Archive for the ‘tutorials’ Category

I’ve been on the go with my sewing class and needed a safe place to keep my needles.

The solution was this cute little Matchbook Needle Keeper.  It’s so easy to make, it only takes a few minutes.

Here’s how to make one:

Cut a piece of scrapbook cardstock weight paper 5 3/4″ x 2″.

Using a bone folder or comparable tool, fold the bottom up 3/4″ and fold the top down 2 1/4″

It should look like this:

Next cut a piece of felt 2 1/2″ x 2″.  I used wool felt.

And staple the felt into the “matchbook” needle keeper.

Just add needles.  It shuts just like a matchbook.

Like many of my favorite projects, it was quick and easy… and used scraps from other projects… so it was essentially free.

I just love when form meets function.

Making a fabric headband cover is easier than you think.  It all starts with inexpensive thin headbands from the grocery store.

For this project you will need a small piece of fabric…. mine was 15 1/4″ x 1 1/2″ and your cheap headband.  Oh, and a sewing machine.

The first step is to measure your headband with a fabric measuring tape.

Next step is to cut your fabric.  Since my headband measured 14 1/2″ x 1/4″.  I cut my fabric 15 1/4″ x 1 1/2″.  I came up with my totals by adding 1/4″ to the length (for safety sake) and (2) 1/4″ seam allowances.  For the width, I decide that 1/2″ wide would look nice.  Again that allowed for (2) 1/4″ seam allowances.  You can use that same formula to figure out your headband… since they are all slightly different.

Carefully fold your strip in half and press.

Press in your 1/4 inseams on both sides.   (You are making what is essentially like a binding.)

Now fold in half and press well.

Press a fold in on each end.  I like to press the edges in at a slight angle so they don’t stick out once it’s stitched.

I hoped this view would show the angle I was talking about.  As you can see, this headband is pressed and ready to stitch.

Now stitch all the way around the headband.  I’ve moved my needle position as far as it will go to the right, for my Pfaff it is “6”.  And I am stitching about 1 millimeter from the edge of the fabric.

Now I know what you might be thinking.  If I’ve stitched all the way around… how the heck am I going to get the headband into the inside?

By cheating.  That’s how:

I’m using a seam ripper to open a little hole about 1/2″ from my bottom seam on the back.  As they say, there is more than one way to skin a cat…. if you wanted to be fancy, you could make button hole before stitching the whole thing together…. you might even leave one end open and try to fold in the seam and shut it with the headband inside.  For me this was the easiest, fastest way… and since it’s in the inside, it will never show.  For longevity sake, you might want to treat the raw seam with fray check.

Now slip your headband on in.  You may need to stretch the fabric just a bit to get the end of the headband in all the way.

Now on goes the shamrock and pinchers beware!  They will get ten back in return when you are wearing this sweet little headband.

For other days, I think I’ll make some fun flowers to go with this darling headband.

This project was very fun and easy…. I’ve made two for my girls in no time…. and all with scraps and things I already had!