Placemat Arm Caddy Tutorial

Since I finished 3 of my UFO's I
decided to sew my arm caddy.
I have had the placements for
awhile to do this with so it could
be considered a UFO too!




I used two quilted placements
that cost around $3 .




Cut the placemat from
each end 6".













Cut the center into
3 pieces. I used the
quilting design to
determine where to
cut. I used the center
as the pincushion.
The other two
pieces will be used
later.

I zigzagged the cut
edges of the big
pieces for the
pockets.

Sew rick rack or used
another trim to cover
the edges. I left an inch
to turn under when I
sew it on.






Pin in place the
piece for the
pincushion and
sew around 3
sides leaving
the last open to
stuff and then
sew it closed.

I also sewed a 20"
piece of rickrack
to attach scissors
under one end.


I sewed rickrack
around the pincushion
and embroidered
flowers with french
knots and lazy daisies.

I made a yoyo flower with
two leaves and attached
with a button.

Sew the pockets on.


I cut the smaller
center piece in
half and zigzag
the edges.

Cut 2 pieces of
felt and place
in the center
between the
two pieces and
zigzag the back
edge making a
book for needles.

Now I am ready
to sew and finish
a few more UFO's!

I hope you have
fun making one.

You can use the
back of the placemat
if you want more
of a contrast.

Happy sewing!.............Carlie

Tshirt Re-do Tutorial

This is Meghan my oldest Granddaughter.
She spent the night and we decided to
re-do some old tshirts.

This one we cut off the neckline and then
cut it right down the center of the front.
Then with a rotary cutter I cut
strips 1" apart and 3" long on each side.
Then all you have to do is tie the sides
together and you have a neat new shirt!

Then Meghan wanted a shirt with the back
cut in strips(I don't know why but I did it!)
The cuts were 3" apart and almost all
the way across the back.

I made a second one (after she love the
first one so much) of a different color
and didn't cut it so far to the side.



Then I decided to try one for me. So I bought
2 tshirts for $3 and cut off the neckline and
sleeve hems on one shirt...

Then I cut the bottom of the second one into
3" strips.

The I sewed two strips together to make a
large circle...then I sewed a long gathering
stitch down the middle.

Next I pinned the gathered ruffle around the
neckline (that I had already turned under
about 1/4" and stitched). Then I sewed it
on top of the gathering line to the top of
the neck.

Using the same method only using 1 piece
for the ruffle, I did the sleeves...

The finished product...I thought the ruffles
were a little large so I trimmed them down about
1/2" on each side...it looks much better so I
would recommend to cut the strips 2" instead
of 3". I like it a lot and will try another one soon!


Happy Stitchin'...........Carlie

Book Bag Tutorial

This is my first attempt at making a purse out
of a hardback book. I took pictures along the
way and thought I would share how I did it...


First, pick a hardback that has a cover you like and is not attached to the spine. This book was
about three inches thick. I think the thicker the
better as this will determine how room you will have inside.

Next using a craft knife or razor cut the inside
of the book down the edge of the cover page
being careful not to cut into the spine. Do the
same to the back cover page and remove the inside.











Pick out your fabric and fold a piece in half and
place the book on top...opening it to the width
that you would like it to be able to open.


Lay the folded edge at the top ( the widest part)
and allowing 1 inch all the way around...cut out.
Cut two of these pieces for each end of the book.

You will need to sew 1/4" seam or glue the
edges together...I think the next time I make
one I will use an iron on fabric bonding material.
I used the glue gun as I wanted to get it done
fast with no sewing!!

• 

Now you need to measure the front cover of
the book and cut two pieces of cardboard
slightly smaller than the cover...

Cut two pieces of fabric 1 inch larger all the
way around and clip off the corners leaving
1/4 inch from the cardboard.

Lay fabric wrong side up with the cardboard
on top. Put a little glue on each corner and press the fabric onto it. Run a line of glue down one side and fold fabric over it and press down smooth. Do the opposite side next and the the ends.

Do the same for the other piece of fabric and
cardboard. If you have ever made a covered
photo album this is done the same way.

• 

Now measure two pieces of grosgrain ribbon
for the handles and one piece for the closing
tab. You could sew your handles if you would
like it to match. Mine were 24 inches. I cut a
piece 6 inches for the closing tab.

Glue them in place on each side of the edge
of the book. The tab is glued on the back
of the front of the book.

Now is the hard part...gluing the end pieces.
Run a line of glue on the front edge and press fabric to it being sure that the fold is even with
the edge. Then do the back edge. Then do the
bottom of the triangle to the spine. Repeat on
the other side.

• 

Now cut a piece of fabric the size of the spine plus
1 inch all the way around and press the 1 inch on
the ends under.


Now starting at one end place glue on the folded
under part and press down over the end to cover the triangle edges. Working your way down the

spine by gluing a little at a time until you get to the other end.





Now to cover the uglies! Taking the covered cardboard piece place it inside the book and

starting at the bottom glue and press in place and hold till cool. Then glue the middle and last the top. Using clips or clothespins to hold the edges
until the glue is cool or dry depending on which
kind of glue you used.

Now the inside is finished!!!!














Now you need to place the flap on the back and
measure where to glue the velcro...keep in mind
that the bag will have stuff in it and that will make the tab shorter. Fold under the end of the
tab and glue it...then glue the velcro to the end of the tab.








Now you are done!!!! ...I wouldn't carry a lot of heavy things in it but it will hold a billfold,
comb and keys. Or this would be great to carry
the book you are reading and your reading
glasses in!!! ENJOY!!!