Back from Vacation -- Two New Finished Projects

Back from a relaxing vacation ... and I just finished creating a Quilted Composition Notebook Journal Cover and little Applique Airplane Quilt.  Today I was pleasantly surprised to find them featured in some treasuries ... 

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTM4MTc0OHwxODQ1OTA2Mjk1/warm-quilts-warm-hearts?index=0

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTYyOTM3N3wxODYwMzM1NTU4/buy-your-valentine-a-quiltsy-team

Just the warm fuzzies I needed to get back to creating ...  hmmm, do people call them "warm fuzzies" any more?

Tips on Printing My Free Patterns

Before your print out the free patterns, here's a tip to make sure it prints out at the correct size--

Click on the "print free pattern/tutorial" link.
The pattern/tutorial will open into a new window.
Click "File"  (located in the upper left-hand corner of your window -- the lower "file")
Click "Print(PDF)"
The original pattern/template will open.
As you scroll your cursor down toward the bottom of the pattern, a toolbar should appear and you should be able to see a printer icon.
Click the printer icon.
A "Printer" window will open.
Before you print out the pattern, make sure the "Page Scaling" is set to "None."

Hope you enjoy your patterns!

Let's Make a Denim Clutch with a Kiss Lock Frame - Part 2 Free Clutch Pattern

 Here's the finished clutch.  Back pocket is a perfect fit for cell phone with inside cash pocket and 2 credit card pockets.  See end of this blog for more clutch ideas.

Part 2 of the instructions, continued from yesterday's post. 

(Click here to print the FREE clutch pattern and Click here to get tips for printing the correct size pattern.)

The inside lining pockets are optional.  Just skip over those instructions if you don't want pockets.

Cut 2 purse patterns out of the fabric you've chosen for the lining of your purse.
If you want pockets, cut a rectangle 14 5/8" by 8 1/8"  out of the lining fabric. 
Cut 2 purse patterns and a 14 5/8" by 8 1/8" pocket rectangle from the fusible interfacing.

Fuse the interfacing to the wrong/back side of the purse and pocket lining pieces, using manufacturers instructions.  Trim away any excess interfacing.

Pocket Instructions:
Fold and topstitch 7" down from top edge of rectangle.

Fold and topstitch 4 3/4" down from the first topstitching.

Bring 2nd topstitching up to within 5/8" from the 1st topstitching and press.

Stitch down the center of the rectangle (about 4" in from left side) betinning at the 2nd topstitching and continue to the bottom of the rectangle. 

Bring the 1st topstitching to within 1 1/2" from the top of the rectangle.  Press.  You should now have one large pocket at the top and two smaller pockets below.

Fold up bottom of pockets for a 1/2" hem.

Fold back and pin sides, making sure to keep the two smaller pockets large enough to hold credit cards.

Pin pockets to lining. 

Sew pockets to the clutch lining.

Test to make sure credit cards fit the pockets.

Clutch Instructions:

With right sides of the clutch together, sew along the sides and bottom with a 1/4" seam allowance.  Sew the clutch lining together in a similar fashion.

To give the clutch width at the bottom, sew along the bottom corners.  The wider the seam, the more depth at the clutch bottom.   

Turn the clutch right sides out and add whatever embellishment you would like.

Normally I would sew the clutch fabric to the lining fabric with right sides together, turn the clutch right sides out through a 6" opening in the bottom of the lining, then top stitch along the top edges of the clutch.  However,  I couldn't use this method for this clutch because the denim seams made it too wide to fit into the kiss lock frame.  So I just pinned the clutch together with clutch and lining wrong sides together, then stiched along the top edge of the clutch.

Run an even stream of glue along one side of the purse frame.  Wait for about 10 minutes.

Carefully feed the top edge of the clutch into the frame beginning at the hinges and moving toward the center of the frame.  Push the fabric into the frame using a blunt object.  I use my small blunt-nose sissors.  After one side is carefully inserted, wipe any glue off the frame.  Let first side dry about 20-30 minutes before attaching the fabric to the other side of the frame. Wipe any excess glue off the frame, being careful to not scratch the frame.  Let the glue dry overnight before opening and closing the frame or using the clutch.

You're done!  Great job!  Enjoy your clutch!

Here are more ideas for designing your clutches...

Let's Make a Denim Clutch with a Kiss Lock Frame -- Part 1 FREE Clutch Pattern included!

I just returned from a great week vacation and received an invitation to a birthday party in a couple of days for a dear friend.  Since I just happen to have an old pair of denims, some cotton batting, muslin, a variety of yellow fabric from which to choose for the purse lining (because her favorite color is yellow), some fusible interfacing, fabric glue (for clutches I only use Gutermann HT2 fabric glue), and a 9-inch kiss lock frame -- I think I'll make her a denim clutch. 

I've included my clutch pattern template with this post so if you would like to make a denim clutch with me then gather your materials together -- I'd love to have you follow along with me.  Print off the 2-page clutch template (the original version) located at the bottom of this blog. (Be sure to set your printer to 100% so that it doesn't resize the pattern when printing.)  Cut one of the patterns along the "Center Fold" line and tape them together. 

If your clutch frame fits the template, then you're all set to go.  If the frame does not fit the pattern (as shown below), you'll want to make some adjustments to the pattern or your purse fabric will not fit the frame.

To widen or narrow the clutch, make the adjustment at the center fold lines.  When I created the pattern, I made it long enough to include the denim pocket. If you don't want your clutch to be that long (from frame to bottom), then shorten the pattern at the horizontal red-dotted line.

After you are sure your pattern fits the frame and all necessary adjustments have been made to the pattern (if any), cut out the pattern along the solid line. Position the pattern on the pair of denim jeans fabric, pin to secure the pattern, and cut out the fabric front side of the clutch.  Cut out a second piece in a similar fashion for the fabric back side of the clutch.

Cut 2 from each of the following fabrics:  cotton batting, muslin, lining (for inside your clutch), and interfacing.  (As you can see above, I haven't cut my lining and interfacing fabrics yet since I'm not sure how I want to line the inside of my clutch.  Tonight I'll give some though as to how I want to embellish the front of the clutch -- which I hope will help me decide what fabric to choose for the lining.)

Layer the muslin, cotton batting and denim fabric (tip: For a professional look, it would be a good idea to press your denim pieces at this time), right sides up, for both the front and back clutch fabric pieces ....

and sew around the edges with a 1/8" seam allowance and a long basting stitch.  This will help to stabilize the front and back denim fabrics and will help make sewing the clutch easier.

I'll get back with you tomorrow after I have decided how I'd like to embellish the clutch front.  This will help me choose which fabric to use for the lining. 

Check out tomorrow's post for the continued clutch-making instructions!

Click here to print your FREE clutch pattern!

Click here to get tips for printing the pattern in the correct size!

Quilted Hot Pad Holders -- Applique Turkey Dresden Plate FREE Pattern

Here's a fun stash-busting quilting project. Follow these easy step-by-step instructions to make Thanksgiving Turkey Dresden Plate Hot Pad Holders (see photo below),

 Hot Plate Holders (see photo below),  

Mug Rugs (see photo below),

or whatever your imagination can dream up.  Make them for yourself or give them as gifts.  This is a great pattern for practicing your raw edge applique and free-motion stitching techniques.  With a little creativity, you can make your birds look like peacocks or some other exotic bird. Make the feathers striped or give them an array of various colors.
Enjoy your FREE pattern.

Click here to print your FREE Quilted Turkey Hot Pad Pattern

Click here to print your FREE Quilted Turkey Hot Pad Tutorial

Click here for tips on printing your pattern with the correct size.

Halloween Holiday Treasury

What a wonderful surprise to find myself featured in two Halloween Treasuries on Etsy:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTQxMTY1ODF8NzY4ODYzMjM4/quilted-holidays?index=0
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NjY4MzA3Nnw3NjE2MjM4OTI/happy-halloween?index=1

New Beginnings...

I really enjoy the process of designing and creating.  The concept of using the medium of quilting as an art form is new to me.  The possibilities of expression are endless.  My dream is to combine my years of experience in sewing/tailoring and my studies in photography and drawing to create beautiful and unique quilts.  And so, my adventure begins...