Recently in Holidays Category

My husband was never romantic about Valentine's Day. When our daughter, Samantha, was born, he was totally lost to this little girl. When she was around 10 years old, he started singing "I Fall to Pieces" by Patsy Cline to her every Valentine's Day! To a preteen, this sounds like fingernails screeching on a blackboard. One year, he carefully created paper hearts and wrote a message on each of them. He cut them into large pieces and mailed her a valentine card with the pieces of his heart inside. She carefully pieced them together to find her Daddy's message. I have recreated that feeling in fabric.

Supplies:

• Fat quarter or less of valentine-related fabric
• Wonder Under or Misty Fuse (If using Misty Fuse, you will need to use parchment paper)
• Scissors
• Paper heart shapes (several sizes)

Instructions: Create a heart shape in any size on paper. If you are using Wonder Under, draw your heart shape on the paper backing. This is your pattern. Place pattern on wrong side of fabric and press with an iron. This will adhere the Wonder Under to the fabric. Following the shape of the heart, cut your hearts out. Do not remove the paper backing. Cut heart into 3 to 4 pieces. You may make several hearts following the same process. You may create your own valentine card or purchase one. Enclose the pieces of your heart. Mail to your loved one.  When they open it, they may piece the hearts together. This will become an applique which can be ironed to a sweatshirt, a towel, t-shirt, pillowcase or napkins. Finish with a zigzag stitch if you wish.  Let your imagination go wild!

Our next project is great for children. This is a 30-minute or less project. All of my children's projects are kid-tested. My tester is Jade Abercrombie. She is 6 years old and the granddaughter of my heart. As you can see, she has given this a thumbs-up rating!

Supplies:

• Empty containers that held powdered drinks (example: Crystal Light)
• Mod Podge or Spray Adhesive
• Foam brush if using Mod Podge
• Disposable gloves if using Spray Adhesive
• 3-4 - 5" fabric squares - I used a charm pack with a Valentine theme
• Optional - Valentine embellishments

The containers I used measured approximately 6" around and 6" tall.  I spread old newspaper on my work surface. My assistant can be a little free with the glue-children love sticky stuff. Apply Mod Podge with a small foam brush to the back of the 5" fabric square. Position the fabric on the can. Carefully wrap it around the top of the can and smooth out any wrinkles. Apply the next 5" fabric square around the bottom edge of the can. This will create 2 small rectangles at the bottom and top pf the can. You may then cut the 3rd and 4th fabric squares into 2 pieces. Apply Mod Podge to the pieces and then layer the pieces to fill in the open areas. Fabric will overlap slightly. You will have some pieces left over if you used 4 charm squares.  I used 4 charm squares because I felt it gave more pattern interest. My assistant and I cut fabric heart shapes and applied to the can. Let your cans dry for 24 hours.

You may also glue some embellishment to the top of the plastic lid. This is optional. Fill with candy or other treats for children or it makes a nice teacher's present. This is a great way to recycle containers.

For the person who has more time and wants to create something beauftiful, go to our Valentine Shop.  We have two great patterns designed by Sandy Gervais from Moda. The Flirtations Cake Walk pattern would be easy to sew in a weekend using the Flirtations fat quarter set. The Flirtations Truffles Pillow/Table Mat pattern uses yo-yos. Yo-Yo's are hot this year! The Fabric Maverick told me that she is seeing them everywhere. Start now to have these sweet projects ready for Valentine's Day.

Continue not to panic. I will let you know when the official panic line has been crossed and you are welcome to forward that message to family and friends as a Crafter's "Get out of Jail Free" card. I might even be able to whip up something all official looking in photoshop for you to print and hand out either before each freak-out or after; it is your preference. But before you go planning what documents you may or may not need to preserve your sanity or to present to a judge in court, let's sit down and look at some options.

Yes, Christmas is right around the corner. But it is one of those really long corners with the long line around it that is moving so slowly you brought a book to read while you wait. You have some time. But if you are sitting there shaking your head, holding up your mile and 2/3 long list of family and friends who are eagerly anticipating handmade goodness for the holidays, continue not to panic. Go make a cup of coffee (make one for me too, please. I like foam!) and check out what your pals at Fabric.com have for you. We have come up with some great ideas for your loved ones this year. Some of these ideas are found and some we put together ourselves. No matter where they come from, you are sure to find a few things that you can do and will be proud to give.

Some of you might have heard of Lisa Lam. She runs the blog CraftBoom which is a wealth of info for those interested in the craft business. Well, she posted a list of 15 quick & easy Holiday items to sell. It is a great list, but I thought to myself: "Self, why don't you post this for those who are interested in 15 quick projects to GIVE." I instantly agreed with myself and here we are and, more importantly, here is the list:

1. Garlands (check out Heather's Here)
2. Mobiles (Here is a great Autumn mobile by Turkey Feathers that can easily be made for winter)
3. Ornaments/Decorations
4. Tree Ornaments
5. Candle Holders
6. Bags/Purses
7. Napkin Rings, Placemats, Seating card holders
8. Scented Candles
9. Christmas Cards/Wrapping paper (Check out how to wrap your presents in Fabric!)
10. Christmas Stockings (Here are some really cozy sweater stocking by Posie gets Cozy)
11. Baby Bibs, soft toys
12. Doggie Jackets
13. Scarves, mittens, socks, hats
14. Hair Decorations (Martha has some great Button Hair Pins)
15. Brooches (Try this great tutorial by Blair Peter for Fabric Flower Pins)

Lisa gives some great examples and descriptions on her blog so be sure to check out the complete list.

Here are some additional items, we thought of here at Fabric.com Headquarters:

1. Pincushions (I know how tired it seems, but there are sewers out there with old tomato pincushions who don't even know how cute they can be...help them. Plus you can put them in a bowl for a festive center piece!)
2. Christmas Tree skirt
3. Festive Holiday Wreath: Just like Posie Gets Cozy. Totally awesome
4. Soft Trees (Try Little Birds Pattern. I just love these!)

And if you really run out of time, you can bake some pumpkin bread or cookies (don't forget to sign up for Food Network's 12 days of cookies). Finally, if you have to give a present and you have, seriously, 5 min in which to prepare. Quickly, find a sheet of paper and write down an IOU, with a smiley face and give them the biggest hug ever. Don't forget to give them a quick glace at the one mile and 2/3 long list just so they know that you are as good as your word.

Most important, these are the holidays. Enjoy your friends and family. No one will remember in 5 years that you needed a few extra days (ok, weeks) to finish and make their special gift perfect. They will remember that you did make it just for them and will love it even more.

As always check out our great selection of Holiday & Christmas fabric for your holiday gifts or our Retro & Mod section for the present that lasts throughout the year! 

Happy Holidays and Breath!

P.s. Get your great Fabric.com Gift Certificates Here and check out our Gifter's Gallery for the fabric junkie in your life! 

Click here to check out all our Halloween pictures from Wednesday's office party. We had a blast and a Really great cake to boot.

Here is my finished costume, as I discussed earlier. It was tricky but also easy (if that makes sense, I guess I should say more challenging than I expected). It was really fun to make and I completed it in a day. Since I am a member of  Wardrobe Refashion, I used some left over Freshcut from a top I made and a retired sheet in a nice berry red that perfectly matched the red in the flower buds. I also used green ties in the back. I tried out a new fancy stitch on the hem, pictures of which will come next week. I recommend trying on your sleeves before finishing them and attaching. My left was a little tight so I used a lesser seam allowance on the right one and it was perfect. I made it Saturday for a party that night and finished it about 15 before the party started. It turned out great and I had a lot of fun at the party and also at work on Wednesday. Everyone looked so great and we laughed all day long. I hope your office halloween was just as great. Don't forget to post your costume pictures in our Sew & Tell Gallery!

I need to go sleep off all these Reese Cups!

All the best

Tara Miller

Another fun and creative project by our graphic artist, Moniqa. I love her projects because they look so stylish and rich but usually take no time, with scraps of fabric you have hanging around from your apparel or quilting projects. This month Moniqa has been bitten by the autumn bug and is getting ready for an influx of family visits for the holidays. She is focusing on the center of the holiday festivites, the family table. Bring in the warmth and color of fall for your table with this super simple Burnished Leaves Table Runner. All you need are a leaf pattern (provided by us or nature), fabric marker, and fabric scrapes in fall colors or spring (depending on when you can finally fit this project into your busy schedule). Moniqa used Dupioni silk; this is prefect for our Dupioni Check Swatch set or just 2 or 3 1/2 yard Dupioni colors. You can also use quilting cotton, wool or felt. Don't forget to embellish with some fancy embroidery stitches; check out these embroidery tutorials by Crafty Daisies if you need ideas or tips!  

1. Determine the shape of the leaves you desire. Any basic leaf shape will do but here aresome to get you started. Moniqa's leaves are 7 inches long and 3 inches wide. Trace your free hand leaf shape onto some posterboard or cardboard (you can use that cereal box full of crumbs that someone stuck back in the pantry), and cut it out. This is your pattern.
2. Determine the length of runner you desire. Lay your Leaf pattern at an angle and in that postion measure from top to bottom. Divide this measurement by your total desired length (Example Your desired length is 50'' and you leaf measure ment is 5'', You will make 10 pairs of leaves). The difference will be the number of pairs of leaves you will need (Rounding up or down is up to you). Moniqa's leaves are 4 inches on the diagonal and the Runner is 48 inches long. That is 12 leaf pairs!
3. Cut! Using your pattern cut out 24 leaves in various colors for the top side (lays face up on the table) and 24 leaves for the underside.
4. Pin! Pin your topside leaves to your underside leaves, RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER. Stitch together with 1/4 inch seam leaving an opening to turn out. repeat until all leaves are complete
5. Press! Turn out all your leaves and press flat. You can slip stitch the openings closed but they will not show if you leave them open. If you do leave them open, you can leave secret holiday messages or candies in there for the little ones!
6. Hand stitch your leaves together. Take 2 leaves and lay them end to end angling up. Hand stitch the end together. Repeat for all leaves.
7. Stitch pairs together. Fit a pair of leaves above the first and stitch together wherethe leaves meet. Repeat this step until all pairs are united
8. Give yourself a pat on the back and listen to the "Oohs and Aaws" from your appreciative family as they delight in your festive holiday table.

Don't be afraid to change it up or embellish. You can bedazzle this runner, add buttons, or beads! Moniqa did not pair up her top 2 leaves but stitched one on top of the other to make the top 2 tiers singular. This reminds me of a vine and really catches the eye.


I am amazed every day with Moniqa's creativity and am so glad to share it with you. Enjoy and don't forget to show us your take on this project in our Sew & Tell Gallery. We really look forward to seeing everyone's projects and love to get together and check them out!

Tara Miller for Moniqa

This weekend I felt the first crisp, cool breeze of Autumn. Autumn has arrived ushering in visions of falling leaves, apples and pumpkins, sweaters, football games, walking through drifts of gold and rust colored leaves. Not to mention great food! Halloween is coming, then Thanksgiving. This is my most favorite time of the year.  I know there are people out there who have already completed their Christmas shopping. I do not intend to rush this season to get Christmas done.  I am doing some planning for Christmas, but I will fully enjoy the moment. To help you, I have provided some easy projects to help you celebrate this season. 

My first project is a no sew project, involve the children also.  I call this my "Potato Chip Project" because you cannot do just one.  This is a wacky leaf project.  This is also suitable for charm packs ( I used Acorn Hollow which has 39 fabrics in the pack) To add some spice I used some fabric from the Harvest Spice collection.

You will only need 2 different fabrics, freezer paper, Misty Fuse, scissors and an iron.  For very young children- you can use comstruction paper.  Draw a free form leaf patterm onto the non-glossy side of freezer paper.  You can free hand as I did,  use cookie cutter shapes, an actual leaf, a stencil,  or a  color book.  You might also find some shapes online or in a magazine.  Prepare a fabric sandwich.  ( 1 top fabric with the right side facing out, misty fuse and the bottom fabric with right side facing out)  Using your iron, apply heat to the sandwich.  Allow the sandwich to cool. Your fabric will be bonded together. This the first time I have used Misty Fuse and I was impressed with the weight.  It is not a paper backed fusing agent, so it is a one step operation. Iron your freezer paper onto the fabric (shiny side down).  You can reuse your freezer paper several times.

You can use these leaf shapes any where.  You can sprinkle them like confetti across a table. Paste them to a lampshade or a mirror.  Tuck them into a wreath.  Create a place card by pasting a small piece of cardstock onto the leaf and writing  your guests name on it.  I am hanging mine with fall colored ribbon and hang from a chandelier.

My next project is a simple tablerunner ( I have made it in the Butternut Farms collection and Harvest Spice) ,  This can be done in 1 1/2 hours from start to finish. No patterns required.  Determine how wide and how long you would like to make it. For example ,14 inches wide x  54 inches inches long.  Cut 2 strips of fabric 14.5 inches wide by 54.5 inches long and a piece of batting such as Warm and Natural. This is also cut to the same dimenions.  This is also great to use left over battng  Create a fabric sandwich by layering the 2 fabrics right sides together and placing the batting on the top. Pin in place.  Stitch around all edges 1/4  inch to 1/2 inch. Leave an opening wide enough to turn - about 3 inches.  Turn inside out and using a pencil - gently push the corners to make a square end.  The cotton batting should be in the middle. Slip stitch the closing shut. The same basic table runner will look different depending on the fabric you.  The Butternut Farms fabric collection is a rich, traditional fabric with accents of gold.  This is a classic fabric.  It is so beautiful, you hate to cut it.  Very good in a formal setting. If you are not afraid of color- Harvest Spice is for you.  These sun-drenched colors are so rich that you can almost feel that if you wring it out, the colors will drip like droplets of colored rain.  I call this "Whimsical Tuscany". You cannot be sad around these colors.

 
Additional projects:

Reversible napkins (I used the Harvest Spice-- sew easy project, just cut 2 squares of contrasting fabrics the size you would like your napkins to be. Layer the fabrics right sides together- sew around the edges leaving an opening wide enough to turn. Turn, using your pencil to poke the corners out.  Press.  Slipstitch the open edges together:

 

I also created a hot pad for my casserole using the Harvest Spice Stripe.  Cut 2 pieces of fabric the dimensions you would like your finished hot pad to be plus a 1/2 inch for seams.  Cut 2 pieces of batting and Insul-Bright.  Create a fabric sandwich by placing the top and bottom fabrics right sides together.  Create a layer of batting, insul bright and batting. Place the Insul-Bright sandwich on top of the fabric and pin.  Stitch around all sides 1/4 to 1/2 inch leaving an opening for turning. Turn inside out . Use a pencil to square up the corners.  Slipstitch the closing.

I hope these easy ideas will enhance your joy in the new season.
Vickie 

Next month: Get your Moda runnin, Christmas is comin