Wine Tote

 

This is a fun and quick little gift.  Made each of these in less than 30 minutes.  I added some extra holiday spirit to one of them.  Used McCall's pattern 6338 for the cutting pattern as a guide. Didn't follow the pattern directions, but you could.   Made these reversible.  Following pattern directions you will not have a reversible tote.

You will need approximately 3 pieces of 12" x 40" fabric for tote, lining, and fleece.  I used cotton blend fabric for the red tote and home decorating fabric for the yellow tote.  Stitched tote using 0.5" seams, but 0.25" seams would work fine too.

For the yellow tote, I used coordinating fabric for the lining.  Embroidered on the front. 

For the red tote, I used a strip of black fabric cut two 2.5" x 10" and a yellow 0.25" single fold bias tape (I made my own strip out of scrap fabrics).  Place the black fabric and sew into place.  Next using the yellow bias tape fold it making a square/belt buckle.  Stitch into place.  Now construct the body of the tote.

Directions: 
1.  Fold fabric like it states in the pattern directions, however before cutting fold it again (top of fabric to bottom).  This way you don't have to sew a seam at the top of the handle.  You will be cutting through 4 layers of fabric for front and again for the lining and fleece.

2.  If making Santa belt sew black and yellow fabrics at this time.  I used 2 black fabric strips to make it look like belt all around tote.  Yellow strip for buckle on the front side of tote.

3.  I didn't use fusible fleece, but used regular fleece and stitched around fleece holding it into place.  I stitched this to the back side of the front of the tote.  (In place of fleece, I've used thin/light weight batting, sweatshirt material, and/or old towel.  All with success). 

4.  Stitch sides and bottom of tote.  Do this for the lining too. 

5. Stitch corners of tote and lining like my other bags I've posted.  However, being that this is a wine tote, I drew a pencil line on the fabric around the bottle and stitched on this pencil line.  This gives bag a curve and bottle sits in nicely.

6.  With right sides together of tote and lining, stitch one side of handle matching seams.  Right side out and iron.  Stitch close to seam.

7.  Fold and iron 0.5" seam allowance of other side of handle.  Sew into place. 

 

Enjoy!

Quilt As You Sew

 

We sponsor a family at work every year for the holiday season.  This year the family had requested blankets for children.  Being that they have a 6mo little boy, a crib size quilt was in my thoughts to sew.  Never doing this technique before, thought this would be a great time to try.   Having a deadline for gifts to be at work so they could be delivered to the family this technique is quick.  Had if finished with time to spare.  Will be using this technique again.  Didn't have a pattern so I just used some creativity.  Didn't turn out exactly what I was thinking, but it will make for a nice gift.

 

Directions:

Backing fabric.  I used a 42" x 36" piece.

Batting:  cut at least 2" larger on all sides.

Train fabric:  cut 4 - 4" x 42"

green on green fabric print:  cut 4 -  3" x 42"

white fabric:  cut 4 -  2" x 42"

blue on blue printed fabric:  cut 4 - 1.5" x 42"

binding edge fabric:  cut 4 - 2.25" x 42"

 

With backing fabric wrong side up; lay batting on top of back fabric. 

Lay 1st strip of fabric right side up. 

Take 2nd strip of fabric and lay in on top of 1st strip right sides together.  Stitch in place. 

Iron seam flat after sewing each strip. 

Stitch next strip of fabric and continue until complete. 

Square up edges.

Sew binding strips together for a continuous 2.25" long strip.  Fold binding strip in half. 

Attach and sew binding into place. 

Handstitch binding to backside of quilt. 

Place quilt label on back.

 

Crafters note:  If I would have thought this design through, I would have started in the middle and stitched towards the outside.  Will have to remember when sewing the next one.

 

 

Happy Quilting

 

9 x 13 Casserole Dish Carrier & Hot Pad

 

McCalls pattern 6177 is simple and easy to sew.  After I made this, my daughter even gave it  a try and did beautifully.   The only thing I did different was use pattern piece 2.  Instead of sewing my own quilted fabric, I opted for purchasing already quilted fabric.  Saved time and $$.   Cut none from pattern piece 1, but cut 2 from pattern piece 2 on fold like directions.  Doing it this way, you will only use 1 yard of each fabric.  

 

From cutting the fabric and sewing, this project took me less than 1 hr to complete.  Depending on fabrics used; this is reversible too.  Can't wait to make more.

 

Having some fabric left over and creative juices running; it was time to make a matching pot holder.  This pattern isn't included in the packet of 6177.  It is an original. 

 

Cut 2 quilted pieces and 1 floral piece into 7" squares.  Cut a floral piece 6" by 3".  Make a bias strip by ironing it and sewing open long edge together to secure.  Form a loop and place at corner of pot holder.  Sewing wrong sides together leaving a small opening for turning.  I used 1/2" seam allowances for both projects.  You could use 1 square of the quilted fabric.  The only reason I didn't was because I wanted it to be a little more insulated.  Clip corners and turn right side out.  Stitch around pot holder approx 1/4" from outer edge to finish.

 

For traveling with carrier slip pot holder over dowel handles.  When you get to your destination, you will have pot holders to move your dish to the table. 

 

Before sewing carrier,  personalize it by embroidering surname 1 1/2" to 2" from top edge of handle.  Find center of potholder before sewing and embroider initial in center for a personalized look. 

 

Enjoy! 

Happy Pot-Luck/Carry-In

No Sew Quilted Ornament

 

 

 

What can you do with scrap fabrics, glue, styrofoam ball or other shape, and a bobby pin?

 

You make an ornament.

 

As I looked at my scraps (you never toss any scraps away no matter how small they are because there is always something you can do with them),  a memory of my aunts Christmas Tree came to mind.  35+ years ago she had made these ornament for GEMS.  I remember her telling my mom how she assembled them.  Racking my brain this is what I came up with.  Have no idea where she had gotten the idea or pattern for these, but they are quick and anyone could do it.  No crafting experience necessary.  I'm sure the story will come out Thanksgiving Day.

 

Directions:  Pick 3 or more different patterns of scrap fabrics.  Cut a manageable size of scrap; taking the bobby pin push edge of fabric into styrofoam shape.  Take another piece of fabric and push fabric into edge covering more of the styrofoam.  Continue until styrofoam is completely covered. 

 

When completely covered glue end or bobby pin and insert it into styrofoam to form a hook for hanging.  Cut a piece of ribbon or decorative string and loop.

 

This ornament took less than 10 minutes to cover a 3" styrofoam ball.

 

Enjoy!  Happy Crafting.

 





Jean Purse

 

 

Couldn't let the jeans just sit there, after shortening jeans into shorts/bermudas.  With the church bazaar around the corner, thought of some little purses.  I still have some jean left over and planning something with those in the near future. 

 

Directions:  1.  From bottom of jean measure 8" and cut. 

                  2.  Lay cuff over scrap fabric folded in half.  Cutting on fold; cut 1/4 larger

                       than jean (this is to give fabric for seam allowance.  The bottom of your 

                       fabric is the folded end. 

                

 

3.  Stitch sides of lining using 1/4" seam allowances.

4. Cut 1" square out of bottom as shown below out of lining and jeans. This will form a

    base for the purse.

5.  Fold cut edge together shown in below picture and stitch using 1/4" seam allowance. 
     Do same for lining.
6.  Right side jean and insert liner so wrong sides are together.

 

7. Cut two 2 3/4" X 13" of scrap fabric.  Sew along long side with right sides together. 

    Inside right.  These will be the handles.

8.  Place handles and tack into place.

9.  Make sure liner is snug to bottom of purse.  With raw edges of liner carefully fold them

     and stitch into place.

10. Embelish as desire.

 

This makes cute little bags with free items around the house.  The button flower was a piece of fabric sewn like the handles, however bunching the fabric and secured with a button. 

 

Enjoy and keep sewing. 

Jeans Get New Life

 

 

This is such a simple technique.  As you can see my the picture, my daughter has plenty of room in the waist.  You just have to love elastic and button waists.  Wish we would have had this when I was a kid.  To find waist and length to actually fit can be so difficult and trying of ones patience. 

 

1.  Had daughter try on her pants so she could tell me how long her shorts should be.  Then I snipped a little so I could do the actually cutting on my cutting mat.

2.  After cutting, run a zigzag stitch at the bottom edge.  (If I owned a serger, this would be a great place to use it.)

3.  Cuff the end to finish.  Iron with some spray starch.  Tack into place.

 

She is thrilled to have a few new shorts and it didn't cost me anything.  Altered these in less than 10 minutes.  This time she wanted the hem cuffed.  I've done this in the past with a ribbon trim and it looks adorable.  In fact, we saw a pair of bermuda shorts just like them with the ribbon trim for $40 in a store window.  My daughter was impressed; knowing we spent $2.75 on 2" wide ribbon.



 



Table Topper

 

 

 

Thought I had used up all my blue scraps, but apparently they breed.  Found more as I looked for scraps for sewing items for our church bazaar.   I have never sewn triangles before, so thought this would be fun to try and another way to use up scraps.  Don't look to close, my points aren't great, but not bad for the first attempt. 

 

This table topper measures 22" finished.

 

First cut strips of fabric 3" lengths.  Then using a ruler or make your own template and make triangles. You will need 24 light colored triangles and 72 dark colored triangles (or if you choose just cut total of 96 triangles and arrange any way you prefer). 

Cut 2.25" strip of fabric approx 90" long to form bias edge.  Fold and press bias strip in half.  Attach when ready to finish edge of topper.

Ok, wasn't thinking when I started sewing to take a picture before piecing it all together, but then I didn't have a pattern and just started sewing triangles.


Think of the triangles as a slice of pizza.  Center has 6 individual triangles, but you first lay 1 down.  Sew a row of 3 triangles, row of 5 triangles and  a row of 7 triangles together.   Now sew your "slice" matching seams.  You will make 6 "slices".  Take 3 of the "slices" and matching seam sew them together.  You will end up with 2 sections.  Again matching seams, sew the 2 sections together to form a hexagon. 

Layer 3/4 yard fabric for backing, batting, and top.  Hold all layers in place with safety pins. 

You can get as fancy with your stitching as you would like, however, I can barely quilt so I stitch in the ditch.  You can stitch the top any way you choose.  Be creative start in in the center working towards the outer edge.

 

Once you have the layers sewn together, attach the bias strip that you prepared earlier.  Trim excess batting and back fabric.  Fold over bias strip and attach by hand stitching to back side of topper.

If you want your topper bigger, just add another row or two to your "slice".  After I finished, thought it would be neat to attach more hexagons to make a large quilt for the bed or to wrap up in with a good book.  May have to attempt that at a later date.  Did have enough fabric to make two for the bazaar.  Enjoy!