Bandana Bib Tutorial - With free pattern and giveaway

Bandana bibs are really popular at the moment and there is a very valid reason other than how cool they look.  As the fabric sits in gentle rolls around the neck it is the perfect design to stop all that drool that our cherubs love to drip all day before it hits their clothing.

Bandana bibs are really easy to make and are the perfect item to sew for a beginner.

In this tutorial you will be taken step by step throughout the process.

Step 1:  Print off the free pattern.  Link here.  It is very basic and hand drawn but it works, and did I mention it was free? :)

Step 2:  Pick your fabrics.  Now bibs can be made from most types of fabric but I like to use a cute quilting cotton print for the front and a staydry microfleece fabric for the back.

Step 3:  Cut out your fabrics.

Step 4:  Pin your fabrics together, inside out, and sew around the entire outer of the bib, leaving a gap of 3 - 4cm so that you can turn your bib out.

Step 5:  Turn inside out and pin the opening closed.  At this point you can iron your bib on the cotton side if it's a bit wrinkled.  It will give you a better finished product.  Then with a straight stitch and contrasting cotton, finish your bib by sewing all the way around the outside approx .5cm in from the edge.  Trim any loose threads.

Step 6:  Add a snap to each point.  Snaps come in several different types, if you are lucky enough to own a snap press then they work really well, if not you can purchase metal sew on snaps at fabric shops or even just use some velcro.  Any of these will work so go with what you have.  And voila!!  You've made a very funky bandana bib :)

GIVEAWAY:  If you would like to win this set of adorable Bandana Bibs please comment 'yes please' and a winner will be chosen on 12/5/14 but the foolproof method of pulling a name out of a hat!  Only available to Australia.

The frustrated crafter

Are you like me?

I have the most amazing ideas jumping around in my brain, so many great things I want to make, new crafts I want to try.  But I rarely find the time to sit down and do any of it.

When I had my own handmade business I found it much easier to justify as it was work.  It was ok if I spent hours or days perfecting a pattern or working on an intricate masterpiece but now that I do craft for the sheer love of it I find myself feeling guilty if I spend time creating instead of cleaning.

Pinterest has become my friend, I will pin instead, it doesn't create a mess and I can quickly flip the ipad cover closed if I am sprung.  That doesn't help my itchy fingers or frustrated creativity though.

Being a mother of 4 boys means there is a LOT of mess in my home (without my craft stuff) and it can become overwhelming very quickly if I don't spend several hours a day cleaning and doing laundry.  With only one child not at school I have found that setting him up at a table in my studio with pencils, papers, scissors and the mandatory glue that every preschooler seems to must have or it isn't really craft, means that I can get 40 minutes to an hour in every second day.  Not enough but I guess every little bit counts, right?

That youngest little man will be off to school next year so in the meantime will I keep stockpiling amazing fabrics for quilts I dream of making and delicious wool for half crocheted projects ;). Maybe next year, in between canteen and reading duty I will get to finish some things!

Meet the Maker - Samantha of Petunia Blossom

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  • Introducing the amazing Samantha, owner and creator of Petunia Blossom.
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    How long have you been in business?
    Started in 2010 but this year is the first year that i have both children at school so i have some real time to put into the business.
    

    

    Why did you decide to start your own business?
    As a child I always enjoyed helping my Mum with her sewing (who is also my business partner now).  So when my kids came along we were always making toys and things for them.  Friends were always asking if we could make some for them as well.
    After seeing the joy that the toys and costumes that we made for our kids gave them, we needed to share it.
    Now my girls are my inspiration for everything we make.
    

    

    What do you make and sell?
    We handmade pretend play toys, costumes and gifts.
    

    

    Tell us a little about yourself.
    I am a stay at home Mum of 2 girls. I love fabric and sewing. My mind is constantly racing with ideas of more things to make. Just need to find the time to create them all. I enjoy spending time with my girls and watching their creative imagination at play.
    

    

    How can customers find you?
    You can find us here
    www.facebook.com/petuniablossom2
    samlmusch@live.com.au
    0415316282
    Our products can also be purchased from
    The Collective Store and The Plum Tree.
    

    

    What is your business philosophy
    Petunia Blossom is about creating pretend play items that when combined with their imagination brings exciting and educational play.
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We are thrilled to announce our first online market!  To be held on 1st May 2014 at 8pm on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/handmadecraftersaust

We are proud to have 20 amazing businesses on board, offering their beautiful handmade creations for purchase on the night.

Meet the Maker - Marni of Frankenstein's Fabrics

This week on Meet the Maker, the remarkably talented Marni Franks of Frankenstein's Fabrics.

Marni Franks

How long have you been in business?
The shop has been open for 3 years this October.Why did you decide to start your own business?
I started my business because its been a dream of mine for a long time. I've always wanted my own shop, to be my own boss and to have a more flexible life. Craft is my oxygen so it was a natural progression for me, combining all my experience and skills that I've collected during my working life.

Concerto fabric in black with silver music notes

Frankie - one of my cushion/toy patterns

What do you make and sell?
I sell patchwork and quilting supplies, machine quilt for customers, make magazine commission pieces and custom ordered quilts.Tell us a little about yourself
I'm single - so no kids, but I do have my fur kid - Vladimir my cat. My other interests include reading, writing, jewellery and card making. I have a passing interest in gardening. I'm a bit of a collector - Halloween decorations, monkeys and gemstones. My favourite things to read are science fiction and fantasy. I used to make clothes and paint.How can customers find you?
FB: https://www.facebook.com/frankiesfabrics
Website: www.frankensteinsfabrics.com
Phone: 0416 023 637
Email: frankensteinsfabrics@hotmail.com
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/frankiesfabrics/
Other: https://www.hand-made.com.au/people/FrankensteinsFabrics

Punk Princess - one of my quilt patterns

What is your business philosophy?
My business philosophy is that I want my customers to feel the way I do when making a quilt, I want the skills to survive and not be lost to the ages. I want to help others find their crafting passion and aid them with elements of their craft that they may struggle with - like colour or design for example.

Not only do I run my own business but I am part of an online collaboration with two friends called the 55 Fox Fiasco. We make and share projects with our followers and VIP members. 

I also run Pixel Patch Pillows with a friend making fandom cushions for customers. 

I am also a freelance writer and editor - doing newsletters and product descriptions for a few small businesses, writing guest blog posts and tutorials. And on occasion I freelance for the College of Law.

 

A favourite of the custom order quilts I've made

All of my patterns are designed, written and edited by me - from basic to intermediate levels. I have regular projects published in Handmade, Patchwork & Stitching and Australian Patchwork & Quilting magazines.

Another thing I'd like to add is that I also participate in charity and fund-raising. I support a few animal rescue groups making when required pouches and nappies for the injured animals. I machine quilt on a regular basis for BlanketLovez who make quilts for sick children in hospitals. See the website for more info www.blanketlovez.com.

Meet the Maker......Lianne from Small Batch Soapery

What is your business name?
Small Batch Soapery.

Your name?
 Lianne Penfold.

How long have you been in business?
 This is my 3rd year.

Why did you decide to start your own business?
 My son had an ongoing eczema issue that I wanted to resolve without medication and I wanted to work from home - I didn't want to use childcare at that stage.

What do you make and sell?
 I make and sell cold process soap which is good old fashioned soap that needs up to 6 weeks cure time before use. I also make face cream, solid body lotion, lip balm, bath milk, bath salts, bath tea and soy wax products and I plan to introduce new products this year.

Tell us a little about yourself.
 I'm a busy mum with 5 children ranging in age from 22 years to newborn.. I love being able to work from home around my kids, it means I am there for them no matter what, and can drop everything at a moment's notice if needed.. I love finding or creating natural remedies and solutions for life's everyday issues and my kids love being my guinea humans!

How can customers find you?
 My customers can find me on facebook Small Batch Soapery or contact me via email - smallbatchsoapery@gmail.com

What is your business philosophy?
 My business philosophy is very similar to my life philosophy - tread lightly and have integrity. I have customers that have been with me from the beginning and they have watched my business evolve. I give my customers a genuine product that can be life-changing for them and they know I never skimp on quality.

For the month of April I am offering free postage on orders of 10 or more bars.

This is the custom built table my hubby built for me where I do everything from hand cutting labels and packing orders to writing soapy notes and making gift packs.

This is the majority of my 'bits and pieces' - all my fragrances and essential oils,colour micas and glitters, botanicals etc.

 This is my curing room where the soaps sit while they take up  to 6 weeks to cure.. You can also see some 'soaps in bed' under towels and my dehumidifier which helps keep everything nice and dry 

Where the magic happens! I'm lucky enough to have a second kitchen downstairs in my home completely devoted to soaping..        It makes life so much easier than having to use the family kitchen!