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February 2013

Heart Envelope Bag

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Thinking about that special someone? How about making this cute little heart envelope bag and hiding a special little surprise inside.

A quick sew that can be reused over and over and will always remind that person how much you mean to them. So let's get started.

You will need:

Printed Pattern Pieces  Download Heart Envelope Bag

2 fat eighths

Button

10" piece of ribbon or trim

Thread

  Materials

Print and cut out all pattern pieces. 

Pin fat eights with right sides together and cut out pattern pieces. 

You will have one interior fabric and one exterior fabric of each of the pattern pieces. 

Fabric cut

Pin pieces right side together making sure to mark opening for turning. 

Pin - 1
Sew around edge of each piece 1/4" leaving a small opening for turning.

 Stitch backstitch 

Clip all around your three pieces to remove some of the bulk in the curves. 

Cut

Turn all three piece right side out and press flat.

Flip

Top stitch the bottom edge of the top piece.

Sewing top stitch

Top stitch the top edge of the bottom piece.

Final top-stitch

Pin the top and bottom piece to the back piece. 

Pin all around

Top stitch 1/8" all around edge. This will keep both pieces together and close your turning holes. 

Final step

Attach button and ribbon closures to keep contents secure. 

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You can fill your bag with chocolates or candy to give as a gift. 

I hope that you enjoy making these. I can't wait to make a bunch to give out on Valentine's Day!

From Megan With Love


Fat Quarter Gang - Boucherouite Blush Box by i heart linen

image from iheartlinen.typepad.com

Hi everyone!  Rashida Coleman-Hale here again with my third tutorial!  Yay!  Did you miss me?  Of COURSE you did! 

So.....can I just say that I fell in love with Sarah Watson's booth when I was at Quilt Market last season.  It was so awesome and her collections are SO stunning, and she was equally as awesome and okay, maybe I should just start my own 'Sarah Watson Fan Club'!  Hee!  

Well, I knew right away what I would make if I got my little sew mits on some of her fabric.  Boxes for my studio!  Duh!  These are super easy to make and you can easily adapt the instructions to make a round box of any size you like.  So, here's how you make one for your makery pleasure. Enjoy!

FQG_Box

Finished Size: 4" x 5 1/2" 

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SUPPLIES

  • 2 gorgeous fat quarters from Art Gallery Fabrics 
  • Cardboard
  • Cardstock
  • Masking Tape
  • Glue and a paint brush OR Spray Adhesive
  • Batting
  • Scissors
  • Rotary Cutter
  • Cutting Mat
  • Acrylic Ruler
  • X-Acto Knife
  • Circle Template

 

CUTTING

Cardstock - Cut three 5" circles 

Cut one 2 3/4" x 16 1/4" rectangle 

Cut one 1" x 16 3/4" rectangle 

 

Cardboard - Cut two 5" cirlces 

Cut one 2 1/2" x 16 3/4" rectangle

Cut one 1" x 16 3/4" rectangle 

 

Outer Fabric - Cut two circles using template and add 1/2" allowance around to make 6" circles

Cut one 4" x 18 1/2" rectangle 

Cut one 2 1/2" x 18 1/2" rectangle

 

Inner Fabric - Cut two circles using template and add 1/2" allowance around to make 6" circles

Cut one 4" x 18 1/2" rectangle 

 

Batting - Cut four 5" circles 

 

INSTRUCTIONS 

Before you start I just want to mention that I used spray adhesive for this project because it was fast and dried quickly.  If you use this method, PLEASE make sure you're in a very well ventilated area.  If you're not a fan of this stuff, you can easily do this project with good old Elmer's glue and a paint brush.  Just paint glue on the sections where I state that you should spray the adhesive.  You'll have to take some time between steps to let some things dry, but the results are just as lovely.  Also, your hands won't be all stick and gross.  (Olive oil got the glue off my fingers lickety split, btw.) 

1

Take the card board rectangles and from a loop with the edges meeeting end to end.  Use the masking tape to tape the ends together forming two circles.  (I'm pretty sure I measured correctly, but to be sure make sure to wrap the cardboard rectangles around the cardboard circles to be sure they fit perfectly.  You can easily trim the ends if necessary and this will avoid any headache after you've taped the ends together.)
2

Box_LidTapeTop

Press the circles inside the cardboard loops.  Tape around one edge with masking tape.

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3

Clip the tape around the perimiter of the box.  Then carefully press the tape onto the top forming the llid of the box.  Repeat this process with the other circle and bookboard piece to form the box bottom. 

 

Box_PancakeBatting

Take the batting and stack them on top of your newly formed lid.  

Box_CoverBatting

Flip it upside down on top of one of the fabric cirlces you've cut out for the lid.  Clip around the perimeter of the fabric. 

Box_CoverTop

Spray the outer edge of the cardboard with adhesive and press the fabric down around the edges of the lid. 
Box_MakeLidEdge

Next take one of the 4" x 18 1/2" rectangles and place it in front of you wrong side up.  Place the 1" x 16 3/4" cardstock on top about 1/2" down from the top.   Fold that allowance over and press with an warm iron.  Clip the bottom edges.

Box_WrapEdgeLid
Spray the outer edge of the lid once more and wrap the outer fabric with the cardstock around the lid.

Fold in the edges and overlap the ends. 


Box_CoverBatting

Next spray the inside of the lid and wrap the fabric over the edges and press down inside the the lid. 

Box_CoverCardstockCircles

Now take the two inner fabric circles and two cardstock circles.  Adhere the cardstock to the wrong side of the circles.  Clip around the edges.  Set one aside. 

Box_CoverBatting

With the remaining circle, spray the wrong side with adhesive and then fold the clipped edges in.


Box_CoverBatting
Spray the inside of the lid lightly with adhesive and press the circle wrong sides together onto the inside of the lid.  Your lid is finished! Yay! 

Box_WrapFabricOutside

Now take the bottom of the box and spray the outside with adhesive.  Wrap the outer fabric around the box leaving about 1/2" of allowance on either side.  Fold the raw edge over on the end and overlap the ends.  Clip around the perimeter of the allowance on both sides. 

Box_WrapFabricBottom

Next, spray the bottom of the box and press the clipped edges down. 


Box_WrapFabricBottom

Repeat this with the top edges. 

Box_InsertInnerBottom

Spray the inside of the box and press the remaining inner circle into the box.  Be sure to let the allowance remain visible and free as you press the circle down. 

Box_FoldFabricOver1

Take the remaining inner fabric rectangle and place it in front of you wrong side up.  Center and adhere the remaining cardstock rectangle to the fabric. 


Box_FoldFabricOver

Fold the allowance in to make nice clean edges. 


Box_InsertSides

Once again with the spray!   Spray the inside of the box then press the rectangle to the inside

FQG_Box

Assemble the bottom of the box with the outer fabric circle and cardstock in the same manner as you did with the inside of the lid.  Spray the bottom of the box and press the bottom on. 

FQG_Box

Voila!  Box! ^_^ 

Want to get YOUR mits on this Fat Quarter bundle? Well simple, hop on over to my blog and leave me a comment answering my buring question... "Working on any projects for your workspace?  Do tell! "

As always to be eligible to win you must follow us on your fav social media platform (Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter)and Subscribe to our blog to stay up to date on all things AGF & the Fat Quarter Gang!

And don't forget to add any projects you made from this (and the other fabulous Art Gallery Fat Quarter Gang tutes) to the flickr group!

Til next time.. Happy Sewing

<3,

Rashida & The Fat Quarter Gang


Retro Bow Belt Tutorial

Bow-Belt-1

Here is a little tutorial to show how I made the bow belt I wore in the new Color Me Retro video. I think that it is just adorable and I am so excited to be sharing this with you. They are simple enough for new sewers to try and easy for experienced sewers to whip up. Either way they have a great wardrobe impact. It’s a great way to transform an outfit and a great way to use up scraps of leftover fabric.  Bows are right on trend in fashion right now but being a retro girl I never need an excuse to add a bow. 

Bow-Belt-2

For the belt you will need three pieces of fabric: I cut mine on grain to save fabric but if you have a piece of bias fabric it would give you a little bit of stretch in your belt.

You will need enough fabric to make 3 rectangles

Fusible interfacing 2” x your waist measurement + 5”

2 hooks

4 eyes

Thread to match fabric

Sewing machine or hand needle

Small amount of ribbon for turning

Bow-Belt-3

The belt main piece is 5” wide and your waist measurement + 5”

(I measured myself over a thin shirt since I know I was going to offer two size options.)

The bow rectangle is 6” x 12”.

The knot rectangle is 3” x 3”.

Iron all pieces.

Iron the 2” piece of interface belt down the middle of the wrong side of fabric of the longest rectangle this will give your belt some stability.

Fold your belt in half the long way and sew lengthwise along the long seam with 1/2” seam allowance. Be sure to backstitch at the begining and end of your belt.

Bow-Belt-4

Press the seam open.

Bow-Belt-5

If you are comfortable turning the tube right side out you can use the turning method you are comfortable with. The turning method I used is great for beginners.

Thread a ribbon the length of your tube with enough of a tail for you to be able to pull.

Bow-Belt-6

Tack the thread down with a line of large stitches.

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Pull the tail of ribbon you left and the tube will begin to turn on itself.

Bow-Belt-8

Keep pulling until entire tube is right side out.

Bow-Belt-9

Snip threads used to hold ribbon.

Bow-Belt-10

Press once right side is out.

To sew the bow fold in half so the two shortest sides meet with right sides together.

Bow-Belt-11

Sew lengthwise along the edge with a 1/2” seam allowance leaving a 2” space in the stitching for turning. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of each section.

Bow-Belt-12

Press seam open. Move seam to the middle and iron flat.

Bow-Belt-13

Sew both ends with 1/2” seam allowance. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end.

Bow-Belt-14

Use the 2” opening to turn right sides out.

Bow-Belt-15

Poke corners carefully with scissors to make sharp corners and press.

Bow-Belt-16

Fold knot for bow in half the long way and sew lengthwise along the long seam with 1/2” seam allowance.

Bow-Belt-17

Press seam open. Move seam to the middle and iron flat.

To turn knot thread a ribbon the length of your tube with enough of a tail for you to be able to pull.

Bow-Belt-18

Tack the thread down with a line of large stitches.

Pull the tail of ribbon you left and the tube will begin to turn on itself.

Bow-Belt-19

Keep pulling until entire tube is right side out.

Snip threads used to hold ribbon.

Bow-Belt-20

Press once right side is out.

Fold knot in half with seam on outside and sew down raw edge with ¼” seam allowance. Remember to backstitch at the beginning and end. 

Bow-Belt-21

Press seam open.

Bow-Belt-22

Turn right side out.

Bow-Belt-23

Pinch or pleat bow and slide knot into center.

Bow-Belt-24

Straighten and fluff your bow how you like it.

Hand tack knot to bow and bow to belt in place as you like it so it won’t move.

Bow-Belt-25

Sew hooks in place (two rows of eyes allow for wardrobe changes).

Bow-Belt-26

Et Voila! Hook it around your favorite dress or shirt to add instant retro style!

Bow-Belt-27


Go back in time with Color Me Retro by Jeni Baker

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A collection that would make the likes of Donna Reed swoon, Color Me Retro by Jeni Baker inspires that retro chick inside of us.

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COLOR ME RETRO Fabric Collection by Jeni Baker from Art Gallery Fabrics on Vimeo.

 

Imagine yourself in a 1950's kitchen, singing along to some Billie Holiday as the scent of fresh baked bread fills the air.

Collage
Inspired by retro kitchenware from the 1950s and 60s, Color Me Retro invites you to paint your life with its bright, fresh combinations or lime green, royal blue, and raspberry red.

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Think vintage silhouettes and classic decor for the home! Create your own retro style with this bold, fun, and vibrant collection!

 

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The 50's and early 60's were a time dubbed as "The Family Era". These were times when "keeping up with the Joneses" was key and Leave it to Beaver was a reflection of where society stood.

Retro-Collage
It was considered a norm for women to sew their own clothing as well as clothing for the family...

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Color Me Retro is a collection that embraces all that charm and nostalgia of that era and gives it to you in a mini-collection of 10 prints that will bring out the susie homemaker in all of you.

Color-me-retro-stores
You can find Color Me Retro at these popular online retailers soon or look for them at your Local Quilt Store.

 

Visit our new website to get inspired and download our fun & free projects, including the free quilt pattern for Vinette, featured in the video.

Follow us on Facebook & Twitter for cool news, updates, and awesome pics!

Much love,

Art Gallery Fabrics

 


Fat Quarter Gang - Lap of Luxe by Quilt Dad

FatQuarterGANG_banner400pxBLUE

Hey guys, John here from the Quilt Dad blog. I was originally going to make a small project with my lovely new stack of Luxe fat quarters, but once I started cutting into the prints I couldn't help but make a whole quilt! 

  _DSC0005_text
I wanted to make something fairly simple and with large blocks to show off the beautiful prints.  Although the prints are quite sophisticated in nature, I think this small quilt would be just as appropriate for a baby or child as it would be on the back of your couch.

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Finished block size: 13” (13.5” unfinished)

Finished quilt size: 52” x 65”

LIB-greystone3

Materials needed

  • 10 fat quarters of Luxe In Bloom by Art Gallery Fabrics
  • 1 ¾ yards of a background fabric.  I used a combination of Mystic Grey and Light Grey from Art Gallery Fabrics' Pure Elements collection of solids.
  • 4 yards of a backing fabric
  • 2/3 yard of a binding fabric

Download Lap of luxe quilt pattern (updated)

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If you make a Lap of Luxe quilt, I'd love to see it!  Please add it to the Quilt Dad is my Homeboy Flickr group.

If you'd like to win this beautiful stash of fat quarters then hop on over to John's blog, Quilt Dad and let him know what you are looking forward to this month.

As always to be eligible to win you must follow us on your fav social media platform (Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter)and Subscribe to our blog to stay up to date on all things AGF & the Fat Quarter Gang!

And don't forget to add any projects you made from this (and the other fabulous Art Gallery Fat Quarter Gang tutes) to the flickr group!

Til next time.. Happy Sewing

<3,

John & The Fat Quarter Gang