DIY Typographic Character Coasters

Here is how you can start this DIY project:

The coasters were laser cut from 1/8″ thick cork. The fonts represented include Times New Roman, Gill Sans, Courier New Bold, Futura Bold Italic, and Miso. We picked characters that seemed appropriate for making into single-piece coasters, and scaled them to size, assuming a 3″ diameter glass could be placed on top. For the caret, that meant a larger font size than for the octothorpe.

The 1/8″ cork sheets cut well with a hobby knife if you have a steady hand. 

Besides plywood and cork, we also made coasters out of medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Both MDF and plywood are susceptible to moisture damage (an operational hazard for coasters!) so we sprayed them with a clear acrylic coating to make them water resistant.

Done! You can keep the custom coasters or give your family or friends as the personalized gifts.

Fabric Scrap Keychains

If you’re a frequent DIYer, chances are you accumulate bits and pieces of craft materials each time you work on a project. And although you don’t want to waste them, it’s sometimes hard to figure out what to do with all those scraps. Fortunately, today’s homemade gift idea shows us a way to recycle these tidbits into a great little gift.

DIY Christmas Mugs Gifts

2016 Christmas is coming! Maybe you are busy to prepare all kinds of gifts. I’m here to show you an easy and inexpensive gift to give–DIY Christmas Mugs!

Light up Country Christmas

There's something especially magical about the understated beauty of December in the countryside. Here is one way to light up country Christmas.

How to Hang Your Christmas Lights Correctly

It's better to hang Christmas lights vertically, instead of wrapped around your tree in circles. This way every tip of your tree, from branch to branch, will twinkle with delight. Plus, it'll prevent lights from getting stuck in the middle of your tree, covered by other branches.

DIY Pillowcase

Supplies:

- 27″ x 42/44″ piece of fabric for the body of the pillowcase
- 10″ x 42/44″ piece of fabric for the cuff of the pillowcase
- 2.5″ x 42/44″ piece of fabric for the for the band of the pillowcase

1. The first thing you want to do is fold the band fabric in half lengthwise (the 42 or 44″ side) with wrong sides together and press with an iron, then set aside.

2.Place the fabrics one on top of the other in this order with the right sides up: Bottom Cuff on the bottom, the Body fabric in the middle, and the Band fabric on the top all with their long (42/44″ inch side) raw edges together.

3. Next, roll of the Body fabric until it is about an inch from the folded edge of the Band fabric. It should be rolled about halfway into the Cuff fabric underneath at this point.

4. Fold the Cuff fabric over top the like you are making a taco, so the right sides will be facing into the center. Make sure the raw edges are all lined up together and pin them all in place to keep them there. Sew down the raw edges using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

5. Pull the inside fabrics outside. It will seem like an odd thing to do but it totally works! It’s a fun little magic trick that make a neat little Cuff and Band for the pillowcase!

6. Press the pillowcase and fold it in half so that the Cuff, Band and Body fabrics are laying wrong sides together, with right sides of the pillowcase out. Then fold the pillowcase in half again bringing the bottom of the pillowcase up to the top (note: you can just square off the raw edges without this last step but if you fold the pillowcase up it takes less space on your rotary mat!) Then grab a ruler and square off the raw edges of the fabric so you have a nice clean edge on the side and bottom to sew together.

7. Starting at the top of the Cuff, sew down the side of the pillowcase and along the bottom using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Clip the bottom two corners carefully and then turn the pillowcase wrong side out making sure to push out each corner. Sew down the edge and bottom of the pillowcase again starting at the Cuff. Use a 1/2 seam allowance this time making sure to enclose the last seam you just made. This finished seam is called a French Seam and when you flip your pillowcase right side out and press it you will have a lovely pillowcase with a nice and neat hidden seam inside!

DONE! This is the custom pillowcase. I hope this tutorial inspires you to do a little selfish sewing too!