Treat Yourself!

or make a special treasure for someone you treasure.
Over the years I have seen several variations of a "teacup pincushion"-- Pretty much a circle of fabric stuffed and glued into a pretty teacup--with a very pleasing result--
Today I want to share an idea (with tutorial) that happened to stumble into my Facebook Feed (Funny how that happens!)
It's a TEAPOT SEWING KIT!

What a wonderful way to use even a damaged teapot--

Pins and needles in the top and other sewing essentials tucked inside!

Sadie Seasongood will show you how RIGHT HERE!

(or click on the teapot picture!)

Fall Fun-for-all Freebies!

There is plenty of time to get started on FALL DECORATING--Here are some great FREE tutorials.

Some are easy enough to do with children helping.

--Just Click on the Picture to get started!

Fabric Acorns 

by SARAH 

at Zemphira - Scatter Art

Fabric Cats 
by PURL SOHO
at Purl Bee
 

Made from wool in tutorial but would't it look cute in Primitive Black Prints at
The Dusty Attic?

 2 Ideas from ALLISON

at Cluck Cluck Sew

Scrap Buster

LEAVES PILLOW 

and 

EASY TREAT BAG

   



  

FABRIC PUMPKINS 

by Lindsay and Mary

at CRAFT BUDS

 







  Here's a lovely way to "carve" your REAL PUMPKINS 
(with an electric DRILL--(That's Right!)
from MONICA at Crafty Nest

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!

"How does your Garden Grow?"

     What glorious sunny days we've had on the Eastern Shore this week!  Is it safe to say that a few quilt projects have been laid aside while we tend to seeds and mulch?
If you can take just an hour break to whip up one of these super handy aprons from Cheryl at SewCanDo--You'll have your pruners, seeds and gloves close at hand while you work magic in the garden! And we have the perfect Dear Stella fabrics for this project!

FREE APRON TUTORIAL

CLICK HERE

Planting flowers, veggies...just relaxing in your lawn chair admiring your hard work--It's a good life! 

Get Happy with Dear Stella!

3 minute NO SEW Pillow Cover!

Brighten your bed or sofa this Spring with new pillow covers! 
New Pillow Covers!  NO ZIPPER!  NO PIPING!  NO SEW!
When ready for a change--just untie your fabric and make something like a totebag, apron or our GIFTBAG

I discovered this video a few days ago...Maybe its new to some of you, too!   I tried it on 2 different pillows--watch the video and read below for some helpful information.

How much fabric?

32" square will cover a 16" pillow

36" square will cover a 18" pillow

40" square will cover a 20" pillow

 BUDGET PILLOWS FORMS

If you need a pillow to cover--an economical option (cheap)--

get the cheapest bed pillows you can find--

squish the batting to one end and cut off the fabric at the end so pillow is 18 inches long--baste open end closed--

this should make a pillow about 18 inches square!

Easy way to CUT a SQUARE

Fold fabric in half along length--

Then Fold across

measure equal distances and cut along open edges to make a square!

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!

a bit o' green stitchin' for ye

GREENS are the DEAL next week--

just $6.99 per yard

So...I traveled the Internet machine --looking for FREE and what I thought kinda nice projects for MARCH--specifically St. Patrick's Day--that could be finished in the "wink o' a leprechaun"!

Click each picture to go to tutorial!


Natalia Bonner's 12" shamrock block--just a few blocks would make a great table runner or throw--BONUS: She also gives directions for 18" and 24" BIG BLOCKS. JUST 1 Big Block with a Border makes a wall hanging or table topper. 
 

   


I love free motion quilting!  I can hardly wait to try Lori Kennedy's Irish Chain free motion stitching!





 


 
Many of you also knit and crochet--Here's a couple of quick little shamrocks to embellish bigger projects or notecards or make them into a pin or barrette!


 
OK--In a hurry?  Here's one that will literally take you less than 2 minutes!--Add a little button or stitches for some pizzazz!

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