Valentine's Day Table Runner Sew-Along - Part 2

Hey ladies!
Are you as excited as I am?
I can't wait to see what fabric you picked out.
Please feel free to share on the {SIG} Facebook Page!

Let's get this Sew-Along started.

Gather all your materials in one place.

Wondering about your overall length?
Let's talk about that.

Get a measuring tape and go to the table you are going to put the runner on.

Measure across the way you want the runner to go.

{mine is 40"}

Get a calculator OR you can do it by hand.
Yes, ladies...we are about to do some MATH.

Now, I stated in the first blog post that table runners normally hang about 6" on each side.

If you are like me, you will want it to hang longer.

Measure how far you would like the runner to hang off of each side.

{i like a 12" or so overhang}

Add that amount times TWO (one for each side)

For me, the math goes like this...

40" + 12" + 12" = 64"

That is approximately the length it will turn out.

Got it?
Good!

Let's move on to planning the table runner.

We are going to be cutting 12.5" x 12.5" squares.

These squares will be about 12" squared after we are done.

I went ahead & took my total length, 64" and divided it by 12".

That equals about 5, actually a little more, but I'm not too worried.
That is the number of squares I will be cutting!

You can round up or round down so you have an odd number of squares.
This is important visually but also aesthetically.
Our eye likes odd numbers and centers!

BUT, before we cut, we need to plan the layout.

Notice that I have a center fabric (the chevron) and then I have a directional print.

The pink and white damask will be directional from the center,

meaning that one will be heading to the left, the other to the right.

This will make it a mirror image table runner.

And finally, my red/pink polka dot will be the ends.

Now we get to start cutting!
I will need to cut the following amounts of each fabric and in 12.5" x 12.5" squares.

1 - Red Chevron

2 - Pink Damask

2 - Red/Pink Polka Dot

Lay out your pieces once again in the order you like them.

Double check that all your pieces are the same length & width.

{trust me, I cut one piece wrong}

Iron out your pieces so that they are nice and pretty.

It also makes them easy to work with.

If you are wondering about the back piece, don't worry yet.

We will cut it the next time so we have a more accurate measurement.

Let's get to sewing!

You will notice that I have appliqued a heart on my center panel.

If you like this, please make sure to follow my tutorial HERE.

{and you could make a cute shirt for your kiddo at the same time}

You will need to applique before you start sewing pieces together!

Some ideas for the applique...
heart
initial
double heart
broken heart (heart breaker)

Starting with your last piece, place it pretty side up.

This is called the "right side".

Now, grab the second piece.

If you have a directional print, be careful and make sure it is

placed upside down, right side facing the first piece.

Go to your sewing machine.
Using a 1/4" seam allowance, straight stitch the 2 pieces together.

I like to set my stitch length at 4 mm.

Open up your 2 pieces.

Lay it right side facing up.

Get your next piece (should be the center piece) and

place it on top of the second piece, right sides facing!

Sew your pieces together.

Open up your 3 pieces.

Lay it right side facing up.

Get your forth piece and place it on top of the third piece,

right sides facing!

Sew your pieces together.

{yeah, i forgot the photo for this one}

Open up your 4 pieces.

Lay it right side facing up.

Get your next piece (should be the last piece) and

place it on top of the forth piece, right sides facing!

Sew your pieces together.

If you have 5 panels/blocks, this is it for today!

If you have a longer table runner, you will continue to sew just

as above until you finish.

Isn't this awesome!?!

I want to see what you have done.

Again, please feel free to post on the Facebook Page.

And remember, come back on Wednesday to finish this baby up!

Happy Monday!

Handprint Turkey Trivet Tutorial

I'm not sure that I have actually put this out here on the blog,

but I also teach twice a week at my triplet's preschool.

It's fun and at times is inspiring.

I get to teach pre-k 3 and pre-k 4 twice a week.

One day is art, the other day is Spanish.

{i am originally from Argentina}

This past week for art, I made these super cute trivets with the students.

I thought it was cute enough to to share with you all.

Not only cute BUT it is super easy.

Seriously will only take you a few minutes to do most of the work.

The rest of the time is spent drying.

Let's get to it!

Supplies:

~ 5" x 5" Tile from anywhere you can find one (Home Depot, Lowe's)

~ Acrylic paint in the following colors...brown, red, orange, yellow, green

~ Paint brushes for each color

~ Sharpies (either fine point or regular) in red, brown, and black

~ Felt circles with adhesive on the bottom

~ Polyurethane or shellac spray

Before you get the paint ready, make sure to write the name and year.

OR, if your child is old enough, they can write it themselves.

I used cute dot letters since these are preschoolers.

I also go ahead and put the felt circles on each of the

four corners on the back side of the trivet.

Pour your paint out on to the surface of your choice.

Since I was dealing with 5 classes and 45 students,

I gave each color its own for obvious reasons.

I had each student come up to me and I painted

their palm and thumb brown and each finger a different color.

I guided their hand to the tile and pressed slowly in to it.

Came out super cute!

After the acrylic dries, it is time to add the "features".

I added an eye (in black Sharpie),

a beak and wattle (in red Sharpie), and

2 feet (in brown Sharpie).

Please forgive the absence of a photo but then next thing

you do is seal your tile by spraying it with polyurethane or shellac spray.

And you are finished!
You have the cutest turkey trivets around.

Don't just make one.

Make some for the grandparents.

You know they will use them for EVERY.SINGLE.THANKSGIVING.

And there you have it...the cutest Handprint Turkey Trivets around!

{SIG} Travel Wallet Tutorial

Time for the final tutorial in the Millie Tote series!

So far in this series we have:

~ Turned the {SIG} Millie Skirt Pattern into the Millie Tote

~ Created a matching key fob to hook onto the Millie Tote's d-ring

and now you can create this fab {SIG} Travel Wallet!

This cutie will also clip right into your Millie Tote
OR

hook onto your keys for easy carrying while out and about!
This would be fantastic to keep on hand during your travels,

quick trips or shopping excursions!

It will hold a good amount of folded bills, cards and change...

all safe and secure and small enough for your pocket!

So let's get to it!

(Remember, you can click on any of these pics to enlarge!)

Gather your materials:

~ (2) 9.5" x 5.25" pieces of fabric 

~ (2) 3.5" x 5.25" pieces of fabric

~ (1) 2" x 2.5" piece of fabric

(I used coordinating fabrics, but you can use all the same fabric if you like)

~ (2) 9.25" x 5" pieces of light to medium weight interfacing

~ (1) 3.25" x 5" pieces of light to medium weight interfacing

~ 1.5" length of velcro

~ purse strap clip

(clips usually come 2 to a pack, so use the extra one from your key fob creation!)

~ zipper (at least 6" long)

Go ahead and add the interfacing to the two largest pieces

and one of the 3.5" x 5.25" pieces.
Follow manufacturer's instructions for the interfacing.
I also shared step-by-step details for this in the Millie Tote tutorial.

Now, lay your two large pieces on top of each other,

right sides together, and stitch with

1/4" seam allowance along the two long sides

and one of the short sides.

Clip sewn corners and turn right side out,

using a sharp instrument (chopstick, knitting needle, etc.)

to poke out the corners to make them nice and square.
At this time, get your smallest piece of fabric

and fold it in half with the 2.5" together 

and sew along that long side at 1/4".

Turn it right side out.
Press both pieces.

Fold the open end of the large piece inwards

about 1/2" and press the edge.

Stitch open end closed, close to the edge. 

Grab that little tab that you have created,

insert it through the purse clip

and stitch closely to the raw ends.
The stitching here is just to hold it in place while attaching it.

Place the raw edge of the stitched tab

along the short edge of one of the

smaller rectangles, centering it.
Lay the other rectangle on top of the first,

sandwiching the clip in between.
Pin through all layers to hold the clip/tab in place while sewing.

Sew with 1/4" seam allowance along the two short sides

and one long edge of the "sandwich".

Clip sewn corners, turn right side out,

poke corners out and press flat.

You now have the two main parts of the wallet! 

Time for some zipper fun!

Grab the larger piece and lay the end that you folded

in and closed up a minute ago alongside the zipper.

Align one corner of the fabric about

1/4" beyond the start of the zipper.

You can carefully pin the zipper to the fabric here

if you need help holding it in place

or just head to the machine and start stitching

(closely to the edge)!
I use the setting on my machine that shifts the needle to the far left.
This lets you get much closer to the edge.
You can also use a zipper foot if your machine doesn't do this.

Now, lay the long side of your smaller rectangle along the other side of the zipper.
Align it with the piece on the left, pin if necessary and stitch close to the edge.

You have just attached a nifty and functional zipper! Yay!

Flip your whole piece over to the back side.

Fold the smaller rectangle over on top of the larger one,

which will place the zipper at the bottom of the fold.

Get this as flat and even as possible

and place a pin in the middle to hold.

Stitch about 1/8" above the raw edge of your small rectangle.

Trim off excess zipper from both ends, as close as possible.

Fold the zippered compartment up and over again

along the line you just stitched.

This stitched line will be the bottom of your wallet.

Now we need to attach the Velcro.

Place one half of the Velcro below the zipper about 1/4",

centering it along the width.

Hold your Velcro in place with one hand

and CAREFULLY unzip the zipper...but NOT all the way!
If you unzip all the way at this point, 

the zipper will come off and you will have to try to reattach it.
Save yourself that trouble...

pull it back most of the way and fold it down to lock it.

You will now stitch around the edges of the Velcro,

making sure that you are only stitching through

the FIRST layer of the compartment.
After it is sewn on, you can close your zipper back up.

Place the other half of your Velcro on the underside of

the wallet's flap and align it with the first piece.
Stitch it in place.

You are so close to being done now!

With your wallet in this position,

make sure all your sides are aligned and flush and place a pin through the middle of it to keep everything straight.

Stitch close to the edge along the two sides of the wallet,

making sure to stitch back and forth over

the zipper ends a couple of times for reinforcement.

Fold that flap closed and you have yourself some major cuteness!

Now clip it into your matching Millie Tote!

How pretty!

You CAN do this...

and you will be so proud to show off your talent!

Thank you for following along with our Millie Tote Tutorial series.
I love being able to help you realize your potential!

XOXO,

Introducing the Millie Tote

I think we really {love} the Millie "style".

So much so that we made the Millie Skirt in to the Millie Tote.

It was just a moment when Andrea and I connected.

{yeah, cheesy...but we even got goosebumps}

I think we are still in awe at how well it came out.
Of course, all sewing/construction credit goes to

the fabulous Miss Andrea because she made my vision a reality!

GAWD...I love where the {SIG} tag is!

Isn't it the perfect size?
I'm tellin' ya, even teenagers love this one!

This week, we will have a free tutorial on how to make

your Millie Skirt Pattern work in to the Millie Tote.

The only thing is you need the Millie Skirt Toddler eBook.

You can purchase that pattern HERE.

It's a great deal, make a skirt and a tote/purse out of one pattern.

Skirt for {itty bitty} and the tote/purse for you.

Wondering what that fabulous fabric is?
Joel Dewberry Aviary Collection.

You can purchase some from our sponsor, Southern Fabric.

Check out the Aviary goodies HERE.

Gotta say, this would look stunning in the brown palette.

Wanna know something even better?

That gorgeous tote/purse pictured above.

Yep, that one.

YOU will have a chance to WIN it for FREE!

Tell me that isn't awesome?
I want it.

Gonna be hard to let it go.

But it will be worth it!

You MUST stay tuned!

Go have your wonderful family day and be back tomorrow.

Happy Sunday my peeps!