My Tools of the Trade

These are my favorite tools that I pretty much use every day.

 I make a lot different things, I like to mix it up so I don't get burnt out on something.

I quit kidding myself and stopped buying the little bottles of craft glue.

 I love my hot iron transfer pencil, it's mainly used for transferring embroidery patterns on to fabric via hot iron (duh). 

I measure a lot of stuff so I use a basic pen to mark everything and when I make patterns, I write on them to label the sides, the front, etc.

I have an entire old school lunch box full of different colored sharpies. They work great on making patterns on felt.

And for some reason, I forgot to include a regular pencil.

I believe I have over 8 pairs of scissors. I use each pair for different things. Pictured, I have pinking shears, fabric scissors, paper scissors, and an awesome folding pair for traveling.

I don't like to use the fabric pair for paper, I've read conflicting articles on you should/shouldn't use them for multi-use. They may or may not become dull faster. But I do know that the pair I use for paper do not cut fabric at all.

 

 My main passion is embroidery. I use many different hoop styles and sizes. 

I tend to keep my embroidery floss wound on bobbins and my cross stitch floss still in the bands in labeled plastic baggies. I have way too many skeins of floss to wind them all.

 Last but most certainly not least, my sewing supplies!

I can not live without my seam ripper. We have a love hate relationship.

I use my tailor's chalk a lot! It's easy to use and it just dusts right off.

I have actually gone through several measuring tapes.

That is only one of my six (yes, six) pin cushions/pins (there is a needle and thread on it).

And I really think that a hem gauge is very useful. It has saved me many times.

There are other tools that I do use but only one in a while. These are just the ones that get used daily.

Tasty Blogs!

I wanted to share with you wonderful readers the wonderfully tasty blogs that I follow. These people people really know how to get your taste buds workin'!

Domestic Sugar

Bakingdom

Lynn Bakes It

Bake at 350

The Decorated Cookie

These are just a few of my favorite blogs and websites that I drool over. So check them out. They will not disappoint!

Happy Go Lucky Boy Embroidery

 I wanted to make a cute onsie for my friend's up and coming baby boy.

 I was perusing Flickr for freebies and I found this gem!

He's so cute!

From Annieoakleaves

I just did basic chain and stem stitches.

Bunting: The Tutorial

I made yet another bunting.

 This time for a baby boy. 

This project is simple enough that I felt comfortable with making a tutorial.

Here is what you need:

various pieces of fabric, for the front and back 

(around half a yard each, your stash would work great)

scissors

ruler

pencil

paper

At least 3 yards of extra wide double fold bias tape

thread 

(sewing machine)

needle

pins

dressmakers pencil or chalk

iron 

ironing board

 

 

 

Here we go!

Start out by making a simple pattern from card stock or any think sturdy piece of paper. 

I made my isosceles triangle 8 1/2 x 9 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches. I folded my paper in half so I only had to cut two sides. So when the paper is folded in half only cut half the length on the top (4 1/4 inches instead of 8 1/2 inches)

 

Then choose fabric to your liking (I used a cottons and some flannels). 

Cut out 8 triangles using your pattern for even pieces.

I found that 8 is a good number for the spacing for the bias tape length.

  

The backing fabric can be whatever you want it to be. I used a solid because it will most likely be hung on a wall. And the backing makes it a little sturdier and lay flatter.

  

Then cut out 8 pieces of the backing.

Then pin together.

Right side together on the inside.

  

Then using a 3/8th seem allowance, sew the two longer sides together. Leave the top open.

  

Then cut the tip of the triangle, and fold the triangle right side out.

(this helps flatten and "sharpen" the tip)

  

Once the right sides are out, use a pencil tip to poke out the tip to a point.

Then it's ironing time!

  

Press!

  

Try to not have the back fabric showing after pressing it flat with the iron. It can be a little trying, but some patience and care, you won't have the back showing.

  

The front of the flags after ironing.

  

The back sides.

Now here's the fun part. (not really, it's just tedious)

 

 I use the whole 3 yards of double fold bias tape. It's a pretty good length and you don't need to add any extra to it.

Now, line up where you want to put your flags at on the tape. I spaced mine out 5 inches, it gave it a nice spacing between the flags and doesn't look crowded.

Then I pinned them into place in between the fold of the tape, so the rough edge will be sandwiched in and out of site.

Start at the very beginning of the tape and sew all the way to the end to seal the edges and sealing the tape closed.

This is the easiest part.

To hide the raw edges of the tape, sew a bottom to the end so nothing is left hanging out.

Finished!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. It's the second one that I have done and it's a little lengthy. But I hope that the instructions where clear and not confusing. If there are any problems or question about this tutorial, please let me know. :)
I would like to make more in the future and share with everyone.

Coming soon to a blog near you!

I just wanted to pop in and give a heads up on what's been going on.

I've been super busy crafting up thing for my friends that are pregnant. Seems like that they are all pregnant at the same time! Oy!

But with all of the projects that I'm working on (sorry, they are all a surprise, so I have to wait to post) I'm also taking photos so I can have tutorials for them.

I'm super excited to have quite a few tutorials ready to go soon! I'll start to post them after the 21st of April, then it will be safe. :)