Easy Bow Ties!

I have four little boys so I'm always looking for cute matchy things they can wear at church. This year for Easter I decided to make bow ties for all of them. I didn't want to put too much effort into making them since they may end up being worn only once, so I made a really easy version.

Start with 2 coordinating fabrics- Cut a piece of fabric about 6 inches wide and 4 1/2 inches tall. Cut the solid fabric about 1/2 inch larger (or the same size if you dont' want it to show as much). Fold the fabric in half inside out, sew a straight line, then unfold and press it so that the seem is hidden in the back. Repeat this process with the solid color.

Turn the fabric inside out again and sew the two sides leaving a small space to turn back right side out. Repeat this process for coordinating fabric. The two rectangle are now about 5 inches by 2 inches. Next set the patterned fabric over the solid one and hand stitch a small piece to hold the bow together (about 2 inches by two inches, when sewn in

I planned to sew a band for the neck, but my friend suggested adding a hairclip-this was so much faster and easier!

I made a mini-version for my one-year old. Seriously, these were SO fast and easy!

The real magic was getting all of my boys to wear them- especially my husband... :)

If you want to be even more matchy you can make a headband to match your ties.

I didn't even sew this- I just grabbed a piece of fabric and folded it over to make a headband.
I added this flower that my friend taught me to make by ripping a strip of fabric 45 inches by 2 inches then tying a knot at the end and twisting and turning the fabric (gluing it with a glue gun along the way) until it becomes a flower.

So dang cute!

Stylish homemade baby bibs

As promised I have finally gotten around to publishing
a tutorial on making stylish homemade baby bibs.

You will need:

*an unused shower curtain
( I bought mine at the dollar store)
*rotary cutter (optional)

*fabric-about the size of an 8.5x11 piece of paper
(Using darker fabric is a plus to hide any stains.)
and
*Coordinating ribbon

Start by cutting the shower curtain to about
the size of an 8.5x11 piece of paper. (because my
shower curtain was thin, I cut three pieces the
same size to make it really sturdy).

Using a small baby bowl or other round object
as a guide, cut out a place for the baby's head.
I didn't like it so round so I changed my shape a bit.
(see below) If you have an old bib it also works
great to use as a guide for cutting.

Place your fabric on top of the plastic and cut
out the neck, then cut your ribbon
(two pieces 9" long and a decorative piece)

Sew the ribbon to the front of the bib BEFORE
sewing on the vinyl so that you can go over
it multiple times (if you sew over the vinyl
multiple times it will weaken it and it may rip).

Sew on the decorative ribbon

Place the front and back of the bib together
and sew it inside out, leaving a space to pull
it back ride-side out (see bottom right corner).

After pulling it back through, sew a stitch
across the bottom and you are done

I have been using mine now for over
a month and it has held up great!

Have fun!