Holiday Tutorial from Freshly Handmade...

Gorgeous Stacy from Freshly Handmade agreed to participate in our Holiday Tutorial series, and we are so glad she did. This banner is so darling! Her blog is full of amazing projects,  great tutorials with well written instructions and great photos (as you will see here). She quilts, decorates, DIY, designs, cooks, she does it all! Be sure to check out her blog, and she is a fun one to follow on Instagram as well @freshlyhandmade. Now to decide if I can fit some time in to make this banner!?!

Greetings Quilt Story readers! My name is Stacy and I blog over at  Freshly Handmade. This is where I chronicle my many different creative projects, from sewing and quilting to painting and decorating. I'm a DIY junkie and fabric lover, probably like many of you. I'd love to have you stop by and introduce yourself. While you're there, check out my other tutorials. I am excited to be sharing my Christmas Bunting Tutorial with you today. It looks great on a fireplace mantel or just hanging on the wall. Let's get started!

SIZE:

Approximately 4" x 78"

MATERIALS:

• Print out of templates (see below materials list)
• 1/2 yard cotton linen blend or enough scrap fabric to make 15 banners (I used Robert Kaufman Essex Linen Blend in Natural)
• Cotton print scraps for 14 letters, at least 3" x 3" in size
• Small amount of green and red cotton print scraps for holly leaves and berries
• Paper backed fusible web for light to medium weight fabrics
• 3 yards cotton twill or polyester ribbon, 7/8" wide
• Dark brown thread
• Thread that blends with the ribbon color
• Small scissors
• Large scissors or rotary cutter and mat
• Clear acrylic ruler
• Measuring tape
• Hand sewing needle
• Straight pins
• Pencil
• Ink pen or water soluble pen
• Starch (optional)
• Iron
• Sewing machine (is that too obvious?)

ASSEMBLY:


STEP 1:  Click on the image below to download the template pages. Print page 1 on either copy paper or white card stock. I recommend printing page 2 on card stock since it helps to have a stiffer paper for the banner template.

STEP 2:  Lay a piece of fusible web, rough side down/paper side up, on top of the template page. With a pencil, trace all the letters, as well as the holly leaves and berries, from pages 1 and 2. It's a good idea to identify the direction each letter should be by marking them with an upward arrow. Some are more obvious than others. No need to trace the banner template on page 2.

STEP 3:  Cut out the letters, holly leaves and berries outside the traced lines.

STEP 4:  Place each letter on top of the fabric print you've chosen. You must place the rough side of the fusible web onto the wrong side of the fabric.

STEP 5:  Fuse the paper and the fabric together using your iron and the manufacturer's instructions for the fusible web. For Wonder Under, I use the wool setting with no steam. I press in 8-10 second intervals, two times. Let cool.

STEP 6:  Using your small scissors, cut out the letters, leaves and berries along the pencil line.

STEP 7:  Go back to page 2 of the template and cut out the banner template along the black lines if you haven't done so already. Using an ink or water soluble pen, trace around the banner template onto the linen fabric and cut it out. Make 15 banners.

If you have yardage instead, cut 7" wide pieces and place the template in a row as shown below. This is a big time-saver.

STEP 8:  Using the end of a straight pin, gently score the paper on the letters, leaves and berries and remove the paper.

STEP 9:  Center each letter on a banner. I recommend temporarily placing the ribbon on the top of the banner so you can see where the center is once the ribbon is attached.

STEP 10:  Fuse the letter to the banner with your iron in the same manner in which you adhered the fusible web to the fabric.

STEP 11:  Using the dark brown thread, stitch around the letter catching just inside the edge of the fabric. You'll want a small stitch length. I set mine to 2. If you are new at doing this, I recommend setting your sewing machine speed to low until you get the hang of it. I went around each letter twice. Your stitching does NOT need to be perfect, so don't sweat it if you veer off course a little. Believe me, mine are not perfect and I like them that way.

Here is what it will look like.

Use a hand stitching needle to bring your loose top threads to the back of the banner. Tie the threads into a knot to secure and trim.

STEP 12:  Stitch around the edge of the banner in the same way you did the letters. I made my stitch length a little longer for the borders and stitched approximately 1/16" to 1/8" in from the edge. Repeat these steps for all the letter banners.

Here is how you will lay out the holly leaves and berries. Leaf 1 is on the left and Leaf 2 is on the right.  Press to fuse the fabrics as before.

Here is how you can stitch it.

STEP 13:  Take your 3 yards of ribbon and lay it out straight on a flat surface. Measure in 16" and place your first banner. Align the top of the ribbon with the top of the banner and pin in place. Do the same for the rest of the banners, leaving a 1" space in between each banner. The holly leaves and berries banner is placed in between the words "MERRY" and "CHRISTMAS". Using thread that blends with the ribbon, sew along the top and bottom edges of the ribbon along the width of the banner. Continue to sew the ribbon onto all the banners. Clean up loose threads.

STEP 14:  I like to force my end tails in the right direction by sewing them down, especially if I am using ribbon that is printed only on one side. To do this, you're going to make a corner like you would if you were binding the corner of a quilt. Start by bringing the ribbon tail up and over itself to create a triangle. Leave about a 1" space between the banner and where you are creating this fold.

Fold the ribbon back down onto itself so that the printed side is on top. Pin in place and sew down where the ribbon layers meet. At this point, you can trim your tails to be the same length.

STEP 15:  By this time, you've handled your bunting pieces quite a bit which means the banner tails may be curling a little. I like to spray a light coating of starch on the banners and press flat before hanging. If you prefer stiff banners, you could probably add interfacing to the back side of each banner.



STEP 16:  Turn on some Christmas music, pour some eggnog, hang the bunting (careful not to drink too much eggnog before this step or it might be crooked), step back, give yourself a pat on the back and enjoy your new holiday decoration. Oh wait, was this supposed to be a gift??

Happy Holidays to you all! Thank you to Heather and Megan for inviting me to participate in this year's Holiday Tutorial Series! 

Holiday Tutorial: Flamingo Toes

Bev from Flamingo Toes is one awesome lady! Bev is always coming up with the most unique amazing crafts. Just check out this cute Elf embroidery, see what I mean? Plus she does everything, sews, jewelery, embroidery, decor, recipes, it doesn't end, and she is good at all of it! Make sure to visit her, you won't be sorry. (well maybe you will, because you may spend too much time on her blog)

Hello Quilt Story readers!
I am super excited to be here - I think Megan and Heather are so talented and I'm so honored that asked me to join in their Holiday Series!

My name is Bev and I blog over at Flamingo Toes.

I love doing all sorts of crafting - sewing, embroidery, jewelry, home décor stuff - I'm kind of all over the place. One of my favorite things to sew up are accessories - they are fun to make and they are such great gifts too!

Today I have a super sweet little clutch tutorial for you - this Easy Pom Pom Fold-Over Snap Clutch!

It's a fun combination of prints and pom poms! The front flap is pieced together so you can really play with some fun fabric and trim combos.

It's finished with a cut little bead on the front - and the closure is a snap! Super easy and none of that messing about with zippers.

So let's get started! Here's what you'll need:

• Pattern - click here to download the pattern pieces for the clutch
• Fabric for body - 9" x 24"
• Fabric for body lining - 9" x 24"
• Front Flap Fabric - Small pieces
• Front Flap Lining - 9" x 11"
• Trim for front - 10"
• Heavy weight Interfacing - 18" x 24"
• Magnetic snap closure
• Button or bead for front accent (glue or thread to place)

Begin by cutting out your pattern pieces. Pattern is marked for what you will need.

Begin with your front center piece. Cut your trim the length of the piece and sew trim to each side of the center piece with a 1/4" seam allowance.

Sew your front flap side pieces to each side of the center piece with a 3/8" seam allowance. Press the seams towards the center.

Iron your fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the clutch body pieces and the wrong side of the front flap lining piece. Line up the long side of the front flap piece with the top of one of the body pieces. Sew right sides together with a 3/8" seam allowance.

Press seam towards top piece.

Place the outside body pieces right sides together. Sew around the sides and bottom, starting and ending 3/8" from the top of the piece. Don't sew over the front flap seam. Clip the corners.

Repeat the assembly steps for the lining, sewing the front flap lining to one piece of the body lining, then sewing the body lining pieces together - but leave a section open on the bottom for turning - about 3".
Turn the lining right side out and press.

Tuck the lining inside the outer pieces so the right sides are together and the front flap pieces line up. Pin the top edge of the body pieces (not the front flap) together and sew across, stopping at the side seams.

Pin the front flap pieces together and sew the sides and top. Clip the corners.

Turn right side out through the opening in the lining and tuck the lining back into the clutch. Press all the seams.

Before sewing the lining closed, mark your placement for the snap. Fold the front flap over and see where you would like the two snap places to be. You'll want the snap on the front flap about 1" from the seam and the matching piece on the body to line up, without pulling at the fabric. Place the snap in place according to the package instructions.

Hand sew your lining opening closed.

If you would like, you can place a bead, button, or brooch on the front for a decorative addition. I had this pretty light pink bead that went great with the center chevron pattern. I glued it in place with e-6000. If you use glue, let it dry for at least 24 hours before using the clutch.

And now you have a cute new clutch - to keep or give as a gift!

I love that it's almost as pretty inside as it is out.

I hope you like it!

I'd love for you to come on over to Flamingo Toes sometime! You can check out my other Sewing Tutorials here!

Thanks for including me in the series ladies! :)

Fabric Tuesday and a WIP

Hey friends!  Another selfish Fabric Tuesday here :)  I have a bundle and WIP to share.

I got a lovely bundle from The Quilted Castle...I love love shopping in my PJ's.  I had the hardest time narrowing down my fabric choices!!!  

This first little 1/2 yard stack was purely for love.  I have some coordinating purples in the Michael Miller hearts, I adore those lecien flowers and the gnomes need no explaining!

To finish my lovely bundle I got a good stack of B&W plus some Halloween.  Heather and I are making table runners for my mom for Christmas.  I am not scared...she doesn't read our blog and we aren't 

offended :) Anyway one that I'm doing is a Halloween runner.

Fab bird cage print right?? That's my backing.

I pulled a few prints from my stash.  I'm doing a spider web block. Three down the center with a white background.

I think the pop of purple looks awesome! So far I'm excited!  It is a more vibrant purple, looks a little maroon in the picture below...

Check out The Quilted Castle for lots of modern fabrics!!

How are your holiday projects coming??  What are you doing that's handmade?  If you need ideas you should check out our tutorials so far on the Holiday Tutorial Series.  Some awesome ideas!

Fabric Tuesday #165

Remember you can link up WIP's!  And our button is on the sidebar, we'd love for you to add it to your post and/or page.

Holiday Tutorial: The Sewing Chick

Today's Holiday Tutorial is by Tessa from the Sewing Chick.  Oh. My. Word.  It's adorable.  I'm considering dropping all other projects today to work on this.  Seriously I love.  The Sewing Chick is a must follow, super cute quilts, great pictures and a good read.  See her finished quilts and tutorials.  Thanks so much Tessa for sharing this tutorial with us!

Finished size - 16" x 24"

Techniques - Straight line quilting and raw-edge applique

Skill Level - Confident beginner

There's nothing like festive pillows to add a holiday touch to your decor. This one sews up so quickly, there is time to make one for yourself and some for gifts! I have made this one in bright, modern Christmas colors, but it would be just as pretty in traditional holiday or vintage fabrics.

Read through all the directions before starting.

Gather the Supplies:

Fabrics:  3/8 yards for background
              3/8 yards for pillow back
              5" strip of a striped fabric
              scraps of six holiday prints, at least 5" square (Charm squares are great for this!!)
              scrap 1 1/2" x 6" for ornament tops
              3 1/2" strip for zipper flap
              5" strip for binding

quilt batting, 18" x 30" remnant
Paper backed fusible web, such as Pellon Wonder Under
one yard 1/16" ribbon
18" zipper
thread
basic sewing supplies

All seam allowances are 1/4"


Let's Begin:

For the background, cut a piece of fabric 12 1/2" x 24 1/2".  Cut two pieces of the stripe, 2 1/2" x 24 1/2". Sew a strip of the stripe to the top and bottom edge of the background.  Lay the piece on the quilt batting and baste. I like to spray baste small projects like this.

Quilt straight lines across the pillow front.  Have fun with this, vary the widths and don't be too concerned with keeping them perfectly straight.

For each ornament, cut a piece of paper-backed fusible web, and fuse to the wrong side. I like to cut the fusible web slightly smaller than the fabric.

You can use anything you have on hand to cut the circles. I have some templates left over from my scrapbooking days that work great, but jar lids, drinking cups or paper templates will work just fine. Trace and cut with scissors. Again, the circle doesn't need to be too perfect.

Use this picture as a guide for your circle sizes, but feel free to vary them as you wish. Just try to have a mix of small, medium and large circles.

Remove the paper backing from the fusible web and fuse the circles into place on to the background.

Applique the circles in place using a raw-edge technique. You can use a thread that blends in or contrasts - I went with white on this pillow, but red or hot pink would be cool, too! Start at the top, about 1/8" from the raw edge and travel around the circle as many times as you wish to achieve the required result. I like to go around three times. Remember, it is supposed to be free-form and irregular so don't go right on top of the stitches already there.

For circles that are overlapped by another circle, stop with your needle down, pivot and go back in the other direction.

For the ornament tops, cut a piece of the fusible web 1 1/2" x 6" and fuse to the wrong side of your fabric. Cut rectangles to fit your ornaments - mine are 1 1/4" x 1" for the larger ornaments and 1" x 3/4" for the smaller ones. Don't fuse these to the pillow yet.

Using a straight edge, lightly draw lines for the ribbon placement and cut ribbons at least 2" longer than the lines. 

Thread the ribbon through a large tapestry needle an insert into the seam between the stitches. Leave a tail of 2".

Lay the ribbon on the line and place the ornament top piece on top. Fuse in place.

Applique around the edges of the ornament tops and then sew down the center of the ribbons. Trim the batting so that the pillow measures 16 1/2" x 24 1/2".

Finish It Up:

My favorite way to make a pillow back is with a zipper and a contrasting zipper flap. My go-to tutorial for this is at Sew Mama Sew, here. For this pillow, cut the pieces 18 x 16 1/2" and 7 1/2" x 16 1/2". Cut the contrast flap 16 1/2" x 3.5". Just for fun, I used a red zipper!!

Baste the front and back pieces wrong sides together. Cut two binding strips, 2 1/2" x width of fabric and bind the pillow as you would a quilt. Hand sew the binding in place on the back of the pillow.

Stuff it with a pillow insert and enjoy your handiwork!!

Just a note - I like to buy feather pillow inserts at Pottery Barn, they sell a 16" x 26" one that is perfect for this pillow.

Please contact me with any questions you may have.

Thank you so much to Heather and Megan for inviting me to be a part of their Holiday Series. You girls are the best!!

Happy Sewing,
Tessa Marie

Thanks again Tessa!  We have two more tutorials this week so be sure to check back and see all the other tutorials here.