Saturday, December 30, 2017

DIY EASIEST EVER ARMCHAIR ORGANIZER

I finally got around to making my armchair organizer that had been on my bucket list for a long time and glory of glories even wrote a tutorial for FaveCrafts.com where more photos are available.  
@
https://www.favecrafts.com/Sewing/Easy-Sewn-Armchair-Organizer

Easy Sewn Armchair Organizer


Why in the world this took so long I'll never know, just my procrastinating self. Now my remotes, and other paraphernalia are handy and off my table and it was done in less than 2 hours with fabric that had been in my stash for a long time. 

The armchair organizer serves two purposes: keeping things organized plus keeping my upholstery protected and clean. 

I made the organizer for myself but it would make a great gift especially for anyone in a retirement or nursing home. 

Happy sewing and crafting
Carolyn Wainscott



Saturday, May 13, 2017

HANNAH'S DUCK TAPE MANNEQUIN

Ever since I began seeing duck tape mannequins it has been on my bucket list and finally got around to it when great, granddaughter, Hannah, started designing her own clothing. Making one with her was a hoot and she used it a day or so after we completed Belle [her mannequin's name] that was a big help in making a skirt that Hannah wore to school the next day. 

Here's Hannah wearing the skirt she made with Belle-her duck tape body double.  

Here is an article I wrote for Cheap Eats Thrifty Crafts about Hannah's mannequin that shows our process. The editor loved the photos of us. My camera takes photos as it rolls-ah, the marvel of modern technology. 

http://www.cheapeatsthriftycrafts.com/granddaughter-hannahs-diy-duct-tape-mannequin-sewing-
projects/.

We had a fun time making the mannequin. Only took one evening to do and cost about $7. Of course, one for me would have been a bit more-lol. The article includes instructions for the stand and mannequin and is a whole lot cheaper than having to purchase one.

I also had the camera running as we worked-here links to our video if you have time to check it out:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLu6q94dj8w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXjmax7un9o

Thanks for joining us here, I hope you enjoy crafting as much as I do
Carolyn Wainscott

Monday, April 24, 2017

DIY KIDS' PVC LOVESEAT & CHAIR WITH STOW-A-WAY TABLE









My DIY Kids' PVC Loveseat & Chair With Stow-A-Way Table is my latest pattern online. It isn't my latest design because it has been on my bucket list along with lots of others for a while. The set is easy to make and put together and is collapsible to store away. 

PVC pipe is available in any plumbing department in 10' sections. The printing can be easily removed with fine grit sand paper or steel wool if plain white furniture is being made. This set was painted with Rustoleum Spray Paint that bonds with plastic, however, PVC is available in different colors. 

The unfinished wood box for the stow-a-way table was stenciled with a paper doily around a wood burnt C for Charlotte then finished with a clear matte milk paint. It holds her little tea set just fine but would be great for drawing materials and other things.     

Some of the tee fittings are only available in furniture grade while some can be found in the plumbing department-complete instructions are in my pattern. When the doll furnishings were made several years ago, I researched PVC and found the most economical fittings could be purchased from the FORMUFIT Company at www.formufit.com. [Nope, I don't own stock in the company and this isn't a paid for plug] Again, when it came time to make the larger pieces I checked around and found FORMUFIT to still have the best prices. To save shipping costs, you have the option of ordering through Home Depot.com and having delivered to your local store for pickup. The helpful salesperson in the plumbing department at Home Depot clued me in on that little secret. Since I found about this option of saving shipping costs, I may weigh the difference between spray paint versus colored PVC-saving time versus diy painting. My frugal self didn't want to pay the shipping for the PVC pipe sections but with free shipping -colored PVC may be in the future of my next venture.

My original pattern was designed for the American Girl doll and other 18" dolls. I made several pieces of pvc doll furnishings because it was easy for me to make without any help. This original loveseat and chair were made for great granddaughter, Ashlynn, years ago but has been taken over by great, granddaughter, Charlotte who is not quite 2 years old. Charlotte carries around the doll set and sits in it herself with her dolls and stuffed animals but she has outgrown it so it was time for a Charlotte version. She should be able to use the set till she is 5 or 6 years old. The stow-a-way table is about 22" tall while the love seat and chair are 24". 

Charlotte's DIY Kids' Loveseat & Chair With Stow-A-Way Table are the first thing she runs to as soon as she comes in. She grabs my finger and wants to have her pretend tea with her dolls and stuffed animals. The love seat is big enough for her and her baby brother together. 

The pattern with complete instructions for Charlotte's loveseat, chair and stow-a-way table are available @
https://www.craftsy.com/other/patterns/kids-pvc-loveseat-chair-stow-a-way-table/491141   
and the PVC loveseat & chair pattern/instructions for American Girl and other 18" dolls is available
@
LOVESEAT & CHAIR PVC PATTERN FOR AG DOLL | Craftsyhttps://www.craftsy.com/other/patterns/loveseat-chair-pvc-pattern-for-ag-doll/305552

LOVESEAT & CHAIR PVC PATTERN FOR AG DOLL

The PVC doll loveseat and chair have been played with for years and it looks as though the kids' set will be just as well loved. 

Happy crafting and I hope your children enjoy this set as much as mine have. 
Carolyn Wainscott


Thursday, February 9, 2017

From a Sweatshirt To A Pocketed Cardigan-Article For Seams And Scissors


sweatshirt-cardigan-3

I finally got around to transforming a couple of sweatshirts into cardigans. I have some really old cardigans with pockets that I have worn to death but can't find replacements so I decided to make them. 

My article in Seams And Scissors has start to finish instructions:

http://www.seamsandscissors.com/upcycled-sweatshirt-classy-cardigan/

I hope to get more made but don't have a clue when that will be. Maybe if I run on to a super sale on sweatshirts. If you find a sale, please let me know.  

May the joy of crafting be upon you
Carolyn Wainscott







Restoring A 1969 Crissy Doll-My Article On Cheap Eats Thrifty Crafts


After looking off and on for several years, I finally found a Crissy doll in a antique store in little ol' Vevay, Indiana. It was in decent condition and the right price so she came home with me to be restored for my youngest daughter, Melinda, who was 5 when Crissy came out and that is the only thing she wanted for Christmas that year. 

I hate to send you to another site, that aggravates me at times, kind of like being on a scavenger hunt but that is where the complete article on Cheap Eats Thrifty Crafts is:

http://www.cheapeatsthriftycrafts.com/dollstalgia-restoring-1969-crissy-doll-hair-grows/

Did any of you have a Crissy doll with hair that grows? When this one was done Melinda got it before Christmas. I found an original dress and shoes on Ebay. I enjoyed making the doll over.

I hope you enjoy crafting as much as I do
Carolyn Wainscott

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