lynsay's idiots guide to crafts...

lynsayjane

Hi guys, i'm lynsay and i do too much sewing! i'm new to the os board, please be gentle on me.

after a post on the freebies xmas thread i was asked for instructions on a craft project i'm doing and i thought this might be the better place for it.

i've already been asked for a second so i thought i'd start a thread for easy no-pattern craft work, especially since i rarely buy patterns. i work in a fabric shop and know how overpriced they can be!

the first couple i have in mind are xmas ones but i also do some bags and other bits that are quite quick and will post them up later.

also if anyone has anything in particular they might fancy drop me a pm or post it on here and i'll see what i can do.

lynsayjane

Here is the instructions for the xmas tree decoration as promised, the one i'm intending doing is for a table centre for my mum but this would make a great cuddly toy for a kid too. some ideas would be to put a bell inside it, kids love noisy things!

http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M3...=crafts&page=6

if you have any questions or don't understand my instructions please feel free to get in touch! i tried to explain as simply as possible! my stupid camera has run out of batteries, but as soon as i get it working again i'll take pics and post them up too!

What you need,

 20cm each of two contrasting fabrics, at least 112cm wide
 10cm of third fabric for the star (optional)
 stuffing
 a4 piece of card

Tools you need,
 sewing machine/needle and thread
 fabric and paper scissors
 dressmaking chalk/pencil


How to do it,

1. On your piece of card draw a rectangle 20cm wide by 28cm high, in this rectangle draw your half tree shape and cut out. In the spare card draw your half star shape (if required).



2. Cut your two tree fabrics into four lengthwise. This should leave you with eight rectangles 20cm wide by approx 28cm high. On two pieces of each fabric draw round your tree stencil with the ‘branches’ towards the left, on the other pieces repeat with ‘branches’ to the right. Cut out your pieces.



3. With right sides of fabric together sew one piece of each fabric to one piece of the other (i.e. one piece of patterned to one piece of plain) around the edge with the branches. If you do this so that all your branches are on the right hand side this will give you two pieces with the patterned fabric on top and two with the plain on top. On the fourth piece leave a gap of about 5cm on the bottom edge unsown.



4. Take two of your pieces so that the two patterned sides of them are next to each other and sew up the inside of the tree leaving the plain sides loose and making sure that the stitching is done on so that it is on the inside of the tree!!! Next take a piece so that the two plain sides are together and sew. Repeat again so that all four pieces are joined.

5. Using the gap that was left in the bottom turn the tree inside out so that the right side is showing and stuff it!!! Once the stuffing is complete to your satisfaction (if it’s for a table centre it may be better rigid to keep it upright) slipstitch the gap and your tree is done!

6. If you are doing the star repeat the basic instructions of the tree then attach it to the top and voila a stunning xmas decoration on the cheap!

greenpixey

Thanks, lynsay.
Will get my sewing mashine out toninght and give it a go. The fabric I got is not as nice as on the picture, but Im gonna try to make one with the fabric I got and I just might invest in some nicer one if I succed.
http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M3777.htm?tab=crafts&page=6

lynsayjane

greenpixey wrote:

Thanks, lynsay.
Will get my sewing mashine out toninght and give it a go. The fabric I got is not as nice as on the picture, but Im gonna try to make one with the fabric I got and I just might invest in some nicer one if I succed.
http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M3777.htm?tab=crafts&page=6

its defo a good idea to use scraps of fabric if your not sure how it's going to work out. mine is being done in royal stewart polycotton tartan (my mums a stewpot!) and dark green satin. i got gold lame for the star, dunno how that'll turn out but i can only try!

let us know how you get on!

nabowla

What a lovely thread - thank you Lyndsey!

Do you happen to have any instructions for fabric peg bags? Ideally I'm thinking of making one with a small wooden coathanger (the sort that fancy boutiques sell for £18.....), but I'd settle for something simpler. I'm fairly new to this sewing lark so nothing too complicated, please!

lynsayjane

nabowla wrote:

What a lovely thread - thank you Lyndsey!

Do you happen to have any instructions for fabric peg bags? Ideally I'm thinking of making one with a small wooden coathanger (the sort that fancy boutiques sell for £18.....), but I'd settle for something simpler. I'm fairly new to this sewing lark so nothing too complicated, please!

i actually made one myself a while ago after some neighbourhood kids destroyed my perfectly sized plastic one :mad:

i used the trim off a valance sheet i'd made into cushion covers for my mum!

you'll need a piece of rectangular fabric about 75cm in length and the width of your hanger (plus a little extra for hems) mine is one of the blokes plastic trousers ones, 35cm

hem the two shorter sides of your fabric and fold it into a pillowcase style envelope, with the two ends overlaping slightly, and your stichting on the outside. sew fully along the two cut ends of your fabric (ie from top of bag to bottom). turn it inside out and pierce a small hole in the top for your hanger to poke through.

i found i had to put a small tuck into the front of the top sectiond just below the hanger to make it sit right, but my hanger has a slight ^ shape to it.

hope this helps you

xx

Chipps

Hi, thanks for this thread.
I made a peg bag for my mum (one for me, too) one year. I made it round the coathanger ie to fit the particular hangers I had. I used 2 fabrics, one to line it. Double layers made them stronger, too. Both bags are still going strong - although the bit I hand stitched is looking as if it may need repair soon on my one!
I also made the sausage-like carrier bag dispensers in matching fabric for mum and other family members too that year.
They are really easy: a tube of fabric, with a ribbon tie to gather one end and elastic the other end.
I look forward to reading about more easy crafts.

nuttywoman

Hello, i`ve got that pattern and have made the wreath and xmas tree.Although my pattern is an older version and the fabric used them was horrible,lol
val

lynsayjane

nuttywoman wrote:

Hello, i`ve got that pattern and have made the wreath and xmas tree.Although my pattern is an older version and the fabric used them was horrible,lol
val

all the pattern companies we deal with (mccalls, vogue, butterick and simplicity) do a version of the xmas tree. although mccalls is the only one with it in at the moment, it not really being xmas for a couple of months and all.:rotfl:


oooh that reminds me, i was thinking of posting up about a wreath i made out of twigs a couple of years ago, i always get compliments on it. i'll need to drag my xmas box down at some point soon to check what i have/need so i'll get photos and instructions for that up then.

jessicamb

Lyns can we have the stocking one please?

I think a tree might be too advanced for me.

lynsayjane

sure thing jessi i'll see about sticking it up tomorrow when i can be bothered looking it up! me? procrastinate? never :rotfl: