Happy Scrappy Note Cards

January 23, 2019January 23, 2019 Sew CreativeLeave a comment

Create these gorgeous ‘Happy Scrappy’ one of a kind note cards in just a few simple steps!

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If you follow my blog, you may have noticed I have a bit of a thing for fabric scraps!! I’ll even use itty bitty teeny tiny pieces as I can’t bear to throw any scraps away, so this project is ideal for using up those little odds and ends 🙂

You will need:

Fabric scraps

Mini blank cards – mine are A7, so 3 inches x 4 inches (you can always make your own using cardstock, cut your card 6 inches x 4inches and fold in half)

Sewing Machine

Thread – various colours if possible

Optional

Printed words – don’t worry if you don’t have any, the cards look just as cute without them 🙂

Iron – if your scraps are anything like mine and a bit unruly, it’s best to give them a quick iron (or finger press if no iron is available)

Step 1

The first thing to do is make sure your fabric scraps are relatively flat, it just makes it easier for passing through the sewing machine.

Step 2

If you are adding paper words /sentiments to your cards then prepare them now.

I recommend leaving a good bit of space at the top for the thread to be sewn over without obscuring the text.

Step 3

Now it’s time to lay out your scraps and words on your cards ready for the sewing machine. I like to prepare at least 12 at a time as I find it easier deciding on the scraps I want to use for each card but you can do it one at a time if that’s easier.

There is no right or wrong way to set out your scraps…….. just remember to make sure you can see the words if you’re adding them!!! 😉

Step 4

Now for the best bit, seeing your creations all sewn up and ready to use!!!

I recommend using an old needle when sewing with paper or card as it quickly becomes blunt. I keep an old one handy for these kind of projects 🙂

If possible, use coloured thread as it adds a little something extra to the overall effect of the card.

Ok, ready?? Sit your card under the needle and CAREFULLY (and slowly) pass the card through your machine remembering to backstitch at the start and end of your fabric. You might find it helpful to hold down the scraps and card (at a safe distance from the needle!!!) as you pass it all through the machine.

Woohoo!!! You’re all done…….now sit back and congratulate yourself on your new pretty cards!!!!

Spooky Halloween Embellishments

September 21, 2018 Sew CreativeLeave a comment

I found a pile of Halloween paper scraps in my stash the other day so I decided to tackle them once and for all. I’d been saving even the teensiest tiny pieces and, rather than throw them into the paper recycling bin, I thought I’d make some ‘Spooky’ embellishments 🙂

These are so easy to make, and a little addictive too if I’m being honest! (look out for my Christmas version coming soon hahaha!!. You don’t need a die cutting machine or paper punches for my version, but go ahead and use those if you prefer a perfect circle.

Anyway, back to the project in hand!! Grab yourself the following items:

Paper scraps ( I also used vintage paper scraps)
Buttons
Needle and thread (or glue gun if preferred)
Scissors
Trims (not essential)
Letter stickers (not essential)
Any other bits & bobs you think will add to your overall design
Sewing machine (optional)

First thing to do is create some squares and rectangles by neatening up your scraps. They do not need to be perfect, just a rough squarish shape will be just fine. The biggest piece I cut was approx 2.75 inch squared, the smallest was about 1 inch squared. Just work with what you have…..there is no right or wrong when creating these, everything and anything goes!! (my kinda crafting 🙂 )

Cut up your trim into smaller pieces if you’re using them.

Now cut out your circles. I do this by snipping about 1/8 inch into the square and then rotate the paper close to the edge as I cut. Your circle won’t be perfect but then handmade is always better when it’s perfectly imperfect!! Cut out a few rectangles / banners too.

All that’s left to do now is to decide on how you want to layer your embellishments and sew sew sew!! (or glue if you’re using that instead). I played about with the shapes until I got the colour / pattern combo that worked best for me. I then machine sewed a few and used a needle and thread for others. This is all about having fun…unleash your inner witch and create spellbinding embellishments!!

Use your new Spooky embellishments to adorn tags, scrapbook pages, planner pockets, cards……whatever and wherever takes your fancy!!

Fabric Scrap Flower Tags

April 20, 2018April 20, 2018 Sew CreativeLeave a comment

How sweet are these tags?!! With such pretty colours and fun fabrics, what’s not to love about them?? You can make your own in a few easy steps.

You will need:

Fabric Scraps (you will need pieces at least 10 inches long to make the flower bases)

Scissors

Thread

Needle

Pin (if you want to hold things together rather than use your fingers)

Sewing machine

Step 1

If you don’t already have fabric strips available in your scrap basket, then cut pieces at least 10 inches long x 1 inch wide. The wider your fabric, the bigger the flower.

My strips in the photo came straight out a fabric scrap bag I bought online. As you can see, they are wonky and vary in width. They don’t have to be perfect, just long enough to make the base!

Step 2

Put right sides together and sew along the small open edge. I like to back stitch at the beginning and end of each one.

Step 3

Grab your needle and thread as we’re going to sew the base 🙂 Keep your fabric right sides together and secure a stitch or two near the machine sewn edge. Now sew a running stitch all the way around and bring your needle back out around where you started. My stitches were about 1 inch in length and about 1 inch apart, they don’t have to be perfect, no-one is going to see them.

Step 4

Pull carefully on the thread, the fabric will gather and your flower will start to take shape. Sew a few stitches through some of the pleats just to hold them in place.

Step 5

Cut out 2 or 3 various sized circles and place them on top of the flower. If you need to, secure with the pin if you want to hold things together for the sewing machine. Place your flower on the tag ( I like to put mine on the left hand side but you can put them anywhere) and carefully start sewing around the inner circle 2 or 3 times.

And that is you!! All done and ready to impress with new pretty tags!!

Until next time,

Fiona x

Fabric Scrap Flower Headband

April 9, 2018April 20, 2018 Sew CreativeLeave a comment

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I decided to tackle my overflowing fabric scrap basket (yeah, ok, BASKETS!!!) and thought I’d make my daughter a pretty headband. This also served as a moment of inspiration for new possible items I could make for Peony Rose Handmade!

What You’ll Need:

Headband

Fabric scraps

Felt

Scissors

Glue – hot glue is best

Sewing machine – or you could hand sew them just as nicely 🙂

Step 1

Cut varying sizes of fabric circles and layer them with a few felt circles. You will need to put at least one felt circle at the bottom to help give your pretty flower some structure. I decided to put of all my felt layers at the bottom but you could layer them anyway you want 🙂

Step 2

Now it’s time to make some leaves or if you don’t want to add them, then skip this bit. I prefer to cut my leaf shapes from the fabric first and add them to a bigger piece of felt. This makes for easier sewing with the sewing machine. Once you’ve sewn the fabric pieces onto the felt, trim around the shape carefully, leaving a border to help the fabric ‘pop’.

Step 3

Time to sew the leaves to the flower. Place your leaves in the desired position under your flower and transfer it to the sewing machine. Carefully place the needle on top of the bottom layer but UNDER all of the other layers. Slowly sew around the flower 2 or 3 times to make sure everything is secure. You can of course sew on top of the other layers, but this was my preference at the time.

Step 4

Almost there! Time to glue the flower to your headband. First, cut a circle of felt that is slightly smaller than the flower. This will conceal your glue and make it comfortable for wearing.

Decide the final position of the flower and attach it using a small strip of glue on the RIGHT side of the actual headband (ie the side of the headband that faces upwards). Now flip it over and glue on EITHER side of the headband and attach your felt circle.

Congratulations!! You’ve just made a pretty (awesome!!) flower headband!!

Scrappy Flower Headband

My Love Affair with Selvedge Edges

March 19, 2018April 9, 2018 Sew Creative4 Comments

I have a weakness for selvedge edges. Pure and simple. Their pretty colours, prints and variety of texts used, sing out to me. I love them so much, I’ll admit that I sometimes buy fabric JUST to get my hands on those ‘sew’ darned cute selvedge’s!!

So this year I decided to challenge myself and create a quilt using my stash of selvedge’s and have been working on creating blocks since January. If I get a few spare moments at the weekends, I’ll work on sewing up a block or two. I’m using the Quilt As You Go method to save time, and also for ease and whizz seeing as I’ve never made a quilt before.

This weekend was the first I’ve worked on it for a while, and it felt good seeing those selvedges come alive. While progress isn’t as quick as I’d like it to be, I’m getting there slowly but surely.

I’ll keep you updated of my progress and if you would like to see a tutorial on how to create your own selvedge quilt then just give me a shout!

Until next time

Fiona x

Pretty Paper Envelopes

March 6, 2018April 9, 2018 Sew CreativeLeave a comment

Pretty Notecards

I don’t know what it is about making envelopes, but I’ll find any excuse to get the paper, scissors and glue out to create them. However, this time I thought I’d make them using a different method……by sewing machine!!

I have an old book that I’ll be using as a journal later so I removed the pages from it. As you can imagine, this left me with a big bundle of paper! Of course, these just cried out ENVELOPES to me!!!

They are really easy to make and can be whipped up (or in this case, sewn up!) in a jiffy.

Here’s how I went about making mine 🙂

Step 1

Get yourself an old book (charity shops are a great place to find them cheaply, mine was only £0.50!!) and carefully remove the pages. Trim up and neaten the edges. I trimmed mine to approx 5″ x 9″

Step 2

Next, fold the bottom of the page upwards stopping at approx 1.5″ from the top. Crease along the bottom.

Step 3

Turn your envelope over so that the FRONT (the side that doesn’t show the folded part) is facing upwards. At approx 1.5″ from the top right hand side, start sewing, back stitching slightly to secure the first few stitches. Continue sewing all the way around and stop 1.5″ from the top p. Back stitch again.

That’s you!! You’ve made your very own paper envelope 🙂

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and please do feel free to share it with others 🙂

Until next time,

Fiona x

Mother’s Day Handmade Gift Ideas

March 4, 2018April 9, 2018 Sew CreativeLeave a comment

If, like me, you’ve left buying a Mother’s Day Gift to the last minute, here are my Top 5 handmade gift ideas from Etsy. Even though my mum always tells my sisters and myself not to buy her anything, I always get her a little something anyway.

These are all from UK shops.

1. Scented drawer sachets from designSix5

il_570xN.1372914966_1las — Aren’t these just gorgeous?!

2. Lavender Bath Melts from SqueakyCleanSkinCare

il_680x540.1475398271_2yyd — I always LOVE getting ‘smellies’ as gifts!

3. Notebook set from Peony and Thistle

il_570xN.1360759850_oijn — Who doesn’t love a pretty notebook?!

4. Metal bookmark from The Silver Birdcage

il_570xN.1436541706_8ent — I really love the sentiment on this bookmark

5. A pretty trinket bowl from Jane Booth Ceramics

il_340x270.1379403590_leth — I always have a soft spot for things with birdies on them!

Until next time!

Fiona x