Make it Monday // Easy DIY Meditation Bolster Sewing Project

I'm in the middle of redoing the spare room downstairs with some bohemian inspired bedding I got for a super great deal from our local Meijer.  One of the key parts of the spare room downstairs is my sacred space!  This is where I go to meditate, journal, and all around connect with myself.  I love that this space of mine is separate from my actual bedroom because that means it is a place I can go to.  It is a place I can show up to when I need to. 

this post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclosure here.

Today I want to share with you how to make a comfortable meditation bolster.  This project was easy...yet annoying.  You'll totally love the results...but you may not ever want to make a pillow again.  Before I made this guy, I was using a small pillow.  Once I realized that pillow wasn't high enough and just wasn't supportive enough I went on to use one of the chairs from my craft table.  In the end, neither of these options had the right height or support for my booty.  So I thought to myself 'hey, you can make a bolster!'  and that's what I did.

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supplies // fabric (I used an extra sheet set to match the new bedding), sewing machine, matching thread, ruler/measuring tape, pins, bean bag chair beans, 1.5 inch button cover kit, doll needle

I started with 6 fabric peices - 2 14 x 20 inch pieces, 2 14 x 9 inch pieces, and 2 20 x 9 inch pieces.  This pillow will be stored in the bottom shelf of my meditation altar so I took these measurements to ensure it fits.  Feel free to make your pillow a different size, but this guy is the perfect height to elevate your bum enough so your legs don't fall asleep during mediation!

Pin the right sides of the 4 squat pieces together and sew up the short sides to create a long strip of fabric.  The seam allowance here is set to be .5 inches.  In hindsight, I would have used just a long, single piece of fabric as the sides of the bolster rather than sewing these 4 pieces together.  I also suggest using a zig zag stitch for strength.  I'm using some cheapo fabric so the zig zag stitch gives the seams a little more substance.  Leave an opening to add the beans

Pin the top and bottom pieces (the 20 x 15 pieces) to the top and bottom of the tube you've created - make sure you're pinning everything right sides together.  This is the tricky part & where the single long strip might have been better.  As you're sewing around and reach the corners be sure to pull the extra fabric out so that you're not sewing over the corners too much.

Turn the pillow inside out so the right side is now facing outward & fill it with beans.  This is going to be the messy & most annoying part.  The end result is so worth it though.  I used a paper funnel and measuring cup to funnel the beans into the pillow.  Once you get the pillow good and full, test it out.  If it feels overstuffed just shake out a nice chunk of the beans.  Hand or machine stitch the little opening closed.To finish the bolster, add a coordinating covered button.  You can pick up these covered button kits at your local sewing shop so this isn't something special you'll have to seek out.  Simply follow the directions on the back of the package.  Cut a circle to the required shape, place it over the form, push the button into the form.  Fold the extra fabric over, place the button backing on top, and push it down to secure.  Bam! Button.
Using the long doll needle and doubled over thread - you can even use two strands, doubled, for extra strength - attach the buttons to both sides.  Poke the needle through the center of once side to the center of the other side of the bolster.  This may take a few tries. Once you reach the other side, slip a button through then pass the needle back through to the first side.  Add the second button, pull taught, and secure with a few knots.

And you're done!  See, easy peasy. Though slightly annoying.

Using this bolster now relieves the pain on my hips, allows the blood to circulate, and gives me the right height to see my altar.  It also fits perfectly into the space under my altar table.  The altar table itself is a TV stand from either Walmart or Meijer, I can't remember. (Oh! Walmart is also a part of ebates!  Be sure to sign up here if you haven't started to use ebates yet!).  It has shelving space plus a little door with some shelve too - perfect for hiding away journals, etc.

I am in love with this little space.  Be sure to check back soon to see the whole room put together + some other decor DIY's!  If you'd like to check out some of the other rooms in my house I've got a living room tour + a craft room tour over on my YouTube channel.  You can check out the bedroom tour here on the blog.  Need more DIY decor inspiration? Click here!

Do you have a sacred space?  Where do you go to connect with yourself?

Trend Tuesday // Fat Girl, Crop Top

There are two things the below photos will show you - I desperately need to dye my hair and that I am wearing a crop top.  I've seen a lot of individuals I admire on Instagram and other social media outlets wear crop tops.  I mostly follow a lot of body positive and plus size fashion accounts because it is nice to be inspired by those that look like me.  After seeing quite a few of these individuals wear crop tops, I said 'you know what, I have a body...I'm going to wear a crop top'

this post contains affliate links, please read my full disclosure here

shirt - Meijer // duster cardigan - Amazon

Joy vest - LuLaRoe Cinnamon Little

maxi skirt - handmade (similar) // boots - Acredale Saddlery

choker - Moodology collection from Origami Owl

I've been obsessed with sewing for like a very long minute and made this flowy maxi skirt.  So far I've sewn a few t-shirt dresses, 2 shirts, and this maxi.  The steam is running out right now but I have so much fabric that I need to make more, more, more!  Adding a few more shirts and a few more maxi skirts is on my to sew list.  I love the fit of this maxi - I made the pattern from a maxin I already had from Meijer (I believe) but extended the hem a little more so I could wear it higher up on my waist.  I wasn't anticipating the crop top action, but this works perfectly!

This was the first semi nice (weekend) day that I wore this outfit.  I had a planner meet up to head to with Monique from Many Sides to Me, and then Zach and I went on a little date to one of our favorite restaurants.  I felt super empowered wearing something slightly out of my comfort zone.  I would wear this whole outfit - minus the crop top - on a regular day so the pattern, the layering, etc is really my style.  Adding the crop top made me feel fierce!

If you're unsure about wearing a new style try to pair it with something you fee more comfortable in.  Don't go all out the first time...that's what wearing a crop top has taught me!

I plan to rock this style - plus a bikini if I can find a top I like - this Spring and Summer.  Don't let anything hold you back!  I'm going to pull from one of my favorite drag queens, Latrice Royale - Wear the crop top.  Look sick'ning. Make them eat it!

What fashion trend are you stepping out to rock this summer?  

xoxo, Moe

Make it Monday // Simple Sewing Kit

I've been doing a lot of sewing recently as I am in need of some period style dresses for the SCA events we've been attending.  So far I have one dress I'm pretty proud of, my first dress ever, and a dress I don't know if I can salvage from this past weekend.  I would say I'm a novice sewer at best but the styles of dresses I'm making are just the right amount of difficulty for me.  I put together a little sewing basket to corral all of my items for me using a basket I had laying around from Hobby Lobby.  (Hobby Lobby always has half off basket sales...so just wait for one & you can get a great deal!)

Here is everything all packed together.  I like this little basket because it's small enough to carry around in one hand but fits all the things I need.

I don't have too many spools of thread right now so these all fit rather nicely together in the bottom of the basket.  Then the pin cushion sits to the side.  Bobbins fall nicely beside that & my safety pins, of course, always fall to the bottom anyway.  I really like those colorful pins because if one is dropped I can see it on the cream colored carpet easily.  

Here is a bigger overview too.  The scissors are from a bigger sewing basket I scored at the thrift store one day back in Williamsburg.  It was a huge basket filled up with supplies for only $7! The two hem guide/ruler things (do they have a proper name?) are very helpful in here.  One has a middle part that slides up & down through the middle of the ruler & the other is an actual little clip!  Pretty nifty for pinning & measuring hems.  Other little notions are a handy seam ripper - I like that this one is rather big & sturdy - a thimble, and of course, bobbins.

I pull this little guy to the coffee table along with my sewing machine to get some sewing done.  I think each of these tools is important & helpful - and as a plus, the basket means I'll always know where everything is.

You can assemble a basket like this for super cheap too by checking out the Dollar Tree for small sewing kits, using coupons as Joaanes, & waiting for sales at Hobby Lobby.  Bonus if you can find some awesome stuff at the thrift store!

xoxo, Moe

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Make it Monday // Easy Purse Organizer DIY from Placemats

I think when the beginning of the year hits something in our DNA screams 'it's time to get organized!' and I've been listening.  A few weeks ago I shared with you what I keep in my purse and I'd love to say that it's stayed that way - simple & organized - but the truth is it didn't.  Right now my purse is a receipt burial ground full of lost lip balm & pens.  My phone gets lost in there every two minutes and who knows what lurks at the bottom.  I love my purse from Target - it's big enough for everything, has two side handles, & another handle for a cross body if you want it.  The other day I was watching organizing videos on YouTube and I found something amazing: a little contraption to keep your purse organized called a purse organizer.  The person doing the video purchased hers on etsy (which is a great option!) but I decided that I could make something similar.  I knew that mine didn't have to be super duper fancy - just something to organize my crap.  So I picked up two cheap placemats & got to sewing.

this post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclosure here.

Supplies:  Sewing machine (or needle & thread, or fabric adhesive for a new sew option), two cheap placemats (or one, depending on the size of your purse), straight pens, ruler/tape measure

The best type of placemat to work with are the Mainstays brand from Wal-Mart.  They are $1.97 (so cheap!) and have little ridges that make it easier to sew in straight lines.  They are also pretty sturdy with out being too thick so your sewing machine needle will be able to pierce the fabric.

 First, lay the placemat flat horizontally & decide where to fold your placemat to make the pockets.  I decided to fold up the bottom of the placemat 3/4 of the way to the top.  The placemats ended up being a bit too tall for my bag so I flipped the placemat over & pinned the top flap down a little as well.

If you have an idea of things you want to store in the pockets, use the tape measure to measure out & pin the individual pockets.   Repeat the pining & measuring if you need to on the second placemat.  Leave each side of each placemat unpinned, we are going to join the placemats together at one end to create a longer organizer.

Now sew, sew, sew.  I used the thread I had on hand (but I'd suggest matching thread since you do see a bit of the thread in your bag once you're done.  Unless you don't care about that, which is fine).  You can see in the pictures above that following the ridges on these placemats is really easy.  Make thick & thin pockets as well.  Randomizing as you go is best especially if you didn't map out your pockets in advance.

Once you've sewn up all your pockets join the two placemats by sliding the hem of one placemat over the hem of the other placemat.  Pin & sew the placemats together in between each hem.  This is the easiest because you're not pushing your needed thorough 4 thick hems.  Hopefully the picture will help you see the placement.  Trim your ends & you're done!

Your organizer might be a bit too long - mine was even though my purse is huge.  So you can double over the sides like the picture below.  Also don't be discouraged if your organizer is like a lump of weird fabric in your bag.  It doesn't quite look right until you get all your stuff in there.  I slipped the organizer in my bag then filled it up with my things.  I actually had a bunch of pockets left over after I put all my things in there!  I was totally not optimizing the amount my purse can hold!  I got rid of some of the little baggies that were in my previous what's in my purse post because I now have other pockets to hold the stuff - but I may add them back depending on the things I'll add to my purse now that everything has a spot.

You can either place your purse organizer with the pockets facing in or facing out.  I prefer the pockets facing in towards each other - I can get to things better.  Now your purse has like 4x the pockets it had before & you can easily move between purses and find everything you need! (In the photo above you can see that I used blue bobbin thread since I just had it on hand.  It doesn't bother me too much but if you don't like those kind of things use matching thread!)

I also made one from a single placemat for a clutch style organizer.  This one was supposed to be fancier, just in case you were going to a nice place or out for the evening, etc but then I realized I have no nice clutches!  So you can see that you can make one of these organizers from however many placemats you need.  I think this might even be great for a travel make up bag as well!

Want more easy sewing projects?  Click here!

Are you getting organized this year?  Are you including your purse in your organization plans?

xoxo, Moe

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Trend Tuesday // Skirting the Issue

A lot of the skirts in my closet have come from the thrift store.  They are often around .99cents & perfectly patterned which makes them great additions to my wardrobe but there's been something I've been avoiding doing lately and that is chopping them all short.  My favorite skirts to pick up are mid-calf or longer because I really like the look.  But it's getting to be warmer here & I'm thinking of shortening up the majority of the skirts in my closet.  The problem is I'm too afraid I won't like it!  I have one skirt particularly in mind when I say this: a bright orange one I've had for ages that falls perfectly at the calves.  I used to wear it a lot but I don't find myself wearing it at all now.  I really want to cut it shorter but I'm really scared I won't like it!  I mean, it is just a dollar or so skirt that I've had since at least 2009 but what if I chop it & hate it? What if?

Let me show you what I'm talking about.  It would be like taking this & this above to this & this below

I'm liking the shorter skirts for summer (still keeping them a bit longer for work) but I also like the long look, too.  If they all get cut short, there's more room for tights in the winter months....but the long, bohemian-y look still really strikes me...but I don't wear the long skirts hardly any.  What am I to do?

How do you feel about it? Should I cut & hem them all up or leave them alone?  Do you like shorter skirts or longer skirts? Which get more wear in your closet?

xoxo, Moe

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Things I Want to Make // My To-Sew List

I think the best part of our house is the blending of Zach & I together that I see around the whole place.  We share a desk area, we share a workshop space (what will be my ceramics studio & his woodworking area) in the garage, and you know those other parts of the house couples share.  There's a third little work area though that will be all my own - my sewing table.

I'm super excited to find the perfect little table to sit under the window in the spare bedroom - I may have found the best one at Big Lots but we'll see.  I'll also use this room - because the light is so lovely - to photograph our vintage stuff, but for now I'm just day dreaming of my to-sew list.

You may think I want to take on a giant project like a quilt or a dress or something but no.....I like to keep it simple!  Just a few little things & just a few little stitches.  If I tackled a quilt it would never get done....too much work!  I'm a quick fix kinda gal!

a maxi skirt or two - I feel I may need a few in a few colors.  Maybe a few in jersey knit & maybe a few in a different fabric.

more aprons - I used to sew aprons right after I got my sewing machine at the end of college.  I made one for a friend, one for me, & had plans for some for the shop but only ever got one totally finished.  I really want to dedicate a weekend to busting out 5 or 10 & get them in the Five One Six shop.

hem the living room curtains - the one on the door is a bit too long...so it needs to be taken up more than a couple of inches.

sewing placemat keep all thingy - I want to make a little placemat type of thingy that also has some pockets that hang off the side of the table to hold bits of stuff.  My original reasoning behind this was because I was planning on remaking a TV tray as a tiny sewing desk.  But now I think I'm going bigger for my table...we shall see.

pretty sewing machine cover - right now my little sewing machine lives in her carrying case which has protected her from the move but when she's on display I don't want her to get all dusty so a little cover is in order.

a skirt for my table - Because I really like this pin!

nice curtains for the kitchen - I need some sort of curtain combo that will look good over the sink & on the window of the deck door.  This house has too many doors & too many windows!  Too many windows is a good thing though.

a little ironing board cover - my original sewing desk idea was inspired by this pin.  My sewing desk would do double duty as an ironing board.  But what about ironing & sewing?!?!  This ironing board TV tray can slip behind the table or hide somewhere else or be extra space.  Love it!

Right now bits & pieces of my sewing collection are around the house but slowly they are making it into one place and then slowly getting into the spare room.  I can't wait to have a few little projects going on.  I just can't sit still & it's apparent if I need three work areas!!

Do you sew? What projects do you want to work on?  Are you like me & need a million work areas? Am I just crazy?!

xoxo, Moe

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Dorm Dec Wednesdays: DIY Bath Poof

I've realized I haven't yet posted or created anything handmade for the bathroom.  I guess I never really thought of it as a place to decorate besides storage.  (I guess I did post that vanity tray, but I really think that has been the only thing)

I really like bathroom decor. It can make even the smallest & not so cute bathroom an oasis to get away in.  Light some candles & draw a bubble bath when you are surrounded by things you find pretty & I am sure any one can relax the stress away.  In fact scented soap & bubble bath are my favorite. I recently bought this soap from Spotted Moth:

Blood Orange and Bergamot Organic Soap

I think Valentine's Day made me buy it

look at that red!

I also liked the name & imagined it would smell delicious!

While on Stumble today, I came across this great idea to turn old towels into bath poofs that look like roses!  Here's the finished product:

the front

the back

in process

These are perfect in expensive gifts & a great way to reuse towels! Pop over to Ruffles & Stuff for the complete sewing tutorial.  I'd say that even if you didn't have a sewing machine, you could hand sew these as well.

Happy Wednesday everyone.  Do you craft up things for your bathroom/guest bathroom?

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Dorm Dec Wednesdays: Creating a Space of your Own

I'd really like to be able to keep my room separate from my craft/making area but don't have room in my small apartment to do so.  Right now my room mate & I have both of our sewing machines crammed onto our dinning table under the only over head light in our apartment.  It gets cramped when she's trying to cut & I am trying to sew & vice versa.  There's no place to iron, no place to cut out patterns, etc.  We are both novice seamstresses, have two very different machines, & are doing very different things.

I recently found this adorable blog, Apple Blue where Amanda has created her own little sewing space with an old bookshelf, curtain, & type case.  So awesome!

and also take a look at her chairs:

aren't they perfect?

I definitely don't have room for this in our little apartment, but it's nice to dream.  I am hoping to have a loft bed in my new apartment & have space to create below. 

Do you have a separate space to work?  

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Fan Fridays: Thrift Store Refashion

I love fashion & I love the thrift store.  I would much rather spend a day thrifting than doing anything else. I get so bummed when I realize that I can't afford or shouldn't buy things from the thrift store.  I like to save a few bucks by shopping there first, but I like to save even more bucks by not buying anything at all (unless its a super good deal and I have 59 cents in my purse or something!)

Mainly, I like to look good on a small budget and love to have some DIY-ed pieces to my wardrobe.  There is also just something about a worn in, well loved, second hand item.

DIY ALERT: keep reading after the image to see how to make the tank & denim skirt!

Thrift Store Inspiration by crossxmyxhooks featuring Coach bags

1. Bag: to me the most important part of an outfit is the bag.  I love large bags! Large bags carry everything you need for the day.  Finding a large bag in the thrift store can be hard. A lot of the bags I've seen are super, super tiny but its possible.  Even though it isn't thrift, you can also try discount stores for nice big bags.  I have a fairly decent one I bought at Wal-Mart on sale (There is only a wal-mart in my college town) and its nice.
2. Jewelry: This bracelet set is something easily made from any old/broken necklaces/bracelets you might have laying around.  If you don't have any, thrift stores always have a section of jewelry.  See if you can find a bag of odds & ends or a necklace with beads you may love but a style that's out.  Does your thrift store have a craft section? See if you can find some left over craft supplies like embroidery floss or yarn to bead them on for an even better handmade look.
3. Shoes: These sandals are something that I am sure are a staple in a summer wardrobe.  If looking for frugal, one pair from a TJ Maxx or Marshall's will last you. Other wise, you can find a few pairs of these (if you don't have huge feet like I do) at thrift stores for a few bucks sometimes.  
4. DIY Tank: This tank is super easy to make: find a t-shirt that's a size or two bigger than your actual size & check that craft section of the thrift store for a piece of rope (or braid many strands of yarn together to create a colorful look).  Cut the shirt on the lines shown in this image.  Fold over the top of the neckline & sew together leaving the ends open, repeat on back, do not connect front & back.  Thread the rope or braided yarn through the front & around to the back.  Try the shirt on to adjust the straps, tie (double knot is best) the rope/yarn to one shoulder.  Add wooden beads if you'd like.
5. DIY Skirt: This skirt can be made from an old denim shirt: Grab an old denim shirt & some elastic that is about an inch thick long enough to fit slightly snug around your waist (you want to make sure the skirt will stay up as the elastic will be the waistband) .  Measure from underarm to underarm to make sure the length doubled will fit around your waist (see this image) & from underarm to the bottom of the skirt so it is long enough to wear. Cut along dotted line in image, fold over about an inch, pin and sew.  Make sure you leave an opening to thread the elastic through.  Thread the elastic using a safety pin as a needle to shimmy the elastic all the way through.  Make sure one end stays out of the waistband.  When the first end comes back around, sew the two ends together, tuck in the elastic, and finish sewing. (if it is too ruffly or pleated, take in the sides)
6. Long Skirt: I am a fan of these long summery skirts.  I've found a ton in fun prints all over the thrift stores.  It is the one thing I look for every time I go!

Here are Some Parts of my wardrobe that parallel this thrift refashion post:

Do you have anything in your wardrobe that is an absolute go to?  Do you find yourself wearing it everyday??

Linking to this party: