crafting Archives - Spindles Designs by Mary and Mags

Star and Heart Banner

May 10, 2013 by Margaret Leave a Comment

Another project for my family room. I’m so excited to put something else on my boring walls. It could also be for the 4th of July or you could make them any shape you want.

Supplies:
fabric – 4 or 5 colors
backing fabric
batting
ribbon – cut 2- 4 inch pieces and 8- 10 inch pieces
Any shape pattern piece. I made mine on the computer.

Instructions:

Choose your fabric.
Cut fabric into 2 1/2 inch strips.
Sew strips together.
Cut shapes out of sewn strips.
Pick the order shapes will hang. Shapes on the end need a way to hang on the wall. Take 4 inch ribbon piece, fold in half to make a loop, pin in desired spot on shape.
Pin 10 inch connecting ribbons in place. Tip: pin ribbon tails away from edges so they don’t get caught in stitches.
Cut shapes out of backing fabric and batting.
Pin front and back shapes, with right sides together, and the batting on the back.
Sew around shape with 1/4″ seam, leaving an opening to turn.
Clip curves and corners.
Turn and press. Tip: Use a knitting needle or crochet hook to turn points.
Sew opening closed or you could use glue.
Machine quilt as desired.
Tie ribbons together connecting shapes.
Hang on the wall and enjoy.

Happy Sewing!
Margaret

I would not consider myself a very green person most of the time. I try to recycle and use reusable things, but I am not always that good at it. I did succeed at being a cloth diapering mom for quite a while, then work got in the way. There is one area that I do tend to be green, when I shop for groceries (as long as I don’t forget the bags at home). I had purchased a few reusable bags from our local Winco and collected a few more from other places but they just did not hold up to my crazy bag filling. I decided to make my own and I hit Google for some ideas.

Thanks to Wendy at Wisdom of the Moon for her great tutorial on making simple reusable grocery bags, I now have bags that can withstand my crazy bag filling ways.

The tutorial used old sheets while I used some great food fabrics I got from my grandma. I cut a variety of fabrics into strips then sewed them together to make the 18″ x 42″ rectangles (well, they were about that size, I didn’t really plan or measure my strips…). Then followed the tutorial from there.
I love these bags. They are roomy and strong. I also tend to get compliments about them as they are so colorful and bright.

Mary Catherine

Flag Blocks

May 1, 2013 by Margaret Leave a Comment

We’ve lived in our house a little over 3 years now and I’m finally getting around to decorating my family room. I was waiting for some sort of inspiration that wouldn’t brake the bank. I had a few pictures on the wall and I hung a flag quilt a couple of July’s ago, I liked how it added a little color to the room so I left it up. I had planned on taking it down when I decorated. The inspiration hit a few months ago – Why not use the flag quilt year round?

So, the room is slowly being decorated in Americana. When I saw the Flag Blocks on Pinterest I thought it would be the perfect addition to my room. So like the rest of Pinterest I had to make one too.

Brown Paper Packages has a great step-by-step tutorial that will have you making these blocks in no time.They are so easy to make – perfect for a busy mom.

Happy crafting!

Margaret

Hugging Bunnies

April 28, 2013 by Margaret Leave a Comment

Like my sister, I grew up at craft shows. My parents’ business began when I was about a year old. Being so young around all of the fabric, wood, paint, and hot glue I was not a lot of help. I was only given truly important jobs, like hugging every single stuffed bunny my mother made.

With so much influence and such important jobs, it is no wonder my first quilt was finished when I was about 14. It was a nine-patch (like my sisters, common theme?). I also quilted it by hand, but I used a large embroidery hoop rather than traditional quilt frames. I did not do a lot of sewing during my teen years other than this quilt, but it definitely left an impression on my future of sewing and crafting.

Now as a wife and mother, I enjoy making things for my home, my in-laws, and of course my husband and daughter. I like to do things myself (after asking my mom if it will work) and I am no longer afraid of my sewing machine.

Mary Catherine

I was never going to sew or craft!

April 24, 2013 by Margaret Leave a Comment

I was never going to sew or craft!

My parents owned a craft business when I was growing up, so I was surrounded by fabric, wood, paint, and hot glue. I became quite the pro with the glue gun. I remember burning my finger tips so often that I would joking say to my mom, “I hope I never have to learn braille.” By the time I graduated high school I never wanted to see another craft show. It was the summer after high school graduation mom taught me to quilt. I was board and didn’t have a job. I can’t think of any other reason I would have considered using the sewing machine for fun. Mom assured me quilting was much different than mass craft sewing – and she was right. I made my first quilt, a Nine Patch made from fabric out of my Grandma’s stash. I even hand quilted it – with the help of my very talented mom. I was hooked to quilting. It has been many years since that first quilt. I still quilt. I even sew for my home and family, but what surprises me most – I like crafts shows.

Margaret