When Penny and I design patterns for Sew-Ichigo we always want to think of some practical uses for them. We always put our creations in the Sew-Ichigo Flickr group and we hope you will do the same! For Penny's The Button It pattern I wanted to use them to make a button card to feature in a generously sized tray to store mini projects.
I used Ayumi's tray pattern scaled up so I though I would share my measurements in case you wanted to do the same. Firstly I printed the Button It pattern a little smaller so the buttons would be 2 1/2" finished size rather than 3"- set your photocopier at 83% for this.
Once I had made 5 buttons using the new Liberty Lifestyle prints and a blank square 3 x 3" of Kona snow, I stamped some fabric with Made in England and Buttons and then sashed them together. There are tips on using stamps here. I did a little extra piecing at the top to get fit the selvedge in but the measurements are the same as below.
I used a single strand of embroidery floss to turn the selvedge circles into tiny buttons and 6 strands of floss to make the buttons look as if they were stitched on to the card.
My final touch at this stage was to use the 6 strand floss to make a single stitch as if a button was missing from the card. The block was sashed all around with 6" wide strips of Essex yarn dyed linen in flax and I trimmed it down so the button card was at an angle, this measured 16" x 20".
I then followed Ayumi's tutorial! I used fusible fleece, Vilene H640 which is the only interfacing I can truly trust not to go wrong! It adds structure and softness and is great for pillows and bags too. I quilted lightly, just following the sashing seam lines on the button cards and a diamond criss cross on the linen. The gusset measured 8 1/2" but you could change this to have lower sides and a wider base.
I top stitched the sides to make it stand up. And then I popped it in the post for Ayumi! It was her birthday present. We can all never have enough storage and Ayumi's tray pattern is so easy to adapt and make a series of trays Russian doll style!
Penny will be sharing another of Ayumi's tutorials; the fabric basket to show you further uses for the patterns and you can buy for 'Button It' and 'Rainbow Rack of Spools' here and here. I am seeing some great ideas coming up in the Flickr group so I fancy sharing a gallery of those soon too!
Great idea for the button card, love the stamping :o)
ReplyDeleteThankyou Katy x
DeleteDouble cheers H x
ReplyDeleteThis fabric tray is living happily in its new place ;) I love seeing it with the fabric basket. Too cute together!
ReplyDeleteI just know it will be happy in your home!
DeleteThe tiny stitches in the selvedge dots is pure genius!!! Hugs, L
ReplyDeleteIt just came to me when I was looking at the selvedge, gotta be my favourite but of the block!
Delete