Gift presents for women: gathered clutch tutorial

Gift presents for women: gathered clutch tutorial
Sewing patterns

Materials needed:

• 1/4 yard each of three coordinating fabrics (you'll definitely have scraps leftover)


• 8" zipper (you can always purchase a longer zipper and shorten it, just follow the directions on the package


• scraps of medium weight fusible interfacing

Cutting the pieces:
For the main exterior, cut two pieces, one 5.5" tall by 9" wide, and one 5.5" tall by 13" wide (this will be the gathered front)
Pieces of medium weight fusible interfacing for exterior pieces of clutch: (2) 5.5" tall by 9" wide
For the front band, cut one piece 4" tall by 9" wide.
For the lining, cut two pieces 5.5" tall by 9" wide
For the zipper end covers: two pieces 1.5" tall by 2.5" wide.
Optional Parts:
For the divider pocket, cut one piece 8" tall by 9" wide (apply interfacing to half, you'll need at 4" x 9" piece)
For the card holders, cut one piece 7" tall by 9" wide (apply interfacing to half, you'll need at 3.5" x 9" piece)

Seriously, the most time consuming part for me is always picking out my fabrics and cutting them, the rest goes together pretty easy, so let's go!

Take the front band piece and fold it in half the long way (right sides together) and sew together using a 1/2" seam allowance. 

Turn tube right side out and press with seam in the middle.  Set aside.

Grab the 13" wide main exterior piece.  Sew two lines of gathering stitches down the middle, about 1" apart. 

Pull the top threads to gather, pull until the length is 9" long.  Press the gathers in place. 

Take the front band and pin it in the middle of the exterior piece you just finished. 

Top stitch along each side of the band.  Take the 5.5" tall by 9" interfacing piece and iron it to the WRONG side of the gathered piece.  This makes all the gathering and stitching stay in place nicely.  Set aside.

Make the divider pocket: 

Fuse interfacing to half of the piece. 

Fold fabric in half with WRONG sides together, press.  Topstitch along folded edge and then add another line of topstiching about 1/4" below the first line of topstitching.  Set aside.

Make the card holders:

Fuse interfacing to half of the piece.  Fold fabric in half with WRONG sides together, press.

Topstitch along folded edge and then add another line of topstiching about 1/8" below the first line of topstitching. 

Take one piece of the lining fabric and line up the card holder with raw edges together, one on top of the other baste along side and bottom edged of card holder (the plaid fabric). 

Grab your credit card or driver's license and mark with a pin how far you want your card to stick up from the slot.  Sew a line across the lining/card holder piece where you marked with the pin.  Sew one line of stitching down the center of the card holder. 

Take your card again and mark with a pin where the edge of your card is (you can leave a little wiggle room, but it's nice to keep it pretty snug to hold your cards in place).  Sew a line for the side of the card, repeat for other side.  Now you should have two card holders!  Set aside.

Making the end tabs for the zipper:

Fold the piece of fabric in half width wise, turn down each raw edge to the center crease and press (the pic above doesn't show it pressed in far enough).  Repeat for other end tab. 

Take your zipper and sandwich the fabric around the zipper, just poking over the little metal bits.

Topstitch a line straight across the zipper with a very small seam allowance being careful not to hit those metal parts!  Repeat for other end.  Trim the fabric tabs to the width of the zipper.  IMPORTANT!  The length of the zipper with the tabs on should measure about 8.5" end to end. 

Baste the card holders to one piece of lining and the divider pocket to the other piece of  lining, aligning the raw edges at the bottom.

Almost done! 

Assembling the clutch:

Place your gathered exterior piece RIGHT side up (whoops!, had it wrong in the pic, don't worry, just get out your seam ripper and start again).  Put the zipper teeth side down with the pull tab to the LEFT.  Then put the lining piece WRONG side up.  Pin in place. 

Using your zipper foot sew along the edge of this zipper sandwich.  Flip pieces so the WRONG sides are together.  Please note that in a few of these shots the zipper with end tabs sewn on is longer than the clutch exteriors and linings, it was the first one I made and have since made adjustments to the measurements, all updates are inluded here in the tutorial.

Grab the other exterior piece, place RIGHT side up.  Put the zipper teeth side down with the pull tab on the RIGHT this time. Place the remaining lining piece WRONG side up on top of the zipper.  Pin in place, sew.  Flip pieces so the WRONG side are facing eachother.  Press! 

Put your regular sewing foot back on and sew a line of topstitching on either side of the zipper.

Now open your zipper about halfway, don't forget this!  I actually forgot to do this on all three clutches, don't worry, you can still wiggle the zipper open if you carefully pull at it through the fabric.

Place the exterior pieces RIGHT sides together and the lining pieces RIGHT sides together.  Push the zipper end tabs in towards the lining, hopefully this side view pic makes sense. 

Sew all around the edge using a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving a 3-4" opening in the lining for turning.  Make sure you try to sew right next to the zipper end tabs and not actually throught them, click here for a visual.  Clip corners.  It also helps to sew with a slightly larger seam allowance when you go to sew around the lining pieces.

Turn the clutch right side out.  Push corners out.  Stitch the opening in the lining closed using a small seam allowance.  Tuck the lining into the clutch.  Press again and your DONE!!!   Phew.  It does seam like a lengthy process, but it really does sew up pretty quickly.  For the biggest time saver, just skip the divider pocket and card holders! Or add a handle!  The one below I just put in a mini pocket!

**Update**  If you don't add the divider or card pockets, I would recommend adding a layer of fusible fleece or even canvas as interfacing, it will make the clutch more sturdy.

Terms of use: For personal use only.  Thank you for respecting that. 

Have fun with it and give that mom in your life a big hug!

Have a great Mother's Day!

** UPDATE**  Interior shots

interior card holders (2 - side by side)

Source: noodle-head.com

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Recycling ideas: crafts bags, Sundress upcycle to shoulder bag

 

Sundress upcycle to shoulder bag

A couple of years ago, a friend brought back these beautiful dresses from Bali for my daughters. They did wear them a couple of times, but then told me they felt too scratchy and uncomfy, and so they've been hanging in their wardrobe ever since, unused and unloved! Which is a shame because the fabric is beautiful!  So I decided that we'd make use of them in a different way! Time for some upcycling!  And these bags are the result!

They were pretty easy to make - here's how!

First cut the skirt from the bodice of the dress like this:

---

These dresses had a small slit up the side, so I stitched that closed..

Then stitched the bottom edges of the dress together (right sides together) to form the main part of the bag:

Next, with the bag still inside out, put your hand in and flatten out the corner to make a point like this:

And put two pins in a line around 4cm in from the point, then stitch along this line

Now cut the two top parts of the dress to use for the straps, like this:

Before joining them together, turn the raw cut edges of both the bag and the pieces for the straps once and stitch.

Then pin the pieces for the straps to the side seams of the bag - right sides together. And stitch in place. Then turn the top rim of the bag over once more and stitch - this should hide any remaining raw edges

Now you need to join the straps together. Cut to a little longer than the desired length for your strap (try it out for size on your shoulder here).

Then fold the ends together so the raw edges are hidden, and stitch.

These dresses had a handy little tube of ribbon on the straps that I then stitched over the seam to hide it.

For a little extra decoration, I took the elasticated part from the back of the bodice of the dress, and an offcut from the strap..

....rolled the elasticated part up and tied it..., then handstitched to the side of the bag!

And here's the finished bag:

 

I hope you liked this upcycling project.  I have sooo many clothes that I can't bear to give away or throw out.  So I've decided to turn to upcycling!  There are so many great ideas out there for upcycling clothes, that I thought I would try to create a place to bring them all together.  To have a list of ideas and tutorials  and the links to them all in one place would be awesome.  So I've created a page here at Creating my way to Success for just that! I'll link up any clothes upcycling projects I've done, and add any future ones.

If you have a clothes upcycling project you would like to share, then please come and link up, and feel free to take a button for your site and spread the word. Hopefully we can build up a great resource for everyone to be able to use - and get upcycling those clothes!

Source: jembellish.blogspot.com

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Gift presents for sewing: Laptop Sleeve Tutorial

I’ve spent the last year picking up those foam laptop sleeves and inevitably putting them back down because I knew I could make something just as functional and infinitely more fun. Of course, that year saw my laptop getting tossed in and out of my weekender, me fearing that I would damage it, but the worry never reaching the point where I actually did anything to remedy the situation.

Until this week.



 Gift presents for sewing: Laptop Sleeve Tutorial

Sewing patterns

Of course, I didn’t have the foresight to photograph the process, but hopefully my instructions will provide enough direction should you decide to make one for yourself. And I have a feeling I’ll be making more of these in the future.


You'll need:
-Home Dec Weight Fabric - You'll need enough yardage to make the pieces described below. For my netbook, a fat quarter was just enough fabric. I used an Echino fabric from a couple seasons back.
-Batting - I used fusible fleece. 1/4 yard.
-Lining - I used Michael Miller's Organic Cotton Fleece leftover from a blanket I made Alice. Any flannel or soft fabric will work fine.
-Velcro



I dug out some favorite home-dec weight fabric for the exterior and some super soft cotton fleece for the lining. I went so far as to buy a yard of high-density foam to serve as the middle layer, but aborted that plan before I even pulled out my scissors. Instead, I opted for some fusible fleece.

Step 1 – Measure your laptop and determine how to cut fabric.
Front & Back Panels = (L+H+1) x (W+H+1). Cut two each of exterior fabric, lining fabric, and batting.
Flap = (L + 1) x (H + 1). Cut one of exterior fabric, lining, and batting.

Step 2 – If using fusible batting, iron to lining fabric.

Step 3 – Create flap.
-Sew one long strip of Velcro (scratchy side) on long side of lining fabric, one or two inches from the bottom. You can do this step before ironing on the batting, too.
-Pin fabric and lining right-sides together. Sew all sides, except top, together. Turn right-side out. Press. Top stitch around three sewn sides. Set aside.

Step 4 - Sew flap to exterior fabric.
-At unfinished edge, center and pin flap to long edge of exterior back panel. Sew. Keep in mind, flap will be a couple inches shorter than exterior panel.

Step 5 - Sew velcro to exterior front fabric.
- Cut two 3 or 4 inch strips of velcro (soft side). Pin, perpendicular from the top of the fabric, a couple inches from each side and an inch or two from top of fabric.
- Sew in place.



Step 6 - Attach exterior panels.
- With right sides together and velcro matching up, pin and sew the two short sides of the exterior panels. Do not sew top or bottom. Turn right-side out.

Step 7 - Attach lining panels.
- With right sides together, pin and sew the two short sides of the exterior panels. Do not sew top or bottom.

Step 8 - Sew strap
- Take a strip of fabric at least a couple inches wide by at least 8 or 10 inches long. Fold in half, right sides together. Sew along long edge only. Turn right side out. Press. Top stitch along each edge. I usually add a few extra top stitching lines for some added flair.

Step 9 - Sew lining to exterior
- Place interior inside of lining. Match up seams. Right sides should be facing each other.
- Pin along top. Along the side seam of your choice, fold your strap in half, raw edges together, to make a loop. Loop side down, tuck the strap in between the lining and exterior layers. The two raw edges of your strap should match up with the raw edges of your lining and exterior. Sew. A walking foot is helpful to sew through all the layers.
- Turn right side out. Pull lining so it is hanging outside of exterior. Pin and sew along bottom seam. A serger makes a nice, clean seam. If you don't have a serger, a zig-zag stitch and trim will do the trick.
- Tuck lining back in. Top stitch along top seam.

Step 10 - Admire finished product.

Let me know if anything doesn't make sense.  Sewing is kind of an iterative process for me, it's difficult for me to remember all the steps unless I keep track as I go along.  I should remember that for next time, huh?

Source: dragoknit.blogspot.com

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Puffy Bowtie Quilt Block Tutorial, sewing patterns

 

Hi, gang! I've put together a tutorial for a nifty little quilt block that is superb for using up scraps.  I love scrap quilts--they're bright, and random, and I don't have to think as hard about it as I would if I were planning out a fancier quilt (which I've never done, by the way--the thought of it intimidates me). Anyway, this quilt block was the product of a fabulously snowy afternoon over Christmas break at my grandma's house in Oakdale, PA. She was very excited to show me how to make this block--I thought it was going to be the more traditional bowtie pattern, but this one is so nifty I thought I'd share. I don't know where she learned it from, so I don't even know how to credit the design. It's probably on the web somewhere, but I don't know what it's called either to look it up. I am a fountain of knowledge, I tell ya--I promise that I know how to make it though, haha.

Puffy Bowtie Quilt Block Tutorial, sewing pattern

OK, let's get started. This is what we'll be making:

  I used white as my main fabric, but you could also use black, or any other color that will contrast with your bowtie. I have oodles of these squares made in all different scrappy colors.

Once you decide on your fabrics, you will need to cut 3 squares in the bowtie fabric, and 2 squares in the main fabric. I cut my squares at 3 inches, because that's what Grandma said, and I'm not messin' with Grandma. You could cut these in any size you'd like, but this ends up being a pretty nice size.

Obligatory picture of what you'll need.

First, take one of your bowtie fabrics (mine are red floral), and fold it in half, wrong sides together.

Ignore the black lines--they were seam lines I drew when I was planning on hand-stitching the entire thing. Then I remembered how I am and machine-stitched it like a nice, sane person (not that hand-quilters aren't sane--I just have no idea where they have acquired such patience).

Take a bowtie square, right side up. Put the square you folded in half on top, with the raw edges lined up. I like to keep the raw edges of the folded square to the right side--it helps me keep things straight for a later step. Place a main fabric square right side down on top of this. Pin carefully so the edges are all matched up nice and neat.

If you're using a tone-on-tone fabric make sure of which side is which before you sew (that's more of a note to myself. Because I forgot to do that).

Stitch, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. You should have something like the below.

Check to make sure everything is just peachy so you're not filling the swear jar later.

Now you're going to repeat. Take your remaining bowtie square right side up, place it against the folded square, and then place your remaining main fabric square right side down (again with the raw edges to the right--it helps me keep the colors straight so they alternate properly in the finished block). You're just going to pretend that the first two squares you stitched together aren't hanging off the bottom.

You can see the fabric from the other block at the bottom.

Stitch. You're going to have a wonky looking sort of thing after, but you'll be getting the idea of where we're headed.

If this was a real bowtie you might think that this is how I would tie it. And you would be correct.

The next part is only slightly fiddly, but you do need to be precise with lining everything up. What you're going to do is open the "pocket" formed by that center square. I simply stick my fingers in and pull it taut. Once everything is smooth and no extra fabric is stuck in the seam I carefully pin. Perhaps some pictures will help with that puzzled look you might have right now:

Make each seam go a different direction to reduce bulk. The left side is lined up proper. My right side will be tended to shortly (as half of it is under my left thumb, haha).

Once it's all lined up and pinned, carefully stitch.

  For the extra-strength version you can backstitch at the seams, but I don't.

If everything has gone according to tutorial, you should have THIS:

This is the stage when I press my seams. OK, I WOULD press them at this stage...but I haven't done it yet.

  All seams are neat and enclosed.

I have a gallon-sized Ziplock bag crammed full of these right now; here are a few:

These look fun in so many prints, and you can play around a little with patterns and stripes.

I laid mine out to get an idea of placement, and I decided there are going to need to be plain squares in between the bowtie squares. When they are placed one right after the other you sort of lose the look of the block. A bit of plain fabric next to it will make the bowtie pop. I am simply going to take my white fabric and cut squares the same size as my finished blocks (in this case, 5 and 1/2 inches). If I wanted to make life difficult I could sew these on point so the ties are all straight across and connect to one another at the corners...but then I have to worry more about color placement. We'll see how I feel when I get there. Or maybe I'll just say "B'ah! Patchwork totebag!"

So that's it. Pretty simple, eh? As ever, if you have any questions or if I've written something in a confusing way, let me know and I'll do my best to clear it up. Happy quilting!

sweetbeebuzzings.blogspot.com

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