Ruffled Scooby Pillowcase

I've been working on cleaning up and organizing my craft/guest room so I can finish working on party decor for a couple parties! Lately, most of my work has been for others...so Miss Cassandra keeps asking when I'm going to make something for her.

While out shopping the other day, she fell in love with this gorgeous Scooby fabric from Hancock Fabrics. I too sort of fell in love - sometimes she has great taste. How can you say no to Scooby??


Right away she requested a "pillowsheet". I stood there with a huh? look in the fabric store for a moment, then asked "a pillowcase for a pillow right"? - She's 6!

I do have to say, I am quite pleased at my first attempt! However, this was not the first pillowcase I've made, but it is the first that's straight, correctly sewn and amazing!!

While looking for a little how to information, I came across this absolutely beautiful pillowcase over at The Middlebrook Family Blog! Go have a look for yourself. It's just stunning... It was her ruffle that reminded me of how much I loved the ruffle I put on my camera strap awhile back! And then remembered this post from Kevin and Amanda. I just loved her detailed zig-zag stitch along her ruffle. 

I'm just a self-taught sewer with little knowledge, and it seems the more I read here and there, the more I learn! I've been drooling over a new sewing machine so I can clean the edges better for some projects, then suddenly learned my little ole machine (about 8 years) has a zig-zag stitch that does exactly that!! Unbelievable! I've put off projects waiting until I could afford a better one....to just now find this out?? Oh boy, I'm in trouble now. I have a feeling the boxes of fabric sitting in the closet are finally going to be used!!

See! A nice clean edge - Oh that's exciting! lol

Look at that happy girl!

She very patiently waited as I photographed my new creation, then as soon as I tilted the camera down, she leaped on the guest bed to enjoy her new pillow! But moments later, she was out the door and to her room...

One new exciting website I'd like to share is Craft Hope. As I was reading that post with the stunning ruffled pillowcase, she talks about Craft Hope. This may very well be a new favorite of mine - hopefully they'll begin a new project soon I can join in! I just missed the last two by a month. Boo.

Ruffled Camera Strap

I've had my eye on these cute DIY camera straps for awhile now! I'm so excited to finally have one done. I was a little nervous with the ruffle, as I've never made one before. I'm not much of a seamstress - I have a sewing machine and I know how to do the basics. I was pretty sure I'd have to complete one strap to realize how to really make one. So I started with some extra fabric from another project. As I started working with the print, it became too much for my eyes! I'm honestly just a simple girl, who loves simple things. Who would have thought I'd end up with my first strap a success - and of two solid colors! However, I can't stop with just one. So, I should have a new one with my original fabric scheme made soon. Who doesn't love variety?!

I started off with THIS tutorial from Crap I've Made. Love this site, love this tutorial! This is where I learned to do the ruffle, and piece mine together.

Supplies:
An old camera strap, for the hardware AND/OR upholstery-grade vinyl and 2 3/4" dog collars
Heavy fusible interfacing, the same length and twice the width of your strap
Fabric the same length and twice the width plus 1” of your strap
A longer strip of fabric for your ruffle

I decided to change the length of mine to 30", because I always wear my strap like a messenger bag - the added length would be nice for me personally.

I also used THIS tutorial from I Kat Bag to make my own vinyl covers for the ends. I wasn't about to tear my original Canon strap apart, and I had no interest in searching for an old strap. Perfect tutorial! Also, for the nylon straps that connect to the camera, I love that she used dog collars! What an easy find from Walmart or Target!

I prefer the buckles from my original Canon strap, so I just removed those and added them to my new ruffled strap.