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Archive: Sewing

February 9, 2010

How-To: Be My Valentine Boomarks

Regina of Creative Kismet shares a tutorial for making these Be My Valentine bookmarks.

A few people are doing Valentine exchanges and I wanted do the same. I thought it would be fun to make something that you can use all year long, maybe as a marker for a project in your favorite sewing, art or craft book.

Such a great idea! I especially love the free form stitching.

February 8, 2010

Felt iPad

Jason Guest has created a version of the forthcoming Apple tablet, rendered in 100% wool felt. The details are too awesome and my favorite is the little gear he cut and stitched for the settings! I've posted more photos after the jump, and here's a link to Jason's skeleton etsy site, so you can bookmark it and stay in the loop on his future work.

"I stuffed it with 100% wool roving, the felt is 100% wool as well. It took 4 or 5 hours between two days, working on it here and there. I make little felt gnomes and needlefelted animals, but this week I wanted to make something that didn't fit into what I thought was marketable or conventional. Having grown up with Macs, I couldn't resist getting their new gadget a month or two early. Kids do stuff like that- pretend they have a cell phone with a block of wood. Draw a picture of a website and a keyboard on a piece of paper and glue it to a tin container or something. Suddenly, they have a computer. The apps were a lot of stitching, but well worth it."

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How-To: Valentine Fabric Book

Chasity of Belle and Burger shares how to make these fabric Valentine books. She shares several great ideas for personalizing them and adding great embellishments.

February 5, 2010

How-To: Pillowcase Nightie

Here's a viewer-submitted project from Threadbanger, in which Anne shows us how to make a Valentine's Day nightie out of a pillowcase. Nice!

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February 4, 2010

How-To: Flip-Top Mittens

Instructables user sarahfish made a tutorial for making these cute and practical flip-top mittens for occasional cold-weather dexterity. I'd like to make a pair so it's easier to use my keys when it's cold!

How-To: Patchwork Pillow

Vanessa at Live {Laugh} Sew shows you how to sew a patchwork pillow that can help use up all those tiny fabric scraps.

February 3, 2010

Mixed Media Valentine Applique

With Valentine's Day upon us I thought I'd make a project that would be a fun gift for your valentine. This mixed media appliqué project was inspired by the "I Love You" fabric used for the man's face. I found it on Etsy and almost immediately knew what I wanted to do with it. He has "I Love You" written all over his face, as he blushes with emotion — his mood perfectly fits the holiday. The end result looks a little like David Duchovney, doesn't it?

Materials

Photograph or drawing you like You can also download a PDF template of the image I used.
Marker layout or tracing paper
Red, pink, or orange fabric with a Valentine's-themed print
Off-white silk organza
Wool felt in pink, brown, black, and blue
White cotton canvas
Black thread
White silk thread
Medium brown thread
Dritz Stitch Witchery

Tools

Pencil
Computer
Scanner
Printer
Tracing wheel
White tracing paper
White wax pencil
Scissors
Sewing machine
Needle
Iron
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How-To: Scrappy Heart Pin Cushion

Jessica of Happy Together shares a pattern and tutorial for making these sweet scrappy heart pin cushions. They'd make a perfect gift for your special crafty Valentine.

How-To: Zipper Heart Pouches

How fun are these little zipper heart pouches from Molly's Sketchbook at the Purl Bee? And even though the idea of inserting a zipper on a curve seems a little daunting, she's given excellent, clear instructions that will walk you through the process in a snap.

February 2, 2010

How-To: Easy Faced Waistband

Becky Joiner of Becky Blue J is a fellow teacher of mine at the Stitch Lab here in Austin. I've seen tons of students leave her sewing classes looking hip and adorable in their new dresses and skirts Becky so skillfully guides them through making. She has tons of experience and tips and tricks up her sleeve, and she's just shared some of that handy knowledge on her blog.

I am fond of the waistband. Since I am so short-waisted and hippy, I will wear any skirt high and slim on the waist, and that means a faced waistband. The instructions in commercial patterns are typically horrid, but I have come across a rare educational treat on occasion. From my many waistband attempts I have developed a method that works best for me.

February 1, 2010

Bridges on the Body

I was looking for a good tutorial on how to tie a frog button closure. I inadvertently found Bridges on the Body, a site that is now ranking on my list of favorites. Bridges on the Body, at first glance, seems to be just about sewing corsets, but if you read deeper, you will see it's also about process, skill building and the love of a good challenge. Jo has set a goal to sew each pattern in the book Corsets and Crinolines, and the results are amazing. Inspiring sewing is a great element for a blog, but Jo also connects with her readers along the way by sharing glimpses into her life that are nothing short of endearing. Oh, and she has a super clear and easy to follow frog tutorial!

How-To: Groundhog iPod Touch Case

This adorable groundhog iPod Touch (or iPhone, or gadget of your choice) case is simple enough to whip up just in time for Groundhog Day tomorrow. Mollie of Wild Olive shows you how! I love that his shadow is part of the design.

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