Coiled Fabric Bowl

What to do with scrap fabric strips? Make a bowl/basket of course!

I found instructions online and decided to try to make one. The directions called for 5mm cotton rope and, luckily, I found some in our garage. I'm not sure if it was 5mm but it was about 1/4" and worked fine.  The main thing is it needs to be soft enough to stitch through a sewing machine. Then I tore scrap fabrics into strips, approximately 3/4" to 1" wide but I didn't measure anything and they were all random widths.

You need a sewing machine for this - I used a regular needle, regular thread and a medium size zigzag stitch.  Basically you wrap the fabric strips around the rope to cover it and form into a small coil to start. Zigzag stitch over where the coils meet, continuing in a circle until the "base" is the size you desire. Then you start lifting the "bowl" as you stitch to form the sides.

This is an easy project. I was happy to have all the supplies I needed without having to shop! If you miss stitching any areas you can just go back in and stitch them. I didn't even backstitch until the very end!  

My bowl ended up being about 7" diameter and 3" high. But it could be any size depending on the length of the rope and how much fabric you have. This can even be adapted to make round coasters. I will probably use this for paper scraps on my art table when I'm fussy-cutting.

What to do with a placemat

I saw a YouTube video on making a makeup bag from a placemat and I've been in the mood to sew, so I did just that! I bought one Pioneer Woman placemat from Walmart for about $3.50 - I love her designs but they don't go with my kitchen decor. This is a great use for the pretty placemat so I can see it often when I'm traveling.  (If you're interested in making one yourself, check out the complete, very detailed instructions in the video link above.)

This is the reversible placemat I used. I forgot to take a photo before starting, so this is from Walmart's website.

Here is the finished bag, which took less than an hour to make. The video shows lining the bag with a fusible vinyl but I wanted it to be machine-washable - and also didn't want to go buy more stuff.
Since the placemat had scalloped edges, I cut those off and squared it up. Then I added the zipper (which I had in my stash - perfect color, too), sewed up the sides and then created box corners so the bag has a flat bottom.

I love it - so cheerful and bigger than my current makeup bag. Can't wait to put it to use!

"Sew Beautiful" Swap ATCs received

I mentioned a fabric/sewn ATC swap I joined in this post earlier in March and posted photos of my two ATCs. I have now received two from my partners and they are adorable!

Thank you Jean and Gwynn for these special tiny works of art!

"True Colors" Round Robin

I am participating in an altered book round robin where we exchange our books and everyone in the group works on all the books. We have color themes, but no other rules.
I posted previously on this here.

The latest book I received is a large, shaped, masonite book. The owner chose whites, creams and denim as her colors.

This is the spread I created.

I used crackle paint on the backgrounds and then layered old pattern instruction sheets, denim, ticking fabric and several laces.  

Left page

On this page I added several vintage images, a piece of vintage measuring tape, lots of creamy and white buttons, a few black snaps and a flower made with circles of denim.

Right page

The focal point of this page is a vintage photo of two Victorian women in white "tea dresses."  I made the ruffle with sewing pattern tissue, added more buttons, a silver scissors charm and another denim flower.

This has been sent off to the next person in line and I anticipate my next book after the
middle of the month.

My blog will be quiet for the next ten days. I am off to Vermont with my daughter, Kelly and her two little boys, to visit my mother. See you later!

Mixed Media Art Quilt Workshop

Join me for my Mixed Media Art Quilt Workshop at the LBH

 

You will create a lovely mixed media art quilt using your favorite photo and an easy image transfer as the focal point. Each quilt will be unique as you choose from a variety of fabrics, laces, papers and embellishments I will provide to showcase your image. Machine or hand sewing is optional.

(Note: I used a contemporary photo of my two baby grandsons but you could also use a vintage photo, or a wedding photo, family photo or portrait.)

Friday September 25th 10am-2pm 

& 

Saturday October 24th 10am-2pm 

Cost: $55.00

More information is available at www.thelittlebluehouseonline.com  

Make plans to join us! Please stop by, call, or message, the LBH to reserve your seat.  

(817) 431-7930 

Bible Band Tutorial

I made this band for my bible a few days ago and posted it on Facebook and Instagram. I had a few requests on how I made it, so I thought I would share a brief tutorial here today.

First, here is a disclaimer: this is not my original idea. I saw it on Patter Cross's blog recently and got the instructions there.

So here is what you will need:

1"-wide non-roll elastic

medium-weight cotton fabric

sewing machine and thread to match fabric

handmade or purchased flower

fabric glue or needle and thread for hand sewing

1. You need to measure your bible. Wrap a tape measure around the height (if you want the band to wrap like mine) or width (if you want it to wrap around horizontally). 

2. Cut the elastic the same length with no overlap (mine was 20").

3. Cut fabric 4" wide and twice the length of the elastic. I purchased a "fat quarter" which is 18" x 18" square. I had to piece 18" lengths to get a 40" strip. If you have yardage, you will be able to cut one continuous strip (but you will also have lots of extra fabric).

4. Fold fabric in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sew together with a 5/8" seam.

5. Turn right side out and iron flat with seam in center.

6. Thread elastic through.

7. Join ends together and fit around bible to make sure it fits, adjusting if necessary.

8. Sew ends together. I used a zigzag stitch and went back and forth several times to reinforce it.

9. Add a flower over the raw-edged join. You could use fabric glue, but I hand-sewed it to make sure it would hold with all the tension of putting the band on and off.

Note: this would be a great project for any book or journal. I'm thinking of making one for an art journal next!

If you make one, I would love for you to share it here!