"Sew" Inspired!

I am super excited to start a new crafting series this month! I’ve asked 4 of my very talented bloggy friends to visit each Wednesday and share a fun and easy project!

Today’s guest is the lovely Larri from Seams Inspired. Larri was one of my very first bloggy friends, and thanks to twitter we spend time chatting every day. She is an inspiring momma, a wonderful crafty girl and a true friend who I plan on meeting in real life soon!
***************************************************************************

Thanks for having me over for a visit, Aurie! Hey “Good” friends! I’m Larri from Seams Inspired. I love to sew, but as a Momma to three children, my time is limited. While big projects give me a thrill, I truly like quick stitches I can complete from start to finish in a matter of minutes.

Today I’d like to show you a fast and easy stitchy project that even a beginner can complete. Best of all, you can you use those bits and scraps you’ve been saving in that little box. Yeah, I have one too. ☺

We seem to have quite the collection of glass jars in our home. They’re great for storing leftovers, buttons, and whatever I find in my boys’ pockets; however, they’re all looking a little plain. Let’s dress one up today!

This poor jar looks sad…and naked! ☺

You’ll need:
Naked Jar – Mine is pint size

Scraps of fabric (about 4″ x 12″ will do) for the front and back (2 pieces)

Fusible fleece, batting, interfacing – whatever you have on hand (4″ x 12″)

Clear Vinyl (6 gauge is fine) – just a bitty piece (2″ x 3½”)

Bias Binding or Scraps to make your own (about a 4″ piece)

Hair elastic or 1/8″ piece of elastic (we call these a ponytail holder)

Button
If you are not using a pint-size jar, measure the diameter now to adjust your scrap sizes.

My measurements: 10½” Length x 3½” Width

The ‘u’ shape is 3½” Length x 2″ Width

Let’s Cut Those Scraps!
You’ll have three 10½” x 3½” pieces to cut:
1 – Front
1 – Back
1 – Fusible Fleece / Batting / Interfacing
Cut one 3½” x 2″ piece from the vinyl
Cut one 4″ piece of bias binding
Sidenote: If you are making your own binding, cut your piece on the bias of the fabric. To press the fold, use a pin on your ironing board. Pull the binding through the pin opening and press. Watch your fingers!

No need for fancy-schmancy sewing tools!

Here’s what you should now have:

Front, back, middle, binding, & vinyl

Let’s Stitch it Up!

Stitch the bias binding to the vinyl on the longest side, folding the outer edges over to encase the raw edges. My photos of this step did not turn out, so please refer to the finished cover if you do not understand this step.

Using the layout guide above, measure 1.5″ down from the top of the front piece of fabric and place the vinyl ‘pocket’ on the center front. Use a piece of transparent tape to hold in place. Pins will leave marks on your vinyl. You’ll end up teaching any toddler within earshot a word you wouldn’t want her to use. ☺ Stitch along right, bottom, and left sides, leaving top open to form the pocket.

Whew! You made it through the toughest part of the project!

If it has one, cut the metal crimp off the hair elastic. Fold elastic in half and place on cover front, right or left side, your choice. On the adjacent side, 1″ in from the edge, stitch the button you chose for this project.

Now, we’ll stack our fabrics and sew. There are many opinions out there on how you should stack your fabric. If you stack another way, go right ahead! I prefer to stack this way:

Lay your fleece on the table

Add your front fabric piece (the one with the pocket stitched to it and hair elastic) right side up

Place your back fabric piece on top, wrong side up

Pin it all together

We’re getting close to the finish!

Beginning near the bottom center and using a ¼” seam, stitch around all four sides, leaving a 2″ opening. Be sure to backstitch! Clip the corners on the diagonal. This helps the ‘points’ to stay uh, pointy.

Clip as close as you can to the corner stitch line.

Be careful not to clip your stitches

Let’s Flip It!

Reach inside the opening, and find the elastic. Grasp gently and pull towards the opening. Once you’ve flipped the cover inside out, adjust the corners so the points are well-defined. I sometimes insert a small crochet hook into the corners. Don’t push too hard or you’ll pop a stitch!

With a cool iron (seriously…cool…let’s not melt that vinyl!) press seams flat. Topstitch around all four sides, close to the outer edges, about 1/8″ inch away will encase any open seams.

We did it!

It’s almost complete. We need to add something to that vinyl pocket. An index card is the perfect width on its short side. Just give a little clip to whittle down the length to 2 inches, and you’re all set.

Here’s a couple of ideas to get you started…