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  • Child's Round Safari Bag

    Project by Helen Bowes When we saw this fabric from Craft Cotton Co, my daughter immediately wanted something made from it. We had a look around and settled on a round bag she could use – apparently you can never have too many bags. Hopefully this tutorial will take you through the process of making it so you can create your own What you need Fat quarters Bosal 8” roundabout bag single sided fusible Bosal In-R-Form single sided fusible foam stabiliser Zip Cutting mat, rotary cutter, scissors Sewing machine, needle and thread Iron and ironing board Pencil or pen, ruler Clips or pins Method Step 1 - Make the circles Using your iron, bond the Bosal circles to the wrong side of the fabric that will form the outside of the bag. Once bonded cut around the circle giving yourself a ¼ inch border. Now you can use this as a template to draw round the circle onto the wrong side of the fabric that will form the lining of the bag. Place the two fabrics so they are right sides together forming a layered circle of Bosal on top, outside fabric in the middle and lining fabric on the bottom. Stitch along the line of the Bosal with a gap between the Bosal and stitch line the width of the sewing foot. Leave yourself a gap through which you can turn the circles. Before you do turn, clip the edge as far as but not over the stitch line. This helps the circle be crisper and have less ruffles once turned the right way round. Pull the outside through the gap you have left and press flat. Using ladder stitch or top stitch close the gap. Repeat this process so you have two circles. Step 2 - Make the gusset Decide on what depth you want your bag to be; we settled on 4 inches. From the lining fabric and the fabric for the gusset (this can be the same as your outside fabric or it can be different) cut out two strips that are 4 inches wide by 14 inches long. From the Bosal foam stabiliser cut out a piece that is 3.5 inches wide by 13.5 inches long. Bond the Bosal to the wrong side of the outer fabric and then place this on top of the lining fabric with both right sides facing together and sew down each long edge. Once sewn, you will need to turn it, so the Bosal is enclosed between the two layers of fabric. Top stitch the two raw edges and trim. Step 3 - Attach the gusset Find the middle point of both your gusset and one of the circles, with the lining fabrics face up. Using clips or pins, attach at this point. From there attach each side following the curved line of your circle. This generally needs lots of pins or clips to hold it together. You now want to sew along this join as close to the edge as possible to capture all layers. When the first side is attached it should look like this: Now repeat the process to attach the gusset to the second circle: Step 6 - Create zip panel Chose a zip of an appropriate length – I had a 30cm zip in the house, so I used this and cut it down a little to fit the remaining gap. To make the zip panel, cut out two 2x12 inch strips from the lining fabric and two 2x12 inch strips from the same material as the gusset outer. Lay one piece of gusset outer fabric right side up. Next place the zip so it lies on the fabric with the zip closest to the middle of the fabric and the edge of the zip material is on the edge of the gusset outer fabric. Once positioned lay the lining fabric on top right side down and pin along the zip tape at the edge. Using a zip foot, sew as close to the zip as you can. Step 5 - Create the handle Choose how long you would like the handle to be. I decided I didn’t want an overly long one so settled on two strips of fabric cut from the gusset outer material measuring 18x2 inches. I joined the pieces in the middle and pressed the seam flat. Following this, I cut a piece of fusible foam stabiliser slightly narrower and shorter and bonded this into place on the wrong side of one piece of fabric. Placing the fabrics right sides together, sew around the edge of the foam stabiliser leaving one short end unsewn. Turn the piece the right way round by thread itself through the open end of the tube. Top stitch the end closed and cut off any excess fabric left at the end. Step 6 - Attaching zip panel and handle This is probably the fiddliest section of the bag so make sure you have plenty of pins or clips to hand!! Ensure that the bag is inside out at this point, so the lining fabric is uppermost. To sew the handle into the seam you need to place it in the bag and then pin each end onto the gusset. Next, with the lining fabric uppermost, clip or pin you zip panel into place the same way you did when you did the gusset. You need to leave the zip slightly open as you will be turning the bag through the zip. Now the fiddly part, the sewing. As with the gusset you need to sew along the pins as close to the edge as possible. Once sewn, turn the bag the right way round by bringing it through the hole in the open zip. You have now made your own custom circular jungle bag. Go out and enjoy using it! Made by Helen Bowes for The Craft Cotton Co 2021

  • Cinnamon Stick Tree Decorations

    Project by Carrie Can Make It If you want to make a beautifully scented handmade decoration for your tree this year then follow this tutorial. Also check out my YouTube channel to see me make one. What you will need · Fabric · Scissors · Triangle template · Fabric marker · Toy stuffing · Needle and thread · Sewing machine · Pins · Iron and mat · Glue gun and glue sticks · Twine/yarn · Cinnamon sticks Step 1 Make a triangle template from card/paper - play around with the size and shape Step 2 Press your fabric Step 3 Fold fabric right sides together and trace round your template with a fabric marker and cut them out. You should have 2 triangle pieces Step 4 Pin the triangle together with a small seam allowance then sew the triangle together leaving the base of the tree open. Step 5 Trim the seams and snip of the point at the top of the tree. Step 6 Turn the tree right sides out and press- whilst pressing turn the raw edges of the base of the tree under by 1 cm. This is to not have any raw edges. Step 7 Fill with toy stuffing Step 8 Find the centre of the base of the tree make a mark where the cinnamon stick will go and sew up to the centre leaving a gap either side to insert the cinnamon stick Step 9 Use a hot glue gun and squeeze some glue onto one end of the cinnamon stick then insert the glue stick up into the gap at the base of the tree Step 10 To create the hanging element, use some yarn/twine and either glue or machine stitch in place at the top of the tree. Congratulations you have now made a lovely hanging decoration for Christmas Make sure you follow my Instagram page @carrie_can_make_it Check out my YouTube channel and give it a subscribe Don’t forget to tag me in your makes so I can see how lovely they are Happy Sewing Love Carrie x

  • Week 5 – Snowman Block

    Project by Katie at The Fabric Squirrel The snowman block is probably the most complicated. I have left it until now so you are well practised, but you still have plenty of time to come back to him if you need to. There is nothing you can't do, there are just a lot of pieces to it so, I have given each size a letter to help. The snowman is split into 4 main pieces - hat, head, scarf, and body. You need two snowmen for your finished quilt, but the cutting and instructions are given for one. Seam Allowance: ¼” Unfinished size: 11" x 18" Finished size (when sewn into your quilt): 10½” x 17½” CUTTING Width x Height Cut one unless otherwise stated Green: A 2 – 4 x 2½” C 2 - 2½” x 1½” F 4 – 1½” Squares E 2 – 3¼” x 5½” K 2 – 4¼” x 1½” N 4 – 2” Squares M 2 – 2½” x 9” Blue: L 3½” x 1½” P 1½” x 4½” White: G 5½” x 3½” H 2 – 2½” x 1½” J 5½” x 1½” O 3½” x 4½” Q 3” x 4½” R 1½” Squares S 7” x 5” Pink: I 2½” x 1½” Black: B 4 x 2½” D 7” x 1½” Here is a little video so you can see how it comes together: 1. First we will start with the hat. Join pieces A and B on the short edges with black in the centre. Repeat the same with C and D. Press the seams open and join these two pieces as per the picture below to create the hat. 2. With G and two of the Fs, add easy triangles to the top two corners. Trim and press. 3. Repeat with J and the remaining Fs. Trim and press. 4. For the nose you need both Hs and I. Place one of the white pieces on top of the pink as shown below. Sew a straight line from the top left white corner to the bottom right pink corner. Trim and press. 5. Sew the other white piece to the remaining pink short edge. 6. There are now three pieces of the head that you need to join, as shown. 7. Sew an E piece to either side of the head. 8. For the scarf sew the short edges together of K and L with the blue in the centre. 9. Now for the top part of the body you will need to add an easy triangle with 2 Ns to the opposite white corners on O and Q. 10. Add an easy triangle to the bottom of P using R. Trim and press. 11. Sew these three sections together. 12. With S and the remaining Ns, add easy triangles to the bottom corners. Join these two pieces together. 13. Add M to each side of the main body. 14. You now have your 4 main pieces ready to join together. 15. It should measure 11" x 18" at this point. Give it a good press and trim if necessary. Remember you need two snowmen for your finished quilt. Isn't he cute! @thefabricsquirrel thefabricsquirrel.com

  • A Vintage Christmas Advent Calendar

    Project by Nicola at Bobbin Cottage Bodkin Create your own fabric advent calendar that you can re-use every year using the new V&A fabric "A Christmas Wish". You will need: Christmas Wish FQ set Bosal Foam or Stiffener Tools: Basic sewing kit Sewing Machine Heat erasable pen Ruler Iron How To: 1. Cut 6 x 1.5” strips from the width of one fabric to make the binding. Cut 4 different 4.5” x 14” strips. The Advent base is 14” x 16” 2. Place R/S together and sew a 1/4” seam down the open edge. Turn out and press flat with the iron. Iron the bosal foam onto the base of the advent. 3. Match the centre of the base with the centre of the pockets by folding in half and marking. 4. Draw your first line & pin to secure, repeat by marking out 2 & 1/4” lines, and sew down each one. You will have 6 pockets per strip with a 1/4” left over each side to tuck under to neaten the edges. 5. Join the Binding strips (see picture A) Cut excess away. Fold in half lengthways iron, then fold each side into the centre and iron (see picture B) 6. See my previous tutorial for detailed pictures on how to bind the edges of your projects: https://www.craftcottonblog.co.uk/post/2018/10/03/twisted-pole-christmas-quilted-table-runner (step 13) 7. Add the advent numbers 1-24. I used my Cricut Machine and some iron on foil vinyl, but there are many other options. You can buy wooden or felt numbers or you could embroider them on yourself. Now fill with individual sweeties or little gifts and enjoy! See my A Vintage Christmas Bauble Tutorial for matching projects! Nicola Hills x @bobbincottagebodkin Made by Nicola Hills for The Craft Cotton Company 2021

  • Christmas Robin Table Runner

    Project by Michelle at Creative Blonde Follow this tutorial to make your own Christmas Table Runner, using these adorable Christmas Hare and Robin fabric. Please read through all the instructions before starting your project Finished size 21” x 66” (seam allowance 1/4” and has been added to measurements) Materials 34” x 24” piece of Holly on Blue 34” x 24” piece of Robins on Sage 34” x 24” piece of Hares on Blue 34” x 24” piece of Hares on Beige 24” x 12” Red with Gold Reindeer 23” x 90” piece of solid White Aurifil thread FQ Vlieseline Interfacing 23” x 70” Vlieseline 280 voluminous batting Haberdashery items · Quilter’s ruler, rotary cutter/scissors · Iron, Cutting mat · Basic sewing supplies · Fabric pen, A4 cardstock · Odif 505 temporary adhesive spray · Sew Easy 8.5” Dresden plate ruler · Simplicity Circle cutter ruler Lets get cutting… This quilt is made up of 3 dresden blocks, backed onto a solid white centre panel Cut out 20 plates from each of the three fabrics shown above, sew them together in a repeating pattern, each flower is made up of 20 plates. (note: one of each print will be missing from each dresden flower) Press seams open From the white fabric cut a 23” x 70” piece for the top. Cut two 23” x 4 ½” pieces and from the remaining piece cut three 5” circles. Hand sew with large tacking stitches around the edge of the circle. From the cardstock cut a 4” circle. Place the cardboard circle onto the white circle and pull thread to gather around. Press. Remove cardstock, and repeat with remaining two circles. Hand sew the circles in place to the centre of each dresden flower Cut 3” strips from the interfacing, roughly 5” long, and fuse to the reverse of the flower edges, fuse the inner edge first. Trim away excess interfacing and fuse edging. Take the dresden ruler and mark the curve 1/8” from outer edge, trim away excess. Fold the white top piece in half lengthways to find the centre, and pin the first dresden flower in place. Go ahead and pin the remaining two, either side. Sew ¼” from the outer edge and again at ½” from the outer edge. Sew ¼” inside the white circle. Baste to the wadding. For the backing, sew a white strip ( 23” x 4 ½” ) either side of the Hares on blue fabric, cut to measure 23” x 32 ½” Cut the remaining Hares on Beige fabric into two 23” x 15” and join either end of the white strips. Baste to other side of wadding. Quilt using your preferred method. Binding: Cut 1 ½” strips from the red fabric and join together to make one long strip, sew to the front edge of the table runner, press over ¼” and hand sew to the reverse. Christmas Robin Table Runner is complete… To see more of my tutorials or to place an order, you can head over my website www.creativeblonde.co.uk and/or Instagram page www.instagram.co.uk/michelle_creativeblonde and www.facebook.com/creativeblonde66 Stockist for Fabric www.visagetextiles.com https://www.facebook.com/craftcottonco Stockist for Aurifil Threads www.aurifil.com/ www.facebook.com/aurifil.quilt.thread Stockist for Vlieseline Wadding and Interfacing www.vlieseline.com/en/ www.facebook.com/VlieselineFreudenbergUK Made by Michelle Roberts for The Craft Cotton Company 2021

  • Week 4 - Present Block

    Project by Katie at The Fabric Squirrel The present block is super easy. You will need to know how to make flying geese but that's ok because you have made plenty by now. You will need two of these blocks. I have done one in blue and one in turquoise in the finished quilt. For the purpose of the instructions, I have referred to the blue one. Seam Allowance: ¼” Unfinished size: 8" x 10" Finished size (when sewn into your quilt): 7½” x 9½” CUTTING Width x Height (cut one unless otherwise stated) White Background 4½” x 2½” 2 - 2¼" x 2½” Pink 2 - 2½” Squares 2 - 1½” x 3¾ 8" x 1½ Blue 4 - 3¾" Squares INSTRUCTIONS 1. Make your flying geese with your white 4½” x 2½” and pink squares. 2. Add the white squares to either side of the flying geese. 3. Create your rows by sandwiching the smaller pink strips between blue squares. 4. Now sew your four rows together to finish your present block. You could easily recreate this in different sizes to make a fun quilt full of presents. This is block number 4 in my Christmas Block Along. For the previous blocks you can get to them here: @thefabricsquirrel thefabricsquirrel.com

  • Pets Christmas Stocking

    Project by Gill Rich What better way to spoil your pet at Christmas with this lovely Christmas stocking full of their favourite treats! You can make it as big or as small as you wish and finish it with a furry cuff and applique detail. To make this project, you will need the following:- ● One pack of fat quarters I chose from Craft Cotton Co ● Coordinating lining fabric ● Light fusible batting ● Co-ordinating thread ● Rotary Cutter and mat ● Pins ● Small piece of bondaweb for applique ● Fur for trim ● Small piece of ribbon for hanging Method 1. First you need to make your template. Draw your boot shape on the tracing paper, then draw lines within the boot, these will be your rough guide on how big and where to stitch your strips together. 2. Take two pieces of your fabric and stitch together, I used a 1⁄4” seam allowance. Following your template, stitch pieces of fabric together making sure that it is big enough to cover the boot shape. The heel piece is a bit awkward and needs a bit of fiddling around to get the overall shape. 3. I finished with a piece that was slightly wider than most of the other strips for the top. 4. Pin the paper template to your fabric strips aligning the lines with your seams as near as you can. Trim around your boot shape. Now repeat for the other side making sure that it is reversed when you cut it out! Next, place your fabric boot on your batting, pin and cut around your shape. You will also need to repeat this for the two lining pieces. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, press the fleece to the patchwork boot. With right sides together, stitch the two lining pieces. I usually use a larger seam allowance down the sides and around the foot as this saves “excess” fabric within the stocking. Trim the seams and snip the curves. With your patchwork stocking right sides out and the lining pieces wrong side out, place the lining in the main stocking and pin the top edges together. 5. Cut a piece of fur approximately 2” deep by the circumference of your stocking plus a seam allowance. If your fur is like mine with long fur, cut your piece from the back by snipping through the backing fabric, this will keep your fur long rather than just being chopped off! Place your fur piece inside the stocking with the right side facing the lining, stitch all the way around and then stitch down the edges to form your seam. Turn the fur to the right side levelling on your top seam and then glue the fur in place using dots of glue to stick it down. Leave to dry. To finish off, find yourself a nice shaped cat silhouette image on the internet and print o to the desired size, take your bondaweb and trace around the outline and roughly cut out. Place your tracing on your small piece of fabric and press down to adhere. Cut out on your traced line and peel off the backing. Place your applique on your stocking in the desired place and press down to stick. 6. Finally, attach your piece of ribbon to the back of the inside of the stocking and hey, you have finished your pet Christmas Stocking. Purrrfect for your feline friend! I hope that you enjoyed this tutorial. Please follow me on instagram at designbygill66. Or Facebook at Design by Gill. Made by Gill Rich for The Craft Cotton Company 2021

  • Christmas Elf Apron

    Project by Daisy Lawn Create your own apron for the holiday festivities with this fun Elf the Movie Christmas fabric. What you need -Old apron -1 metre of outer fabric -1 metre of inner fabric (I have used a heavier weight white cotton to give body and weight) -1⁄4 metre of contrast fabric for pocket -Scissors, machine, matching threads and bobbins Method 1. Fold outer and inner fabrics, lay together and using an old apron again folded, lay the folds together and cut around. 2. Cut out waist straps and neck strap 3 1⁄2” x The length which will be dependant upon your size. I used lengths of 28” for all and will alter the neck strap accordingly when attaching. Fold 1⁄4” along edge and press, fold approx 1” along opposite side and press, place the 1⁄4” fold over the raw edge 1” fold.....at one end make a 1⁄4” fold for the finished end 3. Cut out your pocket the length and depth you require (personal choice) This should be a folded piece of fabric so the pocket is nicely lined. Now all our pieces are ready. 4. Stitch the full length of all straps. 5. Stitch across the ends of the waist straps. 6. Lay the folded pocket fabric to your desired height. 7. Flip it over so the raw edges are facing upward and folded edge downward. 8. Stitch across. 9. Flip back upward to final position. 10. Mark where you want to divide the pocket ( I marked central) and stitch the divided marker and both sides in place (each side should have folded 1⁄4” ends). 11. Lay the outer unit face up and position the waist straps, pin and fold to the centre. 12. Lay the inner fabric on top and pin all around, stitch all around leaving the neck opening. 13. Turn right side out through the neck opening and press well, fold the neck opening inward 1⁄2” and position the neck strap, pin and place over your head to acquire the correct length. 14. Stitch in place with top stitching and continue all around the apron, final press. Made by Daisy Lawn for The Craft Cotton Company 2021

  • Week 3 - Sweet Block

    Project by Katie at The Fabric Squirrel There is something that feels very much like Christmas when you see swirly sweets, don't you think? So, I thought they would be a great festive addition to the quilt. You will need two for the final quilt, but the cutting and instructions are for one. Seam Allowance: ¼” Unfinished size: 12" x 10" Finished size (when sewn into your quilt): 12¾"+- x 6” CUTTING Width x Height (cut one unless otherwise stated) White Background 2 - 2¼” x 2" 4 - 2” Squares 4 - 3½" Squares Pink 2 - 4” Square 2 – 3½” x 6½” White Trees 2 - 4” Square 1. With your 3½" white squares and pink rectangles, make your flying geese as per the method in the Christmas Tree block. You need two. Trim to size if needed, they should be 3½” x 6½” at this point. 2. Now with your larger pink squares, draw a diagonal line from one corner to the other. 3. Place a pink square on top of a white tree square. Sew ¼” either side of the line you have drawn. Cut down the line. Press seams open and press. 4. Line the 45 degrees line on your ruler with the seam and trim to 3½”. Repeat this with all of your squares. You should have four of these half square triangles. 5. Arrange your squares as shown below. 6. Sew in pairs first. 7. Then sew your pairs together to create your square. 8. Now add easy triangles to each corner with your smaller white squares. Trim and press. 9. Now sew your flying geese to opposite sides of the square to create your sweet. Don't forget that you need two of these for your final quilt. @thefabricsquirrel thefabricsquirrel.com

  • No Sew Christmas Fabric Baubles

    Project by Nicola Hills Create some festive Christmas baubles to decorate your tree - without any sewing! You will need: Various fabric pieces from 1 set of ‘A Christmas Wish’ FQ set. Decorative Ribbon Polystyrene Baubles Christmas Bells,Buttons,Bows Tools: A craft knife A ‘pokey’ tool Dress makers pins How To: To start with I suggest you score the bauble simply so as to get a feel for this craft. Score 4 sections with the crafts knife about 1/4” deep to create quarters. Cut a piece of fabric that will fit the section with 1/4” excess all around. Place the fabric over the section and gradually begin to poke the sides into the score you made down each side. Repeat this for the remaining sections. Now take your decorative ribbon, wherever you start place a pin to hold the ribbon. Continue round to cover where the sections join, place as many or few pins as you need to secure the ribbon. This is very addictive and once you have done a few baubles your creativity will flourish! You can make them as simple or as complicated as your imagination and skill set allows! These Tiny baubles were just wrapped in fabric, but placed on the tree with the others look so effective. Its a great way of creating your own theme for Christmas as you can make co-ordinating items *see my Advent Tutorial* for matching projects! I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial, any questions please feel free to ask: @bobbincottagebodkin #craftcottonco We love to see your makes so do please share your no-sew baubles with us :) Nicola Hills x Made by Nicola Hills for The Craft Cotton Company 2021

  • Honeycomb Bee Drawstring Bag

    Project by Lesley at Hook, Stitch, Sew Keep ahold of that Summer feeling with this bee themed drawstring bag. Perfect for keeping sewing projects safely together in one place. Materials · Tropical Bohemian fat quarter set by The Craft Cotton Co. · Embroidery threads in yellow, black and white. · Pins. · Scissors. · Needle. · Paper. · Pencil. · Ruler. · Thread. · Ribbon – 50cm long. Method 1. Cut two pieces of fabric 28x32cm. These are your main front and back pieces. 2. Cut two pieces of fabric 30x10cm. These are your drawstring section front and back pieces. 3. Take the two drawstring section pieces and fold in the end edges in by 1cm, next fold in half (wrong sides together) so you have two pieces 28x5cm. 4. Take one of the drawstring sections of the bag along with the main front piece, place right sides together with the top raw edge of the main front piece and bottom raw edge of the drawstring section aligned. Pin, and sew along this edge to secure. Repeat with the main back piece and remaining drawstring section. 5. Draw and cut out a hexagon shape to make a template. Use this to make 2 more templates, giving you three paper hexagon templates. 6. Using these hexagon templates cut out 3 hexagons using a seam allowance of 1cm around the hexagon. 7. Fold the edges of the fabric around the hexagon template and use a tacking stitch to secure. Press. 8. Remove the tacking stitch and paper from the hexagon. Pin onto the front piece of the bag and sew around the edges of the hexagon 0.5cm from the edges to secure. 9. Using the embroidery threads sew on a bee using satin stitch. 10. Take the front and back piece and place right sides together, next starting 3cm down from the top edge of the bag sew a diagonal line inwards for 1cm, then turn and sew down the rest of the side. Repeat on the other side of the bag, then sew along the bottom edge. 11. Turn the bag out the right way and thread the ribbon through the top drawstring section. @hookstitchsew hookstitchsew.com By Lesley at Hook Stitch Sew for The Craft Cotton Company 2021

  • Week 2 - Christmas Tree Block

    Project by Katie at The Fabric Squirrel Today's block is the Christmas tree. It is a nice easy one and there are just three colours you need. You will need to make two of these for your finished quilt, but the cutting and instructions are for one. Just double up if you are making them both at the same time. You will make plenty of flying geese in this quilt, so I am putting the more detailed instructions here. This is just one method of making them, but I will cover another way later one in the block along. I have put together a mini video to help you. Seam Allowance: ¼” Unfinished size: 9½ x 15¼” Finished size (when sewn into your quilt): 9" x 14¾ CUTTING Width x Height Cut one unless otherwise stated Green: 3 - 9.5" x 5" White: 6 - 5" Square 2 - 4¼” x 1¾" Blue: 2" x 1¾ METHOD 1. Make three flying geese with your green rectangles and white squares. Using a fabric marker, draw a straight line from opposite corners. Use this as your stitching guide. 2. Place the squares on the edge of one side of the green and sew along the line. Trim. Press open. Repeat on the other side. You will need three of these. *NOTE - don't get rid of the offcuts, you can use these for some of the smaller squares later on in the block along. 3. With the three remaining patches, sew the short edges together to create the trunk. 4. Sew the 5 sections together to create your tree. Your tree is complete! Make sure you make two of these. @thefabricsquirrel thefabricsquirrel.com

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