A chenille blanket is soft and cozy for a toddler. This DIY toddler gift can be made to match nursery décor. Our toddler grandson loves crocodiles right now so I wanted to make him a special blanket to use when he naps in the pack ‘n play. Tip: we waited to introduce a blanket until…
sewing
Face masks for adults and children
Face masks have become a critical piece of personal equipment as COVID-19 or coronavirus continues to spread across the world. As all of us prepare for how this virus spreads, emergency preparedness is critical. Vaccines are not currently ready, so hand washing, disinfection, and caution about coughing and sneezing are vital. When cleaning your home,…
Make a simple gathered skirt for hula – Pa’u skirt
What is a pa’u skirt? In Hawai’i, hula dancers use pa’u skirts for practice and performance. It is often a simple cotton skirt with rows of gathering at the top. If you search online you will see many variations in directions, including open or closed, drawstring tie or elastic, rows of gathers, and type of…
Halloween shirts, Aloha style – sewing tips
For Halloween I made matching Halloween shirts for grandpa and grandson (The Gardener and “Cinco”.) The Gardener has been looking for a Halloween Aloha shirt for several years. We found a fabric he liked so I decided I would make him one. This is not a sewing tutorial. These Halloween shirts were pretty difficult, so I’m…
Border print dress – using a pareu
A border print gives a dress an extra bit of eye-catching interest. I think an outfit is more memorable with a border print and I like the challenge of making the fabric work with the finished product! We were visiting Hilo and I wanted to visit the shop of Sig Zane, the famous graphic artist…