Make a Football Jersey from a T-shirt

Last weekend we had Gordon's First Birthday. It was a football themed party so, of course, he needed a tiny #1 jersey. I took to a plain white t-shirt with a pair of scissors and crafted one up quick and cheap. With the playoffs this weekend, it's the perfect time to show some spirit without shelling out big bucks for team jerseys. Here's how you do it!


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Under-an-Hour Jersey Hat

A few weeks ago, I made an Under An Hour Silkscreened Scarf. While I was at it, I whipped up a little jersey hat. Clare loves that the silkscreened pattern makes her hat and scarf a matching set, but this is also a great t-shirt project. The best part is that you still have time to make a bunch of these for Christmas gifts!

So easy, check it out...
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Making Your Own Pattern

We often hear that new sewists are intimidated by drawing their own patterns, so we were thrilled to see Katy from Sweet Verbana made a fantastically easy Make Your Own Pattern Tutorial that everyone, yes everyone, can do!

Make sure to stop by Sweet Verbana's to check out many of Katy's other tutorials like the adorable Maxi Dress, an infinity loop scarf (perfect for winter) and even a learn how to do reverse applique (I'm seeing Holiday gifts!).

Don't go anywhere just yet, keep reading for the Making Your Own Pattern Tutorial after the jump.

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What Should I Make With These?

I've been having fun hand embroidering on top of fabric as of late. I've been working on these two ladies for a while, but I can't decide what to make them into.

Any ideas? Let me tell you about them...
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Genuine Germ Drops!

Louise from I'm Feelin Crafty made up a batch of our Monster Spray, and it was so succesful at vanquishing the beasts in her child's closet, that she was inspired to create these germ drops. We loved them so much, we asked her to share. Take it away Louise...

I'm so honored to be posting here at Prudent Baby! Wow! Yep, I'm blushing again!
Have you made Prudent Baby's Monster Spray yet? We concocted some spray of our own earlier this year. And let me tell you.... It gets rid of our monsters like nothing else! There are those nights where we have to spray down the room. And there's been at least one night that Daddy ran around the outside of the house spraying a 'No Monster Barrier' around the house while chanting 'NO MONSTERS, NO MONSTERS, NO MONSTERS'! Who knows what the neighbors thought about that, but who cares, our little guy was able to sleep peacefully! So then when the medicine comes out for the boo boos and all I get are screams, I had an idea... Genuine Germ Drops!

Find out all about Louise's Genuine Germ Drops and get the free downloads after the jump...
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How to Make a God's Eye

When Jaime and I were brainstorming ideas for our patio makeovers we talked a lot about embracing the southwest but with a modern twist. I love how these Native-American-inspired elements contribute to a stylish yet relaxed and approachable space. One of the DIY project that took on the southwest more literally is this giant God's Eye that I made for over my bench. I was out of cash for the patio but needed something large and eye-catching(ha). This did the trick coming in at $3.98 for the two wooden dowels. If you have some nice straight sticks you can make this with materials you already have at home! Your yarn choices can help pull the colors of your entire space together. On a personal level, this project makes me really happy because we had a similar God's Eye that my mother had made, in our house growing up.

I'm not sure how long we will keep this outside. Although it's a covered area, I know this is too fragile for the winds of the wild west. Although since it was so inexpensive I can always make another when it starts to look tired. Want to learn how to make your own yarn-stash-busting God's Eye?
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Make for Baby: 25 Free & Easy Baby Hair Clip Tutorials

Is there anything cuter than a little mop of hair with an adorable homemade hair accessory? No, there is not. That's why we've rounded up the cutest and easiest free tutorials for how to make baby hair clips, headbands, and hair accessories for the little ones in your life. From beaded hairpins to feather hair clips to no-sew headbands, we've found a free hair accessory tutorial that's just right for your baby's hair. Get the links here: 25 Free & Easy Baby Hair Clip Tutorials.

Pin Cushion Ring: 5-Minute Project!

Remember how we were all confessing over on Facebook that we can't help but hoard tiny scraps of fabric? Here is a project that gives us pack-rats the last laugh. Make a pin-cushion ring (or a dozen!) It only takes 5-minutes, assuming you don't have to drink a beer to get the cap.

Here's what you do...
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Sock Vase!

Novelty kneesock + generic glass vase = instant party decor

1. Cut off foot of sock & finish edge (or don't)
2. Slide over vase
Voila!

Need cute knee socks for a project? See my knee sock slideshow on Babble.

See the rest of Quinn's Animal Birthday Party 

The Pretty Path to Potty-Trained

How's potty training going in your home? I don't want to talk about it. But I DO want to show you this pretty little potty chart that Clare and I made. We have been enjoying lots of board games lately so we applied that premise to the chart. A path with spaces to be filled with stickers as you earn your way to cool prizes. The prizes can be drawn in as you go to renew excitement. I can't guarantee that this chart will work (I'm NO expert on potty training) but I can guarantee that it will be pretty to look at.


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How to Make Your Own Chalkboard Paint

You may have seen me mention on facebook and twitter that I'm contributing to Soleil Moon Frye's new online show Her Say. Here's a fun clip where I teach you how to make chalkboard paint in any color you like for just a few bucks. We use it to whip up some little vases you can use as table settings and a travel chalkboard tile. It's so easy! Let me know if you try it. And you can check out more of my hersay videos here.

How to Sew a Button Down Bib

Hi I'm Jen from My Own Road, and I'm so thrilled to be here guest posting at Prudent Baby today!

From one Hot Mess Mommy to another, I'm sure you know how hard it can be to find cute boy projects. I mean, my daughter is no problem. I can put that kid in pink, ruffly dresses any day, but when my son came along I had to change my strategy.

When my husband gave me a pile of his old button down shirts that he couldn't fit into anymore, I came up with the idea to do a series called "Button Down Rehab" where I took my husband's old button downs and gave them a new life. Some friends agreed to join me, and I used the series as an opportunity to make some cute, new clothes for my son. And today, I'm sharing my Button Down Bib project with you!

All you need is a button down shirt and a few basic supplies to make an adorable bib for your little guy! Read on for the full Button Down Bib Tutorial and links to the rest of the Button Down Rehab projects.
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Towel Time!

Summer is around the corner, and that means water play time! Whether you have a luxurious waterfall swimming pool, a pb-approved tub o water, some sprinklers and a hose, or simply a bathtub, you're going to need some towels. Our towel projects are some of the most popular tutorials here on Prudent Baby. Take a look and get to sewing!

Check out our Towel Time Tutorial Round Up after the jump...
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Ombré Cupcakes

Do your kids just eat the frosting off of cupcakes and leave the tasty cake behind. Clare does. So in a effort to get her to eat her birthday cake, and score some "awesome mom" points by making another party element pink, I tried the Ombré trend in edible form. Since I can't pull off Ombré hair, these tasty treats will have to do.

Here's what I did...
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Sleeping Beauty Party: The Easy Pocket Pillow

These simple pocket pillows from The Sleeping Beauty Party were a breeze to make (with some help from my mama.) We finished up 20 in a few hours, assembly-line style! They were the perfect little handmade favor with a pouch for more take-home goodies.

Here's how to make an Easy Pocket Pillow...
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How to Make A Mason Jar Pincushion with Bonus Embroidery Fun!

Last week I showed you how I organized my sewing supplies using Mason Jars. So to be all matchy-matchy, I decided to update our baby food jar pincushion by making a new mason jar pincushion - which is even easier because it's no-sew!

I downloaded a fun new font, then hooked my computer up to my new Brother Innovis 2800D Embroidery & Sewing Machine and created a pattern for the words "pinch me" (can you tell that I made the "pin" a lighter shade of pink then the other letters?). If you don't have an embroidery machine and want to put some words on your pincushion, you should check out our beginner's hand embroidery tute. I'm obsessed with embroidery!

I'll show you how the machine works and I'll tell you how to make your own Mason Jar Pincushion in a jiff after the jump...
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One More Fabric Flower

Oh, we love fabric flowers so much here at Prudent Baby. We've done the no-sew rolled fabric flowers, the pom pom fabric flowers, and the ever-popular fabric flower hairclip. Well here's another stash-busting fabric flower to use as embellishment for tops, bags, hairclips, anything really. It works up in a pinch.

Get the full Fabric Flower tutorial after the jump...
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Monogrammed Hair Clip: Part 2

Last week we had a family photoshoot with Angela Richardson from AMR Photography. She was amazing and helped me prepare for the shoot in every way, from make-up suggestions to wardrobe consultation. We decided on a yellow, gray and blue color palette including this little dress for Quinn. It was pretty on it's own but since it was store-bought, I felt it needed a handmade touch.


Love, love, love these shots

Coincidentally, I was also itching to play with my new Brother Sewing & Embroidery Machine, so I took the opportunity to update the DIY Monogrammed Hair Clip.

In the end it was a cold, windy and muddy morning (here is Quinn behind the scenes in a cozy blanket) so she wore a gorgeous little denim jacket belonging to the photographers own little girl. The clip didn't show in many of the shots but since Quinn will be wearing this dress for Easter, it will make a second appearance!

Read more to learn how to make this Monogrammed Clip.
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Scrap-Busting Hair Bows

Jessica from Sew Home Grown is here with a tutorial for these adorable and crazy-easy little hair bows. They are so sweet and fast that I couldn't resist sitting down immediately to make four. If you NEED to make some for your cutie-pie's Easter basket (and, trust me, you do) here are the details!
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No Bake Easter Nest Cookies

Not a new concept in cookie-making, but I had never made these Easter nest cookies before and they were so super easy as a last-minute treat to take to the school party (and the kids went nuts for 'em) that I thought I'd share. We can't make insane decorated sugar cookies for every single occasion, right? Learn how to make no-bake easter nest cookies after the jump...
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