Tutorial - Fabric Gift Tags

Fabric Gift Tags

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Materials

·         Fabric - each strip is 14cm x 11cm

·         Heavy weight fusible interfacing

·         Thread

·         Rotary cutter or scissors

·         Large eyelets

·         Calico and stamps for the inner tag

·         Ribbon

STEP 1

Using the template cut strips of fabric 14cm x 11cm. You can vary the measurements to suit you.

Using the smaller template cut the interfacing. You’ll need the interfacing narrower and shorter than the size of the fabric strip.  You’ll need one piece of interfacing for each strip of fabric you cut

STEP 2

Sewing the tags

Take a fabric piece and lay the interfacing onto it in the centre. Iron it together. Place another piece over the top of that with wrong sides together. Sew along the edge using a 1.5cm (1/2”) seam allowance. I have used a decorative stitch around the edge of my tags.

STEP 3

Inner tag

Stamp the calico or just keep calico plain. Cut around the border with the pinking shears. Stitch the tag down on the topside of the tag. I used a decorative stitch here as well but a straight stitch is fine. You can also hand stitch it if you like.

STEP 4

Eyelets

Using the template as a guide mark the spot where you want to eyelet to go. Following the manufacturer’s instructions insert eyelets to the tags.

STEP 5

1. Cut a piece of ribbon about 30cm long.

2. Fold in half and thread the ends through the eyelet.

3. Double them back and pull them through the loop of ribbon at the other end.

4. Pull gently until it is looped over the end of the tag.

STEP 6

Write on them and attach them to your handmade gifts! 

TEMPLATES

click to enlarge and print

Please feel free to post this on your blog or facebook but please revert credit back to me. The idea is obviously not original but the words and images are copyrighted. Thanks xoxo

Tutorial: Bottle Bag ... great Christmas gift!

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This is something I'm putting together for work but will gladly share it here first!

Do you want to make something for someone special but hard to buy for this Christmas? Why not a bottle bag?

BOTTLE BAG

Materials:

• 17cm (6 ¾”) of 110-115cm (44-45") wide holiday or novelty print fabric 23cm (9” of fabric for a larger bottle)
• Approximately 50cm (19 ¾”) of 2.5cm (1")  wide or narrower ribbon
• Bodkin or safety pin
• Taylors chalk
• Scissors
• Thread

STEP 1

Cutting the fabric

Cut a 17cm (6 3/4") wide band of fabric leaving the fold intact. Measure 46cm (18") from the fold and cut so that you have a 17cm x 46cm (6" X 18") piece of folded fabric.

STEP 2

Marking the fabric

Working with the fabric folded and the right sides together, mark both sides of the fabric, with a dot 26.5cm (10 1/2") and 29cm (11 1/2") from the folded edge on each side.

STEP 3

Stitching the side seams

Using a 1/4" seam allowance, stitch the side seams, leaving the 2.5cm (1") area between the blue dots un-stitched. Backstitch where you stop and start stitching to reinforce the seam.
Press the seam open, clipping the seam allowance at the fold.
Apply a seam finish to the seam allowance raw edges.

STEP 4

Square the bottom of the bag

At the bottom of the bag, fold the fabric to match the seam line with the bottom fold line, creating a triangle.
Measure 2.5cm (1") from the point in on the seam allowance.
Stitch perpendicular to the side seam, as shown in the diagram.

STEP 5

Preparing the top of the bag

Turn under 1/4" on the top of the bag, bringing wrong sides of the fabric together. Press well.

Step 5 cont.

Fold the top of the bag, wrong sides together, so that the turned under top edge is just below the bottom of the opening in the side seam.

Press the top folded edge keeping the fold even across the top of the bag. 

 

STEP 6

Sew the Ribbon Casing

Stitch on each side of the side seam opening, to create a casing for the ribbon.

 

STEP 7

Drawstring, Alterations & Tips

Press the bag as it was sewn. Turn the bag right side out and press.
Use a safety pin or bodkin to thread the ribbon into the casing. Thread the ribbon around the casing twice, bringing the ribbon in opposite directions through the front casing, with one end out each side.
Place the bottle in the bag. Gather the casing by pulling the ribbon. Tie the ribbon, enclosing the front of the bag.

 

Additional Ideas

• Use machine embroidery on the centre of the bag before assembling.
• Appliqué an image on the front of the bag before assembly
• Use glitter and metallic fabric for a special New Years Eve gift bag.
• For a larger bottle, such as the 1.5 litre bottles, change the width of the 17cm (6 ¾”) measurement to 24.5cm (9") and make the bottom corner stitches, 5cm (2") in from the end of the triangle.
• Leave out the casing and simply use a ribbon to tie around the outside

Leave out the casing and attach a handle to the bag on the outside (see instructions below)

BOTTLE BAG WITH HANDLE

Materials as for bottle bag

STEP 1

Fabric cutting as for bottle bag

For the strap cut one strip 68CM (26 ¾”) from fold and 6cm (2 ¼”) wide.

STEP 2

Marking the fabric

Working with the fabric folded and the right sides together, mark both sides of the fabric, with a dot 29cm (11 1/2") and at 27cm (3/4” further down) from the folded edge on each side.

STEP 3

Stitching the side seams

Using a 1/4" seam allowance, stitch the side seams.  

Press the seam open, clipping the seam allowance at the fold.
Apply a seam finish to the seam allowance raw edges. 

STEP 4

As for the bottle bag

STEP 5

Preparing the top of the bag

Turn under 1/4" on the top of the bag, bringing wrong sides of the fabric together. Press well. 

Fold the top of the bag, wrong sides together, so that the turned under top edge is just below the bottom of the marks made at the side seam.

Press the top folded edge keeping the fold even across the top of the bag.

STEP 6

Preparing the handle

Fold the fabric strip in half lengthways and stitch together.  

Using a bodkin or loop turner turn the handle right side out.
Press and fold back 2cm of each end. Press these flat.

STEP 7

Attaching the handle

Attach the folded back ends just under the stitch line at the top of the bag.  

Reinforce the handle with a cross stitch.

STEP 8

Tie the top of the bag with a ribbon

 

Please note I am happy to share this. It is not exactly something original! If you do use it please refer back to me and remember all images and words are mine.

If you do make one please let me know, I'd love to see it and also would love to know if the instructions are ok :)

Birthday Treats ...

WOW

I have had such a busy month that there hasn't been any time to blog for the last 3 weeks!

I am going to dedicate this entry to all the delicious treats I got for my birthday

I wont scribble too much, just post the awesome pics of the FANTASTIC delights I was lucky enough to receive from my beautiful family and friends ...

Pete was in Sydney recently and knowing I am a FREAK for owls and that I love photography and independent work, he bought me this photo from a gallery ...
I L-O-V-E it so much!



My sweet sister who is awesomely talented painted this portrait of me! I also LOVE LOVE L-O-V-E it!



I received some beautiful cards ...



My friend Lucy sent me these fabulous Owlies ...




I was also given a beautiful wool blanket/wrap/pashmina, a bottle of tequila with a scorpian, some amazing perfumes, some spotlight vouchers and so much more!

My bestie over in the UK sent me a bottle of bubbles and some sweet orchids! I had a great day and fabulous party that night ... even if I don't remember a great deal of it!

Meet Me at Mike's ...

Last week my DH was away in Melbourne for work. Because of the work he does, he had a day or two free to wander around. He usually does some shopping for the kids at the Vic Markets, or picks me up an excellent Waterhouse or Dali print. ( Love a good print!) And after seeing the originals of Dali's in 1993 and Waterhouse in 2002 (Love and Death: Art in the Age of Victoria) oh my, oh my ... there are no words

 

This time when he asked me if there was anything special I wanted from Melbourne I said

"Sure is!". 

Meet Me at Mike's the book, by Pip Lincolne hadn't really made it into the bookshops nearby then and I really REALLY wanted to get a copy so I gave the poor man a map and a mission!

He's the first one to tell me I have an overload of crafting materials but he seemed to be more than happy to take trek to get the book.

I sent a message to Pip on Facey letting her know that DH was coming in and to keep an eye out for him! After he walked about 8 k in the wrong direction (yes, he forgot the map!) He managed eventually to find Meet Me at Mike's on Brunswick St.

Cam offered to get Pip to sign the book so Pip was dragged out of her kitchen and obligingly gave me a Hurrah on the front page.

An excellent treat all around, I do love my DH. He's excellent.

Green Bags ... and Pink, Purple and Black ones too!

Here are some of the green bags I've been wipping up ... Calico bags will be following soon too but for now here are some non woven polyprop bags with excellent appliques on them just for you and your market/shopping/library/gift bag useage!

Let me know what you think

BrisStyle Market MANIA

THIS IS A COPY OF THE LATEST BLOG POSTED ON BRISSTYLE ABOUT THE UPCOMING MARKETS ON SATURDAY

Oh! You better watch out,You better not cry,You better not pout,I'm telling you why:BrisStyle is coming to town!
(town in this case referring to the sweet suburb of Hamilton)
Only five more sleeps until the very first BrisStyle market! It’s just as exciting as that other big event which takes place later in the month involving the chimney sliding shenanigans of one very jovial fellow with an odd fondness for furry red suits.


(a selection of some of the delights created by stall-holders)
Approximately 30 BrisStyle members are participating in the market, so there certainly will be a diverse range of well-crafted and exciting wares on offer. It promises to be a fun and festive day, with live music, and tasty treats and refreshments available in the beautiful courtyard of the charming old Hamilton Town Hall. Also, BrisStyle’s favourite radio station 4ZzZ will be broadcasting live from the event in the afternoon as part of the popular and award winning At The Local program which is hosted by BrisStyle member Olivia (Scampsville) between 1pm and 2pm every Saturday. And if you ever miss the program the good news is that you can always listen to their podcasts anytime.

This market is the first of many that BrisStyle plan to have in the future and it was decided that the group will support a different local charity at each market event. The stall-holders will be donating a gift or voucher towards a raffle prize and tickets will be sold on the day, with all money raised being donated towards the chosen charity. The charities will also be given the opportunity to have a stall (at no charge) at each market to further promote themselves and provide information about what they do. The charity BrisStyle are supporting this Saturday is Knitting For Brisbane’s Needy and all the details can be found here about this crafty cause.

For those who are unable to attend the market, here is a list of all the participating BrisStyle member Etsy shops to check out at your leisure. From wherever you happen to reside. We certainly don’t want our faraway friends to feel left out of the fun!

BeckybeanBellabijouxBettsykingstonBugs in RugsEmBelISHHot FudgeHot ToffeeJellygniteLittle DivaLittle Mary MooMade by MaisieMade by MiffyMimooMiss Kitty Boo BooNot Sew ShabbyOgekkoPedrosproutRaspberryPinkReReadRuby 2 Go GoRuby Red StudiosSalt Sea TeesScampsvilleSharlzndollzStratDesignsSunshadowTees2KneesTrinkets & RosesTwinkle Star ArtWicked Child Designs
This little piggy will be going to market, and then this little piggy will be going Wheee! Wheee! Wheee! all the way home…happily loaded with lovingly handmade Christmas gift purchases!

Need a gift for Christmas?

TRY HERE - Myself and many other talented Brisbane ladies will be meeting here to sell gorgeous handmade, one of a kind items. Perfect for Christmas gifts!

HAMILTON TOWN HALL
CNR Rossiter Rd and Racecourse Rd
Hamilton

SAT 13th DEC 2008

9am - 4pm