Washcloths for sensitive skin: Fairface Washcloths™: soft & gentle

If you have sensitive skin like I do, regular washcloths can feel too harsh. Even washing with them as gently as I can, my face always ends up more red and irritated than it started. Ugh.

So what's my solution? A few years ago I started making my own soft washcloths out of the softest materials I could find. And you know what? It's made all the difference in the world! My face has never felt or looked better. No more redness and irritation. Move over scratchy old washcloths, now there's something much, much softer!

Fairface Washcloths™ the softest, most gentle way to wash sensitive skin

And since they changed my life in such a profound way, I couldn't keep the secret all to myself. I now make them for the world to enjoy! 

Attention all sensitive skin: don't be afraid to wash your face anymore! 

With the softest combination of face-friendly cloths, Fairface Washcloths™ provides you with the softest, most gentle facecloth, for a gentle cleansing, free from additional redness and irritation. Trust me, you'll wish you'd found them years ago! 

The {Original Fairface Washcloths'™} flannel side is amazingly soft and the terry cloth side is gentle, with just enough scrub. There is also a new option {Fairface Washcloths™ ~ Delicate} that is even softer(!), gentle enough for even the most fragile, delicate skin.

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Check out our Fairface Washcloths Blog for additional information
Available for purchase through our Fairface Washcloths Shop

Fairface Washcloths™ | An Exclusive Product of Shannon Sorensen Designs

Anthropologie weekend

Have you ever shopped the Anthropologie sale section? If you're an Anthro addict like I am, I'm guessing you have.

There's a special kind of rush to finding an amazing deal on an item from Anthropologie. Even if it's just a plate, bar of soap, or note pad. And it's completely addicting. I have to admit, as soon as I leave their store I'm wondering how soon is too soon to go back? Scary, I know.

These are this past Saturday's Anthropology sale finds:

A colorful seat cushion for my sewing room chair. How can you not receive creative inspiration when perched on a seat cushion from Anthropolgie? I mean, come on.

This is the other side:

and it even attaches with these colorful ties

It's new home.

How cute are these polka dot hot pads?

*they had a matching apron I had my eye on but literally as I was walking in the door, from across the room, I saw someone pick it up. And in the blink of an eye it was gone. Saturday Anthro sale shoppers are very quick. Note to self: even if you're not sure you want it, hold it until you decide.

And these beautifully hand screened, cotton towels.

I actually have other project ideas for these since they are dry clean only...who uses dry clean only hand towels?? They won't be towels for long.

I just loved the designs

And my final find, a tablecloth from $78.00 down to $14.98. But I didn't see it as a tablecloth. I saw it as an apron, a table runner, pillow covers,...after all, it is just a giant piece of fabric and who doesn't want something made out of Anthropologie fabric?! Remember what I did with that other tablecloth?

Well, I guess that wasn't really the last thing, since I bought my first Anthropologie shirt online when I got home. They didn't have my size in the store but they still had it online at the sale price. I'd had my eye on it since it first came out and was eventually going to try to make it myself. Lucky me!

Sweater makeover: long to layered

I'll admit, I don't always follow the "if you haven't worn it in 6 months get rid of it" rule. I keep thinking at some point I might want to wear it again...but at every season's change I find myself pulling out the same clothes that inevitably will never be worn.

For example, I've worn this sweater a few times over the years, but since I never really felt that great in it, it has spent most of its time in the closet making me feel guilty for not wearing it. It was just a bit too long for my 5'4 frame and not very flattering.

So instead of tossing it, I decided to cut it up and re-fashion it.

So after cutting it into strips, finishing each raw edge with a zig-zag strip, and reattaching it in layers, this is what it looks like now:

The edges naturally ruffled with the zig zag stitch, and I kind of liked it.

The back needs a little work - I cringe when I look at that piece that needs to be snipped...but this is what the back looks like pre-snipped.

Other than that, this old sweater has new flair.

The shorter length is also much more flattering than long and drapey.

I guess I'll throw it back into the closet for another 6 months and see if passes the test!

Fleece hat: make your own!

You wouldn't believe how easy it is to make your own fleece hat.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, we headed out to do some snowmobiling and I realized I didn't have a winter hat.

So instead of fighting the black Friday shopping rush, I pulled out some pink fleece material my sister had given me, and within about 20 minutes it was done.

Instead of following a pattern (which you can find free online in a bunch of places) I decided just to trace my husband's hat and modify it.

And it was not only cute, but kept my head and ears perfectly warm the whole time!

Okay, one action shot to show you I really used it.

Minky's aren't just for babies

Every time I walk by soft fabric that is used for baby blankets, I have to stop and take a touch. They are so soft. I'm always tempted to buy a yard or two just to have some for myself. But I never buy any because #1 it's expensive, and #2 I don't have any babies so it seems ridiculous.

However, several weeks ago as I was browsing the 50% off remnant bin at JoAnn's, lo and behold, there was some milky cream Minky Dot Chenille. My favorite. I had to touch it. And then I had to have it, justifying that all things soft and cuddly aren't just for babies and it was way cheaper than usual, being a random piece off the end of a bolt.

But I didn't stop there. I had to feel other minky remnants and walked away with another piece just as soft and creamy as the chenille.

The silky cream colored satin fabric I found a few weeks before went perfectly on the back.

Blanket #1 minky dot chenille

Blanket #2 minky diamond

And although they are odd sizes (due to being remnants), and the mitered corners are a little less than perfect (these being my first blankets and all), they are dreamy, soft and snuggly.

Who says the snuggly stuff is just for babies?

Baby bibs and burp cloths: make your own

I love to browse the endless rows of snuggle flannel, showcasing such a variety of patterns and colors. I scouted out some of my favorites and made a few baby bibs with coordinating burp cloths for family and friends.

For girls

For the most recent set, I used coordinating snuggle flannel on the front and coordinating terry cloth on the back. Plus a little satin ribbon accent and velcro closure.

This bib pattern was based on Homemade by Jill's bib tutorial (w/ free bib template) and think it's for babies up to 6 months or so. *Please note, these patterns are only for personal use. I use my own pattern for selling bibs in my shop.

For the burp cloth, I just matched the size of a cloth diaper.

I love the modern flair of the patterns and colors.

About 9 months ago, in addition to making a smaller bib from Jill's pattern, I made this medium sized bib for my sis-in-law (sorry for the poor photos). I found this tutorial (w/ free bib pattern template) on Happy Things. Instead of using a terry cloth back for this one, I made it reversible, using another snuggle flannel material, satin ribbon and ricrac accent.

I added two coordinating burp cloths to her set. These burp cloths were based on a burp cloth tutorial by SewSheSews, using Gerber cloth diapers and snuggle flannel. She stated from experience that this was the perfect combination due to the super absorbency and softness.

In a nutshell, you sew flannel right onto the diaper, turn it right side out and top stitch. For stability, stitch to horizontal lines down the front (dividing it into 3rds). Absorbent, soft and pretty.

My only question about these burp cloths, is whether they are too bulky and thick? I know no one needs to add more bulk to an already overflowing diaper bag. I need a mother's opinion...

This little pink number was just a little bonus bib. I had just begun ruffling everything in sight and wanted to make something pretty. And although it's cute and girly, it's pretty small and is make out of jersey material, so not very absorbent. Maybe it will just be a keepsake.

And we can't forget little baby boys. Lately, in my circle, it seems they've been outnumbered ...although my sister is due to find out the gender of her baby within a month or so...maybe I won't store the baby blue just yet.

Thank you to Homemade by Jill, Happy Things, and SewSheSews for sharing their tutorials and templates!