Little Sew and Sew

simple makes

book ha ve a b oyou tu tevh eer FE LT SE W GO OD Little Sew & Sew includes 15 stylish sewing projects that range from simple bags and pretty purses to essential cotton tops and delicate detachable collars. The book also features 15 unique and versatile patterns for adding charming embroidery to all the projects. Cleverly, the projects can be mixed and matched, or used individually to create an endless number of combinations. Little Sew & Sew is an ingenious resource of ideas that will prove to be an irresistible and indispensable guide to sewing and embroidery.

This book is part of the Simple Makes series, a new, creative and affordable set of illustrated step-by-step books that are suitable for all crafters, no matter what their level of skill.

sew &sew Little

30 delightfully simple sewing and embroidery projects

Christine Leech

about the autho Christine Leech has been an avid

£12.99

h flaps ack wit Paperb 49 275 1 jects mm 49 978 18 s 210 x 210 luding 30 pro e c g in a , p 128 words graphs 0,000 Over 2 colour photo ons ati 0 Over 5 colour illustr 5 3 2 1 r 0 e 2 Ov ay ation M Public Ltd lishing lle Pub e s Quadri u bra Ho Cross Road Alham haring LS C 1 3 – 27 H0 n WC2 Londo adrille.co.uk u www.q

r

crafter since childhood, sewing menageries of felt animals, wardrobes of dolls’ dresses and has always refused to buy a greetings card when a handmade one could be sent instead. She has over fifteen years’ experience designing and art directing magazines, and has worked on titles including New Woman, Marie Claire, Look and Fabulous. In 2009 Christine helped launch the Hobbycraft magazine and has most recently been presenting a series of craft tutorials for Hobbycraft online. When she is not busy crafting you can find Christine blogging at www.sewyeah.co.uk.

Christine co-created the bestselling book Everything Alice: The Wonderland Book of Makes and Bakes and Everything Oz: The Wizard Book of Makes and Bakes which introduced a truly groundbreaking approach to craft.

Contents Introduction 4 Materials & Tools 6 Stitch Library 10 Embroidery Top Tips 12 0

n

0

Bird Cage Tea Cosy 16 Counting Sheep Childrens Pillow 22 Little Bunny Book Covers 28 Stripy Seat Cushion 34 Embroidered Hearts 40 Ribbon Allium Bag 48 Scandi Hot Water Bottle Cover 56 Woodland Storage Boxes 62 Party Gift Bags 70 Neon Baby Doll 78 Nelly Cushion 86 Simple Samplers 92 House Needle Book & Pin Cushions 96 Dainty Dolly Bag 102 Alphabet Patchwork Sampler 108 0

n

0

Templates & Stitch Guides 114 Inspiration & Resources 122 Index 126 Acknowledgements 128

about the autho Christine Leech has been an avid

£12.99

h flaps ack wit Paperb 49 275 1 jects mm 49 978 18 s 210 x 210 luding 30 pro e c g in a , p 128 words graphs 0,000 Over 2 colour photo ons ati 0 Over 5 colour illustr 5 3 2 1 r 0 e 2 Ov ay ation M Public Ltd lishing lle Pub e s Quadri u bra Ho Cross Road Alham haring LS C 1 3 – 27 H0 n WC2 Londo adrille.co.uk u www.q

r

crafter since childhood, sewing menageries of felt animals, wardrobes of dolls’ dresses and has always refused to buy a greetings card when a handmade one could be sent instead. She has over fifteen years’ experience designing and art directing magazines, and has worked on titles including New Woman, Marie Claire, Look and Fabulous. In 2009 Christine helped launch the Hobbycraft magazine and has most recently been presenting a series of craft tutorials for Hobbycraft online. When she is not busy crafting you can find Christine blogging at www.sewyeah.co.uk.

Christine co-created the bestselling book Everything Alice: The Wonderland Book of Makes and Bakes and Everything Oz: The Wizard Book of Makes and Bakes which introduced a truly groundbreaking approach to craft.

Contents Introduction 4 Materials & Tools 6 Stitch Library 10 Embroidery Top Tips 12 0

n

0

Bird Cage Tea Cosy 16 Counting Sheep Childrens Pillow 22 Little Bunny Book Covers 28 Stripy Seat Cushion 34 Embroidered Hearts 40 Ribbon Allium Bag 48 Scandi Hot Water Bottle Cover 56 Woodland Storage Boxes 62 Party Gift Bags 70 Neon Baby Doll 78 Nelly Cushion 86 Simple Samplers 92 House Needle Book & Pin Cushions 96 Dainty Dolly Bag 102 Alphabet Patchwork Sampler 108 0

n

0

Templates & Stitch Guides 114 Inspiration & Resources 122 Index 126 Acknowledgements 128

Ribbon allium bag

To make a change from embroidery floss, this bag is embellished with different widths and types of ribbon and a selection of beads. The same repertoire of embroidery stitches are used, but with a few differences.

to make the bag

s u p p l ie s For the bag 1m x 50cm cotton lining fabric for inner bag 1m x 50cm linen fabric for outer bag

1

Photocopy the template on page 50, enlarging it by 150%, and cut out.

Fold the lining fabric in half, pin the template in place and trace around the edge. Cut out two side panels, cutting through both layers. Cut out a 9cm x 78cm rectangle from the remaining lining fabric.

2

Fold over a 1cm turning at each short end of the rectangle and press.

Starting at point A, pin and tack a side panel to the rectangle along the lower edge, finishing at point B. Machine stitch, leaving a 15cm turning hole where indicated. Leave the tacking stitches in place. Repeat with the second lining side panel but omitting the turning hole.

3

Using the same template, cut two side panels from the outer bag fabric.

Embroider on your chosen design (see page 51 for the ribbon allium embroidery stitch guide) to either one or both side panels. As before, cut out a 9cm x 78cm rectangle from the outer bag fabric. Sew the outer bag by repeating step 2 but omitting the turning hole. Press. With right sides facing, place the outer bag inside the lining so the embroidery is hidden between the two.

Wooden d-shape bag handles Tailor's chalk or fading pen For the embroidery A selection of ribbons and beads in your chosen colours

48

4

T ack together the raw edges of the bag on both sides making sure the tops of the lining and outer bag line up. Machine stitch both sides leaving the top open.

5

T urn the bag right side out through the turning hole. Push the lining into the outer bag. To neaten the sides turn under the raw edges. Press and slip stitch together.

6

T urn the raw edges of the bag and lining under and press. Wrap the bag over the handle, pin in place and stitch, taking the needle as close to the handle as possible.

Ribbon allium bag

To make a change from embroidery floss, this bag is embellished with different widths and types of ribbon and a selection of beads. The same repertoire of embroidery stitches are used, but with a few differences.

to make the bag

s u p p l ie s For the bag 1m x 50cm cotton lining fabric for inner bag 1m x 50cm linen fabric for outer bag

1

Photocopy the template on page 50, enlarging it by 150%, and cut out.

Fold the lining fabric in half, pin the template in place and trace around the edge. Cut out two side panels, cutting through both layers. Cut out a 9cm x 78cm rectangle from the remaining lining fabric.

2

Fold over a 1cm turning at each short end of the rectangle and press.

Starting at point A, pin and tack a side panel to the rectangle along the lower edge, finishing at point B. Machine stitch, leaving a 15cm turning hole where indicated. Leave the tacking stitches in place. Repeat with the second lining side panel but omitting the turning hole.

3

Using the same template, cut two side panels from the outer bag fabric.

Embroider on your chosen design (see page 51 for the ribbon allium embroidery stitch guide) to either one or both side panels. As before, cut out a 9cm x 78cm rectangle from the outer bag fabric. Sew the outer bag by repeating step 2 but omitting the turning hole. Press. With right sides facing, place the outer bag inside the lining so the embroidery is hidden between the two.

Wooden d-shape bag handles Tailor's chalk or fading pen For the embroidery A selection of ribbons and beads in your chosen colours

48

4

T ack together the raw edges of the bag on both sides making sure the tops of the lining and outer bag line up. Machine stitch both sides leaving the top open.

5

T urn the bag right side out through the turning hole. Push the lining into the outer bag. To neaten the sides turn under the raw edges. Press and slip stitch together.

6

T urn the raw edges of the bag and lining under and press. Wrap the bag over the handle, pin in place and stitch, taking the needle as close to the handle as possible.

Dainty dolly bag

er, nice birdy

This little bag is useful for storing all manner of things! Embroidering the motif on a separate piece of material means you won't have a great length of fabric getting in the way.

s u p p l ie s

2cm opening 1st sea m

For the bag 68cm x 30cm rectangle of cotton fabric in your

chosen colour 2m ribbon approx 2cm wide

2nd sea m

Pinking shears For the embroidery DMC stranded cotton

embroidery thread in the following colours:

to make the bag

1

Dress colour: light melon (3708) Necklace: white Hair: very light old gold (677)

With wrong sides together, fold the rectangle in half widthways. Pin together the long sides, 5mm in from the edge. Leaving a 2cm opening on each side about 4cm down from the top edge, stitch together.

2

T urn the bag inside out and press.

Sew a second line of stitches 1cm in from the first seam. Make sure that you sew far enough in that you hide the raw edges of the first seam.

4

A ttach a safety pin to one end of an 80cm length of ribbon and use it to pull the ribbon through one hole all the way through to the other side. Repeat with another length of ribbon in the other hole.

Eyes: black brown (3371) Mouth: coral (351) Skin: peach (353) Stars: sky blue (519), light wedgewood (518)

Edging: black (310) Sequins and lacy ribbon for decoration

3

102

Fold over a 5mm turning around the open top edge and press. Turn over a further 3cm so that the 2cm openings left unstitched are now close to the top of the bag and on the outside. Stitch, turn right side out and press.

Dainty dolly bag

er, nice birdy

This little bag is useful for storing all manner of things! Embroidering the motif on a separate piece of material means you won't have a great length of fabric getting in the way.

s u p p l ie s

2cm opening 1st sea m

For the bag 68cm x 30cm rectangle of cotton fabric in your

chosen colour 2m ribbon approx 2cm wide

2nd sea m

Pinking shears For the embroidery DMC stranded cotton

embroidery thread in the following colours:

to make the bag

1

Dress colour: light melon (3708) Necklace: white Hair: very light old gold (677)

With wrong sides together, fold the rectangle in half widthways. Pin together the long sides, 5mm in from the edge. Leaving a 2cm opening on each side about 4cm down from the top edge, stitch together.

2

T urn the bag inside out and press.

Sew a second line of stitches 1cm in from the first seam. Make sure that you sew far enough in that you hide the raw edges of the first seam.

4

A ttach a safety pin to one end of an 80cm length of ribbon and use it to pull the ribbon through one hole all the way through to the other side. Repeat with another length of ribbon in the other hole.

Eyes: black brown (3371) Mouth: coral (351) Skin: peach (353) Stars: sky blue (519), light wedgewood (518)

Edging: black (310) Sequins and lacy ribbon for decoration

3

102

Fold over a 5mm turning around the open top edge and press. Turn over a further 3cm so that the 2cm openings left unstitched are now close to the top of the bag and on the outside. Stitch, turn right side out and press.

running stitch

embroidery tips split stitch

Use 4 strands of floss for her hair, body, dress and necklace For her hair Use 2 strands of normal floss with 2 strands of metallic floss – this makes it easier to sew as metallic floss has a tendancy to snag.

running stitch

For her face Use 2 strands of floss for her eyes, sewing small straight stitches in varying lengths to create eyelashes. Use one strand for her nose and 4 strands for her mouth.

For her dress Cut a 10cm length of lace or ribbon. Sew a running stitch along one long edge and gather slightly so it is the same length as the top of her dress. Knot each end. Sew into place using 2 strands of floss adding sequins in as you go.

straight stitch stars

For the tiara Sew star-shaped sequins into her hair using a matching thread.

split stitch

french knot

For the stars Use a single strand of floss for a dainty decoration.

to add the embroidery to the bag

back stitch

1

He r la dy sh ip 's st it ch

104

T ransfer the embroidery design onto your fabric and embroider following the stitch guide.

2

C ut a piece of Bondaweb slightly larger than the oval of the design and iron on to the fabric. Using pinking shears cut out the oval shape then remove the Bondaweb backing paper and fuse to the bag.

3

F or a decorative edge, embroider round the oval with small, neat running stitches.

gu id e

a

d

c

e

2 1

star

1

1 Make a straight

stitch between points A and B. 2 Next come up at

C and then down again at D. 3 Finally come up at

E and then down again at F. lternating the length A of the stitches will give you different results.

b

star

f

How to embroider...

1 Make a straight

3

Stars b

a

e 4

2 a 3

2 Next come up at

C and then down again at A. 3 Come up at D and

then down again at A. Continue in this way until you have your required number of star points, always going back down at point A.

f 5

a

a

1

stitch between points A and B.

a

c

d

2

n even number of A stitches gives you quite a Christmassy star whilst an odd number is a bit flowery!

running stitch

embroidery tips split stitch

Use 4 strands of floss for her hair, body, dress and necklace For her hair Use 2 strands of normal floss with 2 strands of metallic floss – this makes it easier to sew as metallic floss has a tendancy to snag.

running stitch

For her face Use 2 strands of floss for her eyes, sewing small straight stitches in varying lengths to create eyelashes. Use one strand for her nose and 4 strands for her mouth.

For her dress Cut a 10cm length of lace or ribbon. Sew a running stitch along one long edge and gather slightly so it is the same length as the top of her dress. Knot each end. Sew into place using 2 strands of floss adding sequins in as you go.

straight stitch stars

For the tiara Sew star-shaped sequins into her hair using a matching thread.

split stitch

french knot

For the stars Use a single strand of floss for a dainty decoration.

to add the embroidery to the bag

back stitch

1

He r la dy sh ip 's st it ch

104

T ransfer the embroidery design onto your fabric and embroider following the stitch guide.

2

C ut a piece of Bondaweb slightly larger than the oval of the design and iron on to the fabric. Using pinking shears cut out the oval shape then remove the Bondaweb backing paper and fuse to the bag.

3

F or a decorative edge, embroider round the oval with small, neat running stitches.

gu id e

a

d

c

e

2 1

star

1

1 Make a straight

stitch between points A and B. 2 Next come up at

C and then down again at D. 3 Finally come up at

E and then down again at F. lternating the length A of the stitches will give you different results.

b

star

f

How to embroider...

1 Make a straight

3

Stars b

a

e 4

2 a 3

2 Next come up at

C and then down again at A. 3 Come up at D and

then down again at A. Continue in this way until you have your required number of star points, always going back down at point A.

f 5

a

a

1

stitch between points A and B.

a

c

d

2

n even number of A stitches gives you quite a Christmassy star whilst an odd number is a bit flowery!

Nelly cushion

This Nelly is a highly decorated elephant! When transferring the pattern you don't need to copy every line onto your fabric. If you just do her eye, ear, headpiece and saddle it is quite easy to free style around these lines using different stitches. Just follow the basic lines.

to embroider the cushion

s u p p l ie s For the cushion 1m x 50cm linen fabric in your chosen colour

1m x 50cm cotton lining

fabric in your chosen colour

1

Photocopy the template on page 88, enlarging it by 200%, and cut out. Place the template onto the outer cushion fabric and pin in place.

Trace around the template using tailor's chalk or water-soluble pen.

2

Tack along the outline using a brightly coloured thread so that you can see the shape of the elephant on both sides of the fabric. This will be useful when you are sewing the cushion panels together.

3

ransfer the embroidery stitch guide onto the cushion panels. It is best to T do this using tailor's carbon paper – if the markings aren't clear enough, go over the lines with a water-soluble pen. Referring to the stitch library on pages 10–11, work the embroidery following the stitch guide.

Tailor's chalk or water-soluble pen Tailor's carbon paper Polyester toy stuffing For the embroidery DMC stranded cotton embroidery thread in the following colours: teal green (3849); apricot (3341); light khaki green (3013); light beige grey (822); dark turquoise (3810); tangerine (741); dark carnation (891); light moss green (3819); blue violet (340); golden olive (832); very dark straw (3852)

86

ht stitch, bl an ket H er foot us es straig allop stitch sc stitch, sta r stitch &

4

Once the emrboidery is finished, sponge away the water-soluble pen marks and press flat. Use a pressing cloth to protect the embroidery.

ck stitch an d H er sa ddle us es ba allop stitch sc a th wi bl an ket stitch d ru nn in g stitch de rea th a in sid e an d

H er ey e us es ba ck stitch, bl an ket stitch, straig ht stitc h & fre nch kn ot s

Nelly cushion

This Nelly is a highly decorated elephant! When transferring the pattern you don't need to copy every line onto your fabric. If you just do her eye, ear, headpiece and saddle it is quite easy to free style around these lines using different stitches. Just follow the basic lines.

to embroider the cushion

s u p p l ie s For the cushion 1m x 50cm linen fabric in your chosen colour

1m x 50cm cotton lining

fabric in your chosen colour

1

Photocopy the template on page 88, enlarging it by 200%, and cut out. Place the template onto the outer cushion fabric and pin in place.

Trace around the template using tailor's chalk or water-soluble pen.

2

Tack along the outline using a brightly coloured thread so that you can see the shape of the elephant on both sides of the fabric. This will be useful when you are sewing the cushion panels together.

3

ransfer the embroidery stitch guide onto the cushion panels. It is best to T do this using tailor's carbon paper – if the markings aren't clear enough, go over the lines with a water-soluble pen. Referring to the stitch library on pages 10–11, work the embroidery following the stitch guide.

Tailor's chalk or water-soluble pen Tailor's carbon paper Polyester toy stuffing For the embroidery DMC stranded cotton embroidery thread in the following colours: teal green (3849); apricot (3341); light khaki green (3013); light beige grey (822); dark turquoise (3810); tangerine (741); dark carnation (891); light moss green (3819); blue violet (340); golden olive (832); very dark straw (3852)

86

ht stitch, bl an ket H er foot us es straig allop stitch sc stitch, sta r stitch &

4

Once the emrboidery is finished, sponge away the water-soluble pen marks and press flat. Use a pressing cloth to protect the embroidery.

ck stitch an d H er sa ddle us es ba allop stitch sc a th wi bl an ket stitch d ru nn in g stitch de rea th a in sid e an d

H er ey e us es ba ck stitch, bl an ket stitch, straig ht stitc h & fre nch kn ot s

simple makes

book ha ve a b oyou tu tevh eer FE LT SE W GO OD Little Sew & Sew includes 15 stylish sewing projects that range from simple bags and pretty purses to essential cotton tops and delicate detachable collars. The book also features 15 unique and versatile patterns for adding charming embroidery to all the projects. Cleverly, the projects can be mixed and matched, or used individually to create an endless number of combinations. Little Sew & Sew is an ingenious resource of ideas that will prove to be an irresistible and indispensable guide to sewing and embroidery.

This book is part of the Simple Makes series, a new, creative and affordable set of illustrated step-by-step books that are suitable for all crafters, no matter what their level of skill.

sew &sew Little

30 delightfully simple sewing and embroidery projects

Christine Leech