes and a cloak for him, but I haven’t decided yet. I kind of like him just the way he is.

ETA: No cloak or shoes, or anything else for that matter, but Dammit Snape still lives in my sewing room. He still makes me smile, even without a Snapetastic Dammit Doll poem.

Happy crafting!

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TTMT #67 – Way Back Crafts

Way Back Craft: Name Tees

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Talk about Way Back…I’m slightly embarrassed to say that it’s been almost a year since I posted a Way Back Craft!

Way Back Crafts are crafts I made ages and ages ago. Usually, they were posted on my very first craft site, Jen’s Crochet and Crafts (1998 – 2006), but they have not been posted to the sewhooked blog or were only posted to sewhooked in a very basic way.

Today’s craft comes to you from around 2001 or 2002. I made these cute t-shirts for holiday gifts for my nieces, daughter, and several children of my friends (that’s an original, old school pre-digital photo there!). These were made around the same time t-shirts embellished with “Princess” were really popular. The shirts were a huge hit with the bonus of being easy and inexpensive to make!

Supplies

light colored t-shirt
Fabric Paint (Tulip Slick Glitter used in picture)
safety pins
masking tape
polyester glitter (optional)
well-lit window or light box

Prepare your t-shirt by washing and drying without fabric softener.
Using your word processing software, print the name you want to paint in a large, bold font. This paper will go inside the shirt as a guideline.
Position the name you printed inside the shirt where you want to paint, securing with a couple of safety pins or masking tape.
Using masking tape, tape the t-shirt to a clean, dry window. If you are lucky enough to have a light box, use that instead.
Trace the letters with chalk or pencil.
Place a t-shirt form or box (Priority shipping box works well) inside the t-shirt to make it easier to paint.
Trace the text again with the fabric paint. It is important not to touch the tip of the paint to the shirt, which can drag the paint and make it smear. Take your time, as it this can be tedious, but it’s worth it!
When you’re done, find a safe place for your shirt to dry flat 24 hours.
For an iridescent effect, sprinkle iridescent polyester glitter on wet paint before allowing to dry.
Wait 24 hours, then shake off excess glitter.
Wash & dry inside out.

If you make a Sew Awesome Craft or any pattern, craft or recipe from sewhooked, I’d love to see a photo. Email me or add it to the sewhooked flickr group.

Happy crafting!

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Way Back Craft: Gryffindor “Canopy”

Way Back Craft: Harry Potter Bookcase Mural

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It’s hard to believe I’ve never blogged about this project!

Years ago, I had a website called Jen’s Crochet and Crafts. It eventually morphed into sewhooked. The Harry Potter Bookcase Mural was originally posted there, along with the story of how it came to be.

When my almost-14-year-old-daughter was about to turn 8, she asked for a Harry Potter-themed room for her birthday. Being a big HP fan myself, I was as excited as she was to take on the project. Among her requests were castle walls, an enchanted ceiling, The Fat Lady on her door, red and gold hangings for her bed and a magical bookcase. I managed all of those things, but the bookcase remains my absolute favorite part of the project.

The original bookcase was drawn freehand with chalk. I’ve since made a map for use on an overhead projector, or, if you have a steady hand and feel up to it, to use as a free-hand guide.

Supplies:

Bookcase Mural Template printed on clear acetate
Overhead projector
Pencil or chalk
Masking tape
Dark semi-gloss paint for background
Paint roller and pan
Paint brushes, multiple sizes and shapes
Acrylic craft paints in multiple colors
List of books from the Harry Potter series
Permanent markers, various colors, fine & medium tips
optional: yardstick or long straight-edge
optional: egg cartons

You need a clean dry surface to start with. If painting on an older surface, you may want to paint with primer first.

Print the template on clear acetate and project the image onto the selected area. Position the bookcase where you’d like for it to appear. Use masking tape to outline the area that will become your bookcase.

Use semi-gloss paint and the paint roller to paint the taped-off area.

Paint a second coat if necessary. Allow to dry overnight.

Using a pencil or chalk, trace the bookcase (not the contents), adding a border if needed or desired. A ruler or yardstick comes in really handy for this step.

Paint bookcase shelves and allow to dry.

Starting with the top shelf, trace contents.

bottom left, close up

After tracing, paint contents using a variety of colors. An egg carton works great to have multiple colors available at once.

Repeat for all shelves, allow to dry overnight.

Using a variety of permanent markers, add book names using this list of books provided.

v
bottom right, close up

Randomly place books where you like, except for The Standard Book of Spells. Look for these on the second shelf from the top, on the right side. The seven books are more or less together, each with a line across the top of the binding (only 6 books are listed in the HP series, but I’m assuming there would have been a seventh if Harry had returned for his final year of school).

top left, close up

Add embellishments; names on potions bottles, cat whiskers, etc. with permanent markers.

Stand back and admire your work!

More photos from the Harry Potter bedroom with instructions on sewhooked

If you make this or any sewhooked crafts, I’d love to see a photo! Email me or add it to the Friends of sewhooked flickr group.

Happy Crafting!

Also posted on The Leaky Cauldron and cut out + keep

Faux “Knit” Crochet Hogwarts Scarf

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Printable Pattern

In July of 2006, I enjoyed one of the best trips of my life to Las Vegas, Nevada. My friend Hope and I went to Lumos, the first Harry Potter conference I attended.

I was still fairly new to the online Harry Potter fandom, though I’d been part of the HP world since 1999. I was a new moderator for Harry Potter Crafts (2006-2008) and was not yet working for The Leaky Cauldron as a Crafty Witch (2006-2007).

Lumos changed everything. Suddenly, the names of people I knew online had faces, and voices and hugs!

Prior to the conference, I went into a crafting frenzy. I’m a Ravenclaw, and of course needed a house scarf! I wanted to my scarf to look knit…but I’m not a knitter. It’s my daughter’s craft, and I have left it alone because it makes her happy to be able to do a craft that mom doesn’t!

Anyhow, I wanted a knit-look scarf and had played with Tunisian crochet before. After working out the width of the bars, I went to work. This is the result. It’s a narrow scarf because I wore it in Las Vegas…in July. Can you say HOT?

Faux “Knit” Crochet Hogwarts Scarf

Scarf as modeled in 2006 by my dearly departed Prissy

Uses the Tunisian “knit” stitch: Tutorial on Stitch Diva and on Crochet Cabana (there are lots more, use the one that works for you)
Example made in Red Heart worsted weight – Soft Navy & Carrot (for Ravenclaw)
“I” afghan or other long crochet hook (gauge varies by size – work with what you like best)

narrow scarf =ch 15, “movie” size=ch 42

Row 1: ch 15 for a narrow scarf, or 42 for wider “movie” size. Insert the hook into the 2nd ch from hook, yo, and pull loop through the chain stitch (2 loops on hook). *Insert hook into next chain, yo, and pull loop through ch*, rep *to* to end of row, leaving all loops on the hook. The number of loops on the the hook should be the same as the beginning foundation chain. Do not turn.

Row 2: Working from left to right, yo and pull through first loop on hook, *yo, and pull through next 2 loops*, rep *to* to end of row (1 loop left on hook).

Row 3: *Insert hook between the 2 double vertical strands of each loop (from front to back), below the chain formed by row 2, yo and pull through a loop (loosely)*, rep *to* across row.

Row 4: Repeat row 2

Repeat row 3 & 4 for pattern. When changing color, attach at end of even row at “1 loop left” so that the remaining loop is the new color. You can easily count the rows you’ve made by the ridges on the back of your work – each ridge equals 2 rows.

*1- 28 in MC 29 (14 ridges)

32 in CC (2 ridges)

33 – 38 in MC (3 ridges)

39-42 in CC (2 ridges)

43- 66 in MC (14 ridges)

Repeat 13 times. You should have 14 sets of “captured” bars and each end should be 28 rows long. Fold the entire scarf in half and whip stitch. The seam can be in the back or on a side – your choice. Whip stitch the ends closed and add short fringe all the way across.

*some resources describe Tunisian crochet with each ridge, or every two rows as one row. If you want to count like that, then think 1-14, 15-16, etc. when counting.

Add your Sewhooked-related photos to my flickr group and you might be featured in a future post!

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This is part of my “Way Back Craft” series; patterns, crafts, tutorials and general crafty memories before the days of this craft blog.

This pattern is also available on The Leaky Cauldron.

Smiling Santa Gift Bag

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I’ve been making these Santa bags for a lot of years now, but this is the first time I’ve ever shared a how-to for it.

Other similar bags I’ve made include Rudolph, Christmas kitties and Christmas trees. Change the basic bag to any color and add polka dots or stars for an easy birthday bag!

Smiling Santa is reusable, giftable, and darn cute. He’s fast to make with simple embroidered stitches and a button nose. If hand stitching isn’t your thing, fabric paint will work in a pinch!

You’ll need:

Smiling Santa reference
9″ x 12″ acrylic felt – 2 white, 1 red, 1 flesh
scissors
large needle
embroidery floss: white, red, blue & green
red button
ruler
optional: sewing machine
optional: rotary cutter

supplies

I use eco-friendly acrylic felt. It’s easy to find, cheap (20 cents a sheet) and sturdy.

Find the bottom of your bag and cut 1″ squares out of the opposite corners for each white sheet. This will create a faux gusset and allow your gift bag to stand up.

Cut the flesh-colored felt sheet down to 8″ x 5 1/2″. Fold in half and cut a gentle curve.

Open flesh-colored felt. Align 1″ from top of bag, centering so that each side has approximately 1/2″ of white felt showing.

Using the white embroidery floss, hand stitch a running stitch around the two sides and bottom of the face.

Add eye details with a straight stitch (eyebrows) and chain stitch (eyes).

Add button nose with red embroidery floss. Add mouth, also with red embroidery floss, using the chain stitch.

Pin two pieces of white felt together, face inside. Machine stitch 1/4″ seam on two sides and across the bottom.

Optional: hand stitch on the inside OR hand stitch on the outside using red embroidery floss.

Fold the open corners on the bottom together, matching outside seams. Fold seams in opposite directions to reduce bulk. Pin in place.

Machine stitch bag corners.

Turn bag right side out.

Fold 1″ down on top of bag, overlapping face. Pin, then straight stitch around. Stitch under side seam.

Finished stitching on the top of bag.

Cut two 12″ x 2″ strips from red felt.

Fold straps lengthwise. Straight stitch along the length with green embroidery floss.

Pin handle to outside of bag 2″ in from the sides.

Straight stitch snowflake or asterisk to hold handles in place. Repeat for the back of bag.

Stuff with goodies and gift it!

Feeling creative? Try your hand at a Christmas Tree!

fun variations, Dec. 2000

Add your Sewhooked-related photos to my flickr group and you might be featured in a future post.

This is part of my “Way Back Craft” series; patterns, crafts, tutorials and general crafty memories before the days of this craft blog.

Crochet Granny Handbag

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Printable Pattern

From the Way Back Vault today, I have one of my old fabvorites.

The Crochet Granny Handbag dates back to September 29, 2003.

I don’t remember who received the original, but I’ve made several as gifts since then. It’s a quick and easy pattern and makes a sturdy little bag, especially when it includes the optional lining.

You’ll need

Small amount of 2 Worsted colors (listed as A & B). Shown are Red Heart Country Blue (A) and Windsor Blue (B).
I Hook
for optional lining: fabric, needle, thread, zipper
scissors
tapestry/yarn needle

(Note – all stitches after the first round are in the back loops except on the corners, when you crochet over the chain.)

Front/Back (make 2)

Round 1 – With Color A, ch 4, join with sl st. Ch 3 2 dc, ch 2 in ring. (3 dc, ch 2) 3 times, sl st into starting ch 3. Do not turn.

Round 2 – Ch 3, dc in BACK LOOPS to corner ch 2 sp (2 dc, ch 2 2dc in corner sp, dc in back loops across), rep to beg ch 3, join with sl st. Break off Color A. Do not turn.

Round 3 – Join Color B in any ch 2 sp. Ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc, (dc in back loops across, 2 dc, ch 2 2 dc in corner sp) around, join with sl st in beg ch 3.

Round 4 – Join Color A, rep pattern of round 3.

A close up of the strap side, using single crochet to join.

Strap

Ch 120, hdc in 3rd ch from hook, hdc in each chain to end, finish off. Starting in the center stitch on one front/back square, join strap by sc through the back loops only of the strap and the square. Sc in first 25 st to join strap, continue sc st in back loop of front/back square across top of bag. Sc in last 25 st of strap from the 2nd ch in the corner of the square back to where you joined. Join with sl st. Sl st ends of strap then around to back loop on opposite side of strap, crochet around same as for opposite side.

Lining (optional)

For a sturdier bag, line with a scrap of coordinating (shown) or contrasting fabric of the same size. Hand-stitch inside the bag below the sc round (round 4).

To add a zipper, sew it to the lining before you stitch the lining in the bag, then stitch whip-stitch on the lining seam to inside of round 4.

Other Options

For a longer strap, or bigger bag, simply add stitches or rounds to suit your needs, taking into account how many stitches you will need to get the strap all the way around the bag. For more depth, make the strap two or even three rows wide before attaching to the granny squares.

As always, if you make any pattern or craft from sewhooked, I’d love to see a photo. Email me or add it to the Friends of sewhooked flickr group.

Happy crafting

This is part of my “Way Back Craft” series; patterns, crafts, tutorials and general crafty memories before the days of this craft blog.

Easy Big Foot Slippers

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Printable Pattern

My hubby is tall…very tall, almost six and a half feet tall. I adoringly refer to him as The Big Guy. I’m 5’5″, so I guess you can see what I’d call him that.

He has big feet, too.

He loves slippers and I spent years making slippers from traditional patterns for him, but they blew out on him like no one’s business. You just can’t put a big man in a pair of slippers made with one strand of yarn. They don’t last.

According to my original pattern, I designed the Big Foot Slippers back in 2000. I’ve since made a dozen or so pairs, altering here and there for smaller feet. These are easy to make and work up quickly because they’re made with three strands of yarn. I use acrylic worsted because it’s easy to wash and holds up well to the wear and tear of a big man wearing slippers!

3 colors of worsted weight acrylic yarn
“N” hook
yarn needle

Three yarns are held together throughout.

Round 1 – ch 6, join with sl st into ring, ch 3, 14 dc in ring

Round 2 – ch 3, 1 dc in join (1 dc, 2 dc around), join with sl st

Round 3 to 8 – ch 3, dc around, join with sl st

Round 9 to 14 – ch 3, dc around, don’t join, ch 3 turn (except last round). Note – You can add more or less rows here, depending on the size of the foot you’re crocheting for. To finish, whip stitch up the back using the outside loops only. Finish off.

Optional: Evenly sc around the slipper opening, join with a sl st, finish off.

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