Problem: Article: Silk fabric has a tendency to shrink, which can alter the size and look of your sewing project. By prewashing the fabric, you will minimize the amount of shrinkage that might occur when you wash the fabric after you've completed the project. Typically, silk will shrink about 5-10%, with some looser weavers shrinking up to 15%. Use a mild detergent, such as Woolite or Ivory Snow, with warm water, washing the silk in a sink or bucket. Alternately, use a mild shampoo. You can also wash some silk fabrics in the washing machine. Use a delicate cycle and a mild detergent. A few silks, such as dupioni, should be dry cleaned only. If you have bright or deep colored silk, it's best to wash these separately. Dyes used on silk have a tendency to run, and you don't want to discolor your fabric. Take the time to do separate washes to ensure that colors don't bleed from one piece to another. Prewashing strong colors will also ensure that the colors don't bleed after you have sewn your project. Vinegar will help get rid of the soap residue that remains on the fabric. In a bucket or sink, mix in cup of white vinegar per gallon of water. Swish around the silk fabric to rinse out the soap. Drain the water and leave the silk in the sink. Put the fabric through a second rinse, this time without vinegar. The clean water will rinse out any remaining vinegar and will remove the vinegar odor. After you finish hand washing the fabric, do not twist or wring it out to remove excess water. Rather, lay the fabric out on a towel and then lay another towel on top. You can remove some extra moisture by ironing over the top towel using a medium temperature. There are several methods of drying silk fabric, depending on your preference. Try partially drying the fabric in the dryer. Remove the fabric when it is still damp and hang up to finish drying. Alternately, you can dry the silk between two towels, or let it hang dry right after you have washed it.
Summary: Hand wash silk fabric. Wash strong colors separately. Rinse the fabric in water and white vinegar. Rinse the fabric again in water. Don't wring out the silk fabric. Dry the fabric.

Problem: Article: Cut an 18-inch (45 cm) piece of ribbon in a color or pattern your mom will love. Fold over one end to about an inch (2.5 cm), then fold it again. Sew or hot glue the fold closed. Fold the other end once to an inch, then place a hair elastic at the seam of the fold and fold the ribbon over again. Sew or glue the fold close. Glue or sew a button on the end without the elastic, on the front of the ribbon. This will be the opposite side of the ribbon from where you folded the ribbon down. When you're finished, place the elastic around the button to hold the bookmark closed. Customize the bookmark with your mom's favorite colors, designs, or even characters! Clean an empty tin can well, using warm water mixed with the dish soap. Let the can completely air dry and then paint it in your mom's favorite color. You can use ribbon or washi tape to decorate the can once it's dry, adding a pretty design on top of the color you chose. To add a little something special, buy a small potted plant to put in the tin vase, or pick some flowers from your own garden. Just make sure you have permission to pick your own flowers! You can use any jar you like a mason jar, an old vegetable jar just make sure it's cleaned out really well and smells fresh. Then write one memory of your mom on each slip of paper. When you're finished, fold them in half and put them in the jar. You should use at least twenty slips of paper so the jar looks pretty full. You can decorate the jar with stickers, craft paint, or ribbon. Make sure you write "Memory Jar" on the outside. Hole punch blank index cards in the upper left corner. On each card, write down one thing you love about your mom. When you're finished, slip a binder ring through the hole in the all of the cards. You can ask your whole family to participate, so she knows why you all love her. Try using different colored index cards or decorating them before you put the book together. It will make the book look more personal and let your mom know you spent a lot of time on it. This is a really great gift to make if you have siblings who want to help or be involved. And it's something your mom can keep for a long time, unlike real flowers! Using a different color paint for each kid, dip your hands and feet in paint and then make a row of handprints or a row of footprints on a 36-inch (90 cm) wide piece of paper. When everyone is finished making their hand and footprints, let the papers completely dry. Cut out each foot or handprint. Arrange the cut-out hand and footprints in rows in a shallow half circle shape on a large piece of construction paper. When you're happy with your design, glue them down. Roll the construction paper into a cone and glue or staple it closed.
Summary:
Make ribbon bookmarks. Make a homemade tin can flower vase. Make a memory jar. Put together a "Things I love About You" Book. Make a handprint bouquet.