Lacy Shorts

Ever have that favorite pair of jeans that wore through in the knees or the bottom hems are ripping off? I have an old pair of boot cut American Eagle jeans with original distressing that ripped too big. I decided what better to do with them than make some cute summer shorts?

Supplies
Old jeans
A pair of well fitting and flattering shorts
Lace (at least 1 yd.)
Chalk
Scissors
Measuring Tape
Sewing machine




Make sure both the jeans and shorts are zippered and buttoned closed. Then put the shorts over the jeans lining up the waistbands and pining the together.

 

Trace along the bottom of the shorts with the chalk. Then unpin the waistbands and pull the shorts off.

Carefully start cutting the jeans about an inch away from the line, starting at the side seams. Be careful not to cut the pockets of the jeans!

 

Measure the opening of one of the short's legs. Then measure two sections of lace two inches longer, leaving room for side seams.

Pin the lace to the bottom of the shorts, following the original line you drew, leaving one inch at the outer side seam. Don't fold the lace up when sewing; instead, pin it so the lace will be on top of the jeans. Also make sure not to catch the pocket while pinning so it doesn't get sewn shut.

Once you get all the way around, sew the lace together creating a large loop. Pin the seam down and then sew the lace to the shorts.

 

Try the shorts on to make sure the lace lays flat and you're done! A quick and simple way to update a pair of jeans :)

Crayon Roll

I always find it hard to think of creative and useful gifts for younger cousins. One thing younger kids tend to use is crayons, but they always fall out of the box. The best solution? A crayon roll:)

Supplies
17 in. x 25 in. rectangle of base material
2-3 squares of felt
Crayons ( at least one or two)
Sewing machine
Double fold bias tape
Pins
Chalk
Measuring tape



Start off by measuring a length of 17 inches across the bottom of the material.

 

Then, depending on how many crayons you wish it to hold, measure 7 in. (24 crayons), 12 in. (48 crayons), or 17 inches ( 72 crayons) for the width of the crayon roll. Cut out this rectangle.

Also cut out one, two, or three 3 in. x 17 in. rectangles for the respective amount of crayons.

On the rectangles, mark where to sew for the crayon slots by laying down a crayon and marking next to it with a line of chalk.

Now for the felt! If you are making a 72 crayon roll, use 3 rectangles of felt. The smaller two only require 2 squares of felt. Start off by sewing your two squares together with a 3/4 in. or

5/8 in. seam allowance.





To hem the long sides of the smaller rectangles, slightly fold over the top about an eigth of an inch.

Mark two inches in from the top and bottom (the edges that have the seam in the middle) . For the 72 inch roll, put one rectangle in the middle, and measure two inches from either side of the rectangle. Pin the rectangles in place, chalk line side up.

 

 





Now, already following the chalk lines that you drew, sew down the rectangles. Occasionally check to make sure the crayons fit.

 



Line the outer fabric up with the felt and pin the two together. Make sure to cut off access material around the felt. Cut two 17 inch strips of bias tape and leave the rest to bind the outer and felt together.



Take the bias tape strips and pin on either side of the bottom-most rectangle. The pin the rest of the bias tape around the rectangle edges, making sure to pin through both materials.

Sew around the egdes, securing the bias tape and keeping the rectangles together. Make sure to back stitch at the bias tape strips to ensure they dont pull out of the seam.



Sew straight down the bias tape strips to keep them from unfolding during use.

Thats it! Fill the roll with crayons and then it can be put to use on the go! Enjoy:)