#maker projects

Looking to add an eye-catching piece to your home? Why not try your hand at creating a unique resin coffee table? In this post, I’ll share my process of making a one-of-a-kind epoxy resin table and provide tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way. I will also reference the materials I used to design and create an epoxy resin coffee table inspired by my favorite 90s cartoon, Courage the…

Emma Allison, a 'Lady Engineer' - New Inquiry

How Libraries Can Turn Stories into Maker Projects - Mind/Shift

How the Silent Book Club Gave Me Back My Reading Life - Literary Hub

Invisible Poems Hidden in One of the World’s Oldest Libraries - The Atlantic

Studies in the News – a weekly compilation of policy-tested articles and reports compiled by the California Research Bureau

What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Social and Emotional Skills’? - Mind/Shift

Maker Monday: Welcome Home

Though they have received the best training available, even astronauts must get nervous. Astronaut Scott Kelly will be returning to Planet Earth tomorrow, March 1st, after spending a year in space. NASA is streaming everything live; I’m hooked to my tiny notebook screen, inspired by these brave explorers. In hopes of a safe flight for all, today’s Maker Monday features astronaut inspired…

There are times I envy my husband, a former Navy man, who spent an entire deployment aboard a Guided Missile Destroyer. That mind sound like an odd thing to be envious of, but the man can sleep anywhere. Granted, his sleep cycle is extraordinarily trashed; turns out, being awake for three days at a time working and then standing watch isn’t all that healthy. But, you can be having a full conversation and two seconds later he’s hit REM.

My brain is much harder to coax into deep, restful sleep. On any given day, I may only get two or three hours of shut eye. Do that too many times, and you’ll find yourself clinging to the stair railing, dizzy as heck.

Now that you are absolutely convinced I’m a total wreck, let me ease your worry. I sat myself down this morning at 1:30 AM and decided to take action…with embroidery thread and fleece! Get your beauty rest with today’s Maker craft after the jump!

First, let’s gather what we’ll need:

Pattern – This is the one I used

Fabric – I used two contrasting fleece fabrics, but you can use whatever you feel comfortable using

Elastic – Craftsy has a great rundown of different types and when to use them

Embroidery Thread – Prettier and sturdier than regular thread!

Scissors and sewing needle (if you’re using a regular sewing needle, quilter’s thread might be a safer bet)

  Trace and Cut

Print and cut out the pattern. Decide which of your fabrics will be the “front” of your mask. If your chosen front fabric has a pattern, pin the pattern on the back side (i.e. the side with no design) and trace. You’re now ready to cut out your first piece! After you cut the first piece, repeat the process on your second fabric.

I used my front as a pattern

Knot goes in between the layers!

Pin, Pin, Pin

Since we are going to embroider an edging on the mask, the pieces can be pinned as you want it to appear. If we were sewing this without an edging, the two pieces would need to be sewn right sides facing each other, with a small hole left open, to ensure your seams are on the inside of your finished mask. A great example of this method can be found here as a blogger explains how to turn a tube of fabric inside out.

When you have your pieces sufficiently pinned together, you can start sewing! You’ll want to thread your needle in between the right photo above shows. To start sewing your pieces together, I’d recommend the fantastic tutorial below!

How do you keep everything organized? Are apps your best friend, or do you rely on your strong self discipline? Let me know!

Happy “Monday,” everyone!