Square Tops and Baprons with a Pocket

I made three of these for the little girls at our 4th celebration.


The instructions are here at Lil Blue Boo.











I also made Baprons found here.  I made them out of oil cloth and laminated cotton.  I also added a pocket because if the bib doesn't absorb then it will just slide down into their lap.

The red ones are also reversible. 

Now I'm off to work on a faux chenille blanket.  Sewing all those lines is a pain!

Bible Cover

I saw a Bible cover here but no tutorial so I decided to make my own.  There are no measurements here because every Bible is a different size, even the two I covered.  I will show you how I decided on the size.  So here goes...

I measured the Bible from top to bottom and cut a strip of butcher paper that width plus 1 inch so I would have a 1/2 inch seam at the top and bottom..

 Then I folded in the sides and cut it to fit the book when it was closed.  This became my pattern for the cover.

 I made 2 covers two different ways.  For this one, I folded in the the flaps and cut the cover that size plus 1 inch.

I then cut a piece of fusible batting that is 1/2 inch shorter and narrower than the cover and ironed it on the wrong side of the cover.

 

I used the flap size to cut the fabric for the 2 flaps and again I cut the fusible batting 1/2 inch shorter and narrower than the flaps and ironed it on.

 I used the batting size to cut another piece of fabric to go over the batting.

Set aside the cover because you have to make the pocket next. This pocket went sideways and I put twistable crayons in it.  I just laid my fabric remnant on the cover to guesstimate width and cut it.  As long as it fits the cover, the size is up to you.  I used a crayon to decide where to fold it and then pressed the folds.

I folded the top flap so it would go under the front so there is only the front of the fabric visible.  I know this is confusing but I'm not sure how to explain all this.  Hope the pictures help.

This is what you should have at this point.

I ironed on some fusible interface to the back to add some stiffness.  Now sew up the sides and turn right side out. Press.

I marked a line in the middle and then measured from there out.  I made the outside pocket a little wider because I will be sewing along the side to attach it to the cover.  I used snaps but I think a loop and button would be better.  It's hard for the girls to snap it shut on top of a crayon.

Now sew the left, right and bottom of the crayon pocket to the front of the cover.  I left the top open and put a small blank book that I made in there.

  Now back to the cover.

On the outside, back you will pin the handles and loop.  I just estimated the length of the handles and cut them the same size.  I used a hair rubber band for my loop.  Now place the inside flap with right sides together over this and seam up this edge being sure to catch the handles and the loop in the seam.  I back stitched over the handles and loop several times to add some security.

It should look like this.  Repeat with the handles on the other side.  I lined them up with the first handles so they would be even.

This is what you now have, pocket is attached and the handles and loop are also attached.

 I put the cover on the Bible and marked where the seams would need to be.

 I pressed the edge under where I had marked.  Then you will sew only one edge at this point with the right sides of the cover and flap together.  Then fit it back on the Bible to make sure you have the other seam marked correctly.  Then you can sew the final seam and turn right side out.  I sewed all the way across the bottom to sew down the edge.  I also iron this edge down using some seam tape so it would stay in position for sewing.  Place the cover on the Bible and mark where you need to add a button for the closure.  I did this last but you can also do this before sewing the flaps, it would probably be easier.

 This shows the pocket for the book.  I made some small blank books out of scrapbooking card stock and duck tape.

And there you go...  With no measurements!  This first one I made was one piece that included the flaps.  I sewed the handles to the outside and the loop to the back.  I made the pocket go lengthwise and put twistable colored pencils in it.

Pattern Weights

I love these!!  I made bunches because I enjoyed making them as much as I enjoy using them.

 

I started with some 2 inch washers and this time I added some nuts.  Not sure of the size but these were the largest I could find at the big box store.

I glued the washers together in stacks of three.  I only glued 2 nuts together.  I used my glue gun because that was what I was going to use for the ribbon so why not.

Here they are before the ribbon.

I glued the end on the inside edge at a bit of an angle and started wrapping the ribbon around, gluing a spot with each wrap.  It takes a little more than 4 feet of ribbon for the washers.  It takes less than 3 feet for the nuts.  This all depends on the size of the washers or nuts and the size of the hole in the center so you may want to err on the side of too long when you start.  I used a 15 foot roll to start with ( a real pain pulling all that ribbon through the hole) and then measured to see what was left to get an idea of how much I would need.

And there you go.

I did the nuts the same way but didn't like the overlap so I used a ribbon that was the width of the side of the nut and then added a ribbon around the sides for good measure.  The next one of these I cover I am going to try a 1/8 inch ribbon to see how that works.

 Here are some more and even od picture of them in use.  I like to print patterns on card stock and this makes using them so much easier.  Enjoy!

It's Been a LONG Time

 I'm better at making things than talking about them.  Here are some of what I have made lately.

Here are some drawstrings sacks I made.  One is for driving cars and the other is for a tea set.

 

During Spring Break I let the 3 older girls paint a piece of fabric and then I used their creation to make them a beret.  They had a good time and I learned alot about the type of paint I had bought for them.

I made all the kids PEEP shirts for Easter.

Doll dress to match one I made Emma.

I made my son's kids benches that will sit by the train table.

Draw String Backpack with Attached Carrier for 18" Doll

 Cut list:

2 pieces for the backpack 12"x15"

1 carrier front

2 Six inch pieces of binding

2 Pieces of cord 36"-60" inches long (depending on size of the child)

Here's my first try at a tutorial hope I can make it clear enough for you to make this string backpack with attached doll carrier for the little girls in your life.  I used denim for my backpack.  First I wanted the finished string backpack to be about 11"x14" so I cut 2 rectangles approximately 12"x15".  These will make the drawstring bag/backpack that the doll carrier will be attached to.

Cut out the front piece on the fold using a PDF file that I am still trying to figure out how to include here.  This is what it looks like.

Use bias tape to cover the top and 2 leg openings.  I used a binder foot for this and was amazed at how easy it was.  I have discovered many new "feet" for my machine that make many things easier!!

 

 Attach 2 snaps at the top of this piece about 2.5-3 inches apart.

Now I decided I wanted a one inch casing along the top of the bag portion, so I marked a line across the top of my 12x15 pieces of fabric 2 inches from the top. Snip both sides about 1/4 inch in.  Fold this small piece in and press.  Top stitch this so the casing edge is sealed.   Fold the casing down and stitch in place. 

 Place the front doll carrier piece on one of the 12x15 inch pieces lining up with the bottom and sides.  Baste in place. Sew the two 12x15 pieces together on the 2 long sides and the bottom.  You need to cut four 2inch x 2 inch pieces of fusible interfacing.  Iron these on the bottom corners to reinforce the fabric where the grommets will be placed.

 

Turn right side out.

Cut two strips of flat binding six inches long.  These will be the shoulder straps for the doll.   I sealed the ends of my binding with a lighter so they wouldn't fray.  You could use fray ender also.  Attach the other half of the snap to one end of the 6 inch binding.  Snap to top of carrier.  Sew the other ends along the stitching for the casing directly above the snaps on the carrier piece.  These will not be tight, there needs to be room for the doll. 

Attach grommets to the 2 bottom corners.  

Now, you're going to insert the cord to draw the bag closed and to act as the backpack straps.  Cord length depends on size of child.  I use about 1 yard for each side on this example but the child I'm making it for is small.  You may need a longer length.  Thread the cord through opposite sides so they will gather when both are pulled.  Thread them through the grommets and tighten to fit your child. I bought this cord in the macrame section instead of fabric.  It was $2 for 15 feet and the cord in fabrics was around $1.49 a yard.

Add doll and adorable child and you're done!