Notes from the Patch

Tutorial Tuesday #36 - Hair Bows

One of the blogs I enjoy is Kelly's Korner, a sweet blog written by a young mommy from the south. Kelly has two darling little girls and loves dressing them in matching  smocked dresses and huge hair bows.

                                                      Photo by Kelly's Korner

Reading her recent post about hair bows reminded me I hadn't shared bow making techniques since this post and since we have so many adorable ingredients for making hair bows I figured it was time.

Since I am a California girl my bows certainly can't compete in size or complexity of those from the south, but my techniques are pretty basic and could easily be adapted to more elaborate styles.

What I really love about making these is that this basic style costs less than a dollar to  make and can easily be completed in less than a half an hour. If you follow the links on Kelly's blog you'll see that some of the bigger more elaborate bows can cost nearly thirty dollars!

Here's what you'll need:

1 yard 1 1/2" wide grosgrain ribbon

hair clip

hot glue

water washout pen or other marker

ruler

needle and thread

embellishments optional

Let's get started.

Starting with 31" of 1 1/2" wide grosgrain ribbon, measure 3 1/2" from one end and mark with a dotted line. (I prefer using a washout pen because it bleeds through to the wrong side of the ribbon - you'll need to be able to see that line on both sides of the ribbon)

Next you'll measure and mark a line 6" from the first line.

Continue measuring and marking every 6". You will need to mark a total of five lines.

You should have 3 1/2" inches left beyond the fifth line.

If you are using a pencil or some marking devise that isn't visible on both sides of your ribbon then you will need to mark lines 1, 3 and 5 on the right side of the ribbon and lines 2 & 4 on the wrong side. Whatever marker you use, the line will not show on your finished bow because it will be in the middle of the bow, under the ribbon that attaches your bow to the hair clip.

With a double threaded needle (and a really big honk'n knot) start sewing with a running stitch along the first line, bottom to top of the ribbon.

When you get to the top of the first line, match up the second line with the first and continue to stitch. Notice you will be stitching this second line on the wrong side of the ribbon.

Continue stitching all five marked lines together, paying close attention to have the ribbon folded back and forth, right to wrong as shown below.

Once you reach the top of the fifth line

gently pull the thread (needle still attached) so as to gather the ribbon along the stitched lines. Shape the bow as you gather it in the center, paying special attention to keep the right side of the ribbon facing out.

At this point you will have two loops and a tail on the left and two loops and a tail on the right.

Wrap the thread around the center a few times and take a couple of stitches to secure. Cut off excess thread. (The center of your bow should be tightly scrunched).

Take the five inches of left over ribbon (remember you used only 31" of your 36" piece) and fold it into thirds, lengthwise and make a loose knot in the middle.

Here's what it looks like on the right side.

Put a tiny dab of hot glue on the back side of the knot and secure it to the front center of your bow.

Wrap the ends to the back of the bow securing the hair clip as you glue.

Trim the ends and that's it!

You can eliminate the knot and just wrap a narrow piece of ribbon around the center to hide the stitching and to attach the clip then add an embellishment to the top side of the bow.

I love that the clips can attach the bows directly to the hair or to hats and headbands. By simply changing the clip you can totally change the look of your hat.

This technique works well for any size ribbon. You will need to adjust the distance between the marks and may want to add loops depending on the width of your ribbon. The chevron ribbon is just 7/8" wide so my loops were marked 4 1/2" apart instead of six inches apart.

 

Encourage one another,

 

 

 

 

Tutorial Tuesday #54 - Hair Bows Revisited

The recent arrival of  these

 

inspired me to make these...

Which brings me to this question for you:

a. Does the fabric (in this case, the ribbon) inspire the project?  or

b. Does the project inspire the material selection?

For me the fabric, ribbon or embellishment almost always speaks to me and tells me what it wants to be. (I guess you could call me a fabric whisperer - or maybe you could just call me weird). Da-know.

Encourage one another,

You can find the tutorial for these hair bows here. Since this ribbon is narrower (7/8") than the ribbon in the tutorial you will measure and mark every 4 1/2" instead of the 6".

          

 Today I am sharing my DIY project on JoJo and Eloise

                          

Tutorial Tuesday #53 - Fabric Flowers

 

Here is a simple project that makes use of those leftover 2 1/2" Jelly Roll strips.

Along with a strip of fabric that measures 2 1/2" X 44" you will need:

1 - 1 1/2" felt circle

A button for the center of your flower

Pin back

Assorted leaves and ribbons (optional)

Here's what you do:

Fold the strip in half along the long edge but don't press in a crease. Gather.

You can use your ruffler if you have one or gather by hand with a running stitch.

You'll want your gathers fairly close together.

Roll the gathered strip around your finger, folded edge out
and hot glue it to the felt circle.

Apply a generous amount of hot glue to the circle and carefully place the flower into the hot glue. Use a chopstick or pencil to make sure all the raw edges are securely glued. Be careful not to burn your fingers.

Glue or sew the pin back in place.

Glue or sew a button in center of the flower if you'd like.

  Add ribbon and embellishments as desired.I just hot glue them to the back.

(The flower above was made from velvet and works well as long as the velvet isn't too heavy).

This is the one we made in Bernina Club a couple of months ago.

Tres chic.

These make quick and inexpensive flowers for headbands

and kids clothes

and can be completed in just a few minutes for next to nothing. After all, they're made from just 2 1/2" of fabric and some old stuff we have laying around for moments like this.

Attach a flower to create a pretty package.

The flower can be used later as a brooch or hair clip.

It's all in the details. It doesn't really matter what is in the box when the wrapping is so pretty, does it.

I hope you'll try some and share your creations with us. I love hearing from you!

Encourage one another,

Tutorial Tuesday #52 - Fabric Tags Tricks and Tips

A few weeks ago I joined in a Holiday Tag-a-long and when I posted my tags on my blog some of you emailed me with questions. So I thought I would share some of my tips with you all here today.

The first thing you need to do is  trace your tag shapes onto medium weight fusible interfacing and because you will be using your lines as sewing guides you need to do this step very carefully. Cool tip: I discovered that if you cut your interfacing into   8 1/2" by 11" sheets you can feed them through your printer, eliminating the need for repetitive tracing. Tracing is my least favorite part of this project so I was excited that this step worked in the printer.

Cut the tags out on the lines

and fuse them to the wrong side of your tag fabric. Put front and back of tag fabric together - with right sides together.

Tip: Shorten your machine's stitch length to 15 - 18 stitches per inch.

The smaller stitches will help make the seams smoother and makes going around those curves a breeze. Sew right next to the interfacing leaving two to three inches open on one long side for turning.

Trim seam allowance to about 1/8" all around, 1/4" at opening. Clip curves up to seam being careful not to cut stitches.

Turn right side out. Poke seams out carefully and press well, making sure seams are open, smooth and flat.

 

Tip: I discovered that if your tags have large appliques on the fronts like mine do you can sew all the way around without leaving an opening. Split one layer of the tag fabric (the side without the interfacing) by cutting  a two to three inch slit in the center of the tag.

Turn, poke out seams and press. Top stitch with matching thread.

Attach applique by sewing through all layers. Embellish as desired.

On these I made photo copies of old photographs and stitched them to felt, then sewed them to the tags.

Here's a neat tip for turning this type of applique.

Cut design out and layer right side to the fusible side of iron on medium weight interfacing.

With shortened stitch, sew on desired line - all the way around.

Trim seam allowance 1/8" and clip corners.

Cut a two to three inch slit in the center of the interfacing only.

Tip: Turn right side out using a Point Turner to poke out corners and smooth seams.

Lay on top of a piece of felt that has been cut slightly larger and iron in place. (Remember the back side of the applique is now fusible).

Top stitch the applique onto the felt with matching thread. Cut felt with scalloped shears* or pinking shears. * We have ordered scalloped fabric shears and scalloped rotary blades - let us know if you want us to save you one.

Sew on buttons. Attach to tag by sewing through all layers - I do this step by sewing on top of the felt very close to the applique with matching thread.

These are so much fun to do and they make darling ornaments, Valentines or gift tags. You will want to pop over to Flickr and view some of the amazing tags from the Holiday Tag-a-long group.Then, why not whip up some tags of your own and Tag-a-Long with us? We'd love to see what you come up with.

Encourage one another,

You can Download Tags pattern here

Related articles

Dear Pam and Holly:

Count down til Christmas or How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I've wanted to make an advent calendar for as long as I can remember but to be honest, the thought of sewing twenty five little numbered bags has always stood in my way. I'm basically lazy like that, so this year when I found these

I took the easy way out and opted for a bottle of Elmer in exchange for my Bernina.

I  pretty much just used what I had - various left over mismatched chipboard numbers and some stickers. The frame is a picture frame from Michael's.

I stapled chicken wire to the back and added baker's twine with mini clothes pins to hold the tiny bags.

I'm happy with the way it turned out but the best part is now I can say I've finally made an advent calendar. 

I put little treats in each bag for my sweet husband. He has a bit of a sweet tooth so I thought I would surprise him with a little treat on his pillow each night for the first twenty five days of December. Awww. (I know).

Like my mom always said, Sweets for my sweet.

You're never too old to make a little Christmas magic don'tchathink?

Encourage one another,

Tutorial Tuesday #50 - Banded kitchen towels and burp cloths

This was my inspiration for today's tutorial.

A pretty, ready-made towel from Pip Studios. I love the way the contrasting bands frame the main fabric. It became the inspiration for this one

and this one.

As darling as these towels are, they don't serve any practical purpose. They couldn't dry themselves out of a wet paper bag. So as I was sewing, I got to thinking about the colorful (and practical) towels we sell in the store. Why couldn't I use the same technique to frame a towel... that actually dries? (Gasp) - what a concept?

One of the things I like most about this technique is that the back looks almost as good as the front. I always try and match my bobbin thread to the towel so that the back looks clean and finished.

While I was sewing the towels I got to thinking that I probably could do the same thing with colored diapers...

Just by adding colorful strips of fabric around the edges of diapers you get cute burp cloths - inexpensive baby gifts that are as decorative as they are functional. And did I mention they're super fast? (You should have known that by now)!

These were so much fun to do that I got a bit carried away - no surprise there!

The strips can be different fabrics and different sizes. Use what you have and mix it up a bit. I added little framed fabric "patches" as an accent on some and this one just screamed for embroidery...

I started with colored diapers - sometimes you can find them at Target, Walmart or Babies R Us. Of course when I needed to find them for this project no one had them but K Mart. So you might want to pick up an extra package or two when you find them because they aren't always that easy to find.  They run about $7 for four.

So. Wanna know how I did them? Let's get started. Here's the handy dandy Downloadable PDF version. - because I love you. Just nine pages thankyouverymuch!

For the towels you will need:

• Prewashed towel - with the hemmed edges trimmed off

• If you are making a fabric centered towel you will need a 30" length of cotton fabric (will make two) 
• For fabric towel - Cut one piece 20" x 30" for main body of towel

• Cut two side strips 2 1/2" x 44" *
• Cut one end strip 3 1/2" x 44" * (enough for both ends of one towel)
• For purchased towel cut the same strips as listed above. 

For diapers you will need:

• Prewashed diaper
• Cut one side strip 2 1/2" wide x 44" (enough for both sides of one diaper).*
• Cut one end strip 3 1/2" x 44" (enough for both ends of one diaper).*

* These strip widths can vary. These measurements are only a suggestion. To figure the finished width of a band strip, double desired finished width and add 1/2" for seam allowance. Example: For a one inch finished band cut a 2 1/2" wide strip.

Press all bands in half lengthwise - wrong sides together.

The technique is the same for both types of towels and the diapers. All seam allowances are 1/4".

Sew one side strip to the WRONG side of each long side of towel or diaper.

This takes some getting used to because we are always used to putting right sides together, but by sewing on the wrong side all seams are enclosed and the back of your project looks neat and finished.

Press the seam toward the band. Then wrap the band to the front as shown.

Press, pin and top stitch.

I toggle back and forth between my 1/4" foot and edge stitch foot for this project. If you're lucky enough to have these two feet for your machine, get them out and use them. They make everything so much easier and more precise. When I top stitch I watch the blade on the edge stitch foot - not the needle. Just let it travel along the folded edge of the band and if you have off set your needle position (two positions to the left for my Bernina) your stitch will be straight and consistent.

Trim the towel/diaper so the corners are square and the band ends are even with towel/diaper body. This is a good time to even up the diaper ends that are sometimes a little wonky.

If you want to add the ribbons across the bottom of the diaper now's the time. Just cut 3" lengths of various ribbons (use different textures, widths and colors) and pin as shown to wrong side of diaperm matching cut end of ribbon to edge of diaper. I don't measure the ribbon spacing - just eye the placement.

Proceed with next step sandwiching the ribbons between the band and the diaper.

Tuck in one raw short end of the band and finger press.

(Yes, I know I should have removed the selvage first - my bad).

Pin the end band to the WRONG side of the towel/diaper body and attach using 1/4" seam allowance.

When you get close to the end, tuck in about 1/2" to finish band end, trim off excess band fabric.

Pin to hold in place. Finish sewing band to towel/diaper end. Repeat with other end.

Reduce the bulk in the corners by trimming.

Press seam allowance toward the band, flip band to the front, pin and topstitch.

I hope you'll try these. Let me know how you do - I love hearing from you!

Encourage one another,

Tutorial Tuesday #49 - Tissue Holder

I have absolutely no idea what came over me. I guess it was that potato chip thing again but whatever it was - I couldn't stop.

In just an hour or so, this

lead to these

and then these

 lead to these.

I was completely out. of. control. 

Truth is, I could have gone on forever. Tissue holders for teachers, tissue holders for stocking stuffers, one for the dog groomer, a bunch for my sewing friends, for the receptionists at the doctors office and my hairdresser and then there's the kids school party favors...

I guess I can hope for a particularly horrid cold and flu season otherwise I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to do with all of these tissue holders.

My original plan was to make just a couple. One for each of my London girls and a couple to show you all how they're made. But they are so quick and easy and since you can get four from less than a quarter yard of fabric they just seemed to multiply.

One lead to another and before I knew it I'd made a boat load. 

Let me show you how:  Download Tissue Holders instructions

Cut two pieces - for the front and lining measuring 6 1/2" wide by 5 1/2" high.

Cut two pieces - for the contrasting band 1" by 5 1/2".

 

Fold the band pieces in half and press.

With raw edges even and fold to the inside sew the bands to each side of the 5 1/2" front piece.

With right sides together place front piece over lining and sew front to lining just inside the stitched line that attached the band.

Turn right side out and press. Then press in half to form a crease that marks the center.

Pin the two edges to the middle, lining up the bands to the center crease.

With a quarter inch seam sew across the top and bottom. Trim the four corners to reduce bulk.

With an overcast stitch or your serger finish the raw edges.

Turn right side out and with a Point Turner or chopstick poke the corners out.

(Side note: When I recently cleaned my sewing room I found FOUR Point Turners! Love those things and apparently one cannot have too many).

Fill with a package of purse size tissues (removed from the package). I purchase my tissues from the dollar store - eight for a dollar. So if you are using up scraps these are nearly free to make, because everyone knows that fabric from your stash is considered free and the tissues are less than a quarter.

There you go - fast, fun, nearly free and oh, so easy!

Gazunteight!

Encourage one another,

 

 

Tutorial Tuesday # 48 - Zipper Pouches Revisited

I thought it would be fun to make my daughter-in-law and granddaughter each a zippered pouch for our upcoming trip to London. For me this was the obvious fabric choice for Jen's pouch. I quilted vertical lines about 1/2" apart then added a contrasting band of fabric across the front. The I Love London was cut from the fabric above and then fused and top stitched on like a patch.

 

I found the perfect ribbon in my stash (love when that happens).

I like the way Jen's turned out so much I made one for me with a handle. You can find the handle instructions here.

This was my inspiration for Sarah's pouch.

I quilted straight horizontal lines on muslin using blue thread then did a couple of vertical lines in red. I tried Soft and Stable batting for the first time on these bags and LOVE it. It's just firm enough to give them some shape and body, but doesn't make the finished bags too stiff. I'm not a big fan of iron on interfacing so this is the perfect product for my taste.

The "pictures" are cut from the fabric I used on Jen's pouch then fused and sewn to the front of the pouch. I glued on a charm and Bon Voyage button for interest and texture.

Love the Union Jack lining.

As I was making Sarah's bag I was planning this one. You might remember the fabric from this post. You know what they say, Little zippered bags are like potato chips - you can't make just one.

I used the tutorial found here for the basic construction except I tried a new technique for inserting the zipper. I think it looks so much better than the way I originally did the zipper.

See that little strip of black and white dot fabric there on the end of the zipper? Besides giving the bag a touch more style it helps the zipper lay flat in the seams. I'll never do zippers the old way again. Here's how I did it:

Cut a piece of contrasting fabric that measures 1 1/4" x 4"

Fold it in half lenghtwise with wrong sides together and press.

Open and press both sides to the center crease.

Refold center crease and press well again.

Using a nylon zipper (mine was 16" long) stitch across the zipper just to the inside of the bottom stop.

Trim about 1/8" away from the stitches.

Wrap the folded fabric strip around the cut end and stitch, then trim.

Measure zipper and cut 1" shorter than top of bag.

Unzip zipper a bit and stay stitch ends together.

Wrap end with fabric strip and sew. Trim.

 

Center zipper on bag and attach using instructions found here.

I've been shopping for British themed goodies to put inside. I was thrilled to find wonderful things at World Market and Pier One.

I hope my girls like them. They sure were fun to do.

Encourage one another,

 

Tutorial Tuesday #47 - Fat Quarter Suckers

We're hosting a small bus load of traveling quilters on Thursday and wanted to give them a little favor to thank them for stopping by.

So Monday Annette and I made homemade suckers

in yummy favors like grape, chocolate, blueberry, lemon, lime, strawberry and orange.

Here's how we did them:

We started with fat quarters (18" x 22") and folded them in half

and in half again until they ended up measuring  2" wide by 22" long.

Then starting at one end, we rolled the fabric tightly around a cookie or sucker stick (available at Michael's)

We rolled and rolled

until we got to the end, then tucked under the raw edges

and secured the end with a couple of small straight pins.

Then we just popped them into sucker bags (available at Michael's)

and secured the bag around the stick with a twister tie.

I think these would be fun favors for a friendship group, as package tie-ons or for welcoming traveling quilters!

The best part is they're sugar and calorie free and may or maynot offer relief from cotton mouth!

Encourage one another,

Tutorial Tuesday #46 - Shag Rag Rug

You may remember this rug from one of my Quilt Market posts

where I asked you readers what that was on the back. Several of you knew instantly that it was plastic fencing (you are so smart and helpful - thank you!).

I trotted over to our neighboring OSH and picked me up a package* and started cutting fabric strips.

Lots and lots of strips.

Using a rotary cutter with a pinking blade (very important) I cut fifty bazillion 2" x 8" strips in coordinating prints.

With craft scissors I cut the fencing to the desired size and trimmed the edges

Then proceeded to tie the fabric strips to the fencing with a single knot (not to be confused with a double knot).

I tied one strip on each of the four sides of the one inch openings, gradually changing colors as I went so the various colors flowed and didn't look patchy. I tied two or three strips around the edges and in the corners for extra fullness.

The pinking blade eliminates any fraying.

My little rug finished about 18" x 24" so I can get several small rugs from one package of fencing.

What's that? You're wondering about washing? Not so sure about that since the fencing is pretty stiff. I think I'd make one to place at the side of a bed or in front of a babies  changing table - in a low traffic area - not in front of the kitchen sink or for the front door.

You may want to back your rug with a no slip backing if you're putting it on a hardwood or tile floor.

These would be a great way to use up some of that sale fabric that you might have or just make them scrappy to use up bits and pieces of left over fabrics. Why not precut a bunch of fabric and get the kids involved this summer - that'll teach em to say they're bored!

Encourage one another,

*The precut fencing comes in packages: 18" x 15', 24" x 25', and 36" x 25'. You'll want to purchase the fencing with the 1" square holes.