Baskets

I saw this basket on Pink Penguin about a year ago.  I finally worked up the courage to do it.  It is so cute and it is way easier than I expected.  Of course her tutorial is pretty darn good.  That just makes it so much easier.

A Pillow Case Tutorial

I decided to teach my seven year old the basic fundamentals of sewing. I thought a pillow case would be the best palce to start.  While certain parts of the process were less than exciting to her, she was absolutely thrilled with her new pillow case and has been quite attached to it ever since.

I hope the following provides you with a clear tutorial on how to make a bordered pillow case.

What you will need to make a standard size pillow case:

These are all based on fabric that is 42-45 inches wide.

3/4 to a yard of fabric; this will be the main color of the case
11 inches to a 1/3 of a yard of fabric; this will be your border fabric
2 to 3 inches of fabric; this will be your trim
coordinating thread

The reason why I give a range is because I like to get a little mroe than I need to accomodate mistakes but also to use for other projects. If you want to get the bare minimum then go with the lower amount.

Cut your trim fabric to a piece that is 2 inches x the width of your fabric. Iron and then fold in half lengthwise and iron again.

Cut your border (mine is red here) 11 inches x the width of your fabric.
Cut your main fabric (the yellow lady bug one) 27 inches x the width of your fabric. Line them up along the width. Pin in place and sew a 1/4 inch seam, making sure to catch all the layers in the seam.  Incidentally, all seams are 1/4 inch unless noted otherwise.

Open up your seam and press.

Fold in right sides together, making sure to line up the trim and border.  Pin in place and sew around.

Zig zag the inner edges to reduce fraying.

Now turn in a 1/4 inch fold on the border and press down.

Turn the fold into the inside covering the raw edge within the pillow case.  Pin on outside (right side) of pillow case.  Top stitch the fabric in place.

Top stitch again a 1/4 inch into the main fabric.  Press and voila, a new pillow case for sweet little heads.

Quilting and Some Side Projects

I am working on my queen size quilt for my daughter.  Its really coming along!  I have been diligent.  But you know sometimes i get the urge to create something small so I can see some completion, some immediate craftication gratification (I know I am a bit of a corn ball).  So I did this pillow case.  My next post will be the step by step of how I did it.... then I can remember when we want to make one again.

My daughter picked out the fabric.  I think she did a great job.  I probably would not have chose this fabric but I really love how it came together.  It looks great!

Quilt for Alexa

So you saw my first quilting adventure below- the fish.  This is my third.  I know, what about number two.  I am ashamed to say that it is at the dump.  The reason being is that it sat around too long with pins in it and it had rust.  Lots of mistakes etc.  - it just wasn't salvageable.  Bummer.  I said goodbye to that Log Cabin quilt probably about seven years ago.

This is the one that I am working on for my daughter.  My other daughter is jumping up and down wanting to know where hers is.  And from what I know all quilters have three going usually.  One in quilting mode, one in cutting mode and one in planning mode.  I am in the planning stages with hers.

This one is actually being quilted on a daily basis.  I am so motivated to get it done before the garden and summer produce take up my time.

I safety pinned the layers together.  Just heard of that and thought I would give it a try since all my others were basted.

Quilt Hanging

This was my very first quilt.  A lot of mistakes but a lot of learning as well.  The dorsal fin and the bubbles are new.  I have wanted to put them there, oh for about, ahh fifteen or more years.  Yikes was it really that long?  I guess it was.  I have this hanging up where my sewing machine is.  I am really big on fish- always have been so I find the colors and image relaxing.

The Purse

I picked up this purse at a garage sale last year for a whopping one dollar.  SOLD!  I used it the whole summer for going to festivals and such so that I could have my hands free but my purse available.  After the whole summer I decided I needed another color for next summer (which would be now).  I also wanted it to be a test pilot to make Christmas presents for all my friends who wanted a bag like mine.  The purse will not win any fashion awards but it sure is handy.

You know the thing that was so difficult about making this purse was that the draw strings for the top are the straps for the pack.  Positioning them within the casing was a bit of a challenge.

                                This one here is the garage sale purse.