If it works with paper, why won’t it work with fabric?!
By Serena Smith | January 28, 2010
I’ve been playing with envelope templates and printing various sizes on paper and decided that I had to try a fabric envelope! If it works with fabric, why won’t it work with fabric?! Normally I stick to the same kind of projects, but every once in a while I have to try something different and unique.
I found this simple envelope template and printed it on a piece of scrapbooking paper and put it together. Loved it!
Now to try it with fabric.
1. Fuse HeatnBond Lite wonderunder to the fabric.
2. Bond the fabric to a piece of card stock. I just used white; but if you want the interior of the envelope to be colored, use colored or printed card stock.
3. Open the pdf template (can be downloaded here), place the fabric/card stock into the printer so you are printing on the card stock side and click print. (And yes, I did this with my laser printer and it worked GREAT! No printer error this time! :))
4. Cut the template out following the lines and fold it along the dashed lines.
5. Cut a piece of card stock that is slightly smaller than the front of the envelope.
6. Place on front of envelope and stitch a decorative stitch around the card stock. Be sure to select an open and light decorative stitch; if it’s too dense like a satin stitch, it could tear the card stock. (I used flat tape in a couple places to hold the card stock in place while stitching.)
7. Glue the side flaps and bottom flap to create the envelope shape and placed it under a heavy book until it is dry. I also folded down the top flap to give it a crease, but did not glue it shut.
Now it’s time to insert the card, glue down the top flap, address it and mail it!
And surprisingly enough it went through the mail without any problem with only a first class stamp, although depending on the bulk of your fabric and card stock, it might require extra postage.
Topics: Current Projects, Free Projects, Helpful Lessons, Links for Projects, Project Ideas | 2 Comments »
Monday Giveaway: Our Family Tree Kit
By Serena Smith | January 25, 2010
Win a quick and easy, but fun quilt kit from Benartex – a $30 value!!
Create an extraordinary wedding, anniversary or engagement gift with a beautifully designed family tree. This preprinted panel includes labels that can be embroidered or written in indelible ink. A fantastic family treasure!
Panel, unique border fabric (may vary from photo), binding and backing fabric included. Instructions are written right on the panel. Measures 29″ square.
Kit includes pattern and fabric for complete quilt in a nice zippered clear pouch.
–To be entered in this giveaway, just leave a comment on this post with your name.
–Post a link to this giveaway on your blog and leave a second comment with the blog post url and you will be entered twice in the giveaway.
–Comments will be open until next Monday, February 1st and the winner announced that same day.
–This giveaway is only available to US residents.
–You must leave an email address in the comments or link back to a blog so I can contact you if you win. If your name is selected and there is no way to contact you, another name will be chosen.
–You have one week to claim your prize. If the prize is not claimed, another name will be chosen.
This giveaway has ended!
Topics: Giveaways | 12 Comments »
The World of Timba & Lula
By Serena Smith | January 22, 2010
A NEW Crafter’s Collection from OESD – The World of Timba & Lula!
This fun and whimsical little bear and bunny would be adorable for an children’s project or idea. These designs are just itching to be stitched!
Package contains: USB Design stick, Thread Color Chart, Thread Shopping List
Multi-format USB stick includes the following formats: art, pes, pcs, dst, hus, jef, xxx, sew, exp
Don’t miss out on these designs!
Topics: Embroidery Designs, New Items | No Comments »
Floral Elegance Designs
By Serena Smith | January 19, 2010
As I’ve been debating what quilt to start teaching this year, I stitched out a design from Judy Nowicki’s Floral Elegance embroidery collection and really am pleased with the quality of the embroidery. The designs are beautiful!
One of the unique stitch details about this design is that the vines running between the florals is a running stitch repeated over and over until the appropriate thickness is achieved. Most designs are digitized with a satin stitch in this area rather than a straight running stitch which gives it a heavier and unique look.
And to answer the question that many of you have been asking…..yes, these are the designs that I will be using in the next online quilt I will be teaching! :)
There are instructions included on the cd for a quilt, but I am making some changes and revisions for the quilt I will be teaching. I will be using some of the block layout designs, but adding a center medallion, adding some decorative stitches and increasing the amount of embroidery in the border of the quilt from what is pictured in the quilt on the cd. More details will be coming in the next few weeks.
Topics: Embroidery, Embroidery Designs, Online Classes | 13 Comments »
Creative Expressions Issue 25
By Serena Smith | January 18, 2010
Get a head start on next year’s Christmas projects with all the ideas packed into Creative Expressions Issue 25!
In this issue:
Christmas Star Quilt
Scissor Caddy
Coconut Ice Snow
Galleria Pillows
Victorian Christmas Quilt
Note from Serena: This issue is full of Christmas projects and ideas! Don’t miss out on it!
Topics: Embroidery, New Items | No Comments »
Even the smallest scraps are put to use!
By Serena Smith | November 19, 2009
Need a use for those leftover tiny fabric scraps and selvage edges? Try this! ;)
Topics: Uncategorized | 5 Comments »
Change your needle!
By Serena Smith | November 10, 2009
Believe it or not, sewing machine needles are not intended to last forever. The little mechanism that holds the needle in place on your sewing machine has a screw that tightens and loosens. That means you are able to take out the old needle and put in a new one.
As I pulled my needle from my machine this morning, I felt the rather large burr at the tip of my needle. Oh, yes! It was time for a new one! Especially since I was planning to stitch on satin fabric which easily shows runs in the fabric from a less-than-perfect needle.
Unless a needle breaks or is bent, it’s easy to forget about changing the needle as you are sewing, but it is important to do so. Not only can a slightly bent or dull needle cause damage to your bobbin case, presser foot or stitch plate, but it also can damage your fabric. Thread breakage, shredded thread and skipped stitches can many times be eliminated with a change of the needle.
The next time you sit at your sewing machine, take a moment and look at the needle and see if you need to replace it. When was the last time you changed it? Try turning that screw sitting above your needle. It’s not glued in place; it really does work! :) And then save that old needle for hanging up picture frames!
Topics: Embroidery, Helpful Lessons | 3 Comments »
Christmas Stocking Make-It-&-Take-It
By Serena Smith | November 5, 2009
Tonight I’m teaching a hands-on class at our local quilt quild on how to make quick and easy Christmas stockings. It’s been several years since I’ve taught this class, so I’m looking forward to doing it again! Looking forward to lots of fun and excitement!
Yards and yards of batting cut!
Table station signs printed and patterns traced.
Samples stitched and instructions printed!
Topics: Teaching | 1 Comment »
Giveaway winner!
By Serena Smith | November 2, 2009
Jo Anne is the winner for last week’s giveaway for the quilt kit! Congratulations!
Be sure to take a peek on November 23rd for a chance to win this month’s giveaway!
Topics: Giveaways | No Comments »
Monday Giveaway: Easy Diamonds Quilt by Benartex
By Serena Smith | October 26, 2009
Win a quick and easy, but fun quilt kit from Benartex – a $70 value!!
WOW! What a dynamic combination of Benartex’s Baby Geniuses Collection of fabrics! Here’s a secret about this 45″ square quilt kit – it’s put together a block at a time. (What could be easier?)
Kit includes pattern and fabric for complete quilt in a nice zippered clear pouch. A great first quilt idea, for any age!
–To be entered in this giveaway, just leave a comment on this post with your name.
–Post a link to this giveaway on your blog and leave a second comment with the blog post url and you will be entered twice in the giveaway.
–Comments will be open until next Monday, November 2nd and the winner announced that same day.
–This giveaway is only available to US residents.
–You must leave an email address in the comments or link back to a blog so I can contact you if you win. If your name is selected and there is no way to contact you, another name will be chosen.
–You have one week to claim your prize. If the prize is not claimed, another name will be chosen.
Topics: Giveaways | 17 Comments »
« Previous Entries