Spring Chickens

These are the spring chickens I made as gifts (and the evil red one for me to keep). Also from a tutorial online.

Potholder Tutorial

As promised after the holidays...waaaay after (sorry!), a Tutorial! I made these potholders as Christmas gifts. I need to make myself some too. Here we go!

Materials needed:
An old potholder for pattern
Insul-Bright
A couple fat quarters of fabric
Fabric for lining
Rotary cutting tool & mat or scissors
pins, thread, needle, etc
fabric chalk or marker


The following is for one single potholder so if you want to make a set, double your quantities. Use your old potholder or your hand if you want to eyeball it and cut two each from the following: Insul-Bright, outer fabric, lining fabric. Since you're either using hands or old potholders as patterns, I can't give dimensions so you'll have to either experiment or contact me if you have questions. Just remember you are using a thicker filling material so make sure you have enough room for your hand after you sew it together and don't forget seam allowances.

Now we'll cut the bottom trim. You can do this two ways, cut it to just be a bottom edge or allow extra fabric to make a loop...some peeps like to hang their potholders. Again, this is something you'll have to guess as far as dimensions and it depends on how thick of a trim you want, so contact me if you have questions about size. You will cut two rectangles of fabric that will be used to make double fold bias tape, so you will be folding it in 1/2 and then folding the ends into the center fold, so allow for folding. I think I did 3 or 4 inches tall and then maybe 10 inches wide (that's a guess) just make sure you allow enough to cover the bottom edge of the potholder and extra if you want to make a loop (3-4 inches for loop). These are the rectangles of fabric you see in the photo above, I used a different fabric than the potholder but you can use the same if you like.

I'm going to show photos of how to use your rectangles to make super-wide double fold bias tape. Now don't make fun of my stained old ironing board cover..I got a new one over the holidays! Yay Ikea! Here's the steps: Fold in half and iron, fold outside edges into center fold and iron, fold in half and iron again. You might want to skip the ironing step but it will make things SO much easier if you do it. Do this for each rectangle.The next step is to sandwich your potholder together and pin the double fold bias tape on the bottom edge so you can stitch it on. To make your sandwich, lay down your fabrics in this order:

Lining
Insul-Bright
Outer fabric
Use double fold bias tape
like a bun and slide your
sandwich parts into the fold.
Repeat for both sides.





If you are going to make a loop, do not center your
fabric as shown, instead, line up at one of the edges
like the next photo where you are to now stitch your
double fold bias tape onto your potholder sandwich.
Repeat for both sides.






Now you will draw your
quilting lines onto your
fabric...I'm not a quilter
yet so this may not be
how most quilters quilt
stuff, but here's how I do
it for the time being. Draw
your quilting lines on the
lining side of your fabric.
Use any design or pattern
you want...Just remember,
the more lines you draw,
the more stitching you
have to do.
Repeat for both sides.






Now you will sandwich both sides together.
Right sides in.







If you are making a loop, this is the time to fold one
of your ends of double fold bias tape inside the
potholder so when you stitch your sandwich
together you catch the end to make a loop.






Start on the bottom of one side and stitch up around the potholder ending at the other bottom edge. Back stitch at each end. Don't sew the opening shut!





Clean up your seam allowance with a pinking shears and zig-zag
stitch around the edge of your seam allowance to tidy up your
seam so it doesn't feel too funky when putting your hand inside.



Turn it right side out and.........




TADAAAAA! You're done.

Tutorials

My Friend K sent me two new tutorials that I thought were GREAT! I just had to share...

One is for a Key Fob.

The other is for a little pouch.

I thought they were both worth sharing and trying out! I also think I'm going to add these two to my blogroll! Love the ideas.

Bed Caddy

From the Sewing from the home tutorial series on Sew Mama Sew, I made a bedside caddy a couple of weekends ago. They were super easy and turned out really nice. I made one for B and one for me! I think I'm going to turn these into Christmas gifts.

Sew Mama Sew!

I was unable to do any crafting this weekend with Birthdays and Sick-O's on my couch to tend to :( Here's to hoping for next weekend!

I did have my tutorial linked to on Sew Mama Sew!'s edition of Sewing for the Home. There are some excellent tutorials on there that I plan to make use of myself.

My tutorial is the Cozy Corn Pillow tutorial

I also splurged on some nice fabric to turn into mast bath curtains last week. AB FAB!

Cozy Corn Pillow Tutorial

These corn pillows can be used to soothe sore muscles or warm a cold bed. I like to cuddle up on the couch with a blanket and warm corn pillow to watch movies.

Here are instructions so you can make your very own!

Materials.
Feed corn
Cotton Material for pillow
Flannel or cotton for case
Thread
Pins
Scissors
Measuring tape
Sewing machine

I buy my feed corn (also called Deer Corn) at a local feed store. I've also seen it at the grocery store, sporting goods stores and Wal-Mart. It normally comes in 50Lb bags, so you'll have lots of leftovers. Depending on your geographical location and the time of year it may be harder/easier to find.

Of the pillow fabric, cut a piece 16 x 6 inches. Of the pillow case fabric, cut a piece 19 x 6 1/2 inches.
Fold the pillow fabric in half lengthwise and sew the two long sides closed, leaving one open end.

Fill the corn pillow 2/3 of the way up with deer corn. Fold edges in and pin open end closed. Sew closed.

Microwave the bag for 3 minutes to reduce moisture. Bag will be hot, use hot pads to remove from microwave.

Now to make the pillow case. Fold the edges over on the short edges to the and sew down to hem.
Lay the pillow on the fancy side of the fabric and fold around the pillow and pin on one side to see where your sewn edges will overlap to make an opening. Slide the pillow out and pin the other side. Sew long edges together.

Turn pillow case out and slide pillow into case.


You now have a corn pillow.

To use, microwave 1 to 2 minutes (1 min 30 seconds is usually good). Take care when removing from microwave. Due to differences in microwaves you'll want to test the length of time to microwave your pillow for best results. Check with your doctor before using on aches and pains to ensure warm heat is what is needed. You may wash pillow case if needed.

You can increase the size, but I have not tested the amount of corn for a anything larger than a 12 x 6 inch finished pillow. I like to use comfy, soft fabrics. You can use fancier fabrics but if your fabric has any metallic thread, remove the case before microwaving.

I welcome any questions on creating your very own corn pillow.

Tote Tutorial

I made up a tote bag this weekend and here's how I did it!


What you need:
thread, extra wide double fold bias tape and two yards of fabric (you use less, but that's what I had), Fusible Interfacing (IF).

Cut your fabric as follows:
Dark fabric

• 1 - 39" X 9" (bottom outer)
  
• 1 - 38 1/2" X 8 1/2" (bottom lining)
  
• 2 - 12 1/2" X 13 1/2" (side lining)
  

Light fabric

• 2 - 23" X 3 1/2" (straps)
• 2 - 13" X 14" (side outer)
• 1 or 2 - 6" X 14" (pocket)

Fusible Interfacing

• 1 - 38" X 9" (bottom outer)
• 2 - 22 1/2" X 3" (strap)
• 2 - 12 1/2" X 13 1/2"(outer sides)
• 1 - 2 - 5 1/2 (pocket)

There are a lot of pieces, I labeled them with masking tape. Iron fusible interface to outer pieces and straps.

Sew straps with sassy side in. Turn out & iron flat.

Fold your pockets, sassy side in. Sew all the way around leaving a small hole to turn inside out. Iron flat. Sew turn hole if needed otherwise sew pocket to sassy side of lining ensuring your turn hole gets closed.

Sew your liner sides to bottom with sassy side in. Do one side at a time and turn carefully at the corners. Set aside.

Sew outside sides to outside bottom with sassy side in. Do one side at a time and turn carefully at the corners. Turn so sassy side is out.

Tuck lining into outer bag and line up. Get out your extra wide double fold bias tape and pin it around the lining and outer bag. Make sure everything is tucked in so you don't have to go back and hand stitch. Sew bias tape around top of bag to bind the lining and outer bags together.

Turn over the edges of you straps and sew these to the inside of the bag. Voila! Tote Bag!