Notes from the Patch: Tutorial Tuesday #17 You probably think I'm nuts

Tutorial Tuesday #17 You probably think I'm nuts

At the risk of turning Tutorial Tuesday into a paper sewing blog I just had to show you one more idea using gathered crepe paper.

I promise that after today there will be no more sewing on paper (at least for a while).

You might think I'm nuts, but as I was making these

and gathering all that crepe paper...

with this fabulous, magical foot

I started thinking about these

and with this coming

I just wanted to share this vintage inspired idea.

I thought they would make darling place cards on an Easter table or for birthday parties, showers, Valentines Day...

What do you think?

So cute and so cheep, cheep cheep...

...about twenty five cents each to make! (I see a money making opportunity for some of you here)

Here's what you'll need:

2" nut cups - (24 for $1.79)

1 3/4" wide crepe paper roll (89 cents for 81 feet)

card stock

Shredded colored paper

Assorted ribbon and trim optional

candy

Here's how I made them:

For the handle gather a piece of crepe paper 1/2" from the edge.

You will need about 6 1/2"" of gathered paper for each handle, but I make lots then just cut off pieces as I need it.

Next you'll trim the ruffle so that it measures 1" wide. The problem is that when you lay it on your mat to cut it, it looks like this...

So I tape it to the mat, laying it nice and straight.

Then using my ruler measure 1/2" from the stitching line (C) and cut (B)

Your finished ruffle will be 1" wide by about 6 1/2" long.

Next cut a piece of card stock 1/2" x 9". Measure and mark 1 1/4" in from each end

and glue the 1" wide ruffle down the center of the card stock, between the marks.

Set the handle aside while you cover the nut cup with gathered crepe paper.

There are two rows of gathered crepe paper around each cup. Go here for instructions for gathering crepe paper. Start by gluing the first row 1/4" in from the bottom of the cup and glue all the way around. You will be gluing it down under the row of stitches only.

Apply the second row of crepe paper. You might notice that my first row is ecru and my second row is a pale color. I did this to make the cups look muted and vintage. You can use all bright colors if you'd like, depending on the look you are after.