Making a Minecraft Ottoman

 

My Husband may not want more pillows for the office bean bag (spoiler alert: he got them!). However he does need an ottoman under his desk to alleviate the 9 to 5 leg fatigue as well as the work-from-home perils of cats determined to be in his lap making for some surprisingly uncomfortable positioning. Now at last, my Stuffed Pumpkin Ottoman expertise can be put to good use thanks to some Minecraft themed fabric!

Seen previously in my Treat Yourself Haul three years ago, these two full Minecraft bolts were $14 each at Goodwill. While the blue sword print material has already been put to use as a duvet covert with matching pillowcases, these aren't the softest cotton and this green bolt actually says it's not intended for children's pajamas. What then was I to do with it? Alas, this green print is ideal for a square ottoman design befitting the game's grassy building blocks. Initially I intended this as a no-sew, all hot glue one day project. However the shorter fabric width meant I couldn't cut out three downward blocks and three sideways blocks to create a six sided square to stuff as one whole piece. Instead, two pieces were required with four panels that would be the bottom, back, top, and right side while a separate piece would be the front and left side. Thankfully, unlike my original Black and Orange Polka Dot Skirt Attempt, the direction of the Minecraft print didn't matter. Although I originally wanted to do a twenty inch square, the eighteen inch cardboard piece I used to measure, trace, and base my block panels turned out to be plenty big enough! Maybe even too big – if one's office wasn't already a slightly comical area of video games, collectibles, and Minecraft Curtains.

After cutting my shapes, I realized that if my sewing machine cooperated – unlike with the Cheap Elsa Costume – sewing these straight lines would be a lot faster then folding all the seams and hot gluing them slow and pretty. Fortunately, these quality materials went smoothly with no tension issues, threads breaking, or jams. After turning the giant square right side out, it was time to put in the simple cardboard base and stuff this mother! I used the last of the leftover recycled denim packaging I saved layered with more random Styrofoam and plastic bags. Sometimes trash comes in handy! My mother had also previously given me foam blocks from before she retired as a manager at TJX. These were actually boot packing supports that she thought I might like to use as more Candy Cane Christmas Candles, teehee. While I was in this stitch and stuff phase, I also used two odd rectangle panels from my two piece cut out and put them together to make a matching pillow, because why not? The world is harsh, we need more pillows – especially cute ones that work out unlike my Wonky Halloween Pillows.

After pinning the top, this giant ottoman was easy to hand sew closed just like a pillow. I refer to the top, but this fun block can really be tossed and turned in any direction. The soft lines and comfortable filling make for a fine place to sit or put up your feet as intended. The cats have already given it their seal of approval, and that seemingly too large size means there is enough room to put up your feet and have a cat sit on it, too – if they let that happen, that is! It does bug me, however, that thanks to the two wrapped panel corners, this isn't a perfect looking square as per the game. Had I sewn all six panels individually and maybe lined each of those seams with a thin cardboard strip, this might have been a more rigid design. If this was a formal living room piece, I probably would have gone all out with the curved upholstery needle, wood supports, piping, and fancy trims. Fortunately, that's not necessary for this fun under the desk comfort. Besides, I don't have to live with this project – my Husband does, hehe.  😁

Follow Kbatz Krafts on Facebook and Instagram for more project photos or join us on Blue Sky! Browse the Kbatz Krafts Archive for more sewing and crafting adventures including:

The Orange Tablecloth Skirt

How to Make Stuffed Pumpkins

CardboardHalloween Banner

Memento Mori Sewing

Wonky Halloween Pillows Deux 🥴

 

Thanks to my Haulloween '24, Spring meant it 'twas time to clean out my Halloween pajamas drawer and turn my threadbare shirts into more Halloween Pillows! The sound upcycle idea, unfortunately, was better than the askew execution this time.

Previously, those retired shirts made for some cute, sturdy decorative pillows. However, like my dress turned Tie Dye Pillow, these shirts have seen their day – resulting in stretched seams and frustrating hand sewing. Working within their shapes took finagling, too. Preserving the fun Halloween designs while avoiding soil spots and the cat claw pinpricks that apparently proliferate most of my clothes was not easy, and I even resorted to matching material cut from the discard sleeves to disguise some of the tiny holes. Because of such threadbare inferiority, the plastic grocery bags and fabric scraps used in my Stuffed Pumpkins wouldn't do without a layer of smoothing PolyFil to hide these sheer when stuffed pillows. During this venture for me, I also recovered some of my husband's toss pillows on our me-made bean bag with some of his formerly beloved t-shirts. However those Pixar and Doctor Who pillow transformations turned out beautifully – perhaps a statement on the superior quality of men's t-shirts versus the fast fashion of women's Halloween cheapness. Typical!

An older bed pillow was also used to stuff the paw print material from one of my Joann Hauls for an easy cat bed – which true to the Attempted Cat Cushion, none of them like. Unfortunately, even I disliked my own Boo! Padded sign creation. I don't care for the causal Halloween adoption of “boo” and “spook” ignoring the previous inflammatory nature of these terms, and initially I was unsure how to re-purpose this design – if at all. The very old glow in the dark shirt lettering was the only salvageable portion, so I added a small black ribbon – mistakenly basted the wrong way inside first – before using some scraps from the Cheap Elsa Costume to pad the hanging rectangle. Although I may repeat this idea with better materials in the future, this was not the bemusing glow in the dark pop art I had hoped. It's a hideous, crooked little thing that can't even be excused as intentionally primitive or childlike or saved by it's glow in the dark fun. All I see are the stitching mistakes, and I actually wondered if it's even worth sharing such a shitty, embarrassing, waste of time project.

Fortunately, even failures teach a sewing lesson. These wonky Halloween pillows will float around my basement studio and my niece's kid station, so their potential to not survive and end up as inserts for the next round of Halloween pillows is okay. I'm the one who has to learn not to wear something low quality until it is falling apart and then try to upcycle it! I've carried numerous other pillows from house to house that have been recovered over time – including sports team t-shirts redone as lumbars with the $1 luxury fabric swatches from before the Pandemic when the nearest Joann by me had closed. Do I need more pillows? My husband would say I'm the lady in the insurance commercials that has left nowhere to sit for all the pillows. However, the easy upcycle preservation of a charming design or sentimental shirt remains paramount. This is great sewing practice anyone can do. I don't share my goofy sewing and craft adventures to be instructional perfection. Failed Halloween pillows such as these are more about inspiring a not what it is but what it could be ideology and making it happen. Even if that's not on this project.

For more sewing updates, join me on Blue Sky or for project photos follow Kbatz Krafts on Facebook or Instagram. Browse the Kbatz Krafts Archive for past projects including: 

The Orange Tablecloth Skirt

A Black and Orange Polka Dot Apron

Halloween Shoe Wreath

Mini Pumpkin Garland

Drafting a Nightgown Pattern

 

Before I completely gave a long thrifted, too big, paint stained, and threadbare nightgown over to being my official messy painting smock; I decided to cut it apart and take the pattern from it. Not only did I need to replace the downgrade, but this drafting exercise has become an invaluable lesson in flattering fittings and comfortable alterations.

Let us go back to Summer 2023, when I actually filmed several hours of footage documenting this process – from seam ripping the sleeveless source and tracing out the front, back, and two side pieces on scrap paper to the wearable mock up made from navy sheets and ultimately a nicer black satin nightgown. I was gravely ill and ended up having surgery, which expedited the need for these new post recovery nightgowns. Unfortunately, my poor health really shows in these videos from the time. It was a therapeutic process to focus on useful, necessary garments one stitch at a time, occupying my mind from all the bad things that happened that year. However the footage is too gaunt and depressing to share. It would also be a lot of editing, and now I much prefer single shot, chatty videos and Fun Hauls. My main takeaway from this footage is that the faded navy sheet attempt was for comfort when I felt bad, and the smexy black satin was for when I wanted to feel good. Fortunately, this worthwhile venture has lead to more lounge wear and hopefully nicer dresses in the future. I've posted on Blue Sky about the subsequent, long gestating brown dress and matching housecoat set also derived from this pattern. Alas, I will soon address how that shamefully sat on my dress form these past two years once I finally complete it presently. Hems!!! 🤦🏻‍♀️💪🏻

So far I have four different garments from this relatively simple pattern thanks to the princess seams in front and back. Along with the two side pieces, a variety of changes can be made for a loose or flattering fit as desired. I knew the original nightgown cut apart and sewn back together again to be the paint smock was already too big, so the mismatched navy sheets mock up could carry that largeness for post-surgery comfort and I didn't care if it got ripped or dirty. Here I pleated the side seam under the arms for a baggy, ye olde pinafore kind of ease. I'm not sure now why I used the leftover discolored sheets to make a ruffled hem at the bottom, as the ruffle is a gathered heavy that makes the nightgown hang somewhat rather than drape naturally. Indeed, hems have inexplicably been a constant problem with these projects – needing to redo the lining hem on the brown dress is what frustrated me into stopping back in 2023. The black satin poly nightgown went quickly despite changes to take in the side seams, shorten the shoulder, and make a V neckline with a small pinch pleat. This created a more fitted front with the larger ease in the back. I don't like the high-low dresses fad because they always seem mis-cut to me, and this nightgown suffers from a similar problem! It looks like the front hem is over inch or so higher than the back hem that touches the floor when there shouldn't be that much difference. My husband tries to tell me it doesn't matter, but I can't look at the nightgown or wear it without noticing, so actually, I don't end up wearing it as much.

As yet I'm in media res on perfecting this pattern with the brown housecoat set, and I intend to put some of the orange material from my recent Joann Hauls to good use here. Instead of costumes or crafty things, this is the practical sewing that my father always wondered why I didn't usually do. I needed garments. I made them. They are not de facto but useful nonetheless. This is a pattern copy that I know needs adjustments and customization every time, and it's okay to continually hone this basic princess seam design. Certainly, this may seem simplistic or too basic to advance sewers. However working from a throwaway garment with practice materials toward a preferred block pattern is a great place to start for beginners. Who needs the fear of a confusing commercial pattern and cutting an expensive fabric too small?! Although I turned my last threadbare dress into a Tie Dye Pillow, the cumulative practice here inspires me to take more patterns from my other nicer dresses also nearing the end of their usefulness.

Follow more sewing adventures on Blue Sky or visit Facebook and Instagram for more project photos. Browse our Kbatz Krafts Archive or read more:

The Cheap Elsa Costume

A Christmas Princess Costume

5 Skirts 1 Pattern Video

The Orange Tablecloth Skirt

The Orange Tablecloth Skirt 🍂

 

This $5 Salvation Army thrift tablecloth was an impulse buy several months ago due to it's rust color and tone on tone leaf design. I knew it was too big for my oval table and wouldn't match my red dining room. However, I also knew this fabric would be adorable as a charming fall skirt!

Rather than simply gathering the rectangle, I laid out my tried and true all in one pattern based on Butterick 6196 as seen in my 5 Skirts, 1 Pattern Video. This scrap paper copy of each piece allows for maximum swoosh without any Cut 2s or On the Folds. This fabric was delicate around the embroidered leaves and some directions frayed worse than others so I didn't want to make any more cuts or seams than necessary. This probably should be lined but I didn't have any matching fabric of the same weight, and obviously I'd rather save my blacks and oranges for more fun frocks. I spent a day finishing the seams all the way around the skirt – some with the usual turn unders and others with supporting bond tape. After doing the hem once and disliking the stitching, I folded it up again with more hem tape. I already have one floor length Shiny Orange Skirt so this hobbit tea length is perfect.

Saving my black binding, I instead used a giant roll of white bias tape from an old goodwill grab bag to reinforce the waistband. Some of the gathering encased in the waistband and the back seam feel a little bulky, but there's enough pleated flounce in this pattern that's actually now too big for me. Going from my earlier scrap paper measurements, I had to make the waistband a few inches shorter in length as well as move the button over a few inches. Top stitching on the waistband may have been problematic with a heavier material, but a tight running back stitch helped smooth everything. This project also felt like I went in a different order than I usually do with these skirts, but it all came together fairly quickly in four days despite requiring more hand stitching. With a pattern you know, each use becomes easier even with tender frayed spots on cheap material obviously not intended for apparel use. Then again, after having had trouble with my machine during the Cheapest Elsa Costume, I knew there was no way these fraying ends were going thru my machine.

I've entered my everything autumnity orange phase and a grab bag orange thread cone called “Brique” came thru beautifully here. Of course this skirt probably cannot go in the washer or dryer. Even if I line it in the future this also wouldn't survive regular wear. Hand button holes have never been my best work and getting my button through this buttonhole for the first time was the most painful part of this project! With a black petticoat underneath, this can be a fun fall festival frock, and I enjoyed the sewing practice – feeling the stitching routine even with secondhand, delicate supplies that could be challenging. Thanks to the fabric being so long and my being short, there's yet more of this tablecloth for a matching project! This skirt makes me happy, and again, my mantra of seeing not what something is but what it could be proved whimsical. My husband mistakenly said I was wearing a curtain and I had to correct him, “It was a tablecloth!” ☺️

Follow Kbatz Krafts on Blue Sky for more upcycle adventures or browse our Facebook and Instagram for project photos. Visit the Kbatz Krafts Archive for previous sewing mayhem including:

Reversible Red Skirt

Another Halloween Dress

Black and Orange Polka Dot Apron

Sewing on a Budget for Search Magazine

Final Joann Haul! 🛒👋🏻

 

As Joann nears its end, the inspired Kristin Battestella aka Kbatz hits up not 1, but 2 Joann stores in this final sewing spree complete with measuring tools, fancy trims, buttons, ribbon, and of course, fabric. Thank you for Watching!

Visit our Sewing and Thrifting Playlist for all our Haul Videos or follow Kbatz Krafts on Blue Sky for more pictures and updates. Previous project photos can still be found on Facebook and Instagram.

Peruse the Kbatz Krafts Archive for more sewing and crafting adventures including:  

Bling Binge

Glam to Drab Lampshades

Christmas Princess Costume 

DIY at Search Magazine

Cheapest Elsa Costume Ever

 

Once my four year old niece became obsessed with Frozen, inspiration struck thanks to discolored blue sheets and sheer white curtains from My Parents' Attic. Could I make the cheapest, most hideous Elsa costume ever?

Yes.

Instead of the tunic pattern used previously for her Pastel Costumes, I pulled a thrifted McCall's 6154 kid's pattern from my costume drawer. The blue sheets would be this tube dress with a boat neck perfect for attaching the sheer curtain cape – although I wouldn't need the pattern's extra cowl collar or ruffled hem. The pattern called for a front on the fold, however the blue sheets had already been partially cut for other mock ups where I didn't care that they were faded and bleached. Now working around the bad spots, I had to cut two so the best blue coloring was the front of the dress. Briefly I wondered if any extra triangle gore panels would be needed for maximum swish, but upon looking at more Elsa pictures, I decided to use the center front seam as a slit instead. This pattern is actually my niece's current size and I may have cut it a little long, but any bigger and there would not have been enough sheets! One can likewise see the back two pieces and the sleeves don't quite color match the front, but who's going to be looking under the cape amirite?

What should have been a quick weekend project with cutting, pressing, and basting in a day took a little longer because my sewing machine was being difficult. I don't know if it was the thin sheets, the older blue grab bag thread, lack of use the past few months, dust, or a tension issue – maybe a bit of everything – but I ended up going back and reinforcing some loose seams by hand before hand stitching the sleeves. The shoulder corners with the boat neck style seemed awkward in the child size but the under arm wrap around cape attachment would hide that! Despite being her size, this seemed big for my niece so I also pleated the back for additional flounce. Of course, this could always be undone if she begins to outgrow it. A blue sequin panel from the Dollar Store was a perfectly cheap way to glitz up the front a la Elsa. It was cumbersome to stitch with my handy invisible thread, too; perhaps the most time consuming part of this monstrosity other than the sewing machine jams. Some blue Dollar Store gem stickers trail along the front seam as well, but a few have already fallen off, lol.

I debated folding the curtain for layered flounce, but it wasn't as sheer. It was also much too long so I cut the rod pocket and large hem before redoing them in smaller, less bulky half inch widths. The entire curtain width was then pleated from the center front and under the arms with larger pleats in the back for full dramatic effect. It's still longer than the dress but it's free to sash shay! Although my running back stitch along the cape top was neat, I trimmed the entire boat neck with a silver metallic ribbon also originally from the Dollar Store. It's just a fun bit of sparkle that ties it all together! Although I found blue bias tape from a grab bag in my ribbon drawer that I could use on the slit and the hem, a simple turn up with hem tape will suffice as her height changes. It's sheets, so why waste quality trim? As I suspected, the off the shoulder boat neck also meant the cuffs were too long, so they were turned under with the remaining silver ribbon for a final panache.

This was great sewing practice, and this sound construction can be done in a larger size with better materials and real shiny fabric. Is this Elsa costume perfect? Heck no! The seams are ridiculous, the fabric free. My niece will probably lose interest in Frozen before she grows out of it! However for $4 bling and two days of what if and can do, this isn't that bad at all. Certainly you can tell it's sheets. This is much more a nightgown or dress up rather than a wear to an event costume. Fortunately, it's blue and it swishes. If we put on our toddler thinking caps, that's all that really matters.

Follow Kbatz Krafts on Facebook and Instagram for more project photos or join me on Blue Sky! Persuse more Sewing and Thrifting in our YouTube playlist or browse our complete Kbatz Krafts Archive including:

Christmas Princess Costume

Cardboard Castle

Holiday Handprints

Joann's Fabric Haul Round 3! 🛒

 

Kristin Battestella aka Kbatz scores fabrics and jewelry findings on another excursion to a third Joann's Liquidation sale with discounts now between 40 and 70%! Because you can never have enough black or orange fabric, amirite?

Thank you for watching!

For more sewing project photos, jewelry making, and thrift haul videos, follow Kbatz Krafts on Facebook, Instagram, and Blue Sky! Browse our Kbatz Krafts Archive or peruse more including: Sewing on a Budget for Search Magazine Glam to Drab Lampshades Halloween T-Shirt Pillows Damask Blanket

A Magical Black and Orange Polka Dot Apron!

 

After my successful Medieval-esque Black and Orange Polka Skirt, it's time to fix the mistake on my First Black and Orange PolkaDot Skirt attempt. This shortchanged thrift fabric will now become a whimsical apron!

It should seem simple enough to take apart the mismatched skirt panel to reuse as the bib portion. However despite the pattern pinching limited fabric that led to the distorted skirt, my construction methods were sound and even meticulous. It took a day to seam rip the running back stitches! Although the fun tulle hem ruffle was going, the waistband would remain the same. I trimmed the two remaining skirt panels into a more rectangular rather than a-line shape before re-gathering them as the apron skirt. Again needing to reuse every inch of this autumnity material, that cut sliver was folded and stitched down to became the apron neck strap. Keeping the same liner also from the original thrift grab bag with this precious black and orange polka dot likewise meant there was room for two interior skirt pockets and two more pockets hidden at the bib top.

My top piece was very scientifically measured with a scrap piece of paper to get the shape needed. Finishing all my seams and attaching the two pieces together by hand took another night. Not only did I want a tight running back stitch, but in all my black stitching, I went around every orange polka dot. It just looked neater and cleaner than having stitch lines going thru the dots and calling attention to themselves. After reinforcing the waistband with top stitching on the bib, voila my little apron is complete! Obviously the possibilities for embellishment on a black and orange polka apron are pretty endless – from bat trim and black lace to Halloween gingham ribbon or bold orange rick rack. It's certainly tempting, however, making this apron too elaborate reinforces why I've never actually made aprons previously. I've always been baffled at the mid-century patterns that call for such elegant and fancy aprons because there entire purpose is to get dirty! This will not be used in the kitchen and I have old clothes for paint splatter. This apron will probably only be used during sewing time or as a fun pinafore accent to a family friendly October occasion like watching the kids bob for apples. It's practical, but too darn cute!

Though a practical item, this apron has inspired me to do more fun sewing projects. There's only a small patch of this material remaining, but it would be perfect for a cuff or collar on a black or orange blouse. Had I more of this black and orange polka fabric, I may have done the waistband as a tie instead of the skirt's original hook and eye closure. The bib top probably would have been completely fitted and more flattering, too. If you look closely at this whimsical weekend make, I'm sure it might be a little wonky or fudged in some places. However, I also would not change a thing about this apron. Not only is this the best use of such delightful but dead stock fabric, but this is a simple, anyone can do sewing accomplishment.

Visit Kbatz Krafts on Facebook for more project photos. Though still on Instagram, we're mostly posting on Blue Sky! Browse our Kbatz Krafts Archive for more sewing projects including:

Purple and Pastel Costumes

5 Skirts from 1 Pattern

Sewing on a Budget for Search Magazine

Bling Binge!

 

2024 was a busy year of writing, podcast, and video commitments and not a lot of sewing or crafts until the holidays. However, there's always time for some handmade bling!

The best of part of jewelry making is being able to fill a gap in my wardrobe or accessories with new earrings, necklaces, or bracelets – a dangle or pop of color to suit any neckline, sleeve length, or mood. I wear certain accent colors per season, so it's easy to see a purple gap in the winter, a red gap in the fall, or the need for festive holiday green and make something accordingly. I know what I want, make it, and wear it immediately! It feels good, I get compliments in public, so it's all win/win, right?

This January however, my jewelry-making process changed drastically when I began bling binging non-stop. This one bead at a time catharsis is something I can control now that the world has become so out of control. Instead of doom scrolling I've made dozens of new jewelry sets in a variety of combinations and colors. Upon realizing that some of these pieces were very similar to each other and some past me-made bling, I also created a spreadsheet chart coordinating which colors and metals had been done in each earring, necklace, or bracelet. Because I put a cross somewhere on most sets, I also made a checklist for what color sets have a cross where. It sounds silly as well as complicated, but apparently my prior handwritten list of what combinations I needed was not enough to avoid duplicates! There were more sideways cross charms then pendant styles in my bead stash, so I continued to make a cross bracelet in every combination possible. I wear a cross solely for me, yet thanks to the current administration, I also don't want to wear a more prominent cross necklace anymore lest people think I am one of these fake “Christians” who doesn't understand compassion for the suffering and marginalized as Jesus intended. Thankfully, a bracelet with a small cross facing inside the wrist is a creative comfort in such trying times. I give my bracelets a touch when encountering such ignorant people in the wild. It keeps my mouth shut!

Instead of seeing the need for something I wanted to wear right now, the goal of this binge became filling in all the color and style gaps in my handy chart regardless of my accessory season. Making my summer blues during the March gray? Gasp! Rather than going to buy specific beads, this forced me to use up the supplies in hand – including thrifted glass beads, broken vintage pieces in need of repair, and findings that have toiled around in the plastic sorting boxes for years. I did end up using a holiday Amazon gift card for some new wire and elastic supplies or lacking bead colors. Strangely however, this pattern meant that there are some me made pieces that I kind of don't really like. The sets that are too similar to one another frustrate me, and by time I get to wear the autumn orange, I suspect I may end up re-doing the items I dislike. February is my purple month yet one fireball purple set I made right on time to wear actually looks kind of pink, and I hate pink.

This did give me brief pause on my bling binge, hesitant to make a no good disappointment despite my current need for more silver and crystal style beadwork. Creativity is such a give and take these days! I work on something pleasing yet question it's worth. Fortunately, after the pink lackluster lull, I got my groove back recently with two sets made from Dollar Tree beads. Wood bead orange Easter garland was transformed into a fun autumnity set with a fifties vibe, and a bag of assorted tear drop plastic beads combined with leftover vintage glass beads and beaded Christmas garland form a dramatic necklace. Obviously iridescent rainbow plastic looks are not a replacement for a high end occasion, but it's a fabulous feeling to take it up a notch by wearing something totally unique. Further scoring some Joann liquidation jewelry findings has also replenished my stash, revitalizing my need to bling it every time political events make me want to scream. Slowly but surely I can check an item off my list and give myself a new elan inside and out.

You can still find my Kbatz Krafts Facebook Photo Albums and Instagram page, however I'd like to post more project photos here on the blog and move craft updates to Blue Sky. Peruse our Kbatz Kraft Archive for more bling including:

Joannand Thrift Finds 2.0

Going Green Holiday Jewelry

Jewelry Making Basics

Fashion and Jewelry YouTube Playlist