(Thanks Zack for being my fabulous model and rockin' out my apron! You are a great kid and a really good sport!)

Supplies

1 tea towel (mine measured 20" X 28")

1/4 yard of coordinating fabric 44"-45" wide

4 yards of ribbon (mine was 1/2" wide)

about 21" of twill tape (width of towel plus a touch extra to turn ends under)

Before starting pre-wash fabric and tea towel

The Ruffle

With right sides together sew across each end of fabric.

Turn right side out and press.

Gather the fabric. I zig zag stitched over dental floss close to the edge, then pulled the dental floss to make my ruffle.

Sew ruffle to bottom of tea towel(right sides together). Before turning lay a piece of twill tape across the raw edge and stitch using a long stitching length. Tuck ends of twill tape under before stitching

Turn (open ruffle flat) and lightly press. This is how it will look from the back.

Edge stitch across on the front.

The Apron

Fold in top two corners  of the tea towel and trim. I folded my towel in thirds to decide where to cut. If you want it wider at the top try folding them in only 1/4.

Trim off corners, turn raw edge under slightly and stitch close to the edge. Fold edge over wide enough for the ribbon to slip through,  allowing enough for seam. Press. Really though, you could just fold over the corners like the above picture and sew the casings!

Stitch, making a casing for the ribbon. Feed ribbon through each casing.

The ribbon goes through each casing, crosses in the back and ties in the front.

Finished!

You might be interested in the half apron made from a tea towel, or this cute apron for kids. Don't forget the chef's hat!

]]> http://www.skiptomylou.org/2010/02/25/simple-apron-tutorial/feed/ 21 http://www.skiptomylou.org/2010/02/18/a-drawstring-bag-tutorial/ http://www.skiptomylou.org/2010/02/18/a-drawstring-bag-tutorial/#comments Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:36:39 +0000 cindylouh http://www.skiptomylou.org/?p=11453 I was needing a little gift bag to hold some note cards for a sweet friend who has been spending way too much time at the hospital and I thought a fabric drawstring pouch would be perfect.

I used a piece of fabric 6 1/2 inches by 21 inches, but it can be made any size!

Turn each end under  1/4 inch and stitch along the edge.

With right sides together stitch sides together using a 1/2 inch seam, stopping two inches from the top.

Pink  edges and press side seams open.  At the top where the side seam is open, stitch around  the opening on each side.

Fold top edge down 1 inch and stitch all the way around close to the bottom edge.

Cut two pieces of ribbon or cording about 22" long each. Feed one piece through casing and back out the other casing coming out on the same side of the bag.

Repeat with second cord on opposite side.

Tie the string ends on each side together. (You can hind the knots in the casing part if you work at it)

Fill the bag with some goodies and you have a nice little treat!

The oilcloth receipt wallet went together quickly and I was able to use up some scraps.

Supplies:

2 pieces cut 7 1/4" by 6 1/2"

2 pieces cut 2 1/2" by 6 1/2"

about 14 inches skinny double fold bias tape

miniature clothes pins

Fray Check

Elmer's Spray Adhesive (optional)

Teflon presser foot or masking tape to cover bottom of presser foot to keep oilcloth from sticking to presser foot (if necessary)

Instructions:

Slip bias tape around the 6 1/2 inch side of the 2" wide piece and stitch. It can hang off the edge, it will be trimmed when finished.

Place the two large pieces wrong sides together. I sprayed just a touch of Elmer's Spray Adhesive in the center to keep the pieces from slipping. Try to keep adhesive away from area that will be sewn. Place pocket pieces on each edge. Use miniature clothes pins to keep in place. Sew close to the edge all the way around the wallet, reinforcing when sewing over bias tape. Trim bias tape and place a few drops of fray check on ends. (I was going to just wrap the end of the bias tape to the inside before stitching, however it made it bulky.)

Ta Dah!

Note: I get my oilcloth from Oilcloth Addict! Be sure to check out her personal blog, ModernJune, for some fabulous oilcloth tutorials and great tips for sewing with oilcloth.

Some special ladies and my sweet sister in law will be wearing these fabric sunflowers today to celebrate Kansas Day.

It took some cutting!  We used Wisecraft's tutorial, but changed the shape of the template. (I will put up the templates later)

Stack the two large flower shapes on top of each other.

Next fold one of the smaller flower shapes in half and place it on top of the larger flower shapes.

Take another small flower shape and fold it placing on top at a 90 degree angle.

Place another small flower shape on top at a 90 degree angle.

Place the last small flower shape on top at a 90 degree angle.

Sew a button on top, making sure you catch all of the folded layers. Next, sew a pin back on the back of the flower.

You can sew clusters of buttons, single buttons or stacked buttons.

Happy Kansas Day!

If you want more ways to celebrate Kansas Day you might be interested in:

Candy Sunflower Cupcake Picks

Sunflower Cupcakes

Sunflower cake made from Twinkies

Chef Hat Instructions

Supplies:

1 -  18" circle

1 -  8" X 24" rectangle

1 - 8" X  24" lightweight to medium weight iron on interfacing

dental floss

1/2 inch Velcro (about 12")

3" piece of double fold bias tape

Instructions:

Iron interfacing to 8" X 24" piece following manufacture's instructions. Press  fabric in half lengthwise and press each edge under 1/2".

Fold piece right sides together, starting 1/2" down from open side, stitch across each end. Turn right side out.

Stitch a 3" piece of bias tape around an edge of the circle.

Zig zag stitch over a piece of dental floss starting and stopping on each side of bias tape.

Gather.

Pin band piece around the gathered edge. Find center of band and center of top piece and begin pinning there.  Adjust gathers until the band fits the gathered edge, starting at stopping about a 1/4" over the bias tape on each side (notice how the 1/2" that wasn't sewn on each end neatly slips around the bias tape). Pin heavily to keep in place.  This takes some adjusting but it is so nice to have all the unfinished edges covered.

Sewing very close to the edge, sew band to top of hat, removing pins as sewing to keep band flat. It might be necessary to slightly pull the band to keep it smooth.

In the back fold left side over as far as the bias tape opening will allow on top of right side. Place Velcro in this overlapping area and sew all four pieces to hat band.

Sew along each edge of each end if desired, to close area placed over bias tape.

Finished!

I decided to give one of my sponsors Above All Fabric a try. I couldn't have been more pleased. The customer service exceeded all of my expectations --- she even visited with me on the phone helping me make my selections.  I was also thrilled with her prices, on every fabric she is below retail and has loads of sale fabric. The fabric selection is also tops, carrying all of the popular designers.  She also has a point reward system where you earn a point for every dollar spent and turn that into cash towards future purchases.  While she is a sponsor, I did not receive any compensation for writing this nor did I receive free product.  I wanted to pass along a great find!

Check out craft tutorials from all over the web every Monday at Made By You Mondays right here at Skip to my Lou!

How To Make A Felt Crayon and Notepad Holder

Supplies

(I used the inexpensive craft felt found in 9"X12" sheets at craft stores, often the size slightly varies. I found it okay to make minor adjustments by slightly stretching while sewing and cutting)

2 pieces 6" X 12" (lining, outside)

1 piece 3" X 12" (pocket)

1 - flower shape

1 - circle for center of flower

1 button with shank

1 - 12" piece of ribbon

1 - 11" piece of ribbon

8 -  Crayons

1 - 3" X 5" 80 Sheet Memo Pad

Instructions

Sew ribbon to top of pocket piece. This ribbon will keep the felt from stretching when child places crayons and notepad in and out of the pockets.

Place pocket piece on top of lining piece and mark fabric. I use a chalk marker filled with loose chalk. In the tip is a tiny metal wheel that neatly distributes the chalk. I have had it for years --- it is a great tool!

Starting in the middle of the felt pocket, mark  1 5/8" from the center then every 1" to the side. The last space will be about 1 1/2" (give or take, felt can stretch while sewing). Repeat on other side.  Really it only needs to be marked at the top. If making a bunch, use one as a template to mark the rest.

Stitch from the center to the side, making sure to reinforce at top by back stitching at the top of each pocket seam. I found that the lining piece was often a bit longer at this point. trim side edges so they are even (I have not yet trimmed in the picture).

Sew flower to top of outside felt piece. Insert 11" ribbon 1/2" into edge of flower before sewing around the petals. Sew flower center.

Place  the outside and lining pieces wrong sides together, matching edges and trimming if needed. Using between a 1/4" - 3/8" seam (my seam was a tad wider than 1/4"), stitch all the way around the outside edge.

Finish edges with pinking fabric shears.
.

Sew button with a shank to the center of the flower. Place all items in the pockets, fold up and decide how long ribbon needs to be. Fold the end of ribbon (making about a 1" loop) and stitch back and forth to secure. Trim any extra ribbon.

Finished!

You might be interested in these tutorials on how to make a crayon roll or a felt crayon roll.

Please check out my new e-book, "Gifts Kids Can Make." You will find simple and useful gifts to make with your children ----- a great way to spend time over the holiday break. The gifts are perfect for year round giving!

Grab a tea towel and a half yard (or at least 16")  X 45" wide matching fabric and you are ready to make a great gift!

I wanted to make cute holiday aprons and found these tea towels from the Martha Stewart collection at Macy's.

Making the waistband/sash

Cut the half yard or 16" of fabric in half lengthwise, so you have two long pieces at least 8" wide.

Using about 1/4" to 1/2" seam, sew right sides together at one end.

Press entire length of fabric in half lengthwise, wrong sides together.

Open fabric up and press each edge to the middle. Yes, it is a long piece of fabric but the pressing  is the hardest part and this makes such a nice looking waistband!

Fold in half and press again.

To finish each end, fold the fabric in half the other way and stitch 1/4" from the edge. Repeat on other end.

Turn right side out, make sure corners are pointed and press.

Attaching the apron to the waistband/sash

Cut tea towel in half, or if you want it a bit longer, adjust accordingly.  Place left edge of towel even with the seam and insert the  cut edge of tea towel inside the long strip of waistband fabric (make sure the tea towel goes clear up to the fold). Pin.

Start at the end of the sash and edge stitch all the way around, stitching the open side (making sure edges meet)  first, then around to the top edge until you are back to where you started.

Finished!

The apron ties on the side with a bow.  The ties are long enough that the apron will fit most everyone!

Wrapping

There is half (or a little less if you made apron longer) of an apron.  This fabric could easily be used to make pockets, ruffles (or something I will show you later in the week) but this time I made matching fabric gift bags for the aprons!

Are you making something crafty for the holidays? Skip on over to Today's Creative Blog and link up your project. You will love all the creative ideas you will find.

She is giving away 5 free copies of my e-book, "Gifts Kids Can Make."

Enter by simply linking up your crafty post!

Handmade Custom Fabric Luggage Tag Tutorial

To print name and address on fabric, cut white muslin and freezer paper 8 1/2" X 11". Iron shiny side of freezer paper to back of fabric. Send paper through an ink jet printer. You can also buy fabric especially made to go through the printer. I also talk about this technique here. Press printing when finished to help set ink. You could even scan in a business card and print that onto the fabric.

Cut one  3 1/2" X 5"  piece  of printed fabric with name and address, 1 - 3 1/2 X 5" piece of fabric,  two  3 1/2" X 5" pieces of heavy weight iron on interfacing and one  2" X 12 piece of fabric for strap.

Following manufacture's instructions iron interfacing to wrong side of both 3 1/2" X 5" pieces of fabric.

Press strap piece in half lengthwise, open up, press each side to the middle then fold in half. Edge stitch down each side. For an illustrated example see tote bag instructions.

Pin fabric pieces right sides together. Fold strap in half and place inside the fabric with cut edges sticking out 1/2". (Make sure not to accidentally stitch into strap as you sew around the edge.)

Using 1/4" seam, stitch all the way around the outside edge, leaving an opening for turning.

Clip corners.

Turn, press, and edge stitch along the outside edge making sure to close the opening. Stitch another row of stitching if desired.

I have entered this in Today's Creative Blog, Get Your Craft On.  So many wonderful ideas linked up over there.

Take an old sheet and rip it into a 9"  wide strip (as long as you like), fold in half, slip a long rectangle for the tongue (you can trim it later) inside the middle at the top, stitch an arc across the top and then stitch straight down the open side. Trim and turn right side out.

Using Fabric Markers color and color!

The folded 9"  of fabric makes it the perfect width for little arms to stuff. Sew the end closed and you have a silly snake.

This made a fun little craft for Sunday School. It is something simple and works for a variety of ages. I made up the snakes ahead of time and during Sunday School the children colored and stuffed. For ease we tied the end shut with a piece of yarn. We have been learning about creation, Adam and Eve and this worked perfect when we talked about the snake. So as my daughter said, "It is a sneaky snake. that tricked Eve."

Fiskars September Sewing Calendar

Enjoy!