Craft Challenge | ChristyNelson.net » Sewing/Fabric

Faux Leather Cuff Tutorial

christy — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:41:49 +0000

I had some leftover vinyl from the table project and I thought it would make a really amazing cuff. I think I was right.

Let me show you how I made it!

Faux Leather Cuff Tutorial

Supplies:

vinyl (faux leather) fabric 2" X 9" strip, two 4" X 4" squares

coordinating cotton fabric 2" X 9" strip

Fabri-tac fabric glue

sewing machine, scissors, thread

Sizzix Big Shot (or other die cutting machine or punch-mine is the Big Kick which is hard to find now)

Flower Layers #2 die (or one of your choosing)

velcro

1. Gather all of your supplies and prepare the vinyl squares to be cut using the die cutting machine and your die.

2. The picture above shows the "Sizzix Sandwich". Silicon plate, die, vinyl, silicon plate.

3. My daughter loves to help me with this step. Run your stack through your die cutting machine.

4. There are 4 different sizes of flower layers on this particular die. For my flower, I cut out the three smaller sizes. Of the biggest one of those, I cut out two.

5. Using your fabri-tac adhesive, glue the layers of your flower together. I've made three of these cuffs now and each flower I've done differently. They all look great!

Now it is time to start sewing!

6. Get your strips of fabric. You want to have about 2" of overlap when you wrap it around your wrist so the 9" length in the supplies list may vary. Most women have around a 7"-7.5" wrist.

Place your strips right side together and sew around 3 sides.* Leave one of the short ends open so you can turn it right side out.

*One of the bracelets I made by sewing it together with wrong sides together. This leaves the edges unfinished and eventually it will start to fray but I think it might look good like that. Your choice.

7. Top stitch around all four sides. If you want to fold in the unfinished edge, that's fine...but I didn't bother. That edge will be hidden. In addition to the top stitching, I added some decorative stitching across the cuff. I made one without it and I think I like it this way much better. Personal preference, I guess.

8. Cut off some pieces of velcro and attach them using the fabri-tac. On the end of your cuff that is unfinished (the side you left open to turn it), place the velcro on the vinyl side. On the other end of the cuff (the one with the nice edge), place the velcro on the fabric side.

Glue on the flower using fabri-tac.

At this point, your cuff is complete. You'll want to wait a bit for the adhesive to dry before you wear it or the velcro will just come right off.

How to Thread a Serger in Seconds

christy — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:31:48 +0000

I love my serger. One of the main reasons I didn't get one sooner is because I was scared of threading it. FOUR cones of thread? Yikes. Well, never fear. Here is a quick way to switch out the thread on any serger.

Home Ec Sewing Class

christy — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 18:01:58 +0000

On a tip from Deb, I signed up for the Home Ec sewing classes put on by Leigh Ann at Freckled Nest.

I'm what I would consider an advanced beginner. I've made some pretty cool things with my sewing machine but I don't feel totally comfortable with it yet. It still isn't totally intuitive. This class has 26 projects. They each teach a different technique and the skill level goes up along with time in the class.

The projects that put me over the edge were this leather and canvas bag, a ruffled duvet cover, the ironing board cover, and a jersey wrap skirt.

Feeling like joining me and Deb as we sew, sew, sew? You have just until Sunday, August 15th to sign up.

Embroidered Coffee Cup Sleeve Tutorial

christy — Fri, 21 May 2010 15:19:50 +0000

This project is a true collaboration with my daughter. Today is her last day of preschool and we are going to miss her teacher, dearly. Her teacher loves coffee so we thought a coffee cup sleeve would be a good idea. I was just going to make a generic one with some cute fabric and then I had a grand idea! I had my daughter draw on some felt and then I embroidered her drawing. Genius, right?

Supplies:

Felt

Embroidery floss

Needle

Elastic hairband

Button

Washable marker

1. Cut two pieces of felt into the shape of a cardboard coffee sleeve. You can go and get your own coffee sleeve next time you're at the gas station or coffee shop and trace that (allowing 1/2" seam allowance on all sides). I also found a few templates online.

2. On one piece of felt, draw your design using washable markers. Eva wrote her name and added a flower, heart, and a butterfly.

3. Begin stitching your design using the embroidery floss and a needle. I use a combination of stitches to add some variety to the design. It will really depend on what you have drawn out on the felt. Eva picked out every single color on this particular project. I think she did a great job!

4. Sew a button off to the side. Eva chose this button as well. I attached it using embroidery floss and I tacked it down pretty securely.

5. Get your second piece of felt and place them right sides together. On the opposite edge from where you placed the button, place your elastic hairband in between the two pieces of felt. Pin it in place so about 1/2" of it is sticking out. The picture below shows what it will look like after it has been sewn.

6. Time to sew! With your sewing machine, stitch around all four sides of the coffee sleeve leaving a 2"-3" gap so you can turn it right side out.

7. Once it is turned right side out, use a needle and thread to stitch the opening closed.

Eva wants to be an artist when she grows up. I think she's well on her way!

Revisiting the Pi T-Shirt

christy — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:42:25 +0000

It's pi day again and I thought I would share a post from last year when I made my daughter a t-shirt for her birthday.

Here is where you can find the original pi applique post.

Make. Pi Appliqued T-Shirt

christy — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:30:00 +0000

My daughter's birthday is Pi Day (3.14). Since both of her parents are certifiable geeks, I had to make her a Pi shirt.

I did a tutorial on fabric applique letters earlier this year but I've got a few more pictures this time so I thought I'd go over it again.

Supplies:

Heat n' Bond
Fabric cut to 6" X 6"
Iron
Scissors
T-shirt
Pi Pattern

The pi symbol I used was printed out at 75%. It prints out to roughly 5" X 5". Cut it out to make your template.

I made several appliques so I have a long strip of fabric. Add the heat n' bond to your fabric. Once it is cool, peel away the paper.

I just pinned my paper template directly onto the fabric. If you prefer to trace, place the template upside-down on the wrong side of the fabric.

Cut out your shape.

All that's left is to iron it on!

I made a few extra appliques to put in my etsy shop. It is just the iron-on symbol (not the t-shirt) and it is ready for you to put on anything you'd like! You can have a pi tote bag or make a cute onesie for your favorite math wiz's kid.