Blog | Stitchin' Post

DIY Dog Leash

Remember our post back in December about DIY adjustable dog collars? Well, today we're going talk about making a leash. It's even easier to make, since there is no need to fit your dog or figure out how to make it adjustable. Plus, with one of our leash kits ,you'll have the pattern, hardware, and webbing you need for a 6' leash all in one package. 

Just like with our collars, we carefully selected the metal hardware and nylon webbing to give you the strength and durability you need to keep your dog safely under control. If you're purchasing your pieces separately, make sure to only use a quality welded D-ring, a heavy duty swivel snap and heavy duty nylon webbing. Our leash kits make a 6' leash, but if you want to make a different size you'll need to add 10-12 inches to your desired finished length for your webbing piece. 

The pattern will give you all the construction details for the leash and collar, so let's talk about fabric choice. For a six foot leash you'll need eight inches of 42"-45" width fabric or about a quarter yard. In the dog collar post we go over the types of fabrics that will work, but the real fun of making your own leash or collar is creating something that expresses you and your dog's personality. Almost anything can work, but small scale prints or geometric designs work especially well. Keep in mind that you will only see one inch width of the print at a time. 

We put together a gallery of photos to help inspire you. 

The leashes shown come from Miss Teyla's collection and many have been used for years. Those specific fabrics aren't available, but we searched the store for fabrics that we think would make great leashes (click the photo if you'd like more info about the fabric). 

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You can even make a leash from an old sheet, men's shirt, or other clothing. The one below was made with a sheet from my daughter's first big girl bedding set. She loved the print and wanted to remember her first bedroom. Using an old item is a wonderful way to upcycle and prevent waste, but it's also a great way to preserve a memory or create a unique gift for a dog lover. 

These leashes are also way more comfortable on your hands than mass made, webbing only versions with scratchy nylon thread. Quality quilting cotton is durable and soft, and just feels good. It also washes well. Just be sure to put your leash in a pillowcase or washing bag, and wash with a towel or two so the hardware doesn't damage your washing machine. Lay flat to dry and your leash will look brand new. 

As you can see our adorable model Teyla enjoys her outings and her leashes get a lot of use. She may be more interested in the walks, but does appreciate all the comments she gets about how pretty she looks in her custom collars and leashes. She also enjoyed her reward for being such a good model - getting in the river!

 

DIY Felt Hydrangea Bouquet

Here in Central Oregon, spring flowers are just starting to poke through the ground. We couldn't wait for them to bloom and bring a little spring cheer, so we made our own flowers. Our bouquet has the added advantages of never wilting, needing water, or activating anyone's allergies. 

Hydrangeas are always a favorite, and they look so good in fabric people think they are real. Set a knock out Easter table with a bouquet or two--or if you aren't hosting, bring a bunch as a gift. While a beautiful bouquet is always wonderful, you could also attach finished flowers to a headband, cover a tote bag in them, or add some to a pillow. 

The key to this project is high quality wool. You need the fabric to be dense enough to hold its shape but still have enough drape to look soft and flexible, like real flower petals. Our flowers are made with Sue Spargo wool . We love it for its wonderful feel and rich color.

Our Hydrangeas may look real, but they're made from wool and floral wire, with a bit of ink for shading. To make a full bouquet does take a bit of time, but is simple enough for older kids and beginning crafters. No sewing skill needed. We created a full video tutorial to walk you through each step, and put all the supplies you need together in a kit so you can't go wrong. Plus, kits cost about the same, or even less than, a single fresh flower bouquet and you won't have to throw them away after a week. 

The picture above shows the size of one completed purple hydrangea kit. Add a second kit or mix colors for a larger bouquet (like in the first picture).

Now for all the details... 

Supplies:

• Hydrangea Kit or
  • 2 - 9" x 11" quality felted wool fabric (we used Sue Spargo Wool) in two colors for each group of flowers
  • 1 - 6" x 9" piece of green felted wool fabric for leaves 
  • floral wire
  • floral tape
• hot glue
• all-purpose ink 
• paper towel

Tools:

• Sharp Scissors
• Pinking Shears
• Low Temp Glue Gun
• Wire Snips
• Round or Needle Nose Pliers
• Fantastix (to apply ink)

Once you've got all your materials together this video will lead you through the process of making your flowers one step at a time. 

In the video we show you how to free-cut each flower and leaf, but if you prefer, you can make a template to trace and then cut from. Download the template page, and trace onto a sheet of template plastic or card stock. Download the templates here.

Your last step is to gather the flowers into bunches and wrap with floral tape. Real hydrangeas grow in clusters and grouping your stems makes it easier to arrange and helps them stay put in a vase. For each kit we make four clusters of flowers. One large, one medium, and two small. To make a cluster start with a single flower and build your arrangement around it. You want to approximate a half dome shape. Start making your final arrangement with the large cluster and arrange your other clusters around it. Be sure to vary the height of your flowers when making clusters and the height of your clusters when doing your final arranging. Once you have your clusters arranged you can secure them with more tape or use a green rubber band if you want to be able to take them apart later. 

Here's a few close-ups of our finished flowers. See how subtle the inking is, but how much it adds to the look. You can also see how using two similar colors of wool gives the flowers a more natural look. 

We hope you enjoy this project. Share your finished bouquets  in our Show Us Your Stuff Facebook group or use tag #stitchinpost on Instagram.

Let us know if you liked this kit and tutorial. We have some other flower types we could offer if there is enough interest. 

Happy crafting!

Face Mask Tips, Patterns, and Information

Face masks are in desperate need and anyone who can sew, can help. We've gathered the best information and patterns we could find and added some of our own tips and tricks in this post. We also created an information page on our website that we will update as more information becomes available. 

Let's get started with some general information and guidelines...

Each organization accepting masks has its own needs and requirements. Before you start sewing find an organization in need, get their requirements, then choose your mask pattern to fit.

Completed masks can be donated at many local hospitals. If your hospital isn't accepting masks at this time they can still be a good source of information. More organizations who may be accepting donations are hospice care, senior centers, first responders, and shelters. Other options for finding an organization in need are to contact your local quilting guild or quilt shop, join a mask making group on Facebook, ask a healthcare professional you know, or check your local news and community websites.

If you are in Central Oregon,  Partners in Care (a hospice and home health organization) reached out to us and is in desperate need of masks. You can also join Central Oregon Emergency Mask Makers Facebook group. They are organizing mask making and collection, and are a great source for up to date patterns and information. 

General Mask Requirements
Use tightly woven 100% cotton fabric & cotton thread
Remember that both men & women need masks
Masks will be washed and sterilized before use
Any excess masks will be donated to others in need

Possible Organization Specific Requirements
No elastic (it may have latex)
Nose pocket for wire
Filter pocket
Set size

In general pleated masks with fabric or ribbon ties are preferred. 

Now that you have the basics, here are some pattern options...

Mask Patterns & Tutorials

• Video tutorial- Double layer with nose wire, filter pocket and elastic from Easy to Sew
• Pattern - Double layer contour mask with ties from Free Sewing
• Pattern - Double layer with filter pocket and ties from St. Charles Hospital  

Tips & Tricks (most apply to the pleated style mask)

1) Cut and sew your masks in batches. For example if you are sewing the pleated style mask, most instructions have you complete the rectangular face portion then add the ties to the sides. It's faster and easier to cut your fabric two to four times the width of a single mask, follow all the construction instructions, then measure and cut your individual masks.

This method works great for fat quarters and a pleated style mask. You can get six masks (without ties) from two fat quarters with almost zero waste. Use ribbon, bias tape, yardage, or another fat quarter for the ties. 

Steps below are meant to be adapted to your patten, not a full pattern.

Place fat quarters right sides together and square up. Sew a 1/4" seam along both long edges (note: this won't work for a directional print). Cut in half lengthwise.

With one of the halves, mark and turn back cut edges 1/4" inch. Sew turned edge. Repeat this, and remaining steps, for both sides.

Lay flat and pleat both sides, using the turned edge as the top (see pleating tip below).

Square raw edges if needed and cut into three equal sections (about 7 1/4" each)

Fold right sides together and sew turned down edge in 1 3/4" from each side. This will leave a gap in the top middle of the mask to insert a filter.

Turn right sides out and press.

Add ties to the sides (see tip below) and you're done. Six masks from two fat quarters and very little time.

2) If you have pre-made bias tape or cotton ribbon, using them for ties will speed up construction significantly. Just make sure anything you use is 100% cotton, durable, and can be laundered 

3) When making your own ties, use a bias tape maker or try this hack with pins. Pins should be about an iron width apart and make sure the pins you use can be ironed over. Pressing your strip in half first gives you a guide to follow as you pull your strip through the pins. Strips should be cut 1 1/2" wide by 36". Finished tie will be 3/8" wide

4) Make a paper pleating guide. Measurements shown are what we used for our fat quarter masks, alter the measurements to fit your pattern. This guide makes two pleats.

5) Use two different fabrics, one for the front and a second for the back. This helps wearers keep track of which side faces out if they need to remove the mask. 

6) Tightly zigzag the ends of your ties instead of folding fabric back. This eliminates bulk that can be difficult to sew over and saves time, but still gives a finished edge. 

7) Open your bias tape/ties and sew to back of mask, before sewing entire tie and top stitching on front of mask. This is more secure and much easier than worrying about catching both sides of the tie with one stitch.

If you have any tips to add, please leave them in the comments.

Organizations Accepting Masks in Central Oregon 

• Partners in Care (home health & hospice care)
• Central Oregon Emergency Mask Makers Facebook group
• St. Charles Hospital

If you know of an organization that would like to be included on our list please email us at [email protected] or leave a comment. 

Thanks for helping. We can do this together!

 

DIY Grocery Tote

Oregon recently passed a law banning single use plastic bags, and adding a five cent charge to paper bags in many retail situations. This has us thinking about reusable tote bags. Besides being Eco-friendly and saving you from extra charges, fabric bags are sturdier, easier to carry, and way better looking than their plastic cousins. Plus, you get a relaxing hour or two with your sewing machine. What's not to love?!

To make it super simple to craft your own bag, we've put together a free pattern, a tutorial (below), and four tote bag kits. Kits come with everything you need for a single bag: exterior linen or canvas fabric, muslin lining, and sturdy cotton webbing for handles. 

Val raided her fabric collection and generously agreed to share four of her gorgeous vintage fabrics from her lines Mystic and Quill. All four fabrics are out of print, and available only in these kits and in limited quantities. Once they're gone, they're gone for good. 

Okay, let's get sewing! Follow the pattern below or download the pattern. 

Cutting Instructions:

Cut 2 – 17 ½” x 18 ½” rectangles out of outside and lining fabric

Cut 2 – 22” pieces from cotton webbing

Assembly Instructions:

1.  Place outside fabrics right sides together, pin around sides and bottom. Repeat with lining.

2.  Using a ¼” seam allowance, stitch around bag, pivoting at the corners. Repeat with lining.

3.  To create the gusset, fold the corner as shown, making sure you can feel the seams nest together. (One seam goes to the left and the other to the right.)  Measure down 5” from the point, and mark a line across the triangle. Pin the fabrics together.

4. Stitch across the triangle at the pencil line, back-tacking at each end of the seam. Repeat for the other corner of the outer fabric and both corners of the lining.

5.  Trim off corners 1/4” from the stitching.

6.  Press lining and outside of bag. Press top edge down 1/4”.

7.  Turn outside right-side out and place the lining inside, so the wrong sides are together. Line up the edge seams of both fabrics and pin in place. Lay flat on table and measure 4” from side seam edge. Place one end of cotton webbing in between the two fabrics, 1/2” from edge, and pin in place. Repeat for other side of handle. Turn bag over and pin other handle in place using the first handle for placement.

8.  Pin entire top of the bag.

9.  Top stitch around top of bag, 1/8” in from edge.

10.  Top stitch around top of bag a second time, 1/4” in from the edge.

All done! Grab your new bag and head for the store. 

Download Pattern

Shop Supplies & Tools Shown:

Kit

Ruler

Oliso Iron

Wool Mat

KAI Scissors

Marking Pencil

 

No Knit Yarn Hats

Christmas is only a few days away! Most of us are super busy with last minute preparations; focused on wrapping, baking, and simply getting through it all. So our last project of Christmas couldn't be easier, plus you probably already have everything you need to make it. These adorable yarn hats only take a few minutes to put together and make charming package toppers or a quick last minute ornament to give. 

Let's get right to making one...

You'll need: yarn, card stock or toilet roll, glue or double sided tape, thread, and some scissors

We used worsted weight red and green yarns from our stash, card stock in similar colors to the yarn and strong scrapbooking double sided tape. Just about any scrap yarn you have will work for this project, but if you go for a super thin or thick yarn you may need to change the dimensions of your base circle.

Cut your materials (makes 1 hat):

    card stock  3/4" x 6" or toilet roll 3/4" wide round

    yarn 14" lengths

Using double sided tape or glue, form your card stock strip into a circle (overlapping the ends 1/2") making the hat base. Fold a yarn piece in half and wrap it around the base, pulling the cut ends of the yarn through the loop made by the fold. Repeat until the entire hat base is covered. The number of strips you need is dependent on your yarn weight. Keep adding yarn pieces until the base is fully covered, pushing them together as you add them. We used about 46 strips per hat. The more you add, the better your finished hat will look. 

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Once the base is entirely covered with the yarn, gather up the all the cut ends of yarn and tie tightly (with more yarn) about 2 1/2" above bottom of hat. Trim ends to make the pom pom. Add thread or ribbon to hang. 

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Fill your hat with yarn or batting to get that rounded shape. We used the yarn trimming scraps from the last step and found that because we used wool yarn they stayed inside on their own, but you can also finish your hat by gluing on card stock or a piece of fabric trimmed to fit the hat opening. 

Have fun and Happy Holidays!

If you're looking for more last minute holiday ideas, check out some of our previous blog posts:

Wrap It Up

DIY Fabric Chain

Three Scarves You Can Make in an Hour

Favorite Holiday Cookies