Showing posts with label sewing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sewing. Show all posts

15 March 2012

It’s a Chair! It’s a Beanbag! It’s a Recliner!

 

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… for my precious Ipad!!!

 

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It’s perfect for sitting back or lying down on the bed.

 

 

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The angle is just perfect.

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Then I got excited and made more!

 

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I even made one for my daughter. I resized it for her Iphone. But it turned out too big. Good thing she has an Ipod too. That’s a cozy two-seater ! LOL!!!

 

Thanks Teresa for the tutorial.

08 March 2012

Hexie Butterfly Runner

 

When I first saw this , I dropped my knitting needles and grabbed my 'Hexie Box'. In one night and many episodes of Grey's Anatomy later....

 

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… I got a cute butterfly…

 

 

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… and some imagination later….

 

 

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… and a few strips later, I have a cute runner!

02 March 2012

Kaleidoscope For Mom




I just love the stained glass window effect of the pieced kaleidoscope.





Love it!

26 July 2011

More of Jack’s Chain

 

I seem to have misplaced my mojo somewhere amongst my WIPs and UFOs and fabric stash and scraps. All I did since my last post was hand stitching more Jack’s Chain.

 

 

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I made another table runner, this time in blue….

 

 

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and a red table topper. If you have not seen my earlier Jack’s Chain, please do. I have this cool method to finish the curves Smile

 

 

 

When I saw Vreni’s tessellations blocks using EPP, it dawned on me that Jack’s Chain is a tessellation block too.

 

“A tessellation is created when a shape is repeated over and over again covering a plane without any gaps or overlaps.”

 

Come back soon. I have a kaleidoscope tessellation to show you !

09 June 2011

Bowl Covers for Leftovers

 

I’m used to cooking for four. So after my son left home for Clayton to continue his studies, I continued cooking for four! That means only one thing…leftovers!

 

 

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In my continuing effort to save Mother Earth from shrink wraps, I made this. I got the inspiration from here. Thanks Lindsay. But I tweaked the pattern a little. I did not  bind the edge the usual way.

 

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Instead, I fold the bias tape into half and stitch it along the circumference of the fabric circle. Half way thru the circle, I leave a one inch gap for threading the elastic.

 

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Using a bodkin , I inserted the elastic through the casing.

 

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Join the two ends of the elastic by machine. Stitch close the opening and using a zig-zag stitch, I stitched around the edges to prevent fraying.

 

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It looks exactly like a shower cap!

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The best part is, it is washable and reusable!

06 June 2011

I Love Jack !

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I’ve started chaining the Jack’s Chain blocks …..and I’m loving it! I’m making a table topper/runner. Then it dawned on me….it’s going to be a nightmare to finish it with bias binding the curves! But I want to keep the curves…so I came up with this method. If you have done needleturn applique and love hand stitching, this will work for you too .

 

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First I lay the finished top on the batting, baste with long running stitches along the edges to hold them together. Then trim the batting 1/8 of an inch inside the curves.(That means the batting piece is smaller the the top piece.)  Next, I lay the finished Jack’s Chain top on the backing fabric, right sides together. Pin in place. Trim the backing fabric with a 1/2 inch allowance.

 

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Then, using whip stitch, stitch the two layers together as you would applique.

 

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This how it looks like on the back. Leave an opening to turn it right side out. Remember to trim and cut notches where necessary. Turn the whole piece right sides out and slip stitch the opening close.

 

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Top stitch all around the curves and quilt . I wanted to finish fast, so I just stitch around each hexagon….not that I am any good at any other quilting designs except straight line quilting!

 

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After a good press at the ironing board, it’s now sitting pretty on my coffee table .

 

And I am starting on the next one. This time it’s blue!

 

……did I mention to remove the paper pieces …Winking smile

02 June 2011

Jack’s Chain

 

 

I’m working on a new block…and it has to do with a HEXIE!

 

 

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Jack’s Chain. Stumbled upon this block here. You can also find it here. 

 

 

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Of course I have to do it the EPP( English Paper Piecing) way. This method of tacking the corners only is much faster….and the paper pieces lasts longer too.  I don’t remove the basting stitches…it cannot be seen anyway.

 

Now, I’m off to make more blocks and start chaining them!

04 May 2011

Three Birdies

 

Enough with knitting. I’ve been pretty quiet….but I’m still around…lurking, hopping, commenting and nosing around blogland. I’ve also been quietly stitching away…especially during the long wedding I had to attend;  a real fairytale wedding like no other that I have read before!

 

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This is what I have been stitching. Aren’t those birdies cute? It’s supposed to be wool applique…but I had to do it my way Winking smile.

 

 

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It’s a spectacles case from Wee Folk Art. 

 

 

 

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24 March 2011

Fabric Shopping Bag Part 2

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Let’s gather the pieces and head to the sewing machine !

 

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1. Take one main fabric  and one lining fabric  right sides together. Sew the center "U" and two curve sides.
2. When stitching the side curve, stop and secure 1 1/2” from the top.
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3. Repeat steps 1-2 for the second main fabric. Turn inside out and press. You now have two pieces. 4. With right sides together, pin the main fabric making sure it matches at the seams.
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5. While keeping the lining away, start sewing across the main fabric. Keep sewing until the end of the lining fabric . Be patient…needs a little maneuvering :) 6. Pull the handle  to straighten the fabric. You will get this ! The handle neatly lined with an opening at the side. If you intend to top stitch, leave the opening for now. Or slip stitch to close the opening. Press.
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7.With right sides together, place the main pieces together and lining pieces together matching at the side curve. Sew the two side seams. 8. Turn out the bag.  Top stitch the center ‘U’ and side curve to close the opening.Match the side seams and press.
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9. Fold the handle into half and

‘stitch in the ditch’ across the top of the handle. Do the same for the other handle.

10. To make the gusset, fold the sides with the seams inside. Making sure it’s parallel with the handles.
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11. Pin and sew across the bottom. 12. Turn inside out and sew across the bottom again, encasing the seam allowance.
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13. Follow the steps above to fold the bag.(Click pic for larger view.) 14. Make a strap long enough to wrap the folded bag. Note the placement of Velcro and yo-yo flower.
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15. Stitch the strap in center of the ‘U’. 16. Now you can secure the folded bag with a strap! Isn’t that a cute little parcel?

 

 

 

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Here’s the front…

 

 

 

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…and here’s the back with a cute yo-yo flower!

 

My daughter loves the bag!

It’s for her Smile

 

 

If you missed Part I, go here.