Made: Items made in our classes and shop this month

We have been really busy recently, thinking up and trying out new patterns as well as guding our students through making some of our most popular items. We have had a really successful first holiday sewing club and Tracey is trying to plan a new patchwork / quilting class which we are really excited about.

All of these items were made in the shop.

The zip up make up bag was made in our holiday sewing club, isn't it great? I love the bright apron too.

The Penny pleat bag (shown here in the dolls fabric) is one of our new patterns that will be available soon.

Hope this inspires you to make something soon, or join us for a class. Please see the Sewing Workshops section of our website for details.

Happy sewing,

Kelly

Focus: Elements beginner patchwork and quilting class

We are regularly being asked about the various classes and workshops that we hold at the Owl and Sewing Cat so 'Focus' is a new series looking at each class in turn. All images are of items that can be made in this class.

What is the name of the class?
Elements

Who is it for?
Anyone who would like to learn the basics of patchwork and quilting and make a lovely cushion. The front of the cushion is pieced together and quilted and applique motifs are added. This is then made into a cushion practicing other various techniques on the back (adding a zip etc).

When does it take place?
Our next class is on Tuesday 28th August. The class is either run by the owner of the shop, Tracey, or our tutor Yvonne.

What can you make?

A beautiful cushion for you to take home. The front of the cushion is pieced together and quilted and applique motifs are added. This is then made into a cushion cover practicing other various techniques on the back, adding a zip, buttons etc depending on the design.

How much does it cost?

It is £38 plus fabric costs.

How do I come along? 
Look at the class page for dates and then just give us a call on the number on our website to book your session. If possible we ask that you choose your fabric before you come so we have plenty of time for learning and sewing.

I have not yet decided which class we will feature next month, if there is one you would like to know more about please leave a comment.

Inspiration: Teacher's Gifts

Suddenly the end of term is upon us and it is the perfect time to make a little something to say thank you to your or your children's teachers.

We have some brilliant ideas for simple gifts to make. I have added a link to all of the tutorials that we have on our blog.

Envelope cushion - brilliant quick make, just one piece of fabric and four straight lines of stitching.

Two fat quarter cushion - very similar to the above but made with two fat quarters.

Tote bag - something for your teacher to take all her other gifts home in.

Bunting - really easy to make and everyone loves a bit of bunting to cheer up a room.

All of these items were made in our Open Sewing Session from fabric bought from our shop. We have lots of new fabrics in the Owl and Sewing Cat online store that would be perfect for these.

Coming soon: Holiday Sewing Club

We now have details of classes running throughout the summer on our website. One of the ever popular sessions we will be running is our Sewing Club for 10-16 year olds.

If you are (or know someone who is) a young person interested in learning to use a sewing machine come along to one of our sessions and you can learn to make something special. We have a new project each session and Tracey takes you through the whole process from start to finish.

The dates and projects are listed below. Sessions cost £20 and include all the fabrics you need.

10th July - Pencil case

24th July - Apron

7th August - Bag with decoration

21st August - Monster cushion made from felt - design your own

Please contact us by telephone or pop into the shop if you are interested in booking one of the classes.

Happy sewing,

Kelly

Tutorial: Envelope cushion from two fat quarters

Requirements 

Two co-ordinating fat quarters (a fat quarter is 50cm x 56cm) 
One 16” cushion pad/insert 
Pins 
Tape measure 
Thread 
Sewing machine (or hand sewing needle) 
Fabric scissors 
Pinking shears 
Trims as required ie. Pom poms, rik rac, buttons etc. 

1.Place the two fat quarters together with right sides of the fabric facing each other. Then stitch the two fat quarters together down one of the shorter edges and then press open. At this stage add any trims that you would like, on this example we have used pom poms along the centre seam. 

2.Decide which fabric you would like to have less of showing on the front and then cut a 3” strip of the end of this fabric as shown below. 

3.Fold the fabric in half lengthways and trim the width down so it measures 16.5” wide as shown. 

4.Take one of the shorter edges and turn up by 1cm and press all along the edge and then turn up again by another 1cm and press so that the raw edges are hidden, as shown below. Then stitch along this edge, to hold back where you have pressed. Repeat this with the other short edge. 

5.With right sides facing up, mark with a pin on the bottom edge, 5.5” along from the seam (where the two fabrics are joined) on the fabric that you want the least of, as shown below. Then repeat on the top edge. 

6.Measure 16” along the bottom edge from the pin and mark this point with another pin and this will mark out the front of your cushion, and then repeat on the top edge. 

7.Take the shorter side and fold over from the pins as shown. 

8.Take the other side and over lap from the pins across as shown. This forms the overlap of the envelope cushion. 

9.Pin the top and bottom edge and stitch along where pinned 1cm from the edge ensuring that you stitch right to the corners.

10.Trim the two side raw edges with pinking shears to avoid fraying. 

11.Turn the cushion so that all the right sides of the fabric are on the outside and then give a final press with the iron. Insert the cushion insert/pad through the opening and your lovely cushion is finished.

Tutorial: Quick and easy envelope cushion

Requirements:
Fabric 40”x 16.5”
16” cushion pad
Sewing machine
Tape measure
Scissors
Pins


1. Cut a length of fabric 40” wide by 16.5” long, and lay with right side down, so the wrong side is therefore facing you. Then mark with pins 12" in from each end along the width, on the top and bottom edge, as shown below:

2. On both ends (the shorter sides) turn and press the edge under by approx ½”. Then turn under again approx ½” and press. Then stitch in a straight line along the edge as shown below, and repeat this process on both short ends.

3. Fold over both sides of the fabric, right sides together, to the pin points earlier put in place and pin along the top and bottom edge. This will mean that there is an overlap in the centre, and the fabric now forms a square shape. Then machine stitch a straight line along the top and bottom edge using a 1/4” seam allowance as shown below:

4. Then turn inside out, so that the right side fabric is on the outside and press the seams. Then put the cushion pad in through the overlap, and your cushion is complete. If you wish decorative bows, buttons or ties can be added across the overlap. 

HAPPY SEWING