Posts Tagged ‘Fabric’

The Brightest necklace ever! Also, an amazing scrap-buster!

So this is very similar to my white jersey/t-shirt necklace. But I made it out of quilter’s fabric instead. I wanted something really bright and fun for summer, but that I could also wear through out the fall. I still had left over strips of fabric from making Kellie’s quilt years ago, so I pulled out all the oranges and yellows. I ended up with about 10 different fabrics. Here’s how I did it:

1. Cut 12 strips 2” by 30”. If you don’t have a continuous 30”, you can piece together strips like I did. You won’t be able to see the seams when you’re done. I used 6 different fabrics for this step and cut 2 strips of each.
2. Separate your strips into groups of 2. I recommend not having the same fabric for both pieces in a group. It makes it more whimsical looking if different fabrics are matched up.
3. Sew your pairs together along the long edges using 1/4” seam allowance. This will create fabric tubes
4. Turn the tubes right-side out

1. You should have 6 tubes now. Pair them up again so you have 3 sets. Sew the pairs together at one end.
2. Twist the pairs. To do this, I usually put a safety pin in the end that is sewn together, and pin it to my ironing board. Then I can twist them together more easily.
3. Sew the other end of each pair together to prevent the twist from falling out.

1. Cut out 2 oval-ish shapes. ****I actually started with an oval and didn’t like it so I made 1 side straight.****
2. Sew the ovals together, leaving an opening about 1-1.5” wide.
3. Turn rightside out. Turn the edges at the opening in, so there is a finished edge.
4. Put the 3 twisted pairs into one end of the oval, and sew to secure.
5. Put the other ends of the twisted pairs into the other end of the oval, sew to secure.
6. Making flowers
   1. For “ruffle flowers”
   2. Cut strips 2” wide by 15” long. You can make them narrower if you want shorter flowers. And cut the fabric shorter (less length) if you want less full flower.
   3. Fold the short end over about ½”, wrong sides together

   

   1. Fold the strip in half long ways, wrong sides together

   

   1. Make loose stitches down the whole length of the strip.

   

   1. Cinch the strip to create a ruffle

   

   1. Tie off the thread
   2. Wrap the ruffle around itself keeping the bottom (raw edge) even.

   

   1. Sew the bottom edge until you think it is secure.
   2. All Done!!

   

7. Secure the flowers to the oval portion of the necklace

I even made a red and orange one for my mom. Firey!

This is something me and my best sewing buddy/coworker Heather often talk about. We totally heart Alternative fabric/material sources. Fabric by the yard is great and all, but when you get down to it, it is pretty darn expensive. We have some some alternative sources to get yards of fabric, and save some cash in the process. Here’s what I mean:

-Sheet sets. Marshall’s, TJMaxx, and Ross (and stores like these) carry sheet sets for under $20. I love using sheet sets because you get a wider cut of fabric than you would if you bought it off the bolt, and you already know the fabric will be comfortable on you skin because it’s sheets. I recently got a queen set that is a bright, beautiful aqua for around $15. Now that’s a ton of fabric. I made a couple beach cover-ups out of it (a couple because I messed up a few times). And I still have a ton left over. Here’s a dress I made from navy blue jersey sheets. It photographs a little prom-y, but it looks much more casual in person. This also happens to be the first dress I’ve made.   

I heart these straps. The one that comes across my lower back goes the full length of the dress down the side seam

- Pre-made curtains. Talk about a gold mine. You can often get a set of full length curtains for fairly cheap at the above mentioned stores. But here is the great part: You can get lined curtains. This way, you are spending 10-20 bucks, and not only are you getting the panels, but you are getting lining fabric. Which is something everyone can always use. I like to use it for pattern making and as pillow forms. Heather uses it to line her beautiful historic gowns.

I used curtains to add accents in my bedroom. I showed you the Necklace Peg Board last week. I made those side panels from a curtain set I bought a while back. It’s this really great woven fabric. Also, I covered the  book shelf (that I use for pants) below with the same fabric. I then used it in some pillows on my bed to tie the whole room together.

-Speaking of pillows, one of my best tips for pillow making is look out in Target and Walmart for when their  bed pillows go on sale. These can get as cheap as $2 a pillow. This is way way cheaper than you’ll every find the fluff for. Plus, you get the fabric from the actual pillow to make forms. I’ve also found great deals on body pillows, which have a ton of fluff. I actually prefer the fluff in these pillows to the polyfill anyways. So, there ya go… hope I’ve opened your eyes to a couple alternative material sources!