the dusty attic fabric and quilt shop : January 2015

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Treat a Friend! Make Her a Mug Mat! Tutorial

These oversized coasters are easy to make! We actually have a SEW SIMPLY laminated pattern for this cute project in the shop but we want to treat you to a free tutorial today! These would make special little "Valentines" for friends, mothers, sisters, teachers, even grandchildren!

Project can use leftover Pre-Cuts from other, bigger projects!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

You can use leftover charms, jelly strips or cakes!

Fabric A: 5" Square (Charm)
Fabric B: 3 1/2" x 5" (from a charm)
Fabric C: 2 1/2 " x 8" (from a jelly)

Backing: 7 1/2" x 8 1/2" ( from a "cake")
Batting 7 1/2" x 8 1/2"

Here We Go!--All Seams 1/4"

Stitch A-5" Square to B-3 1/2" x 5". Press seam to side

"Square Up" to 5" x 8"--1st Unit

Stitch C Strip to 1st Unit. Press seam toward Strip.

"Square Up" to 7" x 8"

Lay Down Batting, Then Backing--RIGHT SIDE UP

Lay Mat Top RIGHT SIDE DOWN

PIN Layers together **Backing is a little wider than top

Mark an opening along the side about 3" (for turning)

See Below

Mark 3" Opening

Be sure to backstitch at beginning and end of stitching layers together to hold secure when turning right side out.

Beginning at one "Opening Mark" --Stitch 1/4" around the edge of the TOP (NOT the edge of the Backing).

Pivot at Corners and STOP at 2nd "Opening Mark"

Be sure to STOP and leave opening Free!

Trim Seam edges--I like to make the edges a little uneven for a smoother finish when turned.

Clip all Corners--BUT be careful not to cut stitching!

*Happy Hint for you!

(I just figured this out about 2 years ago--it only took me about 45 years of sewing!)
BEFORE you turn your "sandwich" right side out--press around stitching to set seams--THEN Press down the free edges of the opening to make a crease even with the stitching--do this on FRONT and BACK.

Pressing will make the edges stay inside and make stitching the opening easier--

Turn Mat RIGHT Side OUT--Almost finished!

Use a "Purple Thang" or Knitting Needle or Crochet Hook
or whatever you can get your hands on -that's not too sharp- to poke the corners out and I like to run the point along the seams on the inside so they don't "fold in" when you press.

Press around edges

Slipstitch to close opening OR...

...stitch around very close to the edge!

Topstitch 1/4" around all seams

OR PRACTICE Free Motion Quilting--woohoo!

We hope you'll enjoy making many merry MugMats!

If you'd like a printed pattern--a simple laminated Mug Mat pattern is available at the shop for just $3!

Happy Sewing!

Cindy

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Just Spoolin' Around!

http://lrstitched.com/2012/01/06/tutorial-spool-garland/

Hello!

My Travels through Internet Land led me to this sweet garland. It looks like this is the reason I have been saving my empty spools for about 8 years!

It's so very easy and Lindsey Rhodes at LRStitched has published a beautiful tutorial.

TAKE A LOOK RIGHT HERE!

Click Link Above!

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Cover that webbing! Make a belt!

Here is an easy way to use plain, BORING webbing to make a pretty belt that is adjustable-- OR Use the "Covering" directions to make sturdy Tote Straps that won't stretch!

Supplies Needed:

(2) 1" "D" Rings

1" Belt webbing:

-- measure around "you" where you wear a belt and add 8"

(most people where belts a little below waist--)

example: If you are 32" around (I wish!) cut webbing 40"

3" strip of fabric

(piece together if necessary) 2" longer than Belt webbing:

example: If webbing length is 40", then 3" x 42" fabric strip

* It is possible to use 2 1/2" strips but you will have to be very careful when sewing!

1. Press under 1/4" LONG side of fabric strip

2. Press under 1/2" Both NARROW edges.

3. Pin webbing to center of wrong side of strip--

placing narrow 1/2" fold OVER the webbing on one end

4. Folding in raw edge first, then pulling over the 1/4" folded LONG side of fabric strip--Stitch across one narrow end securing webbing inside the fabric strip.

5. Folding in raw edge first, pull over the 1/4" folded long edge and Stitch down the middle of the webbing--removing the pins as you go--(Some may want to pin the folded fabric in place before stitching)

6. When you come to the bottom of the webbing you will have about an inch or so of fabric extra with another 1/2" fold:

Finish stitching to the end and th ensew across narrow end as you did in step 4--

--there will be a short segment of belt with no webbing in it :)

7. Topstitch down the length as many times as you want!

8. Take the flimsy "fabric only" end and slip through 2 D rings as shown--D rings should be next to webbing with the thinner end of fabric folded over (See! less bulk when sewing on the D rings!)