Reversible Pillowcase Book Bag

This is the fastest and cheapest reversible bag I've ever made.  Found pillowcases at a local store selling for $1 a pair.  Creative juices in tow; I thought of a book bag would be great for these.

1.  Take 2 pillowcases either the same print or mix and match.  This bag is reversible so have fun with it. 

I played around with the curve and length of the handle.  Personal preference.  Have fun with it. 

2.  Fold pillowcases in 1/2.  Cut to preference.  Open. 

3.  Using 1/2" seams and right sides together, stitch curved edges together.  Leave open at handle. 

4.  Right side out. 

5.  This is a little tricky, but it works.   With right sides together at handle stich top of handle.

6.  With wrong sides together stitch along seams to reinforce. 

Your bag is complete. 

  

Enjoy!

Paper Box Making

I've been making these boxes for years out of discontinued wallpaper sample books and wrapping paper scraps, but you can use any type of paper or cardstock you choose.  Not sure where this pattern first originated, but a woman from church who taught GEMS gave me the pattern.

This box finished size is approx. 4" x 4" x 2".  I started with two 12" square papers.

What you will need:  ruler, pencil, scissors and 2  square papers of your choice, tape/glue optional.

1.  With your ruler draw a diagnal line from opposite corners on the backside of the paper.  You now have an X drawn on the backside.

2.  Fold corners meeting at center of X as shown.

 3.  Fold straight edges meeting at center.  Open as shown below.

 4.  Cut  on fold line to next fold line.  Look at below picture.  There will be four cut marks.

 5.  Fold open as shown below.

6.  Fold in corner at fold line.  Flap from above will hold it together when you fold it over.

 7.  If desired, tape or glue to secure.

8.  Do the same for the bottom of box.  However, trim the bottom box 1/4" smaller to start.

9.  Embellish with ribbons and/or anyother items you would like. 

It takes me longer to embellish it than making the box.



Wristlet Bag

This small bag was used from my scraps.  Can't let those scraps pass by. Only had to buy a zipper (and bought that 1/2 off). 

Found this pattern in Quilts and More issue Spring 2011

Like most things I've crafted, I don't always follow the directions to the letter and make it my own, however the insertion of the zipper was a new way for me.  I liked it.

You could patchwork it like this one or use a 2 pieces of 6.5" x 9.5" of fabric.

What you will need: 

Scraps of fabric to make 2 - 6.5" x 9.5" rectangles for the outside of the bag.

2 - 6.5" x 9.5" rectangles for the liner.

2 - 6.5 x 9.5" rectangles of heaveyweight interfacing (sew in or fusible both work fine).

10" zipper

2.5" x 12" fabric for handle or use 1/2" x 12" piece of single fold bias tape. 

Quicker yet; use a 12" piece of ribbon.  (I used my scraps)

Directions:

If making yours from a solid piece of fabric or if you have patchworked fabric together to form a new piece of fabric meausing 6.5" x 9.5".  Using a small plate of mug as your template; round the bottom edges.

 

Following picture above, make a small pleat at the rounded edges of liner, interfacing, and outside fabrics.

Either sew your interfgacing to the liner or iron it into place.

For handle:  If you have used bias tape, just sew the long side together closed.  If you are making yours out of scraps, make it into a bias piece of fabric by ironing it in half and then folding the edges into the middle seam.  Iron together and sew long seam together.

Place handle approx. 1.5" from top edge of one of the outside rectangles of fabric.  Tack into place.

Adding a the zipper; sandwich the closed zipper between the lining and outside fabrics (fabrics righ sides facing together).  Pin to hold all 3 items together.  Using a zipper foot sew using a .25" seam.  Do this again to form the other side of the bag.

With outside fabrics facing up and zipper in place, Topstitch 1/8" from zipper.  This will keep zipper from getting stuck into the fabric while in use.

Open zipper approx 1/2 way.  With right sides together layer bag outside fabric and lining pinning edges.  Sew along outside edges.  Reinforcing zipper.  Clip excess zipper if needed.  Leave enough of an openting at the bottom for turning.  Don't forget not to sew the handle.  It should be tucked inside for this step. 

Turn right side out.  Stitch lining closed. 

You now have a cute little Wristlet.

Ready for Spring

Thought it was time to make a bag and what fun colors for spring.

Used McCalls pattern M6338.

  This pattern has a seam at the bottom.  I wanted to avoid a bottom seam.  Personal preferance, but feel it's a bit stronger not having a seam there. 

When cutting piece 6.  I folded the fabric another time so as not to have a bottom seam.  This also made the need for handles to be cut longer or you could seam them on the bottom of bag anyway.  I cut them longer and attached them like the pattern stated, however under the fabric bow is where the raw edges of the handles meet. 

This bag took me about 2 hrs to make.  Many of the girls at work are wanting one.  We may just be having a bag party soon.

Enjoy!

Biscuit Quilting

Years ago, a friends mom showed me this technique and wal-la. 

20 years ago I made a queen sized quilt using 6" squares.  You can use any size squares you would like.  Just remember whatever size the top square is cut, cut the smaller one at least 1" smaller.  Be creative and use any color combination and arrangement.  This quilt was made with my "leftovers".  Chintz, Cotton, Cotton blends, Corduroy all work well with this technique.

This may be a bit intimidating, but it really isn't.      

This lap size quilt was made from scraps of fabric I had from other projects.  It didn't cost me a cent. 

To make this size you will need:
    1.   Cut 4" squares of fabric for a total of 272 squares.
    2.   Cut 3" squares of fabric for a total of 272 squares.
    3.  Polyfil (stuffing)
    4.  Backing fabric and fabric for binding edge.

Join 4" and 3" squares together.

 Pin the 4" square to the 3" square together right side up.  You will have to pleat the 4" square in the center or ease the fabric to fit however you would like.  Your finished square will end up being 3".  You can either stitch the three sides together or leave it pinned.  Add a small amount of fiberfil into each square "pocket" and pin/stitch closed.

I kept my squares pinned and joined another square together.  Join squares filled with polyfil.  When you have the size of quilt you want, finish quilt with batting, backing fabric, and binding edge to your liking.  Enjoy!

Organizing

My attempt to reorgainze part of my life.  Made a jewelry holder for the back side of my closet door. 

First I went to my local hardware store and bought Wren Wire (a stiff square type wire).  This came in 2' x 4' rolls. 

2.  Cut it to size, fitting it to a frame.  Tack wire to frame using staple gun.

(Frame can either be repurposed frame found at flea market or make your own.)

3.  Hang jewelry from S shape hooks found at hardware/craft store.