Category Archives: Sewing

Felt Chick Basket

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Who could resist creating this adorable Felt Chick Basket for Easter? Kids will love it, especially when filled with goodies on Easter morning!

Materials

  • Wool or regular felt: yellow, 3/8 yd.; white, 1/8 yd.; orange, scrap
  • Yellow netting, 1/8 yd.
  • DMC 6-Strand Embroidery Floss: Light Lavender Blue (3840), Lemon (307)
  • Cording, 1/4”, 14” length
  • Buttons (two-holed), two each: white, 3/4”; black, 1/2”; yellow, 1”
  • Light blue satin ribbon, 7/8”, 18” lengths, two
  • Easter grass

Tools

  • White fusible woven interfacing, 3/8 yd.
  • White sewing thread
  • Embroidery needle

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, straight pins, iron and pressing surface

Directions

Size

11″ tall (with handle)

Basket

1. Print and cut out pattern. (Note: The blue word “pattern” is a link. To access this pattern, select the link, then download and print pattern.) Follow manufacturer’s instructions to fuse interfacing to yellow felt. Cut six pattern shapes from fused felt. With wrong sides facing, pin long edges together one at a time; use three strands Lemon floss to blanket stitch pieces together. Place basket bottom on flat surface and press down on inside to flatten bottom.

2. Cut 4”x50” yellow netting strip; fold in half lengthwise. Use Lemon floss to sew basting stitch close to folded edge; pull thread to gather until length measures 18”; knot to secure. Pin gathered edge around basket top, butting ends together on back side. Blanket stitch over top of basket and gathered edge of netting. Separate netting layers for fuller look.

3. For eyes, use white thread to sew black buttons on top of white buttons under netting on one panel. For beak, cut 2” orange felt square. Fold square diagonally just above center. To attach beak to basket, use six strands of Light Lavender Blue floss to make two evenly-spaced French knots for nostrils, wrapping floss around needle three times for each knot.

4. For handle, cut 1-1/4” white felt strip; fold in half lengthwise. Place 14” cord length inside felt strip. Use three strands Light Lavender Blue floss to blanket stitch over felt edges. Sew handle ends to top basket sides. Use Light Lavender Blue floss to sew yellow buttons to basket, covering handle ends.

5. Tie ribbon bows around bottom of handles.

6. Fill with Easter grass to help basket hold its shape.

Tip

  • If necessary, create a basket base by cutting a circle from cardboard to place in the bottom of the basket.

by Mary Ayres

Bluework Floral Towel

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Wipe away your dishwashing blues with this pretty dishtowel accent in classic blue and white.

Materials

  • Blue Chambray stripe tea towel
  • White fabric doily with crocheted or lace edge, 8” square
  • Blue satin ribbon, 1/4” wide, 5/8 yd. (optional)
  • Blue embroidery floss, one skein

Tools

  • Needle and white thread

Basic Supplies

scissors, safety pin

Directions

STEP 1

Print and cut out pattern. (Note: The blue word “pattern” is a link. To access this pattern, select the link, then download and print pattern.)

STEP 2

Transfer pattern to doily. Use one strand of floss to stem stitch design.

STEP 3

If applicable, use safety pin to weave ribbon through openings in edge, beginning and ending at back. Trim ribbon ends to 1⁄4” and whipstitch ends together.

STEP 4

Pin doily diagonally to center front of dish towel. Sew doily to towel with invisible stitch.

Tip

  • Nearly any size or shape doily will work for this project. Just adjust the pattern size to fit the center.

by Mary Ayres

From The Heart Hanging

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

A thoughtful or kind wish to another goes a long way – and this piece certainly extends wonderful sentiments to a friend.

Materials

  • Fabrics: linen, 1⁄4 yard; cotton homespun, 20 different scraps; green silk, scrap
  • The Warm Co. Warm & Natural Firm Needled Cotton Batting, 9”x11” rectangles, two
  • Embroidery floss: black, off-white, yellow
  • Frame, 9-1⁄2”x11-1⁄2”
  • Off-white button, 9⁄16”

Tools

  • Embroidery needle
  • Cardboard rectangle, 9”x11”
  • Adhesives: Therm O Web HeatnBond Ultrahold Iron-on Adhesive, Beacon Adhesives Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler

Directions

STEP 1

Print and cut patterns. (Note: The blue word “patterns” is a link. To access these patterns, select the link, then download and print patterns.)

STEP 2

Cut a 5-1⁄2”x7-1⁄2” rectangle from linen. Cut three 1-1⁄2”x2-1⁄2” rectangles (A), six 2”x2-1⁄2” rectangles (B), five 2-1⁄2” squares (C), and four 2-1⁄2” squares (D) from cotton fabrics. (Note: Remaining two fabrics are for star and heart.)

STEP 3

Using Fig. 1 as guide, arrange rectangles and squares around linen rectangle. Sew side rectangles and squares together, and then sew to sides of linen rectangle. Repeat for top and bottom pieces.

Fig 1

STEP 4

Cut two pieces from iron-on adhesive, slightly larger than star and heart. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to fuse adhesive to star and heart. Fuse star and heart to border.

STEP 5

Transfer words to linen rectangle. Use one strand black floss to stem stitch words and to blanket stitch star and heart borders, and two strands black floss to blanket stitch border of linen rectangle.

STEP 6

Secure button to bottom border with black floss. Use two strands yellow floss to blanket stitch border around button.

STEP 7

For yo-yo, cut 2” circle from green silk. Turn edge under 1⁄8”; sew gathering stitch around edge. Pull up gathers tightly; knot and clip thread. Use invisible stitch to hand sew yo-yo to top border. Use two strands off-white floss to blanket stitch around yo-yo.

STEP 8

Layer fabric piece and cotton batting on cardboard; pull fabric edges over cardboard and glue edges at back. Place mounted design inside frame.

by Mary Ayres

Wool Felt Pillow

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Black and white accents are all the rage! Update your living room décor with this chic wool felt bird pillow.

Materials

  • Wool felt: white, 3/8 yd.; black, 1/4 yd.
  • Pillow form, 12” square
  • Black satin piping, 1-1/2 yds.
  • Black embroidery floss

Tools

  • Sewing machine and black thread
  • Needle
  • Beacon Adhesives Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, straight pins

Directions

Size

12″ square

Pillow

1. For pillow front and back, cut two 13” white felt squares. Print and cut out patterns. (Note: The blue word “patterns” is a link. To access these patterns, select the link, then download and print patterns.) Cut materials as indicated.

2. Use photo as guide to free-hand cut and arrange black felt strips on front for tree branches, overlapping and trimming as needed. Place bird on branch close to center. Place leaves along branches. (Note: Edges of leaves should not be closer than 1” to edge of pillow.) Apply small dabs of glue under black felt shapes to secure to white felt before embroidering.

3. Use two strands black floss to blanket stitch around edges of bird and leaves, and over branches.

4. Pin and sew piping around pillow front, 1/2” from edge, beginning and ending in a corner; remove pins. Sew pillow front to back with right sides together along piping stitching, leaving 10” open at bottom. Trim corners; turn right side out. Insert form into pillow. Hand sew opening closed.

by Mary Ayres

Simple-To-Sew Party Purse

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

While this party purse is a perfect going-out companion, it’s also a great space saver for everyday use. Why not make one to take along to your next local craft show?

Materials

  • Fabrics of choice, 45” wide: outside, 1⁄6 yd.; coordinating lining, 1⁄3 yd.
  • Binding or ribbon in coordinating color, 46″ length
  • Hook-and-loop tape, 5” length
  • Cording, coordinating color, 1⁄16”-1⁄4” diameter, 54″ length

Tools

  • Sewing machine and matching thread
  • Iron and pressing surface

Basic Supplies

scissors, pencil, ruler, straight pins

Directions

Size

5-1⁄2”x7-1⁄2”

purse

(Note: Use 1⁄4” seam allowance unless otherwise indicated.)

1. For inside lining, cut 5-1⁄2”x17” rectangle from lining fabric. Separate hook-and-loop tape; center and sew one side of tape to right side of fabric, 1⁄2” from one short end.

2. For back pockets on top half of purse, cut 5-1⁄2”x10-1⁄2” rectangle from lining fabric. For top hem, fold one end under 1⁄4”; press. Repeat. Sew hem in place. Repeat for bottom hem, but fold fabric over instead of under. (See Fig. 1.) Fold fabric so back of fabric measures 7-1⁄4” and front of fabric measures 2-1⁄4”; press fold. Sew a very narrow hem along folded edge. (See Fig. 2.) Pin side edges of back pockets to side edges of inside lining so top back pocket is 2” from top of inside lining.

3. For top pockets on top half of purse, cut 5-1⁄2”x9-3⁄4” rectangle from outside fabric or lining fabric. In same way as back pocket, fold and sew hems; fold fabric so that back of fabric measures 5” and front of fabric measures 3-3⁄4”. Press fold. (See Fig. 3.) Sew across pocket, 1” from folded edge. Pin side edges of top pockets to side edges of inside lining so top of pocket is 2-3⁄4” from top of inside lining.

4. Sew sides of back and top pockets to sides of inside lining.

5. For bottom pockets on bottom half of purse, cut 5-1⁄2”x10-1⁄2” rectangle from lining fabric. In same way as back and top pockets, fold and sew hems; fold fabric so back of fabric measures 6-1⁄4” and front of fabric measures 3-1⁄4”. Press fold. Pin side edges of bottom pockets to side edges of inside lining so fold of pocket aligns with bottom edge of inside lining. Sew sides and bottom of pockets to inside lining.

6. For outside of purse, cut 5-1⁄2”x17” rectangle from fabric.

7. Place outside fabric right side up on work surface. Center and sew second side of hook-and-loop tape to outside fabric, 1⁄2” from one short end.

8. For strap, pin ends of cording to each side of inside lining, 2” from top. With wrong sides facing, sew inside lining to outside fabric, catching strap in stitching.

9. Beginning and ending at center bottom of purse, sew binding or ribbon along all edges of purse, folding corners in to meet on an angle. (See Fig. 4.) Fold purse.

by Mary Webster

Lap Quilt

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

If you’ve never quilted before, here’s the perfect way to start. Using the frayed edge method, imperfections in your cutting and sewing magically disappear! Give it a whirl! It’s as easy as 1-2-3!

Materials

  • Flannel: 6 coordinating colors/prints, 1 yd. each; cream, 3 yds.

Tools

  • Sewing machine and matching thread
  • Washing machine and dryer

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, straight pins

Directions

Size

42″x50″

Quilt

(Note: Do not prewash fabric.)

1. Cut 60 coordinating 10″ squares and 30 cream 10″ squares. Sandwich cream squares between pairs of colored squares (right sides of fabric facing out).

2. Arrange sandwiched squares into six rows of five. Pin pieces together with back layers facing so seams show on quilt front. Use 1″ seam allowance to sew squares together, forming rows. Sew rows together, forming quilt. Sew around quilt 1″ from raw edge.

3. Clip raw edges perpendicular to seam, spacing 1⁄2″-3⁄4″ apart. Wash and dry quilt; repeat until desired fray is achieved.

by Rebekah Meier

Easter Ornaments in Felt

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At the recent CHA show in Anaheim, I renewed my acquaintance with the folks at the Kunin Group. This company makes felt fabrics but with a difference – they are made in the USA from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. It’s a product you can feel good about because it is helping keep plastic out of landfill and that’s a great idea.

There are all sorts of felt fabrics in the range but the one I particularly love is the one shown here – it is printed felt fabric with a floral pattern. It is colorful and cute and, if you love to do just a little bit of sewing, the shapes in the pattern make it fun and easy to embellish the ornament with as much or as little sewing as you like.

Materials

  • Printed felt
  • DMC #5 Pearl cotton, in assorted colors
  • Small buttons
  • Fiberfill stuffing
  • Scissors, pins, and needles

For this Easter Egg ornament project, I cut two pieces of patterned felt in an egg shape. On one side I sewed some small buttons and added just a touch of embroidery. I used DMC #5 Pearl Cotton – this is a twisted thread embroidery cotton of which you use the entire thickness so there is no need to separate it. It is lovely to work with and it has a beautiful luster which looks great on this project. I sewed some simple embroidery stitches following the printed shapes on the felt.

When you are done, cut a narrow strip of felt to use to hang the ornament. Sew around the edges of the two shapes (printed side out) with blanket stitch and catch the loop as you sew the edge. Before finishing, stuff gently with a little fiberfill.

by Helen Bradley (www.craftinggoodness.com)

 

Ribbon-Embroidered Pillow

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

These delicate, dimensional flowers might be popping up on more than a pillow sham once you learn how easy it is to do silk ribbon embroidery!

Materials

  • White pillow sham 16” square
  • Pillow form, 16” square
  • Silk embroidery ribbon, 4mm wide: periwinkle, 1-1/2 yards; creamy yellow, 1/2 yard; light avocado, 1 yard; lemon yellow, 1/2 yard; dusty purple, 3/4 yard; lichen green, 1/2 yard
  • Silk embroidery ribbon, 7mm wide: light pink, 3/4 yard; pale shamrock, 1/2 yard

Tools

  • Tulip Soft Matte Fabric Paints: Olive, Cool Blue
  • Ivy or leaf rubber stamp of choice
  • Chenille needles: #20, #22
  • Parchment paper, 15-3/4” square

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, sponge

Directions

Pillow

1. Handwash sham; lay flat to dry. Press. Insert parchment paper to protect back surface while stamping front. Place sham on flat work surface so opening is positioned vertically in back. Mix equal parts Olive and Cool Blue. Apply paint evenly to stamp with sponge. (Note: Practice on scrap fabric before stamping sham.) Beginning 2-1⁄2” from upper left corner and ending 3” from lower right side, stamp ivy on sham as shown in photo. (Note: Designer applied stamp several times to achieve results shown.) Let dry 24 hours before proceeding.

2. To thread needle, insert ribbon end through eye of needle, pulling through 3” length. Pierce 3” length with needle, about 1⁄2” from end. Pull back on opposite end until it locks securely around eye of needle. To secure ribbon, insert needle through fabric, leaving a 1⁄2” length at back. When taking first few stitches, catch the length with needle at back. When finished stitching design, tie a slip knot to secure ribbon at back. (Note: Do not drag ribbon from one design to next. Fasten off and begin next design with new ribbon.)

3. For periwinkle flowers, work seven petals using lazy daisy stitch. Make large creamy yellow French knot at center. (Note: Wrap ribbon around needle three times for French knots.) Make three avocado lazy daisy leaves.

4. For light pink flowers, make three lemon yellow French knots close together for center. Work nine light pink petals using straight stitch. Make three pale shamrock straight-stitch leaves.

5. For dusty purple bud clusters, make one group of five dusty purple French knots and one group of seven. (Note: Leave ribbon slightly loose to form “sloppy” knots.) Make random lichen green straight-stitch leaves around each knot.

6. Insert pillow form into sham.

Tutorials

Silk ribbon stitching only looks intimidating. Follow the tutorials below to find out just how easy it can be to embroider with ribbon.

Straight Stitch

To create a straight stitch, come up at A, then go down at B, keeping ribbon flat. (Note: May be taut or loose depending on desired effect.)

French Knot

Bring needle up through fabric; smoothly wrap ribbon once around needle. (Note: For this project, wrap ribbon round needle three times.)

Hold ribbon securely off to one side and push needle down through fabric at starting point.

Lazy Daisy

Bring needle up at A. Keep ribbon flat, untwisted, and full. Insert needle down through fabric at B and back up through at C, keeping ribbon under needle to form a loop. Pull ribbon through, leaving loop loose and full. To hold loop in place, insert needle through on other side of ribbon near C, forming a straight stitch over loop.

by Linda Wyszynski

 

Felt Photo Album Cover

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Embellish a photo album your loved ones can enjoy year-round as a fun alternative to chocolates and flowers this Valentine’s Day. Metallic threads and colorful beads add just the right amount of sparkle!

Materials

  • Purchased photo album for 4”x6” photos
  • Felt: purple, 7-1⁄2”x20”; pale pink, 4” square; hot pink, 3” square; fuchsia, 3” square
  • Kreinik Very Fine Metallic Braid #4, one skein each: Pale Pink, Magenta Sunset, Purple
  • Seed beads, size 11°, one package each: pink, magenta, lavender, purple

Tools

  • Beading thread
  • Needles: embroidery, beading
  • Iron and pressing surface
  • Therm O Web HeatnBond Iron-on Adhesive

Basic Supplies

detail scissors, craft knife, straight pins

Directions

Size

5-1⁄2”x7-1⁄8” (closed)

Cover

1. Place purple felt on flat work surface. Place album, opened flat and cover side down, in center of felt. Trace album onto felt; cut out, leaving 1⁄4” border at top and bottom and 3” to 4” border (for cover flaps) at each side. With felt right side up, mark front cover area with pins for design placement.

2. Print, cut out, and trace patterns onto paper side of iron-on adhesive. (Note: The blue word “patterns” is a link. To access these patterns, select the link, then download and print patterns.) Cut out, leaving 1⁄4” border. Following manufacturer’s instructions, fuse paper shapes to felt as indicated and cut out; use craft knife or small, sharp scissors to cut out detailed center area. Remove paper backing. Fuse shapes to front cover area as shown.

3. Using one strand very fine braid in embroidery needle, blanket stitch around inside and outside edges of hearts with contrasting colors.

4. For sparkles around central design, use Pale Pink and Magenta Sunset in random order to sew sheaf stitches. Sew three parallel stitches, then come up at center behind middle stitch. Slide needle behind stitch to left, wrap around front of all three parallel stitches, and take needle down again at center behind middle stitch. (Note: This will pull outer stitches in to center.)

5. Stitch individual beads to ends of sparkles, using one color of bead per sparkle, and along unstitched heart edges, using one color of bead per heart. Stitch a cluster of beads to each corner of front cover. Sew radiating Magenta Sunset straight stitches out from bead clusters.

6. To finish, place felt right side down. Replace album on top of felt. Fold and pin cover flaps to inside and close album to check fit. Cover should be snug but should allow album to close easily. Remove album.

7. Sew a Magenta Sunset running stitch around album cover, 1⁄4” from edges, sewing through both felt layers as needed. Remove pins; insert photo album.

by Cindy Gorder

Love Grows Here Pressed Flower Picture

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Seeds of love are the best kind to plant! Let everyone know love is in your home with this elegant embroidered display.

Materials

  • Wooden frame, 5”x7”
  • Off-white solid cotton fabric, 5”x7”
  • Cardboard, 5”x7”
  • Brown craft paper
  • Black embroidery floss
  • Assorted pressed flowers and leaves

Tools

  • Embroidery needle
  • Black acrylic paint
  • Adhesives: Beacon Adhesives Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive, Therm O Web Acid-free Mounting Adhesive

Basic Supplies

scissors, medium-grit sandpaper, damp soft cloth

Directions

STEP 1

Print and cut out pattern. (Note: The blue word “pattern” is a link. To access this pattern, select the link, then download and print pattern.) Transfer heart and lettering to fabric center.Use two strands floss to stem stitch lettering.

STEP 2

Follow mounting adhesive manufacturer’s instructions to adhere cardboard to back of embroidered fabric. Arrange flowers as desired; use small amount of fabric adhesive to adhere to fabric. Place finished piece in frame.

STEP 3

To give a “distressed” look to new frame, apply several coats of black paint; let dry. Lightly sand frame edges until desired look is achieved.

STEP 4

To give back side a finished look, cut a rectangle from brown craft paper slightly larger than frame back; adhere in place. Use medium-grit sandpaper to trim excess paper from frame. Gently wipe paper with dampened cloth. (Note: Paper will dry taut.)

by Mary Ayres