DIY Wall Tapestry

Hey ya'll! so I spent a bunch of time trying to come up with ideas to make wall tapestries for my dorm room because I don't really want to pay 30+ bucks for one. I tried a few different techniques, including a glue/dye job which if you would like to know more about, leave a comment at the end of this post! Today I am going to talk to you about the first of two different techniques that I used.

ALSO I'm sorry for the awful quality of the picture above, my room has horrible lighting and i promise it looks SO much better in person!

First I bought a twin flat sheet at Walmart. I think it was about 5 bucks which was fantastic.

I folded that sheet in half and pinned it down in order to cut it. There are a bunch of ways to cut it in half, i just figured this method would give me the straightest edge.

Then, I sewed each of the edge to make a hem line so the tapestries wouldn't fray on the edges. If you haven't mastered the art of sewing, you can buy some stitch witchery at your local craft store and use that to close the edges. 

The first is the technique that is a spin off of shibori dye jobs. Shibori typically uses indigo dye in order to make beautiful designs with that rich, dark color. I however bought a tie dye kit and used the purple color along with the left over teal from the second tapestry that I made.

• One twin sized flat sheet
• scissors
• sewing machine (or stitch witchery)
• rubber bands
• dye (however many colors you want to do) 
• if you use the dye from the other project I did, see how to make it here
• plastic gloves

Once you have your sheet cut into two, you can start folding!

Start by folding the sheet like an accordion, starting from any side that you want. I went up and down rather than side to side.

Next, start bunching up the sides in equal distances and wrapping rubber bands around them.

After this, you can choose to fold the entire thing in half and rubber band it together, or dye it as is.

Once the rubber banding was finished, I laid the entire thing out on my lawn and put the dyes in the squirt bottles and began applying the dye. Don't forget to put gloves on.

I let this sit for 6 hours to soak in the dye and then cut off the rubber bands. Once you cut off the rubber bands, rinse in the sink until the water runs clear. When you are done rinsing, hang it to dry.

Again, this picture does not do the finished product justice.

enjoy!

xoxox Rachel

DIY Dip Dye Tank

What you will need:

• Shirt (washed and dried)
• Iron on letters (optional)
• 2 Tbsp salt
• 2 Tbsp laundry soap
• Rubber gloves
• Metal or glass bowl that can hold a gallon of water
• 1 gallon of water  (16 cups)
• powder dye
• hanger
• spoon

First:

Heat one gallon of water until boiling. Empty dye packet into bowl and mix with the salt.

Next

Pour boiling water over powder and salt and mix thoroughly. Add laundry soap, but don't stir too much to keep it from bubbling.

Then

Wet shirt in the area you want died. I recommend about 3/4. Put the shirt on  the hanger.

Yes, gloves are necessary especially for when you rinse at the end or your hands will be dyed for the rest of the day.

Dye Time

  Dip shirt into dye until the desired dye line is met. 

Next dips should stay for 30 seconds, 2 minutes, 5 minutes and 10 minutes.

Tshirt photo originally from blog.spoongraphics.co.uk ( I forgot to take a blank picture)

Then:

Remove from dye and rinse thoroughly until water runs clear. Carefully rub your gloves along the top of the dye line to try to blend it out.

Let hang to dry and then wash in washer with cold water by itself.

If you chose to add iron ons, do so now and then you are done!

- Good luck!

XoXo 

Rachel

20 Things that I Learned my Freshman Year

Freshman year is full of new things from going to a new school to learning how to adapt to college life. Iv'e learned so much this year but there were many things I wish I would have known going into school. It can be really scary, but freshman year can also be one of the best years of your life.

1. Watch your popcorn

I can't tell you how many times I had to stand outside in the middle of the night, morning and all other times of the day because someone burnt their popcorn. Fire alarms are super sensitive and when they are set off everyone has to evacuate. I set off the alarm once and it was super embarrassing, don't let that be you.

2.  Be open to meeting new people.

Starting college is hard because you hardly know anyone. Take advantage of every opportunity you get to go out and meet people. Everyone is looking for friends, don't be worried about people not liking you. Just put yourself out there.

3.  Try to remember peoples names

You're going to be meeting so many new people your first month or so. If you're good at remembering names, that's great. If you aren't, thats okay too. It's always super awkward when you know you've met someone but can't remember their name but the truth is, at this point they probably don't remember yours either.  So just ask and get the awkwardness out of the way, it's better than never knowing and eventually having it be too late to ask again.

4. Go to class

Even if you have those professors that don't care if you come to class, or if you're in a giant lecture hall, going to class is a must. Professors often discuss material or make important remarks that can't be found in your textbooks. In a smaller classroom setting, professors know if you aren't present and won't think as highly of you if you aren't there.

5. Do extra credit

I'm not sure how grading works at most schools, but at mine the difference between a B+ and a B are huge. A plus is worth roughly .33% more than just a flat letter grade. Extra credit makes all the difference and will show your professor you're really trying.

6. Don't buy your books from the bookstore.

Your campus bookstore jacks up the prices of the textbooks. I saved over $100 each semester buying my books off of amazon. I also recommend buying and not selling your books. Buying is so much easier because you don't have to worry about something happening to them or returning them at the end of the semester, plus it's a nice incentive at the end of the semester when you can sell them back and magically get easy cash.

7. Do SOMETHING

No matter what it is, get involved with something. Whether it's greek life, a club or a sport, do something. You're college experience will be so much better if you're involved. Activities also introduce you to people and can help you adjust to the college atmosphere.

8. Watch out for your friends.

A great thing about my school is that we all watch out and take care of each other when we go out. Parties are great but it's still important to watch your drinks and to make sure your friends aren't leaving with a sketchy guy.

8. Take care of people

If a friend is sick, take care of them. You never know when the situation will be switched and you'll want someone taking care of you. Check out this website from the University of Texas for more information about alcohol poisoning. Don't be afraid to call 911 and get your friend in trouble. Many schools have a policy for helping students with no repercussions.

9. Form study groups

Study groups are a great way to go over material. Teaching things you know to others is one of the best ways to remember information. It's also a great way to go over material you don't know.

10. Get away from your high school self

No one cares anymore if you were a super great football player or were the best in your class. People who can't stop reliving their high school days are hard to be around. Don't forget those memories, but constantly bringing high school up to your new friends is annoying. Don't be that person.

11. Avoid sickness at all costs

Staying healthy in college is super hard. You're confined to small areas with people and constantly interacting with everyone. Pump yourself up on vitamin C and use some hand sanitizer.

12.  Call your family

They miss you A LOT. Go ahead and give them a call and tell them how you're doing.

13. It's okay to not know what you're doing with your life

If you haven't decided on a major, THAT'S OKAY. Freshman year is the time to take different classes and figure it out. It's also okay if you don't know by the end. You'll get there and find something you love.

14. Bring enough socks and underwear

Let's face it, you're not going to want to do laundry every week. Hell, I hate doing it. Think about how often you want to do laundry and bring enough socks and underwear to last you however long. This will save you in the long run.

15. Be a good roommate

If your roommate is still sleeping, don't turn on the light when you get up. Stumble around awkwardly with your phone for a flashlight and get dressed.  Use headphones when listening to anything. If you're staying up late and she is going to bed, go somewhere else. Happy roommates make your life easier.

16.  Don't get into a relationship right away

Getting into a relationship as soon as you get there limits you socially. You won't go out as often and you won't be as open to meet new people.  Let yourself meet every guy you can, my guy friends are some of the best people that I know.

17. Long distance doesn't always work and that's okay

Out of all my friends who went into college with a long distance significant other, I think maybe one or two of them are still together. College changes you and it's hard maintaining that connection so far away. IT WILL BE OKAY.  Being long distance means that most of the people you know won't know your ex and you won't be surrounded by things that constantly remind you of them. You are going to meet so many new people and find someone else.

18. Go to sporting events

Supporting your school and hanging out with friends is so much fun! Just do it. You won't regret it. 

19. Don't wear your lanyard 

You are going to be so tempted to wear your lanyard with your ID around campus because it's convenient. Don't do it. It is a huge flag to everyone saying "Hey I'm a freshman." 

20.  Have fun

Freshman year is the year where you're expected to have fun. You will have the least responsibilities this year out of all four years there. Take advantage of it.

 -Love always, 

Rachel

How to go back to school after Christmas (Winter) Break

 So you've just spent roughly four weeks enjoying your mom's food and your comfy bed. Here's how to prepare for that daunting next semester...

1. Binge watch Netflix for as long as possible...

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If netflix has become Bæ, it is important to maintain that relationship. During break is one of the only times you can do this guilt free so take the opportunity to watch every season of Friends or whatever your heart desires.

2. Don't forget to buy those books... and don't cry too much after spending all your money.

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I've found that the best way to buy text books is either on Amazon or Abe Books. They have the lowest prices and I haven't had a problem yet.

3. Eat as much as your mom's cooking as possible

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That goes for other foods you won't have at school too. Stalk up and eat like you're going into hibernation... you won't have some of your delicious favorites for awhile.

4. Do all that weird stuff your friends at school would judge you for.

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Whether it's an inside joke with your best friend from home or something unique to your old school, keep all your weird habits at home.

5. Savor those last precious moments in your own bed.

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Get ready for those uncomfortable dorm beds and enjoy laying like a starfish while it lasts.

Lastly, Get pumped for another great semester!

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-xoxo Rachel

DIY Laptop Sleeve

Hi everyone this is Rachel! With college around the corner, we thought it would be fun to make sleeves for our laptops. They turned out really cute! Natalie is out of town in Oregon for orientation, so Lauren and I made them with our friend who is in town. We bought all of the supplies at our local Jo-Ann Fabric store and it cost around $16 each. The cases I was looking at online were $25-$60. Here's what you will need:

Materials:

• Half a yard of fabric for the outside
• Half a yard of fabric for the inside (we used fleece so it would be soft)
• one zipper at least 6 inches longer than the width of your laptop/ iPad/tablet (if you want it to go all the way around the sides get one that is at least 10 inches longer)
• one package of batting we got a bag that was 45"by 60" and it easily was enough to make four cases. (we also made one for my brother)
• charm (for zipper)
• iron on letters (if you want a monogram)
• chalk
• scissors
• measuring tape
• sewing machine

If you want a bow like the one I made for my case^, get a fabric solid square.

Directions:

Step One: Measure and use the chalk to outline the area for your fabric pieces. You will need TWO pieces for the outside, TWO pieces for the internal lining, and TWO pieces of batting. Cut the materials so that they are two inches longer than the width (plus the depth)by the length (plus the depth) of your devise. Then cut out all of your pieces.

Step Two: Next, place the zipper face down onto your first external piece and pin the top of the zipper to the top of your fabric. The fabric should be right side up. When attaching the zipper around the edge, cut the zipper a few times so it can bend and be pinned easier.

Step Three: Using your sewing machine, sew your zipper onto your fabric, making sure that you don't sew too close to the zipper itself. Leave around a half inch between your sewing and the stops on the zipper.

Step Four: Then pin the lining and the batting onto the front part of the zipper on the side you just sewed. (Make a fabric sandwich). Then sew both onto the zipper following the seam you just made.

Step Five: Round your edges by cutting off the corners, leaving some fabric behind.

If you would like a pocket, now is the time to make it....

If not skip to step 10.

Step Six: Using a piece of chalk, section out a piece of fabric for your pocket using the leftover pieces from your external fabric. I didn't measure mine exactly, I just compared it to the outside piece and made it the size I wanted.

Step Seven: Fold over the top and pin it and sew the seam shut. 

Step Eight: I made mine with with two pockets by sewing a line through the middle of mine from the bottom to the top.

If you want  a bow add that now.... 

I messed mine up while making it and hd to a bunch of things to fix i, so there won't be pictures or directions on how to make the bow. I looked up how to make it on Pinterest. You can find ideas Here! 

To put the bow on, Sew along the edges of the bow attaching it to pocket.

Step Nine: Once you attach the bow(if you chose to make one), pin the pocket onto the second outer piece. 

Step Ten:  Turn your fabric right side out and place the second piece of outside fabric facing up on the table. Make sure the backside of the zipper on the pieces you've sewn together is facing you. Pin the external fabric to the clean side of the zipper, cutting the corners of the zipper again to make sewing easier. Sew the fabric onto the zipper. The thickness of the fabric makes this process a little difficult.

Step Eleven: This is the hardest part so just do your best! If you mess up, you can always use a seam ripper. Pin the the second batting on top of the inside lining onto the zipper on the opposite side of where you just sewed. Sew both on.

The pink and blue piece at the bottom of the pile is the piece you just sewed

This is the side opposite of the zipper^

Step Twelve: Move the batting and inside lining out of the way while you work with the outer pieces. Pin the two outer pieces together (so that the outsides of them are facing each other) and then begin sewing the two together. Start at the center of the bottom and sew up until you reach the zipper. Go over the last inch by the zipper to hold it together better. Do the same for the other side.

Cut the edges to round them like we did in the beginning

Step Thirteen: Pin the inside pieces and batting together. Then sew the lining and batting pieces together leaving a gap in-between. The gap will be so you can leaving a gap in-between. The gap will be so you can turn it right side out. 

Step Fourteen: Flip the lining and batting right side out and then do the same with the outer pieces. Sew the gap shut. You may also need to hand sew the edges by the zipper ends shut.

Step Fifteen: If you choose to add charms for your zipper add those and add your monograms after this. I made a case for my brother where I made pocket on his like how they make shirts at Serengetee. 

And Thats It!

The inspiration for our cases came from Here! (:Thanks for reading, please leave your comments below!  I hope your cases turn out well! Enjoy!
 -xoxo Rachel