Quick Tip #1

One thing that really made me crazy while making key fobs
was attaching the hardware. I used an old piece of batting as
a barrier between the metal so that the fob wouldn't get scratched.
Unfortunately, it also made it difficult to see what I was doing and more than once my fobs came out crooked.

Then I had a brilliant idea. Yeah, I know that sounded conceited but I'm pretty excited about this!

I decided to glue a piece of felt to each side of the pliers. As you can see in the photo, I am able to see (and control) exactly how the hardware is being attached. No more crooked fobs! I used cheap felt from Michaels and E6000 glue.


This can work for a variety of projects, including gun construction (according to the Cop).
I also recommend stealing the pliers, attaching the felt, then asking for forgiveness - in that order ;) 

EDIT: After about 10 fobs the felt started to wear through. I'm adding another layer but I think I'll look into a different material too. Make sure check the pliers frequently so that you don't scratch the hardware! 

**Quick Tips will be compiled on the 'Quick Tips' page for easy access**

Amy Butler Cameo Sew-A-Long Part II

You can read Part I here, where I introduced my project.

This time I'm going to share some of the issues I had while making the messenger bag.

First of all, I made this up as I went. I had a general idea as to what the finished bag should look like, but that was it. On one hand, it was a very liberating experience, on the other, it resulted in several mistakes that I couldn't fix.

<--- Like that one over there. I had the interior completely finished when I realized that it was way too big. So I had to take it apart. And because I was a bit frustrated, I may have taken it out on the lining... and ripped the fabric. But it wasn't until I put the bag together that I realized how bad it was.

My seam ripping fiasco also created an issue after putting the bag together. You can see that in the second photo. That too would have required taking apart the entire bag again. It also would have made the finished bag smaller. I chose to leave it and learn from it.

Take home message for this round: 'Patience, Young Padawan!'

There are a couple other photos on my Flickr page showing more issues and the process, in general.

Next Time: Finishing touches and the finished bag

Fab Fobs

So thanks to all the RATZ swapping, I've been making all sorts of things I normally wouldn't have made time for. You might remember the first swap when I made some key fobs. Well, I had some leftover supplies and thought they might be a great addition to my goods for the vendor fair.

After making a couple, I decided I needed a better method.Originally I was creating a 1" bias tape to sew onto the webbing. However, I just didn't like the way certain fabrics behaved with that method. I felt like you could see that center seem too much plus I didn't have enough consistency down the strips and some areas looked thicker/thinner than the rest. 

See, in all of my crafting, I really have to work hard at keeping things straight - lines, that is. That handy little 1/4inch foot for the sewing machine? Yeah, that was made for people like me! So many people are afraid to try free-motion quilting but I do it because I find it much easier (and more fun) than straight line quilting. Straight line quilting stresses me out!

Anyway, I found a method for making the key fobs that works really well. So if you're straight-line challenged like me, you might enjoy this quickie tutorial. It actually saves me time and frustration.

Materials:
- 10" of cotton webbing 
- (1) 10 x 3 piece of fabric
- (2) 1x 9 3/4 (a little less than 10")  fusible web such as Pellon Wonder Under (#805) *SEE IMAGE
- Fob Hardware I bought mine at Everything Ribbons on Etsy I just put in a rush order and they have been terrific!!

Optional but recommended:
- Fray Check
- (1) 10 x 1/4 fusible web

1. Once you've chosen your fabric (I used some Central Park by Kate Spain because I love her stuff) layout your Wonder Under so that they are lined up on the top and bottom edge. Iron in place.

NOTE: Wonder Under will stick to your ironing board cover and iron so be make sure it doesn't extend over the edges of the fabric

2. DO NOT remove the paper from the fuse yet.
This will keep your sides straight.
Fold up one side using the paper on the fuse as a guide. Iron to emphasize the crease.

3. Now fold the other side.
It will overlap and the paper will fold. This will give you that crisp straight line. Iron this too, on both sides.

4. Remove the paper from the first side you folded
(without the paper folded).

5. Refold and iron JUST the edge. You want to be able to remove the paper from the other side.

6. Remove the (folded) paper from the other side and iron together. Your creases should be able to guide you without the fabric getting all weird/wonky.

You should be left with a perfectly straight
1" wide strip of fabric ready to be attached to
 your webbing. 












Additional Info:


I apply fray check to the end of the webbing so that it doesn't get ratty looking. The other thing I find that helps is taking an additional piece of fuse and attaching the fabric to the webbing so that it doesn't slide while sewing it into place.

And there's my little fab fob 'trick'. Hope it works for you too!

More RATZ

June marks the second round of the RATZ swap. This month we're making magnets. To be honest, I wasn't sure if this would be that much fun - I mean, it's just magnets, right? I was wrong! I am loving this swap so much. Who knew it would be so much fun to make magnets?! So far I've made button magnets and I am totally obsessed!

So much so, that I ordered more supplies. I haven't actually attached the magnets yet (my supplies will arrive today) but I ordered the super-duper hardcore rare Earth magnets so I'm sure they will stick.


One of the things I like about making the button magnets is that I can use scraps of fabric which, as you know, I have plenty. Also, there is the instant gratification of having completed something quick and simple. Most of my projects have steps and/or are time-consuming to some extent. These let me feel like I accomplished something and sometimes I need that.

I think the magnets would make a nice gift or 'extra'. My plan is to sell them too. I've been working on an inventory for awhile now and will be opening shop soon. However, that's a post for another day ;)

The button covers come in a variety of sizes. The ones shown above are #45 Flat Backs. The other type have a wire back so that you can attach the button to something else. You need the flat backs to attach the magnets.

If you are interested in making your own, check out this tutorial: http://www.abernathycrafts.com/2012/05/super-strong-fabric-magnets-tutorial.html

I found all of my supplies on Etsy

As far as which ones will be sent to my partner, that remains a mystery ;) I'm also making another type of magnet and will share everything once the swap is over.


Happy Crafting
~Beth

RATZ Swap

It's been awhile since I've participated in any swaps and I was kind of missing it. However, I knew I wouldn't have time to get involved in anything major like a doll quilt or bee swap so I missed out on quite a few. But then Susan (iamchickenfoot) Tweeted about a quick little swap happening for May and I couldn't pass it up. It's exactly what I was looking for - small, quick and fun. After all, it is called the Rapid and Tiny Zakka Swap or RATZ, for short.

The theme for May was key fobs/key chains or anything that can hold a key. There are just so many variations and styles! I had a lot of fun with this and I even experimented with leather, which was interesting...

Here are some of my trials/experiments and the package I sent to my partner. June is magnets. If you're interested, check out the Flickr Group to learn more or to check out all the fobs.

These were the first two I made. They weren't
quite my partners style but I think
I know exactly where to send them...

My attempt at leather. I like that it doesn't fray but
it's hard to keep the shape. And oh, that diamond was
paper-pieced!

In the end, I decided to go with a pouch and a fob.
I love those turtles! I hope my partner does too :)

Fabric Dyeing

Prep Work

I should start out by saying that I have no specific formula and that I wing it every time. However, if you are more of a planner/ note taker, it would be really easy to keep track of recipes, dye times etc. – that’s just not me. I also need to mention that I followed this formula from Melody Johnson’s Fibermania blog (The Lazy Dyer). Based on her instructions, I made my own dyes and went from there. What I like about her method is that she doesn’t use any harsh chemicals (besides the dyes). In a perfect world - the one where I have a money tree planted out back – I would use plant-based dyes. But in this real world, I use Procion Dyes.

I think these would make a lovely quilt.

Dyeing

I have a small house and I’m excellent at making a mess. However, I am able to do the dyeing in my kitchen. I bought some cheap containers from Five Below (2 med and 2 lg) and some Glad plastic containers. This gives me plenty of options while I’m working. I can get about 1yard to fit in the Glad containers. Depending on how dark I want a color, I will leave the fabric soaking from 15 minutes to over an hour. While the kitchen works just fine, the downside is that it’s harder to experiment, or at least a lot messier.

Dye Supplies/ Tools

When I want to get some really fun colors or just have fun playing, I dye outside. On my deck, I set up a card table that I cover with a cheap shower curtain liner. I pour my mixed dyes into squirt bottles and go at it. I have gotten some really beautiful results doing this. Since I am terrible about taking notes, I will never be able to replicate them – but that’s okay with me.

This is my favorite experimental piece.
 I'm thinking about framing it.

I think what I love about dyeing fabric is that you never know what you’re going to get. Like pulling a ceramic piece from the kiln, pulling the finished fabric from the dryer is as fun as the actual making.

Oh yeah, the fabric I use is Economy Muslin from Dharma Trading Co.

RESOURCES

Fibermania’s The Lazy Dyer

Dharma Trading Co. (I find them to have the most reasonable prices for fabric and dyes)

~ Beth