25 Crafts Until Christmas: Day 5 Initial Fabric Keychain

Have you ever wondered what to do with the little bit of fabric scraps that you have left? Hello, a cute little fabric keychain!! It literally cost me 19 cents to make. Yes you read that right $0.19

I had all of the supplies I needed already in the form of left over bits and scraps. That is why I never throw out even a few inches of left over scrap. They go in a bin and you can use them for little projects like this or later on to applique somethere where you need a little piece for an eye or letter etc. I am a firm believer of using every inch of your fabric. If you have little postage size pieces, a friend of mine gave me the idea of a quilt (no I will never make one) but she is saving all of those little bits and making a postage stamp quilt. GENIUS! So I will send her my little tiny squares later on.

So first I took my main fabric and embroider the First name Initial of the person that I am gifting this to. If you don't have a means to embroider then you can hand sew on a letter, you can embellish using a little fabric flower, buttons, a little lace perhaps. The options are endless.

Materials:

3x7 inch cut of main fabric

2.5 x 2.5 inch cut of fusible fleece

key ring

thread

sewing maching

embellishments if you choose

Start by taking your 3x7 piece and flipping it over. You want to Iron on your fusible fleece to the very bottom of the rectangle like so. (Be sure to follow the instructions provided for you on your fleece).

You want to then fold that fleece fabric so the right sides of the fabric are touching but you also have a 2 inch fabric over hang on the top (this overhang without the fleece is what will serve as your attachment to the key ring).

You want to know mark the center of the fleece this way your sides are even when sewing.

From the center mark out 1 inch. I like to mark it because there is room for a margin on the sides to cut later on and I want to be sure to not approach that line when stitching.

Now in between those two lines, see there is a mark that indicated 3/4 of an inch. Mark there.....

From that 3/4 of an inch mark, you want to create a diagonal like to the edge of the fleece as depicted in the photo.  After you have completed that, simply round out the bottom corners for an even appearance.

On the INSIDE of the drawn lines, you want to stitch your seam with a 1/8 allowance. Be sure that you are ONLY stitching along the outside lines that are drawn. DO NOT stitch along the top. You need to have that opening to turn the fabric out. NOTE the Yellow Lines of stitching where it starts and stops on each side on top.

Go ahead and cut away all of that excess fabric from around the fleece being mindful that you do not cut your stitches.  When it comes to cutting the top portion leave the top piece of hangover fabric intact as shown in the picture below.

Now you simply want to use a pen, chopstick etc to turn your fabric right side out like so.

Next you want to take your iron, press and fold the top fabric so that both sides meet in the middle.

Fold the very top to create a 1/4 inch fold. Press and then you can top stitch that fold and all the way around your fabric.

Next simply take your key ring, Slide the top flap of fabric through it and fold down so that the 1/4 inch seam that was just sewn touches the top of the fleeced area. Sew a straight line across. I used a triple stitch for extra security.

VOILA Your fabric keychain is complete!! However, do note that My stitch line on top is crooked......BLIMEY 1am sewing!! That keychain will be recreated tomorrow morning when I can see straight haha! I hate when I complete and entire project and then screw up at the very end........ Back to sewing.

Peace, Love and Shutter Clicks,

Mandy

25 Crafts Until Christmas: Day 4 Cash/coupon clutch

We have all seen this little envelope/clutch system floating around. It's a great idea to designate money for certain purchases to help eliminate impulse buys. However, there isn't a tutorial anywhere so I decided to give it a go and make a few of them as gifts to my coupon loving sister and in laws.

Please first note, that the thread choice I used was only in order for you to better see the stitching in the areas that I am talking about. Normally I would choose a matching color to the velcor and fabric alike. This one was just a demo for everyone to see with contrast.

Materials:

8x10 cut of main fabric
8x10 cut of lining fabric
8x10 cut of heavy duty fusible web
thread
rotary cutter/scissors
sewing machine
1 inch cut of sewable velcro
optional material (fleece,felt, fabric for embellishment)
Dollar bill just for spacing purposes

First cut out all of the fabric you need.  Then you want to iron the fusible web to the WRONG side of the Main fabric.

Layer both the lining and main fabric with RIGHT sides together. You want to take a cup/bowl or eyeball it if you must, and cut rounded corners on one end. This is going to be your flap to close the clutch. Please Note that I left a small area on top of the main fabric a little longer.

Next with right sides together, pin the fabric, leaving a 2 inch opening on one side to turn.  fold that little extra length of the main fabric over. This just adds a little extra stability to where you will add the velcro later. Sew a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

Now you see this small opening? you want to use it to turn your fabric right side out.

This is what it should look like.

Next you want to press the fabric. After pressing, turn in that small opening and pin it.

Now simply top stitch all around the fabric square being mindful of catching that small opening in your stitch to ensure you close it.

Now once again with your iron, Place your dollar at the bottom and fold up and pin the sides together. This is going to be the pocket of sorts where you would house your coupons or bills.

Now fold the top over that dollar bill just to be sure that you have proper spacing. You don't want that flap to quite meet the bottom of the pocket. as depicted below.

Next. simply sew the side seams along that top stitched line and be sure to back stitch adequately to make sure the is enough support.

Now simply pin and stitch the velcro closure where you would like it to lie. I used a red thread to show you how I stitch and secure the velcro in place. Normally I would use a matching color thread to the velcro so that it blends well together and isnt noticable.

 VOILA DONE

 You can add embellishments if you like. Perhaps a flower, some bling, an applique or monogram. Some people will use an iron on label that can be written on or printed words such as farmers market, gas station, etc. to deligate where the money will be going or where the coupon is to be utilized.

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25 Crafts Until Christmas: Day 3 Pleated Clutch

I've seen a couple of tutorials online that have a gathered pouch or clutch. I find that after trying to gather versus pleat that pleating was less time consuming, much more even in lines and for me a better aesthetic appeal. At the end of this post I'll show you what both look like in the exact fabric so you get an idea to better judge which method you prefer.

This tutorial is VERY picture heavy in order to make it easy for you step by step.

Materials:
1/4 yard main fabric
1/4 yard lining
7 inch zipper
1/4 yard medium weight fusible web
Corresponding thread
Rotary cutter/scissors
Sewing machine.

Let's get started!! First cut all of your materials. You will have left over material. These are gifts so the left over will be used for wallets etc which I will show later

These are the cuts you need:

Main fabric:
Cut one 5.5inches x 13 inches (this will be the pleated front)
Cut one 5.5 x 9 inches

Lining fabric: cut 2 pieces 5.5 x 9 inches

Cut 1 piece 4x9 inches
Cut 2 pieces in 1.5x 2.5 inches

Fusible web:
Cut 2 pieces in 5.5 x 9 inches.

That's all the cutting you need to do.


First step, I neglected to take a photograph so I will explain.

Take your two small cuts of lining (1.5x2.5). Fold in half and iron. Next open it and fold each end toward the inside seam created by previous fold and press. The same way you would create a bias tape.

You want to then fold it in half again along that original seam.

Take each of these little "tabs" and pin them to each end of the zipper. You want to slide that end of the zipper into that fold created so it's like a little sleeve of sorts. Simply sew a straight line at the end leaving a narrow seam. Be very careful not to sew over the actual zipper. You want to only sew over that excess fabric at each end of the zipper. Your finished length should be 8.5 inches in length. Set it aside. You will need this later.


Next take your 4x9 lining piece. Fold In half with right sides together. Along the LONG edge sew a 1/4 seam. Being sure to leave each short end open. Turn it right side out now and press. Set this piece aside for a future step. When completed, It will look like in the first picture up top, the one with the word MUM on it (that's for my mom).


 (on with the photographs now)
Now take your 5.5x13 inch main fabric. You can choose to gather it by sewing two basting stitches one inch apart down the entire 13 inch length. Then pull and gather and press.

I chose to simply fold and gather and press in place until I reached the desired length of 5.5x9 inches.

Once pressed take that 4x9 inch lining piece that you sewed in half. Pin it along the middle of the main pleated lining.

top stitch each long side of the contrasting lining fabric closely to the edge

Next flip that pleated piece over iron on a cut of the fusible web to the wrong side of that main fabric.

Repeat ironing the second piece of fusible web to the other main fabric that will serve as the back of the clutch.

Now to put it all together. It's pretty quick and easy once you get the hang of it.

Take your main pleated fabric. Right side UP. Place your zipper with the teeth facing down onto the main fabric. The zipper pull will be on your left side. Now take one of your lining cuts 5.5x9 and place it right side down facing the zipper. Pin the 3 layers in place and sew along the top edge being sure to catch all three layers.

Next flip over that lining fabric so that it's behind the main fabric that is facing you. As you now see that one side of the zipper is now sewn between the main and lining.

Now repeat the other side of the zipper with the other piece of main fabric and lining. However this time the zipper pull should be on the right side of you. Just a tip. I find it easier to Manuver if I pin all of the layers down and out of the way to ensure that you don't accidentally sew them together   As seen in the first two pictures below

Now if you open it up you should have the zipper in the middle with one of each lining and main on each side of the zipper.

Press and top stitch along the zipper.

Now comes the tricky part. But important or you will find yourself in a pickle.  Unzip your zipper at least half way. You absolutely need to do this before you sew or you will not be able to open and turn the bag.

 Fold the pieces so that both right sides of the lining are facing each other on one side of the zipper. Then the right sides of the main fabric are facing each other. In the lining, pin a 1/2 inch seam leaving a 3 inch opening in the bottom to turn right side out later. Pin the main fabrics to have a 1/4 inch seam.

Sew the lining and sew the main once completed, be sure to trim your corners like so in the photo below

Now see that little opening you left in the lining? Push it over the main fabric. You will have to push the main fabric all through that opening and turn the purple lining over it as well. The result will be this. It looks like the bag is inside out. CORRECT!

Now take that little opening in the lining and fold inward, press and top stitch closely to the edge.

Now where your zipper is unzipped simply turn the bag right side out. Press and done!!!

Here are the two versions that I had mentioned early. the top is the pleated version. The bottom is the gathered version. I like things in order or unison as you will so I prefer the pleated.

If you have any questions or tips on how to perfect this bag, please feel free to leave a comment or email me at pinkshoesphotography@gmail.com


Stay tuned for matching wallets, coupon/cash holders.
Peace, Love and Shutter Clicks!!
Mandy