Archive for the ‘tutorials’ Category

My sister-in-law Marcie inspired this cheery little project (She wanted to make one for her home).  This January has been so dreary… I think I’m craving a bit of color to brighten up my house.  A Valentine Bunting seemed like the perfect thing.  And it project uses fairly small pieces of fabric and can be made of scraps, making it inexpensive too.

Like most of my favorite projects, this project is very easy and fast.  (This would be a great project for a beginner.)

To make a Valentine Bunting (or any occasion bunting really) you will need:

• 8″ x 10″ squares for each flag
• 1/2 yard of inexpensive muslin for the back of the flags (if you cut carefully you will have left over fabric.)
• 1/4 yard of fabric for binding (or 2″ wide x 88″ piece of ribbon folded if you wish)
• freezer paper
• ruler and rotary cutter or scissors

Here’s how:

To make the template for the flags:

1. On the freezer paper draw an 8″ line, making a mark at the 4″ (half-way point).
2. Measuring at a 90 degree angle from the 4″ mark, measure 9 1/2″.  (It will look like a “T”)
3. Connect the points of the triangle.
4. Cut out the template.  (I used my rotary cutter.)

With the waxy side down to the right side of the fabric, iron the template to your fabric.

Measuring a 1/4″ seam allowance on the sides, cut out the flags.  The top of the flag can be cut right along the template.

Peel off the template and reuse to make the rest of the flags.  I made seven flags for my banner.

Repeat the process for the muslin.  An FYI:  I cut the muslin careful to maximize the fabric.  Leave the fabric folded so you can cut two at once.  Then cut (2) one direction and flip the template and cut (2) the other direction.

Pin right sides together.

Using a 1/4 inch seam stitch together, leaving the top of the flag open.  At the point of the flag, make a single stitch across before turning and stitching up the other side.

Clip the tip.

And I use my handy dandy chop stick to turn my flag right side out.  I carefully used a bamboo skewer to get the tip pointed nicely.  (Careful is the optimal word, if you push too hard with a bamboo skewer, you can poke it right through the fabric.)

Now to make the binding.  Cut (2) 1 3/4″ x 44″ strips.  (2 strips is enough for 7 flags)  Make sure to cut off the selvages.  Stitch the two strips together.  Press the seam apart.

To make my binding I use my Clover Bias 1″ Tape Maker.  Press as it comes out of the tape maker. 

Then fold and press in half.

Line the flags up in a pleasing order.  Because I made 7 flags, my 4th flag was my center flag.  I lined up the center of my 4th flag with the center of my binding.  Slip the flag into the binding and pin into place.  I placed my flags right next to each other.

I finished the ends of my binding by folding them in like shown.  Stitch along the edge of the binding to finish.

That was the easy part.  The hard part is deciding where to hang my flags.  It looks so fun swagged across a window.  I love it pinned under my mantle.  It also looks great on a wall, or over a kitchen table.  My girls want to use it for their upcoming birthday.  They are bright and fun.  If you need a bright spot in the house this Winter, give this easy project a try.

I wanted a quick easy, dish towel for February- a “keep it simple” project.  This little dish towel took me 20 minutes to make.  A few months ago I ran across this fabric at a quilt shop and bought enough for one towel, thinking to make a towel for Christmas.  But  that didn’t happen.  And luckily too, because I really need a dishtowel for Valentine’s.

The cool thing about this fabric is the edges are already finished.  It is designed for making dish towels.  If my memory serves, it is made by Moda.

Here’s how I made this little towel:

Start by finishing the edges of the top and bottom of the cloth.  First I made sure the edges were straight with a rotary cutter.  Turn and press 1/4″ along the bottom.  Turn and press 1/4″ again.  Repeat for the top seam.

Using a 1/4″ seam stitch along bottom and then top.  Now the towel is essentially done.  Unless you want to embellish it a bit.  Which I do.

Trace your pattern onto a piece of Wonder Under or your favorite fusible web.  I used a heart shape cookie cutter, but you can easily place a template under the fusible web and trace.

Place your piece of fusible web onto the back side of your fabric.  Press according to the directions.

Carefully cut out your heart.

Peel the paper from the back.

Center your heart on the towel.  I used a ruler to check my placement.  Press into place.

Using a decorative stitch, stitch into place.  I used a blanket stitch, but you could use a small tight zigzag, or you could stitch a blanket stitch by hand.

Now for some pom pom trim along the bottom.  Clip off the last pom pom on the end of the trim, to tuck around the end.  (I unpicked a few stitches so I could tuck it around and under my seam. Pin the trim along the bottom seam.  Stitch into place, making sure to tuck the end around and under your seam (trim off a pom pom at the end if needed.)  See below.

That was fast and easy.  And so cute for Valentine’s Day.  It has been so drab, gray and smoggy around here, I think I will be putting up Valentine’s decorations this week.