Busy Sunday

For some reason my weekends usually are jam packed full of things I have to do or need to do, well today was no exception...except I did what I wanted to do. I sewed. Spent all day in the craft room sewing up a storm and making items that I could list for sale. Knowing that the holidays are just around the corning, I decided that I needed to make some small items that customers could pick up fairly cheap as stocking stuffers or gift exchange items.

In total there were 7 jewelry pouches, 2 drawstring pouches and 4 kleenex holders. All but one jewelry pouch was listed today in my ArtFire studio, so if you see something you want you better grab it now. Here is the site link: Dana's Jewelry Design or you can just click the ArtFire Studio picture over on the right. It is hard to imagine that I'm already thinking about the holidays but when you have to get items ready to sell then you have to start early.

I did join in a new fun group this weekend just for me. It is a Yahoo Group called ArtCharms and was created by the authors of the book Making Mixed Media Art Charms & Jewelry. These gals are a hoot. If you are into art, jewelry, all things weird and unusual and swaps, you would fit right in. Here is the group link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ArtCharms/

I did make a couple more items this weekend but the dogs wouldn't sit still long enough for me to take a good picture. Maybe tomorrow. I hope you are having a great day.

May Sewing Tutorial - Kleenex Holder

Everybody and I mean everybody needs one of these...okay maybe not the men in our lives (I bet you could make one for a man to keep at his desk or in his car...just choose manly fabric) but all women need to have one of these in their purse, totebag or backpack. Do you know how nasty it is to pull a kleenex out of your purse and you don't know if you've used it or not because it is all scrunched up. Yuk. Make these for all your friends and family members for presents. They will appreciate it. Way too easy not to make, but it is easier if you have a sewing machine.

So, what do you need besides the travel kleenex packs? Material any old kind will work. You can even use up scrap fabric or old cotton shirts, jeans, etc. that you want to recycle. Since this is my first time at a sewing tutorial, bare with me and please ask questions if something isn't clear.

Instructions:

1. Cut two pieces of fabric 7" x 6", these can be the same fabric or two different coordinating fabrics.
2. I choose to use some scrap fabric I had left and the floral will be the outside with polka dots on the inside.
3. Line up your pieces right sides together as shown.
4. Sew the short (6") side on both ends together. I used about a 3/8" sem allowance.
5. Both short sides have been sewn.
6. Turn fabric to the right side, press or finger press the seams flat. 
7. I always make sure my kleenex pack will fit. Your now finished seams will be at the center of the pack. Be sure to have your lining or inside fabric on the outside now. Remember mine was polka dots.
8. Fold the sides to the middle. I overlapped the center by just a bit as I had a little extra when measuring in step 7. Basically you are making an envelope to insert your kleenex into.
9. Sew the side seams reinforcing the middle where most of the stress will be from opening and closing the pack.
10. I went ahead and zig zagged the edges but you don't have to. Be sure to trim off all your loose threads.
11. Turn your holder right side out as the polka dot was my inside fabric.
12. Finished holder
13. Insert your kleenex into your new holder.
14. Nice seam in the front. You could have top stitched the front seam before going onto step 7 if you wanted a more finished look.
15. Finished holders. Note the creamy one with the colored swirls and flowers on the right side was not overlapped in the middle prior to sewing the side seams. Still looks good.

I know this looks like a lot of steps, but these can be whipped up in a matter of minutes. I know that we were going to visit a family member and I wanted to take a little something for her and just 10 minutes before leaving I decided to make her one of these. Quick as a jiffy it was done.

I'm sure there are lots of patterns out there for kleenex holders, but this is my take. I do have these for sale in my shop but feel free to make as many of these as you like and if you don't want to make one....come visit my ArtFire studio and I'll make one special for you.