Travel pillows are great for a quick kids gift!

Judy learned how to make this wonderful gift for her great niece. 

The instructions are the same as the large pillowcases...http://sewspecialwithdenise.blogspot.com/2014/12/taking-things-for-granted.html.
Size of fabric is differnt:
Finished pillowcase is 13X18
Fabric requirments:
14 x 26 main fabric piece
2 1/2" x 26"strip for flat pipping
8x26 for the band

We even embroidered Ashleys name on the band.  Have fun making these travel pillows for the kids or adults.  They are loved by all.

Merry Christmas,
Denise

Taking things for granted

You know that sometimes we take things for granted. Today I am sewing with a friend in the Chicago area and my project was to make the grand-kids pillowcases for Christmas. To my shock my friend had not made pillowcases.  She has sewn for over 50 years and was very excited to learn pillowcases are fast and easy.  So, my lesson today for you is how to make a hotdog sewn pillowcase.

FINISHED SIZES
Standard Case: 21" x 32"*
1 1/2 yards of 44" fabric for 1 set of Standard Cases

Queen: 21" x 36"  
1 3/4 yards of 44" fabric for one set of Queen Cases

King Case: 21" x 42" 
2 yards of 44" fabric for 1 set of King Cases

Bands for all pillowcases you will need 1/4 of a yard
Flat piping 2 1/2"
Both pieces are folded length and pressed to crease the fold. 

We are going to make a standard pillowcase.  

Step 1 Cut band fabric 9" by width of fabric.

Flat piping and main pillowcase fabric

Step 1: Baste flat piping to the main pillowcase fabric raw edges together.  Above picture represents how your pieces should look. Baste the band (flat - single layer) to the two pieces you previously basted. The below picture will help with how you should have right sides together and when basting.

Band with right sides together basted to main fabric and flat piping will be found between the 2 pieces

Step 2: Roll main body to represent your hotdog leaving the top (if directional fabric) hanging loose. See picture below. 

Caution keep extra pillowcase fabric out of the seam area

 

Making of the hotdog

Step 3: Using a three thread serger, 2.5 stitch length, left needle position we are going to finish the edge and stitch together at the same time.  Serger stitch along the basting stitch edge.  

Step 4 Reach into the sewn tube

and pull out hotdog - fabric from the bun. Press flat.

Step 5 Using a rotary cutter and ruler clean your edges up making them even without removing too much. 

 Step 6 Serge along the long side of the pillowcase, watch the below video to help you make a clean finished seam. This helps to finish the seam without bulk and does not need anything extra to bury threads or knot threads. 

 

Step 7 It's time to finish the edges . With right sides together, fold the pillow case in half matching the raw edges. Serge the side seam first then the end seam.

 

 Step 8 Press and put on your pillow.  Our Christmas each year we do not wrap gifts with paper we put the gifts in the pillowcases and the kids just love them!

Enjoy and Merry Christmas, 

Denise

 

More fun today with free motion and thread painting at Sew N Sew, Glendora

Images are all from the same original picture-4completely different looks

Linda's image really is fresh looking with the blue and rust borders.

Carol used black threads to give the image a sketched look and enhanced with other thread colors too.

Cheryl added two earthy rust colored borders and lots of thread to create texture.

When Anita looked at her fabrics she really loved the yellow and it sure make the sunflower pop.

During class we used Electric Quilts, printable fabrics that were sent through the computer and added borders before we thread painted our images.  Each student learn how to relax, breathe and enjoy free motion thread painting.  Thanks to everyone that attend the classes this week at Sew N Sew, Glendora.

Happy Stitching,
Denise

Fussy Cut and Free Motion Class

Today I taught an all day class at Sew N Sew in Glendora, California.  We had sew much fun! Just take a look at a few images that I took during class. The ladies all learned a few things and each project looked different from their neighbors.

First time doing free motion and she concurs the task.

Designing from 10" squares works for Bunnies background

Smiles continue as the class progresses.

Using a pressing sheet sure protects our iron

The green poly thread really adds a nice element

It's a graduating class! Great job ladies.

Tips from class to help when doing free motion and fussy cutting applique:

Using a 90/14 top stitching needle for free motion

Tension may need to be adjusted for the free motion

No rules in this class - anything goes

Use many thread weights and colors to create texture

If you like texture add a bit of yarn couching

Don't beat yourself up! 

Thanks for attending class with us at Sew N Sew.

Sew N Sew

160 N Glendora Ave

Glendora, CA 91741

(626) 852-2223

Happy Quilting, 

Denise

Up Coming Events and Show to Close Out 2014

Fall is ending soon and winter is just around the corner and we will have time to sew many stitches. There are a few more events and shows before this year ends and I thought it would be good to share these with you where I will be.


http://quiltcraftsew.com/

ARIZONA - FALL

Tucson, AZ

November 6 - 8, 2014

3750 E. Irvington Road
Tucson, AZ 85714