The Patriot Dress! Kwiksew Pattern 3521

Intermediate Class Project, Starts May 24th.

MISS WONG the process ::

A sweet and comfy reading nook, all created from one amazing painting as inspiration!
Here is our process:

"Miss Wong" was painted by Vladimir Tretchikoff in the 1950s.  We lucked out and found this print in a thrift store in Minnesota for $15.  We were instantly attracted to it, so we used it as a jumping off point for colors and textures.  

A mood board helped organize our vision

When it was time to go shopping - we found things we loved, but couldn't keep them all.  Here are some of the ones we passed up (for lots of reasons like: price, scale, color, and mood).

Once we had collected all the perfect pieces from things we already had around, and things we bought (including goodies from booth 57 at The Montana Antique Mall, and fabric from Selvedge Studio) it was time to do some sewing. 

An easy sewing project for a beginning seamstress, that makes a big impact, is a simple envelope pillow (check out our tutorial for step by step instructions). 

For an intermediate seamstress, recovering the cushions on a vintage chair can be rewarding and save you a bundle (check out our tutorial if you want to see how we did it). 

 

We had the curtains sewn by a local seamstress (thanks Lori), but curtains are also an easy DIY project for a quick fix (here is a tutorial on the simplest kind of curtains).  And ta-da!!

HOW TO RECOVER A CHAIR::

find:: a chair with good bones that only needs a little TLC

collect all your supplies::i am reusing the pillow forms from the chair, and have chosen an amazing chartreuse wool to recover them with.  i am skipping the piping so upholstery zippers and some thread are the only other supplies i need.

take careful measurements::  because these cushions are square there is a boxing band piece in addition to the top and bottom pieces.  i measured the band in 3 pieces, one long piece that goes around 3 sides of the pillow, and 2 shorter pieces in the back (one piece above the zipper and one below, creating a zipper panel).

cut out your pieces::

sew:: first,  sew the zipper panel by stitching the zipper between the two smaller band pieces.  sew the long band piece to the pillow's top.  next, sew the zipper panel to the band, finishing the back of the band.  then stitch the zipper panel to the top piece.

finish::
now, sew the band to the pillow's bottom piece.  pull it right side out through the zipper opening and press the seams.

enjoy::

ENVELOPE PILLOW TUTORIAL::

20 minutes and 1/2 yard of fabric, I swear

Step 1::  get 1/2 yard of 45" fabric at your local fabric shop, picking the fabric will be the hardest part of this project

Step 2::  press a 1" hem into the short (18") sides of your fabric

Step 3::  stitch your hem 

Step 4::  next, fold in the hemmed edges (right sides together), overlap your fabric to create an 18" length (you'll have an 18" square).  press

Step 5::  finally, stitch the 2 open edges closed.  pull your fabric right side out through the "envelope" opening and fill it with a pillow form.

ta da!  easy to sew, easy to clean and easy to change 

AN ELEPHANT SKETCHBOOK CASE::

Step 1::  First find a [copyright free] image you love. 
*TIP* It will print as a mirror image, so if there are words or directional images make sure to adjust it in Photoshop.  (Go to Image - Image Rotation - Flip Canvas)

 

Step 2:  Print your image on iron on transfer paper



Step 3::  Use a hot iron to press your image into your fabric according to the directions.  You can use an iron, we just happen to have a heat press

Step 4::  Peel the paper backing off your transfer.

 

Step 5::  Cut down your printed fabric to 2 pieces.
The front should be 10" x 11"
The back should be 14" x 11"
*OR* whatever size makes sense for your sketchbook, ipad, etc...




           

Step 6:: Sew your zipper to the front piece.
Don't stress out about zippers, take a deep breath and follow the instructions inside the package.



Step 7:: Sew the other side of the zipper to your back piece.

 

Step 8::  Now is a good time to embellish!

Step 9::  Press a fold into the back piece so it folds over the the front.  The bottom edges of your 2 pieces should line up. 

Step 10::  Stitch the side seams and bottom seam.

SNOWY PINE CONES

STEP ONE:: Collect nice Ponderosa pine cones.
(Pattee Canyon and Mnt Jumbo are good places to look).

STEP TWO::  Line a baking sheet with tin foil, so you don't make a mess. 

STEP THREE::  Grab some Spray  Adhesive.  Holding the pine cone at the bottom spray it liberally with adhesive, get all the nooks and crannies.

STEP FOUR::  Then take a handful of the Epsom Salts and sprinkle it over the pine cone(that is on your baking sheet, we warned you it was messy).

STEP FIVE::  Let them dry overnight, shake off the excess salt in the morning. 
Happy crafting from Margie Belle.
visit her on etsy

DAISY'S CHICKEN

This felt chicken project was inspired by a birthday girl named Daisy who loves chickens!  It is designed to be made out of felt and the pieces can either be sewn on or glued (depending on your skills, and level of enthusiasm)
Download a PDF of the pattern on our website!

Step 1 :: Cut out the background piece, it is your base that you will sew/glue your chicken parts onto. 

Step 2 ::  Cut out your chicken parts and glue or sew them to your background piece.

PS::  Daisy cut 2 hearts - hand sewed them together with embroidery floss and put in a little stuffing to bring her chicken to "life."  Then, cut a slit in the body piece to give it a place to rest.

KASEY'S INSPIRED TOP WITH A KNIT AND WOVEN

SWEET SMELLING SACHETS ::

One for each drawer...

1.  Choose 2 fabrics - remember the looser the weave, the more smells that will come through.  (And if one is sheer, you can see all your beautiful herbs)
  2.  Cut your 2 fabrics into 3 x3 squares
3.  Sew them RST (right sides together), leaving an opening.
4.  Clip your corners and turn your sachet right side out.
5.  Iron flat.

6.  Fill your sachets with your rice and herb mixture.  We recommend scents like: lavender, mint, rose bud, and rosemary.  (We got ours at Meadowsweet Herbs)
Add a little rice or flax to give it weight.  We used a ratio of 1 spoon of scent for 3 spoons of rice, but do what feels (and smells) right.

7.  Sorry, but you'll have to hand sew the opening closed.  Think of it as peaceful.

*TIP: switch up the size (add some ties) and make a microwavable eye pillow, or heating pad.

GWEN'S RAINBOOT CUFFS

Add pizzazz to your dreary old leopard print rainboots - Gwen-style.

Step 1: Measure the circumference of the top of your boot .  Transfer this  measurement to a piece of paper and add 2x the height you want your boot cuff to be.  Add a 1/2" for seam allowance to all 4 sides.

Step 2: Use your custom pattern to cut out the fabric for your cuff and  the lining.

Step 3:  Gwen made her's detachable (just in case she had a more casual occasion), by adding an adhesive velcro to the boot and sewing regular velcro to the cuff.

Step 4:  Next, interface your fabric so it isn't floppy.  Stitch your lining and exterior pieces together (right sides together, stitch all 4 sides but leave a hole to flip it right side out, then flip it right side out, press your seams flat, and top stitch around the cuff to close opening you left). Stitch your velcro on the bottom inside of the cuff. 

 Step 5:  Press a fold at the desired height.  

Step 6:  Gwen added elastic across the back to keep the cuff tight around her calf and covered it with an adorable bow.

Go get wet!