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Merit Badge Necklace

Update: This project was originally created by Brittni Mehlhoff of papernstitch. I asked her to contribute to this DIY series and she obliged with this wonderful tutorial. What she did not realize is that the original Anthropologie version of this necklace is actually a handmade piece created by Fort Standard. So while we hope that you will continue to draw inspiration from the world around you, we would discourage making an exact copy of an artist’s work, even for personal use. Brittni has decided to remove the tutorial to further discourage this. Thanks for your understanding.

This series has apparently created a good deal of controversy, which you can read about here.

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Brittni Mehlhoff is the founder and curator of the art + handmade exhibition site, papernstitch, and is also the editor of a handmade blog by the same name. When not working on papernstitch, she is dreaming up fun little tutorials and crafting projects for her home. You can visit her free diy projects and tutorials section for more than sixty quick and easy projects. And while you are there, you can also sign up to receive free weekly diy projects straight to your inbox.

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Cummerbund Pillow

I decided to make this pillow from Anthropologie. Yes, we’ll be borrowing a lot from Anthropologie this week. Seems only fair. Instead of paying $128 for this pillow, make one!

Update: After all of the controversy ensued surrounding this week’s theme, I’ve decided to show you what I’ve made here, but not give you any direction on how to make it an exact copy. You can read my pintuck pillow tutorial from last year to learn the pintuck technique.

 

 

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HandMAYde is better!

How many times do you see something in a store, catalog or online and think “I can make that”? I do it all the time. Not very often do I actually get around to making the thing, but this week I hope we can all get motivated.

We’ll be featuring projects inspired by items from stores, but done DIY. Whether you make things for thrift, for fun, or both, this week will be good! These clothing projects make me wish I had a sewing machine when I was younger and might have actually worn interesting clothes. It’s too late for me now.

Here’s a quick round-up of DIY knock-offs from around the web. Thanks to Gigi for compiling this list!

Knotted Bedding from Kojo Designs.

Upholstered Headboard from Design Sponge.*

Britt’s Anthropologie-Inspired Tables from Design Sponge.

Chevron Rug Tutorial from Adventures in Dressmaking.

Gradient Shower Curtain from A Little Lovely.

Golden Raindrop Dress from Tea Rose Home.

Layered Jersey Skirt from Sewing for Scarlett.

Flower Sash from Ruby Mines.

Ruffled Tee from Adventures in Dressmaking.*

Ruffled Tank from Ruffles and Stuff.

Tiered Cardigan from Welcome to the Good Life.

String Pendant Light from Made by Girl.

Teapot Lamp from Retropolitan.*

Wallpaper Mirror from Mitzi’s Collectibles.

Seashell Mirror from Lee La La.

Colorpath Pillow from Make it Lovely.*

Window Headboard from Remodelaholic.

Ribbon and Bird Chandelier from Living with Lindsay.

Bouquet Handbag from Make it Lovely.*

iPad Clutch from P.S. I Made This.*

Ruffled Duvet Cover from Kiki Creates.

*Pictured above.

Update: While I encourage you to find inspiration from things you see here, you will of course want to add your own creativity to projects to make them your own.

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Spool Stacker Toy

Another guest post — from another Jessica! This time Jessica from A Little Gray has stopped by with a great project to recycle your thread spools, get the kids involved in the process and maybe teach some counting and color identification as well. Jessica just had a baby three weeks ago, but was generous enough to come up with this tutorial for you! Thanks, Jessica!

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Hi, I’m Jessica from a Little Gray. I’m really excited (like probably way too much) to be a guest blogger on The Long Thread today! This was one of the very first crafty blogs I started reading, and obviously, Ellen is a sewing guru! I love to sew and I blog mostly about making things, but also some about music, thrifting, food, art, and whatever else interests me… And of course, a little about my two biggest inspirations, 2 year old Hendrix and 3 week old Elsie.
Today I’m sharing an idea for a kid craft and toy all in one, and a fun way to upcycle all those empty plastic thread spools you may have been collecting (and not knowing why.) It’s a fun color sorting and stacking game for toddlers or preschoolers who have outgrown the big plastic ring stackers. And the best part is, your child can help you create it, which makes playing with it that much more fun! Come check it out here.
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May Flower Hair Clips

I know there are lots of flower tutorials out there, but as I was making these for my daughter’s class fundraiser, I felt that I had gotten them down to a science so thought I’d share. This is a great way to use up those precious Liberty scraps. Head over to Alpha Mom for the full tutorial.