Monday Morning Star Count - Flip Edge How To

I like the look of the flip edge on my hexagon epp projects. The first step is to make an edge piece of the same size as the main top.

Next, the top is stitched to connect the edging. (Sorry for the bad picture.)

After it is connected all the way around, the paper hexagons need to be removed.

Next, the connected edging gets flipped to the backside.  I use a chop stick to poke out the points.

I pin the edging so it doesn't shift when I stitch.

I press it to make sure the edge is crisp. Next I will stitch the flipped edge to the backing fabric.

I'm working on attaching the edging on the bigger piece and will soon be flipping this edge also.

I like how this is coming along.

Tuesday Tutorial - Self Lining Little Bags

I've been making little bags to give as gifts and also to put gifts in. Some I made from handkerchiefs, others from square pieces of fabric. Recipients have asked me how I make them and maybe someone who reads this blog is also wondering the same thing. 

First, you need a handkerchief or square.  This one is 16 inches square, but some are smaller or bigger.

You can add a decorative bit, but you don't have to.

Fold the square in half, with right sides together and stitch along the long side. I did this one on the sewing machine, but have done others by hand.

Next, put the seam in the middle, and sew along the short sides, leaving a small unstitched part for turning the bag right sides out (upper left corner in this photo).

It looks like this when turned. Give it a quick press if you want.  This pink handkerchief was rather wrinkly.

Next, poke the top half to the inside to form the lining of the bag.

The inside/lining looks like this.

I recently made one with a zipper to close, but usually I do a little draw string. I stitched around the top, about 3/4 of an inch, to make the draw string space.

After unstitching the seam at the back, I use a pin to pull the string around. The handkerchief has finished edges, but if I used a cut square of fabric, I would turn under the fabric at the seam to prevent it from unraveling.

Here is the finished bag. It's a quick finish.

Here are two more I made from handkerchiefs, front and back.  They really do finish up quickly.

Tuesday Tutorial - Chop Stick Carriers

Do you carry your lunch to work or school? How do you carry your eating utensils? I'm making this to carry chop sticks, but it could just as easily carry a fork and spoon.  

First, I cut two 14 inch squares, then cut diagonally into triangles.  (You need two triangles for each chop stick carrier, so two squares will make two carriers.)

Cut one strip about 12 inches by 2.5 inches. Press it in half long ways and press the raw edges to the inside and top stitch.  This will be the tie.

With right sides of the triangles together, pin the tie to the inside of the right angle corner. Pin the rest of the way around.

Stitch the parts together, leaving an opening for turning right side out. Trim the points so they aren't so bulky.

After turning right side out, press.  There is no need to stitch the opening closed.

Fold one side in to about the half way point.  This will be the pocket for the points of the chop sticks (or silverwear).

Top stitch all the way around.  It's finished.

To use, put the chop stick points in the pocket, fold over opposite side, roll and tie.

How easy is that?

Tuesday Tutorial - Tissue Covers

These are fun and simple to make.  I used two squares of 13"x13" kimono fabric and pinned right sides together to keep the two layers together.

Using the machine, I sewed around, leaving a small opening for turning.

After turning right side out, I pressed flat and top-stitched.

I stitched two buttons to two opposite corners.

I folded the square around the tissue box and tacked two places for the buttons to hook under.

It's finished.  You can pull out the tissue when you want. When the tissue box is empty, unbutton and replace the tissue box.

How to Make a Pin Keep

After posting about pin cushions the other day, a couple of people asked me about the pin keeps I had made..  While making three to give as gifts, I took some photos and will show how to make them. (This is the same technique I use to make ornaments).

You can make them any shape; these will be circles.  I trace the shape onto heavy cardboard and thin batting.  For these I used a crazy quilt front, but you can use cross stitch or hardanger or any other needlework or even plain fabric.  I trace the shape onto the base fabric and follow the line with a running stitch, so I can see how far to embellish.

 

After completing the stitching, I use heavy thread to do a running stitch a little larger than the circle, then pull it tight to cover the cardboard and batting.

(Same thing for the front and back). 

 

I use a little piece of ribbon for the hanger and attach it before I put the two sides together. 

 

Using a ladder stitch, I put the front and back together.  When the thread is pulled tight, the stitches are barely visible. 

 

 

The pins slide in between the two sides, making it perfect for carrying around without getting stuck by the pins. 

 

 

 Here are the three I made.  If you give it a try, leave a comment with a link to your pin keep so others can see.

How to Make a Tissue Cover

I’m making some tissue covers to give as gifts. They are pretty simple to make and I use small pieces of fabric left from other projects.

Each tissue cover takes two pieces of fabric – one 6 inches by 6.5 inches and one 6 inches by 7.5 inches.  The larger piece will be the inside and will form the edge along the opening.

 

With right sides together, pin the two six inch sides together and stitch with about a quarter inch seam. The larger piece will have a bubble.  It can be stitched by hand or by machine. 

 

Turn right side out and try to make the larger part even on both sides – this makes the edging. Give a press with an iron or you can just finger press it if you don’t have an iron.

 

Fold the edges to the middle and pin.  You can measure if you want, but I just look at it to see that it’s even. Stitch along the sides with a quarter inch seam (I forgot to take a picture of this step).

 

Turn right side out and press again, if you want.  Add tissues.

 

I usually make a bunch of these at once.  I cut with the rotary cutter and stitch a string of them on the machine. Give it a try.