Sewing - Soap Pouch

I made a few of these towels so I used the scraps to make these soap pouches.  Cut any towel or facecloth 4”wide by 10”.  I cut my towel so I could use one factory finished edge for one end.

Serge the other short edge to prevent fraying. I happen to have white thread in my serger but it doesn’t matter what color the serger thread is because it is tucked inside.

With right sides together, fold up the factory finished edge to 3.5” and pin - you're going to turn it right side out after sewing so you want this edge to show. Set aside.

Fold a 4” piece of grosgrain ribbon in half.

Pin your loop at 4” from the bottom fold to the inside of one of the edges.

Now measure up from the bottom fold again to 4.5” and mark.

Fold on these marks with right sides together and pin.  Sew the sides closed.  Turn your pouch right-side-out and you are finished.

Our daughter gives us some of her homemade soap.  It fits just fine in the pouches as well as any regular size bar of soap.

You can take the soap out after each bath to let the pieces dry separately or you can just hang the whole thing up to dry until the next time.

These soap pouches exfoliate and suds.   Not only handy for in the shower but they also double by leaving a nice scent in the bathroom.  They smell so good - could also use them for pretty smelling drawer sachets.

I made a few of these towels so I used the scraps to make these soap pouches.  Cut any towel or facecloth 4”wide by 10”.  I cut my towel so I could use one factory finished edge for one end.

Serge the other short edge to prevent fraying. I happen to have white thread in my serger but it doesn’t matter what color the serger thread is because it is tucked inside.

With right sides together, fold up the factory finished edge to 3.5” and pin - you're going to turn it right side out after sewing so you want this edge to show. Set aside.

Fold a 4” piece of grosgrain ribbon in half.

Pin your loop at 4” from the bottom fold to the inside of one of the edges.

Now measure up from the bottom fold again to 4.5” and mark.

Fold on these marks with right sides together and pin.  Sew the sides closed.  Turn your pouch right-side-out and you are finished.

Our daughter gives us some of her homemade soap.  It fits just fine in the pouches as well as any regular size bar of soap.

You can take the soap out after each bath to let the pieces dry separately or you can just hang the whole thing up to dry until the next time.

These soap pouches exfoliate and suds.   Not only handy for in the shower but they also double by leaving a nice scent in the bathroom.  They smell so good - could also use them for pretty smelling drawer sachets.

MDS 142 Our Family Scrapbook Page

 

MDS makes it very easy to change the colors of your photos as I did for this layout.  If you are thinking about digital scrapbooking, you can download MDS (My Digital Studio) for a free 30 day trial period.  Click on the ‘Shop Now’ button at the top of my Blog for more info.  You will be hooked.

Page before adding photos.

 

 

Background:  Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Night and Day\Night and Day - pattern 8.
Embellishments: Eyelets\Silver – eyelet, Eyelets\Old Olive - eyelet
Stamps:  Torn Edges\Torn Edges - hand torn, Bold Branches\Bold Branches - fancy family.
Punches:  1.25 Square Punch Filled with: Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Night and Day\Night and Day - pattern 6, 1.25 Square Punch, Fill Color = GUMBALL GREEN, Jewelry Tag Punch.

 

MDS makes it very easy to change the colors of your photos as I did for this layout.  If you are thinking about digital scrapbooking, you can download MDS (My Digital Studio) for a free 30 day trial period.  Click on the ‘Shop Now’ button at the top of my Blog for more info.  You will be hooked.

Page before adding photos.

 

 

Background:  Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Night and Day\Night and Day - pattern 8.
Embellishments: Eyelets\Silver – eyelet, Eyelets\Old Olive - eyelet
Stamps:  Torn Edges\Torn Edges - hand torn, Bold Branches\Bold Branches - fancy family.
Punches:  1.25 Square Punch Filled with: Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Night and Day\Night and Day - pattern 6, 1.25 Square Punch, Fill Color = GUMBALL GREEN, Jewelry Tag Punch.

Sewing – How to Make Bias Tape

 

The difference between bias tape and binding is that bias tape is cut on the bias of the fabric and binding is cut with the grain.  You can use binding for any straight edge, but if you have a curved edge you will want to use bias tape. Because it’s cut on the bias, it stretches and will "bend" to a curved edge that a straight grain strip will not without kinks and warping.

Open your fabric with no folds.

 

 

Grab the left corner of your selvage edge.  Bring it up to the cut side to create a 45 degree angle.

 

 

Grab the right corner of your selvage edge and fold up on top of the first fold matching your folds.

 

 

I cut off the extra fabric as I knew I didn’t need that much bias.

 

 

Cut off a really thin strip on the left fold.

 

 

Because I have a bias tape maker, I cut my strips to fit it – 2” wide.  This tutorial will work with whatever size strips you’d like.

 

 

You will be left with two triangles on the right that I don’t usually use.

 

 

If using plain fabric as I did, draw a chalk line at each end of the bias so you know which sides are the right sides.  Do this to all your strips.

 

 

Now match your ends with right sides or chalk lines together – it’s kinda like making a partial letter X.

 

 

Stitch them together with a scant 1/4" seam allowance.

 

 

Press your seams flat.

 

 

Sometimes I don’t pay careful attention and they don’t end up very straight but that’s ok.  My bias tape maker will turn those ends under so nobody is any wiser!  And I wonder why I can’t quilt??!!  Maybe I got my answer!!  LOL

 

 

There is a handy little hole in the top of my bias tape maker that allows you to move the fabric through with a pin.

 

 

With the iron in one hand and the little handle of the bias tape maker in the other, simultaneously slide the bias tape maker backwards and press the tape immediately as it comes out at the front. The raw edges will be folded neatly into the centre of the tape.

 

 

Press the bias tape in half, allowing approximately 1/16" of overhang on one side. Measuring is unnecessary, just eyeball it. Press the entire length, pressing on the outside, so that the inside of the bias tape face one another - this makes your bias tape 4 layers thick.

 

 

I got about 100” of bias from my 21” square of fabric that I started out with and I didn’t use the smallest pieces!

 

 

You are now ready to attach your binding!

 

The difference between bias tape and binding is that bias tape is cut on the bias of the fabric and binding is cut with the grain.  You can use binding for any straight edge, but if you have a curved edge you will want to use bias tape. Because it’s cut on the bias, it stretches and will "bend" to a curved edge that a straight grain strip will not without kinks and warping.

Open your fabric with no folds.

 

 

Grab the left corner of your selvage edge.  Bring it up to the cut side to create a 45 degree angle.

 

 

Grab the right corner of your selvage edge and fold up on top of the first fold matching your folds.

 

 

I cut off the extra fabric as I knew I didn’t need that much bias.

 

 

Cut off a really thin strip on the left fold.

 

 

Because I have a bias tape maker, I cut my strips to fit it – 2” wide.  This tutorial will work with whatever size strips you’d like.

 

 

You will be left with two triangles on the right that I don’t usually use.

 

 

If using plain fabric as I did, draw a chalk line at each end of the bias so you know which sides are the right sides.  Do this to all your strips.

 

 

Now match your ends with right sides or chalk lines together – it’s kinda like making a partial letter X.

 

 

Stitch them together with a scant 1/4" seam allowance.

 

 

Press your seams flat.

 

 

Sometimes I don’t pay careful attention and they don’t end up very straight but that’s ok.  My bias tape maker will turn those ends under so nobody is any wiser!  And I wonder why I can’t quilt??!!  Maybe I got my answer!!  LOL

 

 

There is a handy little hole in the top of my bias tape maker that allows you to move the fabric through with a pin.

 

 

With the iron in one hand and the little handle of the bias tape maker in the other, simultaneously slide the bias tape maker backwards and press the tape immediately as it comes out at the front. The raw edges will be folded neatly into the centre of the tape.

 

 

Press the bias tape in half, allowing approximately 1/16" of overhang on one side. Measuring is unnecessary, just eyeball it. Press the entire length, pressing on the outside, so that the inside of the bias tape face one another - this makes your bias tape 4 layers thick.

 

 

I got about 100” of bias from my 21” square of fabric that I started out with and I didn’t use the smallest pieces!

 

 

You are now ready to attach your binding!

MDS 142 – Happy 1st Birthday

 

A super quick page to put together!  MDS Software is easy enough for beginners, but includes a variety of tools for advanced designers too.  Not only is the software free for 30 days but there several free downloads that you can grab and have a play with too.  That said though, there is so much content already loaded in the software itself that you may or may not want to add more to it until you have had a play.  Click on the ‘Shop Now’ button at the top of my Blog for more info.

Page before adding photos.

Background - Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Bella Rose - designer series paper\Bella Rose – 4.
Embellishments - Staple & Stitching\White - Simple Stitches line 11, Designer Kits\Downtown Grunge - embellishments\Downtown Grunge - frame5, Delightful Digital Tape\Delightful Digital Tape 5 - transparent (re-colored), Designer Kits\Downtown Grunge - embellishments\Downtown Grunge - tape 2 (re-colored).
Stamps - Designer Kits\Lemonade Stand\Lemonade Stand - happy birthday, Bring On the Cake.
Punches - Eyelet Border Punch.

 

A super quick page to put together!  MDS Software is easy enough for beginners, but includes a variety of tools for advanced designers too.  Not only is the software free for 30 days but there several free downloads that you can grab and have a play with too.  That said though, there is so much content already loaded in the software itself that you may or may not want to add more to it until you have had a play.  Click on the ‘Shop Now’ button at the top of my Blog for more info.

Page before adding photos.

Background - Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Bella Rose - designer series paper\Bella Rose – 4.
Embellishments - Staple & Stitching\White - Simple Stitches line 11, Designer Kits\Downtown Grunge - embellishments\Downtown Grunge - frame5, Delightful Digital Tape\Delightful Digital Tape 5 - transparent (re-colored), Designer Kits\Downtown Grunge - embellishments\Downtown Grunge - tape 2 (re-colored).
Stamps - Designer Kits\Lemonade Stand\Lemonade Stand - happy birthday, Bring On the Cake.
Punches - Eyelet Border Punch.

Workshop Cards – W097, W098, W099

Here are my creations from Joanne’s October workshop.

W097

This is such a pretty card in real life!  The scanner has done it no justice!  Maria’s Blog has the instructions on how we made the star.  Very pretty!

Paper: Smokey Slate, Island Indigo, White, Winter Frost DSP.

Stamps: Festive Flurries, Warmth and Wonder (both from the 2013 Holiday mini).

Ink: Island Indigo, Pool Party, Versamark.

Embellishments: Silver EP, Dazzling Diamonds, Festive Flurry Framelits Dies, White Organza Ribbon, Elegant Lines EF, Circle Cutter, Frosted Finishes Embellishments.

W098

Paper: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Newsprint DSP.

Stamps: Simply Sketched (2013/2014 Hostess), Itty Bitty Banner.

Ink: Soft Suede.

Embellishments: Pencil Crayons, Lacey Brocade EF, sponge.

W099

Joanne CASED this card from a card at the back of the 2013 Holiday mini catalogue.

Paper: White, Winter Frost DSP.

Stamps: Warmth and Wonder (from the 2013 Holiday mini).

Ink: Pool Party, Versamark.

Embellishments: Silver EP, Pool Party ribbon, sewing machine.

Thank you for stopping by.  Both Joanne and I are SU! demonstrators so if at any time you would like to purchase SU! products, give her a call or from my Blog, click on the Shop Now button.  Your order will be delivered right to you (you do have to give SU! a street address, not a box #).

Here are my creations from Joanne’s October workshop.

W097

This is such a pretty card in real life!  The scanner has done it no justice!  Maria’s Blog has the instructions on how we made the star.  Very pretty!

Paper: Smokey Slate, Island Indigo, White, Winter Frost DSP.

Stamps: Festive Flurries, Warmth and Wonder (both from the 2013 Holiday mini).

Ink: Island Indigo, Pool Party, Versamark.

Embellishments: Silver EP, Dazzling Diamonds, Festive Flurry Framelits Dies, White Organza Ribbon, Elegant Lines EF, Circle Cutter, Frosted Finishes Embellishments.

W098

Paper: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Newsprint DSP.

Stamps: Simply Sketched (2013/2014 Hostess), Itty Bitty Banner.

Ink: Soft Suede.

Embellishments: Pencil Crayons, Lacey Brocade EF, sponge.

W099

Joanne CASED this card from a card at the back of the 2013 Holiday mini catalogue.

Paper: White, Winter Frost DSP.

Stamps: Warmth and Wonder (from the 2013 Holiday mini).

Ink: Pool Party, Versamark.

Embellishments: Silver EP, Pool Party ribbon, sewing machine.

Thank you for stopping by.  Both Joanne and I are SU! demonstrators so if at any time you would like to purchase SU! products, give her a call or from my Blog, click on the Shop Now button.  Your order will be delivered right to you (you do have to give SU! a street address, not a box #).

MDS 141 Meeting Baby Sister Scrapbook Page

 

I started out with paper #7 from the Sunset Serenade DSP kit.  Just added a little of this and that and presto!  MDS Software is easy enough for beginners, but includes a variety of tools for advanced designers too. Anyone can try it FREE for 30 days! Click on the ‘Shop Now’ button at the top of my Blog and download it (item 130910) or you can order the MDS Trial Disc 10 Packs (item 132919) to get it into your hands!

This is #7 paper from the Sunset Serenade DSP

Background:  Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Sunset Serenade - designer series paper\Sunset Serenade – 7.
Embellishments:  Designer Kits\Strength & Hope - elements\Strength & Hope - circle 1, Designer Kits\Downtown Grunge - embellishments\Downtown Grunge - frame 1, Designer Kits\Strength & Hope - elements\Strength & Hope - circle 1, Designer Kits\Strength & Hope - elements\Strength & Hope – love, Designer Kits\Strength & Hope - elements\Strength & Hope - colored polka dot, Round Buttons\So Saffron – button, Baker's Twine\Baker's Twine - White knot.
Stamps:  Designer Kits\Back to School\Back to School - grunge piece, Color = NOT QUITE NAVY, Elizabeth\Elizabeth - element, Color = NOT QUITE NAVY.
Punches:  Extras\Flag Punch, Borders\Tasteful Trim Shape 2, Extras\Flag Punch, Oval Punch, Fill Color = SO SAFFRON, Extras\Butterfly shape – 1.

Page before adding photos.

 

 

I started out with paper #7 from the Sunset Serenade DSP kit.  Just added a little of this and that and presto!  MDS Software is easy enough for beginners, but includes a variety of tools for advanced designers too. Anyone can try it FREE for 30 days! Click on the ‘Shop Now’ button at the top of my Blog and download it (item 130910) or you can order the MDS Trial Disc 10 Packs (item 132919) to get it into your hands!

This is #7 paper from the Sunset Serenade DSP

Background:  Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Sunset Serenade - designer series paper\Sunset Serenade – 7.
Embellishments:  Designer Kits\Strength & Hope - elements\Strength & Hope - circle 1, Designer Kits\Downtown Grunge - embellishments\Downtown Grunge - frame 1, Designer Kits\Strength & Hope - elements\Strength & Hope - circle 1, Designer Kits\Strength & Hope - elements\Strength & Hope – love, Designer Kits\Strength & Hope - elements\Strength & Hope - colored polka dot, Round Buttons\So Saffron – button, Baker's Twine\Baker's Twine - White knot.
Stamps:  Designer Kits\Back to School\Back to School - grunge piece, Color = NOT QUITE NAVY, Elizabeth\Elizabeth - element, Color = NOT QUITE NAVY.
Punches:  Extras\Flag Punch, Borders\Tasteful Trim Shape 2, Extras\Flag Punch, Oval Punch, Fill Color = SO SAFFRON, Extras\Butterfly shape – 1.

Page before adding photos.

 

Sewing - Baby Ribbon Tag Blanket from a Face Cloth

 

No matter what toy you give a baby, have you noticed that they play with the tag the most?  Why not make them a toy that is all tags!  Babies can easily grab hold, and they love to feel the different textures.  Perfect for little hands just learning to grasp, these blankets are great for tactile development.  Be creative - use different colors and textures. I use various widths of satin and grosgrain ribbons.

You need 2 face clothes to make these.  Prewash them.  I’m going to leave the tag on the face clothes in place as it is a bit noisy/crinkly to the touch.

 

 

Choose ribbon that coordinates or contrasts with your cloth. Cut 16 pieces about 7” in length.

 

Fold ribbon in half so that the cut ends meet and wrong sides are together.  Sew ends together, chaining as you go.

 

 

Seal the ends with a lighter.

 

 

Mark wrong side of face cloth for the ribbon placement with chalk. Because my clothes weren’t square, I used 2.25” spaces on my short side and 2.5” spaces on my long side, starting at 2” from the corners.  Place ribbon on wrong side of face cloth at each chalk mark, leaving them extended about 2”.  I like to leave lots of ribbon inside the cloth so it doesn’t pull out.

 

 

Place the second face cloth on top.  Hammer all four corners to reduce thickness.  I placed a piece of wax paper on the corners so as not to leave any marks.  Pin and sew close to edges.  Sew another seam approximately ½” from your original seam.  The topstitching really helps the blanket maintain shape through the wash.  We know they will be washed often!

 

 

Once the blanket is completed, wash it before giving it to baby. You can also attach teething toys, etc to the ribbons for added fun!

 

No matter what toy you give a baby, have you noticed that they play with the tag the most?  Why not make them a toy that is all tags!  Babies can easily grab hold, and they love to feel the different textures.  Perfect for little hands just learning to grasp, these blankets are great for tactile development.  Be creative - use different colors and textures. I use various widths of satin and grosgrain ribbons.

You need 2 face clothes to make these.  Prewash them.  I’m going to leave the tag on the face clothes in place as it is a bit noisy/crinkly to the touch.

 

 

Choose ribbon that coordinates or contrasts with your cloth. Cut 16 pieces about 7” in length.

 

Fold ribbon in half so that the cut ends meet and wrong sides are together.  Sew ends together, chaining as you go.

 

 

Seal the ends with a lighter.

 

 

Mark wrong side of face cloth for the ribbon placement with chalk. Because my clothes weren’t square, I used 2.25” spaces on my short side and 2.5” spaces on my long side, starting at 2” from the corners.  Place ribbon on wrong side of face cloth at each chalk mark, leaving them extended about 2”.  I like to leave lots of ribbon inside the cloth so it doesn’t pull out.

 

 

Place the second face cloth on top.  Hammer all four corners to reduce thickness.  I placed a piece of wax paper on the corners so as not to leave any marks.  Pin and sew close to edges.  Sew another seam approximately ½” from your original seam.  The topstitching really helps the blanket maintain shape through the wash.  We know they will be washed often!

 

 

Once the blanket is completed, wash it before giving it to baby. You can also attach teething toys, etc to the ribbons for added fun!