Show and Tell: Gathered Ruffle Camera Strap Cover

Remember a month or so ago when I told you about my new baby (my new DSLR camera - Canon Rebel T1i)?  Well, I have seen a gazillion cute camera straps around the internet lately and I thought "I want one!".  So today I decided to make myself one for my new camera.

I've seen a lot of great tutorials, but nothing was exactly what I was looking for, so I just decided to go for it and make my up my own little design with a little inspiration from here and there.

I used fabric from designer Anna Maria Horner.  When I was first introduced to this designer I was not initially won over by her work (sorry to say), but now I LOVE it!  I guess it's grown on me - I love the eclectic mix of patterns she uses with vintage, geometrics and florals.

I used a piece of woven trim that I purchased at a very old local fabric store.  I don't know if it is vintage or not, but it's old and I just loved its charm.

I wanted my camera strap to be slightly padded so I added some fusible fleece to the under-side.  I'm very happy with the amount of padding this gives the strap cover - not too much, not too little.

I used a gathering stitch on the top layer (don't worry if you don't know what that means, I promise to cover that in my "Sew Basics" series) and stitched the ribbon down the center of the ruffle.  I then sewed the top layer to the bottom layer (right-sides together) and turn it right-side out to reveal the completed camera strap cover.

On the inside I stitched in my label - The Cottage Mama.  It's so fun to have your own labels!  Even if you don't sell the things you make, I highly recommend purchasing some for any of the gifts you give or the clothes you make.  I feel so proud when I see my girls wearing "The Cottage Mama".

And there's me - "hi there!" sporting my new, hip camera strap cover.  I designed, cut, and finished this camera strap during naptime today, so it sewed up pretty quick.  If you have a boring camera strap right now, why not take a little time to make yourself something special, I'm sure you deserve it!!

Have a great weekend!

Cottage Mama's Note: Since there are so many tutorials out there on making camera straps, I figured I would just kind of tell you what I did.  If you have any questions about how I made mine or if you would like a tutorial just leave me a comment or email me (thecottagemama@gmail.com).

~ a window seat for the girls ~

easy peasy...

a simple mdf board cut to size at Lowes

scrap wood glued & screwed to the side walls

a firm king size pillow

a pillow case from Homegoods

...that's reversible

a skirt that used to be a valance (held on with a tension rod)

one more time ~ before...

after...

approximately 12 minutes to do


(check out The Shabby Chic Cottage 
and the Shabby Nest 
& 
funky junk interiors

for other great ideas)

Easiest 10-Minute Throw Pillow

Would you believe me if I told you that the pillow pictured above was originally a placemat?  Well, it's true!  I got this placemat today at Pier 1 on sale for $3.10 (including tax).  I turned this beauty into a pillow in less than 10 minutes, yes, LESS than 10 minutes.  Even if you don't own a sewing machine, you can do this little project - just get out your seam ripper and hand-sewing needle.

Like I said in my previous post, I have really been into sprucing up The Cottage Home, but with being a stay-at-home Mom, I am usually on a pretty tight budget.  So I am doing the best with what I have (rearranging things galore) and adding in the occasional thrifty find.  I am so excited about this project and I hope you will be too!!

10-Minute Throw Pillow Tutorial

Supplies:

1 double layer placemat

Seam ripper

Fiberfill or other stuffing

Sewing machine or hand-sewing needle

Thread

Directions:

Grab a standard-size placemat.  I got mine at our local Pier 1 (though I was inspired by all the pretty things I've seen in the Potterybarn catalog lately).  Perhaps you have a placemat on-hand or check out any of your favorite stores - I guarantee a place mat will be FAR less expensive than a pillow but will still have the same style as your favorite store.

I picked this placemat because I loved the texture and the colors (our family room is deep red, brown, tan and green).  Make sure you choose a placemat that has two layers - a top layer and a bottom layer.  Some placemats are trimmed with bias-tape.  Try to stay away from those for this project as it will only make your life more complicated.

Here's what the back of my placemat looks like - just a simple, solid brown.

Remove the tag from the placemat.  I decided this would be a good place for me to open up both layers as it already looked a little wonky to me.  But you can open your placemat any where you see fit.

Take your seam-ripper and carefully open up your placemat.  Open a hole large enough for you to stick your hand through.  You need to be able to get your hand inside to stuff the pillow.

This is the size hole that I ended up with after opening up both sides of my placemat (I have kind of small hands).

Take your fiberfill (or whatever stuffing you are using) and fill your placemat.  Keep filling until you are satisfied with the look.

After you have filled your pillow, pin the opening shut.  I know my pinning is not entirely proper here, but just do your best to pin the opening closed.

For the next step, if you have a sewing machine, line up the original stitching and close your opening with coordinating thread.  Mine was a 1/8th seam allowance.  If you DO NOT have a sewing machine, hand-sew the opening closed in coordinating thread.

Here is what the side of my pillow looked like after I closed the opening.

And there you have it - a pillow in less than 10-minutes - does it get any easier than that?  Well, not for $3.00!!

I saw some placemats at Pier 1 with some fabulous beaded trim on two sides - that would make a totally cute addition to a pillow, don't you think?.  Hmmmm.......my wheels are turning.......perhaps I need another placemat or two.  What about you?  Will I see you out tomorrow picking up a placemat?

Have a great night!

Cottage Mama's Note:  I have seen several different versions of this type of pillow on other websites such as Thrifty Decor Chick and I'm sure there are others out there too!  Everyone has their own version, so feel free to check out some others and see what works best for you!!