Free: March 2012 Archives
Whether you
prefer to trek to the zoo/aquarium/museum with a tiny digital camera or have your
smart phone handy, a cute way to tote your precious pictures is a must. I hate
to be burdened with a huge purse (a slave to style has its drawbacks) while
enjoying a day of culture so if this camera tote can carry my entrance ticket,
some cash and a few cards all the better. I created this easy wristlet style
bag to serve all of the above. The diminutive gussets allow you to easily access
your camera and other goodies inside without creating a bulky heavy weight on
your wrist. Let's get started!
Materials:
1 fat
quarter of quilting cotton for exterior
1 fat
quarter of quilting cotton for lining
1 spool of
coordinating thread
Instructions:
Measure the length and width of your camera or smart phone and add 1 in to both
measurements (i.e. smart phone measures 5'' by ½'' than your cutting
measurements are 6'' by 1.5'')
Using these
measurements cut 2 from your exterior and 2 from your lining. Use Holly's
Instructions here
to insert your zipper centering it on the fabric if your fabric is smaller than
7 in.
Cut out a
10in. by 4 in. piece for the wristlet strap.
Prepare the
strap but folding it in half lengthwise and pressing a crease. Fold raw edges toward
the center crease and press. Fold in half again, leaving the raw edges tucked
inside and press a final time. Pin and edge stitch down the strap lengthwise
along each edge. Set aside.
After topstitching,
fold the exterior pieces together, RS facing and pin together. Do the same with
the lining. Pin the strap to the exterior
on one short side edge, matching raw edges, ½ in. down from the zipper. I
prefer to have my strap on the same side as the zipper when it is closed. Stitch
around the exterior pieces using a ¼ in. seam allowance. On the lining, start
stitching down one side, pivoting at the corner and stitching the long side for
1- 2, Leave a gap of 2-3 in. for turning and take up 1-2 in. from the second
corner and continue back to the zipper. Add a 1 in. gusset at each corner using
Holly's instructions here.
Turn the wristlet right side out and press lightly. Slip stitch the turning gap
closed. Enjoy your Go Camera Wristlet. It will free up your hands for hand
holding, child catching or just to rest at your sides as your enjoy you day!
This house is
pumped about the Lorax movie opening this month. I love Danny Devito's voice
for this character and my little one loves his goofy mustache. In honor of this
great book by Dr. Seuss I have created my own Lorax pattern crafted after the
original storybook Lorax. I really liked the details of this Lorax as opposed
to the movie's CGI version. The book Lorax also looked easier to recreate with handmade
details, especially his crafty eyes. I hope you enjoy this homemade Lorax
pattern crafted from felt.
Materials:
Two 9x12
pieces of Rainbow
Felt in yellow for Lorax Body
One 9x12 piece
of Rainbow
Felt in gold for arms, legs nose and eye lids
1 spool
coordinating thread
Dark blue or
black embroidery floss
Fabric glue
3-5 yds of bright
yellow yarn (any fiber)
Instructions:
Download your
Trace and cut out 2 body pieces from the yellow felt
Fold gold
felt in half and trace 2 arms and 2 legs but do not cut out. Sew along trace
line leaving the ends open. Cut out leaving 1/8 in. seams allowance. Set arms
and legs aside
Embroider
eyes with small "U" in floss. Cut a small sliver from gold for eye lids and
using the fabric glue, glue the eyelids and then eyes and nose on to the Lorax
face using the approx placement from the Lorax Pattern. Place book on face and
leave until glue dries.
To create the
mustache, wind the yarn around four fingers until your mustache is pretty thick
(3-5 yds depending how thick you like it). Cut yarn and wind a 12 in. piece
around the yarn and knot to secure it in place. You will now have a small thick
loop of yarn tied in one spot. Cut your loop opposite from where it was tied.
The tie is now the center of your mustache and you can use the ends from
knotting to sew onto your Lorax's face, right below the nose after sewing and
turning (below).
Pin your arms
and legs onto the right side of the body using the placement marks on the
pattern, matching edges. The arms and legs should go towards the center of the
body. With right sides together and using a ¼ seam, stitch the body front to
the back, leaving an opening at the top of the head for turning. Turn and
finger press. Stitch on your moustache and stuff your Lorax. Whip stitch the
head closed and your Lorax is ready for fun, story time and movie watching
Galore!
