You Tube....you betcha'!

I have really exciting news! I have uploaded my very first video** (disclaimer below) to you tube, and best of all, it is a tutorial JUST FOR YOU....my beautiful tartes!  I think that you will LOVE this tutorial for a Standard Pillowcase.  It is super easy and just plain fabulous...if I do say so myself!  The best part its, it is right in time for Christmas for some fancy gift giving!  


drum roll please...............

INSTRUCTIONS:

CUT:

Main Piece Border Piece:

27” x selvage 9” x selvage

Accent Strip:

3” x selvage

1. Lay your 9” border piece face up on table. 
2. Press your three pieces, including ironing your 3” trim piece in half longways.
3. Lay main piece of pillowcase face down – lined up with border piece. All 
   the raw edges of all three pieces should line up on the top edge. 
4. Roll the main fabric from the bottom up and then fold the border piece 
   up to the top (creating a tube) then pin all the raw edges together. 
5. Stitch along the edge then turn inside out. You have a finished edge with 
   all the stitching on the inside. 
6. Finish the side with either a French seam or surge the edges together. 

ENJOY!

**Disclaimer, please excuse my novice lack of skills in the video department, and my nasally mutter that I am calling my voice these days.**

Reverse Applique Tutorial

Reverse Applique Tut...Tut....Tutorial

This is a very simple technique that you can do perfectly, or not so perfectly.  If you have been afraid to sew because of being afraid to make mistakes...this is a PERFECT beginner project!!



So here is what I did: Gathered supplies needed:

1. fusible interfacing

2. solid colored t shirt (handmade OR store bought) ;)

3. sharp...did I say sharp scissors

4. sewing machine and thread

5. seam ripper (just in case)...just saying! ;)


Decide what you want to applique, for your first project, maybe start off with something simple that has a simple shape, like a flower or a heart.  For my tutorial, I have decided to make a Transformer's shirt for my son. 

I cut a piece of the interfacing a tad bit larger than my design and ironed it onto the wrong side of my fabic. I then found the Transformer autobot (VERY important to differentiate that) logo :) I started to draw it on the interfacing.  Again, if you think your artistic skills are a bit short of Rembrandt...so are mine.  This project is forgiving.

Ok the fun step....I turned the shirt inside out, I pinned the fabric with the interfacing facing me and started to sew a straight stitch around the perimeter.

MAKE VERY VERY sure that as you are tracing your lines, you do not get the bottom of the shirt caught underneath the needle, sew it together as one piece and then pull your hair out in frustration...just saying ;)

Another **Tip** is that I back stitched at the beginning and end of each line (look at the pic below and you can see where the stitching is a little darker at the edges)

Once you have finished your stitching, turn your shirt back to the right side, and it should look something like this:

As you can see, it is not perfect, but with this type of applique, that is ok, almost better. Also I only stitched around once.

Now take out you sharpest scissors (also the smaller the better when trying to get into small spaces) Clip away at the areas that YOU want to see the under lying fabric come through on the design.

clip clip clip away....until you are happy with your design! (also keep in mind that once you wash it, the knit fabric will curl a little)


Here's mine:

Cute...hugh?




Hugs and Blessings!
Ingrid

Arm Candy

Ok so I have a new strategy.  When I usually start a new project, this is the usual routine:

Step One:  Idea strikes!  I have to make that...N O W!!

Step Two:  Head to my sewing nook and start my drawing....

Step Three: Halfway thru, hmmm....makebe I should look online to see some more inspiring ideas!

Step Four:  Go online...

Step Five: (Usually 30 min to an hour, or hours, later) One of my kiddos complains of a rumbly tummy, thirsty throat, etc...

Step Six: I get up, put the sketch in my To Do Folder...

(at this point, I have forgotten my brilliant idea)

Step Seven: Idea strikes!   REPEAT STEPS 1 thru 6

So, I have decided to go through my list one by one and to help me get thru each project I am setting an alarm.  I think it will force me to get thru more projects, and in turn make things that will be fast and easy to make... so here goes!

Pin Cushion Quilt 

(it's for over your arm chair!)

D E T A I L S:  


* (main piece)2 pieces of fabric cut 23" X 7"

* (main piece) batting

* (pocket) apx. 8" X 12" (I altered it from   
   that for asthetics)
* (binding) 2" X 65"
* (flower center) 4" X 4"

* (flower center)fiber fill

* (flower petals) Fabric cut 6" X 6" (then cut 
   to resemble petals
* (scraps for rosettes and leaves)

I wanted something that would go over the arm of my chair that would give me quick access to pins, scissors and other supplies I use every time I sew.. (ok, ok, some candies too!) 

I drew a quick sketch on my calendar of what I was thinking.

I took my tape measure and made an estimate of where I would like it to begin and end, and that is where I came up with my measurements (feel free to adjust accordingly).

I cut 2 pieces of fabric and bating in a rectangle. (cut 23" X 7") and assembled them like a sandwich, with right sides facing out, and pin through out.

This also gave me an excuse need to use my new BSR foot (it is a free motion quilt foot) :)

I played around with circle swirlies all over....

Another first, I tried my hand out at quilt binding.  (truth be told, I still need LOTS MORE a little practice) So I am NOT going to add a tutorial on binding, but I will show you the pictures of it along the way.  There are tons of tutes out there that you can google, that will help you way more than mine.

I cut a circle with a diameter of about 4".  Once I cut it out, I placed it on a piece of fabric about 6" X 6" and cut petals around the edge.

Then sewed all the way around, adding a pleat every few inches to make the edges lay flat, leaving about an inch open...

Now...stuff it! and finish the stitching.

I added a couple of tiny rosettes and leaves.

Lastly, I added my pocket (leaving the top edge frayed, and altered just a bit)

No more looking all over my messy table top for my pincushion! :)

Hugs and Blessings,

Ingrid

{**quick update, my plan did not work...at ALL.  Not only did I completely forget to turn the timer on, BUT, this post is going up 3 days after I started the original post**}

Applique

Applique 101 Part ONE {SEW ALONG}

Because we have had such success in our first MONTH of running Karatootie.  As a Thank You to all of our readers and Followers, I have decided to give you a secret glimpse into my applique.


When I first discovered the world of Boutique clothing and appliques, I learned one thing FAST, no one would give away their tricks.  As a (fairly) crafty mom of a new baby girl, I wanted to dig my hands right in and learn.  I didn't have anyone to teach me, so I just started playing around, making up my own techniques as I went along.  I love to hear that other new moms want to make goodies for their little ones, something that can be passed on for generations.  I always say that if I could do it, anyone can! (REALLY)  If you are intimidated, don't be, just try it, and really the worst case is, it is not as cute as you'd like.  It was still made with your precious hands, and if you enjoy the process, practice, you'll get better...I promise :)


So with that in mind, this may not be the best way, the fastest way, or easiest, but it is my way...and I want to share it with you....my newest best friends: :)


When I applique, my first step is drafting a design that I love, in this case, it is a sweet fumbling lil' elephant, I have named Mr. Saggy Bottoms.  I drew him out on unlined paper.  If I like the design enough, I go over it with a black marker to make it easier to see.  (I used to use sharpies, but after the cloud of disorientation had lifted, I decided to go with plain ol crayolas)

Next, I place my design under my heat n bond.  Remember that your design will be the opposite of however you put it on the heat n bond.  So for example here my trunk will actually end up going to the right instead of the left.  Speaking of heat n bond, I use light, which means it has less glue to gum up your needle. 

Don't put your marker down just yet, next I trace each piece Mr. Saggy Bottoms.  Starting with the ear here, and I am going to overlap it just a bit so that it can go under the face, and be more secure when we start stitching :)

Here are my pieces so far:

Go ahead and get your pieces traced out one by one and join me next week for the next steps :)


Hugs and Blessings,
Ingrid

Drawstring Baggie

Easy Peasy Drawstring Baggie

I decided to make a few of these for the kids for advent. This is our first year to all be participating. My little dude is 6 and the Cuppicake is 4, so they both kind of "get it" now :) ((getting the gift part...anyways))


This one is super easy. You can do it by hand as well, if you don't have access to a sewing machine.





I decided on 3 fabrics for the main body of the bag and another one for the drawstring.


CUT:


2 pieces (the main body) to 11" X 8"
2 pieces (the top band of the bag) 11" X 4" {I used different fabrics for each side}
1 piece 1.5" X 35" {I wanted a tattered effect, so I left the fabric ripped at the edges}



Assembly:


Put the top of the bag to the body, right sides together.



Sew them together. Do both sides....



Press, Press, Press {again, I was going for tattered, to I did not finish (press) the sides}



Press the top band in half






Topstitch






Now sew those two sides together up to the top band {don't forget to start and end with a backstitch}



Turn inside out



Get your drawstring and attach a safety pin at one end

Feed it through your first band



then the next



Snip it in 1/2



Fill with goodies, cinch and admire!



See...I told you that would be easy peasy!


Hugs and Blessings,
Ingrid