Easy Sewing...

 Sometimes you just have to make little things because you can not find the item.  I have been trying to control the mess in the kitchen a bit more now that I have a little of free time.  I purchased this item:

This is a little box from Target that I thought would corral the vinegar and oil bottles that tend to sit around my counter.  My idea was that the box would make it a little easy to clean the counter by not having to pick up and move a bunch of bottles.  I think it worked:

I did put a paper towel in the bottom but realized that a better solution would be to make a fabric pad to sit everything on that could be washed from time to time.  I found this little black/white polka dot fabric in the fat quarters at Wal-mart.  This project does not require a quality fabric.  Here is the fabric:

The inside measurements of the box are 13 3/4-inches x 4-inches.  I added 1/2-inch to each measurement for the seam allowance.  Here is the finished product:

Easy peasy.  I wish all sewing was as quick and easy as this.

Happy Stitching!

Fun Hot Pads...

While I was decluttering/organizing the sewing room I found two of the hot pad kits and interfacing, so I decided to make something useful for the kitchen. Hot pads are always a useful item and my current ones are not looking so good with burns and holes. Based on the post where I made the last hot pad, I'm guessing age has a little bit to do with it.   Here's the pattern used:

This is the Folded Star Hot Pad by Plum Easy Patterns.  This pattern will give either a round or a hexagon hot pad.  I used to the interfacing for the hot pads which make the placement a little easier:

The interfacing templates are printed with everything you need to create the hot pads.  There are two packages - a 3 pack and a 12 pack.  There are also blanks and templates available.

I also used a prairie point pressing tool - 

Here are my results:

They will be very useful at my house.  

Happy Stitching!

A Little Re-purposing...

Today is about a little project that used an old bath towel.  We hand wash a lot of the items in our kitchen.  Don't get me wrong, I do use the dishwasher but not for everything.  Here's the area to the left of my sink where stuff is usually placed after washing:

It's not a large space.  I mentioned something to my husband about perhaps making a mat to put the dishes on before leaving.  He must have liked the idea because when I came home he had drawn up a pattern:

Okay, the pattern is flipped the wrong way but I think you get the idea.  I had a old bath towel that was just taking up space and some left over cotton fabric from a previous project.  Here's the results:

There you have a little mat that fits in the funny little spot perfectly.  Things that I did:  

1.  Added 1/2-inch all the way around for a seam.

2.  I did trim the toweling out of each of the corners so that when I folded the corners there would be less bulk.

3.  Stitched 1/4-inch edge stitching to close up the opening for turning.

4.  I did minor quilting every 4-inches replicating the edges.

Now, the little mat needs to be washed and it will be ready to use.  I would put this in the quick and easy category.  It is satisfying to stitch something that is relatively easy.  I think this took about an hour to stitch total.

Happy Stitching!