Craft Attack - Kid Size Chef Hat (it's adjustable too)

My daughters school had a fundraiser the other week and each class was suppose to create a basket for the auction. Each class had a theme and my 1st grader's was "Kids in the Kitchen". My first thought was to make an apron but come on ....that's so common... I wanted to do something a little different.  I decided that a chef hat (or set of them...one for a boy and one for a girl) was the way to go.

I had a lot of fun and decided to take pictures as I went to put together a tutorial for it. This is my first attempt at a tutorial so hopefully it's coherent and I took plenty of pictures. You can always email me if you have trouble or get confused.

I used the pattern found on this tutorial. Sugar on Top did a great job on the pattern and tutorial but I sewed the hat together a little differently to avoid having a raw edge inside of the hat.

You'll need :
The pattern from here 
1/2 yard, or fat quarter (you have to fold the pattern in the middle a little to get it to fit but it will) 
        for the hat top
1 1/2 yard corresponding fabric for the band
small section of sew on velcro (you could use the sticky kind but i've found that it comes off over time)

Print off the pattern and start by cutting out each piece (the hat top and the band).

 

Next I added some fusible interfacing to half of the band. Since you'll be folding this piece over it only needs to be ironed on to half of it.  Take your trusty iron and ironing board and fold down each edge of your band piece approximately 3/8". This will make for a nice finished edge when we sew it all together.

Now you'll want to add the velcro to opposite sides of the band (as shown in the picture). Once you fold the band in half and create a circle with it the velcro should match up. So if you're not sure, pin it first and then fold the band as you would to wear it to make sure your placement is right.

I used a straight stitch for the first one I made and then decided on the second that I like a zig zag stitch better.

Now you'll want to fold your band in half down the center and give it a good press with the iron to make sure you're seams are going to stay folded down.

Now take your hat top piece and create a small hem on the round indented part show in the picture. When you go to sew it you may need to smooth the folded over part a little as you go to avoid and puckers or creases. But if you end up with a few don't distress....it's all part of the learning process.

 Now you'll add two rows of basting stitches (that's just a really long stitch that you'll be able to pull to gather later) along the entire edge of the hat top piece. Two rows makes it easier to gather and keeps the raw edge from rolling in on itself and sticking out your finished seam.

Pull those end strings and gather your hat top until it measure about 1.5 inches shorter that the length of the band. This is what it looks like once you've gathered it.

  

Next is a little tricky. To avoid having the raw edge of the hat top showing inside the hat you have to hide it in between the fold of the band. So you'll stick it between the long open end of the hat band. It only need to go in far enough to cover the basting stitches you did.

I hope the pictures help make that part clearer. It really helps to pin as you go.

Now you'll take the hat back to the sewing machine and sew down the band. If you ironed well, the two sides of the band should match up pretty well. However, i would check the back side of your work as you go to make sure it's going under the needle correctly.

You will also need to sew closed the two shorter sides of your band.

Now you'll have an adorable adjustable Chef Hat for your little one.

As you can tell, my kids loved them and were very sad when I told them they were for their sister's class.

Now go attack this craft. And if you do then come back and share.

Bite of the Week - Teddy Bear Lovey

I saw this pattern about a month ago and fell in LOVE with it. I have been waiting for a good reason to buy it and low and behold I had a baby shower come up (wahoo). So I ordered the pattern, got out my yarn and this adorable Teddy Bear Lovey joined the Purple Shark family.

Pattern can be found at here.

He's about 15" square and his little buttons are crocheted so there's no choking hazard.

I had so much fun making him. The stitched used in the blanket was kind of addicting and absolutely gorgeous.

If you are in love with him as much as I am and want one yourself you can order him here.

I have several other animal lovey's to make and introduce so come back and check them out over the next few weeks.

Bite of the Week - Purple Shark

Are you ready for my first "Bite of the Week"?


Of course you are. 

I have recently discovered a bunch of crochet applique patterns. So instead of making a hat in the resemblance of something (a hat that looks like a cupcake for example), you can crochet a 2D image of that something and just sew it onto a basic hat.

One and Two Company on etsy has loads of applique patterns.


You have no idea how thrilled I was to find a pattern for an applique SHARK! So, of course, I had to get the pattern and make a purple one. The hat is still in the works but here is my first applique shark.

patten from http://www.etsy.com/shop/oneandtwocompany

I love him and can't wait to find the perfect hat pattern to put him on. What do you all think? Any particular applique ideas you'd like to see added to my website?

And the Winner is!

A big thank you to everyone that entered and shared the giveaway! I was so thrilled about the response I got. 

Before we get down to announcing the winner, I wanted to share what you can expect from my blog in the future. That way you know why you're going to want to come back and check out the awesome things i'm up to and sharing.

At least weekly (maybe more if my kids don't go crazy), i'll be doing a  

Bite of the Week

hahaha get it....

Shark....Bite...(i know i know...i'm a dork...but you know you love it)

This will be some new crochet design i've done and will be adding to my website.

I don't just love to create crocheted items. I really love lots of types of crafting so at other times in the week i'll be sharing a  

Craft Attack.   

( i know....again with the Shark pun but I just can't help myself)

This will be a tutorial of something else I've created that maybe you'll want to create as well. It may range from sewing to cooking (that's a craft in my opinion) to upcycling to wood crafts to who knows what else. 

If you have ideas or have seen something you'd love recreated, just shoot me an email and we'll see what I can come up with. (purplesharkcrafts@gmail.com)

Expect to see some great successes and some awesome failures. Failing isn't terrible...as long as you learn from it...I consider that a success.  It's all part of the experience. 

  

Now without further ado ..........................................

The winner is 

Sara Wanstrum

(raffle run by rafflecopter.com and winner selected by random.org)‏

 I'll be contacting you via facebook shortly.

Thank you again to everyone that has been so supportive. I hope you'll come back and check out what I have to share (and keep you're eyes peeled for more giveaways).

 

Grand Opening and Giveaway!

After several months of struggle and figuring out how and what I wanted to do, the day has finally come. My website is LIVE.

Welcome to the grand opening of Purple Shark Crafts!

purplesharkcrafts.weebly.com

 A little back story on the name. Before Christmas last year my oldest son (R) asked for a shark for one of his gifts. He wanted to be able to get inside of it. When I asked him why, he said "to pretend like I am dead" (hahaha...kids).

So off to the drawing board I went. I spent a while looking at examples online and then began drafting my own pattern. After several hours and drafts, I had completed my own pattern (woot woot) and his shark was complete. Sharkie was brought to life (well as alive as he's gonna get).

Fans meet Sharkie! Sharkie these are my fans.

 
R was so excited when he opened him and was thrilled he could fit inside of him. 

Pretending like he is dead.

 The feeling I got from creating something all my own from the ground up was awesome. That's when I started to consider (again) starting a small business and blog.

Sharkie was part of the inspiration for the name of my business. I wanted something unique. After thinking of several ideas I didn't like I started to think about Sharkie. He was the first things i'd ever designed myself so it seemed fitting to have him in my business name. Blue Shark seemed too normal so I went with Purple because....well I like that color. And so the name Purple Shark Crafts was born. 

I had an awesome friend design the logo you see above and my SUPER AWESOME FABULOUS brother in law designed and drew my logo character. 

I love him!

 
 Then I started working on items to put in my shop and where to have my shop and what I wanted it to look like and (all the while getting some orders and trying to finish those).....anyway, i won't bore you with all the details but needless to say, a few months later here we are. The site is up and I wanna celebrate. 

I'll be giving away a hat....but not a specific hat...if you win you will get to pick ANY hat from my website in any color (or colors) you want. 

So follow the rafflecopter prompts and enter to win.
 a Rafflecopter giveaway