Flower Power Part I

I get inspiration for projects from just about anywhere. I scour magazines, catalogs, website, and stores looking for things that I can recreate with my own flare. This project came to me when I was shopping with some friends and one of them picked up a cute flower pin/clip and said this is cute. Of course I said "I can make that" (sounding just like my husband). So this is Flower Power Part I because I am planning a few variations but wanted to get the ball rolling.

You will need:

A few scraps of fabric (feel free to mix and match). I chose thick tweed from this blazer I picked up at Goodwill for $2.

Pin/Clip
Button

Thread

Hot Glue

Print out the pattern. Trace and cut eight petals on the fabric of your choice.

 

If the fabric you choose is lightweight and will not be as sturdy as you had hoped, use starch spray to stiffen the fabric. Next you want to take a petal, pinch the small end, approximately 1-inch from the end, and sew an X securing the two sides together. I crossed the X about 4 times for each petal. Next cut approximately a 1/2-inch off the end creating a flat end.

Once you have all the petals stitched and cut you are ready to put them together. Take the petals and start your stitch through the X of one petal, loop around the flat end of the petal and back through the X you just started with, next thread the second petal, going through the X and again loop around the flat end and go back through the second petal X. Continue this process until you have all eight petals strung. Remember to keep the thread tight. Once all the petals are strung tie off the tread securing the circle. The flower may be a bit floppy, don't worry.

Next take the hot glue gun and put a bead of glue between the petals as close to the X as possible. You can also add a small bead of glue near the top of the petal to secure the petals.

Once all the petals are where you want them put a small bead of glue in the center and place the button. Flip the flower over and glue the pin/clip onto the back and away you go!

Enjoy!

 Sammy Gene

All Business

I went to a business meeting on last week and it was the kind where you chit-chat and smooze. So I was working the room (hahaha yeah right) and the time came when I had to give someone my business card and out I pull a stack of cards held together with a binder clip. I felt kinda tacky in a weird way as I fumbled to unclip the cards. After that experience I started thinking about it and an idea just popped in my head when I was getting a piece of gum out of my desk drawer. Bam, it hit I could use the gum package as a template. After digging for awhile I found supplies that I had in my craft closet already.

Glue (spray and tacky)

Scrap of fabric

Hair tie

Scissors

Something to measure with

First I took the gum package apart, very carefully, so it was laying flat. I used spray glue and sprayed the outside of the package and laid it flat on the material and placed a book on top for a few minutes to allow it to adhere and dry a bit.  Once I had the template and the material glued together I cut around the template leaving a ¼-inch overhang.

Then I used the tacky glue and glued the sides in and manipulated the corners where necessary. I did snip the tight corners in order to get a nice straight edge. I placed a book on top again and let it dry for a few more minutes.

 While giving the glue time to dry I cut a piece of fabric to line the inside flap in order to make the card holder look finished. My husband mentioned to me I should have stitched around the edge before gluing it back in the shape of the gum package and I think that was a good idea but that was after I already glued it together. So if you have the time run a stitch around the edge to help hold everything together and then glue the package back into the original shape.

You may have to hold it together for a few minutes to let the glue set. After letting the glue dry I added an eyelet in the center of the front flap.

Then thread a hair tie through and snip off the inside loop and singe the end to create a ball at the end so the tie cannot go back through the eyelet.

There you have it, a fashionable business card holder.

Just think you can make one for every season, holiday, or event you go to! This would also be a fashionable way to carry gum!! Remember it is a pack of gum no big loss if you have to try a few times.

Sammy Gene

To Bolt or Not To Bolt

That is the question. I often find myself in the upholstery fabric clearance section of our local craft store thinking I really like this print but I don’t need any more pillows, curtains, or chair covers. So in the end I buy the bolt of fabric (because the print moves me), I mean come on at $3 a yard who wouldn’t. That leaves me to figure out how I am going to use the 3 yards I impulsively purchased.

That leads me to my next problem: I have the hardest time finding table cloths I really like. Either the clearance table cloths are the wrong size or UGLY and the in season ones are too expensive, and not always what I am looking for. I mean if I am going to pay upward from $20 for a table cloth I better like it. So with Spring/Easter coming up I thought this would be a perfect time to try my table cloth making skills. I mean come on, how hard can it really be? Typically rectangular or oval, ah piece of cake. So I decided to replace our “Spring” table cloth (it is faded from washing) in the dining room.

Now I cheated a bit on this one because the fabric that I am using has a checkered pattern so I had go-by lines and didn’t have to measure anything. I first started by laying out the checkered fabric. I then placed the table cloth on-top to get a good measurement of the length (see I am not one for actually measuring, I like to trace). I cut the checkered pattern to fit.

(Good thing my helper was there just in case a gust of wind came through the house!)

Next, I measured the seam at ¾-inch to allow enough room for the sewing machine foot to be guided by both the inside and outside lines. This allows for a consistent line down the whole side. If you are concerned about folding and sewing at the same time, just take a hot iron and put a crease to hold your fold. My suggestion would be to fold (and sew) both long sides first and then fold (and sew) the short sides so your corners all look the same.

After your long sides are folded you are ready to sew. Now I am not claiming that I am a sewing expert, but a helpful hint while at the machine is to push and pull at the same time, especially with a heavy fabric like this one. By pushing and pulling I mean have both hands on the fabric, one guiding on each side of the foot. This will prevent the fabric from getting all jammed up either going in or coming out from the under the foot. This also helps to make sure you seam is consistent and the fabric isn’t sliding out of place.

Now wasn’t that simple. Just a simple straight stitch and viola new table cloth for under $10!