Ribbon Embroidery Flowers are Hot Weather Crafts

 Ribbon Embroidery Flowers are Crafts for Hot Weather


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.

Irises in Ribbon Embroidery

Pleated Flower

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 see other flowers in ribbon embroidery on previous blogs 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

 YoYo Crafts Projects You Can Make -- Christmas Ornaments


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.

Use Net for Wings on your Angel

Maybe this is an Angel Clown?

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

Linda
cajunC

Make Watercolor Quilting Fun with Fuse

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.

Watercolor Quilt From Light to Dark

 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:

Make a Grid for your Watercolor Quilt

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

Make Flowers with Rickrack

 Rick Rack Makes Flowers and Other Crafts Embellishments

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

Sew or Mend, Make Alterations or Crafts

Save Money and Enjoy Sewing

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