Infant Shoes

I seem to have misplaced the pattern for these little shoes (I am not very organized, I'm creative) but I believe it was a Retro Simplicity pattern. Supposedly it was originally printed in the 50"s. They are made from craft felt. The pattern has a floral design layout on it, but I didn't use it. I just did free hand embroidery on the floral design, blanket stitch around the top and the tie is a piece of coordinating ribbon.

The socks are infant size 0-3 months that I purchased in a bag of 10. I single crocheted directly onto the top of the socks, then a row of half double crochet, then chain 2, attach bead by chaining through the bead, chain 2, skip 3 half double crochets and single crochet in the next half double crochet.

For this pair of socks, I didn't add the beads, and then I put 7 single crochets in each chain 5 loop. Any edging can be used though. Also, this pair of shoes I used silk ribbon instead of embroidery floss for the embroidery. They make a nice baby shower gift.

Rooster Wall Hanging

The pattern for this rooster is from FIBER MOSAICS. the patterns name is COOK-A-DOODLE. I got mine from Jo-Anne Fabrics, but they can be purchased at www.fibermosaics.com for $8.00. The pattern suggest that you use fusible web to do the applique, but I always hand quilt, and it is very difficult to quilt thru fusible web so I use butcher paper.

First, I drew all the pattern pieces on the butcher paper and cut them out. Then I decided which colors to use for each piece from my scrap bag. Iron the pattern pieces with the waxy side down to the wrong side of the fabric scraps, leaving at least 1/4 inch seam allowance around each piece (I also numbered the feathers on the butcher paper so I would know what order to place them on the bird). Cut them out always remembering the seam allowance, also, there are a lot of curvy edges, don't try to go in and out, just cut in a line below the bottom of the points and clip in to the curve. That last sentence will make more since to you when you actually start doing it.

The background square is approximately 17". Use the diagram from the pattern to place the pieces on the background square one at a time with butcher paper down and right side facing up. Put a few pins in to hold it in position and use the needle turn method to applique. Turn it over and cut the background fabric away on the inside of the piece you just attached. Pull the butcher paper off, and go to the next piece. After you get the hang of it, it doesn't take very long. I did the whole Rooster in one evening watching TV. Sew on borders mitering the corners. Layer with backing facing down, batting, and Rooster facing up.

I use safety pins to hold all the pieces together. The rule of thumb is to place the safety pins close enough together that you cant put your hand on it without touching at least two pins. To me this means about 3 inches apart. Then start quilting. I hand quilt, but you could use a sewing machine if you prefer. I quilted around every piece and both sides of the inside border. I didn't do any quilting on the background because this is just a wall hanging. If it were to be a quilt, quilting should be about 2 inches apart. More latter on making the binding and hanger.

Fancy Crochet Edged Dish Towel

Here is still another crochet edging, it's my last one for a while, I promise. I added blue ribbon because blue is my Mom's favorite color and this will be part of her Mother's Day gift.
The dish towel is made of 100% cotton pique. I hemmed all four sides before starting the crochet because pique has a loose weave and pulls out easily. The hemmed edge gives it more stability.

Sc directly on one edge of the towel, ch 2, turn.
Row 1. hdc in each sc all the way across, ch 5, turn.
Row 2. *sk first hdc, dc in the next hdc, ch 1. Repeat from * all the way across ending with dc in the last hdc, ch 4 , turn.
Row 3. Sc in each dc and in each sp across, ch 1, turn.
Row 4. Sc in first sc, ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next sc, *ch 3, sk net sc, sc in next sc, ch 1, sk next sc, sc in the next sc. Repeat from * across to within last 2 sc, ch 1, sk next sc, sc in last sc. ch 7, turn.
Row 5. Sk first 2 sps, sc in next sp, * (ch 1, turn, in lp just formed make sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, tr in next ch---triangle made, ch 7, turn, sc in same sp on 4th row) twice, ch 1, turn, and complete another triangle (3 triangles made in space), ch 3, turn, sk next sp on 4th row, sc in next sp, ch 7, sk next sp, sc in next sp, repeat from * across, ending with 3 triangles in sp, ch 1, hdc in last sc, ch1, turn.
Row 6. Sc in lp just formed, ch4, * sc in the side of the next tr, (ch 4, sc in next sp, ch 4, sc in the side of next tr) twice, ch1, repeat from * across, ending with sc in the side of the last tr, ch 2, hdc in last sp, ch 1, turn.
Row 7. Sc in lp just formed, (ch 4, sc in next lp) 4 times, *sk next sp, sc in next lp, (ch 4, sc in next lp) 3 times, repeat from * across, ending with ch 4, sc in last lp. Fasten off. Run ribbon thru row 2, attach a small ribbon bow in the center.

Crocheted edging

This is a simple crocheted edging that I use a lot. It looks similar to some my grandma used to put on things, but not exactly. Since I have never seen it listed in any magazine or crafting book, I don't know if it has a name or not, but I call them wagon wheels. My Grandma taught me to crochet when I was very young, but I didn't learn to read crochet patterns until I was in my late 30's, but I will try to explain how I do this.

I Crochet directly onto the item to be decorated, in this case it is a wash cloth. Make a slip knot and put it on your crochet hook. Start on any side and crochet by punching the crochet needle through the wash cloth and pulling the thread thru from the back to the front. Now you have two loops on the hook. Yarn over and draw thru the two loops on the hook. Go all the way around the wash cloth spacing evenly. In each corner point put three stitches in one space to make the turns. At the end, slip stitch in the first stitch made, chain one. Next row: * Skip one stitch, and double crochet in the next stitch. Chain one, double crochet in the same space as the first double crochet four times (in that stitch you should have 5 double crochets with a chain in between each one). Skip one stitch and single crochet in the next stitch. Single crochet in each of the next three stitches. Repeat from * all the way around the wash cloth with one exception being the corners. The single crochets might have to be adjusted on each side of the wagon wheel to center it directly on the corner, instead of 5 double crochet with a chain in between, put 7 double crochet with a chain in between. An adjustments with the single crochets might have to be made at the end of the row to make the wagon wheels look evenly spaced. Slip stitch in the first chain, change colors by making a slip not in the new color, chain one by pulling the new color thru the loop and dropping the first color. Cut the first color thread leaving a tail about 4 inches long. Next row: Single crochet in each stitch and each chain space. Slip stitch in the first chain. finish off.

I make these to be used as Guest Wash cloths in my front bathroom. The same edge could be used on napkins for special occasions, or around the bottom of a little girls dress.

Making a bow

The basket in the picture was made for a previous blog entitled Egg Basket.

Now to make a bow you will need about 4 yards of 3 inch wide wire edged ribbon, a twist tie, Utility scissors, fabric scissors, and a crochet hook (about a size H)




Measure off about 2 3/4 yards of ribbon. Then fold one end down about 7 inches. I just use my hand with my fingers spread out to get this 7 inch measurement but you can cut out a piece of cardboard that size if you have small hands. Wrap the ribbon loosely around and around until you come to the end (remove cardboard if you are using it) and it should look like the picture to the right.

With utility scissors, cut a V in both sides at the center point (the ribbon has wire in the edges and this will destroy fabric scissors). These V notches should go in 1/3 of the way, leaving 1/3 of the width uncut. If you cut it too deep, the loops will pull out when you begin shaping the bow.

Slide the twist tie under the bow in the center position and pull both ends of the tie up in the notches. Twist it securely causing the center of the bow to wrinkle up (at least two twist).

Now cut another piece of ribbon that is slightly longer than the diameter of your basket (in this case, I cut mine about a yard long). With fabric scissors, cut large v notches in both ends (make sure you are cutting only the fabric portion of the ribbon, and not the wire edge). This will be the bow tails.
Starting with one side of the bow, put your fingers in the loops with one hand and grasp the outer loop with the other hand. Put your fingers in the loop and pull and twist this loop separating it from the bunch. Then switch and pull and twist a loop to the other side. Go back and forth like that until all the loops on that end of the bow are done. Repeat on the other side.


Now manipulate the loops until you achieve the desired look.
Center tail piece on the back of ribbon and secure in place with one twist of the twist tie.

With the twist tie, attach the bow to the base of the basket handle on one side of the basket. Stick your crochet hook through the top wrap of fabric on the top of the basket edge about 1/3 of the distance between handles away from the base of the handle. Catch one of the tails with the hook and pull it through the fabric wrap. Go down another third and repeat. Then go to the other side and do the same thing. When pulling these tails through the fabric, don't pull them tight. They should have a loose, soft look to them.

On the other handle side of basket pull both tails through the same fabric wrap in opposite directions.

Finesse the bow one more time and you are done.

Bunny Candy Jar

This is a bunny candy jar that I made using an old shirt, a sock that had no mate, and a jar that once held cheese dip.











The jar in this picture is an old jelly jar.
Step one. Wash jar with hot soapy water and rinse with vinegar. Trace the lid on a piece of cardboard and cut it out (make two of these) and set aside.
Cut a circle out of the fabric that is at least a half inch larger than the lid all the way around. Glue the lid to the fabric, centered. Glue the edges of the fabric to the sides of the lid and trim off excess. Cut a piece of bias tape long enough to go around the lid. To find the width of the tape, measure the side of the lid and add 1/2 inch. Iron both edges in towards the center 1/4 inch. Glue around the side of the lid to hide the raw edges. Screw lid on the jar.
Step two. The head, hands, nose, and ears are cut from the sock. Cut a line straight across the sock about half way between the heel and toe (this is the head). Cut the leg part of the sock off, then cut the band off the top. cut straight up both sides making two equal sized rectangles (these are the ears). With the heel section that is left, cut a circle that is slightly larger than a quarter from the center of the heel (this is the nose). Cut two rectangles that are about one inch wide and two inches long from what is left (these will be for the hands.
Step three. From fabric cut two 5 inch squares (sleeves), and one large circle (hat). I used a large dinner plate and traced around it to make the large circle. Measure in from the sides of the circle about 1 inch, draw another circle in the large circle (I traced around a medium sized dessert plate to make this circle).

Step four. For each hand, fold the small rectangles in half with wrong side out and stitch from the open end in towards the folded edge, rounding both corners and back to the open end. Trim rounded corners and turn right side out. Stuff lightly with fiber fill.

For sleeves, make a shirt tail hem on the lower edge of each of the 5 inch squares. Then fold in half and stitch side seam. turn right side out and press. Run a basting stitch about 1/4 inch up from the hem . Slip hand into sleeve and pull on the basting string , adjust gathers and secure hand to sleeve with either stitches, or glue. Stuff sleeve lightly and gather across the top. Lap upper edge of sleeves over upper side edges of lid; glue in place.

Step five. For ears, fold rectangle in half lengthwise. Start stitching along the long open side. About half way down the side start aiming your stitching toward a center spot on the short side. Do not sew all the way to the edge, stop about 1/4 inch from edge. Turn and sew (using the same aiming technique) towards the folded edge about half way up. These aiming stitch lines should not be straight, but rather arched. Trim off excess fabric on both sides of the ear tips and turn.

Stuff head. Glue the two circles of cardboard together for extra stability. Slip cardboard circles into the neck. Glue the edges of the neck to the bottom of the cardboard. Make the nose by running a gathering stitch around the edge of the small circle and pulling the string while tucking the edges in (use extra poly fill if necessary to make the nose full). Attach nose to face. Attach Ears to top of head. Use buttons (I used pony beads because I didn't have any buttons) for eyes and attach to face. Use markers or embroidery to make mouth. Glue head to the center of the jar lid over the sleeves.

Step Six. Using a satin stitch, stitch around the outer edge of the large circle. Run a gathering stitch on the line drawn about 1 inch in from the edge. Cut slices in hat large enough for the ears to go through on each slide about 1/4 inch in from the gathering line.
Pull ears through and tuck raw edges down so they don't show. Pull gathering string and adjust gathers. Then secure it so gathers won't come out. Glue rick rack or any other trim you like to the jar. Make a tiny little sign and attach to both hands. Fill jar with candy.

I had a lot of fun making these. They can be made for any occasion. Dogs, cats, pigs, bears, or cows could be made with these same instructions just by changing the ears. You could even leave the ears off, add grey yarn for hair and change the mouth and make a Granny full of treats for the grand children.