Sweet Fabric:
Pillowcase

I'm feeling a little out of control.

Spinning on the spot.
Getting no where fast.
& frankly I can't focus on anything.

...I guess it's the time of year but I'm normally much more on top of things.

I need to get myself organised & make some lists (or have a pretty drink - lucky it's Friday).

This tutorial for how to make a shoulder bag was submitted to Whip Up as part of their recycling/upcycling month.

It's made from a pillowcase which means that there is only one line of structural sewing.

It's really all about careful folding & cutting.

How To Make A Shoulder Bag From A PillowcaseView SlideShare presentation or Upload your own.

On Whipup here & there is a PDF how to available here.

I've always been a fan! Mikes are into happy too.

Making this day happy...

mango for lunch
the sound of the date's car turning into our street
chicken & chips for dinner
helpful kids
thrifted pillowcasey loveliness
balmy evening

Actually just off my desk.

More pillowcase craft.

Garment bag constructed to protect that sparkly, fandangly (& grossly overpriced) rhythmic gym leotard & matching routine music bag (to hold CDs).

Off for more of the same now.

New desks this week ... The Essess and The Crafty Librarian.

On my desk...the players.

PS: I've been a bit half baked I know but I'm waving at you all from the car window & planning a clicketty trip tonight.

The weather is warming up. It's too hot for the leggings on the run now. I had to wear three quarters this morning.

When I went to visit my sister in Darwin we made a few pairs of Fisherman's Pants for her little girl. All were made from vintage pillowcases. Today I've made a pair for the smallest.

Fisherman's pants are classic Darwin attire. Everybody wears them! I know it's not quite Darwin weather but I'm keenly anticipating warmer days and the small girl loves them.

These pants could be worn from 1 (niece) to 7 (small girl) if the seams & fabric held up. They are free size.

I ask the question daily. Why?

This is the reason.

If I achieve nothing else on kootoyoo I'll be happy!

Can't write anymore...too emotional.

Thank you B & come home. please

We made these hand pieced hexagon shaped pincushions a few weeks ago at Brown Owls. They are a great way to use up scraps or tiny samples of favourite fabrics. Not surprisingly, I've used vintage pillowcase fabric for this.

The original project came from a vintage children's craft book, "How to make and do 100 new things". If you ever spot a copy in an Op Shop or second hand bookshop buy it - it's pure gold!

| View | Upload your own

Tutorial as a slide show (best viewed at full screen via my Slideshare). You can just click & stitch, click & stitch.

It's been a while since I've used powerpoint & I can tell you there was much swearing. But I think well worth the effort in the end.

Download this kootoyoo how to... as a PDF (including templates).

Thank you to my crafty kick in the pants. You're ace!

See all my click & stitch make a pincushion projects.
.

These girls have had a crack at my pillowcase projects:

Button Beauty made a blog roll
Shabby Chicken made a chickOroll
Curlypops made a shopping bag
Goat in a Coat made a blog roll
Bridget made a shopping bag

Tutorials & things to make from pillowcases can be found here in PDF form.

Comment here if you have a crack at a kootoyoo pillowcase project.

-Vintage pillowcases from this gorgeous girl & from stitching superstar Steph too.
-The beginning of something new.
-Just a wee bit of binding. I picked up these combs at the Op Shop yesterday. The timing couldn't have been more perfect!
-Inspiration.

So I lied the other day when I said that Pillowcases are no good sitting on a shelf.

I absolutely love my little set of shelves full of pillowcases. It is actually very hard to choose one to use for pillowcase crafting.

You'd be proud of me though - I've used three this week.

Folding & sorting to add to the collection.

My little set of shelves is almost full to overflowing. I've been really lucky with my pillowcase opping lately & most of the stash pictured came from one little old lady's linen press.

I've been working on another make & do pillowcase project today & I'll have a tutorial to share by the end of the week.

is Lara.

As I'll be seeing her tonight at Brown Owls I won't mail it.

The other winners of my pillowcase craft projects can expect their package in the mail Thursday - I'll post tomorrow.

Tutorial: How to make these pillowcase craft project can be found in PDF form here.

Project Pillowcase:
5 speedy quick “present cupboard” craft projects made from one pillowcase for "A Week of Pillowcases" hosted at Meet Me at Mikes.

I try to use materials from Op Shops in my projects & I’ve been successful with this challenge. BUT…you shouldn’t feel restricted to using pillowcases. Remnants or lovely new fabrics will work just as effectively.

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1 of 5
The End Product:

1 eco-friendly shopping bag.

The How To:
Can be found here.
You need to use bias tape for this project. So visit here for the best tutorial ever.

The Verdict:
Super easy, super speedy & a AAA rating for the present cupboard. People on the nice list WILL be getting these for Christmas

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2 of 5
The End Product:

2 Covered Suspension Files (per pillowcase).
The How To:
Can be found here.

The Verdict:
Super easy, super speedy & a AAA rating for the present cupboard. People on the nice list WILL be getting these for Christmas.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
3 of 5
The End Product:

1 Peg Apron.

The How To:
Can be found here.

The Verdict:
Super easy, super speedy & a AAA rating for the present cupboard. People on the nice list WILL be getting these for Christmas.

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4 of 5
The End Product:

1 Blog Roll

The How To:
Can be found here.

The Verdict:
Super easy, but not so super speedy (the embroidery takes a bit of time). This pressie is for super special people.

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5 of 5
The End Product:

4 Tealight holders (you will be able to make 8-10 from one pillowcase).

The How To:
Can be found here.

The Verdict:
Super easy, super speedy & a AAA rating for the present cupboard. People on the nice list WILL be getting these for Christmas.

Image from Lottielulu

Is Ingrid. Just look at the gorgeous pillowcase pants she makes. I love them!

at Meet Me at Mikes . The lucky last of 5. Thanks for having me Pip - it's been fun.

I've put together a few speedy quick projects of things to make from a pillowcase.

Today it's covering Tealight holders. This project is really easy & really fast - a fabulous way to present-cupboard-craft.

The pillowcase I would have used if I had the guts to hack into it.

We are having a giveaway - you could win these tealight holders. The details are at Mikes & entries close at 5am tomorrow Melbourne time. The winner will be posted here tomorrow.

Don't forget the Blog Roll comments are open until Monday morning at 5am Melbourne time.

at Meet Me at Mikes .

I've put together a few speedy quick projects of things to make from a pillowcase. Today it's a Blog Roll. It has handy pockets for storing your camera, a pen, a notepad & a pocket for brilliant ideas & inspiration. It's guaranteed to keep your blog On a roll...

You can find the instructions for the construction of the Blog Roll as well the embroidery design here.

If you've got a bit of a storage fetish I've also included simple & free embroidery designs for:
Chick O Roll, Rock N Roll & a Stitching Roll

This isn't as quick as the other projects I've put together because of the embroidery but I like handwork - it's relaxing.

The pillowcase I would have used if I had the guts to hack into it.

We are having a giveaway -you could win the Blog Roll (contents NOT included). The details are at Mikes & entries close at 5am Monday Melbourne time. I'm keeping this one open longer because it took the most time & I think it is the best. The winner will be announced here on Monday morning.

WINNER of The Peg Apron is: Two Pink Possums

Edit: I've just popped into Mikes & the Mixtape girls had a recycled pillowcase bib pattern in Issue 3 of Mixtape Zine. So if you don't already own this issue you might want to order it with Issue 4 which is coming out in the next couple of weeks.

Quite a bit of craftiness this week.

- In the foreground are projects 1, 2 & 3 of 5 speedy quick things to make with pillowcases from the Week of Pillowcases I'm hosting at Meet me at Mikes this week.

- The start of my 2nd Softie for Mirabel & the teddy bear that the small made for Mirabel. The kids have really embraced the appeal. I think because the Mirabel Foundation supports children. I'm so thrilled ot be taking part in this again this year.

- Paperwork for a school event I'm organising. If you are in Melbourne & organising an event of any kind I can't recommend Action Events highly enough. They are a highly professional & most helpful.

- Gorgeous pin cushion I picked up at the Op Shop last week.

Feel free to join On my desk... at any time.

at Meet Me at Mikes .

I've put together a few speedy quick projects of things to make from a pillowcase. Today it's a peg apron. This isn't an original idea, in fact I own an apron similar made from a tea towel. It so practical & holds such a lot.

I used to keep my pegs in a metal bucket - not any more. This little baby is fantastic. You've got your pegs strapped to you, right where you need them - not way down the other end of the clothesline.

I do love the butterfly pillowcase & it works well with the string washing line.

The pillowcase I would have used if I had the guts.

We are having a giveaway - you could win this apron. The details are at Mikes & entries close at 5am tomorrow Melbourne time.

WINNER of The Files is: Margarita C - please email me mail(at)kootoyoo(dot)com(dot)au so that I can post them to you.

at Meet Me at Mikes .

I've put together a few speedie quick projects of things to make from a pillowcase. Today it's covering Suspension Files.

I really love that top pillowcase fabric. I think I'd be hard pressed to top that with anything from my stash.

The pillowcase I would have used if I had the guts to hack into it.

We are having a giveaway -you could win these files. The details are at Mikes & entries close at 5am tomorrow Melbourne time.

WINNER of The Bag is: Polka Dot Rabbit.

at Meet me at Mikes.

I'm thrilled to be sharing Pip's lovely space with her over the next week.

I've put together some speedy quick projects to make using pillowcases.

Today's project is an eco-friendly shopping bag.

The best part about making this bag was watching Amy Karol's tutorial on bias tape. It is SENSATIONAL.

If you get bitten by the pillowcase bug too have a crack at some of these:

Apron

Dress

Skirt

Garment Bag

Skirts & Dresses

Laundry Bag

Fabric Scrap & Remnant Ideas – Yikes there are HEAPS here & it's a new to me site.

Handmade Parade hosted a Pillowcase challenge earlier in the year. Winner here
and you can check out the other entries here.

The pillowcase I would have used if I had the guts to hack into it. This is one of my Tier 1 pillowcases. I've only got a few that have arrived wrapped in plastic. I love the pattern & would have loved a bag made out of it. But this baby is for looking only.

We are having a giveaway - the details are at Mikes & entries close at midnight tonight Melbourne time.