Placemats and Procrastination

Sneak Peek

These are the screenprints for the soon-to-come placemats! The one on the right is modified from a stencil you may have seen before and I created the one on the left yesterday. I think they complement each other nicely. All the pieces are printed, heat set, and I've cut out the fabrics they will be sandwiched between. Yay! Only a day behind schedule, too! That will seem more impressive once you see all my distractions below...

Scrappy Pants

I make a lot of things out of old T-shirts. T-shirts that would otherwise be thrown away usually. I strive to create the absolute least waste from my materials though. I am often left with sleeves and the uneven pieces near the neck and have been wondering what I can do with them. My question has been answered. I will make my boy pants!
In sorting my collection of scraps, I discovered I had a ton of sleeves that were already the perfect pants length. Even easier! I was hoping to have a tutorial for these ready today, but the technique I used for the waistband needs some refining... perhaps next week.
They are super easy though, I think they took me 30 or 40 minutes to make, start to finish.

More Distraction

Anyone who has read any of my posts may be able to guess that being surrounded by colorful, patterned textiles is one of my favorite things. There is so much truth to this. However, we have a small house, and I married a man who likes white space so much that THX1138 is one of his favorite movies (look it up, you'll laugh), so I cannot fit all the patterns I want in the quantities I want them. This is a super-rambly way of saying that I LOVE scrap fabric.

Not only do I save my own scraps to use in applique and patchwork, but I get scrap packs from other etsy sellers, put them all in a basket, and keep them as my private treasure chest. I feel like a squirrel with a nut stash. Every time I have a tiny project, I pull the basket out and sort through ALL of it (it's no fun to have it organized) pulling out bits and pieces that I like, sorting through over and over again until I have culled the collection to perfection.

The above pictures are the result of such a sort, this time thinking about making two more strap covers for 5 to chew on. It turns out those are handy things to have and in greater quantities than we currently have. I was so pleased with this current round I had to share it with you.

What projects do you have in mind this Spring? What are you working on instead (if you are anything like me)?

Friday will, fingers crossed, bring fabulous new placemat sets! Hope your week is swell!