Valentine's Day

It is almost Valentine's Dayl.  I haven't made any crafts for the holiday until today.  I normally do very little.  I put out a couple of heart pillows or placemats.  Recently, I saw a video where a lady made pin cushions or little pillows in heart shapes.  They were very easily made with sewing on the right side and no turning after stuffing it.  I used fabric and thread scraps for stuffing.  She used 3 layers of fabric.  I used 4 layers of fabric.  They are reversible.  Here are pictures.  I added netting on one of them.  It really didn't show up.  I also used a sponge made to remove threads off your clothes and quilts for fraying the edges.  

Thanks for viewing!

Dawnie

 

Bonnet Pot Holder

A while back I found an antique pot holder made in the shape of a bonnet.  I wanted to replicate it, with a few little changes.  This is what I found:

The top of the bonnet has been quilted with a sewing machine.  This is very thin.

I made a pattern.  I am not an artist.  Remember that when you view my pattern.  LOL  Oh, the pattern is free......

This is what I made.  I used ric rac instead of lace.  I also put ric rac along the bottom instead of bias tape.  I used a plastic ring to hang the bonnet instead of bias tape.  I felt that the bonnet needed to be tied.  You won't notice it, but I actually quilted the bonnet at the front and along the left of the bias tape on the top of the bonnet.
I used cotton fabric I had, but you can buy a fat quarter if you don't have fabric laying around.  I made my bias binding from more cotton fabric I had on hand, but it would have been easier to purchase some.  The cotton batting I placed inside of the bonnet was also leftover scraps from quilting projects.  The ric rac came from a package, but I doubt I used more than 12 inches.  I also had the plastic ring on hand.  All of the supplies are available at a fabric or hobby store.   I used white thread so you can see the sewing.  Matching black thread would have looked better.   

Back.  I added my label.  

I forgot to add seam allowance and I think the neck and bottom are smaller.  I think the bottom could be larger and gathered to look more realistic.  Just a  thought.  I hope you enjoy this post.  If anyone decides to make it, please let me know and send me pictures.  I would love to see it.  

Thank you for viewing!  Dawnie

Directions for making a double sided egg basket liner

Directions for making a doubled sided egg basket liner.  In other words, a lined liner.

I used white thread so you could see the seams.

For directional fabric cut, 2 pieces of fabric 9 inches by 39 inches.  If you do not have a directional fabric, cut 1 piece 17 inches by 39 inches.





Fold right sides together,
Sew 39 inches with  1/2 inch seam.  Make sure pictures on the fabric are going the same way,  Press open.  If not using directional fabric, skip this step.







Now you will want to sew the side seam.  Skip 1/2 inch of sewing on one side of the center of this seam.  It doesn't matter which side of the seam.  This is for stringing the elastic through and gathering the bottom at a later time.  Press side seams open. 





Fold the lining in the center along the seam.  Approx. 3/4 inch from this fold, sew all the way around the bottom.  String elastic through this tube you just made, going through the opening just made by the skipped  3/4  inch, as shown above.  Tighten elastic and make this bottom as tight as possible, giving the bottom of the basket cushioning for the eggs.

Cut the top ruffle. 2 pieces 19.25 inches by 6 inches using cotton quilting fabric.  Measure the liner and it should be approx 38 inches at the top.  Fold under 1/4 inch on each short side of both pieces.  Fold each piece in the center.  Pin on one side of the top raw edges, meeting the folded seams at the side seam and also at the center of the top on the other side.  Press this seam.  The other side of the liner should be folded down approx 1/2 inch and hand-sewn or sewn on the other side as top stitching.

Cut the top ruffle. 2 pieces 19.25 inches by 6 inches.  Measure the liner and it should be approx 38 inches at the top.  Fold under 1/4 inch on each short side of both pieces.  Fold each piece in the center.  Pin on one side of the top, meeting the folded seams at the seam and also at the center of the top on the other side.  Press this seam.  The other side of the liner should be folded down approx 1/2 inch and hand-sewn or sewn on the other side as top stitching.

Sew 1.5-inches from the top fold.  String in the elastic through the top between the top stitching and the 1.5-inch stitching seam.  Go through the side seam area and through both ruffle pieces.  You want to cut a piece the length of the circumference of the basket by 2 (all the way around the top of the basket twice).  Temporarily tie the elastic on one side.  On the other side, with pliers, open the handle wire and place the elastic under the handle.  Place the handle back to where it belongs.  Now you can untie the temporary elastic and tie it so the ruffle sticks out and the liner fits well around the basket. 

The basket is lined,  The prototype was not lined and the wrong side of the fabric showed through the sides.  In the prototype, I placed a small circular cushion in the bottom for extra egg cushioning.  I don't think it is necessary with the doubled fabric in this lining. 

I tied some ric rac with the ribbon onto the side of the handle.  I purchased the egg baskets from Atwoods.  Kindly let me know if this is not understandable.

Thank you for viewing!  Dawnie

Apron Strings

My son thought the hat went with the apron when I was modeling it.

I finally finished an apron I started about 3 years ago.  My mom and I made the design so it would fit a larger woman's figure.  I had other apron strings to sew on, and a different design for around the neck. The black lace was next to the unfinished apron and it just looked so good together.  Of course, I placed black lace ties on the apron and around the neck I added lace with elastic.  I gathered the fabric around the front of the neck and used seam binding to face it.  There are darts at the side and the front waste is gathered with elastic stretched out as it is sewn across, making it gather.   I really like how this turned out.  I do have strawberry buttons to sew on, but they are in my storage locker.  If only I had a lot of money and a house large enough to house all of my crafts and hobbies.............Maybe that desire will have to be for another life time.   I guess I could just ask for a wealthy man on the internet.......The kids think I should just ask for what I want.   This evening we went to WalFart (sorry, but my pet name).  Mr. G yelled out the window at an attractive man walking by, "Hey, My mom thinks you're hot."  The man got in a nice little sports car and drove by the van twice---once real slow.  Mr G said that I should have engaged him in conversation.  I told him as soon as I said anything, he would ask me "How much?"  We were at the WalFart on Broadway, so what did he expect?  LOL

That One Thing You Were Put On Earth to Accomplish

Tonight, as I was sewing an edging on a baby quilt my grandmother Mary began, I started thinking.  This is going to get deep, so put your boots on.  I think all of us are put on this planet for a reason.  I haven't figured my reasons out, but I hope something I did, (which was positive), will outlive me.  People may be placed on this planet to give birth to someone that will become famous or infamous.  They may be here to build something important, or to lead a nation, or to preach the gospel to millions, (I know we are all to spread the gospel, but that is another blog post.), maybe to teach children in school, or be a Sunday school teacher.  I think you get the drift.  Well, I have put off finishing a baby quilt for nearly 30 years.  This quilt  was for my little brother.  My grandmother started it and I was to finish it.  I wasn't in a hurry since my brother never married nor had children.  We thought.  A few years ago, I found out that he may have a child out of wedlock, but we are still not 100% sure since he will not do the DNA tests.  His son is now around 28 years old.  I visit with my nephew on the telephone from time to time and we have exchanged pictures.  He has some of the family traits and looks a lot like myself.  Now, back to what I started blogging about.  (Sorry, I know when it comes to stories, I take the long way around and get lost a time or two.)  I was wondering as I was sewing this quilt if this is the one thing I was placed on this planet to do.  If so, this may be one of the last acts I do.  LOL  This quilt is soooooo adorable.  It has more character than any other quilt I have seen.  It is made from with fabric squares which are about 2" X 2" and made from scraps saved from old clothing.  Most of the seams on one row do not match up with the seams of the next row.  One I found was inside out.  One had a seam on the front in the square.  Grandmother was in her 80's when she made the quilt top.  She was the best hand quilter.  When it came to sewing and putting together quilt tops, she had the philosophy of "Get er Done!"  I am a lot like that.  My mother is able to sew perfect seams effortlessly and quickly.  I have to work at slowing down and doing the seams right.  I hope my little brother hangs this quilt on a wall and enjoys it just as I have.  It was lovingly made and I am enjoying every little square!  I will display the quilt once I stretch it onto the frame and as I progress toward the completion of it.

Thank you for reading my blog.  I wish you and yours many blessings!  Dawn

Organization

I am organizing again.  I read about organizing fabric using pre-made fabric boards which were very expensive.  I actually ordered pink foam board and I was going to make my own.  I ordered the boards from Walmart.  They messed up the order.  Instead of getting two packages of ten, I got two boards.  Two boards would not have gotten me too far with my large fabric stash.  I tried to go into my on-line Walmart account and sign a form for them in order for them to send me the corrected items.  I could not get into my account.  I opened a new account with them and of course it told me that I had not made a purchase in the last 90 days, so the form has not been signed.  After no return phone call, I decided to forget the order, even though it would have made my boards pink.  Pink would be my preference since I am the "Queen of Pink."  Go ahead and ask my co-workers and my son.  They will agree.  LOL  I made an alternate choice using comic book boards.  They were under $10.00 for 100 of them.  I haven't a clue how they are used with comic books, but fabric I figured it out.  Fabric comes folded from selvage to selvage when it is cut off the bolt.  I fold it one more time and roll it around the comic book boards and then pin the end.  I find that anything over five yards does not look as tidy, but it can be done.  I purchased some new storage cubes.  For other storage, I have a few cubes left from a purchase 20 years or so ago.  I found that these cubes are fine, but they do not do well with children or in basements.  Any ground moisture would be wicked up into the particle board and mold and mildew would grow on the bottom and back board of my cubes.   If rollers were placed on the cubes, they would not be in direct contact with the floor, so you should be able to use them in basements.  Children tend to rip the handles and hinges off of the doors of the cubes and the stack of cubes could be moved and out of kilter easily.  I purchased these 4 cubes from Amazon and the brand name is Way Basics.  Each cube was $20.00.  I still have a long way to go and more cubes to buy, but here is the beginning.  Thanks for viewing my blog.  Blessings to you and yours!  Dawn

More Cheap Gifts

As I was cleaning, I came upon a bundle of green washcloths I purchased this summer.  They are the same green color as my end table in the living room.  When I purchased them, my plan was to make coasters with them.  Well it is  better late than never.  LOL  I made 4 using the pinwheel design I was working on earlier this week.  They go together real quickly.