SEWING/QUILTING Archives - Page 6 of 18

Make a Hexie Keyring

March 23, 2015 by Nanny 8 Comments

Hi! Today I am going to show you how to make a Hexie Keychain like this one that I made for my friend, Sue.

What you need:

1 Key ring

A feature fabric for the front

A co-ordinating fabric for the back and border

A scrap of firm, iron on wadding the size of the small hexagon – I used Vilene H640 because I had small scraps but would like something firmer

1″ and 1.75″ Templates for Hexagons – get them here

A fine needle and thread to match the fabric

Let’s Sew!

1. Print the templates

2. Using the templates, cut 1 small hexie from each of the Main Fabric and the Vilene and 1 large hexie from the Coordinating fabric. Notice how the small hexie is placed to make the top of the picture at a point.

3. Iron the Vilene to the back of the feature hexie

4. Place the hexies, wrong side together, centering the small one.

Nanny note: I am using a Pilot Frixion pen – if you don’t have one, do yourself a favour! They are available at supermarkets in Australia and the beauty of them is they disappear when you press!

Nanny Edit: New, detailed info on Frixion pens here – please read and decide for yourself if you want to use them

5. Trace around the small hexie.

6. Press the edge of the large hexagon to the traced line all the way around. I used my fingers.

7. Place the small hexie back onto the large one and pin.

8. Fold the edge of one side into the line and press and then fold over to the front of the feature hexie and pin .

9. Take a needle and thread to match and start hand stitching (I used a slip stitch) about half way along that side.

10. Before you get to the corner, fold over the next side and continue around the corner making sure to catch both sides to form a neat corner.

11. Continue folding and stitching until all sides are done .

12. Take the keyring and, using a matching thread (I doubled the thread) stitch it to the top corner of the Hexie.

Taa daa – there you have it! You can stitch the corners if you like, I didn’t worry because they are all folded and stitched well.

Now I just need an owl lover! Don’t forget to share a photo if you make one – I love to see!

Until next time

Nanny xx

Clean Your Machine for 2015

December 31, 2014 by Nanny 3 Comments

It is important to keep your machine workings clean of lint and dust that just seems to accumulate…..

So Let’s Clean!

What you need:

In your machine tools you should be able to find these: a brush and a screw driver

Make sure the machine is turned off.

Remove the Bobbin Cover

Make sure the needle is wound to its highest point (or now might be a good time to replace it) and remove the Foot out of the way.

Take a screw driver and remove the screw holding the Face Plate.

You can already see dust!

Remove the Bobbin

and then the Bobbin Casing

Now we really see the mess!

Take your brush – I always say if you needed a vacuum cleaner it would be in your tool kit – and brush away!

and check down anywhere you can see

and the other side

Even on the Feed Dogs

That looks better! Now I’m pointing at an arrow that shows us how to replace the Casing

There is another arrow on the Casing

When they are facing each other, we know it is in the correct position

Replace the Face Plate

Tighten the screw

Replace the bobbin, the bobbin cover and the foot

Give the outside of the machine a wipe over with a soft cloth and

now you are ready to start your sewing in the new year!

‘HAPPY NEW YEAR’

Thank you for your support in 2014 and I hope we can share many more experiences in 2015.

Until next time
Nanny xx

A ripper of a present

December 12, 2014 by Nanny 8 Comments

If you ask anyone that sews, what the one tool is that they could not do with out, a huge number would say MY QUICK UNPICK or SEAM RIPPER!

Now I should start by saying that I am not receiving any payment for this in any way but I wanted to show you this because it would make a fantastic present for yourself or your sewing friends.

This is my new unpicker and I love it!

You can see how big it is compared to a regular one (think this one came with my machine). Now in this case, I think bigger is better!

It fits nicely in my hand so I can grip it well

as opposed to the smaller one which is really held by the fingers.

It is lovely and smooth AND I got to choose my favourite colour – purple.

I was so excited I bought my friend Sue one too in her favourite colour – red. Sue has some difficulty with arthritis in her fingers and this should be perfect for her!

Another feature is that it is double sided! It has a small blade on one end

and a larger blade on the other!

When you are finished, you simply pull the blade out out, turn it around and stow it away!

Perfect!

If you would like to see more colours or to order one for yourself or a friend, pop over to Alan’s Pen Making – you can even get a pen to match!!

Until next time
Nanny xx

Scrappy Xmas Decorations

November 18, 2014 by Nanny 7 Comments

I was looking through my Xmas scraps today and thinking “What can I do with this?”

Answer: Make some Scrappy Xmas Decorations!

What you need:

Some Xmas scraps with small pictures – these ones vary in size
Some fabric scraps to use as backing – think about using Xmas fabric if you will see it
Some scraps of Vilene or wadding
Imagination!

Let’s sew!

1. Cut out your pictures – if you have borders like mine it is easy – you could use a rule and rotary cutter if you preferred.

DSC05176_renamed_27926 - Copy

I had enough to get 2 of each and you can see that I rough cut them only.

2. Cut Vilene and backing for each one – once again – rough cut.

3. Press the Vilene to the back of the front picture.

4. I needed something to make some loops and I found this cord. I decided to unwind the beaded strand to use as loops.

5. I cut my loops to 2.5″

6. With all layers facing the way you want them to finish ie front, wadding, backing, use pinking shears to cut along the top. I have skewed mine a little so you can see. Then fold a loop in half and place between the wadding and the backing.

DSC05181_renamed_8361 - Copy

7. Sew around the picture about 1/4″ from the edge. I have used white to show you on the back.

DSC05182_renamed_28355 - Copy 8. Using the pinking shears, cut around the other 3 sides.

DSC05183_renamed_31255

9. There you have it! Continue with your other pictures. These can be tree decorations or you might like to make a mini garland. I threaded them onto the rest of the cord.

DSC05186 (1) (600 x 153)

DSC05186_renamed_3883

How cute is that? I love it! Look through your scraps and see what you can make. I would love to see a photo!

Until next time
Nanny xx

Make a Xmas Treat Dish

November 17, 2014 by Nanny 7 Comments

Today while thinking of what I could make to put under Clare’s Xmas Tree, I remembered our first Let’s Sew Project and decided that I would make a larger container to use at Xmas!

I have chosen some real Aussie fabric with Santa Koalas (just to remind all readers that Nanny is a true blue Aussie!!)

This is really simple to sew but if you need more detailed instructions, you will find them in the Let’s Sew Tutorials

What you need:

1 x 10″ square of main fabric
1 x 10″ square of co-ordinating fabric
1 x 9.5″ Vilene H640 or similar
Thread

Finished size: 4.5″ x 4.5″ x approx 2and3/8″ (You can vary the size to meet your needs – or fabric)

Let’s Sew!

1. Centre your Vilene square on the back of the main fabric and press (make sure you have the Vilene dots facing the fabric)

2. Sew around the edge, leaving a space for turning. Trim corners.

3. Push corners out, roll between finger and thumb and press.

4. Topstitch – I sewed about 1/8″ from the edge.

5. I am using my 4.5″ rule – centre it on the square and trace.

Nanny note: I am using a Pilot Frixion pen – if you don’t have one, do yourself a favour! They are available at supermarkets in Australia and the beauty of them is they disappear when you press!

Nanny edit: Please see new, detailed info re these pens here and decide for yourself whether you want to use them

6. Stitch around the traced line.

7. Fold each corner and stitch from the corner of the stitched square straight out to the edge.

8. Press around the stitching to form a ‘base’ for your container.

9. Fold corners back.

10. Fill with Xmas goodies – Yummmy!

Please share a photo if you make a dish! What will you put in yours?

Until next time
Nanny xx

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