Sewing For Pleasure Exhibition March 2010

Crafting Goodies

My Goodies

This huge exhibition has so many talented artists and many interesting crafts to explore.

My favourite stall holder was 21st Century Yarns, with their hand dyed yarns and cloth. I am going to be using these threads for a few different projects. A silk embroidered hand/clutch bag, an embellished cushion.

I also purchased some 100% cotton yarn,  hand dyed in Chile by Araucanía Yarns. It’s a smooth thick yarn, pictured in blue, black and green. Can’t wait to make myself and my son a snuggly scarf with the lush one-off hanks. Each one sold creates more opportunities for the local people of Chile, bringing new skills, jobs and hope fr the future.

Check back here soon to see what I make of these super lush fabrics.

Knitting Terms and Size Charts – UK – US

Yarn and Needle sizes

It’s important to know that you’re using the right sized tools when doing any project. Here are some terms and size charts used when Knitting.

Knitting Needle Sizes

Easy – No Zip – Cushion Cover

How to make an easy no zip cushion cover

Cushion Cover

A no zip cushion is not only super easy but super safe for toddlers as they can’t scratch their faces on it. Here’s how I put this together.

I found that it was more expensive to buy the oblong shaped cushion inner than a larger square one. So I thought I’d just make one myself from one square inner.

For this cushion I took an Ikea INNER inner cushion 50cm x 50cm (20×20 Inches) and halved it so I could make two cushions for my sons toddler bed. To do this you can mark the centre with a pen both sides. Using running stitch follow the line you’ve drawn and tie off. This will help squish the poly fill down so you can run a machine over it. Make a channel using the line as a guide and cut down the centre of this channel sealing and separating the two halves.

If using different inner cushions for this project you need to measure the longest side and double this number and add 5 inches to get the length of material you will need. Then measure the shortest and add 0.5 inches this will be your width. Otherwise follow the measurement below. I always use a ¼ Inch seam allowance. All my measurement include this unless stated.

Instructions
43″ x 10″ Piece of Fabric of your choice (includes enough for an overlap)
Sewing Thread
Sewing Machine (optional, but would be quicker)
Pins
Measuring Tape

Directions

Step 1

Double over the hem on the 10″ end as pictured. Pin in place. Repeat on the other end of the fabric so both ends are the same. This should cut the length to 42″.

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Boys KRITTER Chair seat cushion cover project

Checkered Flag Cushion

Children’s Ikea Furniture Foam Seat and Cover

Materials:
1 piece of 10″x10″x1″ Seating Foam
(2)  10.5″ square pieces of fabric
(1)  1.5″ x 42″ strip of fabric
43″ + 23″ length of Bias Binding or piping strips
Black or Red Sewing Thread
Sewing Machine
Sewing Pins

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10x10 Foam

10.5x10.5 Inch Fabric and Long Strip

Binding or Similar Cording

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Instruction Guide:
These are not exact instructions. But hopefully will provide you with enough of a guide to try it out yourself.

Pin pieces together

Pin your pieces together rights sides facing with your cording wedge between them. Remember that the fold in your binding or cording has to be put right edge inside.  So when turned out it is facing the right way.

The shortest length of edging will be at the back. Each of the ties are 6.5 inches in length. The rest of the edging will run from the back  right round the front back to the other side at the back.

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