Fleece or Felt for Crafts Projects -- Think Christmas

Felt Makes Crisp Cutouts

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 Two Fleece Shapes

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

Cut the Design on the Top Layer

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

French Knots and Satin Stitch

Candlewick Embroidery Stitches


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.

This Pillow Uses Chain Stitch for Edging Shapes

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.

Chain Stitch You Can Do

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.






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

Have a great week!

Linda
cajunC

Sew a Poodle Skirt Circular Felt

Crafts - Make a Felt Poodle Skirt with Little Sewing

Create A Personality Poodle from Felt and Cotton Balls

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.

Pattern for Circular Skirt

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.

Funny Poodle on Felt Circular 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.

Make a Poodle Shape to Cut and Decorate

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.

This Poodle Won't Like a Bath

See you soon!

Linda

Use Quilted Placemats for Simple Sewing Projects, Bags and Apron

 Use Quilted Placemats for Simple Sewing Projects


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.

Quilted Placemats

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:

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:

Elegant Clutch Placemat

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!

Doves at the Fountain

Patriotic Quilt Blocks Red White Blue Fabric Crafts You Can Make

 Patriotic Quilt Blocks Red White Blue Fabric Crafts


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:

Flag Block for Patriotic Quilt

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.

Pinwheel Design in Red and Blue

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.

Pennant Square

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