Fabric Covered Letters

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How FUN are these fabric covered letters!!!

fabric letters

You can embellish them with glitter, trim, rosettes, buttons, flowers, pretty much anything!  Get your glue gun and let’s get started!!

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Supplies

Letters – mine are 1/4″ MDF letters purchased at Beverly’s Crafts.  They measure 10″ tall

Fabric fat quarters

Decou page

foam brush

hot blue gun & glue

trim, glitter, buttons, or other embellishments

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Begin by making sure your fabric will cover the letter.

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Spread the Decou Page all over the front of the letter.  Lay the fabric over the letter, smoothing it out with your fingers.  Then apply a coat oa Decou Page over the fabric.  Let dry completely.

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Once it is completely dry.  Lay the letter upside down on a cutting mat.  Using an exacto knife or small utility knife, cut along the edge letter.  I put a movie on and did this because it takes some time 🙂

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Now comes the fun part – and the painful part!  Using a hot glue gun, run a bead of glue along the edge of the letter and attach trim.  I love these tiny pom poms!!  You could also use white glue and glitter like in the FUN letters.

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Once the trim is on you can make rosettes or flowers and hot glue them on if you want.

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I’m going to hang the SEW HAPPY letters up in my sewing room!!
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Strawberry Zipper Pouch Tutorial

strawberry zipper pouch tutorial deco foil

There is something about strawberries that makes it feel like summer!  This fun zipper pouch is the perfect addition to your warm weather outings!  Pack it with little snacks for the kids, keep sunscreen and chapstick in it, or keep emergency items like sewing kit and first aid kit handy in the car.  If you know me, you know I love zipper pouches!

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Supplies:

Scraps of fabric for front of bag – I used Briar Rose, one of my favorite fabric lines ever
1/4 yard natural cotton/linen blend for outer bag
1/4 yard lining
Heat n Bond® Fusible Fleece
Heat n Bond® Ultra
Heat n Bond® Lite
Pressing Sheet
iCraft® Deco Foil™ Pink Melon Transfer Sheets
11″ lace trim
14″ or longer zipper
Strawberry Pattern

Begin by cutting the fabrics according to this cutting guide: (you will also use this diagram for piecing guide)

strawberry zipper pouch

Trace the strawberry and stem on the Heat n Bond® Ultra. (We also recommend using our NEW iCraft® Deco Foil™ Hot Melt Transfer Adhesive Sheets)

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Cut out the strawberry and iron it to the white 5″ square according to the instructions.  Let cool completely.  Peel off the backing paper.  Next take the Pink Melon Deco Foil and place it over the Heat n Bond® strawberry.  Place a pressing sheet on top of the foil.  WITH A MEDIUM HOT IRON (HOT ULTRA HOT) press for about 15-20 seconds.  I wanted a slightly vintage look so I pressed for a shorter amount of time. (for a full Deco Foil™ look…press for 30 to 40 seconds and then allow to completely cool before removing the liner.)

This makes it so some of the foil peels off.  Let it cool then gently peel off the remaining Deco Foil.  The picture below is the same technique but with a different project:

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Trace the stem on the Heat n Bond® Lite.  Cut 1/4 ” around the stem.  Iron it to the wrong side of the green fabric.  Then cut around the stem pattern.  Peel off the backing paper. Position the stem.  Place the pressing paper over the strawberry to protect the Deco Foil.  Heat set the stem in place.  Top stitch around the stem.

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Once the strawberry is complete, sew the fabric pieces together in the layout diagram.  Press the seams – DO NOT press the Deco Foil strawberry.  The bag front should measure 8″ x 11″.  Iron the HeatnBond® Fusible Fleece to the wrong side of the bag front and the bag back.  Again, put a pressing paper over the strawberry to protect while fusing the fleece.  You can quilt the bag pieces or leave them as is.  Add the accent lace along the bottom seam.

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To insert the zipper, follow THIS tutorial.  It’s my friend’s and it’s the easiest to follow, and it comes out perfect every time!     IMG_7066

Wouldn’t this made a super cute gift?

Theme Print Zipper Pouch Tutorial

theme print zipper pouch tiger lily

Today I am sharing something I LOVE!!!  Zipper Pouches!  I can’t have enough of them and I love to give them as gifts.  In fact, the ones pictured in this tutorial is actually what I gave my nieces and nephew for Christmas.

zipper pouch tutorial 21 I have created this pattern so you can use your favorite theme print fabric and tailor it to who you are giving it to.   I even have Star Wars version!!  Let’s get started!!

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Supplies

1/4 yard outer bag fabric

1/4 yard lining fabric

1/8 yard accent strips

small scraps for theme print 5″ x 6 1/2″

Heat n Bond fusible fleece

Spray n bond

12″ or longer zipper

cutting instructionsCut the pieces according to the above cutting guide.

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Fuse the heat n Bond Fusible Fleece to the wrong side of the (2) outer bag pieces.

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Cut the 1.25″ accent strip into (4) 6.5″ x 1.25″ strips. IMG_2122

Press the accent strips in half lengthwise.
  IMG_2124Align the raw edges with the edge of the theme print fabric and sew a 1/4″ seam.  Do this to all (4) sides of the (2) theme print pieces. IMG_2125Press the accent strips so the seam allowance is toward the theme print. IMG_2126

Using the Spray n Bond (temporary basting spray) spray the theme print piece and position it on the outer bag, centering.  Topsitich along the seam to finish.

Inserting the Zipper

Note: This tutorial is for a zipper with zipper tabs. You can find more instructions HERE if you need a little extra help.  You can also use the”Open Wide” zipper method by clicking HERE .  I used both.

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Using the extra from the 1.25″ strip, cut (2) pieces 1.25″ x 5″.  Press them in half, and then press the raw edges under 1/4″. IMG_2128

Lay the zipper out positioning it on top of one of the outer bag pieces.  Position the tabs so they overlap each side of the bag 1″.  Cut the zipper to fit inside each tab.  Pin in place. IMG_2129

Sew 2 times along the edge of the tabs as pictured above. IMG_2130http://www.jedicraftgirl.com/wp-admin/post-new.phpCut along the fold of the zipper tab and cut away the excess zipper, leaving about 1/8″ of zipper.  This makes it so there is no bulky zipper in the side seam of the zipper pouch. IMG_2131

Position the zipper right sides together with the outer bag piece.  Notice the zipper tabs are hanging over, not to worry, we will square up in a minute. IMG_2132

Next position one of the lining pieces right side down on top of the outer bag with zipper in between.

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It should be layered together like the picture above.  Pin and sew 1/4″ seam along the top edge using a zipper foot.  Trim off the excess zipper tab so it is square with the outer bag.IMG_2133

Press the outer bag and lining piece so it looks like the above picture.

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Topstitch along the edge (above).  Then repeat with the other side of the zipper, aligning the pieces just like we did above.
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This is how it should look once the zipper is inserted (above).

Finishing the Bag

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Making sure the zipper is open, match the lining pieces together and the outer bag pieces together and pin all the way around.  IMG_2138

Make sure to push the zipper tab toward the lining piece and pin, matching the zipper seams.  Sew all the way around the zipper pouch using 1/4″ seam.  Leave a 3″ opening at the bottom of the bag for turning.  IMG_2144

Cut a 1″ square notch out each corner.  Openzipper-pouch-tutorial-27-1024x768

Open each notched corner and match seams.  Sew a 1/4″ seam, backstitching to start and stop.  Turn right side out and topstitch the opening closed.

zipper pouch tutorial

Your done!  You can see from the photo that I used a zipper tab on one and then the open wide zipper method on the others.  It’s just preference.

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For my nieces I am including a cute nail file, an EOS, and some yummy smelling hand sanitizer.  You could also include a small perfume, lotion, gum, notebook and pen.  One of my nieces is a ballerina and I know she’s going to love this darling fabric by Heather Ross!

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My other niece loves the ocean and fish so this Saltwater fabric by Riley Blake will be just perfect!.

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For the boys (which are always harder for me to buy for) you can include a small flashlight, deck of cards or other small game, PEZ dispenser or candy, small action figure or car.  I also purchased a whoopee cushion to include, just to drive my sister crazy!!

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zipper pouch tutorial 8

Valentine Tote Bag

valentine tote

I am so in love with Milk Sugar Flower fabric from Penny Rose for Valentine’s Day!  It just screams vintage valentine!  I thought Sally needed a cute tote bag to carry her valentines in when she has her Valentine Party!  This tote bag is the perfect size for so many things!  Library books, piano books, car trips, stuffed animals, and dolls!  Sally will be using it as her piano book bag when Valentine’s Day is over.  The bag gets its stability from Therm o Web Fusible Medium Weight Stabilizer.  You can totally sew it in an hour!  Yippee!!

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I have to pay her to model you know 🙂valentine tote bag

 

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valentine tote bagNote: The seam allowances very as noted in the directions

Supplies for project:

1/3 yard main fabric

1/4 yard white accent

1/3 yard blue accent & handles

1/3 yard lining

HeatnBond® Lite Fusible Adhesive

2 yards HeatnBond® medium weight fusible stabilizer

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Cut the following:

White (2) 4.5″ x 16″ accent strip main bag

Blue (2) 2″ x 16″ accent strip main bag

Pink (2) 10.5″ x 16″ main bag

Blue handles 6″ x WOF

Lining (2) 16″ squares

Sew the strips together in that order using 1/4″ seam allowances.  You should have (2) 16″ squares for the outer bag.

valentine tote bag 12Draw a heart on the Heat n Bond® Lite and iron it to the wrong side of the red fabric.

valentine tote bag 10 Cut around the heart and peel off the backing paper.  Position the heart as pictured above.  Make sure to leave plenty of room for the bag bottom.  Press into place and top stitch around the heart.

valentine tote bag 13Cut the HeatnBond® Interfacing/stabilizer into (4) 16″ squares.

valentine tote bag 14Cut the lining pieces (2) 16″ squares.

Fuse the HeatnBond® interfacing onto the wrong side of both the outer bag pieces and both of the lining pieces.

valentine tote bag 16Match both outer bag pieces right sides together and pin all the way around.  Do the same for the lining pieces.  Sew around the sides and the bottom using 1/2″ seam.  Leave a 3″ opening (for turning) on one of the sides of the lining.

valentine tote bag 20Cut a 2″ square notch out of the bottom corners of the outer bag and the lining.

valentine tote bag 21Open the notch and match the side seam and the bottom seam.  Pin.  Do this to each of the notched corners.

valentine tote bag 25Sew along this edge using 1/4″ seam.

valentine tote bag 23It’s starting to look like a bag!

valentine tote bag 29Press the 6″ handle strip in half lengthwise, then fold the edges into the center, the handle strip should be pressed into equal sections of four.

valentine tote bag 30Press the handles and top stitch along both long sides.  Trim off selvage.  Cut the handle strip in half creating 2 handles.

valentine tote bag 31Turn the outer bag right side out and pin the handles into place.  Measure 3.5″ from the side of the bag to position the handle.  Baste the edge of each handle 1/8″ from the edge.

valentine tote bag 32Place the right side out outer bag inside the inside out lining (that wasn’t confusing at all!)  The above picture is how it should look.  Essentially the lining and the outer bag are right sides together.  Match the side seams.  Pin all the way around the bag.  Sew 1/4″ along the edge all the way around the bag.  Turn the bag right side out through the opening of the lining.  Top stitch the opening closed.  Press the lining of the bag so you can’t see any lining on the front of the bag.  Top stitch 1/8″ seam all the way around the top of the bag.

valentine tote bag 34I love how it turned out and so does Sally!  It just screams Sweet Valentine!

valentine tote bag 33Time to get working on our valentines!

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Sizzix Heart Quilt

sizzix heart quilt

I think I love Valentine’s Day so much because it pulls me out of the “After Christmas Blues”.  It’s bright, and happy!  I love the simplicity of this quilt – a simple heart applique.  What makes it feel special is that no two hearts are the same and the backgrounds are a variety of low volume prints.  When ever I go to a quilt shop and I’m not sure what to buy, I end up purchasing charm packs.  I had this “Scrumptious” charm pack by Moda tucked away and it was perfect for this project.  sizzix heart quilt 3

DIY Heart Quilt: A Cozy and Sweet Make for Valentine's Day
Heat n Bond Lite by Therm O Web is my go to for any Sizzix applique projects. I love it because it’s light weight, it fuses fast, and peels easy. Cut the Heat n Bond Lite into (25) 5″ squares.
DIY Heart Quilt: A Cozy and Sweet Make for Valentine's Day
DIY Heart Quilt: A Cozy and Sweet Make for Valentine's Day
Select 25 of your favorite squares from the charm pack.
DIY Heart Quilt: A Cozy and Sweet Make for Valentine's Day
Fuse the Heat n Bond Lite to the wrong side of each of the 25 charm squares. Let cool.
DIY Heart Quilt: A Cozy and Sweet Make for Valentine's Day
Make sure your cat helps with all the die cutting! Die cut each of the 25 squares using the Fabi heart. The squares are just big enough to cover the whole heart.
DIY Heart Quilt: A Cozy and Sweet Make for Valentine's Day
Cut a variety of low volume prints into 7″ squares. You will need 25 total. Peel off the backing paper and position the heart in the center of each of the 7″ squares. Heat set into place. Top stitch around each heart, I used light pink thread.
DIY Heart Quilt: A Cozy and Sweet Make for Valentine's Day
Lay out the blocks as desired. You could easily turn this into a table runner or add more blocks for a baby quilt or throw quilt. Sew each block together in rows using 1/4″ seams. Press each row alternately so it makes it easy to match seams. Sew the rows together and press in one direction. Quilt.
DIY Heart Quilt: A Cozy and Sweet Make for Valentine's Day
DIY Heart Quilt: A Cozy and Sweet Make for Valentine's Day
DIY Heart Quilt: A Cozy and Sweet Make for Valentine's Day
I quilted a scallop boarder around each heart to give it a “Valentine” feel. Then 1/4″ straight line seams. Add the binding and you’re done!
DIY Heart Quilt: A Cozy and Sweet Make for Valentine's Day

 

 

 

Farmers Market Quilt Pattern featuring Riley Blake Designs Vintage Market

farmers market quilt coverI am so excited to share my newest pattern called Farmers Market!  The inspiration came from this amazing fabric by Riley Blake Designs called Vintage Market, designed by the super talented Tasha Noel.  This fabric has darling images of fruit stands, antique markets, and jam for sale.  All things I LOVE!!!  Plus the colors are fabulous!!!farmers market quilt vintage market

This pattern is available to you for FREE!  Click HERE to download the PDF pattern.  I hope you love making it – it was so much fun!

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farmers market quilt vintage market 7Don’t my sweet children look like they are having such a lovely picnic!  You would ever know they were fighting with each other and I was yelling at them “just look at the fruit!!!!”

farmers market quilt vintage market 6  farmers market quilt vintage market 9

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#kittyquilter Mini Quilt Tutorial


kitty quilter mini quilt

Hey there all you crazy cat quilter friends!  I have a fun mini quilt for you!!  I love using the hashtag #kittyquilter on Instagram.  There is something about felines and quilting that just go so well together!  Baby Mufasa is involved in every step of the quilting process: choosing fabric, cutting, basting, and binding – he’s right there!

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This fun little quilt sews up fast.  The fabrics are from Blend Fabrics’ Best in Show fabric line.  I am sew in love with the kitty faces fabric – I ordered more yardage to make a skirt!!!   You could easily make this with your favorite cat theme print fabric.

This quilt has 2 different traditional quilt blocks: Kitty in the Corner and King’s Crown.  I choose kitty in the corner for obvious reasons and I choose King’s Crown because Mufasa means King!  Isn’t that the cutest!!  Let’s get started!  (1/4″ seams throughout)

Supplies:

1/4 yard of a variety of coordinating fabrics including cat theme print

Heat n Bond Lite EZ print Sheets

#kittyquilter letters

batting

1/2 yard backing

1/4 yard binding

Fussy Cut (4) Cats

Choose the cats you want in the center of the blocks and cut them 3.5″ square.

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Kitty in the Corner Block 6.5″ finished

Make (2) of these

Cut the fabric according to the diagram pictured below.  I don’t know about you, but I love when measurements are shown in pictures and not in a long list of cutting instructions.

kitty in the corner quilt block diagram

Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the (4) white squares.  Match a white square and a patterned square right sides together and sew on the pencil line.  Cut 1/4″ away from the seam.  Press to the dark.  Do this with each of the (4) white blocks and (4) patterned blocks.  This makes (4) half square triangle (HST) units.  Arrange them as pictured below and sew as you would a traditional 9-patch.

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Kings Crown Block 6.5″ finished

Cut the fabrics according to the picture below.  Make sure to cut (8) white 2″x2″ squares, I only have 4 in the picture.
kings crown quilt bloock

 

Draw a diagonal line on the back of the (8) white squares.  Next make (4) flying geese units by laying the white square right sides together with a patterned rectangle, matching up the 3 edges.  Sew on the line as pictured below:

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Trim 1/4″ next to the seam and press toward the dark.  Place another white square on top of that unit and sew on the line, as pictured below:

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Cut 1/4″ away from the seam and press again.  The block should look like this:
kitty quilter mini quilt

If you turn the flying geese blocks around it makes a Sawtooth Star pattern.  I love that each of these blocks has the same center measurement and only a variation on the 2″ sides!

Sew the block together and press seams open.

kitty quilter mini quilt 8Happy Cat blocks!!

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Prepare the applique

Print the letters on the EZ print sheets and iron them to the back of the desired fabric.  Cut around each letter and peel off the backing paper.

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Cut the remaining strips according to this cutting diagram:

#kittyquilter design

Position the letters on the white strip and press in place.  Top stitch around each letter.
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Sew the (4) blocks together and press seams open.  Sew each of the rows together according to the layout diagram.  Quilt, bind, and let the cat have a nap on it:)

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Mufasa loves it!  and I hope you do too!!!

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Come Sail Away With Me {pattern}

IMG_7534I am sooooo excited to announce the release of my new pattern!  I had so much fun creating it.  I was inspired by all the wonderful prints in the Day Sail fabric line by Moda.  The fabrics are AMAZING!  I didn’t want to cut it up into tiny pieces, I wanted the fabrics to shine!  I feel like they do in this quilt.  I love all things nautical and I NEEDED a nautical quilt!  So meet Come Sail Away With Me!!

This pattern also includes a bonus wall quilt pattern.  The pattern is available to purchase HERE.

day sail nautical quiltThe large quilt measures 59″ square.  The perfect size for a picnic, day at the beach, or to take on your sail boat…..heehee I wish I had a sail boat!  day sail nautical quilt

The Wall Quilt measures 41″ x 48″ – perfect to hang, fold over a couch or lay on a table.

daysail moda nautical quilt

Baby Mufasa was very helpful in creating this quilt!!  #kittyquilter

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daysail by moda nautical quilt pattern
I hope you love these quilts as much as I do!  Thanks for stopping by!
Day Sail Moda Quilt Nautical

Day Sail Nautical Quilt patern

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Anchored In Christ Wood Sign {DIY}

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I wanted to share with you how I made this fun wood nautical sign – for under $20!  I am our Stake Young Women Camp Director (for girls age 12-18).  This year our theme is Anchored in Christ. I wanted a large wood sign that I could use to promote our theme at all our planning meetings.  This sign can easily be changed to say was ever you want 🙂

I started by purchasing this cedar fencing at the home improvement store.  You only need 3 boards.wood anchor sign 7

 

Its cheap and rustic – just what I wanted!!wood anchor sign 8

 

We  (my husband cut and I watched) cut them into 3 foot pieces, 6 total.  We cut the little angled pieces off the end so they were all flush.IMG_7361

Then we cut (2) 1″x 2″ pieces of wood slightly shorter than the sign.  I put wood glue along the boards and then screwed the 1″ x 2″ boards in as pictured.  Let dry.

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I bought a dark gray stain and stained the front.  Because I can’t draw or write pretty, I cut the words on my vinyl cutter and made a stencil.  I stenciled the words in white paint. wood anchor sign

I found an anchor outline on the internet and blew it up really big.  I printed it off in sections and then taped it together.  Yes, pathetic – why can’t I just draw!

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Once all the pieces were taped together, I cut out the anchor.wood anchor sign 3

Then I drew around it with white pencil.  All that was left was to paint in the lines (I can kind of do that) with white paint.

wood anchor sign 4I added some rope along the sides.  This was my display for our first leader meeting where we kicked off the theme.  I love all things Nautical, in case you were wondering 🙂

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Fish Bubbles Apron and Runner Tutorial

sizzix fish apronI had so much fun sewing my Fish Bubbles Pillow that I wanted to make more Fish Bubbles projects!  Have you seen the toweling by the yard?  It is amazing!  It is hemmed on both edges and it comes in a variety of colors and patterns.  I thought it would be fun to make an apron with it and a table runner.  Here’s how you can make one.

Supplies:

1.5 yards of toweling

Sizzix Fish Die

Sizzix Circles 1 1/2″ Die

Heat n Bond Lite if you want to sew the appliqué or Heat n Bond Ultra if you want “no-sew”

1/2 yard for waist band

Cut the toweling to 1.5 yards.
fish apron 3Hem the cut sides of the toweling by turing under 1/2″ and again 1/2″ and sewing close to the fold.

fish apron 4

 

Choose some fun fabrics and iron the Heat n Bond to the wrong side of the fabric.  Heat n Bond Lite is a great light weight fusible appliqué but is best if you sew around it to secure.  Heat n Bond
Ultra requires no sewing.  I used Heat n Bond Ultra for this.  Once you have fused the appliqué medium to the wrong side of the fabric, run it through the Sizzix Fabi.

fish bubbles pillow 4 
I appliquéd 4 fish and 5 bubbles.

Now all you have to do is make the apron waist band.  Cut (3) 5″ x WOF strips from the waist band fabric.  From one of those pieces cut it down to 24″ x 5″  The two long pieces will be the ties and the 24″ piece will be the waist band.

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Fold the ties in half lengthwise and sew, leaving one end open, and angling the other end to form a point like this:  Turn right side out, press, and top stitch along both sides 1/8″ from the edge.
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Cut the top hem of the toweling off to reduce bulk while gathering (I tried it with the hem and it was way too thick.)  Run a zig zag stitch along the top edge to cut down on the fraying.fish apron 9

We a gathering stitch along this top edge about 1/4″ from the top.  Pull up the threads to gather.  Pin the gathers to a WRONG edge of the 24″ waist band strip, pinning 1″ from the edge of the strip on both sides.  Sew along the gathering stitch.fish apron 12

Press the other edge of the waist band under a generous 1/4″, then fold it over to the front to cover the gathering stitch.  Top stitch to secure, leaving the edges open.  Take those ends and fold them in 1/2″.  Tuck the ends of the ties in the side openings and sew where the pin is in the photo below:
fish apron 13

Apron is finished!  I love, it’s the cutest ever!!!fish apron 14

fish apron 18

To make the table runner, you need about 5 minutes!  Cut the toweling to the desired length of your table.  Hem the edges by rolling under 1/2″ then another 1/2″.  Sew to secure.

fish apron 2Cut the fish and circles using the Sizzix Fabi with Ultra Hold.  Then Iron the fish and bubbles in place!  This project is great because it adds a nice pop of color and doesn’t take much time at all!!fish apron 19