Sewing a Pillow or Pillowcase

As we have been talking this past week on Hope Chests, I can think of no commoner and more popular item to be found within than a pillow or pillowcase!

Currently, I am working on adding items to my personal Hope Chest, and as I was going through and putting together sheet sets, I found one set without a pillowcase. With some extra white material, I have sewn my own and will share how I did so now. (Along with the one step extra to make a pillow.)

Materials:

Fabric (color of choice, texture of choice, etc)

Fabric Scissors

Ruler, Tape Measure, or Pattern

Pencil

Pins (small or large, whichever meets your preference)

Sewing Machine w/ Thread (or Thread/Needle, if you are doing this by hand)

Prior to sewing, wash and dry your fabric, so that it can shrink.

Step One: Cutting–

Fold your fabric of choice inside out and in half. Using your fabric scissors, cut your fabric in the pillowcase shape and dimensions of your choice. You may need a pattern or a ruler to do this. All I did was take another pillowcase, lay it on top of my fabric, trace with a pencil about a quarter of an inch past the edge of the pillowcase (for hemming), and then cut along that line.

I laid my old pillowcase on top of my fabric, gave some room for hem, and cut...

**Take notice, that I also cut on the fold (but not the fold itself), so that instead of having to hem four sides and close three, I only have to hem 3 sides and close two.

The fabric for the pillowcase is now all cut out. I will take off my pattern pillowcase, and proceed to the next step.

Step Two: Pinning–

Next, I pin my fabric (soon to be pillowcase) along the two edges that I will close up, one length-wise and one width-wise. (I will use one width-wise edge for the opening to put the pillow in, and the other length-wise is along a fold, so it is already closed. If your second length-wise edge is NOT closed or folded, you would hem it as you do the first length-wise edge.)

Shown here are a few of my pins, turning over the fabric to make neat, straight hems. I only place pins every so often, and though it APPEARS somewhat turned up, when you are running the fabric through the sewing machine, it lies down flat.

Now that I have the length-wise and width-wise edges pinned for hemming, I will pin the TOP edge of where my opening will be. I do NOT combine the two edges. See the picture below.

I now have pins on one width-wise, one length-wise, and on the TOP material of where my opening to insert the pillow is. Notice the un-hemmed second layer on the left.

Still on the Pinning Step, I next pin that second layer, which I had left out.

This is the second layer I am talking about. I will pin it by itself, just as I pinned the layer on top of it by itself.

The finished Pinning looks like this:

It was un-hemmed...

And now it is hemmed.

I lay my top layer on my second layer. Both have their own SEPARATE hemming pins, so that when I sew, I will not sew them together, thus closing my opening.

**If following directions for pillow, do not hem the two layers separately, for they will eventually be closed together!**

Step Three: Sewing

Finally–it is time to sew! First I sew my two edges (three if you do not have a fold), and then I sew my two separate layers for the opening.

I am sewing my edges here, being careful to remove my pins before the machine runs over it. (That normally messes up my machine, but I have seen some that can run right over the pins.)

And to finish my pillow case, I place the opening around my sewing machine and just feed it through, thus hemming the two separate layers, which are continuously connected

Now I can sew my opening, not closed--but hemmed. Turn the fabric right side out, and wa-la! I have a new, homemade pillowcase!

 **If following directions for pillow, do not sew all the way around. Leave a space open large enough for you to add your stuffing.**

DO NOT FORGET TO TURN THE FABRIC RIGHT SIDE OUT, WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED! (This applies to pillow-making, as well.)

**Pillow Extra Step Four: Stuffing–

The last step to making your pillow is to push the stuffing of your choice into your material, and once you have added the amount of your choice, sew up that small space by which you put the stuffing in and TA-DA! You have a new, homemade pillow!

Was this helpful? Do you have any other suggestions or tips for pillow/pillowcase making?

What Does Having a Hope Chest Mean $$-Wise?

This is Part 3 of the Hope Chest Series. If you missed the Hope Chest Series Introduction, or Part 1: “What’s in my Hope Chest?” or Part 2, “What am I adding to my Hope Chest?” you can find them here, here, and here.

Having a Hope Chest is like having a saving account for your marriage or future life.

 Hope Chest = Savings Account

Like the picture of the piggy bank above with the two wedding bands, a hope chest is a “cedar bank,” if you will, with the supplies you need to bring to a marriage or to a life on your own. Savings Accounts accumulate over time, as will your hope chest, and when the time comes, you can withdraw from it. With a savings account, you gradually put more money into it, and normally the deposits are painless. When you are able to withdraw from that savings account, however–there is no pain whatsoever in seeing the fruits of your additions. With a hope chest, you are saving for the future, though (often) not in monetary terms, and all the hope and joy is great, indeed!

How is Having a Hope Chest a Frugal Decision?

As discussed in the previous paragraph, a hope chest is gradually added to. Normally, people buy items while they are cheaper, on sale, or make the items themselves. Also, since most hope chest collections are added to by teenagers–parents are involved, Christmas is involved, and birthdays are involved! Although the items are only added a little at a time, the price of the items ultimately adds up to where if you had to buy all the items at once, it would definitely be a burden against your bank account. Little by little is the way to go, whether your items are homemade or whether your parents buy the items, or whether you do–overall, the decision to have a hope chest is a frugal one!

Think of the Joys Later…

After accumulating these items over time, and not hurting your budget or band account, the time FINALLY comes when you get married or live on your own. The joy that comes from looking at this grand accomplishment of SAVING items (and ultimately money) and using these items, without having to strain yourself to buy the necessary items, is, I can imagine, quite great–not to mention the items that you make yourself. (Talk about a boost of self-esteem!)

Knowing you will not have to spend a lot of money on the things, such as silverware, dishware, and cooking utensils, bed sheets, blankets, pillows, towels, wash rags, etc, which can be quite expensive when bought all together (and without all the great sales), is enough to celebrate! Yay!

Do I Recommend Having a Hope Chest?

You bet I do!! 🙂 Would you?

NEXT: The final article to the Hope Chest Series (for now), Part 4: “Scriptural Reasons for Having a Hope Chest.”

The Hope Chest Series Introduction

I would like to introduce a 4-part series on Hope Chests, (and if you don’t know what those are, just keep reading), concentrating on how a hope chest is a great way to live naturally, frugally, and wholly in Christ.

You can look forward to:

Part 1 (Whole Living): “What’s in my Hope Chest?”–a look into my personal Hope Chest, in all its grandeur, (or rather, lack thereof, unfortunately :\).

Part 2 (Natural Living): “What am I adding to my Hope Chest?”–because once you read part 1, you’ll understand that I need to do some serious “building up.”

Part 3 (Frugal Living): “What does Having a Hope Chest mean $$-wise?“–looking at the fiscal benefits of having a hope chest.

Part 4 (In Christ/A Devotion): “Scriptural Reasons for Having a Hope Chest“–biblical references that make having a hope chest a reasonable, fun, and awesome idea.

What is a Hope Chest?

Traditionally, a hope chest is a large to medium size wooden box that a young, unmarried lady would fill up with items for her intended wedding and married home and life.

Items might include a wedding dress and shoes, pillows, blankets, pictures...all put in the hope chest in anticipation of one day being married.

Hope chests today, however, are given much more freedom to be used for whatever best fits you and the lifestyle you hope to lead in the future. For example, some young women decide that they do not want to marry, so they do not use their hope chests for wedding items. Simply put, a hope chest is a chest of items dedicated to the hope of having a future, no matter what that future may be.

A Hope Chest is for preparation, but now more than ever, hope chests can hold sentimental items, such as family Christmas ornaments and such. Some people put books in their hope chest. Some people put baby clothes. It’s your choice of the contents to be placed in it; there are NO limits or restrictions! I’ll give you a peak into my Hope Chest in Part 1 of our Hope Chest series.

**I would like to stress here that the IDEA of the hope chest is more important than actually having a wooden chest. Preparing for the future can be done, even without a box to put the contents in.**

A modern Hope Chest may look similar to this, but styles can vary.

At the same time, hope chests are not STRICTLY for the day you become married or for the day you live on your own. Some women use their contents on a regular basis, while other women prefer to accumulate and save the items for its  intended purpose only.

Are Hope Chests Just for Girls?

Once again, the TRADITIONAL answer is “Yes.” According to this article, a groom’s family provided land, property, or money in order to “win” a woman’s hand in marriage. The bride’s family then gave a dowry of the things the couple would need to begin life together, including linens, china, and other household items.

Today, however, some parents provide their sons with “hope chests” (that they don’t call hope chests) for them to put the items they would like to keep and that are special to them, as well as items that may prove useful to them in the future. Some creative parents are even using a locker for their males, instead of a wooden chest.

Final Thoughts:

If you decide to start a Hope Chest, (and I certainly hope you do by the end of this series), remember– a hope chest is about having hope more than anything else, more than the contents in the hope chest, more than the actual process of gaining the contents. More than anything, a hope chest is about HOPE.

I enjoyed reading this letter from Glenys Robyn Hicks to “handmaidens” concerning her hope chest:

…my mother and father provided a hope chest for me. We weren’t very well off, but they acquired an old writing bureau which they kept in their bedroom for me as my own room was too small. This hope chest was filled gradually with all the usual things to ensure a well stocked home with crocks and linens.

But I found this was not its primary purpose for me. It became my focus and purpose in life- reminding me of the task ahead of becoming mistress of my own home. Each time I added something to it, it filled my soul with longing for the day of marriage and hope for the future. As I worked and saved for my wedding and new home, it became my anchor. Every kitchen article was added with dreams of me cooking delicious meals for my beloved. Each towel I folded filled me with visions of them flapping on the line and I would plan how to wash them properly and keep them soft and fluffy. Fluffy enough to wrap up my new baby after its bath. For every sheet and blanket focused me on the physical side of  marriage filling my heart with the promise of children conceived in love. As I added to my picnic ware, my mind would race imagining flying kites, feeding the ducks by the pond and country drives with my husband and children ..life held great promise for me in that hope chest…and although mine was not a true hope chest- it was full of hope.

I certainly wish you  to join me on this series! Please feel free to comment and discuss, as much as you like! 🙂

Two Kinds of Refreshing!

Today has been a GRAND day…and I just wanted to update everyone on two kinds of “refreshing” that I experienced today.

The first has to do with my homemade deodorant recipe. Today and yesterday I have been only wearing that deodorant, instead of my commercial kind. I put on the homemade deodorant in the morning, and then I had to refresh and put it on again at noon both yesterday and today. Other than that, I have not had any problems with it. Since there is not a particular fragrance to the deodorant, I worry that I might “smell,” but no one has complained, and I don’t smell anything vulgar, so I guess I’m good!

Thumbs up for not stinkin'!

Also, on the lines of the deodorant, I have not decided what I will do if I have to go out for the day, since I have to refresh at about noon. I am afraid that the coconut oil would liquidate while in my purse.

Any suggestions?

The second refreshing I have experienced today is RAIN on my drying clothes outside!! Noooo! haha 🙂

I guess you could say it "rained on my parade" ... of clothes! haha 🙂

I had two loads of laundry on the line. The first had been drying for awhile, and I was going to take them off soon. The second load I had just put on, and so they were still pretty wet when the rain began to fall, and then to POUR! I rain outside and hurridely took my clothes off the line, receiving a refreshing of my own!

So with all my 7 reasons to line dry, and 1 reason not to, the 1 reason not to–rain– got in the way! haha 🙂 Stinkers, and I was being so careful, too.

Here in the Northwest where I live, the rain has been picking up lately for a “late-Spring” since we had a long winter. (Apparently, though, at certain places, it is still snowing!)

Anyhow, there’s an update for all of you! Please be sure to check out my latest book reviews: A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway and Modesty by Nan M. Pamer! (With the rainy weather, I’ve been able to read more.) Have a great day!

Homemade Deodorant Recipe #1: SUCCESS!

This is my recipe with my ingredients and measurement spoons.

 A success! Not a flop! Whooorah! I’m excited! I’m happy! I’m flabbergasted that my homemade deodorant recipe TURNED OUT the way it was supposed to! Yayayayayay! MUCH different than my first homemade toothpaste recipe, which ended up NOT turning out well at all. Now, only time will tell if the deodorant WORKS well. (I am wearing it right now, and it is just fine.) I will update the blog after some time of using the deodorant.

Why did I chose to make my own deodorant? I actually have many reasons, but the main two are 1. Commercial deodorants have aluminum in them, as well as other ingredients that have been linked to cancer and many other diseases. No… I much rather prefer to go natural. and 2. Commercial deodorants can be EXPENSIVE. My normal deodorant cost more than $3.00, whereas this homemade deodorant cost me less than $1.00! I much rather prefer to be frugal.

Here’s how to make your own homemade deodorant!

1. Baking Soda/Cornstarch

Mix 1/4 of each into a bowl or container.

Adding my 1/4 of cornstarch to my 1/4 of baking soda (without aluminum).

Baking Soda and Cornstarch can be IRRITATING to some people’s skin, so you do NOT want to make a large batch your first time, as you determine the correct measurements for your skin. You can reduce your ratio of baking soda/cornstarch to coconut oil, if you find it does bother your skin. Also, an alternative to Cornstarch is Arrowroot powder (of the same measurement). The Cornstarch or Arrowroot powder act as thickening agents for your deodorant, so they are pretty essential to this recipe.

2. Add Coconut Oil

Spoon 6-8 Tablespoons of SOLID coconut oil into your bowl or container of baking soda and cornstarch. You may have to use more, if your deodorant turns out not as solid.

Here I am adding my pure, all natural coconut oil to my mix of baking soda and cornstarch.

Remember that coconut oil stays solid at 76 degrees and below. At 77 degrees or higher, it turns to liquid. If you live in a particularly warm climate, you may consider putting your finished deodorant and coconut oil in the refrigerator to prevent from melting.

3. Add Essential Oils (Optional)

I did not do this, since I am currently still in the market for essential oils, but if you have essential oils on hand, you can add them for scent or flavor, if you like. I do not know much about each essential oils’ qualities; however, I have heard that peppermint, orange, and tea tree oil are all popular choices. You can mix and match to get the scent you desire.

If you do not add essential oils, the deodorant will not really “smell” like anything. (At least mine does not.) I have heard that the coconut oil can be fragrant in itself, depending on the type you use, but mine did not smell like anything in particular.

4. Mash the combination with a spoon

The next step is to simply mash it all together with a spoon until it becomes thick like a commercial deodorant. This may take a couple of minutes, but keep on going, and it’ll get there! 🙂

I had just begun mashing up all my ingredients, and I admit...I was doubtful at first that it would turn out.

5. Place in a Container

You can either place your deodorant in a jar, or you can place it in a used deodorant container. I chose to do the latter. You just need to mush it down. This recipe makes about 1 cup, or about 1 deodorant stick. By the way, if you put it in a used deodorant container, it looks JUST LIKE the store bought kind! 😀

Doesn't it look like the real thing? Even my skeptical sisters were amazed!

What I Did Next:

Since I had been touching it with my 98.6 degree hands, it started getting a little liquid-y, so I just put it into the refrigerator. When I went to take a shower this morning, I took the deodorant out of the fridge, put it on the counter, allowed the heat from the shower to soften it up a bit. Then, I put on the deodorant, and I am wearing, and have been wearing it since this morning, and I am doing very well with it. I have not experienced any rashes or irritation from it. I hope I never do!

CREDIT:

I received my deodorant recipe from Lindsey at Passionate Homemaking. You can see her instructions, her video tutorial, and her FAQ on the topic of homemade deodorant making. I found her article EXTREMELY helpful and informative. You may, too, so Click here!

DISCLAIMER:

You try this deodorant recipe at your own risk. Everyone’s bodies are DIFFERENT, so what works for me is not guaranteed to work for you. Research before you begin ANY project. For example, I did A LOT of research into homemade deodorant recipes before I made my own (almost a month’s worth). If you experience problems, I am neither a doctor nor an expert on hygiene and body care, but I will be available to hear your complaints and help you find a solution.

Line Drying 101

Line drying? An ancient art? No way.

Okay, so maybe I wouldn’t exactly call it an “art,” either. BUT there is some general knowledge you should know before you begin. I wouldn’t call myself an expert at line drying, except that it’s so easy–anyone can do it! PLUS there are some awesome benefits to line drying. Read the following tips to line dry your clothing for a more natural and frugal drying alternative:

2 Optional Locations:

First, know that you can line dry clothing outside OR inside. If it is particularly rainy where you live, or if during the winter months, you find yourself snowed in, put lines up in your home, laundry room, hallway, bedroom–wherever–and line dry that way. Growing season is just about here in the Northwest, so rain is coming quickly! I will definitely have lines up in my home.

Materials:

In order to line dry, you need a location to line dry, a rope or other form for a line, clothespins or hangers, and wet laundry!

Lines:

Your line can be made out of any “string” that is durable and will not mold! When you put your lines up (connected from one tree, poll, building, wall, etc to another), make your lines tight enough, so that when you hang up your damp clothing, the weight will not sag the line down.

2 Optional Methods:

In order to line dry, you can either hang your wet laundry on hangers, or use clothespins. Personally, I currently use clothespins, but I may switch to hangers in the near future in order to determine which method I prefer. For some garments, using hangers is said to be preferable and more convenient, as once the garment is dry, it needs only be put in the closet. Others say there really is no difference, as long as you hang correctly. What do I get out of all this? It’s your choice.

Correct Hanging:

Believe it or not, there is a correct way to hang up shirts, pants, socks, and other laundry items. Shirts–If you are using clothespins, hang these upside down, by the tail, so that your clothespins do not leave an indent on the shoulders, (which are more visible than the tail of your clothing). Make sure that you do not space the two clothespins too far apart that the material is stretched, or too near that a huge bulge dries into your shirt. If you are using hangers, situate the shirt according to how you would normally prefer to wear it, (ex. collar down or pockets in). Pants–I have seen these hung two different ways by clothespins, and both worked fine. First, you can hang it by two clothespins at the waist, or second, you can hang it by four clothespins, two on each leg, upside down. Skirts can be hung at the waist, also. Socks–hang your socks by their toes! Do this in order to prevent clothespin marks on the visible part. Towels–Either hang towels length wise, using four clothespins, or hang them width wise, using two. Your choice, here.

And finally…TIPS!

–In order to keep your clothes from fading, turn them inside out or dry them in the shade or inside.

–Do not hang your clothing near walls or posts, so that if the wall or post is dirty, your clothes will not pick it up!

–Before hanging your clothes up, snap them quickly in the air to take out any wrinkles.

–Clean your line every once in a while (monthly or bimonthly) in order to ensure that your clean clothes are not being dried on dirt! Simple soap and water and a rag will do the treat nicely.

Have you tried line drying before? What tips would you share with others, or would you even recommend it?

7 Reasons to Line Dry, And 1 Reason Not To

Yes, indeed! As I surveyed God’s creation about me, I also saw a useful creation of man–a clothes lines. Here are my

7 Reasons to Line Dry:

1. The smell of sunshine is FANTASTIC!

Okay, perhaps this is a personal opinion, but seriously! I love the smell of sunshine, and I find that a lot of other people do, too. What does sunshine smell like? Fresh, clean, happy, energized… A wonderful, refreshing smell. I have also found that if you use a scented laundry detergent, that scent will be emphasized from line drying. See if you like the smell of sun! Do a tester cloth, and let me know how it goes…

2. Line drying makes your clothes naturally static/wrinkle free.

Electric dryers create static electricity on clothes because it rubs the materials together repeatedly.  Line drying skips this whole process, thereby skipping the static! (Yay!) And depending on if you take your clothes out of the washing machine promptly (or soon after the cycle is complete, which you would have to do to prevent a sour smell, anyway), your clothes will be mostly wrinkle free!

3. It gives you time for peace–at long last…

As you are pinning your clothing up, or as you are taking them down, the whole process really allows you to just “be still.” You have time to be quiet, or you can hum and sing, while the birds chirp their melodies, and the wind sways to the rhythm. You may hear children’s laughter. You may hear the constant, calming effect of  vehicles on the distant freeway. Whatever you hear, whatever you see, you can have peace and appreciate what God has blessed you with.

4. No worries; be happy now, and use a clothes line!

While doing your line drying, you have quality time with the sun, which boosts optimism levels! The Vitamin D in sunshine as been found to not only make us happier, it makes us energetic–AND healthier! Read this article by Yale Daily News on the proven benefits of sunshine.

5. Not using a dryer saves energy AND money.

If you’re not using a dryer, you’re not using up electricity/energy, meaning in $$$–you’re not spending money. In fact, the clothes dryer is THE largest consumer of power. Think about that in terms of money–or better yet, the effect on the environment. Let’s save our money and save our environment by line drying when we can!

6. Line drying is more delicate on the material.

It’s true! With a dryer, you have twice as much tumbling of your clothes as you would if you only used a washer. Tumbling sound like fun? Well, not to the poor seams and zippers and fringes of your material items! The continual tumbling causes your material to wear quicker. Also, fading can be prevented on a clothesline by turning your material inside out, whereas, in a dryer, there’s not much you can do!

7. There’s something to be said about God here…

Using the hands God gave you and using them while His creation surrounds you is a “God-moment” well worth taking. Colossians 3:23 says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” What better place to work for the Lord than among His creation? (Not to mention, it’s a lot easier to “do it heartily,” when the sunshine boosts your optimism levels! haha)

And of course! Here is my

1 Reason to NOT Line Dry:

1. Sometimes it’s rainy/wet! *Boo hoo*

Depending on where you live, you may get rain or snow frequently. The wetness will definitely not help your clothes to dry, (you can test this if you like, haha). So–don’t sale your dryer just yet! The Solution: Dry your clothes inside, or wait for a sunny day to wash and dry clothe(Although, admittedly, it’s just not as much fun without the smiling sun shining down upon you…)

TIDE even has reasons why you should line dry.

Do you line dry? What are your reasons? Or do you not line dry

NEXT: How to Line Dry Clothing/Tips for When You Do! 🙂

Hello World!

 That’s what I said when I stepped onto my front porch!

Wow! What a beautiful world God has created. And it’s been here the WHOLE time? Why am I just now seeing it, as though I never had before?

I could feel the sunshine soaking through my skin. I could see the bright yellow dandelions, which look like smiley faces all across the expanse of green, green grass. I could smell the pleasant pine aroma of our tall pine trees. All of this beauty surrounding me.

I picked up a wishing flower, once a cheerful, wild dandelion flower, took a deep breath…and blew!

What did I wish for? **I can’t tell you, otherwise, it might not come true…**

Just know that from that step onto the front porch, from that delicious sensory “overload,” and from that wish– Zealous Dedication resulted.

Please join me, or simply read along, and be encouraged and inspired, as I take a journey to a more natural, frugal, and whole life in Christ.

So… “hello world!” I am ready to embrace you–just as God intended you to be.