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Post by Lexxi on Oct 11, 2014 4:43:11 GMT
Hey, For Christmas, I'd like to make my 2 girlfriends ... something. I want to use one or some of these Dr Who fabrics: www.spoonflower.com/tags/doctor%20who (or other sites... I had searched around and found a zillion choices here). Beyond that, I have no idea. I'd like to do something useful (so, no on wallhanging) and don't have the bandwidth for a quilt. I've never made clothes before so if it's a wearable thing, it needs to be simple. Thoughts: table runner, pot holders, not scarves because I knitted those last year)... so I'm pretty stuck. Any ideas?? Preferably with links/tutorials/instructions. Because of other time commitments, I'll have about 25 calendar days at most to work on this, so I'd like to keep to the simple side of life.
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Post by Toni on Oct 11, 2014 14:01:49 GMT
Why not placemats? You could do a simple block with maybe a solid color accent to one side, with the corners trimmed? They would take maybe 2-3 hours a piece.
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Post by Lexxi on Oct 12, 2014 0:30:14 GMT
Yeah, that's an idea. I've made placemats before and they either only come out for special occasions (my mother and my former MIL) or, for my dad's girlfriend, I made (white) placemats to match her newly remodeled kitchen cabinets. I came over and she was using them in one of the bedrooms to set the tube tv on so it wouldn't scuff the dresser. Took a lot of self control to not say anything.
Objectively, placemats are a good, easy, and useful idea. Subjectively, I'm meh to making placemats because of all that.
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eliste
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Post by eliste on Oct 12, 2014 18:22:18 GMT
Have you ever done jewelry bags? They're super easy, look pretty, are useful, and absolutely simple. I do them every few years for people. This is the last time- withoutastitchon.blogspot.ie/2011/02/jewelry-bag.htmlIf you're interested, I can write up instructions for you.
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Post by Lexxi on Oct 13, 2014 1:35:42 GMT
Have you ever done jewelry bags? They're super easy, look pretty, are useful, and absolutely simple. I do them every few years for people. This is the last time- withoutastitchon.blogspot.ie/2011/02/jewelry-bag.htmlIf you're interested, I can write up instructions for you. Those are super cute! Yes, if you have time, I would appreciate if you could write up the instructions. I won't be able to start on them until at least Nov, realistically after Thanksgiving, so no rush. But, yes, I would really appreciate that.
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eliste
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Post by eliste on Oct 14, 2014 0:07:49 GMT
Ok, it's super easy, but can you remind me next week? I'm sitting here jetlagged and just know I will forget.
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Post by Lexxi on Oct 14, 2014 2:01:15 GMT
Ok, it's super easy, but can you remind me next week? I'm sitting here jetlagged and just know I will forget. Will do - thank you!
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Yurtle
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Post by Yurtle on Oct 20, 2014 13:06:20 GMT
Do either of your friends craft? Could you make them craft bags? A lady from my knitting group is making us all project bags. I think she's basing it on a tutorial found online. It's just a simple-ish drawstring bag.
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eliste
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Post by eliste on Oct 21, 2014 12:02:07 GMT
Ok, this is super easy. You want two fabrics generally. I usually use a pattern on the outside, and a plain on the inside (you can use satin or something shiny inside too). 1/4 to 1/2 metre is usually plenty. I don't usually use fat quarters unless I'm doing more than 2 colours or I have 2 fat quarters of the same fabric. You'll see why shortly. You'll also need about 1 metre of a ribbon or nice rope for the drawstrings. If you have spare batting, about 3inches square is useful, but not absolutely necessary. The pattern is basically circles. I usually use a dinner plate for my big circles, and a small dinner plate for my inner circles. But you could make them any size, as long as one is smaller than the first. Cut 1 big circle out of outside fabric, cut 1 big circle of inside fabric. Cut small circles either 1 of each, or both the same (up to you). Put right sides together and sew leaving a hole that you can pull the fabric through (2 inches is usually plenty). I usually just do about 1/4" seam because its easy for me, but you can adjust as you need to. Press the seams and notch them, then pull the fabric through the hole so its right side out and press again so that it is a nice proper flat circle. Stitch the hole closed on the small circle. If you aren't using batting (which I often don't) then also stitch the hole closed of the big circle. You can also stitch these closed by machine if you want. Lay your big circle with the outside fabric down, so inside fabric facing up. Put the small circle on the big circle, making their centres line up. If you want to add batting to the bottom, push it in now and get it centred under your small circle. It only needs to be big enough to go under your base circle which you'll draw in the next step. Pin everything in place. Then I usually use a cup to trace a circle on the small circle (make sure its centred). This will be your base. Take a ruler or other straight thing, and draw lines spoking out from your cup circle as seen in the diagram. Top stitch the base circle and the spokes. If you added batting, make sure you stitch closed your big circle. Last thing is you need to create a channel for your draw string. I do this by sewing 5/8" - 1" down from the edge of the big circle. Then I follow that circle at 1/4" for the second part of the channel. On opposite sides of circle, on the OUTSIDE fabric of the bag, carefully cut out two tiny holes out of the outside fabric of the channel. These only need to be big enough to allow you get your drawstrings in. Drawstrings are best done with two. Cut your metre in half and put one in the first hole and bring it out the SAME hole. Then thread the second drawstring in the second hole and out the SAME hole. Tie the ends of each together. When you pull, each loop brings its half in and it should look pretty. I hope this makes sense. I can knock these out in about 2 hours, less if I'm not watching TV so they're pretty easy. I realise I don't have exact measurements, but that's because you can adjust these to what fabric you have and what size you want to be. The proportions are whats important. Other than that you can adjust them pretty easily.
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Post by Lexxi on Oct 21, 2014 18:55:33 GMT
Do either of your friends craft? Could you make them craft bags? A lady from my knitting group is making us all project bags. I think she's basing it on a tutorial found online. It's just a simple-ish drawstring bag. They cook. That's close to crafting...?
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Post by Lexxi on Oct 21, 2014 18:58:37 GMT
Thanks Eliste for the directions. I think that makes sense... I'll do a test piece in a few weeks. You're the best!
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Post by Lexxi on Nov 6, 2014 20:07:59 GMT
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eliste
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Post by eliste on Nov 7, 2014 11:22:18 GMT
Those aprons look adorable and I love the prints!
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Post by Lexxi on Nov 7, 2014 19:33:40 GMT
Thank you.
Tracking update - it's arriving Monday. Exciting!! (I'm very impatient. I'm having a "I'm a technology kid" moment - buying fabric that they custom print and mail is taking 5 whole days from ordering and it seems like forever, lol)
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Post by Toni on Nov 8, 2014 12:49:28 GMT
Oh I know. In this world of instant gratification I want my fabric now! But I love getting custom printed fabric. I am thinking of playing around with some for pillows and bags soon.
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