Tutorial: Ten Minute Wine Bag

It's that time of year again. Countless cookouts, soirees and a boat load of birthdays. Do you sometimes feel like you just can't keep up? This weekend we had a few parties to attend and I whipped up a quick, yet thoughtful, wine bag to perk up a cheapy (yet tasty) bottle of wine.

I don't like to measure anything. I stink at using a ruler so... this project requires NO measuring! (Hence the 10 mintutes part.) Hide your rulers!

Ten Minute Wine Bag

Materials:

-2 Pieces of Coordinating Fabric ( I used leftover canvas and vintage fabric from my last tutorial)

- A bottle of wine for sizing ( and another full glass to drink while sewing)

-2 funky paperclips ( these were from a pack at Target left over from our wedding but I recently saw some pretty ones at Dollar Tree)

- Scissors, Pinker Shears Thread, Sewing Machine, Pen

1) As I mentioned no measuring. Take your bottle and eyeball its length and width and cut fabric accordingly in a rectangle. Remember this is a wine bag, not an evening gown there is no need to be perfect.

3) You will cut two pieces out. You can even use the first piece to trace the rest. This photo reflects that I was making two different bags hence the two pieces of canvas. I ended up using one flower side and one canvas side for my bags.

4) Sewing wrong sides facing inwards sew a 1/4" border.

5) Now take some pinker shears and cut the sides. After cutting take the top of the bag and fold over about an inch and sew a hem around the top of the bag. You could leave it raw and pinker the top if you wanted to.

For a more finished look you can turn the bag inside out but make sure you sew with the right sides together.

6) Your bag will now look like this!

7) Now for the bag's tie. Cut a 2'' by 12'', remember to eyeball strip and press it in half.

8) Sew up the sides and corners leaving one end out so that you can turn it. Clip excess and turn using a chopstick or a safety pin. Canvas is tough to turn.

9) To attach your decorative paper clips pierce right through the ends of the bag. No need to sew the open end close as the paper clip will keep it closed.

10) And here is your wine bag ready for giving! ( Or serving!)

Lovely Idea: Blue Canning Jars

Image from http://creativelittledaisy.typepad.com

Ah, I just love this tutorial. Wonderful idea. I may just have to try it. Creative Little Daisy is brilliant. Please be sure to check it out. Pretty huh ?

Remember Me ?

Remember me ? The big ugly piece of furniture for $6.99? I have my first paint of coat! I need many more. Check it out... doesn't it remind you of mac & cheese? I will soon have a home as a book and game shelf. I am excited aren't you ?

Behind me is a cruddy' Go Diego Go' Table purchased for $4.99 that needed primer and a coat of paint. I too will be in the little boy's room. Still hunting for chairs...

Quick Spring Flowers Video!

Very excited! Here is my first youtube video for Sweeter Hours! Please add it to your favs and share!

Where do we find the time?

When someone sees something I have made , first question: ' where do you find the time?' A few months ago I had all the time in the world. Now that I have a mobile boy- not so much. A lot of late nights I suppose. I am currently working on a childcare coo-op with a few friends to get some extra time to work and be creative.

How do you get it all done ?

I also choose projects that are quick. This is precisely why I never make clothes, they take more than 2 hours. I think the most time I have ever spent on a project is 5 hours. I just don't have the wherewithal. In honor of never having a enough waking hours in a day here are a few quickie projects I have compiled to delight you:

These are too cool for school. Terri's Painted daises utilizes recycled popsicle sticks with zentangle like designs as bookmarks. The ultimate recycling project, perfect for kids!

This is one of my favourite projects to make. Super easy, fast and a great gift idea for the sewing person in your life. Check out Craftbits for directions.

Craftpudding has a lovely business card holder. Perfect gift and wonderful use for scraps.

Sewing Machine is in the SHOP...

What to do, what to do? My sewing machine is in the shop! Princess Janome should be ok-- her timing is off and her zig-zags look like crazy people, and she is mighty dusty. Should have her back in a week. In the mean time I had TWO gifts to sew, I caved and went to Gap Outlet for the baby gift. I believe I am going to have to go to a rent a machine place for the next gift because its for my son's BFF. In any case I have had to amuse myself with non-sew projects. I picked up the paint brush and was surprised to find that I could still paint. I have painted a few Easter eggs for Etsy.

As spring is around the corner ( praying for no more snow) I have developed a deep obsession with making my house the best place it can be. I want to rid the house of clutter and start fresh!

Below is some inspiration that I have had my eye on:

Discovered a new fav blog, Two little Dicky Birds featured a lovely redo of some Bentwood chairs. I have four just sitting in my basement. These are fantastic antiques that have such potiental, I just need to get my butt in gear!

What I would kill for a beautiful sewing area like this on dottie angel So organized just makes me want to sew... I like the creative use of the colander to hold materials. Check out the little wooden shoes on the wall. True story, I had a monogrammed pair when I was little left them at Charles de Gaulle airport.

I love these bulbous vases dripping with springy buds, Absolutely Beautiful Things from via Shelter via Fric and Frac

Junky drawers needn't be tossed. Make it a pushpin message board! Great idea from BHG

How pretty are these tea towels! They would so perk up my dull kitchen. design*sponge never disappoints.

Oh the possibilities...