Make Them Extra Special!

Make a tote bag from a T-shirt

You can make a sorority t-shirt tote bag like this one in about an hour if you have your supplies handy.  The directions assume that you have a sewing machine.

Supplies:

• T-shirt
• sorority letter or mascot iron-on transfers
• basic sewing supplies
• sewing machine
• scissors
• iron

Directions for Making Sorority Letter Bag:

• Iron the T shirt
• Fold the T shirt in half lengthwise
• Starting in the center front fold about 3 inches below the neckline; draw a "u" shape and continue a straight line up to the shoulder seam and armhole.
• Measure about 2 or 3" from this line at shoulder toward the armhole.  Make a mark.  Draw a second "u" shape down from the shoulder around sleeve and armhole.
• With scissors, cut out the straps using markings as your guide.
• Unfold the T shirt to see  the results
• Turn T shirt inside out (right sides together) and sew along the bottom. (press seam for a better result)
• Turn shirt right side out.
• Fold under 3/8" of straps.  Press
• With a zip-zag stitch, sew around strap.
• Place  iron-on letters, symbol, or mascot on right side of garment.
• Following manufacturer's instructions, adhere the iron on to your bag

(NOTE:  Other ways of adding sorority letters to a bag are with hand or machine embroidery, or painting the Greek letters with acrylic paints. For painting or hand embroidery, you will need to lightly sketch your sorority letters onto the bag with a pencil or fabric chalk)
Craft Time- about 1 hour
Some basic sewing experience is needed.
This idea was adapted from Joann.com

Kappa Delta Sorority Bag

Make Your Own Gifts

Make a Special Sorority Picture Frame

You Can Make One!!

Here is a hand-crafted gift that is easy to make for a sorority gift.

Recycle a picture frame and make it into a very special Big Sister/Little Sister sorority gift.

Here are some TIPS to get you started:

This picture frame was already painted olive green.

If the frame you have available is not the color that you want, or if it is scratched, etc. in need of paint.....simply paint it with acrylic paint which is available for less than one dollar. The black foam "brushes" work great for a project like this one and they, too, are very inexpensive.

I used some acid free white cardstock paper to sketch a little turtle. I colored him with colored pencils and then cut him out. I glued him to the mat that was already a part of my frame.

Try to use what you have, but you can buy different colored mats in standard sizes at craft stores.

The rest of the design is painted with acrylic paints onto the frame and then sprayed with crystal clear varnish (varnish is optional, but helps to preserve your work)

If you are not confident using paintbrushes, you can use paint pens for a very good effect. Practice the way you are going to write, first on paper before you actually paint or write on your frame. This helps prevent an undesired outcome.

Embellish your written design with some little hand painted flowers. Use the end of the paint brush to dip in the paint to make the dots of the flower. Then add stems and leaves with green paint. These, too, can be painted with paint pens if you don't like to use paintbrushes.

Scrapbooking Tools, Supplies & More all at Joann.com

Make this sorority pillow with ribbon and fabric!

Stitch witchery- an iron-on bonding material (available from fabric departments & stores)
2 fabric squares (10" X 10" is a good size)
Fiberfil Stuffing

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1. Form your letters with the ribbon. Fold or cut the ribbon to get the right shapes and turns. Just work at it until you like it.

2. Cut out stitch witchery to fit behind the ribbon letters.

3. Position the letters (with the stitch witchery underneath) in the center of one of your fabric squares.

4. Set the iron on wool (medium heat). Place a piece of paper on top of your design. Iron the letters (through the paper) about 30 seconds. Let the the fabric cool before peeling the paper off. Check the letters to make sure they are securely bonded to the pillow fabric. You may need to repeat the ironing process. If the stitch witchery doesn't cover every spot, that's OK. Just so most of it is bonded.

5. To construct your pillow, pin right sides together. Sew around the square leaving an opening for turning the pillow right side out.

6. After turning right side out, stuff the pillow with fiberfil. Close pillow opening with a whip stitch.

There!! A Unique Handmade gift for your Chi Omega little sister or your big sister.

Making gifts is so much more fun than buying!

If so, you will enjoy this post featuring a gift idea with your local mascot, the ladybug.

This is a matted picture of a ladybug with the saying,
"Phi Mu is full of bugs and kisses"

You will find directions at the end of this post.

Other ladybug gift ideas follow:

Ladybug earrings for Phi Mu and Alpha Sigma Alpha

Stuffed ladybug mascots

Directions for Phi Mu Ladybug matted picture (hand-drawn and hand-painted)
See picture at top of post.

You need a basic mat-this one is 5" X 7" with a round opening, but a rectangle will work, too.

Actually, a pink mat would be prettiest if you can find one.

Use any kind of art paper or even cardstock.

With a pencil, lightly draw your ladybug (it will probably turn out better than you expect!)

If you mess up, just erase and continue until you are happy with the drawing.

Use water color paints or colored pencils or even crayons to lightly color your drawing.

Use a fine sharpie pen or a scrapbooking fine felt tip pen to outline your drawing and to add the Phi Mu saying.

Tape your painting to the back of the mat
AND it is ready to give to your big or little sister.