In Stitches

I remember sewing when I was 6-7 years old.

So I feel like I've always known how to sew.

I used to only sew once in a while.

Then I worked the cutting counter of Jo-Ann's Craft and Fabric store.

It went downhill from there.

By "it" I mean my ability to not buy a bunch of fabric.

Seriously, so many beautiful fabrics passing through your hands everyday, how do you not get addicted!

Now I sew a lot.

I make my own patterns.

I make my own skirts and some dress shirts.

And if you've paid much attention to this blog you know that I've been sewing more lately to try to make things to sell because I need a little extra money here and there.

So since this round of Iron Craft called for some form of stitching I knew I would have my pick of projects!

I opted to make a fabric billfold from a pattern I created a little while back. 

The pattern is simple, all the areas that have to be sewed is what makes it take a while to complete.

I made a red and black paw print one to sell and a black and blue striped one for myself.

It has six pockets for things like credit cards, business cards, etc. and two pockets for stuff like cash, receipts or coupons.

I know it looks a bit orange but it's all red and black

I really love this billfold, it's got lots of room yet I can stick it in some pants pockets and of course the fabrics make my day also! hehe 

The outside is the same as the fabric at the bottom

 

Easy and Inexpensive Drawstring Backpack

Have you heard of Craft Hope?

Because you should check it out!

Craft Hope Website

They encourage crafters from all over the world to help with their newest project, by making something in the theme and sending it to one person who collects everything and then gives them to people in need.

Last round was sock monkeys to go to burn victims.

I tried, I really did.

Have you ever argued with an unfinished sock monkey that just wasn't going as hoped?...

Anyway! :) This round is about making hats and bags for kids who are fighting cancer. 

Read more about it, here. 

So as one who makes all her own purses, has made purses and bags for others and to sell and made soft hats to sell, and has known many people who have battled cancer, you know I'm on this one!

So don't be surprised if some of my posts in the near future have to do with projects that would be good for this round of Craft Hope.

The deadline to send these items for the kids is Monday March 12, 2012 so if you want to join in, you've got time to work some creations into your crafting schedule.

Even if you aren't the most capable at sewing you can still help out. 

The following is a "how to" for making a very easy and inexpensive drawstring backpack that is big enough for the recipient kid to take coloring books, notebooks, or a teddy and small blanket with them on their next trip to the hospital.

Made with a couple flat quarters (if you are unfamiliar, that is a sewing term for fabric that measures about 18 inches by 22 inches, or about a quarter of a yard of fabric) and some ribbon, this bag could cost you well under $5.00 easily. 

(I usually buy my flat quarters either on sale or at Wal-Mart, costing about .99 cents each. The ribbon I used, one spool costs at most .50 cents, the other $1.00 and I didn't use all of either)

If you want a thicker bag you could line it with more fabric or use four flat quarters, two for each side.

Start with two flat quarters, or two pieces of fabric measuring about 18 inches wide by 22 inches tall. I actually used a flat quarter laid out on top of the fabric I wanted to use and used the FQ as an easy template to cut around.

You'll also need some ribbon.

I used some thin dark blue satin ribbon for the closure and wider medium blue grosgrain ribbon for the arm straps. And of course you'll need thread and either a needle to hand sew or a machine to make it faster.

I first folded the top edge of one of the long sides in for about 2 inches down. I did this on all four top corners.

Next I folded the top down towards the "wrong" side of the fabric, about a quarter inch then folded again about three quarters of an inch. Then sewed straight across. This created a roll where the closing ribbon can be run.

Once both pieces have the casing sewn on top, match the "right" (printed) sides together and sew the three other edges. Stop just short of closing up the casing you made for the ribbon.

If your fabric is prone to fraying, you have two options. Use Fray Check or something like it, put on all three sides you just sewed. Or instead of sewing right sides together, first sew wrong sides together, turn inside out and sew the same area again, then turn back right side out. This encloses your seem and stops the frays.

Now for the ribbon.

I cut two pieces 25 inches long of the thin ribbon for the drawstring and two pieces about 26 inches long of the grosgrain for the straps. 

For the straps I folded the ends of the ribbon over about half an inch and sewed at the bottom corner and at the top corner just under the casing for the drawstring. I sewed the ribbon over and over on each end so it has multiple layers to help it withstand being used.

For the drawstring I ran the ribbon through the casing using a tool just for that but simply attaching a safety pin to the ribbon will help you run it through.

Tie the two ribbons together in a simple knot at each end. These can be pulled and tied together to close the bag.

That is all!

However (hey it's not a "but"!) if you used a plain fabric with no design like I did, you may want to embellish the front in some way.  If you used a decorative fabric you may like it just as is.

Most decorations would be best if added before you sew the two main pieces together.

I created a simple front pocket by taking another fat quarter and cutting out a piece that measured 8 inches by 10 inches.

I double folded the top and sewed then sewed the sides and bottom after folding them over once. Then sewed it onto the front of the bag.
You could also embellish with iron on transfers, buttons, etc.

I wanted to keep this one as gender neutral as possible. The blue makes it boy friendly but most of it is a bright pretty blue that some girls will love also. Other bags I'll make more girl or boy defined but I wanted one that could easily be given to whoever was in need.

So for just a couple dollars and the knowledge of how to sew a vaguely straight line, you have a great backpack, ready for a young kid. In this case, ready to brighten the day of a young warrior battling cancer!

The bag being modeled by a large bunny I have as a prop for my photography business:

 

Bookmarks

Today's post is later then usual for two reasons.

1) Yesterday, after a little over three years of service, my netbook decided it was done... 

A moment of saddened silence...

I know it's just a computer but it was great for me. I'm now borrowing Hubby's laptop, it is so not the same.

2) Last night some very strong storms came through. Since I didn't go to sleep before they started, I stayed awake till after they were done. At 2am...

So naturally, I slept in this morning.

Anyway, without further ado, today's post:

I don't know why but I have the hardest time keeping track of my bookmarks.

I finish a book, I lay the bookmark down where I was last reading, I return later for it and it's no where to be found.

My husband never reads so I know he isn't borrowing them. They just disappear.

I've bought bookmarks, I've been given bookmarks, I use receipts or anything that is near. But nothing sticks around. 

The best luck I've had was with my two of hearts from a deck of cards. 

("the two of hearts to mark her place, and who could ever walk away, from chapter twenty one, so she can't be really gone" name that song, hehe)

So recently I decided to make a few different bookmarks. Some for gifts, some to have all over and up my chances of finding one when I need them.

The first one was a cross stitch I did.

I cut a cross stitch fabric piece about 6 inches long and 2 inches wide. I cross stitched a sitting frog, the initials F.R.O.G. for the words "Fully Rely On God". I then covered the back with a simple green fabric, that folds around to the front, and finished with a green ribbon.

The second one is a ribbon bookmark. I cut a strip of ribbon long enough to go through most books and using bookmark clasps added a thin ribbon on top and a dove charm on the bottom.

The third bookmark is paper. I cut a two and a half inch wide strip from the side of a piece of card stock paper. I folded that in half and covered the front with a piece of old sheet music. I used shaped hole punches to add the shapes on front and back. I also cut a small strip of magnet off a roll and put a piece on both insides to create a magnetized bookmark that will hold a book page.

The last one is made of fabric. I cut two pieces about 5 inches long and 2 and 1/4 inches wide. I used a fancy setting on my sewing machine to do a serger effect around the outsides. Alternatively you could sew normally and use a fray check to stop the fabric from fraying. This one has two different heart fabrics for front and back so I used a heart decorated ribbon to finish it off.  

This shows a few different options for creating bookmarks that won't cost much at all. The cross stitch one takes some time but all the others are fairly quick to make. So if you often loose your bookmarks like I do, whip up a few and stash them around the house. Maybe then you can throw out that grocery receipt instead of using it as a bookmark!