Instructable: Round Shapes for Applique

I just posted a new instructable. I'm making an easter egg table runner covered in applique eggs. I've been using aluminum foil to speed up the process of preparing applique pieces and thought I would take some photos and make a quick guide. You'll find it here: Round Shapes for Applique the Easy Way.

Sewing Colored Eggs

I am stitching up some fabric eggs from scraps. I've been hanging on to some small brightly colored and patterned scraps hoping to find a project for them. This egg pattern from retro mama is the perfect use.

The only difference I've made to it is that, once sewn and prior to turning, I neatly squash the bottom point flat and sew directly across it. This is a trick I learned from sewing juggling balls which need some reinforced ends. Perhaps it warrants a photo. I'll take one when I finish sewing the dozen eggs I'm making later today.

Baby Shower

These are some of the things I have for my sister's baby shower this weekend. I sewed a tag blanket, made some iron-on decorations for the plain onesies I bought, and sewed some towel bibs. I loved the towel bibs I had for my youngest and, not finding any for sale, made some.

Sewing a Wallet

This is a tutorial I developed for sewing a wallet with four credit card slots and two large pockets in addition to the standard bill pocket. These are my own original instructions developed through trial and error. A PDF version of this tutorial can be downloaded here: Wallet Tutorial

You’ll need:

¼ yard outer fabric

¼ liner yard fabric

sew-in interfacing (optional: use for additional sturdiness)

coordinating thread

1. Cut fabric:

2. Fold card slots in half with the right side facing in. Stitch ¼” from raw edge.

3. Turn card slot strips right side out. Press.

4. Fold pockets in half along the long edge with right sides together. Press crease.

5. Stitch one card slot 1 ¾” above the center line on the right side of the fabric for each pocket.

6. Stitch a second card slot ¾” above the center line on each pocket. (It will overlap the first card slot.)

7. Fold the pockets again along the center crease (right sides

together). Stitch along the edge on opposite sides.

8. Turn pockets right side out, press and topstitch along sewn seams.

9. Place pockets on the large outer fabric square along longer edge with corners matching as shown. Stitch along folded edge.

10. Lay large lining fabric square over the top of the out fabric square with long and short edges aligned and right sides facing each other. If desired, layer the interfacing on the top of the sandwiched pieces with edges matching. Pin together.

11. Stitch with ¼” seams around the outside, leaving several inches unsewn in the middle of the long edge without the pocket fabric pieces.

12. Clip corners close to but not through stitching.

13. Turn so right sides are on the outside, pushing corners out. Turn fabric in around opening. Press flat with crease in opening section aligned with sewn seams. Stitch along top and bottom as shown.

14. Fold wallet in half to form bill pocket as shown. Press.

15. Topstich along side seams.

16. Fold wallet in half with pockets on the inside. Press. For a better crease, hold down hot, recently pressed fabric with a something weighted until completely cooled.