Easy Hi-Low Half-Circle Skirt

Circle skirts are so swirly and swingy.  And circle-y.  It's pretty much essential for any girl or woman's wardrobe.  You can achieve more or less fullness by making it half circle or a full circle skirt.   This went from a simple tutorial to an in-depth explanation and how to make both with regular and asymmetrical hems... and back to simple again.  Mostly I want to show off this cute hi-low skirt I made for my daughter, and the hi-low pertains to the short-in-the-front-long-in-the-back-hemline of course.   I'm so pleased with how it came out.  Make one today!  My model won't cooperate which is why I hung the skirt in a tree, one of the more rustic and country looking parts of my yard (except for the neighbor's house in the background, of course).

An Unfinished Soldering Project

I couldn't wait to start soldering this weekend... I had a whole bunch of picture frame glass leftover from my earring board project, so I'd been racking my brain for ideas to use the glass. I took a stained glass class in college, and decided to pick up a super cheap soldering iron on sale for $5 at JoAnn. I picked up some copper tape and a spool of solder at Hobby Lobby, and ordered some flux on Etsy and I was set.  It sounds like a lot but once you get the bug to make something, there's no going back. 

I needed to make a late Christmas gift for my dad and his girlfriend -- they are active, beach bum types.  I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut this cute vinyl sticker of a couple on a tandem bike (#27595 in the Silhouette store online), and added the lettering. 

On A Personal Note...

I don't normally write "Dear Diary, just checking in" type posts about my personal life, but I haven't been posting much lately and wanted to let you know what's coming soon from Coconut Love.

One of the reasons I've been too busy to write is because I've been contemplating selling wholesale AND getting into the craft fair circuit, which sent me on a wild goose chase to get my business affairs in order and come up with a cute, vintage style girl's outfit that would fit into the whole hat/suspender/bow tie thing I have going on.  Ruffle rompers and flower/lace headbands are so trendy, and I hate to be a copycat but they really do have the retro feel that I'm looking for.  I'm also considering switching to elastic suspenders and clip-on bow ties which will be more cost effective  (and just as cute) all-around.  I am still figuring out exactly how I want to make the rompers but I had so much fun making the headbands (I will be posting a tutorial).

I had some fun playing with chalkboard paint but didn't take pictures, therefore nothing to share, but I still have a whole can to play with so I'll come up with more fun things to try.  What I did was take dollar-store wine glasses dip the base in chalkboard paint so you can write on them.  It made a fun gift paired with a bottle of wine.

I also got started with soldering and didn't get too far.  The stuff is still all set up on a cookie sheet that keeps getting shuffled around because I have no place for it.  That's pretty much how everything is in my office/sewing room right now.  I foresee a big organization post in the future...

I developed a new addiction to a Facebook group for Silhouette users which has been very helpful and inspirational, I can't wait to share more projects ideas and tutorials with you.

You will probably be seeing more cooking posts from me, specifically low-carb and gluten-free cooking.  Yes, it's time to tackle all this weight that has been accumulating since I had my youngest.  I'm considering starting a separate blog for those who are interested, so that I don't bore/annoy the rest of you!  Or I might keep it anonymous so that I can share all my deep dark embarrassing secrets without fear of judgement.  The jury is still out on that one.  

I think that accounts for everything that has been keeping me busy -- oh yeah and also taking care of 3 kids and trying to keep up with the housework, homework, and grocery shopping that come with them.  Another post in the works, the joy and lack of appreciation of being a stay-at-home or work-from-home mom.  Sigh.

I hope I gave you some reasons to stay tuned!  Feel free to leave a comment to let me know what you're most interested in and I will prioritize accordingly :)


 

"It's a major award!" No really, I was nominated for an award.

Did you get my Christmas Story reference?

One Sunday morning a couple of weeks ago, I dragged myself out of bed and joined my toddler to watch Yo Gabba Gabba on the couch armed with coffee and my iPhone.  To my surprise while checking email, amongst the special offers for ink cartridges and senior dating sites (I'm under 40 and married, ironically) I received this little nugget:

Free Doll Clothes Patterns (I'm Slightly Obsessed)

If you're a Facebook fan you may have caught my post about these adorable doll clothes patterns that have driven me closer to becoming a "crazy doll lady".  I think it has to do with the fact that my 9-year-old daughter doesn't let me dress her up and do her hair. Anyway I fell in love with the Liberty Jane Patterns for 18" American Girl (R) sized dolls (available at Pixie Faire). I wanted to show how I used their free pattern for a "trendy tee" to make a tank dress. 

Sure, I can get doll clothes patterns from McCalls or Simplicity on sale at JoAnn for $1... but these are SOOO much easier than using old school tissue paper patterns for doll clothes -- I honestly prefer downloading/printing/cutting.  I have also found that the Liberty Jane clothes fit better. 

I made a couple shirts and tanks with the pattern as-is, and I just lengthened it by a few inches to make a dress. I made the bottom about 1/2 - 1" wider too. 

Sorry about my foot photo-bomb there.  

The best part is that I upcycled a shirt so I didn't have to do the hem! 

I forgot to cut the back in two pieces but it was better that way for a dress, so I just cut a slit in the top. 

To make it a tank top, just leave off the sleeves and double fold the arm opening.  Click here to see how I do tiny rolled hems.

Liberty Jane has a free dress pattern, and a couple more freebies if you sign up for their newsletter. The other pattern I highly recommend is the UK Holiday Top & Leggings (my version shown in the blurry photo below) and the Harajuku Skirt (not pictured):

By the way, some patterns are free all the time and some were free for a day. 

Are you a total nut about making doll clothes?  Go check out these patterns and you will be!

How To Thread Suspender Slides

You may have landed here because you were reading my "Better, Faster, Easier Way To Make Suspenders" post... if not, definitely check it out.  In that tutorial I am using the vest buckles commonly found at craft stores.  This is just a quick visual of how you thread the suspender slides that look more professional.  The slides that I use have prongs which might be different than other suspenders slides you will find -- I buy them from Crafty Munchkins on Etsy. 

Operation Burlap Placemats: 4 Ways To Sew Mitered Corners

Placemats are something I don't give much thought to, probably because I never use them. I have some red chargers that I use at Christmastime and that's the extent of table accessories at my house. My mom, however, uses placemats at almost every meal. I love that, and the way she always puts a large plate under the soup bowl or salad plate, which I usually skip because it just seems like more dishes to wash. I should take the time to do that more. She has been using these rabbit placemats for years and years, they are really thick sort of like chipboard, and have a wipeable surface. So I made her these to change it up a bit.  These are burlap and cotton wih mitered corners, very natural and kind of French. The cotton border is teal with gold flecks. 

Find out who won the loopy blanket...

C.SanJuanIsland please email me with your shipping address: coconutlovexoxo@gmail.com

Finally Found A Way To Sew A Narrow Hem (That Doesn't Make Me Want To Rip My Hair Out)

At last!  I figured out the best way to do a narrow rolled hem. I made lots of doll clothes for my daughter for Christmas and I was going crazy with all those tiny hems!!!  I have a narrow hemmer foot but it's hard to get started and I can't get a consistently even hem. I tried pressing the seam allowance and then rolling the edge in to the crease but my fingers are too big and clumsy. So it finally occurred to me to just fold and stitch twice!

Framed & Padded Custom Printed Burlap Earring Boards - Perfect Last Minute Gift

If you don't have a lot of time or money but you want to give a personal gift, this is the perfect project.  You can whip this up in under an hour!  These padded frames are a parking spot for French wires - keep it by your bed or the bathroom sink, or keep your favorite pairs within reach.  They're not meant to organize all of your earrings, it's more like practical  artwork.  If you're giving earrings as a gift, make an itty bitty one for presentation.  I thought this was an original idea but then I saw that other people had the same idea... maybe it came to me subliminally via Pinterest.  I haven't seen any quite like mine, however.  The difference is that I print on the burlap to make it totally unique (a monogram would be nice), plus it's padded with fleece.  Keep reading and I'll show you how easy it is...  You need an old frame, some burlap and freezer paper.