Sewing - medium hot pad with a removeable and reversible cover - GA

I made a cover for another of the hot pads I made a while back.  It is about 13" x 10" and had cotton, metallic insulation and knitted wool batting with a cotton flannel to hold all the layers together.  I stitched up a cover (sleeve) for it using four different cotton fabrics - red guitar, checkered green, rust cross hatch and multi coloured uneven stripes.  The pieces were all the same size (14" x 11") and I stitched two together on the long edges to make a tube.  And again for the other two.  I turned one inside out and inserted it in the other one (right sides together) and stitched both ends leaving a gap of about 4" on one of the ends.  I turned the whole thing inside out and pressed it flat.  I hand stitched closed the opening I had left and then added top stitching to both top and bottom edges and to the two side seams which should allow it to be restored to it's rectangular shape after it is washed. Pick your favorite fabric on the day you use it and after using it simply remove the cover and wash it to be ready for next time.  Small enough to fit in most drawers and enough variety to rise to every occasion.  It will accommodate several small hot dishes or a 9" x 13" casserole. Going into Gramma link Africa merchandise inventory.   Therese

 

Cardmaking - sympathy card featuring a butterfly and dove

 A friend of ours has passed away and I have made a card for his wife and their family which we know reasonably well.  

I started with a yellow card after I choose the paper I was putting in the circle.  I found the green paper next and cut a circle from it and then cut the yellow paper just a bit bigger.  I stamped the green layer with a script stamp in light green ink, secured the yellow circle behind the opening with tape and applied this large element to my card front.  I die cut a silver body for the fabric butterfly and secured it to the edge of the opening with double sided tape.  Wanting a less typical greeting I stamped the words onto white cardstock and embossed with silver, cut the top and bottom with a thin metal die (first time I used it!!) with a wavy edge and trimmed it to the same width as my decorative background.  Really love how that worked out.  I added a small silver dove sequin with 3D foam tape to finish it off.  

It is always sad to lose people who are part of your community.  

Therese

 

Sewing - 12 bright quilt squares with hand stitched collage hearts in their centers

These are very bright and joyful!!!  I finished stitching the hearts while on holidays after Christmas and have finally added some bright fabrics to them.  I used a light weight substrate and added pieces log cabin style and then trimmed them (9").  It was a fun day of stitching and they are beautiful all together.  I will have to see what I can sash them with to make a small blanket for a child.  It was so fun to dig out fabrics from my brights bin and make them into wonderful squares.  Therese
 

Sewing - trivets with wool and cotton batting

 I had a made up some hot pad inserts from a wool sweater, cotton batting and cotton.  I have finally given the two small ones cute cotton covers.  I tied the corduroy one - love the pattern of red and orange floral shapes and a classic white and black design for the other one which I machine stitched with diagonal lines.  They are about 6" square and suitable to be used a trivets for a tea pot, a small pie or a warm bowl of soup.  They would be great coasters for a large mug as well.  Therese

Sewing - medium hot pad with a double denim reversible cover

 I made a double denim cover for the medium hot pad insert (wool, cotton batting and cotton)  I had made which I also covered in dark flannel and tied in 5 places with blue crochet thread (8.5" x 8").  This cover is not double but I did make a deep hem and added lace on the bottom edge.  Again, it is pillow case style and the hot pad is easily inserted and can be settled to the bottom by shaking it a little.  All cotton and wool it is the perfect size for any side dish.  Therese

Sewing - hot pad - wool and braided cotton - covered with flannel and a double sided reversible pillowcase cover

Another hot pad project!  For the hot pad (9.5" x 13")  is made up of a braided cotton mat with a layer of wool fabric stitched to it.  I covered this with a dark flannel.  It was too thick for the sewing machine so I simply hand tied it in six places to keep all the layers secure.  

I created a double pillowcase cover with blue and white bands on one side and a intricate floral on the other side making it reversible.  This design worked well and is how my sister, Sylvia, made hers.  The hot pad is easily inserted and can be shaken to the bottom just like you would a pillow in a pillow case. 

I added some wavy lines of chain stitches on the striped cover and then added white stars to them.  It gives one side a bit more texture and interest.  I stitched up the side seams to keep the two pieces together and more stability when it gets washed.  All natural fabrics - cotton and wool. 

Therese

 

Upcycling - braiding used bedding

I have been going through a few boxes and found some older bed covers which I decided to dismantle and have braided the tops for making projects.  I have yards of braided cotton. I have researched ways to use this braided cotton and will be blogging those projects as I go.  Have considered dyeing the braids and then using them in projects.  They will certainly make mats and trivets.  Therese

 

Sewing - removable and reversible cover for a large hot pad - GA

I made a cover for one of the large hot pads (insulbrite, knitted wool, cotton batting) I made a while back using four different fabrics.  It is removable for washing and also reversible with four different options.  The pad measured 11" x 17".  I cut my rectangles to 11.75" x 18.75" and sewed a 1/4" seam when I was putting it together.  I left an opening on one side and turned it right sides out and then hand stitched the opening closed.  I top stitched both edges and then added two more rows of stitching to keep the cover integral when washing it.  We have such beautiful fabrics available for sewing!!

Therese

 

Sewing - jar openers with an extra strip - GA

I made up five jar openers for our next Gramma Link Africa event.  I cut three pieces of shelf liner to six inches and had leftovers that allowed me to make two more if I pieced the shelf liner.  I decided to add a small strip of fabric that covered the joint and it also works as stabilization of the pieces to each other.  I cut 8" cotton squares for each square of shelf liner.  I started with the pieced ones so I laid the two shelf liner pieces to the wrong side of the fabric, laid the strip (both edges pressed to the middle) over where they joined and stitched both edges.  I was very happy to see that I did not have to use paper to protect my sewing foot from the rubbery shelf liner.  Excellent!!!  To finish used the self binding method I use for quilts and potholders.  I folded the raw edges in, then folded the edge over the shelf liner and stitched into place all the way around. This does not need any protection from the shelf liner.  So as I went on I cut strips for the full ones too and added them in the same way as I had for the ones that were pieces.  It worked perfectly!!  No need for paper!!  Works for me!!  I will make more now that I found a way to avoid using paper and having to tear it away from the stabilization stitches.  Therese
 

Sewing - a book bag with little embroidered flowers Gramma Africa

With the leftovers from my first bag I created a smaller book bag (15.5" x 16") with handles (21") and a lining similar to the other bag.  I used a strip of the embroidered flowers as the accent for this bag - love it!!  This one does not have boxed corners and is suitable for running errands, a trip to the library or book club!!!

 

Cardmaking - a few butterfly cards for IWIN and two more to my stash

 I was in cardmaking mode after finishing all the cards for donation and so when I found a few interesting backgrounds in the box I decided to use them to make up a few more cards.  I made three butterfly cards which I can add to my IWIN stash.  The floral cards I will add to my stash and they will come in handy later.  The blue butterfly has a wax resist background with watercolour, the pink one is a rose embossing folder (SU), the rainbow ones are background paper adhered to cardstock and embossed.  I simply added focal elements and embellishments and mounted them onto card fronts.  

Therese