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Buttoned Kitchen Towel
In our first project we’ll make a kitchen towel that will always be close at hand. This is a simple project that makes a wonderful gift! Things you will need:
A decorative kitchen towel.
Thread to match.
3 big or fancy buttons
Place the end of your towel over the handle of your oven door so that the short end is behind the long end.
Mark the towel in front for 3 evenly spaced button holes.
Make your three button holes in the appropriate size for the buttons that you have chosen.
Sew the buttons at the top and on the wrong side of the short end of the towel.
Place over the handle of your oven door and button in place.
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Bath mitt
This idea is great for using up those little bits of soap that are left over when you’ve come to the end of a bar of soap.
Buy three washcloths. I go to the dollar stores for these.
Sew the three washcloths together around three sides and turn inside out so that one washcloth is to the right of the seam and the other two are to the left.
Take a small piece of elastic about 3” long and sew it to the single washcloth that you turned to the right side of the seam.
Now, put the chips of left over soap into the pouch formed by the other two washcloths. Whip stitch the two washcloths closed.
When you get the mitt wet it will subs up making a wonderfully sudsy cloth for bathing. For new mothers this makes bathing your infant so much easier as you don’t have to juggle a washcloth, soap and a slippery infant.
Use your imagination to decorate!
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Placemat and Napkin
Cut a piece of material of your choosing to 18” X 28”. Cut a 2 hearts out of contrasting material and with right side to right side stitch around all but three inches of the heart. Turn the heart right side out and iron. Whip stitch the rest of the heart closed. Place the heart at the lower right hand corner of your fabric so that the edges of the heart are 1 ½” from the bottom and from the right side. Sew around the bottom of the heart with a straight stitch. Leave the top of the heart open. Fold the material so that right sides are to right sides. Sew around the three sides of the placemat leaving a 5 inch opening. Turn placemat right side out and iron. Whip stitch the 5” opening closed.
Take a piece of contrasting fabric and cut it to 12”X12”. This will be the napkin. Zigzag stitch the edges. Fold and place in the heart.
The placemat matches the quilting project for this week.
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Baby Bonnet/ Handkerchief
This week the theme seems to be family heirlooms. They are so mach a part of our lives and we value each one because they are so much a part of who we are and they help to define who our ancestors were. For the sewing project this week I wanted to share with you a tradition from my family and I hope that it becomes a part of your’s.
Like many of you we have inherited several old christening gowns. It has been a tradition in our family that the grandmother makes a bonnet for the new baby out of a fancy handkerchief. Fancy handkerchiefs are becoming a very hard to find item so why not make a fancy hankie? A small amount of fine cotton fabric and some lace will do the trick. Sew the lace around the edges of a hemmed 12”X12” fabric. It’s that simple! To turn the handkerchief into a christening bonnet simply gather one side of the hankie until the gathered edge measures 6” sew white satin ¼” ribbon to the sides of the bonnet for ties and fold any excess material at the front of the bonnet over toward the back of the bonnet.
When you child grows up and is about to be married your son or daughter simply clips the thread that gathers the back of the bonnet and the ribbons symbolizing the ending of their childhood and their moving into their adulthood. If your child is a girl she can carry the handkerchief as something old. If your child is a boy, he can give the handkerchief to his bride as a symbol of his love and she can carry the handkerchief as something old. All in all it’s a very nice way of marking the passing of time.
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Second Baby Bonnet/Handkerchief Pattern
As before, if you can’t find a fancy handkerchief to buy, you can make one following the directions in last weeks posting.
This time gather one side of the handkerchief so that the lacy edge forms a rosette. Sew in place. Do the same for the opposite side of the handkerchief. Sew ribbons to the bonnet just under the rosette. Iron a pleat into the center of the bonnet to take up the extra material. If the ribbons become messy from baby drool just remove them so that the drool won’t damage the handkerchief over time. Clean hat before packing away. I would use Ivory Flakes to clean any delicate fabric, but they are getting harder and harder to find these days.
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Pocket Sheet Curtains
Sheets come in very beautiful patterns and colors now and they can make wonderful and inexpensive window curtains. Not all sheets were meant to be curtains though. You might want to reconsider the use of sheets that have lacy boarders or silk or satin frills. Now days you can find sheets in complimentary patterns and the use of two different patterns for window treatments can bring a very nice look to a room. Sheets can also be very expensive so watch the price. Choose carefully! You’ll need two flat sheets for the curtains and if you buy sheet sets there are uses for the pillow cases and fitted sheets included in these directions.
Measure your window(s) and be sure that the sheets are going to be big enough for the window. The average curtain should be 2 to 3 times the width of the window. This would depend on how full you want your curtain to be. If you are making curtains for a big window, you can always sew two flat sheets together and use these larger panels on each side of the window. You’ll want your curtains to hang about 2” off the floor. If they touch the floor they will pick up dust from the carpet of the wood. You will also need an extra 6” at the top for the pocket that the curtain rod will slide into.
A general guide for flat sheet sizes
Twin 66 X 96
Full 81 X 96
Queen 90 X 102
King 108 X 102
Cal. King 112 X 102
The end of the sheet with the larger hem will be the hem for the bottom of your curtain. You will be making another hem at the opposite end of the sheet. With the end of the sheet (that is opposite the large hem) facing you, fold the material over so that the length from the bottom of the large hem is exactly the length from 2” off the floor to the top of the rod. The fold should create a 3” long or larger pocket. Sew the material along the width of the fabric making a 3” pocket at the top of the sheet. Repeat for the second sheet.
Now run the curtain rod through the two pockets that you just made and hang your curtains. Be sure that they are not touching the floor.
Take the pillow cases that came in you sheet sets and use them to make tie-backs. Your tie-backs should be about 4” X 24” . Sew small plastic rings to the ends of the tie-backs and hook over brass hooks that you have places on either side of your window at the desired height. You can use the fitted sheet that came with your set to make pillows.
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An Easy to Make Apron
I read an article in a sewing magazine the other day. The article was about the return of the apron. I was very surprised as I thought that the concept of the apron had been left back in my grandmother’s day. Not so, I was informed, and so I’m giving to you an easy to do apron project.
Buy 1 ½ yards of the washable fabric of your choice. Cut three 4 inch strips from the end of the length of fabric.
Using the basting stitch on your sewing machine, baste two rows at the top of the larger piece of fabric. Carefully pull the threads of your basting so that the fabric gathers evenly across the top. Hold the gathered material to your waist so that the fabric covers your tummy and the ends of the fabric are at the center of your sides. Take one of the strips of material and using your normal gage for your stitching, sew the strip of fabric (right side to right side/edge to edge) to the front of your apron at the gathered edge. Sew the other two strips of fabric to the ends of the band at the gather end of the fabric. Fold the total length of the strips in half and hand stitch the length of the strips together. Stitch the ends of the strips closed. Hem the apron to the desired length. You can add pockets, if desired.
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Shower Curtains from Sheets
Here’s another use for sheets that can dress up any bathroom. Take two top sheets in the print of your choice. Use one top sheet to make curtains for your bathroom window. The other can be made into a shower curtain by simply pressing metal eyelets to the top of the sheet. The kit for the eyelets can be purchased at any fabric or craft store. Buy matching shower curtain rings and a plastic liner and hang your new shower curtain.
If you have room in your bathroom for a vanity and a chair you can easily make a pad for the chair seat. Cut 2 pieces of fabric slightly bigger then the seat of your chair from the scraps from your sheets. Put the 2 pieces of fabric together (right side to right side) and stitch around three of the sides. Stuff with batting and whip stitch closed. Tie off about three inches apart to hold batting in place.
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Pet Mats
4 pieces of scrap fabric (see below for size)
2 pieces of fiberfill the same size as your fabric
Embroidery floss
Cedar (for dog mat)
Catnip (for cat mat)
Velcro
Look through your scrap material for two pieces of rather tough wearing fabric. Denim or corduroy would do nicely. In fact you could use a piece of denim for one side and a piece of corduroy for the other side of the pet mat. Depending on the size of your cat or dog, cut the material to the following dimensions:
20” X 25” for a small dog or a cat.
28” X 35” for a medium dog.
40” X 50” for a large dog.
Of course, you can vary the size to suit your needs.
Cut two pieces of fiberfill the same size as your fabric squares.
Place fabric right sides to right sides and stitch all around the material leaving an 18” opening in the center of one of the long sides.
Turn your fabric right side out and insert the fiberfill one piece on top of the other. At this point you can anchor one section of fiberfill to the top piece of fabric and the second to the bottom piece of fabric by tying off sections with embroidery floss as seen in Quilting – the first archived article.
Make a pouch that is 4” smaller then your pet mat from any scrap fabric. Fill this pouch with cedar shavings and sew shut. The cedar will help to repel any fleas and will add a wonderful perfume to your pet’s coat. Cats will love their pet mat if you add a small pouch of cat nip instead of the cedar.
Place the pouch into the center of your pet mat. Now sew a strip of Velcro to each side of the mat. This will make it easy for you to change the cedar or catnip pouches as needed.
If you use a pet carrier these mats, made to the dimensions of the carrier, make travel much more comfortable and pleasant for your pet.
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Pillows and such
Years ago I was looking around a fabric shop on Duke of Gloucester Street in Annapolis, Maryland when two special fabrics met my eye. One was a wonderful needlepoint of books on a book shelf and the other was also a needlepoint of eastern woodlands Indians. Books have always been at the very core of my life. As an archaeologist I spent 25 years studying the eastern woodlands Indians and my grandmother was Iroquois making this fabric more then special to me. Despite the fact that it would make my budget a bit tight for the rest of the month, I bought the fabrics and took them home with no idea of what I would do with them.
The first piece of fabric was 29” X 29” and when made into a pillow would fit perfectly into a brown leather wing chair I had by one of my bookcases. I bought a down pillow that was 28’ X 28’ for an insert. I also bought some heavy satin fabric in the prominent color of the needlepoint to back my pillow. Then I bought a piece of silk cording that had a ¾” band attached and I used it to edge the pillow. I pinned the cording (the band facing the edge of the fabric) to the needlepoint. I then carefully machine stitched (as close to the cording as possible) the cording to the needlepoint. I then placed the needlepoint and the satin together with the right side of the needlepoint facing the right side of the satin. I machine stitched around the fabrics just as close to the cording as I possible could leaving a 14” opening through which to insert the pillow when the pillow case was turned right side out. I tucked the ends of the cording into the cover and whip stitched the cover closed. I didn’t bother to put a zipper in the pillow cover because the pillow would have had to be dry cleaned.
The second piece of fabric was much larger. It was 30” high and 48” horizontally. I had an old oak buffet that I had bought many years before at the Good Will. I had looked for something to hang over it but could find nothing that I really liked. I decided to have this piece of fabric framed. I chose a frame that would compliment the rustic scene in the needlepoint and did not use any mats nor did I allow the fabric to be pinned (pins rust over time). The results were wonderful and the resulting picture fit perfectly over the buffet.
Have fun with texture and color and enjoy looking for that special fabric!
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A wheelchair backpack
Do you know anyone who uses a wheelchair to get around? When shopping, they have a hard time carrying all the items they would like to purchase. After the purchase is made they still have to get the items to the car and that can be a struggle too. Why not make someone who uses a wheelchair a present of a little of your time and some of your extra fabric?
The fabric you use needs to be very sturdy such as canvas or corduroy. The lining can be any decorative fabric you might want to use.
Cut your two pieces of fabric into two equal pieces that are 20 inches wide and 40 inches long.
Place right sides to right sides and sew across the two shorter ends.
Turn right side out and fold in half with the lining material to the outside.
Sew down both of the sides leaving the top open.
Turn right side out and sew Velcro closures across the top of the backpack.
Almost any fabric store has adjustable buckles that are already attached to webbing and this is your best bet for straps. Be sure that they can be easily opened by the person sitting in the chair or their companion. Sew these straps to either side of the backpack. This design can be modified for the handlebars of a scooter style chair too!
Wouldn’t making some of these backpacks for the people of your town be a great project for your group to take on, as a way to give back to your community?
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Steering Wheel Cover
I lived for a while in the Deep South and I know how very hot a car can get, even in the winter, if you are living in a warm climate. In the northern climates a car can also get very hot in the summer time. I use to “beat the heat” by covering my steering wheel with an easy to make steering wheel cover. It’s easier to use then putting cardboard in the front window and it protects better too. Here’s how to make a steering wheel cover.
Measure the diameter of your steering wheel and add 6 inches to that number. If the diameter of your steering wheel is 16” then you will want to cut a round piece of scrap fabric in a circle that is 22” in diameter. Fold and sew the material 1” in around the edge to form a 1” casing leaving a 2” opening. Thread elastic through the casing and gather the fabric just enough so that the steering wheel cover holds tight to your steering wheel. Sew the elastic together and sew the casing closed.
Now you can place the cover over your steering wheel when you leave your car and when you return it’s easy to remove the cover and store it in your glove compartment. These covers make great gifts!
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Broom Covers
1 yard of cotton flannel or any scrap material that has a good nap to it.
4 pieces of Velcro.
A piece of ribbon.
This time of year spiders, desperate to get in out of the cold, invade our homes. The result, cobwebs! Here’s an easy to make cover for your broom that will make getting rid of cobwebs a breeze.
Take a piece of scrap flannel material and cut it to 40 inches long and 14 inches wide. Take a second piece of flannel and cut it to 26 inches in length and 20 inches wide. Hem the two pieces of cloth all the way around. Place the longer piece of fabric behind your broom so that it is vertical to the broom covering from the handle join to the top of the broom. Leave a little extra material at the handle. Take the shorter piece of fabric and place it horizontal to the broom, centered to the broom and the longer piece of fabric. Stitch the two pieces together at the place where they cross. Stitch all the way around. Sew two pieces of Velcro to either end of the longer piece of fabric and do the same for the shorter piece of fabric. Now lay your broom in the center of your broom cover at the place where the two pieces of fabric cross. Pull the longer piece of fabric over the broom and secure with the Velcro. Pull the shorter piece of fabric around the broom and secure with the Velcro closures. Adjust your cover so that the broom bristles are completely covered by the cover.
Your broom cover will not scratch your walls as your vacuum attachments tend to and when you are finished ridding your home of cobwebs you can simply toss the cover into the washer and you’re ready for the next de-webbing!
** Handy hint-
Store your broom with it’s handle down and the bristles up. This will eliminate the brooms tendency to sag to one side. The bristles will stay straight and cleaner too!
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Boo-boo Bears
Materials –
Scraps of bright colored fabric
Small amount of low loft fiber fill
Embroidery thread in bright colors
Love and sympathy
Go through your coloring book patterns until you find a small bear shape of make
one yourself.
Cut out 4 of the bear shapes.
With your embroidery thread make a eyes, nose and mouth on one of your
bear shapes.
Choose several scraps of cloth to make shirt, and pants for your bear and
appliqué these onto the bear shape on which you made the face.
On the bear’s shirt you can embroider a message as: I love you! Boo-boo!
Getting better! Or the child’s name.
With right sides to right sides sew two of the bear shapes together leaving
a small opening to turn the bear right side out. Insert a small amount of fiberfill.
Whip stitch the opening closed and repeat for the other two bear shapes.
You should now have two bears.
Put the two bears together with the right sides facing out. Whip stitch the
two bear shapes together leaving the bottom edge open.
You now have a Boo-boo Bear. When your child gets a boo-boo on their finger
(after cleaning and bandaging) simply put the injured finger into the opening in
the Boo-boo Bear and the bear will make it feel better.
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