October 29, 2009

ribbon-palooza

It has been so long since I've made cards or participated in any card challenges.  I have missed so many Caardvarks challenges but was able to make a "tall" card this morning for their current challenge.  I combined it with 365 Cards Day 242--Ribbon Frenzy (use 7 different ribbons on your card in any way that you choose). 


My card measures 3 1/4" wide by 6" tall and opens at the top.  I don't know why, but I love making tall cards that open at the top--probably so I can wrap ribbon around the front flap.  It's also my first Christmas card of the year.  Thanks for looking!

October 4, 2009

fabric strip burp cloth tutorial

Updated 2/16/12:
I am currently hosting an "i spy" fabric charm swap!  For more information, please see this post.

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Sew, Mama, Sew! is having a Scrap Buster Contest! I put my other sewing projects on hold this weekend to make a project for the contest and attempt to write my first tutorial. If ANYTHING about this tutorial is confusing, hard to follow, or just plain wrong, please let me know! So, here goes. . .

Fabric Strip Burp Cloth



Materials Needed:
polar fleece scrap (approximately 10" x 22")
flannel scrap (approxiately 10" x 22")
various strips of similar weight cotton fabrics that coordinate with fleece fabric
sewing machine
thread
pins
rotary cutter, mat, and ruler (or scissors)

1) Gather materials. I used a fun, multicolored piece of fleece to give me lots of fabric options for the front--maybe too many fabric options.


2) Place flannel fabric on cutting mat and cut a piece 10" wide by 22" long. Since my piece was a scrap, it is only about 9-3/4" wide.

3) I like rounded corners on my burp cloths, so I use a coffee mug to round the corners. Place the mug at the corner of the fabric and trace with a pen. Cut on the line. Repeat for the other three corners.


4) To make a contoured burp cloth, find the center of each long edge (11" on this cloth). Go in 1" and make a mark. I use a small dinner plate and a pen to trace the curve.


Cut on this line, and repeat on the other side.


5) Place the flannel piece on top of the fleece fabric. Using the flannel piece as a guide, cut the back piece of the burp cloth out of the fleece fabric.

6) Using your scrap cotton, cut strips of fabric at least 10-1/2" long. The width can vary, but you will lose 1/2" in width due to seam allowances, so don't make them too skinny. If you have some pieces that are slightly shorter than 10-1/2" you can use them at the contoured part of the burp cloth. Press all the fabric strips using an iron.
7) Place your first strip (green in the picture) right side up at one end of the flannel burp cloth piece.

8) Place a second fabric strip (stripe in the picture) on top of the first strip right sides together with raw edges even. Pin in place. Stitch together with 1/4" seam allowance, back stitching at the beginning and end of the seam.

9) Fold the second fabric strip over and press.


10) Continue adding strips to the flannel fabric by repeating steps 7, 8, & 9.


When you get the contoured part of the burp cloth, you can use some of your shorter strips.

11) After you have covered the flannel with strips of fabric, turn the piece over so the flannel is facing up. Trim the fabric strips.


12) Place your flannel and fabric strip top piece on the fleece piece, right sides together. Pin the two pieces together.

13) Stitch the pieces together using a 1/4" seam allowance, removing pins as you sew. Be sure to leave an opening on one of the short ends for turning.
14) Using the opening, turn the burp cloth right side out. Finger press the edges.


15) At the opening, fold the raw edges in and pin. This will be stitched closed when you topstitch the burp cloth.

16) Top stitch close to the edge. I use the inside edge of my presser foot as a guide.

17) Admire your work!