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Double Sided Quilting Cotton Napkins with Mitered Corners

Last week I spent some time really trying to perfect sewing mitered corners because I've needed to use this technique a few times recently, but had to basically relearn it each time. I just haven't done it enough for it to be second nature, so it was time to fix that by doing it over and over by making some cloth napkins.

If you don't know how to make cloth napkins with mitered corners, or maybe you too need to relearn how to make these, there are many, many tutorials out there for making cloth napkins with mitered corners.  After lots of searching through these, this cloth napkin tutorial on Purl Soho's blog is my favorite. It is clear to me and the same basic way I like to make them.

The Purl Soho tutorial is perfect for fabrics without a right or wrong side. If you want to make napkins from quilting cotton you will either need to accept that one side will have the wrong side showing, or you can do this:

1. Make a napkin as shown in the tutorial, but stop before edgestitching the border down.
2. Cut another piece of fabric that is 0.5" smaller than the finished dimensions of the napkin and tuck this piece under the border.
3. Sew the border down.  

Super easy!  They can be made from the same fabric for front and back like the ones in the photos here made from this strawberry print, or mix it up and pair two coordinating (or maybe clashing!) fabrics to make some unique napkins.   

P.S. Did you know you silence those clanking and scraping glass bowls (that are also being scuffed in the process) by putting napkins in between them?  Yes, yes, you can. 

 

Herb Garden Idea Pouch

Idea Pouch in Herb Garden Cotton/Linen Canvas

It seems that someone out there made an Idea Pouch recently because the pattern has been extra popular lately.  I thought I might as well join in the fun and I made one too! 

Since all I have for fleece these days is a few scraps, this was also a chance to experiment with using cotton batting as the interlining in this pouch. 

I'm phasing out using fusible fleece in my sewing because the one positive--that it is fusible--doesn't make up for the negatives: It is plastic, it starts breaking down pretty much immediately, it doesn't provide a whole lot of padding even when it's brand new, and at the same time it's super bulky and storing it takes up a lot of room.  

Instead of fleece, the plan is to use natural fiber interlinings like cotton batting, canvas, and flannel. 

As far as using cotton batting in the Idea Pouch pattern, it was easier than anticipated! 

This pouch is quite a few layers, and if you've made one of these already, then you know the instructions include some strategic trimming of the interfacing/interlining.  The trimming cuts down on sewing frustration and broken machine needles.  If you'd also like to use cotton batting in this pattern, don't skip any of the trimming.

You might also want to do some extra trimming for piece D (the back/flap) like shown below and consider quilting the batting to the lining fabric to help hold it in place. The batting isn't going anywhere, but quilting it to the lining will stabilize it for sewing. 

The trimming for D is basically the same trimming as on piece B and removes the batting where the pleats are at the bottom and also where the top of B meets D.

The batting that I use is Warm and Natural unbleached batting.  This is always good quality and a nice, dense batting that is easy to sew.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best stitches!

Michelle

 

New PDF Sewing Pattern - Sawtooth Star Pincushions

Ah ha, look at this...a new pattern is ready for some sewing fun!

In the last few years I've discovered how super satisfying it is to sew Sawtooth Stars and after making a couple blocks with really tiny stars, I wanted to use them in a project that wasn't a quilt.

At first, the idea was to make the smallest star (just over 2" measuring tip to tip) into a pincushion cuff. The Rose Pincushion Cuff is one of my most popular patterns and I'd love to make a second style of pincushion cuff, but after experimenting with the little star it just never quite came together.  The block is so small and it needs to be smaller still to be comfortable to wear and it just got to be too challenging.  

Once the cuff idea was off the table, I didn't want to abandon the idea of a Sawtooth Star pincushion because the pincushions I made while trying out the cuff idea were just getting better and better!  I figured out how to make them as nicely square as possible and then a few sold and people asked about the pattern and so here we are with a pattern so anyone who wants to make these can stitch them up.

The pattern comes with pieces for three sizes.  There is also a measurement chart on the second page of pattern pieces if you'd rather rotary cut them. 

Size 1 is smallest one and it is just adorable and feels like a nice accomplishment to sew, Size 2 is more of a standard size pincushion, and Size 3 is a pretty big pincushion for those with a load of pins.  

In the image above, these are the three sizes, but Size 2 is a patchwork pincushion.  It's one of my favorite pincushions and I'll definitely be using the Size 2 pieces in the pattern to make more patchwork versions!

They don't take that long to make. This is a 2-3 hour project for most people. 

They don't use a lot of supplies, or need more than fairly basic sewing tools. 

You can stuff them with whatever you like. I'm stuffing mine with wool, which has become my preferred stuffing. It just feels nice and it doesn't seem to get as lumpy, bumpy as poly stuffing.  If you haven't used wool and would like to try it out, or just want a small amount, one ounce bags are available here.

The supplies needed are listed in the pattern description.  I also find these optional tools handy for making these pincushions:

• Mark-b-Gone pen: One end of this pen makes the blue marks in see in the instruction photos. I love, love, love these pens and always make sure to have a few on hand. This pen is my number #1 must have sewing tool and I've never been without one in the last 10+ years.  The blue ink is removed with water, so it sticks around until you are ready to remove it.
• Point turner: This tool is kind of new to me and it's turned out to be one of those "where have you been all my life???" tools. It's just awesome for pushing out seams and corners. 

Page 1 of the instructions has some helpful info and here are a few additional tips for making the pincushions:

For step #3 it's important to sew the diagonal lines fairly accurately. If you sew above the diagonal line, your point will be too short and you might need to cut new fabric pieces and start over.  Due to the tiny size, picking out a seam isn't really an option. The fabric doesn't hold up well to picking out stitches when the piece is only 1" - 1.5" square.  

You'll notice the instructions mention to NOT backstitch in step #3 and that's because with these little fabric pieces the fabric can bunch up. There just isn't a whole lot of material to provide stability and backstitching basically just drives the fabric into the machine plate and chews it up. 

For step #5, to match up the seams of the top, middle, and bottom sections, while you are sewing place the intersecting seams with the seam of the piece on top (i.e. the piece directly under the presser foot) one stitch length (1mm or so) forward the seam for the piece on the bottom. The presser foot will push the seam of the top piece into alignment with the seam on the bottom.  Also, don't forget you can also stretch the fabric will sewing to help match up the seams.

Well I hope you enjoy the new pattern!  It will be on sale on my website and in my etsy shop through 2/26.