Snap Purse for Teacher Appreciation Gift!

Need a quick and easy gift to put together before Teacher Appreciation Week is over?

We've sewn up a sweet snap purse for Kadences teacher. 

These make great last minute gifts - it takes less than an hour to complete, and you can make one with as little a couple FQ's or fabric scraps and even a novice and put this together.

I used some left over Heather Bailey fabric (a favorite of mine) and the Snap Tape Purse Tutorial HERE.

To get the "clutch" size I adjusted the pattern by cutting my outer fabric 8x8 inches and my lining 8x12.

I also added a little strap and used the left over selvedge edges to add a decorative ruffle.

This came about by pure laziness - I wanted a ruffle but didn't want to mess with a narrow hem. It turned out super cute - and seems to be everyone's favorite detail!

Are you sewing up any gifts for the teachers in your life before school is out for the summer?

Lined Snap Tape Purse Tutorial

Fully Lined Snap Tape Purse Tutorial

(approximately 5x4 inches finished)

Supplies:

- (2) five inch pieces of measuring tape (cut edges covered with masking tape)
- Outer fabric 7 ½ by 5 ½ inches
- Lining/Casing fabric 11 ½ by 5 ½ inches
- Fusible fleece (light weight) 7 ¼ by 5 ¼
- Hem gauge
- Basic sewing kit

Use ¼ inch seam allowances

Outer:

Center fleece on WS outer fabric, fuse according to directions

Fold in half RST matching short sides, sew sides, leave top open

*Optional- box corners, sew in ½ inch from outer edge, trim

Turn right side out
Press

Lining:

On short edges press a ¼ inch hem,

then turn under 1 inch and press very well

Open hems back out
With RST fold in half matching short sides and pressed hem lines

Sew sides, leaving top open

*Optional- box corners, sew in ½ inch from outer edge trim
Do not turn

Construction:

Place lining inside outer purse fabric WST making sure it is all the way down matching side seams and *boxed corners

Fold hem in lining down over raw edge of outer bag, this will create your casing

Slip measuring tape under hem into casing, making sure numbers face inside of bag

*Trim tape edges to fit if necessary

Baste hem in place, using basting stitches (recommended) or pins

Turn bag inside out and top stitch around entire casing, careful not to catch measuring tape with your needle

Turn bag right side out. Press if necessary 

Ta-da! You're done! And no ugly raw seams on the inside!

This snap purse can be made to any dimensions! Just make the lining fabric 4 inches longer than the outer fabric, and follow directions above.

 Have fun whipping these out!

Fabric Origami Kimono Tutorial

At one of our recent Ogden NG meeting Jackie taught us an origami technique to make little fabric kimonos!

Below I've posted a step by step tutorial so you can make one (or two, or three...) yourself! Super quick and easy - they are a minimal effort/major reward project. Great stash buster!

Fabric Origami Kimono Tutorial

All seam allowances 1/4 inch
Cut fabric:
(1) 16 x 9 main fabric (for body)
(1) 16 x 9 contrasting fabric (for sleeves)
(2)  2 x 9 strips from 3rd fabric (for collar)

body fabric + lapel strip

sleeve fabric + collar strip

With Right Sides Together sew 1 collar strip to each of the larger fabric squares. Press seams.

Sew fabrics RST. Leave an opening at the bottom for turning.

Turn right side out and press. Slip stitch opening closed.

With "sleeve" fabric side up fold collar in half and press.

(* fold towards the fabric that you want to be the sleeves)

Turn fabric over, "body" fabric side up. Fold bottom up 3 1/2 inches. Press.

Turn over again, "sleeve" fabric side up. Bring folded bottom edge up to the collar seam and press.

Fold in half to find center, press lightly

Measure 3/8 inch from center crease on one side

Fold down top corner to 3/8 inch mark. Press.

Repeat on other side.

Fold outer edge in to meet lapel edge. Repeat on other side.

Tuck edges under collar 

Slide your finger into the "sleeve" and tug outwards slightly.

Adjust as necessary. Press.

Add beads, charms or buttons to embellish the lapel.

If your making a quilted wall hanging,

you'll want to mount your Kimono on the quilted background for stability. 

Use either fabric glue or using a slip stitch.

Have fun!

If you do make one be sure to link to it in the comments section!

Stash Purge Party this week!

Hello Friends!

It's my Birthday and I would love for you join me for cake, and then help me purge my stash!

I have recently "redone" my studio,

and now I have tons of stuff that must go:

Fabric, Patterns,Trims, Ribbons, Beads, 

Notions & More!

No set prices - just donations as you see fit.

I can't think of a better way to spend my Birthday than hanging out with you, and maybe seeing you leave with a few goodies of your own!

See you there!

(contact me for more details)

Summer Discounts for ASG Members

Check out our newly updated Discounts page!

Your American Sewing Guild membership can more than pay for itself when you take advantage of the many generous offers from our sewing industry supporters -- discounts on sewing products, publications and events, 

plus free shipping and more! 

The Summer 2012 issue of ASG Notions is out with a list of more than 70 Special Offers from 

advertisers. In addition to many ongoing offers, you'll find 13 updated listings, plus 11 brand new offers.

Duct Tape Double Date

Six of us turned out for the Duct-tape Double Date class last week, 

we got a lot accomplished and made some new friends!

Tamra was such a great help - she's really become a Pro at wrapping up ladies in Duct Tape...

We even attempted a "pants" double on Bev - we didn't get as far as stuffing and adding the final layer of tape - so I'm hoping that it turns out as awesome as we envisioned!

I would love to create a tutorial for making a duct tape dress form, so if anyone wants a Duct-Tape double and feels brave enough to be photographed along the way let me know!

Join us for a Duct Tape Double Date - take 2!

Wish you had a dress form that perfectly matched your measurements? 

Join us tomorrow for a Duct Tape Double class and make yourself a dress form that looks exactly like you! 

This class is FREE!

Light refreshments will be served.

see you there!