'Heart' applique and embroidery fabric coasters and Place mat ... free pattern

'Heart' fabric coasters and place mat...free tutorial

 There is a huge amount of work in producing a pattern so when you the buyer purchases it all the work, the measurements, and thinking are done for you.

I buy patterns even though I know I probably could work it all out for myself...but I don't want to and because it's good to support other crafty women like me and I want to try something new.

But what I'm noticing is that most of the instructions include diagrams to follow rather than pics.

So...I have been teaching myself graphics to help with my pattern making business. I generally take multitudes of photos to help with my step by step instructions... but sometimes the photos are blurred ( a bit like some of my photos here ) or the light is wrong and then you need to start from the beginning again...very frustrating.
I've written this tutorial so you can make these sweet coasters and place-mats but the template and text can be used in many other projects like my fussy cut purse, so I hope you enjoy and take the time to make something from it.
 If I could put a free pattern on Etsy I would but it doesn't work and I don't have the knowledge to put a downloadable file for this tutorial here but if you click on each numbered page below and save image and download them they will be true to size.
Happy sewing
Glenis

'Sleepy Suzie' patchwork block and carry bag

'Sleepy Suzie' patchwork block and carry bag

I've had it in my mind for sometime to revisit my original Sleepy Suzie, she was a wee doll I made a few years ago. A little project using my ideas turned into a much larger one with my first patchwork block coming to fruition.
It's simple and combines applique, patchwork and embroidery, the finished block is 14 1/4 ''  x 14 1/4 '' square and can be used for a number of projects.
You can make a quilt or cushions but I've made little carry bags for my Granddaughters with a custom luggage tag...so sweet.
My pattern includes the patchwork block, a tutorial for the bag and the little tag with the full alphabet script so you can embroider your own custom tag, the link to my pattern is HERE. 

I've written a separate post here about how you can print simple designs directly on to fabric using your own printer.
This luggage tag is an example, once printed you can embroider over the script...easy.

Make the little luggage tags and use them with love, print out the two pages below A4 size.

Here is my inspiration little 'Sleepy Suzie' doll in her night gown and slippers, she is available in my ETSY SHOP  along with my other PDF toy patterns.

Hope you enjoyed seeing my work and happy sewing everyone

Glenis

How to print on fabric using your ink printer

Printing on fabric at home

It's very simple to print out a design on fabric using your home printer.
I use this method often when I wish to embroider details that won't be washed...yes you can't wash the finished product as the ink will run. But don't despair there are plenty of uses for this method and I will show you a few so read on. All the projects below were made using this method.

Here's how
Go to your local stationary shop and buy a pack of laser/inkjet labels, the ones that only have one large label per sheet.

1. Press your fabric well and starch it if you can. I often use white linen so I add lightweight fusible interfacing on the back. 
2. Trim your fabric to fit the label.
3. Peel off the label, it has a sticky underside.

4. Carefully sick the fabric to the adhesive side, place in the printer making sure you place it so the design prints on the fabric side and not the label.

5. Peel your fabric off and it's ready to embroider. 
6. Take the used label and press it back onto its original backing paper, you can use this several times.

* Use Word or Open Office or a similar program to prepare the lettering, making sure you get the font and size to your liking.
* Leave a gap around your design so you can cut them out if you are adding them to a project or putting your work into an embroidery hoop.
* A few pointers before you get too carried away, print the design on paper first so you know its ok.
* If you are doing your own designs keep the lines fine and grey so your thread will cover nicely.

Hope you enjoy this method as much as I do...lots of uses. If you would like to make this luggage tag the template and tutorial is HERE

Remember keep the grain of your fabric straight when getting it ready to print especially if it has texture like linen because you will be disappointed with end result if you don't.
Happy printing and sewing

Glenis

Quliting for Baby

 Quilts with love

Babies are coming and I have been really busy with holidays and family...but still I have managed to finish three little quilts.

I have used the gorgeous 'Sleepy times animal pals' embroidery pattern from Nanacompany, all Amy's creations are inspirationally lovely. The pattern was originally designed for a dolls quilt but I scaled it up a little to make this dear bassinet quilt. 
My favourite fabric 'Milk,Sugar and Flower' from Elea Lutz is just so storybook sweet.

This bassinet quilt is very simple just machine appliqued 'Leaping Lambs' and diagonal quilting at about 1 1/2 '' apart.
I usually sew my binding onto the wrong side of the quilt then fold it to the front and machine sew.

This is the little cot quilt I made from the most gorgeous fabric, unfortunately none of my photos were that good...they don't do it justice.
The little yellow check is just the softess warm maizey colour and the wee grey mice dance all over the quilt.
 It is made from five inch squares with a top border of the mice fabric and trimmed with narrow cotton lace.
I just loved the mice fabric which I got from my lovely local store 'More Than Fabric'  and still have some left for some other project.
Well that's it so happy sewing

Glenis

Silk embroidered trinket box

Silk on silk trinket box.

This little box is my latest project, silk ribbon embroidery on a cream silk fabric box, all handmade. 

I so enjoyed the embroidery part of this project but making up the box was very fiddly.