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

Getting Scrappy

I actually had my scraps organized by color ... once.

Like most, working in fabric leaves me with a lot of scraps. And I mean a lot. Part of the problem is that I hate to throw any fabric away so I'm left with some very small pieces. I can't help but think that it would be a great start to a bigger block... Still, eventually you have to use them or you're left with that mess over there. And that's only one basket!

Check out the Flickr Group too!

Awhile ago I started making scrappy blocks to be used in a quilt someday. They are fun to make and help me get back into sewing after a hiatus or when I need inspiration. Then I saw the Lancaster Diamond Quiltalong and couldn't resist. First of all, I love Daisy Janie fabric - it's absolutely wonderful to work with! I also really appreciate her blog. Not only is there crafty stuff to read about, but Jan also has a great series on growing organically, as well as other environmentally conscious topics. If you've ever been curious about organic fabric, start here. She also has numerous links you can check out. Anyway, I received my template yesterday from Ann Holte Quilting and made my first block last night! I fully intend to mix styles and colors. The only uniformity will be in the sashing and cornerstones.




Another scrappy project I just completed (yes, I actually finished something!!) was a journal for one of my favorite people. She's a great friend with a lot on her plate so I really wanted to make her a little something special. Unfortunately, she has one of everything I've ever made - mug rugs, quilts, totes... you get the picture. So I asked for some advice and my twin (Selina of My Little House) came to the rescue suggesting a journal . Ironically, I had been wanting to make one for quite some time plus I knew that my friend would love it! It was the perfect suggestion (then again, that's why we're cosmic twins).

None of the photos turned out that great which is a bummer because that might just be my best binding job ever! I found some great little notebooks with perforated pages that would be great for unleashing deep, dark secrets... err, fantasies... personal thoughts, as well as a regular notebook because you can tear out (or burn) the parts you don't want to keep. Seriously, I think it's a convenient little journal :) Most importantly, my friend loved it and that's what matters most!

The construction of the journal was done using scraps from projects where I used interfacing - Pellon 809, to be exact (I buy it by the bolt). The interior also has interfacing. Then I added a layer of batting and did some straight line quilting. I was very pleased with the construction and it lays flat when closed. I plan to make a few more now that I've found more scraps!









How about you? Do you have any scrappy projects in the works?

~Beth


Always in motion is the future
~Yoda

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 :)