Tag Archives: Sewing

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)

 

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

Heartfelt Bear Pillow

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Any day is the best day for hugs and kisses! Make this bear and pillow for a sweet someone in your life this Valentine’s Day.

Materials

  • Fabric: light pink print, 3⁄8 yard; bright pink print, 1⁄4 yard; white, 1⁄4 yard
  • The Warm Company Warm & White Needled Cotton Batting
  • Pillow form, 12” square
  • Fiberfill stuffing
  • Pink/white check ribbon, 5⁄8” wide, 3⁄8 yard
  • White jumbo rick rack, 2-1⁄8 yards
  • Flat white buttons, 1⁄2”, 11

Tools

  • DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paints: Cool White, Baby Pink, Boysenberry Pink, Soft Black
  • Royal & Langnickel Paintbrushes: Natural Hair Bristle, #5; Crafter’s Choice Stencil, Series 1111, 1⁄4”; Royal Majestic Liner, Series 4595, #1
  • Stencils: alphabet; heart, 1/2”
  • Needle
  • Sewing thread: white, pink

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, pencil, straight pins

Directions

STEP 1

Cut 9” square from bright pink fabric. Stencil “Hugs and Kisses” using Cool White, spacing words 1⁄2” apart. (Note: Fill in stencil gaps with Cool White.)

STEP 2

Print and cut out patterns. (Note: The blue word “patterns” is a link. To access patterns, select the link, then download and print items.) For pocket, cut one heart from stenciled fabric, one from remaining bright pink fabric, and one from batting. Baste batting heart to back of stenciled heart.

STEP 3

Beginning and ending at bottom point of heart, sew rick rack around stenciled heart, 1⁄4” from edge. (Note: Sew through center of rick rack.) Sew fabric hearts together with right sides facing along rick rack stitching, leaving 3” opening for turning. Clip seam. Turn heart right side out and hand sew opening closed.

STEP 4

Cut two 12-1⁄2” squares from light pink fabric. Pin heart pocket to front of one square, lifting heart slightly at center so bear will fit in pocket. (Note: Bottom of heart should be 1-1⁄2” from bottom of square.) Use pink thread to sew buttons to heart pocket (through all layers) where indicated.

STEP 5

Beginning and ending in bottom corner, sew rick rack around front of pocket square, 1⁄4” from edge. (Note: Sew through center of rick rack.) With right sides facing, sew fabric squares together along rick rack stitching, leaving 10” opening along bottom. Trim corners; turn pillow right side out. Insert pillow form into opening; hand sew opening closed.

STEP 6

Using pattern, cut two bears from white fabric. Transfer mouth and eyes to one bear. Drybrush cheeks Boysenberry Pink. Dot eyes and line mouth Soft Black. Add Cool White highlight dots to cheeks.

STEP 7

Stencil Baby Pink heart for nose and one centered at end of each arm and leg. Shade heart edges Boysenberry Pink.

STEP 8

Pin bear pieces together with right sides facing. Stitch bear, 1⁄4” from edge, leaving 2” opening along outside edge of one leg. Trim seam and clip lines where indicated on pattern. Hand sew opening closed with tiny whipstitch.

STEP 9

Tie ribbon into bow; trim ends. Hand sew bow to bear under mouth. Place bear in pocket.

by Mary Ayres

Going Nuts Over Bunting

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At the recent Craft and Hobby Association show in Anaheim, I wasn’t surprised to see that bunting is still big in the craft world. I saw it decorating booths and table spaces and made from all sorts of materials from paper to burlap.  Oh! and just so you know, burlap is also a big trend in the craft world. But I digress, back to bunting. Bunting is a fun way to add a seasonal decoration – think pink and red for St. Valentine’s Day crafting – and perhaps cut the bunting into heart shapes. Go green for a great St. Patrick’s Day craft project – though I would skip the clover shape unless you have a die-cut machine – that sounds more like hard work than fun. For July 4th, go red, white, and blue – you get the idea. And experiment with shapes… the pieces don’t have to be triangles. They can be rectangles, half circles – in fact, any shape you like and can cut out reasonably fast.

What you need

  • Felt, fabric or paper
  • Scrap paper for a template
  • Baker’s twine or string
  • Good scissors (you’re going to be doing a lot of cutting!)
  • Sewing machine
  • Pins

For my bunting, I used felt pieces in multiple colors. The color palette is mixed, but there are no really bright colors. Start by making a template for your bunting shape. I made a triangle and then because it was easier to cut a few at a time, I duplicated it so I had a few template pieces. Assemble your material – paper, fabric, or felt and start pinning the template and cutting the shapes.

I laid out the first few pieces on the table and measured them to work out how many triangles I would need. I had about 10 yards of baker’s twine (I needed a lot of bunting), so with 4 triangles laid out measuring a foot that meant I needed 4 x 10 x 3 = 120 triangles. So, I put on a good movie and got to work cutting.

Once the pieces are cut, stack them on the table, grab some pins and the twine and start pinning. I pinned about half the pieces, sewed them and then finished the rest.

Once pinned, you can sew them. I found the easiest way was to zigzag stitch on the sewing machine – it was quick and it will stand up to a bit of wear and tear. To allow for easier hanging, I left the first and last foot of twine empty and sewed the rest.

When I was done, as I was taking the bunting with me to the show, I cut a piece of recycled cardboard box into a yarn winder shape and wound the bunting neatly around it for safe storage. This stops it from getting tangled up and it actually looks wonderful all wrapped up as a cute little bundle.

You can make your bunting long or short, big or small. It’s a great way to use up little bits of paper you love and have in your stash and as a bonus you get to enjoy them all over again. Make mini bunting to decorate a card and super big bunting to decorate a window or your entire house. Draw on it, paint it, or even dye it! There’s so much you can do and you know what – bunting is one of those decorations that just makes people happy – it’s hard to have a bad day when there’s bunting hanging around.

by Helen Bradley (www.craftinggoodness.com)

Polar Bear Slippers

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Perfect for those chilly nights, these soft and furry polar bear slippers are a fun way to keep your feet cozy and warm this winter.

Materials

  • White (adult size) slippers
  • White polar fleece, 1/4 yard
  • Blue/white check ribbon, 1-3/8”, one yard
  • Two-hole buttons: black, 1-1/8”, two, 3/8”, four; white, 7/8”, four; blue, 5/8”, four
  • Silver jingle bells, 3/4”, two

Tools

  • Sewing needle & white thread
  • Polyester stuffing
  • Safety pins, two
  • Circle cutters or circle templates (optional)

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler

Directions

(Note: All sewing is done by hand. For child-size slippers, reduce circle sizes.)

1. For each muzzle, cut 6” polar fleece circle. Sew basting stitch around circle, close to edge; pull stitches to gather. Stuff circle; pull thread ends tightly to form ball around stuffing and knot to secure. Sew large black button to smooth side of muzzle. Make two muzzles; with gathered sides down, sew to front of slippers, near toe.

2. For each ear, cut 3” polar fleece circle; cut in half. Place halves together with right sides together and sew running stitch close to rounded edges to join them, leaving straight edges open. Turn right side out, stuff, and whipstitch straight edge closed. Make four ears; sew to slippers above muzzles at sides.

3. For eyes, sew white, blue, and small black buttons on top of each other above muzzles.

4. Cut ribbon in half and tie bows. Sew jingle bell to center of each. Use safety pins to attach bows to slippers under muzzles. (Note: Remove bows before washing.)

by Mary Ayres

Love Pillow

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

‘Tis the season… for love! Stitch this elegant pillow to create a romantic atmosphere in your home this Valentine’s Day.

Materials

  • 14-count white Aida, 12″x10″
  • White satin or fabric of choice (pillow backing), 12″x10″
  • Anchor 6-Strand Embroidery Floss
  • Gathered white lace of choice, 1-1/2” wide, 1-1/2 yards

Tools

  • Embroidery needle
  • Fiberfill (for pillow stuffing)
  • Sewing machine and white thread

Stitch Type

  • Backstitch: 1 strand
  • Cross-stitch: 2 strands

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, straight pins

Directions

Size/Stitch Count

Approx finished size: 8-5/8” w x 6-3/4” h; stitch count 120 w x 95 h

Pillow

1. Print pattern and key.

2. Stitch design centered on fabric.

3. Backstitch design as shown using 1 strand Gray, Med (Anchor 400) embroidery floss.

4. To create pillow, cut 12”x10” pillow backing; zigzag stitch around edges to prevent raveling. Position pillow backing on work surface and secure lace with pins around outside edges, matching selvages. (Note: Lace should be laying inward, against pillow backing.) Baste lace to pillow backing; remove pins. Place cross-stitched pillow front on pillow backing with right sides together, matching selvages. Secure with pins. Stitch pillow together using 1/4″ seam allowance, leaving 4″ opening for turning. Trim seams and clip corners; turn pillow right side out. Stuff pillow with fiberfill. Hand sew opening closed.

by Pamela Kellogg