Sewing a Reversible Placemat

Dec13

Placemats are so versatile and making them reversible just doubles their use!!  Not only do they serve the great purpose of collecting those crumbs and spills when eating but they can be used as custom decor on your table for a beautiful centerpiece or to add some sparkle if hosting a buffet to use under the various food items that are being served.

In addition, they are extremely easy to make and you can customize or embellish them to match your decor.  You really don’t even need to purchase a pattern.  You can use a placemat that you already have as your pattern or cut out a template from lightweight, unfusible pellon as a pattern.  You can even just use a good ruler to design the style of placemat you want to make.  Probably a good rule of thumb would be to make your rectangular style finished placemat size to be 18″ wide x 13″ long.

So let’s begin.  First select what two fabrics that you want for your placemat.  Keep in mind how you want to clean them.  Are they going to be used as an everyday item, which means you want fabric that can be washed and dried often or just for special occasions.  Cotton fabrics are a super choice, but check out those home dec fabrics too and some non-traditional fabrics like corduroy or faux suede.  Maybe you want a holiday theme for one side and a solid look for the other!!  Anyways, give some good thought to this process.

Cut out your fabric to be 1/2″ larger on all sides, so for a finished 18″ x 13″ size,  you would cut your pattern to be 19″ wide x 14″ long.  I always use a thin batting to be placed in the middle of my fabrics, such as bleached Warm ‘n Natural or Hobbs Heirloom.  Depending upon your fabric, you can add your batting to the wrong side of each piece or maybe you only need batting on one side.  I personally prefer to use non-fusible batting for this project because I feel it will hold up better especially if laundering a lot.

SONY DSC

Preparing to cut fabrics

SONY DSC

Another pic showing how to cut using a ruler

 

 

 

 

 

Cut your batting the same size as your cut fabric pieces and baste the batting to the wrong side of your fabric using a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Sewn batting to wrong sides of fabric

Sewn batting to wrong sides of fabric

SONY DSC

Pinned with right sides together leaving opening for turning

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, line up your two fabric pieces, right sides together and leave about a 4″ – 5″ opening for turning.  Stitch entire piece in a 1/2″ seam allowance.  You can trim close to the stitching or serge/overlock stitch your edge to have a nice clean seam and again to help eliminate some bulkiness.

Sewn and trimmed, ready to turn

Sewn and trimmed, ready to turn

SONY DSC

Turned, pressed and ready to do top-stitching

 

 

 

 

 

Once turned, fold your opening seams to the inside and press the entire placemat smooth.  Now top-stitch around the entire placemat close to the edge, approximately 1/8″ from finished edge.  Use a good pressure foot that maybe has a marking that you can follow to help keep your stitching line even or use a 1/4″ pressure foot as your stitching guide.  If you decide to use a 1/4″ pressure foot or marking, you might need to do a blind stitch only along the turn opening so it doesn’t separate at that spot.

I always like to make another top-stitching line around the placemat edge about 1/4″ from the first top-stitching line.  Mainly for decorative purposes –  gives a sort of picture frame effect.  Sometimes it is cool looking to even add another top-stitching line 1/4″ from the second stitching line.

Completed top-stitching

Completed top-stitching

Another pic showing three rows of top-stitching

Another pic showing three rows of top-stitching

 

 

 

 

Using this placemat on table under floral arrangement

Using this placemat on table under floral arrangement

 

 

 

 

 

 

Press again and your placemat is ready for use!!

This  project is perfect for a beginner sewer or a young child who is familiar with a sewing machine and has adult supervision especially using an iron and rotary cutter.  Wonderful gift giving project too.

HAPPY CREATING!!

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links – “small commission earned”

Crochet Pine Tree Pattern

Dec10

A  little pine tree is always a great addition to your pattern collection.   I have designed a quick, little crochet pine tree that you can embellish and turn it into a Christmas tree that could be used as an ornament, maybe a unique tag for a special gift or make it to use as an applique!!     

 

 

 

 

Here’s the scoop:   I used two thread types – Aunt Lydia’s Fashion 3 thread (Sage Green color) and Aunt Lydia’s Classic 10 thread (Christmas Green color) for the tree and Aunt Lydia’s Fashion 3 (true Brown color) for the trunk.  My hook sizes were a C/2-2.75mm for tree and size 5/1.90mm (steel hook) for trunk.

Using the sage green and Christmas green together, make 18 chain (Ch) stitches.

In 3rd chain from hook, complete a Dc (double crochet), make 15 more Dc stitches to end of row, Ch 2, turn.

Rnd 2:  1 Dc Dec (double crochet decrease),  12 Dc,  1 Dc Dec,  Ch 2,  turn.

Rnd 3:  1 Dc Dec,  10 Dc,  1 Dc Dec,  Ch 2,  turn.

Rnd 4:  1 Dc Dec,  8 Dc,  1 Dc Dec,  Ch 2,  turn.

Rnd 5:  1 Dc Dec,  6 Dc,  1 Dc Dec,  Ch 2,  turn.

Rnd 6:  1 Dc Dec,  4 Dc,  1 Dc Dec,  Ch 2, turn.

Rnd 7:  2 Dc Dec  –  Don’t Fasten Off

Rnd 8:  Forming loop –  working directly from last stitch, Ch 12, work Sc (single crochet) in top of last Dc Dec.

Rnd 9:  Ch 1, then complete a slip stitch in each of the chains just completed.  Fasten Off, leaving about a 6″ – 8″ tail.

Wrap tail around the bottom of the loop, pull tail through your wrap and then weave securely through the stitches on the back side.

Making trunk:  Using the size 3 brown thread and the #5 steel hook, skip the first 6 stitches on bottom edge and complete 6 Sc,  Ch l,  turn.   Repeat this pattern for a total of 6 rows and fasten off.

Now your little tree is ready as is or take time to embellish it with tiny buttons or sequins and beads or maybe use pre-made ribbon bows or roses.  You can hand sew your buttons to the tree or use a Fabri-Tac glue to secure your decorations.  Maybe a “little one” could help you pick out what buttons or beads to use for your decorating.  Then have them hang it on your tree, would make awesome gift tags, garland or use it for whatever creative idea will work for you.

HAPPY CREATING!!

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links – “small commission earned”

 

Sewing Pajamas for Christmas Eve

Dec4

I have made new pajamas every Christmas for my daughters, which has become a tradition and one that can easily be passed on.

Sometimes I buy a new pajama pattern or if I have a pattern with different views, I sew a style I haven’t made.  If reusing a pattern, it is easy to adjust a pajama pattern if you need to add length for growth.  You will find add length lines on the pattern pieces, cut along these lines and spread your pieces apart the 1 or 2 inches that you might need.  Just make sure you use a tape measure so that your pattern pieces are evenly spaced for the length adjustments. The pattern directions will also explain how to lengthen or shorten your pattern pieces.

I like to use flannel when making pajamas.  Washes and dries wonderfully, soft and cozy for sleeping and lots of different colors and patterns to choose from.  I always purchase about a half yard and sometimes a yard more than the pattern calls for to allow for shrinkage (I always pre-wash my fabrics) and fabric doesn’t always come in 44″-45″ wide.  Most often the fabric is only 40″-42″ wide but the yardage requirements on the pattern itself are always for the 44″-45″ measurement.  You can always create something from the left over fabric but very disappointing and frustrating to not have enough!

Adding embellishments is the fun part.  Adding unique buttons, sew some fun lace along gown bottom edge or sleeve edge or even along the top edge of a pocket, make ribbon bows and add them along the neck line, embellish with yo-yos, or maybe a special appliqué like an initial on a pocket front to personalize the pajamas!

For me the best part was allowing my daughters to open their special pajamas on Christmas Eve, sending them off to bed wearing new cozy pjs with visions of sugar plums and knowing how cute they would look for the next morning pictures!!

  • TIP:   Refer to “My Favorite Things” for different on-line fabric stores that carry a wide variety of flannel fabric.

HAPPY CREATING!!

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links – “small commission earned”

Super Simple Crochet Thanksgiving Napkin Ring

Nov18

For this Thanksgiving napkin ring, I used a size 3 crochet thread with an F hook for the actual ring portion and used Sugar ‘n Cream size 4 cotton yarn with a G hook  for the actual pumpkin design and stem.  By doing this, it made the pumpkin the focal point.  It also gave me a rustic looking design.

 

 

For the ring portion directions, refer to the HDC napkin ring design that I posted earlier making sure you leave yourself about a 10″ yarn tail to use to attach your pumpkin design.  Here are the directions for the pumpkin and stem:

CH, SC and DC stitches are used.  Begin by doing the “magic loop” with 8 SC within the circle, join with a SL stitch to beginning SC.

Round 2:  CH 2, then complete 2 DC within each SC,  join with SL in top of 2nd CH.  You now have 16 DC stitches.

Round 3:  CH 1, complete 1 SC in first DC stitch, complete 2 SC in next DC stitch, complete 1 SC in next DC stitch, complete 2 SC in next DC stitch, continue this pattern around and SL into top of beginning CH 1 stitch.  You should have 24 stitches.  Change colors.

Round 4:  CH 1, complete 4 SC in next 4 stitches, CH 1 turn.

Round 5:  Complete 1 SC, do 1 SC decrease, complete 1 SC, CH 1 turn.

Round 6:  Complete 1 SC decrease, complete 1 SC.  Fasten off.

Weave in your ends and prepare to attach your pumpkin to your napkin ring.  Thread the tail that you left on the napkin ring and using your darning needle, sew the pumpkin design onto the napkin ring.

IMPORTANT:  Keep in mind your placement direction of the pumpkin, do you want it to face horizontally with the napkin as in my picture or do you want the napkin ring to lay vertically.

These little pumpkins make up quickly and really add a personal touch to your dinner table.  Enjoy!!

HAPPY CREATING!!

TIP:  Feel free to use a finished design for your own personal use or make them to sell.  However, I asked that you not sell my patterns but would greatly appreciate it if you sell a completed design to give recognition by referencing this blog site.  Thank you!!

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links – “small commission earned”