Sewing and Craft Ideas

Making a stylish pillow: What you need...

14" x 14" pillow form

* Two 15" x 15" pieces of fabric (for pillow front

and back)

* All-purpose thread (in color to match the fabric)

* Fabric marking pen/pencil

* Ruler

* Hand sewing needle
 
1. Set the machine for straight stitch with a medium stitch length.

2. Thread the needle and bobbin with all-purpose thread.

3. Pin the pillow front and pillow back sections together, with right sides of the fabric facing

one another.

4. To eliminate “dog-ears” (overly-pointed corners) at the pillow corners, make a mark 3¾"

from each corner, as shown below. At each corner, using a fabric marking tool, mark a

point ½" from the raw edge, then draw a line from points marked. Trim on these lines.

Illustration A

5. Stitch around all sides with a ½" seam allowance, leaving a 6" opening on one side

for turning.

6. Turn the pillow right side out.

7. Insert the pillow form.

8. Hand sew the opening closed.

Adorable Fabric Purse  What do you need...

Homestretch, lets do the straps!  Place the two 2"x18" right side together, and stitch a 1/4" seam on both sides of the 18" length.  Then turn the stitched piece to be right side out.

Once the straps are right side out, stitch a 1/4" seam on the 18" sides and on each end.  Then, place the strap onto the outside of the purse.  Pin in place, and stitch a [] square, and then an X in the middle to attach the strap.

Last step, stitch a zipper onto the top side of the purse, or use a button on snap, whatever your hearts desire! 

This is how the purse should come out.

 Infant Baby Cap

First Step: Start by printing out the infant cap pattern and cutting it out from the paper.

Second Step: Lay out your fabric on a table or the floor (you will only need about 2 square feet of fabric). Have the fabric folded in two so that when you cut out the fabric from the pattern you will have two equal pieces. Pin the pattern down onto the fabric and use the pattern to cut out the shape.

Step Three: Use your sewing machine to sew just the outer edge of the infant cap.(Before sewing I like to test the stitch on a separate piece of fabric and adjust the settings until I have the right tension.)

After sewing use some sharp scissors to trim the excess fabric about an 1/8" from the stitching.

Step Four: Fold the brim of the hat up about 5 inches from the bottom. Pin it down and sew the brim into place. Iron the bottom fold along the brim if you like.

Step Five: Trim the edges of the sewn fabric to about 1/8" from the stitching. Turn the hat outside in, and fold the brim up. You can iron it one more time for a nice crisp clean look if you want. This is a good idea if the baby hat is a gift.

Step Six: Repeat with a different fabric to make a handmade baby hat to match another outfit!

TOTE-torial

Cut 4 pieces of medium weight fabric 15" x 19" (2 for the outer bag and 2 for the lining)

Fold down the top part of the bag fabric and lining 2.5". Iron to make a crease. You can use the short side for the top or the long side. Your choice. I decided to make a shorter wider tote so I folded down the long side. Lay outer bag pieces right sides together (opening the fold). Pin and stitch together down both sides and across the bottom. I use a smaller stitch length (2.0). Use whatever seam allowance you would like but I suggest larger than 1/4".

Iron side and bottom seams open.

  To make the box pleated bottom match seams and lay corner flat. For a 4" bottom to your tote mark a 2" seam. Sew across where you marked. Back stitch at beginning and end of stitching.

Lay flat and cut excess, leaving a 1/2" seam. Repeat for other corner.

This is what you should have once you turn the bag right side out.

Now for the pocket. Cut 2 6.5" squares of the outer bag fabric.

Sew right sides together on 3 sides. Clip corners and turn right side out.

Turn under open edge and iron. This will be the BOTTOM of your pocket.

Measure down 3" from the folded top of your lining. Fold pocket to find middle and match it to the middle of your lining fabric. Pin down and sew down both sides and bottom, sewing pretty close to the edge. Sew lining and make box pleats exactly as you did the outer bag but do not turn right side out.

You can make your own handles out of leftover fabric or purchase webbing. JCaroline Creative carries cotton webbing in 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" widths in various colors. I cut my webbing 31" long for this tote. Mark 1.5" on both ends. This helps keep the straps even when pinning in place.

Place lining inside of outer bag and pin well. I start by matching the side seams. Measure where you want your handles and insert between lining and outer bag. Keep it even. Pin in place.

Sew a scant 1/4" around the top of the bag. Then another 1/4" down from the first to make a double row of stitches. This will help keep the handles in place. Simple, fun, and quick. Enjoy! 

 

I will show you other sewing ideas.  It will be posted up soon.