Yo Yo maker tutorial

I personally think that this little gadget is one of the best inventions of all time.  But I am suprised to find out how many people have not been introduced to it.  So let me introduce you.

You need
a piece of fabric (Size depends on size of maker you have)
thread
needle
Yo Yo maker

insert fabric into the yo yo maker with the wrong side up.  The smaller disk will snap into the larger disk and hold your fabric in place.
Trim fabric to about 1/4 inch from the edge of the maker.

Start stitching from the wrong side and up through.  The goal is to have the stitches inside the long holes on the outside disk.  You can see my black stitches down in them.

Stitch all the way around. 
Pop the smaller disk and the fabric out.
start gently pulling the thread.  The fabric will start to bunch and curl.  Tuck the cut edge in.

When pulled tight, tie a knot in the thred to secure and tuck into the middle.

I used the medium size maker for this tutorial.  YO YO makers are found at the shop behind the cutting table.

Random Number Generator Says.......,

And the winner of the autographed book by Camille is......., Mary on Lake Pulaski!   Mary just send me your details in an email and I will get it right out to you!!
congrats!
Nadine

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

In the mood to Deck the Halls

I am sure all of you are bustling about with Thanksgiving preparations and don't even want to think about Christmas. I know I know! well, if you get a minute today hop over to "Deck the Halls of with Joy"  Oh my gosh!!  Brenda the very talented author of this blog is amazing!  It is sure to put you in the mood to decorate your houses, and anything else you can grab.  I can't quit hopping over there to look at all her amazing things. I wish she lived closer to me she could help me decorate, I love her style!! 
Toodles I am off to blog hop!!
Nadine

Nursing Cover pattern

3/4 yards fabric for body
fat 1/4 of fabric for strap
12 inches of Boning
2 D rings
wash cloth

--Cut wash cloth diagonally, you should have 2 triangles.  Serge or zig zag the long unfinished edge.
--Press a 1/2 inch hem on both short sides.  press another 1/2 inch hem on sames sides.  This gives you a nice edge.
--Press a 1/2 inch hem on the bottom.  Press another 1/2 inch hem. Again this provides a nice edge.
--slide a wash cloth triangle into 1 or both lower corners.
--sew hems, this secures the triangle sides.

--sew diagonal of the triangle to attach to the body
--fold 1/4 inch over on top and press
--fold a 1 inch hem and press
--sew the 1 inch hem leaving a 2 inch opening in the center. this is where the boning will be inserted.
--measure 15 inches in from each side and mark.

--with the fat quarter cut 2 6 x 22 inch strips
--iron strips in half length wise, open fold each side into the center crease and iron, fold in half again and press.
--fold short ends in 1/4 inch and press
--edge stitch down both long sides of your strap.  make sure to secure the folded short ends for a finished edge.
--attach on the back side of the body.  the inside edge of the strap on the 15 inch mark and the bottom of the strap should line up with the edge of the 1 inch hem.
--edge stitch to attach (this also make the casing for your boning)
--cut the second strip to 5 inches.  fold in half and slide D rings on
--attach on the back side of the body. the inside edge of the strap on the 15 inch mark and the bottom of the strap should line up with the edge of the 1 inch hem.

--Edge stitch in place.

--slide boning in.  The body middle should arch out slightly.
--close up the hole in the hem.

Time for a giveaway!!

I have been a slacker!!  I can't seem to get myself caught up!!  I have had this autographed copy of Camille's new book "Simplify" for sometime! and I am giving it away!  that's right you heard me right  "Free"  Camille is a favorite of "The Material Girls" we love her!!  I look at this book from cover to cover and want to make every single thing in it!! It will take you to a happy place! So, here is what you need to do!  First, become a follower of our blog.  Second, tell about a project you have made using one of Thimble Blossom's patterns!  Thats it, easy peasy!!  I will be picking a lucky winner on Wednesday November 24!
Good Luck!
Nadine
PS. Thanks Camille for being such a great friend to Material Girls, we Love ya!

DANG IT!!! My thread broke again

How many times have you been pulling the thread to gather and the thread breaks?  Well, here is the solution to all your gathering/ruffling needs.

You will need "unbreakable thread"  - this can be crochet thread, dental floss, embroidery thread.

Start by tacking down your unbreakable with a few straight stitches.
Then change to a medium width Zig Zag.
Zig Zag over the unbreakable.  Careful not to sew the unbreakable itself

When done, pull the unbreakable to gather.
When satisfied with length of fabric and gathering, tie a knot in the unbreakable thread to hold in place.  Cut excess thread off

Credit for this method goes to Dancing Jamie

Car seat tent Tutorial

Car Seat Tent


1 yard fabric for top

1 yard fabric for bottom

1 fat quarter for straps

4 1/2 yards jumbo ric rac

3 inches of Velcro

1 button ¾ inches or bigger





- Fold fabric into quarters and cut 18x18 making sure not to cut on folds. This will make your pieces 36x36

- Round the corner with no folds using a dinner plate. Cut both fabrics at the same time so the corners will match later. This will give you round corners; you can skip this if you want square corners.


- Sew ric rac to the top piece


- Pin and sew bottom piece to top piece with RST. Ric rac will be in between. Leave a 3” opening on one side for turning.


- Turn right sides out. Iron edges.

- Edge stitch around the whole thing. This will close up the turning hole.


- Fold cover into quarters and iron the center to make a X. This will be used for strap placement.


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- With your fat quarter cut 2 8x8 pieces and 1 8x5 1/2

- On all three pieces fold both ends in ¼ inch. On the 5 ½ piece make sure to fold in the short ends


- On all three pieces fold in half and iron than fold in each side to the center crease. Iron then fold in half again to make a strip



- Edge stitch down both sides of all three straps.
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- With the narrowest of the three straps

- Make a button hole at one end of the strip. Make this hole ¼ bigger than your button. The hole should start ¼ inch up from the edge of the strip.


- Pin and sew this strip on the back side of the cover on the center line, right in the middle. Make sure you are placing this in the correct direction. This should be sewed to the parallel crease to your car seat handle.



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- With the remaining two straps

- Cut your Velcro into 2 - 1 ½ inch pieces.



- Sew each half of a Velcro piece onto the opposite ends, opposite sides of a strip. You should have a loop when the Velcro is put together

- Repeat for the other strap


- On the top side of your cover measure three inches from the middle line. Your strips will be placed on the line that will be parallel to your seat handle.

- Pin and sew your straps on the crease with the inside edge at your three inch mark. I sew the straps at the middle of the strap so the Velcro is at the top of the loop.



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- Sew your button onto the center of the top piece, between the two straps.

You are done.

Variations –

-If you want a larger cover you will need 1 ¼ yard of top and bottom fabric and 5 yards of ric rac. Cut fabric to 42x42. Follow all instructions the same after cutting.

-Embellish with buttons on the straps, appliqué in the corners, or any edging that you like (pom poms, lace, ECT)

-you can leave out the roll up strap and button if you wish.

Oh Sweet Sadie Academy

If you live in Utah and haven't heard of  "Oh Sweet Sadie"  You are missing out!  Heidi & Dani the most amazing, talented, girls that created this fantastic boutique have over 80 artisans and vendors.  It is so much fun, you will find all kinds of yummy goodness.  Just in time for you to start your Holiday shopping.  They have invited Shelby and I to teach at the Academy (we are so excited!).  We will be teaching "Embellishing Clothing"  Thursday November 11 & 12th from 7-8:30 pm, and on November 12 we will have "Sugar Felt Cookies" from 8:30-10:30.  If you use the code MaterialGirls you will receive 10% off.  Hop over to their blog and check out the classes they are offering and find out more about this fun filled weekend. 
Shelby and Nadine

wild hair or mid-life crisis?



Okay, I did the ultimate "No No"  I went and looked at new houses.   Which means, I come home to my house, (which isn't a bad house,) it just isn't my "Dream" house.  Did I mention that my "Dream"  house comes with a maid and a cook?  I have to say that the new houses are more open and mine is more boxy.   Nothing a good remodel won't fix, right?  unless you are married to the mostest, unhandiest man in the world (which I happen to be.)  I have a lot of "Stuff" and the thought of moving it all is very unappealing.   I should just be thankful I have a roof over my head and just quit my whining, right? Okay, time to take my head out of the clouds,  put my big girl panties on and go sew something.   A girl can dream can't she?  
Nadine

PS.
Bob the builder if you are reading this, I might need you!!