Sew Crazies - June 2020
Click on photos to enlarge
Program: Holiday Gifts and Wraps
Kathiann and I were to lead the June Meeting. Our plan was to remind everyone that getting a head-start on “Holiday Gifts and Wraps” would be a good strategy. We would have encouraged members to come with ideas for a quick gifts or holiday tricks to make the season special.
The meeting’s theme was inspired by my unusual gift wrap at our Holiday Luncheon last year. I used a brown paper grocery bag as the “fabric” for a Christmas Stocking. I was inspired by a photo on Pinterest, but I brought it into our world by adding sewing motif stamps, multiple zig-zag seams, and a ribbon closure that made the bag reusable. This is a fun way to disguise any gift. This also inspired me to use a heart shape to wrap some fancy shoes for a granddaughter. Sew many possibilities!
The meeting’s theme was inspired by my unusual gift wrap at our Holiday Luncheon last year. I used a brown paper grocery bag as the “fabric” for a Christmas Stocking. I was inspired by a photo on Pinterest, but I brought it into our world by adding sewing motif stamps, multiple zig-zag seams, and a ribbon closure that made the bag reusable. This is a fun way to disguise any gift. This also inspired me to use a heart shape to wrap some fancy shoes for a granddaughter. Sew many possibilities!
|
|
|
|
Kathiann decorated her gift exchange package with a beautiful bow that she will be delighted to demonstrate “how-to” at a future meeting.
She also has some tips to share when we are all together on how to wrap odd shaped packages. More ideas still under wraps. |
|
|
This last photo was to have been the finale. We would love to have seen your surprised faces as a volunteer opens an ordinary umbrella and is showered by good fortune. Dollar bills are taped to strings which are tied to and enclosed among the umbrella spokes. Here are my happy grandchildren realizing that opening an umbrella in the house can be Lucky!
|
We were sure that we could count on loads of great ideas from our group. We hope that you will send Lyn pictures, patterns, and other suggestions for our gift inventory and packaging ideas for sharing.
‘Looking forward to seeing everyone when the time is right. /\_/\_/\_, Loni
‘Looking forward to seeing everyone when the time is right. /\_/\_/\_, Loni
Sew & Tell
|
Nancy: My first contribution is a Chef's Stole. The original was a gift from a sewing friend.
For the Chef who throws the towel over his shoulder when he cooks and is always searching for potholders….
TOWEL STOLE FOR THE CHEF |
Ingredients:
44” wide x 13” stole fabric – use your stash; or buy a yard and make three 2 (12” x 12”) washcloths for each stole – your choice of color Regular sewing stuff – our salt & pepper Assembly:
Fold short ends to wrong side, sew half inch seam, press Fold stole fabric lengthwise WST (wrong side together) to measure ~ 43 x 6.5 Sew with half inch seam and turn right side out, press Fold 1 wash cloth in half; insert about 1” into short end opening; stitch across opening through all thicknesses with any stitch that you like. Repeat stitching line about half inch to inch above original making sure wash cloth is firmly stitched down. Repeat for other end. Enjoy! |
|
The second is Mitten Gifts Bags made from wool felt. I made templates out of template plastic material for all three. This is an easy and fun project for all levels of hand stitchers. Once completed I put gift cards in them and hung them on my tree. My daughters took them right off the tree and now use them as ornaments on their own trees. Credit for the design goes to 'Clotilde's Sewing Savvy Magazine' Nov 2005. Designed by Angie Wilhite.
Note from Lyn: The pdf instructions can be downloaded for free from
www.Free-Sewing.com. (You have to join but it is free. My suggestion is get a free email address that you use just for sites like this. They did not ask my name, only email address.) |
Finished sizes: Snowman Sam (4 1/2" x 7 1/2", excluding hanging loop), Perky Penguin (4 1/2" x 8 1/2", excluding hanging loop), Reindeer Merrymaker (4 1/2" x 9", excluding hanging loop).
|
The last is Fabric Luggage Tags from "Quilting Arts Gifts" Holiday 2008/2009. These are easy and quick. Hopefully we'll be able to use them soon.
|
|
Note from Lyn: I searched online for the article by Helen Gregory. I found a blog that used her instructions and had pictures of ones made with this technique.
http://farbstoff-bridge.blogspot.com/2011/06/tutorial-for-fabric-luggage-tags.html |
|
Pat and Rhonda: Our Beach Bags for Sew N Tell. From Black Orchid vinyl mesh purchased from Palm Casual. We embroidered 4 different beach phrases on the straps. We also added our logos. We are ready for the beach
|
Sandy: A gift for me... I used My Body Model croquis to draw the outfit before making it. My measurements in the drawing!
|
|
Mady: The first of my projects is a cross body bag which will be a gift for my husband’s birthday. I made it using a German pattern/video and even with google translate, I had to guess at some of the steps! I added two inside pockets that weren’t part of the pattern. One is zippered the other a patch pocket.
|
|
Two other projects: I made linen pants out of an existing pair of pants. The fly zipper became a side zipper. I needed to save the welt pocket in order to have enough material to cut out “Merchant and Mills Eve Trousers”. The top is New Look 6483. Again, I used an old linen/viscose men’s shirt. I added the seam in front to save the existing pocket - the only way I’d have enough material!
Maureen: Dresden Plate Sunflower Quilt
My niece posted pictures on Facebook of flowers she planted in containers, and I thought that this sunflower kit would make the perfect wedding present. I bought the kit years ago on sale on the Quilt in a Day website. The instructions are in the book Egg Money Quilts by Eleanor Burns. The finished size will be 60 inches by 72 inches. There are 20 different fabrics for the flower petals, and I have finished eleven out of twelve sunflowers. I have made this pattern in the past as a red and green Christmas wreath wall hanging from another project in the book. I have a long way to go on the quilt, but the reception has been delayed until July, 2021.
My niece posted pictures on Facebook of flowers she planted in containers, and I thought that this sunflower kit would make the perfect wedding present. I bought the kit years ago on sale on the Quilt in a Day website. The instructions are in the book Egg Money Quilts by Eleanor Burns. The finished size will be 60 inches by 72 inches. There are 20 different fabrics for the flower petals, and I have finished eleven out of twelve sunflowers. I have made this pattern in the past as a red and green Christmas wreath wall hanging from another project in the book. I have a long way to go on the quilt, but the reception has been delayed until July, 2021.
|
|
Dawn:This is a table topper for my daughter. She picked the fabric colors and said "I want stars and a moon". So I pulled together an applique moon and pieced stars from the EQ8 library, and used Watercolor Sketchbook fabric by Studio E Fabrics. I free-motion quilted it (using my recently-acquired skills from String & Story Free Motion Quilting Academy online class!), with swirls, feathers, paisleys, ginkgo leaves and some meandering. Going to give to her when she comes to visit from New Orleans in the middle of June.
|
|
Lyn: These are re-usable fabric gift bags. They can be made any size. The large one in the picture holds a queen size quilt. My preference is to use two drawstrings but in the interest of economy (less ribbon), they can be made with a single ribbon.
I have a friend who made a really big bag one year to hold four tires for her son's car. |
|
|
Margaret: I am this week repairing, replacing 3 squares on a quilt my sister made for my granddaughter. I think her dog got on it.
I did the ruffled skirt, mattress and pillows of a bassinet for Orphans Heart in Lakeland. They will keep dolls in them and at night read with them and sing to them. I also made a skirt for our local Solivita quilt club challenge. They gave us a fat quarter and we had to use flying geese, applique, decorative stitches and quilting, maybe more. Not due til August but done. |
|