4-H Sewing 4 Fun: November 2017

#1 Handmade Christmas Card

What you will need: 1/2 piece of cardstock paper (5 1/2" x 9")

fabric scraps

glue stick

string, yard, or ribbon

paper pattern 1 1/2" 1 1/2" square

sewing machine

Pin pattern to fabric pieces (I like to cut all 4 at the same time).

Cut out pieces.

Put a dot of glue in the middle of each square and glue to folded card stock paper.

Try to make sure the outside edges make an even square.

With a straight stitch, sew around edges of squares.

Sew on inside edges.

Write your message on the top, if you want one.

With needle, sew string into card, starting on the outside and ending on the outside so you can tie it.

Tie a bow.

Write your note inside, it's ready to give away:)

Idea Credit: http: http://sewandthecity.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2011-01-01T00:00:00Z&updated-max=2012-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=50

#2 Fabric Christmas Tree Decoration

Fabric Christmas Tree Decoration

What you will need:

Paper Pattern pieces

fabric and flannel scraps

pins, scissors, sewing machine

ribbon trims scraps

1. Pin pattern pieces to fabric. If you can, have the middle layer of the tree and the star be flannel. I like to cut the 2 big trees and the star pieces at the same time.

2. Cut out pieces.

3. Start with these 2 pieces:

Layer tree pieces, with right side of fabric to the back.

Next, put on the tree trunk.

Then add the bottom piece.

Add next layer.

Add top triangle.

Pin pieces together.

4. Sew with zig zag stitch, 1/4" away from the edge.

After sewing each piece down, sew around outside edges.

5. Experiment with whatever trims and buttons you have:)

Add whatever trims you want. If you want the star, sew it on, you can also put a button on if you want.

You can make several to make a tree garland for the window or sew a ribbon on to use for a tree decoration:)

Idea credit: https://www.ggdesignsembroidery.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=132&_a=product&product_id=132

#3 Felt Tree Ornaments

What you will need:

Pieces of Felt

Ribbon or String for hanging ornaments

Optional:

Ric Rac

Other Trims, such as ribbon or lace

Beads, buttons, sequins

1. Cut out the pattern pieces you want to use. Be sure to save them in your patterns envelope.

Pin patterns to felt and cut 2 of each shape you want to use.

Cut strips of felt for decoration in any arrangement you like. I chose felt and Ric Rac. Cut a 6" piece of narrow ribbon to use for the hanger and a 1 1/2" strip of felt to sew over ribbon.

Sew matching sides of ornaments together, 1/4" away from the edge of the felt.

Sew on the decorations.

Add Ribbon loop for hanger.

Fold felt strip over ribbon, pin and sew.

Sew on each edge.

Trim and curve the edges of the trims if needed.

Repeat for other ornaments :)

#4. Christmas Pillow

Easier Version:

Christmas Pillow

What you will need:

16 x 16” pillow form

1/2 yard fabric

Instructions:

Cut 1 square of fabric 16 x 16”

Cut 2 rectangles for the back, 16 x 11”

Hem one short side of each rectangle for the back by rolling fabric edge twice, pinning in place, then stitching.

Lay front fabric with right side up. Lay back rectangles with 16” sides matching the front, right sides down. Overlap the hemmed middles-this is where you will slide your pillow form in. Pin, sew around all 4 edges. Finish seams with zig zag stitch or pinking shears.

Turn right side out. Make sure corners are pushed out nicely. Stuff pillow into case.

Enjoy :)

Harder Version:

What you will need for this project:
A Pillow Form (or old pillow that needs a new cover)
Fabric scraps
fusible web
Iron
Sewing machine
Scissors

Start by measure your pillow or pillow form. Add 1" to each side's measurement and cut fabric. If fabric is a light color, you will want to back it with a white fabric (old sheet will work) so that you can't see the pillow underneath. My pillow was 19 x 19 inches, so I cut 2 squares 20 x 20", which gives me room for a seam allowance. On the back I need 4 squares so that I can fold two of them over to make an opening for the pillow to slide in.

For the back of the Pillow:
Layer fabric and lining with right side of fabric down, as above. Then fold one edge of both fabrics twice and pin. This creates a hem.

Being careful not to run over any pins, topstitch this hem, about 1/4" from the edge. Repeat with other back piece.

You should end up with 2 back pieces similar to this (mine was too short, so hopefully yours is longer):

Now it's time to layer our pieces. First, if you have a lining, lay that down on bottom. Then add your front pillow fabric with the right side up.

Now add your hemmed back pieces, overlapping them at least 4-5 inches.

Pin all layers together and sew around outside edge, with a good 5/8" seam allowance, making sure to catch all layers. Remember to backstitch when you start and stop:)

Remove pins, turn right side out, pop out each corner with the eraser end of a pencil. Stuff pillow into the cover.

If you want to make a TREE Pillow, follow the instructions for the back of the pillow and then cut out your tree pattern pieces.

Pin to fabric scraps.

Lay pattern pieces on fusible web (paper part should be on the bottom, then the fusible web, then the trees. Line them up to prevent waste.

Cut off extra.

Place a piece of parchment paper or a pressing cloth over the trees. Using a hot iron, iron the fabric to the fusible web.

Remove parchment paper.

Being careful not to pull of the fusible web, tear paper backing off of the trees.

Arrange trees on fabric. Tuck stumps in under trees.

Cover with parchment paper, iron trees to pillow fabric.

Now you are ready to sew the trees down. I used a zig-zag, but you can pick any stitch you like.
Stitch close to the edges, making sure there is plenty of the stitch on the tree. Go around all of the tree and all of the trunk.

Now your front pillow piece is done!!!

Layer your pillow pieces like this:
Pillow front, right side up
Pillow back pieces, overlapping, right sides down
Pin all the way around, not too close to the edge, so as not to git the pins with your sewing machine needle.