Au Revoir Mes Amis

Good Bye?  Where am I going? Where have I been?

Let's start with where have I been.  I have been in my studio sewing my little heart out.  I'm working on a hush hush project, so I can't share.  I'm not even sure when I can share, but if you love Curvalicious , you will be very interested.  I promise to let you know as soon as I can. 

In the meantime, I have been getting ready for a trip to France.  Oh I can't wait.  It's to celebrate my 40th wedding anniversary.  I don't know how life rushes past, but it does somehow.  So I'm going with my best friend and my son and DIL on a river cruise. The first item in my carry on is my hand stitching and then I loaded a couple of books onto my ipad for the flight. I'm ready! 

I promise to post photos, lots of them.

In the meantime, I had an idea in my brain and some free time, while the clothes were in the washer, so this is what I made:

 It's a wine carrier that I used Curvalicious to create.  If  you live in the PA/NJ/DE area, the shore/beach is the place to be during Memorial Day, the unofficial beginning of summer. 

So I chose this cool beachy print, called Barnegat Bay, that I bought last summer. 

The batting is insulated to keep drinks cold.

Here's a quick tutorial.

 To start with, you will need:
                    * Fabric for the applique (4"x 20") with fusible on the back
                    * Fabric for the background (6" x 20")
                    * Fabric for the lining (6" x 20")
                    * Fabric for the handle  (4" x 20")
                    * Fusible fleece (2" x 20")
                    * Insulbrite  (6" x 20")

The first step is to cut out the Curvalicious applique.  After applying the fusible web, remove the paper and fold the 4" strip in half, fusible web side out.

Place one edge of the ruler on the fold and cut out with a 28mm rotary cutter.

Center the applique on the background fabric. 

 Press in place, following the directions for the fusible web.

Stitch using a blanket stitch.

Add 3 fusible circles using the ruler for placement and stitch in place. 

Place the fabric on top of the Insulbrite(an insulated batting) and quilt.

Fold in half, right sides together and stitch each side from the fold up with a 1/4" seam allowance.

Form a gusset on each side by aligning the seam line with the center bottom line.

Stitch across 3/4" from the tip.

  Turn right side out.

Here you can see the gusset.

Create the lining from the 6" x 20" blue fabric.

Fold the lining in half, right sides together.

Stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance and sew the gusset the same way as for the outside.

 Use the 4" x 20" piece of fabric and fusible fleece to make the handle.

Lay the fleece down the center of the wrong side of the fabric, fusible side down.

Using a hot iron and steam, iron the fabric over the fleece so that it meets in the middle.

Then fold it in half again. 

Stitch along the edges and down the middle.

Place one side of the handle over the seam on the right side.

Repeat for the other side.

Cut a slit 4" long along the bottom edge of the lining.

Slip the lining onto the wine carrier right sides together, matching the seams.

Stitch around the top edge with 1/4" seam allowance.  

You will need to use the free arm of your sewing machine and a walking foot.

Turn the bag right sides out using the slit in the lining.

Stitch the opening in the lining closed.

Push the lining into the bag and stitch along the top edge, a scant 1/4" from the edge, through both the bag and the lining.

And it's done!

Use it to transport wine to a party, 

or to carry and keep your water cold.

It's a keeper- and what a great hostess gift.

Look What You Can Make From 1 Yard of Polar Fleece

Did you know that polar fleece is made from recycled soda bottles?

Did you know that you don't

 have to finish the edges because polar fleece doesn't fray?

Have you seen all of the bright and fun prints?

 

I am sharing my method/pattern for making polar fleece hats, scarves and neck warmers en masse. 

Whether you choose to make these as gifts for your friends and family or use this tutorial to make them for the needy, you'll find this a quick and fun method.

 I designed this a few years ago for my quilt guild's community outreach

to make the hat/scarf sets to distribute to the local homeless shelters.

 It is also a wonderful kids sewing project and a wonderful charity sewing project. 

You can end up with 2 hats, 2 scarves and 2 neck warmers from 1 yard of polar fleece. 

You don't need a sewing machine to make the scarves or neck warmers. 

Only a few seams are needed to make the hats.

I have led workshops with kids as young as 10.

 In an afternoon, you can end up with lots and lots of hats and scarves.

 

I bought a one yard cut of this polka dot polar fleece from Joann's,

 and using a coupon, it cost me less than $5.00.

 

Yes, $5.00 to make all of those accessories.

 

Polar fleece is 60" wide.

 I do love this 30" plus ruler that I bought at a quilt show for cutting it.

With it folded in half, selvages together, cut 2 - 9 inch strips, a 13" strip and

straighten the edge of the remaining strip which should measure about 5".

 

SCARVES

 The 9" wide strips are for the scarves.

Trim off the bulky selvages.

 With the strip folded in half,

cut the fringes about 1/2" wide apart with a sharp pair of scissors.

I don't measure.  I just approximate.

 

 Give it a little shake.

Repeat with the other 9" strip.

 

HATS

 

 To make the hats, cut 2 pieces that measure 23" from the 13" strip.

Trim off the selvage.

Fold up  2 " along the long edge for the brim and pin.

Stitch 1/4" from the raw edge.

I use a walking foot for  sewing polar fleece.

 Pin the side seams, right sides together.

 Stitch with a 1/4"seam.

Adjust the hat so that the seam is in the middle, with the wrong side out.

 Place Pin A 1 1/2" from seam thru both layers of fabric.
Place a second pin in the right side fold.

 

 This is the only complicated step. 

Tuck in the edge so that Pin B aligns with Pin A.

Place a pin to hold the 4 layers together.

Repeat on the left side.

Sew across the top with a 1/4" seam allowance,

 taking a few back stitches at both the beginning and the end.

 Turn right side out and Voila! A hat.

Repeat for a 2nd hat.

 

SHORT NECK WARMER

For years I have had this 4-5" strip of polar fleece left over, which I often made into one "baby" scarf.

This was a semi-satisfactory way to use this "scrap".  But then I had a light bulb moment and designed this neck warmer that is easy to make.  What makes it possible is that the edges of polar fleece do not have to be finished.

 The leftover strip will measure anywhere between 4" and 5".

Cut the strip in half and remove the selvages.

There should then be 2 pieces, 4"x30" (about). 

 Using a ruler and a rotary cutter, cut a slit 3" long in the middle, 2" from the bottom edge.

And it's done.

To wear it, slip the end of the scarf through the slit.

 

 This is perfect as a non-bulky alternative to a scarf.

 

2 Hats, 2 Scarves, 2 Neck Warmers from 1 yd of polar fleece