I decided when I started to get to Zero Waste that I would take things as slowly as possible, and replace items with re-useable/bulk options as I run out. Seeing as I knew I was going to run out of the cotton make-up removal pads I use to put toner on my face after washing it, I thought those would be another quick and easy sewing project!

I got some waffle looking cotton that looked absorbent, and it turned out to be very absorbent! I also used some of the leftover white cotton from my tie up shades project!

As with the handkerchiefs, I was pretty lax about getting the fabric square.  I cut each of the fabrics in into 3 inch squares and sewed them together, leaving a small opening in one side so you can turn them right side out.


Clip the corners, then turn them right side out.



Press, making sure that the unsewn part is completely turned under.  Sew around the outside. I used fun pink and teal!


I use each only once to put toner on my face, then wash them in a mesh laundry bag. I figure they'll last longer that way.

I am actually an old woman.  I listen to (and am passionate about) CBC Radio One, I knit, I love hot water with lemon. And now, I use handkerchiefs, rather than facial tissue.

A quick look at my goal to drastically reduce the amount of waste I produce showed me that I need to first reduce the amount of paper products I use. And while I could go out and buy some handkerchiefs, I thought it would be another fun sewing project!

So I headed on over to Designer Fabrics again to find some simple cotton. I ended up with what I think is shirt fabric - it's white with a small blue check. I bought the minimum amount - 1/2 a yard but now I think I've founds something to do with my old work shirts when I can't wear them anymore!

I was pretty lax about getting the fabric square, and it didn't end up being a problem at all.  I just cut the fabric in half lengthwise, and then cut it into squares.


I then pressed (omg, more pressing!) the sides over twice to make a nice seam.



Then sew around the edges. I ran out of white yarn, so I used a pretty blue grey to match the check pattern in the fabric for some of them. A crazy colour might be fun too!


Easy peasy and ready to use!  Making 8 of them took a bit over an hour, and cost about $2!

I think I'm going to put a sewing machine on my Christmas/Birthday list this year!  That way I can visit with my parents when I'm at their house, rather than sitting downstairs using my mom's sewing machine and iron.

I recently moved into a new apartment, and needed some blinds for my room. I figured the neighbours had had enough of a show!

I went to my new favourite fabric store, Designer Fabrics, 1360 Queen Street West. They have a HUGE selection, it's very organized and priced really well. The lady and gentleman who helped me were very friendly and super helpful, and I was able to get some simple white cotton, white black-out backing and ribbon for about $25. I will definitely be returning for my next sewing project!

I wanted something very simple but beautiful - if you noticed them you'd think they were nice, but you might not notice them, and I think what I ended up with turned out perfectly. This is one project that looks as nicely in real life as it did in my head!

To start, measure your window so you know how big to make the shades. The window I wanted to cover is 45" wide and 56" high. You will also want to wash and iron your fabric. My white cotton had a nice little dirt mark on it that came out beautifully in the wash.  Don't forget to do a quick zig-zag stitch around the outside to stop any fraying that might happen.


Lay the fabric out flat and measure 1 inch wider and 4.5 inches taller than your window. In my case, I measured 46" wide and 60.5" high. I cheated and used my dad's drywall square to make sure my shades were perfectly square!


Mark with a pencil or chalk and cut to size. My mom had some blue chalk that was older than me! Good thing it still worked.


Repeat with the backing.

Put the right (out) sides together, pin along the bottom and side edges and sew in a straight line with a 1/2" seam allowance (1/2" from the edge). In my case, neither fabric had a right or wrong side!


Cut the corners to remove bulk and turn the square inside out.  I use my scissors to make sure the corners are nice and square.



Press the edges. There's going to be a lot more pressing.


Sew along the 3 edges.


Lay your square flat again and measure the length plus 4 inches, in my case, 60". Mark this line and press to create a nice .


Measure 1" from this new line, turn and press. This will give you a nice clean line on the back of the shade.


Next, measure 3" from the new line, turn, press and pin.  This will be the pocket for your curtain rod.

Switching for a few seconds to the ties, you will need a length of ribbon 4 times the height of the window. In my case, I needed 224".  Cut this in half. For a bit of extra flair, I cut my ribbons on a 30 degree (approximate) angle.


Now for assembly and final touches!

Measure a quarter of the width of the shades from each side, in my case 11 1/4". This is where the ribbon will be attached. Fold each length of ribbon in half, and place on the top of the shade at the quarter mark. Pin them, making sure the ribbon is parallel with the shade. Sew the curtain rod pocket, approximately 2.5" from the top of the curtain.


Draw your curtain over the curtain rod and put it up! I used a tension rod on the inside of my window


Voila! New shades for a fraction of the cost of what they would cost in the store!

Questions:

Do your DIY projects often turn out the way you think they will?
- Not all of my DIY projects turn out this nicely, I was pleasantly surprised.

What do you think I should do for my next project?
- I am thinking about a wall hanging to keep all of my jewelry on.