Charmed, I'm sure!

    We have a lot of fun with these little metal charms--the connecting rings and little lobster clasp are available, too-- so it's not just about sewing them onto something--ALTHOUGH they do look adorable as mini ornaments on our Christmas Star--

We put silver on the bright tree and gold stars or jingle bells on the traditional tree. Kits are just 13.99!

NEED IDEAS?

2 Great Gifts for New Mamas-

 Confession--I have made several of these canopies and nursing pillow covers--but I'm such a procrastinator that I finished sewing in the nick of time and gave them away before taking pictures!  The mama's I have made these for absolutely use them -- and they stitch together so quickly!
ENJOY!
---Cindy

Here is a super easy gift that any new mom would love!  I have made many car seat canopies from this very same tutorial at CLUCK CLUCK SEW--









Nursing Pillow Covers in the baby stores are pricey--why not make one for a favorite mom--It's great to have a cute spare --babies drool, spit--the covers get messy!  Make one to match the baby quilt!  Here's a great tutorial and free pattern download at 
VANILLA JOY.




Let's take a look at a few of the fabrics at The Dusty Attic that would work well for these projects!

 

Great Gifts from SCRAPS!

Hello Hello!
  Not long ago we shared our own tutorial for a cute MugMat that makes a nice little gift--and before that a tutorial for a covered Belt (we have the belt webbing here at the shop!) 

   Just in time for Mother's Day and Graduations--I found a wonderful Compilation of Gift Ideas at "Flamingo Toes" You should really check this list out! 
A clever idea on the list is this "Hoop Pockets" from Amy Friend at "During Quiet Time" ...And we have a large selection of Embroidery hoops in many sizes here at The Dusty Attic!  Click on the picture below to travel over to "Flamingo Toes" and check out her pics and links to 25 great projects!

Eggs 'n Bunnies to fill your Easter Baskets!

One of our talented BusyBodies made a basketful of these no-sew  "Folded Star" Eggs using the tutorial for the Christmas Ornaments we posted in December--Just use an egg shaped styrofoam base and make a few adjustments as you go from end to middle
Here's the LINK again!

       
Peek-a-boo!  About 7 years ago I made a few of these"SECRET POCKET" Eggs from SewMamaSew for my grandbabies--Making more this year--very cute!
I cut the "pocket" section a little larger than the pattern--and you can use contrasting fabrics for the egg sections.
Find Pattern HERE!








Jenny B. Harris's ALLSORTS is always a joy to visit--Free Tutorial for the adorable "BUNNY PIN" CAN BE FOUND HERE!
This fluffy bunny is another free tutorial from Jenny--and of course--HERE'S THE LINK!
















 


These funny bunnies take a little more time and effort: aren't they darling?
Find pattern and directions HERE!
At the bottom of the post there you will find a pattern and directions you can print out.



Make Amanda's soft little bunnies for soft little babies!

Click to see how!

 



 

All these bunnies must be hungry!  So we'd better find them some yummy carrots!
LOOK HERE!

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

FAST to the Finish!

Are you in a bind?

Need a quilt to finish fast for a gift?

or holiday auction?

Start with a PANEL!

Keep it Simple--Bind for a wall hanging 

or Add borders and blocks for a throw!

We have more than 30 different panels to choose from

including limited supply of Autumn and Christmas!

Say "Thank You" to Special Teachers with a Hand Made Gift!

We have laminated patterns for these 2 sweet and useful projects.  Just $3.00 each, you can make this Mug Mat or Drawstring Bag quickly, in time for end of school year appreciation gift giving!

We have a nice selection of Novelty Prints-- Pick School Theme like these 

or just for fun prints to make them smile!

Drawstring Bags Made Easy - Classes in MAY! very soon!

      It's going to be a hoot making these bags.  They are great for wrapping special gifts--Storing all kinds of goodies--AND its a great way to use your oddball stash fabrics.

 

Choose CLASS on Wednesday May 14 OR Wednesday May 21

10:30 am until 12:30 pm

INCLUDED in $15 Class Fee

BUSY BODIES  pay just $12

1/2 yd Fabric—YOUR CHOICE-included

2 1/2 yd. Ribbon –Your Choice!-included

Laminated PATTERN-included

We will use the pattern to make a basic unlined drawstring bag with GUSSETS!

THEN we will have some fun with variations on a theme! 

Come to class for lots of ideas!

 We now have Ribbon by the yard--and a good deal for you!

only 25 cents/ 35 cents/ 45 cents per yard

Great for "drawstrings", craft projects, gift packaging

1 WEEK SALE on BATTINGS and EXTRA WIDE BACKINGS

25% OFF

ENDS Thursday, May 15th