by Sherri Sylvester | Dec 13, 2013
I made another Sunny Glasses Case a while ago with the most perfect fabric ever. It’s the Geekly Glasses line by Riley Blake Designs (from Double Decker Fabric). When Dorienne sent me this fabric I knew it needed to be a glasses case and I love how it turned out!
These glasses cases are about a 2 hour project – if that – and they work for anyone on your Christmas shopping list – Man, woman or child! Everyone that’s seen mine has said “You made that?!” Which is the universally known in sewing circles as meaning: “That doesn’t look handmade!” and/or “Can you make me one?!” If that is not convincing enough I’m not sure what is – ha!
Warning: If you decide to make one of these when you’ve gotten together with some friends – say at a monthly sewing night – make sure you cut your fabric the right way up! I was so mad when I realized that I cut my amazing deer fabric upside down…. argh! But, it happens – and it still holds my glasses safe and sound – and I’m not making another one, at least not right now! You can even sneak a peek of the case in the Mini Tote giveaway post from Monday – did you spot it?
I’m running to get my Christmas sewing wrapped up (hee hee!) and my wonderful husband is taking care of the kids tomorrow so I can have all day to sew – HOORAY! I’m hoping to finish before next week. But, I usually over-plan, so at least I will have next week to finish everything up! How is your holiday sewing going? What are you making? Really… I’m a super curious person!
Don’t forget to throw your two cents in for “Sewing Survey Saturday” – check out last week’s results and a new survey tomorrow!
by Sherri Sylvester | Oct 28, 2013
I’m working on a big project, likely too late to finish it for tomorrow – but I’m giving it a shot! That said, today’s project is a quick one! I needed a business card holder to carry around Creativ Festival on Saturday and this tutorial popped up when I went looking. It is so CUTE and super fast. Perfect!
I am not sure if you could call this a review or not, because the instructions for this tutorial are so short they aren’t even numbered! It is called “Business Card Holder” (makes sense!) by Jodi Nelson from Pleasant Home. The tutorial itself is a Craftsy tutorial – but it is a free download if you are willing to sign up for a Craftsy account.
The directions are super clear, and it requires a tiny amount of fabric – perfect for scraps! I dug into my tiny “Type” stash (by Julia Rothman for Windham Fabrics) from Needlework, that I picked up in July of this year. I’ve been waiting to use this one, and it is so perfect for a business card holder. I was also happy to find the perfect button in my stash – a little clear so I didn’t cover up the typewriter too much!
Honestly, I’m not sure what else I could say about the pattern! There is nothing wrong with the directions, the business cards fit 15 per side, just as she says they will. These would make cute gift card holders and would be useful to store all of the random cards in your wallet too.
I will be back this week with a Creativ Festival review (and stash addition photo bomb!), Halloween costumes and maybe more. Thanks for coming over today, stay tuned!
by Sherri Sylvester | Oct 15, 2013
Since it is quickly becoming cooler around here these days, I am finding that a lot of my go-to kids patterns have short sleeves! Not a problem – there is an easy way to change a simple sleeve pattern so it is fall and winter appropriate.
I traced one of my daughter’s shirts when extending the sleeve of the Figgy’s Banyan Tee for my oldest.
You will need:
- long sleeve tee that fits and uses the same fabric as your pattern (woven tee – woven pattern, knit tee – knit pattern…)
- short sleeve pattern piece
- paper a bit longer than the length of the sample tee sleeve
- pen
- ruler or straight edge
Here we go:
(1) Fold your sample sleeve exactly in half. (2) Check the seam allowance amount in your pattern directions and mark it on the pattern piece. (3) If your sleeve is not cut on the fold, find the centre and lay it on the edge of your paper (4) Lay the sample long sleeve on the pattern piece with the fold along the edge of your paper. Line up the shoulder seam with the seam allowance mark on your pattern piece.
(5) Trace the sleeve edge allowing extra at the wrist for hemming. Trace a few inches up the side of the sleeve, adding in the seam allowance amount.
(6) Mark the top corner of the sleeve pattern piece with a dot (see photo).
(7) Use the straight edge to make a line from the bottom hem edge to the dot you just marked.
(8) Finish by tracing the rounded part of the sleeve around to the edge of your paper.
Proceed as detailed in your pattern instructions with your new long sleeved pattern piece. Be sure to mark your pattern piece so you don’t forget to cut it on the Fold! It is on the straight paper edge of your pattern piece. You will also need a bit more yardage than the pattern instructions suggest to fit your new sleeves.
by Sherri Sylvester | Aug 27, 2013
I made up a quick sunglasses case for myself at the end of July, and thought I would post it here as a tutorial. Turns out, the more I thought about posting it the more I thought that there must be a better way than the flat, very soft case that I made in about 15 minutes. It had no shape and no intrigue, and worst of all I don’t think it would do a spectacular job of taking good care of my sunglasses either! Since I’m super good at procrastinating (and really busy with the kids this summer) I gathered up all of the sunglasses cases that I could find and lined them up on my cutting table Sunday night. Too late into the night to mention, I came up with the Sunny Glasses Case! It is really simple to make, mostly because I’ve done all of the trial and error through 6 or 7 versions so you don’t have to!
Come #alongforthreadride! Follow Thread Riding Hood on social media for sneak peeks, tips and process photos. Hope to see you there!
Once you’ve finished one, you can likely make another in about 1/2 hour or less. Which makes it a super quick gift, and it can be made for almost anyone. Men, Women and children of all ages would enjoy a safe place to stash their sunglasses. Bonus, it doesn’t look like it only took half an hour to make (woot!) and – added bonus – you can use up some of your large scraps to make it! And, just in case you think I’m crazy posting a sunglasses case tutorial when Fall is approaching my part of the world, I do wear my sunglasses a lot in the winter. And these would make great stocking stuffers if you are inclined to start gifts now! As I was making these I came up with 4 useful options for making the case. Option 1 makes for a regular case with Velcro closure. Option 2 has a button & elastic closure and a swivel clip, this is so my oldest can attach it to her school backpack and (hopefully) keep her sunglasses unscratched and un-lost! Option 3 is mine, I added a magnetic closure to the flap. Option 4 is for my husband, who wanted it to be able to attach to his car’s visor. * Update: Don’t feel like sewing a Sunny Glasses Case yourself? Buy one from a licensed seller! Check out the sellers list. Are you a shop owner? You can buy a Sunny Glasses Case seller’s license as an instant download. *
This tutorial covers all 4 ways of creating the Sunny Glasses Case. Follow the main instructions for Option 1. The other options use the same directions with additional steps. These are listed below the directions for Option 1. You will need:
- 11″wide by 10″h scrap of your main outer fabric and lining fabric
- 10″x10″ scrap of fusible fleece
- 5″x9″ plastic canvas (I used size 7 mesh)
- The pattern pieces – Click on this link to download the printable pdf: Sunny Glasses Case pattern pieces
- Other Helpful Things: School Glue Stick, Point Turning Tool or Chopstick, Water Soluble (or other) fabric marker, Pins
- Option 1 & 4 Only – 5″ loop Velcro and 2.5″ hook Velcro
- Option 2 Only – Button Closure + Swivel Clip: Button, Hair Elastic or 4″ piece of Round Elastic, Swivel Clip with 1″ D-ring, Fabric for strap: 5″x4″
- Option 3 Only – Magnetic Closure: 1 Magnetic Snap
- Option 4 Only – Car Visor: 1 piece of 1″ wide elastic, 9″ long
Materials for Option 1
Before you begin:
- Print out all 3 pages of the pattern piece pdf on letter size (8.5″ x 11″) or A4 paper. Important: Do not select “fit to page” when printing, make sure you print at the original size. Once you have printed the pages, measure the 1″ test square on page 1 to ensure the pattern is the correct size.
- Cut Outer and Lining, Fusible Fleece and Plastic Canvas as per the pattern pieces. Make sure to line the pattern pieces up on the fold where necessary. I found the easiest way to cut the plastic canvas was to precut my pattern piece, trace the edges with a permanent marker onto the canvas, and then cut it out.
- If you want to piece your fabric together (I have added a small contrast piece on the closure edge of the flap), do this first and then cut your outer fabric. Topstitch after fusing your fleece for a “quilted” look.
- Mark the “Velcro” and “Flap” marks (as indicated) onto the right side of the Outer fabric with a water soluble fabric marker. Be sure to mark the “Flap” marking on each edge of the Outer fabric.
Cut Materials for Option 1
Option 1 – Velcro Closure:
(1) Iron Fusible Fleece (centred) on the wrong side of your outer fabric. (2) Use your glue stick to glue the loop side of your Velcro to the rounded edge of the lining. Centre it 1/4″ above the bottom of the curve. (3) Stitch along both long edges of your Velcro, you do not need to stitch the short sides. (4) Round the corners of the hook side of your Velcro. Use your glue stick to centre it on the “Velcro” mark on your outer fabric. Stitch all 4 sides neatly. (5) Place your Outer and Lining fabrics right sides together. Pin around the curve between the “Flap” marks and the straightest edge (see photo). (6) With the fleece side up, use the edge of your fused fleece as a stitching guide. Do not stitch ON the fleece, stitch BESIDE it. Stitch the straightest edge from point to point. Stitch around the curve, begin at one “Flap” mark and end at the other. (7) Trim the excess Velcro & clip the curve where the Velcro is – you do not need to clip the entire curve. (8) Clip your seam allowance at both “Flap” markings. Clip up to but NOT through the seam threads. (9) Turn everything right side out through the openings. (10) Pin the straightest edge and top-stitch approximately 1/8″ away from the edge. (11) Pin the large curve between the “Flap” marks. Do not stitch – we will do this later. (12) Make sure the un-sewn seam allowances are lying flat on the outside (see photo). (13) Draw a line across the outer fabric between your “Flap” markings. Topstitch along the line. (14) Insert your plastic canvas between the lining and the fusible fleece. Centre it from side to side. It should be in approximately 1/4″ from each fusible fleece edge. Use two pins to secure the plastic canvas in place. (15) Almost done! With the outer right sides together, fold the bottom of the glasses case up. The point should meet up with the top of the “Flap” marking. Pin along the edge. (16) We are going to finish the case with a French Seam. Stitch a scant 1/4″ seam on both sides of the case along the raw edges. (17) Trim the seams you just finished to approximately 1/8″ on each side. Flip the bottom of the case right side out. (18) Finish the case by stitching around the edges with a generous 1/8″ seam. Start at the bottom on one side and end at the bottom on the other. Do not stitch across the bottom edge. Done! For Options 2,3 and 4, follow the Step numbers as outlined for each Option. Example: STEP (1). (2.1a)… means – follow STEP (1) above, then follow (2.1a) as outlined in the Option 2 instructions.
Option 2 – Button Closure + Swivel Clip:
My oldest picked the Monkey Bizness – Market Stall fabric used in her sunglasses case when I placed my latest Warp & Weft order. I love how it turned out, the print is just the right scale for this project! STEP 1. (2.1a) Make the strap. Iron your fabric in half lengthwise to make a 2″x5″ piece. Unfold and iron each edge into the centre, refold. Top-stitch each edge. (2.1b) Fold the strap around your D-ring. Stitch as close as you can to the ring – it might help to use a zipper foot. Set the strap & clip aside. STEP 5. (2.5a) Fold your elastic in half, centre it at the closure end of the case. Pin it between the outer and lining, 1/4″ in from the edge, with about 1/2″ of elastic (folded) on the “inside” of the case and the rest sticking out. (I have completed Step 6 in this photo) STEP 6, Note: Double-stitch over the elastic when you reach it. STEPS 8-14. (2.14a) Pin and Baste strap in place on outer fabric, centred as per the photo. Trim excess strap to match the seam allowance. STEPS 15-18. (2.18a) Place your glasses in the case and sew the button on where appropriate. Done!
Option 3 – Magnetic Closure:
STEP 1. (3.1a) Attach the bottom piece of your magnetic snap centred on the Velcro mark you made on the outer fabric. (3.1b) Attach the top of the snap to the lining 1″ away from the curved flap edge. Be sure to interface behind the lining snap. (I used a scrap of fusible fleece.) STEPS 5-6. STEPS 8-18. Done!
Option 4 – Car Visor:
STEPS 1-14. (4.14a) Centre your elastic piece across the fabric as shown in the photo. Baste the edges with a 1/8″ seam allowance. Trim the excess elastic. STEPS 15-17. (4.17a) Make sure the elastic is along the back of the case when you turn it inside out. This is important when stitching the next step. STEP 18. Done! There you have it! One (or 20!) easy, customizable gifts for everyone in your life. Take a minute to post a photo to the Thread Riding Hood Facebook page, we’d all love to see your creation!
Are you a seller that would like to buy a Licence to Sew and Sell the Sunny Glasses Case Pattern? If you are interested in selling cases made with this pattern you can buy a license here and receive an instant pdf download!
As usual, please feel free to use my patterns/tutorials for your personal projects and gifts and for charitable fundraising events. Please do not sell anything made with this pattern unless you have purchased a Seller’s License. Please contact me for more information: sherri (at) threadridinghood (dot) com
by Sherri Sylvester | May 30, 2013
Father’s Day is coming up soon, so I though I would share a little project that my kids made for Daddy. (Oh, and I helped!)
I have been making pajama pants and shorts for my husband since we got married. I have a great Simplicity pattern that I have edited over the years to create the perfect shorts. So, I figured he would appreciate a pair that the kids helped make. I love finding things my kids can make and give as gifts. I think the process of being involved in creating something that they can give away is so valuable. Taking the time out of your day to create is an amazing thing.
I’m always interested in the fabric choices of my children and love to let them go in the fabric store to see what they like for their own projects. (Even when they end up with character fabrics! Ack!) My oldest picked this blue (though she calls it purple – Daddy’s favorite colour) cotton fabric. Then we aimed for the thread – matching purple of course!
Once at home, I admit, I did most of the work. I find that the kids tend to lose interest when things get tedious – or past 10 or so minutes of actual machine time. The youngest lasts a bit longer because she sits on my lap and pulls pins and presses the back-stitch button when I need her to. The oldest does like to run the camera though, and spent a lot of time setting up this shot of her toys with a “mountain” in the background.
Now, when their Daddy wears these pj’s my kids are proud that they helped to make them, it’s so fun to see! If you have time over the next 2 1/2 weeks, get your kids together and make something for their Daddy. Don’t make it fancy – just make it! Have fun!
by Sherri Sylvester | Apr 1, 2013
Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend! I have some great photos of my girls in their dresses that I am dying to share – but, since it is late we will go with a backup today! Keep in mind, this is not a second-rate project – this pattern is really well put together and very on trend!
Angela Osborn’s Bow Tie Pattern
My husband suggested (last week, while I was sewing Easter dresses) that I should undertake another project. I have to say, this was met with a bit of reluctance at first (another project? while I am sewing dresses that I am late on and HAVE to be done by Thursday?!) – until I heard what he wanted me to make. Our good friend’s birthday was on Wednesday of last week and my husband wanted me to make him a bow tie. So – in the middle of making dresses – all else was put aside and I found a great free pattern and stitched up a lovely blue one.
Angela’s pattern is very thorough, she includes a wonderful illustrated sewing glossary at the beginning – so even if you don’t make the bow tie you can definitely benefit from reading that. The pdf download is easy to follow and includes great photos to illustrate the directions. She also includes two ways of making the tie. Since it has to be cut on the bias so it has some stretch and is more comfortable for the wearer, it uses up quite a bit of fabric. Angela’s instructions include a pattern piece that has a seam in the centre back (where it won’t show) so you can use half as much fabric – hooray!
Though she says to print this on legal size paper, I printed mine on letter size and it turned out just fine, but I think some of her other patterns may use up more space on the page than the bow tie. Check out her Esther blouse and Marion skirt patterns. I am sure they are just as well put together. She is located in Australia, so she includes a great sizing chart on her website.
When you have finished making your bow tie head over to Art of Manliness and print out an illustrated copy of “How to Tie a Bow Tie”. Wrap up the printout with your bow tie and give it to someone special! See you soon, I think, with the dress photos (for those of you who didn’t get a sneak peek on Twitter!). The girls had a great time with the photo shoot as usual.
(By the way – Walter the hedgehog says he is glad to have his photo posted. And thanks to Ben for being a good sport and letting us take his picture too!)
