Tuesday Tutorial: Braided Rug!

Welcome to Tuesday Tutorials – where I find awesome easy tutorials for you – now go get crafty 😉

This crafty tutorial comes from: Martha Stewart

Before you start, practice the braid by making a miniature version of the mat with thinner rope. When you’re ready to make the big mat, cover a large work surface with kraft paper.

Draw a cross on the paper; it should have a 33-inch vertical line and a 12 1/4-inch horizontal line. (This is the dimension of the mat when you get to step 4.) As you weave, use the cross as a guide and tape down loops to retain the mat’s shape.
We used 1/2-inch-thick twisted nylon rope. About 165 feet makes a 33-by-20-inch mat.

Braided Doormat How-To
1. Starting at one end of rope, form a loose knot as shown; leave a 30-inch tail on right side and slack on left side. Gently pull down on loops.

2. Flip loops to left as shown. Lift the first loop and cross it over the second.

3. Using tail end, weave as shown.

4. Using slack end, weave diagonally toward bottom right. Pull rope through. Continue weaving back to top as shown, adjusting rope to resemble diagram.

5. Follow path of first round with slack end, staying parallel to previous round. Pull rope through after each pass, weaving until mat is formed.

6. Finish ends by using a needle to sew through the rope just below any frayed ends and tightly wrap thread around rope a couple of times. Sew through several more times to secure. Cut off end of rope just above thread. Singe frayed ends with a lighter to seal; sew to underside. Apply permanent craft glue to underside between ropes in spots to prevent shifting.

If you haven’t already stopped by Martha Stewart– click the link!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Love Always,

J

Love This Stitch!

Another fantastic product review is here! Today we are showing of an awesome store called LilyStitches! From Rochester NY this shop makes me want to personalize everything! I purchased a reindeer t-shirt for my daughter this past Christmas and a Clutch that I gave away as a present to an amazing friend. One of the first things that attracted me to her store was her awesome banner! Another thing I always look for is detailed descriptions – she tells you everything you need to know! Now let’s check out what I bought!

When it comes to buying clothes for kids it seems like you never really know if it’s going to fit. That’s one thing that always makes me hesitate but this was perfect! Another thing I look for when buying embroidered clothes is the quality of the sewing. It’s important that it’s not going to come loose and wash out after the first few cycles. Her quality of sewing and the durability of the embroidery was impeccable! Emma couldn’t destroy it even if she tried!

This was the second thing I bought from her! I gave this away to a friend as a Christmas present but I will let you know I had a HARD time giving it up and I want to go back and buy another one! If you’re looking for something simple, chic, and well made – you’ve found it. It doesn’t have any pockets on the inside which as a pocket lover I would usually be disappointing about but I am NOT at all disappointed. With a clutch this size you don’t need any pockets to keep things organized. You can open this enough to see where everything is and it’s the perfect size for going out on a quick run where you don’t need much with you.

So here was a two for one product review! If I haven’t enticed you enough to buy it – send me an email! I’ll keep raving about it until you go buy something!

Some other awesome facts about Kim: She opened shop April 2011, her feedback rate is 100% positive, her customer service is impeccable, and she offers custom orders so you can get exactly what you are looking for! Here are a few of the reviews she got on her products:

What everyone else is saying!

Feb 3, 2012: Came very fast! The shirt is super cute and I will order more shirts soon. Very helpful and easy to work with.

Dec 13, 2011: Super quick shipping and wonderful communication! Cute!! Great detail to quality!

Sep 13, 2011:  I ordered these outfits for my nieces to wear at our rehearsal dinner, and they were absolutely perfect! The girls looked adorable, but were comfortable enough to run around and play easily. The quality of the clothes is excellent; I know the girls will continue to get good use out of them.

Jul 21, 2011: I just received the clutches that you made for me, and I couldn’t wait to tell you: I LOVE THEM!!!! They are perfect in every way! The size is great, the sewing is amazing, and the wristlet that you attached for me is just what I wanted. Thank you for working with me to create the perfect gift for my wedding party!!! I can see each of them in the fabrics that we chose and I know that they will use them on my wedding day as well as many times after that! THANK YOU!! It really was a pleasure working with you on this!

 

And the final review says it is:

FIVE OUT OF FIVE BUTTONS!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Love Always,

Jennifer

*If you have a handmade store & item you’d like to have reviewed – please contact me! You can find my email in the contact tab at the top right!*