Needlework Crafts Sewing and Stitching Fun

Quilting With Half Square Triangles Fabric Crafts

2012-02-10T18:42:00.000-08:00

Quilting with squares is a great place to start quilting, but triangles make more interesting designs. Triangles are nearly as easy to work with, and right-angle triangles are half of a square. Some quilting patterns suggest that you cut squares and divide them diagonally for triangles. You have to allow for the middle seam if you use that cutting method. The middle seam takes about 7/8 inch, so if you want 5 inch blocks, you'll need to cut 5 7/8 inch squares to cut diagonally for triangles.

Speed up your piecing. Make two units at a time if you want two-color triangles. Cut the squares, but don't cut them into triangles. Place a light square on a dark square and draw a line for the diagonal.

Stitch parallel to the diagonal on each side at about 1/4 inch distance from the line. Cut on the center line and press the seam toward the dark side. You have completed two units, each with a dark triangle and a light triangle.

Two-color triangle squares are easy to make and have so many possibilities for artistic construction for a pillow or quilt.

Here's a little variation. This design has one single triangle for half the square, and four small triangles for the other half. The small triangles are 3 1/4 inch squares cut in half on the diagonal, and the seams are a scant 1/4 inch. Four 5-inch squares make the block you can use for a pillow with sashing all around, or make more blocks for a quilt.

There are four pieces in the pieced half triangle pictured here. You can use the same speedy procedure above to make the small dark and light square. Then add a triangle to each side and stitch the center seam to complete the square.

Look at the design difference just by moving the squares around.

This gives you an idea of how half-square triangles create versatility in the quilting design. They are easy to work with and points that are sometimes difficult to match are not usually an issue with half-square triangle blocks. Maybe this is the inspiration you need to make a new pillow or quilt top.

I made the blue quilt for my daughter when she adopted two babies last year.

See you soon!

Linda

Practical Sewing For Your Home -- Recycle Crafts Sew Old Towels

2012-01-21T20:01:00.000-08:00

Have you checked the price of bath towels, washcloths and hand towels? With the cost of household items so high, practical sewing will pay for your sewing machine in no time. Practical sewing includes alterations and recycling. Towels get a workout, and January is white sale month in many stores. If you need new towels, don't throw out the old ones. Use them wisely.

Towels often wear on the edges first, and you can only trim the fringe a number of times before the towel isn't quite fixable. That's when you need to make some washcloths or hand towels. Find a washcloth in a size you like to use for a pattern. Lay the towel flat on a cutting area and cut as many washcloths as you can from one towel. Cut squares, then round the corners.

Thread your sewing machine with thread matching the towel. Set the sewing machine for a close zigzag stitch, almost like a satin stitch and about 1/4 inch wide. If your sewing machine doesn't zigzag, fold about 1/4 inch seam allowance. Stitch around a washcloth and see how it works. If you have trouble with stitching around the edge or if the stitches gather the fabric, you can place a piece of white paper under the stitching area. Once you stitch the washcloth, you can wet the paper and remove it.

If you use hand towels, you can also make hand towels from worn bath towels. Choose a hand towel in a size you like to use as a pattern. Lay the bath towel on a flat surface for cutting and pin the hand towel in place where the bath towel fabric is not worn. Cut about half an inch larger all around the hand towel pattern. Cut as many hand towels and washcloths as you can from the single bath towel. Fold 1/4 inch seam on the long side of the hand towel, and fold 1/4 inch seam again. Stitch each side of the towel with a straight stitch. Do the same for the ends, unless you want to add ribbon, lace or eyelet. If you choose to add a decoration, turn 1/4 inch under and stitch with a running stitch. Pin the decorative edge to the end of the hand towel and stitch again, turning the edge under on each side.

If you need new towels, purchase sale towels to match the washcloths and the hand towels you made. Your bathroom will have a new look and you'll have saved a substantial amount of money with little effort.

Hand Sewing Sock Doll Folk Art Crafts Instructions

2011-12-22T19:04:00.000-08:00

How to Make Sock Dolls Country Folk Art Fabric Crafts

You don't need a sewing machine to make sock dolls for gifts or for decorations -- you don't even need a pattern. Most of the sewing on a sock doll is best done by hand. These folk art dolls are fun and safe for small children. They bring a smile to the maker as well as the child, and you can add expressions with embroidery or fabric pen.

We used some old socks, quilting thread (it's stronger than regular thread), embroidery thread, a tapestry needle to make sock dolls for the two new babies in our family. We stuffed the dolls with cotton quilt batting so the babies won't be able to get hurt on the interior in case they get them apart.

You need two socks to make a sock baby that has a light-colored face and dark-colored body. Cut the toe off the light-colored sock about 4 inches up. Run a gathering thread with a running stitch and quilting thread around the cut area, but leave it open. Stuff the opening with cotton or whatever you have available that is safe for a child. Some children are allergic to Fiberfill. Stuff the sock so the cheeks are cheeky and the head is smaller at the top than the cheeks. Pull the thread to gather the head.

Cut the dark sock straight across at the heel. Hand stitch with a backstitch from the bottom up in the center to make legs. Sew a running stitch around the top for the neckline. Stuff each side of the legs and the body. Pull the thread to gather the neck.

Match the size of the neck and the bottom of the head with gathers. Stitch by hand to join the head to the body.

Backstitch from the neck part of the way down to form an arm on each side.

Stitch eyes and a mouth with embroidery thread to give the little guys some personality. Use the top of the dark sock for a hat. Sew across the top or gather it on the wrong side and turn right side out. Stitch the hat to the head to keep it from getting lost.

Another Style Sock Doll

A single white sock can make a small doll. Imagine the sock heel as the doll's behind. Turn the sock wrong-side out and stitch a soft curve for feet. Cut the center piece between the feet to use for arms. Make arms in a closed tube shape and stitch around the edge. Turn the stitching to the inside and set the arms aside.

Turn the sock back to the right side and stuff to a couple of inches above the heel. Use a running stitch with quilting thread to make a gathering line for the neck. Pull it tight and use a strand of dental floss on the outside, knotted and ends cut short, to hold it tight. Stuff the head with more cotton or stuffing.

Leave about 1 1/2 inches of sock at the top. Use quilting thread and a running stitch in another line around the top of the head for gathers to close the top of the head. Tie the gathers with dental floss and turn the top down to create a hat.

Place a small amount of filler in the arms. Turn the fabric edge inside and stitch the arms to suitable spots on each side of the body of the doll.

Embroider eyes and lips. Your little sock doll is light-weight and easy for a small child to handle.

We hope you enjoy a wonderful holiday season and that your new year holds pleasant surprises and lots of crafting.

See you soon!

Linda

Christmas Fabric Crafts are for Gifts, Too

2011-11-13T17:49:00.000-08:00

If you aren't deep in the mire of Christmas crafts, you are losing valuable time. Crafts are personal gifts and although you think it's easy, crafting is not easy for those with no interest, desire or talent. This may describe your relatives or friends that you buy for each year. This year, save some money and spend the time it takes to make something personal.

Choose colors you know the person likes. Whatever your project, favorite colors matter. Use colors in the home for a project for the house, or favorite colors for a personal item. Starting with favorite colors makes the item special to that person.

Choose a design that speaks to her (or him). If you give a gift, you know enough about the person to express her style. You know the kind of dog she has, her favorite flower, or her favorite season.

Make something usable. Whether displayed in the home or a personal item, make a usable item. A fleece throw in an appropriate color for the individual or house, decorated by you with embroidery of a favorite animal is an example of something your friend or relative should appreciate as a Christmas gift.

Fleece is reasonably priced and easy to work with. You don't have to do much sewing as it doesn't fray, and the blanket or buttonhole stitch is suitable for finishing the edge. Remember how to do blanket stitch?

Here's a picture.

You can use yarn, ribbon or embroidery thread for the blanket or buttonhole stitch on fleece. Once you have the binding around the edge, embroider a design in a corner -- an initial monogram or something that shows you made the gift especially for the person. You'll be one gift ahead, and you didn't even have to fight the crowd to shop!

See you soon!

Linda

Fleece or Felt for Crafts Projects -- Think Christmas

2011-10-13T06:59:00.000-07:00

Felt or Fleece?

Fleece has taken the crafts market by storm, but felt is an old standby. If you like crafts that do not require much sewing, felt and fleece are ideal because they do not fray. However, fleece does not produce the same result as felt. The feel of fleece is an improvement over the feel of felt, but felt has been around for years and works well for crafting.

Why use felt when fleece feels best? The answer is in the crispness of the fabric and the way it is made. Fleece has a center layer of foam and when cut, the edges are not crisp. Using a crafts project made with fleece creates more fraying or feathering of the fleece fabric. Fleece is heat sensitive because of the foam center in the fabric. Use care if you attempt to press fleece. Felt holds up better for small crafts.

Fleece is a good fabric for large projects such as scarves or even baby throws, but is not as good for, say, making a snowman applique for a Christmas stocking. We have some fleece books and patterns available on a selling site if you need ideas. Copy and paste this link to get to the fleece items.

http://www.ioffer.com/selling/cajunc?query=fleece

Felt has been available for many years and there are some excellent patterns. Felt patterns are available for sale as well, but you will need to copy and paste the link.

http://www.ioffer.com/selling/cajunc?query=felt

Fleece does not work well for applique work with layers of fabric as it tends to get thick with just two layers. Sometimes you can use fleece best with cut-out designs.

Here’s how to make cut fleece designs. Make your background shape with fleece first. Cut a second shape slightly smaller than the background with a contrasting color of fleece.

Cut out designs in the second shape before you stitch the two pieces together.

Fleece is fun and easy to work with, and you just need to design the work to accommodate the fabric capabilities. Cut-outs are one of the ways to use fleece for your Christmas projects this year.

See you next time with more needlework crafts!

Linda
cajunC

Candlewicking Embroidery Stitches You Can Make

2011-09-13T15:05:00.000-07:00

Candlewicking is an old needlework craft that takes only a little ability and a few stitches to make something splendid. Candlewicking is returning to the needlework scene and is an embroidery you can use on many items. It is mostly French knots made with ecru cotton candlewicking thread. Satin stitch and chain stitches add texture and emphasis to candlewicking projects.

French Knot

Bring the threaded needle up through the fabric. Twist the thread around the needle three times and put the needle back down into the fabric close to where you brought it up, placing your thumb on the twisted thread as you pull the thread through to the back. Move to the next French knot and repeat the process.

Satin Stitch

Satin stitch is a long stitch that fits the space you want to cover. This stitch works well for smooth leaves or specific shapes. Make the stitches close side by side. You can see some satin stitches in the gold pillow surface here. You can make a padded satin stitch by creating a row of long stitches going in the opposite direction before you start the top row of stitches.

Chain Stitch

The chain stitch is ideal for outlining and is used for the green butterfly in the picture. Here's how to make the chain. Pull the thread through to the top and put the needle back down and up in a small stitch like a lazy daisy. Loop the thread around the needle, and pull the needle through the fabric. Move forward a few threads and place the needle into the fabric and bring it up about the same distance away as the first stitch. Don't pull the needle all the way through until you loop the thread around again.

Needlework crafts are relaxing and beautiful. Enjoy candlewicking and embroidery crafts this summer while it is still too hot to work in heavier crafts like making afghans or quilts.

Do you like frugal living? We have a new book entitled "Retirement Living Guide for Senior Citizens." If you are interested in frugal or green living and preparing for your retirement, you can read part of the book without an ereader at no cost.

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/77302

Have a great week!

Linda
cajunC

Sew a Poodle Skirt Circular Felt

2011-08-31T15:32:00.000-07:00

Crafts - Make a Felt Poodle Skirt with Little Sewing

Make a felt poodle circular skirt for a 50s party or for a Halloween costume with some basic sewing and a cotton ball poodle you make yourself.

A poodle skirt is usually circular, and felt comes in 36 or 72 inch width. Measure from the waist to the length you want the skirt to be and add an inch. That tells you how large the arc for the circle will be before you calculate the waist measurement.

36-Inch Wide Felt

If you use 36 inch fabric, you will need four yards or about 144 inches for most sizes, but you may need more for a large-waisted tall person. Double the fabric to make it 72 inches by 36 inches. You will need to plan the pattern from the selvage edge and add a seam on each side to make the complete circle. A skirt about 30 inches long will take the entire piece of fabric, with just enough for a waistband.

Make an arc with a string tied to a pencil. Once the string is tied, measure for the correct length for the skirt and add 1/4 of the waist measurement. A 24-inch waist would be 6 inches added to the string. A 28 inch waist would add 7 inches and 32 inch waist adds 8 inches. Cut the string to the correct length, such as 30 inches plus 6 inches (24 inch waist) would be 36 inches long, 27 plus 7 inches for 34 inches, depending on the height and waist of the person who wears the skirt. If you are making the skirt for someone heavier or taller, you may need to piece the skirt at the bottom, and you will need more fabric than the 4 yards of 36 inch felt or 2 yards of 72 inch felt.

Mark the middle of the fabric. This is at the 36-inch point down the side. Pin the string at the midpoint and pull it tight. Strike the arc with the pencil and mark on the felt for the cutting line for a quarter circle. Using 1/4 of the waist measurement, go back to the midpoint and draw an arc that is 6, 7, or 8 inches from the starting point. This makes the cutout for the waist.

Cut out your skirt once you are confident that you have the correct measurements.

Cut a 5 inch strip of felt that is the waist size plus 2 1/2 inches. If you don't have a 5-inch wide strip, cut two strips that are 3 inches wide by the waist size plus 2 1/2 inches and sew them together.

Stitch the two semi-circles together, leaving a placket on one side. Add the waistband by pinning right sides together, leaving at least half an inch of the waistband extended beyond the backside of the placket. The placket will be on the left side when worn. You will have about 1 1/2 inches of the waistband extended for hooks and eyes or a buttonhole. Stitch the waistband in place with about 1/2 inch seam. Press the seam inside and fold about 1/2 inch of the raw seam to the inside. Stitch both ends and turn. Stitch the waistband on the backside by hand or by machine.

There is no hem required as the felt will not fray.

72-Inch Wide Felt

Fabric that is 72 inches wide will require at least 2 yards or 72 inches. The 72-inch fabric is already doubled to 36 inches wide by 72 inches long. The fold is down the side. You will need to mark the mid-point that is the starting point for the measurements. This will be 36 inches down the folded side of the fabric. Measure as explained above to make the arcs for the skirt pattern. You need one arc for the bottom edge of the skirt and one for the waist.

Follow instructions above for the completion of the skirt.

Make a Cotton Ball Poodle for the Skirt

Cut the basic poodle shape from felt. You can use a 12 inch x 12 inch felt square of white or gray. Remember that your placket is on the left side of the skirt and you probably want the poodle in the middle of the front. Pin it in place. You can stitch around the edge or glue it with a fabric glue. Don't use ordinary glue or it will leak through and be stiff. Sew a rhinestone button on for the eye, or you may be able to pin it with a safety pin. Glue cotton balls on the body of the poodle and add a ribbon bow to the tail.

Here's all you need for a poodle shape. Make it the size you want to show well on the skirt.

Sewing crafts is more fun than making clothes to wear, and Halloween and play costumes don't have to be perfect. They may only be worn once or twice. Make a doll poodle skirt if you have some felt left over.

See you soon!

Linda

Use Quilted Placemats for Simple Sewing Projects, Bags and Apron

2011-08-19T13:54:00.000-07:00

Quilted fabric is expensive. Sometimes I find quilted placemats work better than the purchase of fabric, and the placemats are often available at thrift stores for just a couple of dollars. The next time you need some quilted fabric to sew, consider whether placemats will work. They already have finished edges and may be just the size you need. Here's a good placemat fabric for an apron, but be aware that the design only goes one way.

Here are some quilted placemat project ideas. Start by washing your placemats and drying them in the dryer so they are preshrunk.

If you want a large bookbag or purse, use two full-size rectangular placemats back to back. Start with some coordinating handle fabric (webbing will work, too) and make two handles about 25 inches long. Attach each side of the handle to the inside long edge of the placemat, about 6 inches apart. Sew the placemats together along the other three sides, with extra stitching at the corners. Because the placemats are already "finished" on the edges, you can sew them on the outside.

Make a child's apron with a single placemat and some coordinating fabric for ties. An octagonal placemat works best, but you can make a rectangular placemat into an octagon by folding the corners diagonally.

Visualize the child's apron as the placemat from the short end. Add ties at the top to tie around the neck and another set of ties where you want the waist to be. Fold the bottom up about 4 inches and stitch at the sides. Make pockets by dividing the area into three or four sections.

Here's a good placemat for a child's apron:

There are fancy placemats out there that are great finds for special bags. This placemat makes an elegant clutch:

Make a clutch bag with a single rectangular placemat by dividing it in thirds and stitching the sides closed. The top third is the flap. You can add a snap or Velcro closure. You can make a jewelry clutch, a shoulder bag purse, a holder for your crochet or knitting needles and many children's items from a set of placemats. Look for placemats when you go thrift shopping. You don't need a set of four for sewing projects.

Have fun with a cool project for hot weather.

White wing doves are at the fountain in our backyard. It's still 100 degrees and no rain in central Texas. See you soon!

Patriotic Quilt Blocks Red White Blue Fabric Crafts You Can Make

2011-07-30T19:20:00.000-07:00

In 1976, a patriotic quilt pattern was published with a block for each of the 50 states, and many "state" quilts have been made based on those blocks. The original blocks came from "Hearth and Home" Magazine from 1907 to 1912. These patterns are interesting, but some are difficult -- for example, the Texas star is in a circle. This book is called "The United States Patchwork Pattern Book" and I believe it is still available. I have the 1976 version.

Even if you don't have this old pattern or the skill to make the squares as designed, you can make a patriotic quilt with blocks in designs you like. To make it easier, make certain that the blocks are all the same size or add stripping to the blocks to make them all the same size.

I decided to try my luck with red and blue on a white background for blocks to assemble for a wall hanging or maybe a lap quilt. These are 8 inch size blocks. I started with a flag pattern. The flags are about 5 1/2 inches square and the strips for the flag stripes were about 1 1/4 inches. The squares are a little smaller than the pinwheel, so I may have to put a strip around the edge. Here's what I came up with:

Then I made a pinwheel in red and blue on white. The pinwheel squares are 4 inches and the triangles are about 2 by 3 1/2 inches.

The final design uses 3 inch squares and came out to the 8 inch size that will be 7 1/2 inches square when an outer edge is added. I started with 5 strips in alternating red and white, one inch wide. I stitched these so they are 5/8 inch wide, so the seams are about 3/16 inch. That's the center square.

The pennant squares have red pieces that are half of the square, or 1 and 5/8 inch by 3. The other part that is 1 5/8 inches by 3 is made of one white triangle and two blue ones. You need four of these triangle squares and 4 plain white squares. Assemble the three dark squares across first, then assemble the two whites and the triangle square for each side. Before you put them together, press and pin at each seam edge to make certain they fit. Restitch if necessary. I got the hang of it by the second one, but this is more detailed than you have to make and it is a little tedious.

If you are tired or don't like making these patriotic quilt blocks at this point, make a pillow -- don't just give up. If you have two or four blocks, you can make a 16 inch pillow front. Put a red or blue strip between the blocks and add a blue block and a red block with no design if you only made two blocks. Add batting and backing and quilt if you want. Use your imagination.

We are still in the heat of summer in Texas, and quilting blocks are small and crisp to work with. I'm not crocheting afghans again until winter.

See you soon!

Linda

Make a Pillow from a Shirt Recycle Fabric Crafts

2011-07-16T19:17:00.000-07:00

Pillows add to the finished look in a living room or bedroom, and they are fun and easy to make. You can repurpose or recycle and make an easy pillow. You need no zipper when you use a shirt with buttons. You only need an old shirt, a pillow form or fabric and stuffing for an inner pillow, and a needle and thread to make this nifty recycled pillow.

Choose a shirt -- mens or womens. The larger shirts make larger pillows if you choose. Lay the shirt flat with the front side up and all buttons buttoned. Measure from underarm to underarm and see how large you can make a pillow. Pillows are usually square, and it takes a 17-inch square to make a 16-inch pillow. Use a 15-inch square for a 14-inch pillow and a 13-inch square for a 12-inch pillow. Pillow forms are available in 12 inch, 14 inch and 16 inch sizes, but you can make the pillow any size and fill it with loose filler, quilt batting or even old pantyhose if you choose.

If you use loose filler or pantyhose, make an interior liner of muslin or a solid-color fabric that is about the same size as the outer form. Sew around the liner, leaving about 10 inches open. Turn the liner right-side out and fill with stuffing. Close the opening with hand or sewing-machine stitches.

Back to the pillow: Mark the odd-size measurement (13, 15, 17 inch) on the fabric as high up under the arms as possible. Measure down the front to make a square in that size. Pin the front and back layers of the shirt together inside the square you have drawn on the front of the shirt.

Cut through both layers to form the square. Use fabric or embellishments to decorate the right side or surface that was once the back of the shirt. Turn the right sides of both of the fabrics inside and sew around the outside edge, using a half-inch seam allowance. Unbutton the pillow top to turn the fabric. Fill your shirt pillow with a pillow form or the liner and stuffing of your choice. Button the buttons.

You can use the button-up side for the front or the back of the pillow. Use your own creative ideas for decorating one or both sides.

Zipper Flower Crafts Recycle Zippers

2011-07-01T07:26:00.000-07:00

Sewing notions accumulate, and I have more zippers than I intend to use in this lifetime. Zippers are available at thrift stores or in the sewing box of anyone who sews. Zipper flowers have been floating around the crafts markets for a few years but I had not tried to craft them until this summer.

I sew all of these crafts, but gluing might work for you. I don't like the effect of the glue, or the permanence. I want to reuse the zipper pieces if I don't like the result.

You can use a zipper with plastic teeth or metal teeth. Use old or child's scissors to cut through a zipper. You don't need a sewing machine or any sewing ability to make these flowers. You need a needle and thread and an old zipper or two. Here are the stitches I used to make these examples:

A longer zipper makes a fuller flower. Cut the stop at the bottom if it bothers you. I left the stops on these samples. If you leave the stop on the zipper, unzip the zipper to the bottom before you start to sew. Thread a needle with quilting thread or something strong enough to gather. Start at one end and tack with a few stitches. Make a stitch like the zigzag about 3/4 of an inch apart. When you get to the zipper stop, you are in the middle of the zipper. Continue with the zigzag stitching to the end.

Pull gently on the thread to gather. Roll your flower from the end where you started sewing. Tack the end with a couple of stitches when you have the stitching pulled as tight as you want.

Experiment with other methods. The pink zipper flower is made by stitching the sides of a closed zipper with a straight stitch. The light gathering creates the circles for the three-petaled posy. The purple zipper is closed to start and the sides are whipstitched together at the back of the zipper teeth.

Use felt the same color as the zipper or white to cut a 50-cent size circle to sew the zipper flower in the shape you want. Add a safety pin to the back to make it removable or stitch it to a fabric purse, a sweatshirt or a wallhanging. Consider other uses for this recycled crafts project.

I've missed you guys! I've been working on a writing project that had to be completed by the end of June. So glad to get that done and back to fun!

Happy crafting!

Linda

Felt Flowers No Sew Needlework Crafts

2011-04-29T17:44:00.000-07:00

Hi Needleworkers!

I've been working on felt flowers made with just two colors or scraps of felt. There are five basic shapes to make the flower I show here, and no sewing! Here is the basic pattern:

Cut the approximate shapes for the felt flower. The petals are about 3 1/2 inches in diameter and the leaves are about 5 inches. The felt is standard weight, not the heavy stuff. The dog bone shape is 8 inches long. Once you have the pieces cut, cut an X in the center of each of the four smaller pieces, but not the dog bone.

Fold the dog bone in half. Slip a section of flower petals on the dog bone with the use of the X cut in the center. Add the next section. Add a leaf section. Add the next leaf section opposite the first one.

Your felt flower is complete. You can use it on a package, or make more for a bouquet. This may work for fleece as well. I'll try some others and let you know!

These felt flowers are so easy to make, kids old enough to use scissors can learn how.

We're moving the blog, but you will still be able to follow it or read when you want. This will give it a new name -- myneedleworkcrafts.com.

Crochet Needlework Crafts Are for Adults and Children

2011-03-08T19:45:00.000-08:00

Crochet crafts are for everyone. Children can learn to crochet. Start with a large needle and yarn and a beginner book or pattern. You will be surprised at how well a child can crochet and follow the pattern with just a little help from Mom or Grandma. If you are a child at heart and never learned to crochet, now is a good time to try this old needlework craft that will never really grow old. Yarn crochet is easier for learning, but thread crochet has more intricate patterns for fine doilies and filet crochet. These are thread doilies:

This is a yarn baby afghan. Crocheting a baby afghan takes much less time than an adult afghan. Just get a crochet hook in a large size and get started with a skein of yarn. If you like it, make a baby afghan for a gift. If you have tried making an afghan and had difficulty keeping it square.

We have lots of inexpensive crochet books and crochet patterns available for sale and there are lots of other sellers online. You don't have to buy new to have fun with needlework.

See you soon! Spring has arrived in Texas! We love the birds and the backyard. Linda

Make an Embroidery Bullion Rose for Crazy Quilting or Ribbon Embroidery

2011-02-28T15:15:00.000-08:00

Hi Guys! Are you working on a needlework project? If you like to embroider flowers, a bullion rose is one of the most interesting flowers you can make. This rose is made with embroidery floss but looks great with ribbon embroidery or crazy quilting.

Bring the needle up through the fabric and wrap the thread around the needle. Bring the needle back down through the fabric where you want to place the petal.

Hope you have some fun with this embroidered rose.

Make a Fan Quilt Pattern -- Pillow, Throw or Quilt

2011-02-11T20:45:00.000-08:00

A fan quilt is often called grandmother's fan, and the pattern is not difficult to make. It also has lots of uses, since you can use four fan squares to make a circle or two fan squares for half a circle. You can make a pillow or a lap quilt, or if you are ambitious, a full-size quilt. A 7-inch block is a good size for the fan quilt, and four of these will make a 14-inch pillow. Here is a grandmother's fan quilt block from the 1950s I received from my cousin in West Virginia. We worked on this quilt a couple of winters, and never finished it. I have made a few pillows from the blocks, and have some left to work. If you want to make a fan quilt pattern, I would suggest that you make fewer spokes in the fan, since seven is more spokes than you really need.

You don't need any real knowledge, but you need a ruler and something that measures degrees. If you quilt, you probably already have that. You can whip out your own pattern in no time. Three sections require 30-degree spokes. I noticed a recent Fons and Porter's "Love of Quilting" magazine has 3-section fan blocks made into a quilt on the front cover. Five spokes require 18 degrees for each, and six spokes of the fan take 15- degrees.

Make some blocks, trim them straight and sew them in a circle or a semi-circle to make a colorful pillow or crafts project you can enjoy for years to come. This is excellent use of your time while the weather is cold, and you know you like to do sewing crafts. Quilting is one of my favorites and I love to share! See you again soon!

Linda

Make a Fast Christmas Angel with Felt

2010-12-24T20:11:00.000-08:00

Time for fun. Take a break from your Christmas holiday work and make something with the kids or something for yourself. Here is the paper pattern I used to make some felt angels, and I like to share, so you can use it for personal fun or make your own style of openwork scherenschnitte or paper cutting.
I put three of these together to make them stand up and make them three-dimensional.
Have a safe and blessed holiday season!

Linda
cajunC

It's Nearly Christmas and We Need to be Making Crafts

2010-12-05T20:58:00.000-08:00

Christmas season is the time for crafts, and we need to be working. We have about 1,000 uncut and unused crafts patterns recently listed for sale, so others can do crafts, but we have done few artsy fun projects this fall. I hope you have done better.

What are you working on? I have some quilting projects going on, but need to set them aside for Christmas. One project we do almost every year is to make a barn or lean-to for a nativity scene. For some reason, everyone has Joseph, Mary and the Christ Child with no stable. You can find a picture of the lean-to in an older blog. We love to share these fun projects!

I've missed you guys! Been so busy writing that I just cannot get around like I used to. Maybe I'm getting older, too.

Linda

Ribbon Embroidery Flowers are Hot Weather Crafts

2010-08-14T19:14:00.000-07:00

Ribbon embroidery is one of my favorite crafts projects--almost as much a favorite as yoyos. It is 104 in Texas this week, and ribbon embroidery is the coolest craft project I know. Quilting is a little hot right now. Anything on the lap is too much, but ribbon embroidery is just right.

If you like to learn ribbon embroidery flowers, there are lots of them to learn. I like to make irises in ribbon embroidery, but it is almost time for poinsettias, too. There are different kinds of ribbon roses, but I like to make the accordion ribbon rose. I make violets and similar flowers with five petals, and a pleated flower in ribbon embroidery, too.

You can click on the link to learn how to make any of these flowers in ribbon embroidery, and many of these can be used for thread embroidery if you want. Ribbon embroidery is a crafts project you can do independent of the fabric for flowers like the pleated one or the accordion ribbon rose. Make a bunch and have them ready to make bouquets on velvet or on a tam, or make a wall hanging with flowers of ribbon embroidery. You may also want to complete a sewing project with ribbon embroidery flowers. They are pretty on the collar of a shirt or blouse, and even around the waist of an empire-style bath robe.

Once you make the flowers, you can add leaves in ribbon embroidery. Enjoy this summer crafts project, and when fall comes, we can quilt again!

See you next time!

Linda
cajunC

Yoyos Make Christmas Ornaments for Fun Fabric Crafts - Angel

2010-07-17T15:05:00.000-07:00

Christmas is here for crafters and most of us are already working on a few crafts projects that will be Christmas gifts or decorations. Yoyos are one of my favorite decorative quilting and sewing techniques. Last year we made Christmas tree shaped ornaments from yoyos, and have recently made an angel. We have also made yoyo lantern Christmas ornaments and three-dimensional balls.

Now, back to the yoyo angel. We have not shared this one before, partly because we used materials we had on hand and the face looks a little goofy. You can do better, so here are the basic instructions.

We used six yoyos in sizes starting with 4 1/2 inches and a wooden doll face, some yellow yarn and a piece of pearl string. We added wings of tulle as an afterthought. Make the six yoyos in graduated sizes down from 4 1/2 inch circles. Maybe 4 1/4, 4, 3 3/4, 3 1/2 and 3 1/4 inches. They will be much smaller when completed with the basic pattern instructions in the link above.

The wooden head is a bead in 5/8 inch size and the face was already drawn on when we bought it. Maybe I was making clown ornaments at the time--I don't recall. A cotton ball will work for hair, or cut embroidery thread, and the halo can be any gold thread or ribbon you choose. Fortunately, yours doesn't have to look like mine; it's the idea that counts.

String the yo-yos together starting at the base. I like to use quilting thread since it is strong. Tie a knot to start, and just punch through the center of the yoyos, one at a time. When you get them all in place, add the angel's head you have made by stringing it on the thread, since it is a bead. Push the needle through the bead and over the side, then back down at the neck and through all the layers and tack at the bottom. She can hang from the Christmas tree with the halo, or add a ribbon to the back where the wings are.

Your Christmas angel should look better than this one.

Have fun and use your own ideas. See you soon!

Linda
cajunC

Make Watercolor Quilting Fun with Fuse

2010-06-27T13:58:00.000-07:00

Watercolor Quilting for your Summer Fun.

What are you doing with your summer? I've been working on a little watercolor quilt and thought I would share with you what I've learned.

Make Watercolor Quilts with Fusible Non-Woven Background Fabric

Watercolor quilts are usually made with light squares fading to dark ones to create a background for an applique design or just to enjoy the fade design. They are often made with 2-inch squares, and anything much larger does not have the same effect. You can make watercolor quilting much easier by using a fusible non-woven layout grid. You can buy this, or you can make it yourself. Here's what it looks like:

Once you have this grid made in 2 inch squares on fusible non-woven fabric, lay the 2-inch squares in place and press with the iron according to the instructions for the fusible web fabric. Now that all the squares are attached to the fuse fabric, you can flip it over and sew 1/4 inch seams horizontally and vertically to make 1 3/4 inch squares with perfect intersecting seams.

Impress yourself! Have some fun with something you didn't know you can do. Make something out of nothing--2-inch scraps are throwaways to most seamstresses and many quilters. You can make a pillow in no time.

Do you sew but haven't tried quilting? It's easy for you to make the transition.

Use this method for charm quilts, too, where every square is a different fabric. Just fuse the squares from the front, turn to the back and stitch 1/4 inch seams horizontally and vertically, and the piece is completed.

See you soon with more needlework crafts, sewing and stitching fun.

Linda
cajunC

Sewing and Crafts with RickRack from Grandma

2010-06-20T14:51:00.000-07:00

Rick rack has been around since I was young, and that was a long time ago. In the 50s it was used for decoration on aprons and dresses as well as for crafts. Now that rickrack is back for crafts and crafting, you probably still have some in grandma's sewing box. No need to waste. It is still just as good as it was the day grandma used it on your sun bonnet, if it hasn't faded from sunlight. No wonder the sewing box is made of wood or a good light-proof product--it protects these fun crafts items for the next generation.

Braid Rickrack for Crafts

Rickrack braid is a double-duty product that works for hand-made purses and embellishments for tote bags, little girl's jeans and any number of crafts projects. It is easy to make and will use up the rickrack. The process is so easy, the kids can help. Braiding rickrack can be done with two or three strands of rick-rack, and the finished length will be only slightly shorter than the starting length.

Make Rickrack Flowers in 3-D

Rickrack makes great flowers for crafts or ribbon embroidery, and you can also make flowers to match the rickrack braid. Once the flowers are made, the rickrack no longer looks like zigzags. This project takes some hand-sewing--just in and out running stitch--and the kids may be able to help with this, too. Lots of home-school teachers look for children's crafts, and hand sewing is ideal for the 6-to-12 age group.

Have some fun with rick rack crafts! See you soon with more needlework crafts, sewing and stitching fun.

Linda
cajunC

Sewing for Fun Saves Money and has Emotional Rewards

2010-06-15T06:34:00.000-07:00

Sewing skills can last a lifetime, and you can sew with any level of ability and knowledge and still make it worthwhile. If you have a sewing machine that you haven't used for years, get it out and dust it off. With the internet at your fingertips and the sewing machine at your command, you can learn to sew with little effort.

Sewing Saves Money

Do your own repairs and alterations and save money and save the environment. Every item you repair is one you do not have to buy new and one that does not go to the landfill. Much sewing is as simple as stitching a torn seam or hemming a pair of jeans.

A sewing machine can save you money if you throw items away that need a minor repair or alteration, or if you want to make curtains or bedding for the home. My sewing machine cost $200 in 1975, and has been used for 35 years to make children's clothes, home decor and thousands of repairs.

Sewing is Fun

There is an emotional reward of accomplishment in sewing, whether it is for repairs or crafts, quilting or making a new dress or robe. If you have never had time to sew, take the time now and use it as a therapy. It is much cheaper than the price of a therapist and you can stay at home to do it.

Learn to Sew

Dust off the old sewing machine and fix it if it doesn't work. There is very little that can go wrong with a sewing machine that you cannot repair yourself. Almost anything you need to know about sewing is available online now.

Whether you already know how to sew or have always wanted to learn, make sewing fun, save money with repairs to clothing and home decor, and find therapy in the emotional rewards.

See you soon with more needlework crafts, sewing and stitching fun.

Linda
cajunC

Make a Doll Quilt or a Quilted Pillow for Summer Crafts Project

2010-06-05T15:38:00.000-07:00

Well, summer has reached Texas and we are into 100-degree weather. I like to sew but it is too hot to work with a full-size quilt, so it is time to make miniatures or a quilted pillow. A doll quilt is the perfect size at about 18 by 20 inches, and it will use your tiniest scraps. A pillow is about the same size and both of these projects can be take-along if you want. Doll quilt blocks are small copies of a full-size quilt block and should be about three inches square. Make a pattern and a sample block before cutting all the pieces. A doll quilt can be made by hand or with the sewing machine with completion planned for the end of the summer when heavy fabrics are more appealing. Sewing doesn't have to stop with weather changes; just adapt your sewing to the weather.

See you soon with more stitching and needlework crafts.

Linda
cajunC

Decorate the Kitchen with Chickens--Sew a Chicken Potholder

2010-05-28T13:56:00.000-07:00

We were in Arkansas this past week visiting my daughter who has chickens, and I had forgotten how funny chickens are to watch. A duck came around the hens, and the rooster was about half a block away. Wait, farm land isn't measured in blocks--but you get the idea. The rooster high-tailed it to scare the duck away from the hens. I was surprised at how protective he was.

Back to chicken potholders and sewing. We have some chickens in the kitchen at our house--in the form of potholders. They aren't as fun to watch as the live ones, but they are fun to make and a serve a great purpose if you cook much. These potholders can be made of any fabric that isn't very flammable and that doesn't melt in a little heat. We use felt for the comb, and sometimes use a pre-quilted fabric to make these fast.

Here's one I have been using--since the eye is in the wrong place. These hotpads are made of three basic pieces--the sides, the bottom, and the comb.

This is fun crafts sewing and it won't take long to make a couple for your kitchen. If you are creative, you can make a rooster, too. We named the funny protective rooster Roo, or maybe that was Rue.

See you soon with more crafts and stitching fun.

Linda
cajunC

Valances for Mobile Home Window Treatments

2010-05-21T07:19:00.000-07:00

Valances can work for window treatments with blinds, and we made some for a mobile home we were preparing for sale. I promised photos a couple of blogs back, and finally got one for you to see.

There are some real advantages to making valances instead of curtains or drapes, since they take much less fabric and allow more outside lighting into the room. Be sure to prepare the fabric so the valances or curtains will hang nicely, as this is a key to getting the look right.

The chair rail or wainscoting is fabric, too, covering a strip of Masonite. We used Aleene's fabric glue on the backside only to attach the fabric to the board, then attached the chair rail to the wall with a mastic product.

With no furniture in place, this looks bare, but fabric and crafts in a mobile home give it some personality and a style Once the furniture is in place, this will pull together. Curtains and valances are easy to make, and even purchased curtains and drapes usually have to be re-sized for a mobile home, since windows never seem to be a standard size.

Here's how the fabric looks with the light colors on the other side.

We hope this is inspiration for your home decorating and sewing projects. See you soon with more needlework crafts sewing and stitching fun.

Linda
cajunC

Recycle Crafts: Save Money and Save the Earth

2010-05-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning always reminds me of garage sales, and yes, I love them. There are more unused crafts projects, fabrics, patterns, and crafts supplies than most of us can use in a lifetime. Crafts are also available at thrift stores and resale shops, flea markets and collectibles malls. There are also some supplies available at craft fairs and shows.

Look for crafting material wherever you are, and wherever you go, and become a hoarder. Well, maybe not a hoarder like they show on the program, but collect some crafts supplies for your projects. With the cost of good thread for sewing projects, I have decided to watch for thread at estate sales, and it is surprising how much thread is available by the bag. I now have all the colors of the rainbow, and most of the ones in between, even ones that are invisible to the old lady eyes.

Crafts can be expensive projects if all your purchases come from the local crafts store. Get into frugal living and recycle by buying crafting materials on the secondary market. You don't need to do it to the extent I do, but do it on a small scale, save the crafting materials for your next projects. Here are some tips.

Think sewing, crafting, stitching fun anywhere you are. If the items are new and look like they would make crafts, buy them for later. This is how I got about 40 washcloths and made roses in baskets. You probably saw the flower basket instructions way back in this blog, and we did poinsettia flower basket instructions, too.

Baskets are everywhere, too. I buy some baskets with the tags still on--never used--and they are great for storage of crafts until you need one for a project.

If you need special lace or fabric, look in the used clothing. There are new or nearly-new clothes with expensive lace and fabrics just perfect for trim.

Buy all accessories like tape, straight pins, safety pins for quilting, rulers, and backing fabric. These products are in abundance at flea markets and other secondary market selling spots. Use purchases from the secondary markets and save money as well as the environment.

See you soon!

Linda
cajunC

Sewing for Home Decorating; Curtains and Valances can be Fun

2010-05-08T06:58:00.000-07:00

We're just about done working on the mobile home, and the latest sewing project has been some valances for the bedroom that has blinds.Valances can be in many designs, but the ones that are just straight across are easy to make. They need to be twelve to fourteen inches in length, and the measurements are calculated just like drapes.

If you are interested in saving energy, valances are not energy-saving.

Start with the size you want--about 12 inches--and add the ten inches we discussed in the last blog. Make sure the fabric is straight before you start the valance measurements. The length before sewing should be 22 inches or even as much as 24 inches, and the width should be at least twice the window width. The windows I am working with are 23 inches wide by 63 in length--but the length does not matter for a valance, except to make the look proportional. A very long window may need a slightly longer valance, and a short squatty window can use a shorter valance. The valance should cover about a fifth of the window when completed, so a sixty-inch window needs about a 12-inch valance.

With the addition of ten inches for hem and rod pocket, you will have about 22 inches, and I use the total width of the fabric. This fabric is 45 inches, and for extra fullness, I want to sew two valances for each window.

Once you have the valance cut at about 22 or 24 inches, take a look at the selvage edges--the factory finished edge may be wrinkled or puffy. I usually trim these edges for curtains or drapes, so the fabric will not be puckered or so they will hang without any pull on the sides. Once the edges are trimmed, turn under about half an inch, then about 5/8 inch and press with the iron. Stitch each side with a seam and make sure it is not puckered. Then, press the valance with five inches folded over at the top, and five inches folded over at the bottom, like we discussed in the last blog for curtains and drapes. Turn under half an inch for the raw edges on each end and press.

Stitch across the top at two inches down, and close to the turned-under edge. This forms the rod pocket, with a two-inch ruffle at the top.

Make sure you have turned under the raw edge on the bottom, and sew the hem at 4 and a half inches.

C'est tout! as the Cajuns say--that's all--it's that easy!

Linda
cajunC

Sew Mobile Home Curtains and Drapes, then Pillows

2010-05-04T07:59:00.000-07:00

Sewing Mobile Home Curtains and Drapes

Mobile home curtains and drapes never seem to be standard size, and the easiest way to get new curtains or drapes for a mobile home is to make them yourself. We are getting a mobile home ready for sale, so I have been making mobile home curtains this week.

The first set I completed was a new set in the package from a thrift store. They were originally 84 inches, but the mobile home windows are about 32 inches wide and need about 63 inches for the length. An ample hem for curtains or drapes is usually 4 to 5 inches, so I cut these curtains at the bottom at 68 inches, folded under half an inch, and made a 4 1/2 inch hem. The scraps will make a pillow, since they are nearly 20 inches and the total width of the curtains. Do not be restricted by the size of the scraps, but use creativity to put together a pillow or two. If you need, select a center that is another fabric in about eight or ten-inch size, and just add strips of the curtain fabric around the square or rectangle.

Drapery fabric is always the best choice for curtains, since it has some sun-fading resistance, and is usually heavier than dress fabric. I had some drapery fabric that is lightweight but durable, and had enough for three curtain panels for the mobile home. Since I needed 63 inches completed length, I measured 73 inches for the curtains. The ten-inch added length is easy to remember and works well for most of the mobile home drapes and curtains. So, cut the fabric into 73 inch lengths (or whatever length you need, plus ten inches). Here is the "pattern" to see how ten inches works.

With this pattern, you can make any length curtain needed. Make the width double the window width or more for fullness, and the full width of the fabric is fine. Just add ten inches to the needed size, and press five inches at the top and five inches at the bottom. When sewing the top, the first two inches creates a ruffle, the 2 1/2 inches makes the rod pocket, and the last half inch is folded under.

Remember to use scraps for pillows for the room when working with the living room or bedrooms, or use the fabric to cover a chair rail to attach to the wall.

See you soon with more needlework crafts sewing and stitching fun.

Linda
cajunC

Hang Needlework Crafts on Wallpaper Walls

2010-04-28T09:11:00.000-07:00

Needlework crafts add a personal touch to a home, and fabric art can be mixed with other media to make attractive wall hangings and groups, but hanging needlework crafts on a papered wall is often a challenge.

Pounding a nail into wallpaper is a permanent solution that is not the best choice. We have had wallpaper, including fabric backed paper, vinyl front, and jute, and have found a suitable way to hang art on wallpaper with no permanent damage. It involves making cuts with a razor blade or sharp knife on the wallpaper. Make a V shaped cut and lift the flap up. Place your hanger under the flap in the space where the paper is lifted. If you want to move the artwork, remove the hanger and glue the flap down. You will never see the cut!

We hang mostly needlework crafts at our house, but any art can be hung on a wallpapered wall without damaging the wallpaper permanently. Do it correctly, and you can move the art around to redecorate or change the arrangement as many times as you choose.

Hope you find this helpful!

See you again soon with more needlework crafts and stitching fun.

Linda
cajunC

Recycle Pillow Cases for Crafts Projects, Make an Apron

2010-04-24T20:04:00.000-07:00

Single pillowcases that are embroidered are great for crafts, and we have made several different crafts projects from old single pillow cases that are still good. Sometimes the mate is lost, or worn, or damaged, but the other pillow case is usable.

A single pillowcase will make an apron, but plan ahead so the design is pleasing. Here's how. Envision how the embroidered design will look on the apron, and devise a method that will make it go in the right direction, and in the middle of the front of the apron.

Here's what we did. Cut the pillow case in the middle of the back so that the apron has seams at the sides. Now, look at the embroidery and see if it needs to be turned right side up. If so, cut the pillowcase in half horizontally, and sew the plain half on the other side of the embroidery so the embroidery is near the bottom of the apron.

Cut two strips about 5 inches wide to make a waistband for the apron. If the pillowcase does not have about ten inches to spare, use a color of fabric that is found in the embroidery as an accent.

Stitch the sides with a narrow hem, and do the same for the bottom. Gather the top edge and sew the waistband and ties to the gathered area, right side to right side, starting at the middle. Turn the waistband over, press a narrow hem, and stitch. Then hem the ties and you have a new old apron.

Recycle old pillowcases into doll clothes, appliques for clothing, or laundry bags. Have fun, but never pitch out any embroidery. There are many uses for almost all of it, and particularly pillowcases and large flat pieces.
We share original patterns and ideas so you can have fun with needlework crafts and recycling. Have a great week!

Linda
cajunC

Mothers Day Crafts DIY Now Fabric Art or Flowers

2010-04-18T09:51:00.000-07:00

If you give gifts for Mother's Day, now is the time to get crafts projects done and set aside before you are too busy with dinner and whatever else you like to do for Mother's Day. We often make a bathroom decorator basket of flowers with washcloths that is easy to do and requires no sewing. Find a basket you like that is seven or eight inches in diameter, and purchase some washcloths in a color that will match the bathroom decor.

We also divide flowers and container garden plants to share for Mother's Day, and this should be done early so the flowers can get accustomed to the new pot. Wait until close to Mother's Day to put some colored foil and a ribbon around the pot, and the gift recipient will never know that this is a Do it Yourself container plant that cost you almost nothing.

Be creative and make Mother's Day gifts from love and little money. The mothers in your family will appreciate that you spend time and creativity on the gifts. Whether you choose fabric flowers or real ones, start now and get the project underway.

See you again soon with more needlework crafts, sewing and stitching fun.

Linda
cajunC

Use Craft Buttons for Embroidery Trim and Fabric Art

2010-04-11T14:35:00.000-07:00

Craft buttons are getting prettier, and more intriguing for use on fabric crafts and fabric art. If you have been looking at buttons lately, you may be surprised to find figural buttons for animals, butterflies, birds, and even faces. These craft buttons are good accents for needlework crafts and fabric arts.

We occasionally find some craft buttons at a thrift store, and buy any we find just to accent pillows or use on embroidery projects or wall hangings.

Find some craft buttons, then find a project to use them. If you have an embroidery project, do the embroidery first, then arrange the buttons to make a pleasing display.

Buy craft buttons the next time you see them at a bargain, and save them for a future fabric art project.

You can find lots of uses for craft buttons on needlework crafts, but be sure to consider that some ideas are not very practical. Use on pillowcases should be restricted to an area where you do not intend to lay your head, unless you can sleep on buttons or don't mind marks on your face. The same is true for pillows you want to use. Decorative pillows are a great place for craft buttons, and wall hangings are ideal. Purses, totes and handbags are a good place for craft buttons, too. Design your own items and create your personal style with needlework crafts and the use of fancy buttons.

See you soon with more needlework crafts, sewing and stitching fun.

Linda
cajunC

Make Ribbon Embroidery Gathered Flowers for Needlework Crafts

2010-03-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

Ribbon embroidery flowers are one of my favorite needlework crafts, and I have made just about all of them. The gathered silk ribbon embroidery flower is a common one, and we have made a few--certainly enough to teach the class.

Small ribbon embroidery flowers can be made of 3/8 inch ribbon and it takes a minimum of about 2 1/2 linear inches to make little flowers. We sew the ends together before we start, then use a running stitch to sew one edge of the ribbon all the way around. Pull it as tight as you want the flower to be and make a few stitches to secure the gathers so they will not come out. You can make two of these and put them together for more fullness--and you can see we put a green one behind a pink one just to show how.

Sew these flowers onto the design you are working. If you need larger flowers, use about a 4 inch piece of silk ribbon and gather it. Place it behind the smaller flower petals to design a larger flower.

These gathered ribbon embroidery flowers are pretty with seed pearls worked in the center, or other tiny beads, or even a single sequin on the small ones. Be creative with ribbon embroidery and make beautiful pillows, wall hangings, or even a purse. Backgrounds can include velvet or velveteen, moire or felt. Fleece looks pretty for items that are not washed, but I have not found fleece to be a good fabric for washable items, since it is made with a foam on the inside that is not very durable.

Needlework crafts are a great pleasure if you like to sew by hand, and there is so much to learn, and there are so many new things to try out. Ribbon embroidery is one of my favorites, but I try to share other crafts with you, too.

See you soon!
Linda
cajunC

Use Fabric Yoyos for Crafts--Ideas for Free and Fun

2010-03-24T15:14:00.000-07:00

If you have leftover yoyos from quilting crafts or if you find some at the thrift store (which I have done before), you can put them to great use for crafts projects.

Yo-yos make great fabric pictures and faces for people. They also make the sun and moon. Of course they make flowers, either in singles or multiples.

We have used yoyos for different Christmas ornaments, and they make a beautiful garland for the Christmas tree, too.

Fabric pictures or wall hangings are great ways to use the extra yoyos, and once you get started, you will think of all kinds of ideas. I saw a purse made of yoyos the other day. It had yoyos attached to a fabric, with a lining fabric.The crafter used purchased wooden handles.

Have fun making crafts with leftover or recycled yoyos.

See you soon with more needlework crafts fun.

Linda
cajunC

Yo-Yos Top to Bottom!: 18 Delightful Projects (No. 3068)

Crochet an Afghan to Keep it Square

2010-03-20T09:53:00.000-07:00

Crocheting is a needlework craft that many of us really like to do in our spare time, and making an afghan is one of the easiest crochet projects. Making an afghan square is another issue.

I have made several afghans in my lifetime, and a few have been more like a trapezoid than a square or rectangle. The afghan gets wider as it gets longer, and it took me years to figure out how to overcome this crochet problem. Frankly, it was embarrassing that an afghan was such a simple crochet project, and that I could not get it right. I have made crocheted baskets and a hundred doilies, crocheted lace by the yard, and still could not figure out how to make an afghan correctly.

Well, it is so easy a caveman could do it, but it takes two sizes of crochet hooks--one the size you are going to make the afghan with, and another one a size larger. Use the larger hook to make the chain and first row of stitches. Then, work the afghan with the smaller size hook.

Would you like to crochet but just cannot learn to follow the instructions? There are crochet patterns available to help the visual learner, with pictures of the crochet. These are Magic Crochet magazines that are no longer in print, but are still available on the internet.

If you have struggled with crochet before and thought you couldn't do it, you may like to try it again. It really is a fun needlecraft that can give you hours of pleasure.

See you soon with more needlework crafts, sewing and stitching fun.

Linda
cajunC

Swedish Weaving on Aida Cloth instead of Huck Toweling

2010-03-13T14:43:00.000-08:00

Do Swedish weaving with embroidery thread, a counted cross stitch needle and Aida cloth, and work on the top surface of the Aida cloth instead of piercing the fabric like we do for counted cross stitch. You can select a pre-made design or make your own, once you understand the difference in the Aida cloth threads and the Huck toweling threads. Here is the basic difference:

You can do Swedish weaving on Aida the same way as working with Huck Toweling. Just pick a design and get started.

Enjoy free crafts ideas from my half a century of learning needlework crafts. You can subscribe to this blog so you know when I have a new project for you--usually every week. We like to share.

Linda
cajunC

Make RickRack Braid for Crafts Embellishments

2010-03-09T13:53:00.000-08:00

Make Rickrack braid from left-over rickrack. We have rickrack from years ago when it was popular. Confession here. It may be forty years ago, or more. I'm not counting, and hope you won't either. Anyway, we have lots of rickrack in different sizes and colors, and it not only is making a comeback in crafts, it is versatile and downright attractive when used as braid. We learned to braid rickrack many years ago, and I'm not sure many crafters still know how.

We do the two-part braid and the three-part braid. This is fun and an old needlework craft that you can teach others. Rick rack braid looks nice on just about anything that any other braid works on, including clothing, place mats, doll clothes, Christmas stockings and holiday crafts. Once you get started making the rickrack braid, you will find some great uses for it.

We did a blog not long ago about making a chrysanthemum flower with rickrack While you have the rickrack out, you might want to try it.

See you soon with more needlework crafts, sewing and stitching fun!

Linda
cajunC

EDGINGS Collar and Cuff Set Book No. 254 + Book No. 236 (Clark's O.N.T., J. & P. Coats, The Spook Cotton Col., For Towels, Handkerchiefs, Lingerie and Linens, Monogrammed Napkins, Initials. Rick-Rack Edgings, Crochet, Thread-work. Hairpin Lace, Children's Wear,)

Learn to Crochet with Rickrack

Do Swedish Weaving on Huck Toweling and Aida Cloth

2010-03-05T14:47:00.000-08:00

LEARN SWEDISH WEAVING EMBROIDERY:

Swedish weaving or Swedish embroidery is an old needlework craft that has made a return on the crafts scene. I taught Swedish weaving when I was in 4-H half a century ago, and still do some Swedish weaving on Aida cloth or Huck toweling occasionally.

If you can thread a needle and follow instructions, you can do Swedish embroidery or Swedish weaving crafts. You will need an evenweave fabric or Huck toweling, a cross-stitch needle with a dull point, and some embroidery thread. You can make your own pattern or design by marking squares on a grid paper.

If you have a renewed interest in Swedish weaving, have some fun with it again, and if you have never tried it, have some fun with a new needlecrafts project.

See you soon with more needlework crafts, sewing and stitching fun!

Linda
cajunC

Sew Crafts from Vintage Pillow Cases

2010-03-02T14:33:00.000-08:00

Vintage pillowcases have made a return to recycle crafts and easy sewing fun. There are some great projects that can be made with embroidered pillowcases, even if there is some damage to them. You can make something that will work around the damage.

A single pillowcase will make a laundry bag or a purse, or a doll dress for a large doll. Two pillowcases will make an adult apron. You can also cut the embroidery from a pillowcase and use it on a shirt or blouse. Once you get started, you will run out of embroidered pillowcases before you run out of ideas. We like recycling crafts projects, and this is a way to save the beautiful embroidery done by others.

If your pillowcases are yellow or stained, wash them in Biz or an enzyme pre-soak fabric cleaner. We also wash vintage items in soda. Sodium perborate or Borax is also a product that works to clean vintage pillowcases.

See you soon with more sewing crafts, needlework and stitching fun.

Linda
cajunC

Learning to Sew Lasts a Lifetime

2010-02-23T18:48:00.000-08:00

Sewing is a foundation for many crafts. I've been sewing for more than fifty years, and like to teach and write about sewing and crafts. Many people who sew do not realize that the fabric much be cut with the grain to hang properly. Preparing the fabric is not difficult, but is important to being a good seamstress. Wash the fabric and dry it like you will be drying it after the item is completed. Wash zippers and seam tape, too. This will avoid shrinkage at stitching lines.

Using a pattern is another important step in sewing, and sometimes it is not as easy as we might think. Most name brand patterns have detailed instructions for layout of the pattern to be sure you are cutting with the grain, and also for getting the most out of your fabric.

There are also a few good books on sewing. I learned to sew with the Singer book and 4-H projects, but there are also some new books on sewing that are good guides for learning techniques, and for use with any sewing machine. I have the Reader's Digest book and like it, but I bought it later, long after I learned to sew.

See you soon with more needlework crafts and stitching fun.

Linda
cajunC

P.S.

We have about 1500 sewing patterns that are vintage and collectible, but uncut and unused that are great to use for sewing projects, and much less expensive than new patterns today. I must confess that I am frugal beyond words, but refuse to buy a cut pattern, since they may be missing parts.

I finally set up a page to divide out the different groups of sewing patterns we have available for sale and thought I would share it with you. These are patterns you can buy from a marketplace website I sell on.

Sewing Patterns for Sale, Uncut and Unused Crafts Sewing Pattern Miss Sewing Patterns Girls Sewing Patterns Simplicity Patterns of all Kinds McCalls Sewing Patterns Easy Sewing Patterns for Sale Vogue Sewing Patterns for Sale See and Sew Sewing Patterns (Usually Easy) Kwik Sew Sewing Patterns for Sale Boys Sewing Patterns

Sew a Chicken Potholder Fun Free Crafts Pattern

2010-02-20T14:01:00.000-08:00

Make a chicken potholder or oven mitt for a fun crafts project. Recycle some fabric or scraps and smile as you do it, then put the completed project to use in the kitchen. This spring chicken is also a good usable gift for a friend, and easy enough to make several in an afternoon.

The chicken has an eight-inch circle quilted base and it takes two of the chicken shape and one red felt scrap to make the top part.

This crafts pattern comes from some of these I made years ago, and I do not know where I got the original idea.

See you again soon with more needlework crafts sewing and stitching fun.

Linda
cajunC

Needlework Crafts Sewing and Stitching Fun

Framing Needle Art Pictures and Needlework Crafts for Future Beauty

2010-02-15T14:02:00.000-08:00

YEARS AGO FRAMES WERE INCLUDED IN FABRIC ART AND NEEDLEWORK PROJECTS

Crochet, cross-stitch, embroidery and needlepoint are often fabric pictures to be framed, and as an avid garage sale runner, I see all kinds of framing and damage to needle art pieces that are not very old. With all the work that goes into needle arts, framing should not take a minor role, but should enhance the beauty of the piece as well as protect it for years to come.

Most needlework needs to be blocked before framing, and glass on a frame should not touch the needle art. How to avoid the glass touching? Leave off the glass or use a mat or shadowbox frame.

We hope you frame your work to be your legacy long after you are gone.

There are books written on this subject, but we have tried to condense some instructions in just a few words. Here is one of the books I have seen on this subject:

THE HOW TO FRAMING BOOK OF NEEDLE WORK AND FABRIC ART

See you soon!

Linda
cajunC

Identify Antique and Vintage Quilts Quilting Crafts

2010-02-12T14:32:00.000-08:00

Can you Identify Antique and Vintage Quilts?

Can you tell new from old quilts? Quilting has been a frugal living project for women, primarily, for at least the past 200 years, and occasionally we see an old quilt on the market or at an antiques show. Many of the quilts we see are NOT OLD, although the seller claims they are. This usually occurs because the seller has not studied the quilt to determine the age. There are some interesting ways to tell the difference in an old quilt and a new one.

One of the most common ways to tell old quilting is from the fabrics, since we did not have polyester blends until the 1960s. Most of the quilts made in the first half of the Twentieth Century were made of cotton, many of feed sack prints or chintz flower prints. The colors of fabrics available for a quilt also tell the historical setting.

Another way to tell an old quilt is to hold it to the light. If you see bumps or dark spots, check to see if these are cotton seeds. Old cotton batting was not smooth like we use today.

I grew up in West Virginia, the home of the Mountain Artisans, and grew up with quilts and quilting. This is a fascinating fabric art form with a long history. Hope you find it interesting, too.

See you soon, with a quilt block in my hand.

Linda
cajunC

Quilting Techniques are Different from Sewing. Did you Know?

2010-02-07T17:33:00.000-08:00

Quilting crafts use a different set of rules from standard sewing, but many who do not quilt often or have not read the quilting books do not know the differences. If you want to try your luck at quilting, you might want to be forewarned.

One of the major differences is in pressing seams. Quilting seams are not pressed open like they are in sewing. Pressing seams open will allow the batting to slip through the stitches, so quilters know to press the seams to the darker fabric side.

The rotary cutter is a great invention for quilters, and it can have some practical purpose for anyone who sews. Most people who sew do not use a rotary cutter, because it is commonly known as a quilting tool. If you sew a lot, a rotary cutter and mat will become tools for sewing, not just quilting.

If you want to learn to quilt and you already sew, just a few techniques will make a difference in your skill level.

With the weather looking like real winter, it is a great time to sew or quilt. Even without electricity, you can still sew by hand and do needlework crafts.

See you soon with more fun crafts.

Linda
cajunC

Make Ribbon Embroidery Pleated Flowers Crafts

2010-02-03T09:21:00.000-08:00

Ribbon embroidery flowers are great for crafts fun, but they are also attractive for package wrapping or making an embroidered picture. We have written about silk ribbon embroidery in previous blogs, but this is a flower that we have not given directions for making. It has some versatility because it does not have to be made of silk ribbon, and it can be made in different sizes, depending on the length of ribbon used.

The flower in the picture is about an inch in diameter not counting the leaves, and it takes about sixteen inches of 3/8 inch polyester ribbon. Pleat the entire ribbon with inverted pleats stitched in place. Then stitch as you wind the pleated ribbon with a circular motion. Add a green leaf to the back and tack into place.

We hope January went well for you, and that February gets a little warmer than it started out. We are starting to work on income taxes, since we are DIY people and do our own.

See you again soon!

Linda
cajunC

Sew a Jeans Pocket Purse Recycle Crafts Fun

2010-01-27T18:17:00.000-08:00

Sew some recycle crafts fun with a jeans pocket purse for your kids or grand kids. This is easy fun, and the biggest job is taking the pockets off the jeans. We use a seam ripper, but this needs to be done with care.

This is so easy and fun, you will want to make more than one, and you can decorate it with whatever you think a little girl would like. If you crochet, you may want to crochet the strap. You can also use three strands of ribbon or twine and braid the strap.

Use your imagination, and make this easy and fun jeans pocket purse for someone you love.

Make it fun, and see you soon!

Linda
cajunC

Foundation Piecing for Quilting Crafts

2010-01-17T07:20:00.000-08:00

Learn How to Quilt: Quilting Crafts Foundation Piecing

Foundation piecing is a quilting technique you can learn quickly, and use it for many different sewing crafts projects. The purpose of foundation piecing is to give support and a framework to the project, and it works great for small pieces or something you would want a lining fabric for--like a crazy quilt.

We have been working on a crazy quilt made with specific shapes for each square, not the usual crazy quilt with a pentagon in the center. Almost all crazy quilting lends itself to foundation piecing.

Foundation piecing begins with a foundation or background of muslin or even paper, since this was originally paper piecing done with newspapers. We prefer to work with muslin or similar fabric and leave the foundation on for backing fabric. We mark the design on the foundation, then sew a piece in place just flat on the foundation. Add the next piece by lining it up against the edge of the first one, flip it over and stitch with right sides together with the first one. Flip it back and add the next piece to it.

Once you see how it is done, you can see other crafts and crafting uses for foundation piecing.

Get the new year off to a good start by learning a new technique for your crafts projects, or getting a new needlework project started. It is a perfect time--while the weather is limiting outdoor activity.

See you very soon!

Linda
cajunC

Make Silk Ribbon Embroidery Roses

2010-01-14T18:19:00.000-08:00

Silk ribbon embroidery roses are one of the fun flowers to make in silk ribbon. Some of the roses can also be made in thread embroidery, like the spiderweb rose shown at the left here. The spiderweb rose is one of the prettiest ribbon embroidery roses, and is an easy one to make. Make five spokes from a center like a bicycle wheel, then alternate over and under with your ribbon from the center working out to the edge.

Try it with embroidery floss. It is smooth and silky looking, completely different from the ribbon, and exactly the same process.

Ribbon embroidery is a fun crafts project, and roses are the center of lots of the ribbon crafts. Learn to make the roses in different styles, and the ribbon embroidery projects will go fast.

Have fun learning ribbon embroidery roses.

Linda
cajunC

Silk Ribbon Embroidery Needlework Crafts Fun

2010-01-10T08:39:00.000-08:00

Ribbon embroidery is unique embroidery that can be done on fleece or felt fabric as well as moire and cotton. It is best worked with silk ribbon because the silk has more flexibility than polyester or similar ribbon.

If you already do thread embroidery, ribbon embroidery has a few of the same stitches, but projects can be completed faster in ribbon than in thread. This is a fun needlework crafts project that brings out the artistry and allows for personal style. This violet is made with the ribbon stitch and a couched ribbon stitch, and these instructions can be used for a lady slipper or other flowers that have two petals up and three down.

Start needlework crafting for the new year, and learn silk ribbon embroidery as a new craft.

See you soon.

Linda
cajunC

Quilting Miniatures Doll Quilts Small Crafts

2010-01-07T09:40:00.000-08:00

Doll quilts or quilting miniatures are great projects for adults and young children. This quilt is one I made when I was eight years old, so do not underrate the ability of a young child.

A doll quilt or miniature usually has quilt blocks that are about 3 1/2 inches square, and although this one is more detailed than I would probably suggest for a child to make, almost any quilt pattern can become a miniature quilting project. One of the great advantages to making a miniature doll quilt is that you will probably not need any batting, since dolly promises she won't get cold.

Start a new project while the weather is cold. Frame a miniature quilt or use it for dolly, or give it to your favorite child. All are worthwhile.

See you again soon!

Linda
cajunC

Applique a Pillow Easy Sewing Machine Fun

2010-01-02T08:11:00.000-08:00

Applique with hand sewing often seems tedious and using the blanket or buttonhole stitch makes the work look a little like folk art. If you want to make a pillow with an applique that is done on the sewing machine, this is the method that works best for us.

Make the applique separate from the pillow by making it double. Use any thin scrap fabric for the back, or use the same fabric as the front. You can even add lace or embellish the edge before applying the applique to the front of the cut-out pillow.

Of course you can make appliques like this and use them for clothing or other crafts, not just for pillows. Once you see how easy this is, you will think of lots of practical uses for making an applique with the sewing machine this way.

Start the new year with learning new techniques and fun for needlework crafts. We always have a few more in the works.

See you soon!

Linda
cajunC

Making Quilting Patterns: Make the Size you Like

2009-12-30T12:45:00.000-08:00

Quilting and sewing both take a pattern, and even if you do not want to deal with the complexity of making a garment pattern, a quilting pattern is much easier to design your own. Of course a square is easy enough, like for this Trip Around the World quilt shown, but there are other quilt patterns or templates you can make, too.

Grandmother's Flower Garden is an old quilt pattern made with hexagon shapes, but if you purchase a pattern, you will only get one size. We have instructions in an older blog about how to make a flower garden quilt block in any size you choose.

Have fun with a new year quilting project, and make your own pattern.

Until next time!

Linda
cajunC

Learn to Sew: Sewing for the New Year

2009-12-27T13:27:00.001-08:00

Sewing is a great hobby, but it is also a frugal living activity in the American home.
Learn to sew for the new year, or learn to sew better than you can at the present time. Sewing can include mending and alterations, too.

We sew, quilt, and do crafts projects on the sewing machine, but our machine has paid for itself many times over with the mending and alterations for the family and friends. We hope you can enjoy the pleasures of sewing this year, either in learning to sew, learning to sew better, or making time to sew more.

You don't need a fancy sewing machine to make beautiful crafts or clothing.
We hope you have a great new year and that sewing becomes your favorite pasttime.

See you soon!

Linda
cajunC

Cross-Stitch Needlework Crafts Like a Pro

2009-12-24T09:17:00.000-08:00

Learn to cross-stitch like a pro. Even if you think you can cross-stitch, there are techniques that will help you make uniform stitches with cross-overs going all the same way, and to help keep you from losing your place in the pattern.

You can learn to cross-stitch so your work looks professional, and just like the ones you see in the crafts magazines. It is not difficult, but takes just a little know-how. The key to cross-stitch is to make all the crosses run in the same direction. If you work from right to left, do half-cross stitches across and the top half cross stitch from left to right. This will always keep your second half on the top running from left to right. The look is professional!

We have been cross-stitching for at least thirty years, and it was a surprise to us that our early cross-stitching work now looks elementary. Before counted cross-stitch, we did stamped cross-stitch projects, and they were often stamped poorly or not lined up with the grain of the fabric. This helped contribute to the "elementary" look, but cross-stitching in rows going one way only probably helps the most to have uniform stitches, and cross-overs all going in the same direction. It makes a difference.

We hope you have time for crafts during the holidays and that you have a wonderful holiday time with love and peace.

Linda
cajunC

Make a Wire Ribbon Flower for Packages

2009-12-22T17:20:00.000-08:00

Craft a wire ribbon rose or flower for packages or for home decor. Wire ribbon is a great product! This flower takes about 36 inches of wire ribbon and just a few minutes to make.

Start at the end and pull some of the wire out to ruffle the ribbon and to give you wire to tie the flower as you go. Roll the ruffled ribbon tight for the center and looser as you move to the outer edges. Wrap with the wire as you go so the center does not spring loose. Tie off with wire at the end.

Make a few of these flowers for your packages, or let your kids make them. They are that easy!

Have a great holiday!

Linda
cajunC

Sew Fabric Gift Bags for Any Occasion

2009-12-19T06:19:00.000-08:00

Sew gift bags of fabric this year for any occasion. They are easy to make and are an additional gift to the recipient.

Gift bags can be made of scrap fabrics in any size, but about 8 x 10 inches is perfect. You may use a purchased bias tape or just make a double hem on the inside of the bag to run a cord through, and decorate the bag to suit the occasion or the person.

If your sewing skills are minimal, you can still craft fabric gift bags that can be used for years to come.

You have time to make these for Christmas, but they are also great for Valentine's Day, weddings, birthdays, and other holidays. Bags can be made large enough for a bottle or even a santa pack, but the size we use frequently are the jewelry bag size. You may even have some coin bags you can adapt to gift bags--like the one shown in the picture.

Have a great weekend.

Linda
cajunC

Sew a Fat Cat Christmas Ornament Pattern Too

2009-12-12T14:17:00.000-08:00

Make a fat cat Christmas ornament quick and easy with chintz fabrics or with satin if you prefer.

You will need some fabric scraps, scissors, a needle and thread and maybe a sewing machine, and something for stuffing. Ribbon adds a hanger.

You still have time to make these for your Christmas tree or for accents on the table or mantel, or for the kids to find in a Christmas stocking. They also look great in a basket with several different ones. There is no face, and both sides look alike except the bow.

We hope your Christmas projects are progressing and that you have time to make crafts and share the joy.

Linda
cajunC

Make a Triangle Treasure Box Christmas Ornament or Gift Box

2009-12-09T13:15:00.000-08:00

We do a few crafts projects that are not needlework, and one of the fun ones kids like are the triangle treasure boxes. These are Christmas ornaments, or gift boxes, or both, and are easy to make. They can be decorated by children, or with gift wrap paper, or with fabric and lace. The sample box we have here is made of a manila file folder, and it will hold small wrapped gifts like jewelry or candy, and will hang on the tree.

The triangle treasure box can be a re-usable ornament or gift, too, since the ribbon can be tied to be opened.

The basic pattern for the triangle treasure box is a square with four triangles on the sides. The decoration ideas for a needle crafter are endless, since the manila folders allow sewing, glue, fabric and lace, beads and sequins, or make the box from a printed Christmas box.

We hope you are making lots of fun crafts for the Christmas season! See you with a new project in a few days.

Linda
cajunC

Christmas Stockings Easy Sewing Ornaments

2009-12-05T09:36:00.000-08:00

Christmas stockings are fun and easy to sew, and you can make several different ones with scraps of fabric and few accessories.

We have made several Christmas stockings this Christmas season, and are always pleased to share ideas and instructions.

Fleece is a great fabric to work with, and most kids like the feel of it.

We have also been making cowboy western Christmas stockings from denim fabric. This pattern works well for mini Christmas ornaments to hang on the tree.

Can you stand one more? Here is our frugal living Christmas stocking. If you are like us, you have more fingertip towels than you can use in this lifetime. We use ours for sewing projects, and you won't have any difficulty figuring out how to make a stocking from a fingertip towel. If you have one with fringe or a nice edge, turn that edge to form the turn-down top for the stocking.

We hope you try some of these easy crafts for Christmas. We like to share!

Linda
cajunC

Make Fabric Poinsettia Christmas Decorations No Sew Crafts

2009-12-02T17:49:00.000-08:00

If you like crafts but do not sew, there are still lots of fun crafting projects you can do for Christmas. We make poinsettia flowers from red and green washcloths, and they require no sewing. This is our original crafts project, so you will probably not see it elsewhere.

You will need two red washcloths and a green one for each poinsettia you want to make. You will also need a large rubber band and something for the center berries. Fold the washcloth so the corners show. Add another red washcloth with alternating corners. Fold the green washcloth in thirds diagonally. Add the green washcloth to the back with two ends showing. Place a rubber band on the back by twisting the washcloths in the center of the back. Place a package decoration berry or similar item in the center.

We hope you are making lots of Christmas crafts!

Linda
cajunC

Craft a Ribbon Embroidery Rose Christmas Tree

2009-11-29T06:54:00.000-08:00

Ribbon embroidery is one of the fun needlework crafts that you can learn and enjoy while decorating your home for Christmas. There are several different kinds of roses to make that can be used more than once if you apply them with straight pins.

This Christmas tree requires a styrofoam cone and wide ribbon as well as some ribbon rose garland and some ribbon roses you have made.

Christmas crafts are such great fun! We hope you will find time to do something special for your home and yourself. If you like needlework projects, ribbon embroidery may become one of your favorites.

See you soon.

Linda
cajunC

Mini Christmas Ornament No Sew Wreath Easy Crafts

2009-11-26T07:59:00.000-08:00

Make a no-sew crafts wreath for your Christmas tree this year. Actually, these are so easy, you can decorate the entire tree with them if you like. These wreath mini Christmas ornaments take two kinds of wire ribbon and something to cut it with.

If your kids are old enough to use scissors or wire cutters, you can get some help with these. If they are not old enough for cutters, they can make bows after you cut the ribbon to size. Make Christmas decorating a family activity this year by letting your little ones help make these Christmas wreath mini ornaments.

See you soon! Hope you get lots of these made during the holidays.

Linda
cajunC

Christmas Angel from a Crocheted Doily Recycle Crafts

2009-11-23T09:39:00.000-08:00

Crocheted doilies are great for crafts projects, and we find recycle uses for all we get. A Christmas angel can be made from a circle or square in doily crochet. This Christmas angel can be a tree topper angel or can sit on your table or mantel for a Christmas decoration. This doily does not require a sewing machine.

To make this angel for your Christmas tree or as a decoration, you will need a doily and something round to make her head. If you want her to have a halo, a little scrap of lace will work. A shoulder pad will work for wings, and you can add lace or not, your choice. You will also need a needle and thread to do a little hand-sewing.

Use your creative talents to make your Christmas angel unique. The skirt can be spread out to let the angel sit for a decoration, or you may add a styrofoam cone under the skirt and cut to size to make sure she is as tall as you need. We often do Christmas crafts and share instructions. These are our own ideas and patterns, and we like to share for your personal use.

See you again soon with more Christmas crafts ideas and fun!

Linda
cajunC

Christmas Ornament Angel Pattern Kids Can Make

2009-11-19T14:36:00.000-08:00

We have made a Christmas angel pattern you might like to use as an angel ornament or a Christmas decoration, and we like to share, so you may use the pattern for any non-commercial purpose. It is similar to the Christmas tree we did just below this, and can be used on cardboard for a stand-up decoration or on the tree. If you make three of these single units, they can be glued together to make a three-sided or three-dimensional ornament.

We hope you are getting time to work on some Christmas crafts, and that maybe with Thanksgiving holidays, you will have even more time. Your family may pitch in and help, if you let them. Well, if you insist.

See you soon!

Linda
cajunC

Make a Felt Christmas Tree Ornament in Openwork

2009-11-15T17:14:00.000-08:00

Felt and fleece are fun fabrics to use for Christmas ornaments because they do not fray, and they hold their shape. We often make felt ornaments like snowflakes as they are easy and are a great crafts project to involve the kids. Felt and fleece are still economical, too.

This design is our own, and you can make it large and use it for a wall hanging, or make it small and use it on the tree. You are welcome to use it for any non-commercial purpose, since we like to share. A large piece can be backed with cardboard, and the kids can make small felt ornaments from scraps to put on the cardboard-backed felt tree.

Once you have the cut-out Christmas tree completed, you can put it on felt backing and then cardboard. That is what we have done in the picture here.

See you in a couple of days!

Linda
cajunC

Make Yoyo Lantern Christmas Ornaments

2009-11-11T12:47:00.000-08:00

Christmas crafts are great fun, and we have been making Christmas ornaments with yoyos from our quilting crafts. These are our own inventions, and we are pleased to share. The most recent one is a fabric lantern ornament that you might like to make.

You may already have some yoyos made from a quilt project or from a previous crafts project.

To make a lantern Christmas ornament like the one shown, place two yo-yos with the flat sides together and stitch only through the two single layers of fabric. Tack the two yoyos together. Then, add a loop of your choice at the top by tacking it in place. We made a ribbon rose and added it to the center on one side only, but you may want to add several ribbon roses to make a fancy Christmas ornament. We usually use light colored fabrics because they show well on the Christmas tree, but metallic fabrics and reds show up, too. You may also put a cotton ball in the top and bottom yoyos to puff them up.

We hope you are in the Christmas spirit and enjoying working on some crafts projects. We are working on new ones every day, and will be bringing more later this week.

Have fun with needlework crafts!

Linda
cajunC

Make a Stable or Barn Crafts for a Christmas Nativity Scene

2009-11-07T12:44:00.000-08:00

There are many characters available for Christmas nativity scenes, but the barn or stable seems to be missing. Even finding one at a reasonable price is difficult, especially including shipping.

You can make your own Christmas nativity scene stable or barn with very little effort. You don't even have to be good at crafts. Most of our crafts are needlework and fabric crafts, and this is an invention we needed for use with some cross-stitch characters--Joseph, Mary, shepherds, baby Jesus and sheep and cows.

This barn or stable takes only a cardboard box and tape, but you may want to use sphagnum moss or cover the box with fabric. The size of the nativity scene you have will determine the size of the box you need to use.

You are recycling the box and reusing your old nativity scene characters. The world thanks you!

Linda
cajunC

Make Heart Christmas Garland Fabric Scrap Crafts

2009-11-03T15:12:00.000-08:00

If you like to use the scraps from your needlework projects, heart Christmas garland is easy and fun. You can make it tiny for a little tree, or large for a full-size Christmas tree. You might want to use Christmas fabrics or Christmas colors, or you may prefer a country Christmas look.

Handmade crafts are more popular than ever this year, and this one is frugal, since the fabric is scraps from other projects.

This Christmas garland does not require a sewing machine, either. It can be hand-sewn, and the hearts are stitched from the outside. No turning the fabric.

If you want smaller hearts, just cut inside the shape, and cut outside for larger hearts. Once you have some puffed hearts made (they are stuffed with cotton balls), you can sew them at the widest point just to get an idea of the look.

We will be sharing patterns and instructions for our unique designs for Christmas needlework crafts from now until Christmas. We hope you find something you like!

Until next time.

Linda
cajunC

Make Ribbon Embroidery Roses Two More Ways

2009-10-31T10:31:00.000-07:00

There are several ways to make ribbon embroidery roses, and we have made a twisted rose in a previous blog.

There are also more ribbon embroidery roses that we make with ribbon or embroidery thread. One of these is the accordion folded rose, and it is the first of the ribbon embroidery roses that really caught my attention. It is made with two 9 inch lengths of ribbon. Place the ribbons at right angles, and accordion fold the entire ribbon. Then pull one end slowly, and it makes a rose. It really works! This is the rose shown on the left above. Once you have the rose or roses made for your project, use a chenille or large needle and thread the open end. Punch it through your fabric and tack the roses into place. These flowers are really worth learning, since they are useful for so many different crafts.

The other rose we like is the spiderweb ribbon embroidery rose. It can be made with either ribbon or embroidery thread. This is the one on the right above. This ribbon embroidery flower starts with five spokes from a center. Then weave the ribbon in and out of the five spokes. Weave loosely for silk ribbon and yours will look just like mine.

Needlework crafts are our favorites, and we like to share these fun and easy tips and projects. You still have time to make some crafts for Christmas!

Until next time.

Linda
cajunC

Make a Ribbon Embroidery Twisted Rose Crafts Flower

2009-10-28T09:03:00.000-07:00

Ribbon embroidery roses are great fun, and there are several different kinds. I like the look of the twisted rose, and it works well on crafts items, not just ribbon embroidery. We use ribbon embroidery flowers for many of our crafts projects, and they are easy to make and have a unique look.

If you want to make a ribbon embroidery twisted rose, it takes two ribbons in about a 9 inch length, or 18 inches total. This will work for just about any ribbon that is less than an inch wide. We have used grosgrain with stripes here so you can see the crafting process.

Place the ribbons together with right side facing out.

Twist the ribbons together by holding both ends, until all areas are twisted.

Bring your hands together and the ribbon will twist around itself.

Begin rolling the ribbons from the far end, and you will make a twisted rose.

Once you do a few of these, you will love the simplicity of making the ribbon embroidery twisted rose.

See you next time with new needlework crafts. Thanks for stopping by.

Linda
cajunC

Make YoYo Christmas Ornaments Crafts

2009-10-23T14:27:00.000-07:00

Yo-yo circles are great for so many uses, and we have been making some fun Christmas ornaments and thought we would share this one with you.

This Christmas ornament takes three yoyo circles, and we do not use the glue gun at our house. We sew these three yo-yos at the bottom and at the top only, and add a ribbon for the hanger.

We hope you have lots of fun with these.

Linda
cajunC

Rickrack Flowers for Needlework Crafts and Ribbon Embroidery

2009-10-18T13:30:00.000-07:00

Ribbon embroidery is a fascinating needlework crafts project, and there are unusual stitches and ways to make flowers. Most of the flowers are made with ribbon, but I have made some rickrack flowers recently that work well with the ribbon flowers.

You probably have some rickrack around the house from years ago. Typical of many of our needlework crafts, we use what we have available for frugal living crafting.

Here is a rickrack chrysanthemum made with running stitch on every other point of the rickrack. Once the hand stitching is done, just pull the thread to gather the flower.

Make a rickrack chrysanthemum with running stitch on every point. Fun to learn and easy to make. Use these rickrack flowers on your small gifts, or make designs on fabric with several flowers. We will have instructions for other ribbon embroidery flowers within the next couple of weeks.

Have a great week!

Linda
cajunC

Embroidery on Rayon Velvet

2009-10-15T13:46:00.000-07:00

If you love the feel of fabrics and fabric crafts, rayon velvet is right up there at the lap of luxury. It has the most wonderful feel, and is not stiff like velveteen.

Many people would not expect that embroidery would work on rayon velvet, but I have seen and made a few extraordinary pieces. Rayon velvet crafts work best for large items like tablecloths or lap robes.

It takes a large needle and twine or candlewicking thread to make the stitches show up well, but it works quickly and is a unique kind of needlework crafts. You can make a large design really stand out, and it works with unusual stitches, too. Stitches that are mostly top surface work best.

Linda
cajunC

Make a Cat a Bed Warmer

2009-10-13T09:16:00.001-07:00

Every cat needs a bed warmer for cold weather if it is an outdoor cat. Your cat has probably already made a cozy spot to stay out of the wind and snow, but when the weather gets about zero, even that is not enough.

Your cat can have a bed warmer just like a heating pad with very little effort on your part. It takes a sock and some rice, and maybe a couple of seams on your sewing machine.

Over time, the rice tends to break up and can come through a loose weave, so choose a sock with a tight weave or make a bag to fit inside the sock. Your cat can be a fat cat with a bed warmer or heater. Just put the rice in the sock and sew it closed. We use about a cup of uncooked rice. When you are ready to warm the bed warmer, put it in the microwave for 30 seconds or so. Wrap it in a towel and put it in the cat's bed, especially if it stays outside in the winter.

Your cat will thank you for your cleverness and crafting ability.

Have a great week!

Linda
cajunC

Sew a Pillow from a Man's Shirt

2009-10-09T14:25:00.000-07:00

Make a pillow from a man's shirt--repurpose a shirt that is too small or one Hubby does not like. Recycle and re-use to make great crafts projects.

The point here is to make a fun and easy crafts pillow project without having to make buttonholes or sew on buttons. You will be using both the front and back of the shirt--and one side will be the front of the pillow, and the other will be the back.

See how much fabric you have to work with. Standard pillow sizes are 12 x 12, 14 x 14 and 16 x 16 inches. Lay the shirt out flat and measure. If the shirt is large, you may be able to get the largest size--which would be about 18 x 18 cut squares, since you need to add an inch all the way around for the seams.

Once you have the pillow squares cut, you may want to decorate either side you choose to have for the front, before sewing around the edges. When ready, put front sides together and sew around the squares with about 5/8 inch seam allowance.

These pillows are so neat, because you can sew all the way around the outside and then just unbutton the buttons and turn the pillow.

Stuff with a pillow form or with a product of your choice. Sometimes I make a pillow form from two muslin squares, and a little smaller than the pillow. Sew around the muslin squares with about 1/2 inch seam, and leave an opening to turn. Turn the muslin pillow form and stuff it with old pantyhose or shredded foam, and whip the opening closed.

This crafts sewing project won't take long, won't cost much, and will add to your home decor. Your friends may want one, too.

Have fun with needlework crafts!

Linda
cajunC

Sew Mini Christmas Stocking Ornaments Crafts Fun

2009-10-07T18:18:00.000-07:00

Christmas stockings are always fun, but most of us think of one large stocking for each person in the family. A Christmas tree with mini stocking ornaments is really a pretty decoration for your home, and you can make each of the stockings different.

We always have some denim mini stockings here, and some cowboy boots, since we live in Texas.

You can sew mini stockings by hand or with the sewing machine, since there is so little sewing. We recommend making mini stockings in one of two sizes--either three-inch size for a little Christmas tree or six-inch size for a large tree.

Here are some outlines you might use. Enlarge one to the size you want and add about 1/4 inch to sew all around. Cut two of the shape from fleece or felt, since these fabrics do not fray and are easiest to sew. Sew around the edge by hand or by machine, and you can sew right sides together and turn or wrong sides together and don't turn--just leave the rough edge. You may want to put a top around the mini stocking ornament, too. We have some undecorated examples in an article that gives more detail.

Ask if you have questions. We are delighted to share.

Linda
cajunC

Quilt with Fussy Cuts Quilting Crafts

2009-10-05T20:15:00.000-07:00

Do you like to do quilting with specialized cut-out pictures or patterns? We often do fussy cuts in quilting, particularly on pillows or just a center design for a quilt block.

Fussy cuts also are used for apron pockets, and other places you want to have a perfect match.

If you like a little more challenging work in quilting or crafts, you might want to try to do some fussy cuts.

You can figure out how to do this by trial and error, but don't forget to allow for the edge to turn under. We always leave 1/4 inch. We like to work from the center for the fussy cut, and in this one, we centered the nose of the large snowman. You can see how to measure and how to apply the shape to a flower garden quilt block. This is a fun needlework crafting project that lets you be creative and make something unique.

Of course if you have questions, just ask. This should be fun!

Linda
cajunC

Fun with Needlework Crafts

2009-10-03T10:12:00.000-07:00

Needlework crafts have been a favorite pasttime for children and adults, and some crafters do not get started early like I did. It is never too late to learn needlework if you have an interest, and there are so many crafts to keep busy with, it is sometimes difficult to choose.

Maybe you don't want to choose--and you can have several. Quilting has been one of my favorite needlework mainstays, but cross-stitch, sewing, crochet, macrame, ribbon embroidery and any creative off-shoots of these are also great fun. I learned knitting at a very young age, but it is not one of my favorites.

You can be a needlework crafter without much expense, particularly if you try small projects first and are resourceful in finding supplies online or at thrift stores.

There is no better time than now to resume needlework you already like or to start a new project. Fall is here and there will be more time spent indoors, and Christmas crafts are ideal to work on now.

See you in a day or so! Hope you get out the needlework crafts now.

Linda
cajunC

Make an Original Quilt Pattern Quilting Crafts

2009-09-29T08:43:00.000-07:00

Ready made quilting patterns are fun, but you may want to make your own quilting or crafts design at some time, but just cannot concentrate to figure out how. We usually make our own quilt designs, sometimes because we want a different size, and sometimes because we just like to create. We can share some ideas with you here.

Start with some squares in colors you want to work with. These are just some recent fabrics I washed, so they will give you an idea of what you need. We also use freezer paper and muslin. Freezer paper makes the first design, and muslin gives a backing to the sample square. We have folded the fabric pieces in the picture on the upper left so you can see the potential for even a simple quilt block. You can make a unique quilt pattern, or this specific design.

Another way to make your own design is with freezer paper and a ruler, pencil and compass. Decide the size block you want to make and mark the square for the completed size. After you make the design, cut all the pieces and add 1/4 inch all around to make a template for each pattern piece. Stitch a sample block before you decide to cut more. If you like the look, you did it yourself!

See you between stitches!

Linda
cajunC

Make Cajun Christmas Ornaments Felt Crafts

2009-09-26T18:38:00.000-07:00

Cajun Christmas ornaments are a little difficult to find, but making your own is easy. You may want to use felt or fleece, or wood and a scroll saw.

Choose a theme for your Christmas ornaments. The Cajuns are known for alligators and the chicken chase, Mardi Gras and food. You can choose a theme for your tree, and colors you want to decorate with. You may choose to do all animals, or all farm animals. Make it fun, and conversational.

We usually draw shapes by hand, but if you don't feel confident with drawing your shapes, use a cookie cutter to draw around, or look for shapes on the internet. Children's coloring books also have great outline shapes for felt Christmas ornaments.

I usually just draw one side on the felt, fold it in half, and cut both sides at the same time. This corrects any distortion from the free-hand drawings.

Get a jump on Christmas this year, and craft your ornaments from safe and practical felt or fleece, or wood if you prefer.

Have a great time crafting your felt Christmas ornaments this year.
Always free fun, and free help.

Linda
cajunC

Create a Christmas Tree Skirt

2009-09-24T17:38:00.000-07:00

Creating a Christmas tree skirt is almost a no-sew project the way we do it, but there is some crafting to it. These skirts are made of whatever you have available or whatever you can find, so they are perfect for frugal living or low budget fun.

Measure to determine the size Christmas tree skirt you will need, and then look around your house for an item that you can use. Look for a circular vintage crinoline or can-can, or maybe an old poodle skirt. Any circular skirt will do. A round tablecloth will also work fine. Use your imagination, and if you have to, you can make a trip to the thrift store for a circular item.

Cut a slash down one side and hem each raw edge. A tablecloth requires a hole in the center where the skirt already has the hole at the waist. Fold the tablecloth in half and in half again. You will need to cut a quarter circle, but not large. Most of the Christmas tree holders do not need more than a 5 inch diameter hole. That is 2 1/2 inches cut from the folded tablecloth. Press and hem around the circle or add a bias binding tape and leave "ties" like an apron.

We will be sharing more Christmas crafts on this blog in the next few weeks. We have been working on some Cajun Christmas ornaments and crafts this week. Happy crafting!

Linda
cajunC

Make a Quilt in a Hurry Quilting Crafts

2009-09-22T13:44:00.000-07:00

Quilting crafts should not have to be rushed, but sometimes we need a gift and a quilt is expected. You know how this works if you are a quilter--new baby, person just back from the hospital, friend of a friend--and they do not realize that these quilts take time. Lots of time.

Getting started and thinking through the project is half the work. Here are some ideas that may help the next time you need to make a quilt in a hurry.

Consider using a large scarf or picture in the center. This may save you hours of stitching.

Find quilt blocks that are already made. Many are available on the Internet, sometimes vintage and beautiful blocks.

Tie the quilt if you do not have time to quilt it, or just quilt a line around each block to hold it in place.

This may give you just the inspiration you need to get a quilting project started that you can finish in time for the occasion you need it for. I usually have a quilt in progress, but often have to stop on that one to do a "quickie" for a friend. Bet you do, too.

See you between stitches,

Linda
cajunC

Learn to Crochet for Visual Learners

2009-09-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

If you would like to crochet, but are intimidated by those coded instructions from the usual directions for crochet, you might want to try magic crochet. Magic Crochet magazines were a subscription for years, but have been discontinued, I believe. The idea behind the magic crochet instructions is to provide a line drawing with the information on the row you are working.

Magic Crochet is a great magazine, and the idea is to help visual learners, or people who just don't want to follow those little coded instructions.

We sell Magic Crochet back issues on a marketplace website if you would like to start crocheting or pick up where you left off. Magic Crochet back issues are available here . The Magic Crochet magazine has full-page line drawings to follow, and instructions in the back to understand how the drawings can guide you in crocheting. Most of their projects are thread crochet, like doilies and tablecloths, bedspreads and fine crochet work, so the picture instructions are really helpful. See what the instructions look like at the top of this page.

Crochet has been one of my favorite crafts for many years, and I have made doilies and baskets, afghans and pillows. Even doll clothes are fun to crochet!

See you soon!

Linda
cajunC

Quilting Crafts Make a Grandmother's Flower Garden Quilt Pattern

2009-09-18T13:07:00.000-07:00

Grandmother's Flower Garden is a hexagonal pattern quilt and is an old favorite. Sometimes I want to use this pattern in a different size than the size quilting pattern I have available, so it has been really convenient to know how to make my own pattern without doing any serious calculations. Use a 2 1/2 inch, 3 1/2 inch or 4 1/2 inch square to make a 2 inch, 3 inch or 4 inch hexagonal shape. Cut the square and fold it accordion style in thirds. Fold in half from the adjoining side to create a perpendicular line. Your paper square will have six sections or folds. Draw the quarter inch seam all around the square. With the three-part division at the top, draw a line from the line 1/3 across to the center inside line where the stitching will be. Do the same from the center line to the 1/3 fold at the bottom. You will create a > and a < on each side to make the hexagon.

The picture to the right is a Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt with what I call the garden path variation. I used vintage squares for the flowers, and since there were not enough of them, I added a muslin row and the brown rows between the flowers to make the quilt large enough. This is an example of one of the uses for a pattern of a different size--if you have blocks already started and need to add more.

See you between stitches.

Linda
cajunC

Make a Fan Quilt Pattern Quilting Crafts

2009-09-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

You already know we like needlework and sewing crafts. Quilting is one of my favorite pastimes, and I never have enough time to share all the things I have learned over the years.

Grandmother's Fan quilt is one of the old quilting patterns that has lots of versatility. I saw this pattern for years as a child--actually worked on the blocks for a couple of them, and have inherited the blocks from 1956.

You can make a fan quilt pattern in the size and with the number of folds or spokes of the fan that you want. We used seven spokes in the fan, but that is really more sewing and does not look any better than six spokes. In recent years, I have made a pattern or two in different sizes with a different number of folds or spokes. If your fan block is a quarter of a circle, that is 90 degrees, so six spokes would be 15 degrees each and five spokes would be 18 degrees. You can do this with very basic math.

One of these days, we can look at the versatility of the fan quilt pattern and novel ways to use it.

Until next time!

Linda
cajunC

Make a Washcloth Flower Basket No Sew Crafts

2009-09-14T13:15:00.000-07:00

A washcloth flower basket is fun for the bathroom or fun to give away. It takes about a dozen washcloths in colors to match the bathroom, and requires no sewing. This is so easy, it should be listed in kids crafts somewhere, but I have never seen it anywhere but in my own bathroom. I made these several years ago, and have changed them a couple of times.

After you make a couple of these, you will wonder why you didn't do this years ago.

If you don't have any washcloths to spare, make some from old towels. Just roll the washcloths to shape the flower of your choice. Experiment for different flowers. Wrap in a green washcloth and tie with a rubber band on the "stem" side.

Make some of these for Christmas gifts--inexpensive and easy crafts and you made it yourself!

Have fun with this crafts project. See you in a day or two!

Linda
cajunC

Thread a Needle Correctly. Yes, Read This and Learn Something

2009-09-12T18:45:00.000-07:00

Have you ever tried to sew something by hand and the thread just keeps twisting?

I have seen great seamstresses have difficulty with this, and some suggest beeswax and all kinds of novel treatments to the thread.

What you really need to know is how to put the thread in the needle. Yes, you probably already know how to thread the needle, but do you know that every thread has a twist that only runs one way?

We have an article about this subject to help if you have twisting thread when you sew. You already know how? Do not cut the thread off the spool until you thread the needle. Then cut the thread and knot the end you just cut. It can make a difference in your hand sewing work.

Hope this is helpful to some of you!

Until next time!

Linda
cajunC

Make YoYo Flowers for Quilting Fun

2009-09-10T14:52:00.000-07:00

Yo-yo flowers are fun to make and can be done by hand sewing. Actually, they look better when hand-sewn and with larger stitches.

See how these individual pieces spiral around? That is because they are stitched with large enough stitches that they look like they are pleated.

The great thing about these flowers is that you can do whatever you want with them. They are great on pillows or on sweat shirts and sweat shirt jackets, too. They also are used for quilting.

Yoyos are great fun and you can make them in any size you want. They start with a circle, sew around it with a single turned hem about 1/4 inch, pull it almost closed, and tack.

Once you have a few yo-yos made, tack them together from the backside for a large flower. Each flower takes seven single yoyos. Click on the link to see the step-by-step instructions.

Have fun!

Linda
cajunC

Sew the Facings Down on a Blouse or Shirt

2009-09-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

Quick and easy use for your sewing machine: If you still iron a few of your shirts and blouses, and are constantly working with the front facings to keep them pressed, why not just sew the facings in place? Even if you don't iron your shirts and blouses, some of them have facings that wrinkle and keep creasing in the dryer.

For the last several years, I have been sewing the facings down to keep from having to iron them. Pin the facing to the front and press. Sew down the front on each side to keep the facing in place.
Do this the next time you have the sewing machine out to work on a crafts project or new quilting adventure. You will be glad you did.

Linda
cajunC

Needlework Crafts: Recycle with Quick Sewing Projects

2009-09-05T13:23:00.000-07:00

Once you learn to sew, it seems that the crafts possibilities are endless. Many sewing projects become essential to keeping up a household. That includes alterations, particularly to children's clothing, and mending anything from socks to curtains.

Another great use for the sewing machine is in recycling. If you have towels that are frayed along the edges and no longer look good, they are ideal for recycling or as they say, repurposing. Each worn towel can make several washcloths, and at the price of washcloths, this is worth the effort. You can find make washcloths from old towels by using a purchased washcloth for a sample size. Cut the washcloths from the part of the towel that is not badly worn.

As a fun crafts project, you may want to make something from vintage pillowcases. You can make doll clothes, a purse, or a blouse embellishment with a little imagination. You can also think up your own ideas, like an apron for the holidays. The embroidery work is already done on the pillow cases, so you have a head start!

Make it fun and productive, too!

Linda
cajunC

CHRISTMAS is the best CRAFTS Time of the Year

2008-11-14T19:52:00.000-08:00

We sell crafts books and love needlework and woodworking crafts as well as art and fabric arts like quilting. Crochet and knitting books, learn how with patterns for macrame, quilting, thread crochet, sewing, cross-stitch and embroidery as well as tatting and other crafts books are available for sale in our ioffer store. We have been selling sewing patterns and crafts books for four years and have about 4000 items listed at any time, with more available before Christmas.

We love Christmas, and specialize in Christmas crafts with over 2000 available at the present time. You can find our Christmas Crafts here.

All of our sewing patterns are UNCUT and UNUSED, with many vintage patterns available. We have over 2000 sewing patterns available, and these are specialty and crafts patterns, vintage and collectible designer patterns and patterns you can cut and use for sewing for your home or clothing. We do not carry current patterns in our selection of Butterick, Simplicity, McCalls, or any of the easily available companies, but have older patterns and have Burda, Advance, New Look, Style, Stretch and Sew, Vogue and many private companies like Green Peppers and patterns made in Texas.

It's time to do your Christmas crafts, make your outfits for parties, or just have fun looking at the old styles. Come visit our iOffer Store where you can BUY IT NOW and PAY WITH PERSONAL CHECK or GoogleCheckout. All our items are in stock and ready to ship. You can find out a little more about us by checking out our website. We've been buying and selling on the internet for ten years and have a reputation for fast delivery and superior products.

Linda
cajunC

Pottery Glass Jewelry Ornaments Books and Cookbooks for Sale at Cajun Collection CajunC

2008-06-01T07:25:00.000-07:00

WHO makes RED CLAY pottery?

2008-06-01T07:02:00.000-07:00

RED CLAY potters are often studio pottery, but FRANKOMA is the most famous red clay pottery. Probably more than 50% of the red clay pottery found in America today is from FRANKOMA, an Oklahoma pottery started by John Frank. Early FRANKOMA is NOT red clay, but was made of Ada Clay from Ada, OK. In the mid-Fifties, Sapulpa clay was used, and it was a red clay. Some of the more recent Frankoma is even more red than the Sapulpa clay color. Most of the Frankoma red clay pieces are marked, BUT NOT ALL. You can find a treasure if you know what you are looking at, and red clay is a start.

HARRIS STRONG used red clay for many of his beautiful tiles, and early PETERS AND REED pottery was RED CLAY. Grueby pottery is red clay, too, but we do not often see a piece of Grueby.

Much of the RED CLAY production pottery comes from CANADA today, and it is BLUE MOUNTAIN POTTERY, known for a drip glaze in green and black. They made beautiful animal figurines in different sizes, many with drip glazes.

There are so many pieces of pottery available that are not easily identified, and maybe YOU have one. I will be available to look at some of these if you contact me, and hopefully I can identify it or tell you where to look for the identification.

Happy hunting American pottery!

TAN CLAY Vintage American Pottery Identification

2008-05-13T05:58:00.000-07:00

TAN CLAY potteries are more difficult to identify by area. DRYDEN pottery used TAN clay for much of their early production in KANSAS and even some of the ARKANSAS pottery. ROSEMEADE produced tan clay pottery with tiny dark specks throughout, and they were in North Dakota. There were also some other potteries that worked in the North Dakota style (particularly one that made Pine Cone designs) that used tan clay.

CANADA pottery is often a tan clay that they call MOCHA. It was made on the eastern coast--and although this discussion is about AMERICAN pottery, this one can be confusing. There are also FOREIGN potteries that use tan clay, and ITALY is one of the best, but most of their pottery is marked as to country of origin--whereas the Canadian production is tagged only.

There were also some American STUDIO POTTERS who used tan clay, but their works are usually marked on the bottom with a hand-written name.

The nice feature about tan clay is that you can usually EXCLUDE Ohio potteries and Texas potteries if you see tan clay. The production potteries from these states
did not use tan clay.

Remember, turn the pot over to locate an area that is NOT GLAZED to see the clay color. Don't let the GLAZE color confuse you. That is not the CLAY COLOR that we are looking at here.

Happy hunting until next time!

Linda
cajunC

WHITE CLAY potteries were in Arkansas and Texas primarily

2008-04-29T14:53:00.000-07:00

TEXAS produced pottery in the 1950's that was Art Deco in appearance. Some of it is stamped with ALAMO POTTERIES stamp, but much of it is marked only with numbers. These are STRAIGHT numbers on the WHITE clay, and they help identify Alamo Pottery. GILMER POTTERIES also produced white clay pottery at the same time, and in much the same style, with an Art Deco appeal.

CAMARK POTTERY of CAMDEN, ARKANSAS was making art pottery with hand painting and often flower designs during the Mid-Century Modern Era, (1950s) too. They used WHITE CLAY to make florist pottery as well as figurines. NILOAK POTTERY was also making white clay pottery figurines and florist ware in ARKANSAS. Some of these pots and figurines are marked, and some are not. Some have numbers to give some help in identification, but even if they do not have numbers, the WHITE clay is of great help in determining the company that made it.

2008-04-27T13:37:00.000-07:00

There are lots of other lesser-known potteries who used yellow clay from Ohio and who were located in Ohio. These include ROBINSON-RANSBOTTOM of Roseville, Ohio, often confused with Roseville Pottery. The ZANESVILLE potters used yellow clay, too.

Probably the BEST KNOWN of all of the yellow-clay potteries is MCCOY pottery, and they had a large quantity of production ware for many years. These are the pieces that were mass produced, and did not require much hand work. MUCH McCoy was marked, but there are MANY pieces that were unmarked, and can be identified, if you know HOW.

So, if the pottery is YELLOW CLAY as determined by looking on the DRY FOOT or in an area where there is no glaze, think OHIO and OHIO potteries for identification.

Linda
cajunC

Identifying American Pottery by CLAY COLOR

2008-04-26T07:16:00.000-07:00

Identifying American pottery by clay color has been one of the best tips I have ever been able to share with others interested in pottery identification. Most of the clay colors are related to the REGION of PRODUCTION. The most obvious one is OHIO. Ohio produced a yellow clay in abundance, and it was used by numerous pottery companies in that area. Some of the companies moved there just to utilize the clay, but Ohio was a center of DINNERWARE production long before pottery.

Ohio potteries include ROSEVILLE and WELLER, both well-known and operating from the turn of the Twentieth Century until mid-century. If you look at the BOTTOM of the ROSEVILLE or WELLER POTTERY, you will be able to see the DRY FOOT (the area where there is no glaze) and see that they are a yellow pottery. Many of these pieces are MARKED on the bottom, so there is no doubt. BUT, the difference in the GREAT FINDS for YOU is to know the pieces that are UNMARKED. This is HOW to learn to identify those splendid old pots that are unmarked.

Just FOLLOW THIS BLOG to learn!

Identifying Glass and American Pottery

2008-04-24T05:23:00.000-07:00

If you have vintage American glass or pottery that you cannot identify, you are welcome to let us take a guess. After years of working with glass and pottery identification, we might be able to help.

You've come to the right place if you want to have someone take a look at a piece of pottery or glass for you!

Welcome!

cajunc

Linda