Apr 24, 2009

Card Holder Key Chain Tutorial



These are very simple to make, it took me longer to put the tutorial together then it did to make the five key chains in this tutorial. I took lots of pics, but these are easy to make and anyone can do it. The monogram is optional. You can embellish these anyway you like and you might even choose to fussy cut certain fabrics. I made 70 of these monogrammed and used snaps for closures but wasn't happy with the snap. So, I started all over and made them 70 more with Velcro. I'm happy with the Velcro so that's what we'll go with here. But If you are better at setting snaps then I was you can give that a go. Just do what works best for you. You also have option for what to use for the piece that holds the ring. I used the fabric and sewed it just like making double fold binding but you could choose to use ribbon or even the straps the Moda uses to wrap their bundles in would work nicely and make great use of something that might otherwise gets thrown out. So lets get to it.

Here's what you need:

2 pieces of your fabric cut 3"x5 1/2"
1 piece cut 3"x8"
1 cut 3"x3" (you won't need this if you use ribbon or something else for the ring strap)
hook and loop Velcro cut to 1 1/4" or snap
metal keyring (I bought mine in the craft section at WM)
monogrammed square optional

Here's a few tips that I learned along the way.
Ironing embroidery thread will melt it. I never thought about it being synthetic when I made that mistake. So, my second tip is that the Velcro would probably melt too, luckily I didn't make that mistake too. I suggest covering with a cloth before pressing with an iron.
One more thing I used a 1/4" seam allowance.

Start by cutting your fabric and Velcro pieces. I did mine by cutting a 3" strip of the with of fabric (selvedge to selvedge) then from that I cut the two 5 1/2" pieces, one 8" piece and one 3" piece from the strip to get the four pieces needed for one key chain.
Now we want to fold the 8" piece wrong sides together and give it a press with the iron. You will also fold the 3" piece wrong sides together and give that a press to, but you need to turn the raw edges of that into the center fold just like if you were making double fold binding, press again. It should look like this. If you see extra pieces in there don't let that confuse you. I was making 5 of these at the time I took the pics.
Now we need to draw a line down the center, length wise of the 5 1/2 piece. This will be a guide to place the ruler so you get your corners cut off straight. OOPs, forgot to take pic so had to run back and grab some fabric to show what I mean, so ignore that this piece of fabric is different. But it still gives you the right idea.
Now the next step is the reason for the line. You will need to cut the corners off the two 5 1/2 " pieces. So, line the diagonal line on your ruler up with the center line on your fabric making the top of the ruler line up with the 1" mark on the ruler(note that the ruler is hanging over the top at the 1" mark). I stacked all mine so I could cut them all at once. Cut the two corner pieces off. Now all your pieces are ready to go to the sewing machine. This is what you should have. Two 3x5 1/2" with the corners cut off, one 3x8" folded in half and pressed and one 3x3" folded and pressed like double fold binding. If you are doing monograms you'll need those cut in small squares and ready also.Now the next step is only for the monogram, so if you're not doing a monogram then just skip this step. Place your little monogrammed square on one of the pieces that have the corners cut, center it as best you can. You might want to measure, I just eyeballed mine. Then I did a satin stitch on the edge all the way around in the same color thread as the monogram. I did do a couple with rick-rack around them and then stitched it down but you do it the way you like best!!
Now take the OTHER piece that has the corners cut off and sew the Velcro to it (if you choose to use a snap skip this step). Line it up between the two top points and down 3/8" from the top. I used a very narrow satin stitch all the way around. So if you used the hook part of the Velcro for this use the loop part for the other piece which will be now sewn to the folded piece on the end that has the fold. It too will be centered and down 3/8" from the fold. These are the ones on the right side of the pic. Next we will sew down both sides of the small 3" piece that we pressed with the double fold. This will be to close and the other side just for looks. I sew the open side first and then back down the other side. Once those are sewn I insert them into the metal rings and line up the raw edge and sew a stay stitch down to hold the ring in place. These will be sewn to the folded piece on the same side as the Velcro but opposite end. I back stitch here to make sure these are secure and don't pull lose. Now you should have these three pieces. I have 15 because I made 5 at once. One with monogram (or plain), one with Velcro and the folded piece with Velcro and ring attached. We're almost done. Now, take the folded piece with the ring and lay it directly on top of the Velcro piece that has the corner cut, both facing up. Lining up the bottom edges, like this. Now lay the monogrammed piece (or plain piece if you choose not to add a monogram) right side down on top of that. Making sure all the edges are all lined up. I pinned my 3 layers so I didn't have to worry about anything shifting. Starting on the bottom (short straight edge sew up the long side. I back stitch at the beginning and end so your stitches don't come loose when turning. Sew all the way around to the the other end. This is what you'll have. Now here is the tricky part. Not hard but tricky because if you don't have it turned right before sewing the bottom seam well it just won't work right. So when you look in the bottom where it is still open you will see the two other pieces and the middle one with the metal ring one it. Turn your piece from between the side of the middle that doesn't have the ring sewn to it and the outer fabric. If you click the pic you will get a close up and see the arrow pointing to where you need to turn the piece thru. Once it is turned it will look like this on one side(top one) and this (bottom one) on the other side. I know this doesn't look right, but it is. Go ahead and give it a press on the side that doesn't have the velcro. I was afraid the velcro might melt. Next sew a seam across the bottom to close. I backtack at the start and finish here too. Snip those corners to eliminate bulk. Reach in and pull the ring out to turn. After pushing those corners out you will want to give it another press with the iron. That's it, enjoy!!!

Apr 21, 2009

It's time!!!!!!

I wanted to let everyone know that I'll be heading out in the wee hours of the morning and won't be back until the 28th. Sorry if I haven't responded to all your wonderful comments you made about my favorite quilt. I've been so busy. I promise to do so, just as soon as I get back in town. Sooner if I find a free moment in our very busy retreat schedule, probably unlikely though. I'm so excited, this is my first retreat and I get to meet 70 of my quilty friends that I've spent a lot of online time with this past year, and finally get to meet them. I will be sharing a ton of pics with you when I return. I will be carrying my laptop and will post the tutorial on Friday. I have to tell you it takes a lot of time to do one of these pic tutorials, next time I think I want to share something I may just do a video and make it easier on both of us. I know I'm not good with words or explaining things, and even worse when it comes to typing them. So you can expect a ton of pics. You know a pic is worth a thousand words. So, if what I'm trying to say doesn't make sense, I have a pic for every sentence. So you will be able to click any of the photos and get a good look at each step. I'm off to get some much needed sleep. Hope you all have a wonderful week.
Hugs, Donna

Apr 18, 2009

Park City Girl: Quilt Festival - Spring 2009

I seen where Park City Girl is hosting an online Quilt Festival. So thought I add my favorite quilt. I made this quilt out of some scrap fabrics to donate to QWL (Quilts with Love) to go to the troops overseas. They are the reason we lay down at night in peace. So thought it would be nice to help our troops rest a little better too. Out of all the quilts I've made I think this is my favorite. I had to think it over for a few days deciding between a few when I remember this one which left the house right after it got the binding. It was made to the cot size they had asked them to be, which was a bit narrower then a twin but the quilt was very heavy and the hand quilting just made it feel so good. I have always been a big fan of RW&B quilts and have made one every year for the past three years since I started quilting. This is my favorite because it has 4 of my most favorite things, Bear paws, flying geese, RW&B and crosshatch quilting. I don't have a very good picture but I'm sure glad I took one. You can see the red and white strip backing. I still have some of this fabric. I remember buying the whole bolt. When I first started quilting I never knew how much to buy, so I'd just buy it all to much sure I had enough. I've made 2 quilts and backed one with it and still have some of that fabric left, LOl.

Apr 15, 2009

I almost forgot

I told you I would post a pic of the buttercup bag I made my sister. It didn't take no time to make this and was one of the easy things I've made lately. Here's a link to the free pattern. Make sure you show us your buttercup bags!!! madebyrae,blogspot.com/

Apr 14, 2009

Quilt giveaway

The Bitchy Stitcher: Because I care. And I'm lazy.
Head on over and sign up for this quilt giveaway. Make sure you read the requirements to enter so you can get extra entries.

Apr 11, 2009

I've gotten behind

On reading everyone's blogs and posting on my own. But I've have been terribly busy getting ready for the big retreat. If you look on my side bar you will see a COF retreat countdown clock. When I first put it there I had over 190 days. Boy has the time flew, now I find myself in a mad dash to get everything done. I have got the tutorial I promised, all drafted up and ready to post the day I leave (April23rd) can't do it any sooner or I may ruin the little surprise I made for this great group of ladies. I had quite a few projects/challenges to complete. So, as soon as I return I'll be posting lots of pics, I know everyone likes pics. I'll also be taking several classes and will show you what I accomplish at those as well. There was a spot come open at the last minute so my wonderful sister was able to now join in on the fun. The best part is she is going to fly from Ohio down here to Ga. to fly back up to NH with me, where we'll have a stop in Pa. What's so great about that you ask, well not only has it been far too long since I have got to spend time with my sister, but I have been terrified about traveling alone and have came close to backing out several times. This is a once in a lifetime event for me, I have never attended a retreat or quilting class, and the best part is getting to meet 70 of my online quilting friends, and spend time with my sister. We will also be taking a big trip to Keepsake quilt shop, woohoo. I've only been to 2 quilt shops before and although I thoroughly enjoyed it they were quite small and a bit of a drive so I usually do all my shopping online. I decided I had better bring an empty suitcase to haul my loot back in, and it's a big one too : ) We will be playing FQ bingo, show and tell, making the Miranda bag, we will be doing a meet and greet where we all will be wearing the T-shirt we created to represent our state, they have too many things on our to do list for me to possibly list them all. So after 2 suitcases and a purse later I decided I needed more, so I made a tote for my sewing things. My sister wants me to make her one of the cute little buttercup bags that she seen some of the ladies on the HGTV message board make and the tutorial for them is on madebyrae.blogspot.com/ I hope to get started one that tomorrow, and possibly finish it and post tomorrow. But for now the only thing I can show you is the tote, which is a Simplicity gardening tote pattern but I loved the big pleated pockets and it has 12. that should hold all my stuff. It looks rather small in this pic but it will hold my pocket book, laptop and all my sewing tools, camera, cell phone, a few good books and of course some snacks(fig newtons for me). I have the matching apron pattern, if I have time I'll be making that too.

Apr 6, 2009

Don't look now!

My goodness, I stumbled across a blog today via my visitor map and WOW does not describe her work. I think I will be ordering some of her patterns, not that I think I could pull on off but maybe one day (never hurts to have positive thinking). She is also having a giveaway, so be sure to enter that. Here's the link to her giveaway, make sure you hurry, I think it ends tonight!
http://dontlooknow.typepad.com/dont_look_now/2009/03/ta-da.html
Oh my, I had to come back and edit this post. To tell you she has some tutorials to make some of her pillows on her blog!!

Apr 5, 2009

Remember the purple pokla dots and checks

It was for my PIF gifts. Now that some of them have made there way home you can see what they turned into and where they went here and here. I still have 2 more on their way out that are a little different but I can't show those yet. I also made this cute little lady bug bag using the tutorial from here. It's for someone who loves ladybugs. It's not very big but would work well to keep jewelry in while traveling.

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