LET'S SEW Archives - Page 3 of 7

Let’s sew 20 – Embroidery 5 – Blanket Stitch

February 20, 2013 by Nanny 1 Comment

Good morning!Today we will be doing Blanket Stitch.

What you need:

Your Sampler square
Embroidery thread/floss
Crewel needle
Sharp scissors
Erasable pen ( I used a Pilot Frixion Ball – available at supermarkets for a couple of dollars)

Nanny edit: Please see new, detailed info re these pens here and decide for yourself re their use.

Let’s Sew!

With the erasable pen, rule a line 2 and 1/4″ from the top and another at 2 and 1/2″

( Using 2 strands and starting from the left side if you are right handed)
Working on the bottom line, do a double stitch 1″ from the fabric edge, bringing the needle to the start of the line.

Insert needle on top line, across about 1/4″ from start of line and bring needle out straight under on the bottom line.

Loop thread under needle

Pull gently to complete stitch

Repeat process and work across until you finish the row or run out of thread

If you run out of thread, finish the stitch by taking the needle through to the back just to the right of where the needle came out.

Back of work

Take a very small stitch and through the loop to anchor it.

Trim thread and turn to front

Front of work

Take 2-3 very small stitches towards the stitching, needle coming out to the left of the upright

Continue blanket stitches to the end
Finish last stitch by inserting needle just to the right of the upright and coming out 1/4″ away towards the fabric edge
Do a double stitch
Trim thread

Rule another line 4″ from the top of fabric
Using the removable cap of the pen as a template, trace a circle

With 2 strands, start with a double knot as before, bringing needle out in the centre of the circle

Make a blanket stitch, using the centre of the circle as ‘the top line’

Continue around the circle, inserting needle at the centre for each stitch and bringing it out on the circle, a little to the right each time

Complete the last stitch as before, taking needle to the back. Anchor thread and trim. Press.

This is how we will do the eyes on the Dolly.Until next time
Nanny xx

Let’s Sew 19 – Embroidery 4 – Backstitch

February 20, 2013 by Nanny 1 Comment

Good morning!
Today we will try our hand at another stitch – the Backstitch. This is a strong stitch and is used a lot in hand sewing.

What you will need:

Your Sampler square (from Embroidery 3 – Running Stitch)
Embroidery thread/floss
Crewel needle
Sharp scissors
Erasable pen ( I used a Pilot Frixion Ball – available at supermarkets for a couple of dollars)

Nanny edit: Please see new, detailed info re these pens here and decide for yourself re their use.

Let’s Sew!

With your erasable pen, rule a line at 3.5″ from the top of your Sampler Square.

Using 2 strands, take a little stitch about an inch in from the edge.

Repeat bringing your needle out a stitch length past the start of the line (about 1/8″)

Put your needle ‘back’ down through the start of the line and back up the same distance away so that your thread is in the centre

Now go ‘back’ to that stitch inserting the needle in the same hole (see where the needle is pointing)and bring the needle up the same distance away again.

TIP: When you put your needle ‘back’, hold it straight up so you can accurately get it in the same hole at the end of the stitch. This will give a neater finish.

You can see in this photo that I haven’t succeeded, trying to get a photo…

Continue till the end of the row or until you ‘run out of’ thread.
If you run out of thread, finish the last stitch, taking the needle to the back and turn your work over to the back.

Backview

Slip needle under last stitch

and through the loop formed

Pull through gently.
Run needle under the last couple of stitches

Trim threads

Turn work back to the front and rethread needle

Take 2-3 very small stitches along the line, needle coming out a stitch length away from stitching

Continue stitching as before straight over those small stitches

At end of row, complete last stitch, needle coming out 1/4″ away and double stitch.

Trim thread to edge of fabric

Press on the back

The Back Stitch is a great outline forming stitch. It is a single row of stitches on the front but when you turn it over you will notice that it is double.
We will use this to complete the mouth, nose and eye outline on our Dolly.

Until next time
Nanny xx

Let’s Sew 24 – How to Make a Simple Pencil Pouch

February 9, 2013 by Nanny Leave a Comment

Today we are going to use that piece of fabric left over from the Library Tote to make a matching Pencil Pouch.

What you need:
The fabric piece
A 8″ or 20 cm zip to match

Let’s Sew!

From the fabric cut a rectangle 10″ x 11″ – this can vary ( my 3 half metre pieces have all been different sizes after straightening!!) but I found this to be a good size. The 11″ is the length and the 10″ folded in half is the depth.

From the scraps cut 4 pieces 3″ x 2″

Take the zip and trim the ends back to the metal.

Take 2 of the small pieces and lay them either side of the zip, right sides facing and all edges matching.

Sew down the sides of the zip, across the zip (the metal is outside in the seam allowance) and down the other side. Trim one side of the seam to remove some bulk. Trim corners.

Pull the fabric back over and press.

Open the zip and repeat the process on the open end. It is a good idea to pin the ends to keep them together.

Pull the fabric back over and press.

Take the large fabric and place the zip, upside down on top of the fabric. Using your zip foot, starting at the edge, stitch down the side of the zip.

Repeat on the other side. If you need to pull the zip tab back, leave the needle down and raise the Pressure Foot.
Trim the seam allowance back.

I am now using my 1/4″ foot and, with the zip open, I am sewing through one of the open ends.
Sew down the side of the zip the 1/4″ from the edge. Repeat on the other side of the zip.

This is the wrong side – no raw edges

and the right side

Open the zip and with wrong sides together, sew down the side seams. Trim and turn to the inside, roll, press and stitch (French Seam)

Close the zip and there you have it!
Well done!

A perfect companion for the Library Tote!

Let’s See how many we can make! Let’s See lot’s of smiles on those little faces!!

Until next time
Nanny xx

Let’s Sew 23 – How to make a simple Library Tote

February 9, 2013 by Nanny Leave a Comment

Today we are going to make a simple Library Tote. This has been designed to assist in the Gayndah Appeal where it is hoped to equip the children of Gayndah with their school needs following the terrible floods in QLD.

What you need:
1/2 metre of drill, heavy weight calico or other similar weight fabric

Let’s Sew!

The Bag

Take a selvedge and fold your fabric across 15″ so the selvedges are parallel. Smooth it out with your hand.

Straighten the edges

Cut a 15″ square (leaving it folded) – this is the bag

With the strip that you cut off – cut a strip 4″ wide (still folded) – this is the strap

Take the remaining piece and fold it so the pattern in my case, the elephants, run the length of the piece and cut a rectangle 13″ x 5″ (see at bottom of next photo) – this is the flap

You now have this:

A rectangle 15″ x 30″ folded to a square 15″ x 15″ – the bag

A rectangle 4″ x 30″ folded to a rectangle 4″ x 15″ – the strap

A rectangle 10″ x 13″ folded to a rectangle 5″ x 13″ – the flap

Take the bag piece and with WRONG sides together sew down the side – I used my 1/4″ foot.

Trim the seam allowance back and turn to the other side. Roll the seam between your thumbs and fingers and press.

Sew the seam again with the right sides together. You have made a French Seam. Turn back to the right side and do the same along the bottom: sew, trim, turn , roll and press.

Here you see the side seam on the right and it rolls up to the left ready to sew along the bottom seam.

Now fold the top of the bag over a 1/4″ and press and then another 3/4″ and press – stitch close to the edge (I used my stitch in the ditch foot)

The Strap

Take the strap piece and with right sides together, sew across one short end and down the length of the strip and across the other short end leaving a space for turning. TIP: I like to sew out from each corner and leave the opening in the middle – that way you get nice corners! Clip the corners and turn it through – it is easy to turn with anything like a pencil or I used a crochet hook because it is so wide!

Sew close to the edge all the way around – this will secure the opening. Then sew lines down the length of the strap – I halved and halved – doesn’t need to be exact!

The Flap

Take the flap piece and with wrong sides together do the same thing – sew, clip corners, turn, roll, press and stitch close to the edge.

Make sure you have the flap facing the right way if you have a picture (see elephants)
Find the centre of the flap and the centre of the bag back and pin so it just covers the line of stitching along the back of the bag. Sew close to the edge along the bag, turn and sew up to the top of the bag, turn and sew along the top of the bag ( I ran my fingernail along the edge to give me a line) and then back down the other side to finish.

This is the inside

and the outside

Take the strap and place it, centred over the side seam and side crease, ( make sure it isn’t twisted) and down about 2 x the width of the hem at the top of the bag. Sew around the edge till you do the square then the diagonal, back across the bottom and back up the other diagonal.

Press the flap to the front and there you have it – one quirky little library tote! Well done!

Let’s See how many we can make for the appeal!! I know the children will appreciate our efforts!

Until next time
Nanny xx

Let’s Sew 22 – Valentines Message Cushion

January 25, 2013 by Nanny 6 Comments

Good evening!Today we are going to make a gorgeous heart cushion for Valentines Day (or in my case, a heart cushion for my grand daughter’s bed). It will give you the chance to use some scraps and try your embroidery!

What you need:

Choose the colour for your cushion and find some other fabric pieces to match in.
A 16.5″ square of plain light weight cotton for backing – can be a light calico, poplin etc
Heart Pattern download here.
Lace, ribbon, embroidery threads, ricrac, etc

Let’s Sew!

Join the pattern pages and trace off the sections.

Take the sections of the heart and select your fabric for each one. Make sure you have a plain fabric if you are going to write a message on the cushion itself.

NOTE: If you are going to make the pocket, you need to fold the fabric so that there is a fold on the Number 4 edge and another at the bottom.
There is a fold under my thumb so it is like a back to front S

Place the pocket pattern so that the number 4 edge is above the top fold

Cut each section out allowing a 1/4″ seam and 1/2″ allowance around any of the heart line (the cushion shape) like on section 8 for example

Starting with the centre piece, place it near the centre of the backing fabric – don’t be exact as this method is supposed to look ‘crazy’!
Take number 1 and place it over the Centre till you have the sides even. Stitch. Flip open and press.

Trim away any excess as you go. Take number 2 and place it right way up , in place to check you have it facing in the right direction, then flip it to sew.

Flip open and press

It was at this stage that I had planned to use some ric-rac so I am going to sew it on now. (That way, the ends will be enclosed) – You can sew ric-rac on by sewing down through the centre of the ric rac. Some prefer to sew it on with a zigzag.

Continue adding the next piece and trimming with lace and ric rac if that is what you have planned.

Notice how I turned the same fabric to get different effect – stripe and floral stripe

Trim the shape to the pattern plus seam allowances.

Now comes the fun part!! You can finish embellishing the heart with whatever you like. I am going to do some embroidery stitches and use an iron on applique. You can use any of the decorative stitches on your machine for a quick solution.

I collected a few sequins, beads,bits of lace and my embroidery threads and went to work!