Tuesday To-Do

Paper Piecing with stamps

I used this quick technique to make the house element for the title block.

1. Stamp image on cardstock and cut out. Note: this stamp is actually a large arrow, which I realised would be perfect as a house! It's from the It's All About...Arrows set by Banana Frog

2. Stamp another image on scrap paper and cut out the pieces you want to be in patterned paper to use as a template

3. Use to cut out patterned paper pieces. Note: another way to do this would be to stamp the image on the back of the patterned paper you want to use. then cut out directly.

4. Stick to base and embellish as desired

Then use on your project as desired.

The title letters are the Pharmacy stamps from Banana Frog. All other items used are from the March  kit from Scrapbook Takeout

Removable Cushion Cover

This tutorial is part of my new Flea Market Crafting series, where I describe crafts I have made using items picked up at flea markets, second hand stores or just found around the house.

Supplies & Tools

Old/vintage cotton sheet and thread to match
Embroidered handkerchief or doily and coloured thread to match design
Sewing machine with decorative stitches
Sewing scissors
Measuring tape
Pins
Iron
Pillow form - I used a 15"x15" one which is fairly standard

Instructions

Measure and cut a 16&1/2" square, and two 16&1/2" x 10" rectangles from the sheet

Center handkerchief on right side of square and pin together

Using coloured thread and a decorative stitch, stitch kerchief to fabric. Tip: practice the decorative stitch first on a scrap piece of fabric to ensure that stitch lengths and tension are correct. I learned this one the hard way!

Fold over 1/4" along long side of rectangle piece and press

Fold over again and press

Change thread colour and using a straight stitch hem the edge, and overstitch on the right side.

Repeat with other rectangular piece. These two pieces will form the back of the cover with an opening to make it removable.

With right sides together pin one rectangular piece to the top part of front as shown, with hemmed edge towards middle.

Then pin other rectangular piece to bottom part, overlapping the top piece, with hemmed edge towards middle.

Stitch all four sides together with a 1/4" seam. Remove pins, tie off and cut threads and turn to right side

Front

Back

Leave cover on right side and overstitch 1/4" from edge

Close-up

Insert pillow form and toss on couch!

This project should take you less than an hour. Please let me know if you have any questions! I am by no means a professional seamstress and I made this up as I went along so my instructions might only make sense to me!