Monday, April 23, 2007

Fabric Bible Cover

http://stores.ebay.com/Nancys-Homespun-Touches

Bible Cover Pattern:

Materials for Pattern:
1.) Brown Paper Grocery Bag or Newspaper Print Paper
2.) Bible
3.) Tape Measure
4.) 3/8 yard of fabric

Making Pattern:
1.) Cut apart grocery bag to make it to lie flat or use newspaper print paper
2.) Measure the front cover of your Bible from top to bottom. Ad 1.5 inches to this measurement and write it down.
3.) Measure your Bible from front to back: start at the outer edge of the front cover, measure across the front cover, around the binding, and across the back cover to it's outer edge. Add 6.5 inches to this measurement and write it down. This will give you 3 inch flaps for the front and back covers to tuck into.
4.) cut a rectangle from the pattern paper the size of the measurements you just took. Remember to include the added 1.5 inches width and 6.5 inches length. This makes your pattern.

Sewing the Bible Cover:
1.) Pin the paper pattern onto a single thickness of desired fabric and cut out.
2.) Press all 4 edges of the fabric rectangle under 1/4 inch. Machine stitch in place.
3.) Make the flaps for the bible cover by turning both of the 2 short edges of the fabric rectangle back 3 inches so right sides are together.
4.) Attach the flaps to the cover by stitching 1/2 inch seams along the top and bottom edges of the flaps.
5.) Finish the Bible cover by turning the flaps right side out and press.
6.) Place on your Bible and enjoy.

http://stores.ebay.com/Nancys-Homespun-Touches

Monday, April 16, 2007

Pillow Book

http://stores.ebay.com/Nancys-Homespun-Touches

Pillow Book---finished size 14 inches by 17 inches by 3 inches. Use 1/2 inch seam allowance

Materials:

1.) 1/2 yard of fabric A (main front and back).
2.) 1/4 yard of fabric B (corners and back binding).
3.) 1/4 yard of fabric C (page edges; suggest stripe, 1/2 yard if stripe runs with grain).
4.) 17 inch x 14 inch x 3 inch foam
5.) 2.5 yards braid
6.) Decorative thread and trim as desired

Instructions:

1.) Cut two fabric A 15 inches x 18 inches.
2.) Cut three fabric B 18 inches x 4 inches. Cut two fabric B 6 inches x 6 inches square; cut diagonally.
3.) Baste two fabric B pieces to fabric A on front and back. Add trims over seam lines.
4.) Add trim and volume # on third fabric B to create book binding. Sew binding to book back and front.
5.) Cut two pieces fabric C 15 inches x 4 inches. Cut one piece of fabric C 18 inches by 4 inches. Sew short ends together with 18 inch x 4 inch piece in the middle.
6.) Add braid to book front and back along edges where "pages" will be attached.
7.) Wrap foam with batting and baste raw edges. Insert foam into the "book". Stitch bottom edge of book closed.
8.) Enjoy the fruit of your labors.














http://stores.ebay.com/Nancys-Homespun-Touches

Handkerchief Bonnet

http://stores.ebay.com/Nancys-Homespun-Touches

Handkerchief Baby Bonnet and Poem

First it is a handkerchief designed into a bonnet for a baby. Keep it until baby's wedding day, remove the ribbon and its a handkerchief once again. A perfect shower gift for a bride or baby.

Materials:

1.) 10-10.5 inch square of handkerchief linen or heirloom type fabric or a purchased handkerchief.
2.) 1.25 yards of 1 inch wide flat lace
3.) 2 yard of 1/4 inch satin ribbon
4.) 1 wing needle
5.) Basting thread or machine embroidery thread
6.) Rotary cutter, cutting mat, and ruler

Instructions:

1.) With rotary cutter, square up linen. Thread your sewing machine with fine thread.
2.) Place lace along outside edges 1/4 inch in from edge.
3.) Insert wing needle and touch the entredeux stitch. Stitch lace in place along edge with entredeux stitch. Trim away fabric from behind lace to stitching.
4.) With wing needle and lightweight matching thread, use a decorative stitch to sew the edge of the handkerchief 5/8 inch from hem.
5.) To form bonnet, turn back 2.5 inches along one edge and press. Attach ribbon 1 inch in front of this fold at center and 1 inch in from both edges. Touch a satin stitch heart to tack with.
6.) On opposite side, turn back 1 inch, press and sew basting stitch 5/8 inch from fold. Gather up and secure to form back of bonnet.

Poem to put with the Bonnet:

I'm just a little hankie,
As square as square can be.
But with a small stitch or two,
A bonnet I will be.

I'll be worn from the hospital,
Or on my christening day.
And after that be folded,
Then carefully put away.

When on that future wedding day,
So we've been always told.
The well-dressed bride must always
Wear something that is old.

So what could be more fitting,
Then to find little old me.
And with a few fine stitches snipped,
A wedding hankie be.

And if perchance it's a boy,
Someday he'll surely wed.
Then his bride can have the hankie,
Once worn upon his head.

http://stores.ebay.com/Nancys-Homespun-Touches

Saturday, April 7, 2007

Embossing Velvet

EMBOSSING VELVET

Velvet is unique in its construction and should not be confused with other pile fabrics such as velveteen and velour.

Velvet is a woven fabric, its pile formed from warp(lengthwise) yarns woven into the backing. It is woven on a double piece loom which creates two fabrics simultaneously. Velvet pile is sandwiched in-between the layers. As the cloth comes off the loom, the "pile sandwich" is split to create two pieces of velvet, each with an erect pile.

In contrast, velveteen and corduroy are woven on a plain loom. Their pile is formed from filling(crosswise) yarns looped into the backing fabric. Velour is knitted.

Velvet can come in many fibers, cotton, rayon, silk, acetate, or combinations of these. Choose the one most suitable for your project.

The higher the pile the more distinct the embossing becomes. Also, some velvets have a more open pile. These make the best impressions.

You certainly can use velveteen and other pile fabrics. You just need to test first. Some produce only so-so results.

ITEMS TO EMBOSS WITH:
1.) Rubber Stamps(work the best)
2.) Cookie Cutters
3.) Metal Charms
4.) Heavy Embroidered Lace
5.) Lace Appliques
6.) Crochet Motifs

The thing to keep in mind is the simpler the design the better an embossing it makes. You can even cut your own stamps out of erasers to have a truly one-of-a-kind design. Tiny details will not show up due to the nature of the pile fabric. Large simple designed rubber stamps work the best.

EMBOSSING STEPS:

Start with a few scraps to practice on. Using either a plant mister filled with water, lightly mist the pile of your fabric.

Place your stamp or other embossing tool face up on the ironing board. Lay the velvet pile side down over the stamp. Using a press cloth, press the velvet with a dry iron (setting suitable for the fiber type) for 20-30 seconds (the longer pressing times leave a stronger impression).

You may need to move the iron around a bit if you have steam holes, be careful not to move the fabric. The best iron to use for embossing is one without sole plate steam holes. As the holes can leave an impression on your velvet.

Lift up the velvet . You should see the embossed pattern.

Practice on a few more scraps as this is an easy way to decide which design works best.

Your embossed velvet will not lose it pattern through cleaning but be sure to clean the fabric as per the manufacturer's instructions.

PLANNING YOUR DESIGN

Since you will be working from the wrong side of the fabric, you can easily mark the design placement on the wrong side with a chalk pencil or disappearing marker. Use a light touch so as not to crush the pile.

DESIGN PROJECT

The best first project is a pillow. Cut you two(2) pieces of velvet to make two 16 inch squares. Now choose your stamp(s). Just do an allover embossing. Use a simple stamp like a swirl or circle. Emboss your 2 pieces of velvet squares. When finished with embossing pin your 2 squares right sides together. Now either hand stitch or machine stitch the velvet squares together using a half inch seam allowance. Leave an opening for turning right sides out and to stuff your pillow. Now stuff your pillow with Dacron stuffing(available from any craft or fabric store). Now whip stitch the opening closed and you have your embossed velvet pillow. Enjoy.

http://stores.ebay.com/Nancys-Homespun-Touches