Patchwork Cards Tutorial

Materials Needed:

• pencil
• several prints from a charm pack (or scraps of fabric)
• fusible webbing (I use Heat ‘n Bond Lite. There are other brands (Wonder Under, Stitch Witchery), but if the glue is too heavy, it can gum up your needle.  From several emails, there seems to be some confusion about fusible webbing.  It is NOT interfacing.  Fusible webbing turns your fabric into an iron-on.)
• cardstock rectangles cut into 4 1/4-inch x 5 1/4-inch rectangles (this is the paper that you will sew the fabric to.  Then, this piece will be taped to the front of a card)
• 4 1/2-inch x 5 1/2-inch cards (this is what you get when you cut an 8×11 sheet in half and fold it)
• scissors for cutting paper
• double-sided tape
• rotary cutter (optional)
• cutting mat (optional) 

          
Step 1:  Cut out squares of fusible webbing.
                 
Since fabric in charm packs come in 5-inch x 5-inch pieces, I measure and draw a grid on my fusible webbing just a bit smaller at 4 7/8 inches x 4 7/8 inches.
            
Cut out the fusible webbing squares with your paper-cutting scissors.  The paper will dull your good sewing scissors.
Step 2:  Iron fusible webbing to the back of fabric
           
Place the fabric right side DOWN on the ironing board.  Place the sticky side of the fusible webbing onto the back of the fabric with the paper side up.  Iron on according to fusible webbing instructions (just a few seconds on medium heat in my case).

 Step 3:  Peel away the paper backing.
           


 Step 4:  Cut the fabric into quarters 
              
Cut the fabric into 2 1/2 inch squares

Step 5:  Fuse the fabric to the paper rectangles


           
 Make sure when the piece goes off the edge that you don’t fuse the fabric to the ironing board cover.
            
Pretty soon, you’ll have something that looks like this:

          
Turn the paper over and trim the extra fabric off.
          
Don’t throw those little pieces away because most of them can be used.  For example, this little triangle…
          
…can go at the top left corner: 

           
Continue to fuse and trim and iron down the edges until the front of the card is covered. Notice how my peicing isn’t perfect?  The decorative stitches will cover up some of these imperfections.
Step 6: Sew decorative stitches onto the “seams”.
                     
I chose a gold thread to go with the fall colors. I like high-contrast threads as well that make the decorative stitches pop. 
My favorite stitch these days is the sewn-out zig-zag.
Sewing through paper on a sewing machine will dull the needle.  I keep a needle specifically for this purpose and put a sharp one back in when I go back to sewing fabric.

 Step 7:  Edgestitch the card with a straight stitch.



Step 8 (optional):  Embelish with buttons, ribbon, etc.
Step 9: Stick “quilt” to the front of card using double-sided tape.
Here are some samples of other colors and styles:


Faded Memories with blue button.

  
Martha Negley’s Cupcake Fabric with little loop stitches.
            

April Cornell’s Poetry fabric.


Faded Memories fabric.


from :  http://craftapple.wordpress.com/2006/08/23/quilted-cards-tutorial/

Patchwork Tote Bag :: Free Pattern

 

Ever since I saw this Coach patchwork bag with matching wallet in person, I have actually started liking patchwork hand bags. It opened my eyes, as they were quite beautiful. 

Coach Patchwork Hand Bags

Before I associated patchwork bags with ‘grandma-craft’ and consider them to be ‘not my style’. Now  patchwork hand bags have become contemporary.  In fact, I am considering to make my own handmade designer patchwork bag, which is why I put this tutorial aka complete bag making overview together.

I think fabric patchwork bags can be particularly successful when matched with other materials & details, such as embroidered beads, sewn on flowers & ruffles, plush pompoms, crocheted trimming, leather, bamboo or wood.  But, I’ll leave those extra bits for a later follow-on tutorial, as today, I’m trying to get the basic patchwork bag idea across.

What is Patchwork

In essence, patchwork is sewing a bunch of matching fabrics together in a simple or complicated pattern to make a new fabric out of which to make blankets, placemats, pillows, and of course, bags. While that concept is easy to get your mind around, it is moderately difficult to actually make a patchwork bag such as this, as it does require concentration, measuring skills and a bit of a sewing ability.

Materials Needed for this Patchwork Quilted Hand Bag

• 5” Fabric Squares
• Quilt Lining
• Fabric-marking Pens (helpful)
• Ironing Board & iron (if you want to be neat)
• Measuring Tape
• Sewing Machine, needles, thread & pins
• Cutting Boards & scissors or rotary cutters for cutting

Reversible Patchwork / Rag Bag / Quilted Tote Free Sewing Pattern

Some call this a rag bag, others a patchwork bag, and others again a quilted tote bag. All the same thing. This is an easy-to-make quilted tote bag.

If you want, you could finish this bag in a way so that it’s a reversible bag. If you choose to do do so, one side of the tote will feature neatly quilted patchwork. Then, when you reverse the bag to the other side, it transforms into a shabby chic “rag” patchwork design that I prefer. (See photo).

1. Cutting Your Patchwork Squares

Cut 27 5” fabric squares for the outside of your bag, using matching fabrics.
If you choose to make this bag reversible, cut an additional 27 5” fabric squares of contrasting colors & patterns for the inside of the bag. If you don’t make this bag reversible, you can just choose a simple lining instead.
Also cut 27 4” squares of batting like Insul bright.

2. Lining Up Your patchwork Squares

FRONT & BACK – each
3 X 3 (width x height)
SIDES – each
1 X 3 (width x height)
BOTTOM
1 X 3 (width x length)
That makes 27 squares in total, right?!
As the fabric pattern of each square is a bit different, Take the pieces of fabric and lay them out in the way that  you want. Start with the front & the back of the bag, and then the sides and do the bottom last.  Once you’ve worked out where each square will go, pin on a piece of batting. When done with all that, flip all the squares over with the batting side up. While you do this, also ** reverse ** the front pattern: i.e. the one on the left goes to the right, etc.

3. Sewing Fabric onto Batting

Sew the two fabric layers with the batting in between together.  For example, sew a big X across each square by sewing two diagonal lines over each square. 
Tip: Keep your pattern in order while you’re sewing your squares.

4. Sewing Pieces into Rag Bag Sides

3/8” seam allowance is good. To achieve those ragged edges, sew all layers with their seam allowances folded outwards and showing, instead of tucked inside (folded towards the batting and thus hidden).
Once all are pinned together and in pattern you have planned, start sewing all the pieces together, doing a side at a time: the 9 of the front, 3 for the left side, the 9 of the back, etc.

Optional Extra: Pocket

Adding pockets is easy. Add a fourth 5” square over the squares where you you’d like pockets.
Before you attach it, sew a 1/4” hem for your pocket’s top side. If you wish to make 2 smaller pockets out of a 5” square, sew it vertically in the middle of the square, which will divide the pocket into 2 small, deep pockets.

5.  Sewing Your Bag Together

First attach the sides to the front and then the back. Add the bottom last.
Note: by stitching this the fast way, i.e. sewing all 3 layers of the fabric & lining together, one side of the bag will be neatly quilted, while the other side will be featuring your ragged edges. Note: while it is possible to make both sides ‘ragged’ by stitching one side of fabrics first, note that the batting will only be able to be folded out to one side.

Optional Extra: Bag Top Bias Trim or Button Tie

As a finishing touch, you may wish to sew on a bias trim to the top of your bag. Suggested: double fold bias tape 7/8” wide. You’ll need 35”.
Or, add a nice big button or jewel and add a little loop to close the bag top.

6. Adding Bag Handles

Bag handles are super easy to make:  just two strips of fabric (6” by 25”). For thicker handles, then cut the strip into 2 3” strips and line them with Insul Bright. Alternatively, fold the fabric over, stitch it close to the edge along the handle and add trimming along the length of the handle for extra strength and contrast.
Attach one handle to the front of the bag and the other handle to the back of the bag. Place them about 1” from the top  & from the side of the bag, and stitch them on by stitching a big X cross at the end of each handle.
Done.











from : http://www.finecraftguild.com/patchwork-tote-bag-free-pattern/

patchwork pillows

I've had these two patchwork pillows sitting on my craft table almost done for a week now. I was determined to finish them up today during naptime. I wanted to put them up on the WeeAuction today, but I ran into a snafu. I scanned some illustrations from a cute little vintage kid's book we have and then printed them out on transfer paper, ironed them on to fabric and made them the center squares of little patchwork pillows (like the one I made with the transfer Camilla sent me). So I finished the quilting and sewed them up and was stuffing one when I noticed the transfer image split. bah!

Now I don't know what to do with them. I thought they'd make such cute little crib pillows for a nursery. Maybe I'll take the backs off and frame them and they can hang on the wall. But the backs are so cute. At least then they'll be safe from splitting - since they're such gd delicate flowers.

I need to find some new transfer paper.

from : http://www.weewonderfuls.com/2005/04/patchwork_pillo.html

The Big Stitch Children's Society Patchwork Competition

The Children's Society are launching their first ever patchwork competition! Use your skills and creativity to craft a lap quilt or wall hanging on the theme of making childhood better and raise money to help The Children's Society make childhood better for disadvantaged children in the UK. There are prizes for the winning quilts including a Cotty Ultimate Collection Boxed Set of all 96 colours and threads, donated by ourselves, The Cotton Patch. 

 

from  : http://blog.quiltingonline.co.uk/2008/11/big-stitch-childrens-society-patchwork.html

Stitchery and Bags

I started out to make a bag so that I could applique this little stitchery on to it. The stitchery is from a retreat with Rosalie Quinlan and Leanne Beasley held in Nowra (hosted by Jukejema Quilting Barn) and was a practice in satin stitch.

So I had the fabric for the bag, chosen to match the variegated threads (Cosmo Seasons) used in the stitchery.
But then procrastination set it!
And stayed for a while!
And then a while longer!
To cut a long period of procrastination short, I ended up using the applique on the front of a journal cover. There’s something quite decadent about a notebook covered in fabric, don’t you think?

So this journal cover did not use any of the original fabrics (although it did use fabrics from my stash, so that counts for something). I’m loving these muddied/muted colours at the moment.
Well, then there was still the issue of the fabric for a bag!
So I stitched the bag outer.
And the bag lining.
And then I decided that I really, really liked the bag lining and that it should be a bag of its own.
And it is!

I’ve put a casing and drawstring on it, so I can fill it up or give it a little shape if it’s not so full. I really love the fabrics in this bag.


But then, what to do with the original bag outer?
Well, make another lining, of course.

So this one also used fabric from my stash (it feels good to use from the stash).
I left the lining sitting up a little at the top to give the look of piping, and then top stitched to keep it in place. I quite like the look of this one.

Both bags have been put into service and it’s lovely using fabric instead of plastic when I’m out and about!
What project of yours has evolved into something entirely different?

“Our Home” – finished and framed

June 27, 2010 in Craft, Home / Life | Tags: Applique, Our Home, Stitchery | 3 comments

Well, I haven’t had too many finishes this year – LOTS of new things started, though . . . hmmm, does this mean I have finishing issues? Or just busy multi-tasking? The answer depends on who you ask!!!
Anyway, I have finished this . . .

It’s the “Our Home” applique (by Lynette Anderson), which I wrote about here and here. It’s been finished for a little while, but now it’s framed and hanging on the wall. I put the year “2009″ on it, even though I made it this year, in honour of 2009 being the year we moved into our current home.
I’m really pleased with the way it turned out – a little piece of cheeriness celebrating our home.

Snowbound BOM

June 1, 2010 in Patchwork & Quilting, Stitching, Craft | Tags: Stitchery, Snowbound, BOM | 3 comments

OK, so it’s not like I’m in need of another project, but I’ve been seeing the Snowbound Block of the Month from Bunny Hill – and I really like it! The snowmen are so cute. But  I decided I was going to start . . . and then I had a moment of indecision!
What was it that caught my imagination about this project?
Was it the fabrics (Rural Jardin – who can resist)?
Was it the applique which should go together pretty quickly?
Was it the snowmen?
Actually, it was a bit of all of those things. But . . .
I have decided, for now, to simplify (my life and this project) – so I’m doing it as a stitchery – in miniature!
Each stitchery block with be about 4 /12″ square. And I’m using some vintage silk thread that I picked up on my travels a while ago (I knew I loved it but didn’t quite know what to do with it).
So . . .
I started with the pattern and a fine (01) Zig pen (I find Pure Brown pretty good for tracing stitcheries) . . .

and traced it onto my fabric (which is the Rural Jardin plain in the aqua) . . .

then I started stitching . . .


There are 5 blocks available so far, with 12 in all to be done. I’m not sure what I’m going to add – maybe some little nine-patch blocks . . . we’ll see.

I quite liked stitching with the silk. It’s actually not quite as fine as would I would have preferred for this project, but still, I’m using it! I did a bit of Google-ing and it seems that the threads were probably made around 1925. They’ve held up pretty well – one spool was a little grubby on the outer threads, but most of the others are in pristine condition, with the label bands still in tact! There’s something quite appealing to me about working with older things (it’s a bit like antique furniture, I suppose). Whoever owned the threads before me must have a had a project in mind at some point, as there are 6 spools of one colour and a couple of another. Just goes to show – one girl’s stash is another girl’s treasure!

Catalicious Block 4 Complete!

May 15, 2010 in Patchwork & Quilting, Stitching, Craft | Tags: Cat, Stitchery, Stars, Catalicious | 5 comments

Block 4 stitched – tick.
Block 4 pressed – tick.
Block 4 pieced – tick.

Block 4 of Bronywn Hayes’ Catalicious BOM is called “Brutus with Sue and Cynthia”. This photo doesn’t show the colour very well, but the dark fabric is an aubergine colour, with the other print a buttercup-y sort of colour.

I thought this was going to pretty quick to stitch, but it seemed to take me a little longer than I estimated. But not to worry . . . I’m enjoying seeing all the blocks come together . And I think I’m enjoying satin stitch! If you’re like me and struggle a bit with this stitch and you haven’t seen this tutorial from Melly, check it out and give her technique a try – it worked for me!

So, that’s Block 1 – Brutus The Cat

Block 2 – Friends

and Block 3 – Sisters

I’m trying to use supplies on hand for this project, which is pretty satisfying. These Sawtooth Star blocks will be 18 1/2″ square (finished).  I don’t usually work with large blocks, so this is a bit of a change for me and I must say, I like seeing progress in the large sizes!