Skort Capri Tutorial of a Pillowcase

I am not sure what to call these pants/shorts/capris/skorts, but I stumbled across this idea after making a pair of shorts for Abraham following the guide in Amanda Blake Soule's first book, The Creative Family, using an old t-shirt.

~Abraham's shorts~

Super easy to make. Then I knew that Sarah needed some more shorts and I had not been able to find any at the thrift stores of late (nor have I had much time to get to the thrift store). In addition, she has a tiny waist and we prefer longer shorts or skort style pants. I did have some thrifted pillowcases (25 cents each!) and realized I could basically do the same thing that I had done with a t-shirt.

Here is how ~

Holding the pillowcase the long way, take a pair of shorts the approximate size of the person you are sewing for, and with the shorts folded in half, line the sides up like in the picture below. The bottom edge of the shorts will be the already hemmed opening of the pillow case, so plan accordingly.

~I used chalk to draw the line. The pillow case is not turned inside out.~

Next, cut out on the purple line and then use what you just cut out, flip it over and line it up on the other edge, pin and cut out.

Next, open up both pieces and place right sides together and pin. Then sew from top down to crotch on both sides.

Now open piece up so seams are in middle of front and back and place pins down leg sides and then sew from crotch down to bottom of leg for both sides.

Roll down the top waistband 1/4" and press and then fold over another 1 1/2 inches, press. Sew around, leaving a 1 inch opening where you will insert the elastic.

Using a safety pin, pull the elastic around the waist opening. Be sure to measure your child's waist. Cut and sew two ends of elastic together. You can hand sew the opening closed.

That is it. I am not an experienced seamstress, but was happy to make these in only about 20 minutes or so.

Warm wishes,

Tonya

Crocheted Canning Jar Cover: Tutorial

We use our canning jars to bring water with us whenever we go out. Although we are careful, there has been an occasional broken bottle. Thus, I was inspired to crochet a woolen cover with handle to make it much less likely for breaks to occur and to make them easier to carry around. The wool also absorbs condensation on really hot days.

Here is the pattern for the 1 quart canning jar -

Using a size G crochet hook and worsted weight wool yarn (I like wool because it absorbs the moisture and is easy to work with.)
* Begin with a foundation row of 2 chain stitches. \Skip over the first chain stitch next to the hook and make eight single crochets into the first chain stitch. Slip Stitch in the first chain to finish the round. Place a marker here and at the end of each round. (I just slip a piece of yarn through.) (8 stitches)
Round 1: Make 2 single crochets in each stitch around (increases) - (16 stitches)
Round 2: Single crochet in first stitch, two single crochets in next stitch (increase) - repeat around (24 stitches)
Round 3: Single crochet in first two stitches, two single crochets in next stitch (increase) - repeat around (32 stitches)
Round 4: Single crochet in first three stitches, two single crochets in next stitch (increase) - repeat around (40 stitches)
Continue crocheting around and switch colors as desired until piece measures right before the jar stars narrowing near the top of the jar. Don’t cut off yarn.
To make strap: Turn piece and single crochet across four stitches. Continue back and forth across the four stitches for until strap measures approximately six inches. Make a button hole on next row by single crocheting in first stitch, chain two, skip next two stitches and single crochet in last stitch. Turn and single crochet across all four stitches. Finish off.
Sew button on and you are all set! (I used our handmade birch buttons.)

I am making one for every family member in their requested color combinations.

Warm wishes, Tonya

Hand Knit Gnome with Vest

Knitting pattern with vest available at ravelry.