This is a great back to school project!

I LOVE chalk cloth and honestly would use it to make just about anything!  This pencil case can double as scratch paper in a pinch.  Now what's not to love about that!?

Pencil Case Scratch Paper

Chalk Cloth is available on line (etsy or ebay) or at your local JoAnn Fabric Stores.  Look in the utility fabric section.

You DON'T have to line this pencil case.  I did because I had spare fabric and I thought it was cute.

To be honest I didn't really have a pattern for this project.  I created a pattern using notebook paper.

This is the fabric that I started with:

Chalk Cloth

Super Hero Cotton Fabric

Brightly Colored Zippers

Chalk Cloth Cut to size

Fabric Liner cut to size

 With right sides together, sew the lining to the chalk cloth. 

Right Sides together

Stitch across the long side of the pencil case.

Stitch along the long side of the case

Turn fabric on the right side

Fold fabric so the right side is facing out

Center the zipper on the fabric

Pin zipper in place

Sew up to zipper pull, raise the presser foot

Pull zipper past presser foot and continue sewing zipper in place

All done on one side

Sew Zipper to second panel

With the zipper open, fold case with lining facing out

Stitch along sides and bottom of the case

Trim excess fabric

Snip the corners

ZigZag stitch edge for extra hold

Seasoning Chalk Cloth

Rub all sides with chalk

Erase completely.

Seasoned!

PRO TIP

To make a box bottom case

Find the seam that is on the bottom of the bag.

Bottom Seam

Measure approx 1 inch.  Mark seam and sew across the bottom seam

Measure 1 "

Sew Across the seam, trim excess fabric

Box Bottom Case

Flat Pencil Case, Box Bottom Pencil Case

This is how I turned a Jr. Girls size Large sundress into a Plus Size dress!

I'm a plus size women (size 16) and I LOVE to sew.  Refashion blogs are my passion but most of them feature skinny Minnie's.  I'm not mad at thin women - to each her own - but I'd appreciate tips on how to SIZE UP dresses and other clothes.  Taking in large clothes (in my opinion) is easier than refitting or up sizing small clothes.

What is "Refashion":
Not too long ago I did an entire blog about refashioning clothes.  It's here!  Basically to refashion is to turn one article of clothing into something else. 

Where to Shop:
My first refashion projects came from my own closet.  I look clothes from the donation pile, the too small pile and the worn out pile.  This way you can begin to practice refashion techniques without spending any money.

GoodWill, Salvation Army, resale shops and friend's donate piles are the next best places to shop.

What Fabrics Am I Looking For:
As a plus size women I shop and sew almost exclusively plus size clothing.  For myself I look for good quality stretchy fabrics.  Cotton blends and Spandex are my friends!  These fabrics fall nicely and are forgiving when my sewing is not perfect.  I also have a strong preference for patterns!  That's just a "me" thing.  The crazier the pattern the better I like it.  I can always tone down a loud pattern with a black sweater.  It's hard to turn up a boring color or style.

How Much Sewing Skill Do I Need to Refashion?:
Turns out not that much!  Because stretch fabrics (that's what I use most) tend not to fray lots of projects can get by with little or no sewing.

Here's the dress I made this weekend.

One for thing.  This dress in its original form was WAY too small for me.  The boob part would not fit over my head.  So I cut off the too small part and used the rest.

Original Dress - Ankle length Sun Dress

      

I cut off the too small parts

Evened up the cut

Zigzag stitched the stop edge

That's it.  All it needs is accessories!

Nice black belt at the waist

Cut cropped sweater - see below

Me in my new dress (with a longer sweater)

Sweater refashion

The cropped black sweater was one of my first refashion projects.  You can read all about it here! (scroll to the bottom of the post to find the sweater).

Remember a while back when I told you that I was trying my hand at refashioning.  That is to turn one article of clothing into something else entirely.

I did a whole blog post about it here.

Anyway, i've done a little more and this is just a tiny update.


I turned this dress,

Before

 Into a pillowcase top.

After

The dress was cute before and it fit well.  It was just WAY too much of such a bright pattern.  I work in a conservative place.  Now the top if perfect for the office!

To make this top I removed the top of the dress and just used the skirt.

On my way to work!

I added a pop of color by pairing the top with pink earrings.

I made these!

More refashioning to come.  Stay tuned!

I'm a big iced coffee fan and like making my own!  About a year ago I posted a recipe for DIY iced latte.  I think I called it Mason Jar Coffee.  That recipe will works great and I stand by it.

I have, however tweaked the recipe so here is my new version.

DIY - Easy Iced Latte

 To tell you the truth, this whole thing started because I found this bottle that I really liked.  I like the way it looks and I REALLY like the way it closes.

I like this closure!

Yes, that's a silly reason to change a recipe, but whatever.  It is what it is!  You can TOTALLY still make this recipe in a mason jar.  The coffee is still just as good!

Mason Jar Coffee

For this recipe you will need:
Instant Coffee
Sugar (or sweetener of your choice)
Non-Dairy Creamer (or milk of your choice)
flavor syrup (optional)
Hot tap water
Tablespoon
25oz bottle (or mason jar)

Funnel or measuring cup with a spout

This is all you need!

I mix my coffee in a pyrex measuring cup with a spout.  You could also mix directly in the bottle if you have a funnel.  (I can't find mine-thanks kids!)

In a mixing vessel combine:

4 heaping Tablespoons of instant coffee (I use 1/2 regular and 1/2 decaf)
6 heaping Tablespoons non-Dairy Creamer
Sweetener
1 1/2 teaspoons flavored syrup (optional)

Instant Coffee

Next add 3/4 cup of hot tap water.  Stir until combined.  You will have a thick coffee syrup.

Mix with 3/4 c. hot tap water

Still until everything is mixed

If all of the creamer doesn't melt, don't panic.  It will.

Pour the coffee syrup into the bottle.

Pour coffee syrup into the bottle

You're almost done!

Finally, fill the bottle the rest of the way with cold tap water.

Add tap water

Refrigerate!

Wasn't that easy!

Done!

Serve cold or over ice.

This coffee makes the perfect Brunch or Housewarming Gift!

PRO TIP:

Empty bottles like this one are available at The Container Store and some department stores in the summer time.  It's usually a seasonal item.  It's called a Swing Top Bottle.

SUPER PRO TIP:
I found my bottle at the Farmer's Market for less than $2.  Sure it was filled with soda when I bought it, but that's an easy fix.  Look for Lorina Soda (it's French).  They make beautiful bottles (and the soda is good too)!

Lorina Soda makes lovely bottles!