January 2008 Archives

Materials required for each tissue holder:

• 2 pieces of fabric 6" x 6" (pattern may not be suitable for directional fabrics)
• Coordinating Thread
• 2 pieces of ribbon (grosgrain, satin, etc.)  7 ½"  each
• Temporary marking device, i.e., chalk
• Yo-Yo and/or Button, if desired
• Miscellaneous trim (yarn, ribbon, etc.), if desired.

Instructions:

1.      Using a chalk, marker or other suitable marking device, mark 1 ½" in from each edge on one side of one fabric square--on the RIGHT side of the fabric.

2.  Fold each 7 ½" strip of ribbon in half, right sides together.  Center over marks on fabric & pin on the RIGHT side of the fabric.

3.  Baste ribbon to fabric square, using 1/8" seam allowance on the RIGHT side of the fabric.

4.   Pull ribbon loops gently up out of the way.  Bring opposite edge up to match edge with loops, smooth & press in half (being careful NOT to press the ribbon) with RIGHT sides of the fabric together (wrong side out).

5. Press 2^nd fabric square in half.

6. Stitch sides using ¼" seam allowance.  Clip bottom corners. Repeat both seams and corner clips on other piece of fabric.

7.  Use your fingers to align one side seam with pressed bottom center crease, forming a triangle.  Pin.

8.  Measure from point up ½", mark a perpendicular line, stitch.  NOTE:  If you have pinned the point & side seam straight with the bottom center crease, you will form a 1" perpendicular line (triangle). See image below.

9. Clip off triangle point.

9a.  Repeat on other side. 

9b.  Repeat process for other piece of fabric.

10.  You should now have what looks like 2 square bottom bags (each unlined, one has ribbon loops on one side, both with raw edges).  Insert one unit inside the other with right side of both fabrics to the INSIDE.  Be careful to smoothly sandwich the ribbon loops. Match side seams carefully and pin.  Match raw edges all around.  Place one pin in center of long edge that does NOT have the loops.  Place one pin in center of each ribbon tail.  Place a 2^nd pin approximately ¾" or so toward the center away from the ribbon edge (see image below).

Use a ¼" seam allowance, backstitch at beginning and end to secure, stitch around top (raw) edge leaving approx. 2 ½" opening as shown in picture above.  Remove pins as you come to them, do NOT sew over the pins.  Remember to leave an approximately 2 ½" opening (between the two center-most pins on the "ribbon" side), stitch all the way around the top except for the opening.

11.  Press all the way around the top edge to set the seam.  Finger press apart/open the seam opening area, making it even with the seam allowance.  Press this area open gently with your iron.

13.  Determine which side you want to use for the lining and insert inside the other. Remember, this is a REVERSIBLE project, so you can change your mind later to show the other side. Smooth out nicely making sure to pay attention to the open seam allowance between the ribbon loops.

14. Choose how you want to finish.  You may wish to top stitch (using a straight stitch or a decorative stitch if your machine has one you like) all the way around (approx. 1/8' from the edge). 

Or, you may wish to apply a trim of some sort.  After top-stitching or applying trim (if desired), you may wish to embellish your holder with yo-yos and/or buttons.  Scroll down to see a gallery of samples for ideas and inspiration.

I couched a fancy yarn using decorative stitch in the picture below. 

Ribbons, beaded trim, feathers, fuzzy trims, etc....all look great!  Once your trim is secure, clip threads.  Insert tissue packet.  Pull ribbon loops around (exposing the right side) to secure tissue packet inside.  Want to see the reverse side of this one?

How do you secure the loops?

How do use the new packet without removing from the holder?

I came up with these two easy, peasy ideas:

• Take an exacto knife and make your slit right where you need it, place in your cover. OR;
  
• Remove the tissues from the plastic packaging and place directly inside your pretty cover.
• If giving as a gift, place the unopened travel tissue pack inside the cover with a little note explaining that the recipient should remove the plastic & slide the tissues back in the cover. 
  

These two ideas solve the problem and keep your pretty travel tissue covers in use.

A 3rd alternative...try making my new travel tissue holder pattern (to be released soon!).

Photos, images & text ©Tracy L. Chapman & Sew Thankful Inc. January 2008.  All rights reserved.
Permission to copy and distribute this complimentary pattern at no charge to others, for personal or NON-PROFIT use, for guild and group projects or for making small quantities to sell at craft fairs and such is granted provided all copyright information and references to Sew Thankful are kept in tact on each and every copy printed/distributed.  The above permissions do NOT include or permit the re-packaging or sale of this pattern itself.

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Which do you prefer?

Isn't it time to treat yourself to better quality?  Pretty fabric napkins add a special element to your table.

Click here for a printable PDF file  (note, you must have a *recent* version of Adobe Acrobat Reader available for free from www.adobe.com -- sorry, we are unable to provide tech support for adobe software products).

1.  Wash, dry and press your fabric. Quality quilting cottons are WONDERFUL! You can use leftover scraps from previous projects as long as the piece is large enough to make one napkin.  We like having lots of different prints to choose from--everyone gets to choose their favorite.

2.  Decide what size you want your napkins to be. 

• For luncheon size napkins, I like 12" square or larger (finished size). 
• For dinner or more formal occasions, I like 18" square or larger (finished size).

3.  Rotary cut your fabric squares.  If you want 12" finished napkins, cut 13" squares.  If you want 18" finished napkins, cut 19" squares. 

4.  On one raw edge, fold and press ¼" to the wrong side. Fold again ¼" (now you have a double fold) and press again.  Repeat on raw edge of the opposite side.

Pin ends for extra security if necessary.

5.  Fold corners & press.

6.  Fold raw edge up ¼" & press.  Repeat on opposite side.

Make a 2^nd ¼" fold, press & pin corners (and middle if desired) to secure.

Repeat on opposite side.

7.  Top-stitch along the edge all the way around, removing pins as you go (do NOT stitch over pins).  You may use a straight stitch or a fancy stitch if your machine has the capability.  The fancy stitch makes a special touch.  Backstitch to secure & clip threads.   Congratulations, you have a beautifully finished fabric napkin! 

Here's one I made (shown folded) using a fancy edge stitch.

Here's one I made (shown folded) using a straight stitch:

IDEAS:

1.  Fabric napkins make great gifts!  For busy friends who have *everything*...make a set of pretty napkins that match their decor or special interests. Make a stack of 4, 6, 8,10, 12 or as many as needed.  Tie with a fabric ribbon.  Makes a fantastic hostess gift.

2.  Make a special friend a small gift basket:  fill basket with a couple "specialty" handmade fabric napkins, coffee cups, special coffees or teas or hot chocolate packs, maybe a couple muffins or cookies, etc.

3.  If you have small children, keep a stack of fabric napkins handy.  Kids love the soft fabrics and prints much better than paper PLUS they work better for spill cleanup. 

4.  If you're running short on placemats, open up a fabric napkin...looks great and keeps the table more tidy.

5.  For some REALLY special napkins, you could hand paint or stencil designs or monogram.

Be SEW GREAT in 2008. ENJOY making fabric napkins for yourself and friends! 

"The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover ALL war wounded and injured servicemembers and veterans from the War on Terror..." 

There are many sewing and quilting groups across the USA that get together regularly to make/donate quilts to the QOV Foundation for distribution to wounded veterans.

The work of this group is amazing!  To learn more about it, click here.