return on creativity: star applique pillow

I made this star applique pillow this weekend.  It was so easy and fun.  Here's how to do your own star applique:

1.  Draw a star on a piece of paper (just like your grade school teacher did at the top of your papers!)

2.  Trace around the star to create a template for your fabric.

3.  Cut your star tracing out of fabric.  I used felt since the edges don't fray.

4.  Pin or hold your star onto your fabric and sew a star just like you drew in step 1.  It's really pretty easy to sew because it is all straight lines!  When you get to the end of one straight line leave your needle in the fabric, lift your presser foot and sew in the next direction.

Pretty fun and I think they look cute!

This pillow is available in my shop for purchase.

return on creativity: lil leaf tote bag

Here's the last of the "lil" tote bags that I made.  What comes after a lil tree and a lil carnation?  A lil leaf a course.

Here's how to make this bag:

1.  Cut four 14 inch squares of fabric.  Two from the outer bag fabric and two from the lining fabric.  I used a home dec weight fabric for the outer bag fabric so I did not add any interfacing to this bag.

2.  Trace the leaf design onto the paper side of some Wonder Under fusible web.  I've included my leaf design below.

3.  Iron the Wonder Under to the wrong side of the fabric you are using for the leaf.  Cut out the designs and remove the paper backing.

4.  Iron the flower to the right side of one of the outer bag squares.

5.  Stitch around the design using a straight stitch on your sewing machine.  Sew very close to the edge of the fabric.  I used white thread.  Here is a view of the back.

6.  Put right sides of the outer back squares together and sew around three sides, leaving the top of the bag open.  Use a half inch seam allowance.

7.  Make a boxed corner on the bag by following the steps below:

Fold the  bottom corner into a point.

Measure one inch from the corner stitching and mark with a water soluble marker across the point.

Sew along the marked line.

Cut off excess fabric and repeat on other corner.

8.  Repeat steps 6 and 7 with the lining fabric.

9.  Cut four 18 inch by 2.5 inch lengths of fabric.  Two from the outer bag fabric and two from the lining fabric.

10.  Place one outer fabric length and one lining length together, right sides facing and sew the long sides with a quarter inch seam allowance.

11.  Turn the fabric right side out with the help of a safety pin.  Press the straps flat.

12.  Place the outer bag inside the bag lining with right sides facing.  Sew around the top of the bag leaving a three inch opening. 

13.  Pull the outer bag through the opening and turn the lining into the bag.  Top stitch around the edge of the bag, sewing the opening closed.

14.  Fold under the raw edges of the straps and pin onto the outside of the bag two inches in from the edge.  Top stitch around the straps sewing them onto the bag as you sew.

And you are done!

a big idea: applique inspiration

I mentioned that I have been feeling inspired by applique lately.  Here's a little more inspiration courtesy of a search on Pinterest.

I love this peacock inspired pillow.  My grandmother had some peacock feathers in a vase in her home when I was little and I was always fascinated by them.

This deer head pillow is so dear (sorry).  I need to try a silhouette applique with printed fabric.

This bunting bag is so pretty and a great way to use up little scraps of fabric that you just can't let go of.

I think I see a golden retriever version of this bag in my future.

Give applique a try.  It's a great way to add a unique feature to your project.

return on creativity: lil carnation tote bag

I am really feeling inspired by applique right now.  I sketched a carnation for this tote bag.  I love that this flower is on a bright red background.  Red is by far my favorite color.

I modified my bag construction a bit from the lil tree tote bag.  It's a bit wider and the bottom is a little boxy which I think gives the bag a nice shape.

Here's how to make this bag:

1.  Cut four 14 inch squares of fabric.  Two from the outer bag fabric and two from the lining fabric.  I used a home dec weight fabric for the outer bag fabric so I did not add any interfacing to this bag.

2.  Trace the flower and stem designs onto the paper side of some Wonder Under fusible web.  I've included my carnation design below.

3.  Iron the Wonder Under to the wrong side of the fabric you are using for the flower and the stem.  I used white fabric for the flower and green fabric for the stem.  Cut out the designs and remove the paper backing.

4.  Iron the flower to the right side of one of the outer bag squares.  Then place and iron on the stem.

5.  Stitch around the design using a straight stitch on your sewing machine.  Sew very close to the edge of the fabric.  I used black thread since my lining and straps are black.

6.  Put right sides of the outer back squares together and sew around three sides, leaving the top of the bag open.  Use a half inch seam allowance.

7.  Make a boxed corner on the bag by following the steps below:

Fold the  bottom corner into a point.

Measure one inch from the corner stitching and mark with a water soluble marker across the point.

Sew along the marked line.

Cut off excess fabric and repeat on other corner.

8.  Repeat steps 6 and 7 with the lining fabric.

9.  Cut two 18 inch lengths of belting and sew to the right side of the outer bag with seams matching.  Place the straps about two inches in from the seams of the bag.

10,  Place the outer bag inside the bag lining with right sides facing.  Sew around the top of the bag leaving a three inch opening.  Make sure the straps are tucked in.

11.  Pull the outer bag through the opening and turn the lining into the bag.  Top stitch around the edge of the bag, sewing the opening closed.

There you have it.  I think these little tote bags could make lovely gifts, especially if you tuck more goodies inside.  Happy sewing!

return on creativity: lil' tree tote bag

Here's how to make this cute lil' appliqued tote bag.

1.  Cut six 11 inch by 14 inch rectangles of fabric; two from the outer bag fabric, two from the lining fabric, and two from Craft Fuse interfacing.

2.  Iron the Craft Fuse interfacing to the wrong side of the outer bag fabric rectangles.  (I first used Craft Fuse on my ruffled sunglass case and I like the weight it adds to fabric for bags.  However, this step is optional.)

3.  Trace a tree truck onto the paper side of Wonder Under fusible web.  I've provided my tree trunk drawing below.

4.  Iron the Wonder Under onto the wrong side of the fabric you would like to use for the tree trunk.

5.  Cut out the tree trunk, peel off the paper backing, and iron onto the right side of one of the outer bag rectangles of fabric.

6.  Using a straight stitch sew the trunk to the fabric staying close to the edge.  (Take your time and go slow.)

7.  Iron Wonder Under onto the wrong side of the fabric you want to use for the tree circles.  Trace circles onto the paper side and cut out.  My circles have a 1.75 inch diameter.

8.  Remove the paper backing from the circles and iron onto the tree.

9.  Using a zig zag stitch sew around the circles.  Go slow and turn the fabric as you sew.  You may need to stop from time to time and turn the fabric without sewing to make a tight turn (always with your needle in the down position holding the fabric in place).

10.  I'm not sure what this stuff is called (below), but I cut two seventeen inch lengths for straps and sewed the ends to the right sides of the outer fabric two inches in from the side of the bag.  Use a quarter inch seam allowance.  Match the raw edges of the fabric and the straps together.

11.  Put the right sides of the outer fabric together and sew three side together with a half inch seam allowance.  Leave the top open.  Repeat with the two lining fabric rectangles.

12.  Turn the outer bag right side out and place inside the lining fabric.  Sew around the top of the bag with right sides of the fabric facing each other.  Leave a three inch opening.

13.  Pull the outer bag through the opening and turn the lining inside.  Top stitch around the top of the bag sewing the opening closed.  I top stitched another row of stitches about a quarter inch below the first.

14.  Enjoy your bag!