The Domestic Nest Blog

Happy Blog Action Day! Thousands of blogs all over the world are blogging on topics related to climate change.

We’ve all heard how toxic gases from landfills damage our ozone. We’ve also heard that plastic bottles contribute a lot to off-gassing and the toxic soup leaching into our groundwater.

We keep bottles out of the landfill by using these Klean Kanteens. They are superior to all of the other water bottles we’ve tried. They don’t ever leak and they’re VOC free. YAY!

We recycle wool sweaters to make these cute and useful cozies to keep our water cold and keep our hands dry. Here’s how we make ‘em…

First, we cut a square of wool. This wool can be any thickness, even boiled or felted if you have the time. The wool square should be about 8 inches wide and 5 to 7 inches tall (depending on the size of your water bottle). We then cut a 3.5 inch circle for the bottom of the cozy.

Make sure to sew on any ornamentation before you sew the side seam.

Next, sew the side seam. Then, sew on the bottom. (These two steps are done inside out.)

Now you can turn it right side out and wrap your bottle in it’s custom made sweater.

Just in case you sew, and you’d like to make the celebration banner in your favorite colors, click on the button below to download the pattern and tutorial. If you make one, please let me know. I want to hear about your crafting adventures!

Also, if you have ANY tips for me to improve the pattern or tutorial, please share them with me through comments or e-mail me at info [at] domesticnest [dot] com. I’m always open to new ideas and I want the instructions to be easy to use! Happy sewing.

If you don’t sew and you want one, there’s always the giveaway.

Celebration Banner Pattern & Tutorial

lavender sachet

…by the seashore, of course. The Domestic Nest is gearing up to attend some farmers’ markets this fall and we’ll soon fill our etsy shop with goodies. I’ve been making lists like a madwoman and trying to incrementally add to our stock of things to sell. This weekend, I’m sewing piles of sachets filled with locally grown organic lavender. (If you live in the San Diego area, we’d highly recommend a visit to the Keys Creek Lavender Farm. It’s a serene, lovely little plot of paradise.)

For the sachets, I’m using fabric scraps left over from finished projects. I’m always looking for ways to use up every inch of fabric. I use 5×10 inch pieces, sew them into little bags, fill them with lavender and then top stitch them shut.

cut

sew & fill

topstitch

Lavender is great for making tea and flavoring cookies or granola. It can also be used to brew a hair rinse or it can be added to the water to make a warm bath even more relaxing. Sachets can be put in closets, drawers, gym bags, or cars. A friend told me she keeps lavender sachets in with her handbags so that when she takes them out for special occasions, her purses smell super sweet.

matt at the farm

lavender blossoms

There’s lots to do at Keys Creek Lavender Farm. They have live music, demonstrations, tours, cooking classes and a tea house for parties. They also have a little shop with lots of lavender products for sale. We can’t wait to return!

Easy Apron in Action

Whenever you use the term “ever,” you take a risk. There are usually exceptions to such superlatives. But today, I’m willing to go for it and proclaim that this is the easiest apron ever. Go ahead, try and prove me wrong. Not only do I like a challenge, I love crafts that are easy. So please, do share.

Level of Difficulty:  easy beginner sewing
Materials: pretty pillow sham, quilt binding

1. Cut that pretty pillow sham in half. I know it feels wrong, but you get two aprons per sham. (Cut off any extra fabric where the sham overlaps.)
2. Pin and sew the quilt binding over the raw edge. You can gather or pleat if you’d like. I tried both and prefer the look of keeping it flat. (It’s also easier.)
3. I like to sew the top of the binding as well.
4. Finish the ends and tie it on. Seriously, all done.

Cut in Half

Finished End

Ready to Wear

These make super cute party favors or hostess gifts. You can find inexpensive pillow shams at discount stores like ROSS, or be eco and hit up your local thrift shop. You could add ruffles, ric rac, or even a pocket. But then, I don’t think it’d qualify any more as easiest apron ever.