Back by Popular Demand! Smiles Around the World

I got a request to make one of my Smiles Around the World Memory Matching games last week. I love this fabric which celebrates children from around the world. Being a math teacher, I also love how the game memory helps build deductive reasoning skills in young children! In addition to the set I made as a custom order, I made a couple more sets available in my Artfire Studio and Etsy Shop. You can order the game with either a pink or blue bag. They are already made and ready to be shipped. Hurry - these don't usually last long in my shop!

Rag Rug - Getting Started

I received a 28 pound box of fabric from a friend on Etsy to make her a rag rug. There is a total of 18 different fabric - not all the same material. I have cotton, polyesters, knit cotton, velor, and one I am not even sure what it is! I have managed to prepare 9 of the 18 fabrics. One is missing from the photo. I fold the fabric and cut it into 1 1/2 inch strips. I am using scissors and eyeballing the measurement, so the width does vary a little. At the ends of each strip, I cut a small slit about 1/2 an inch long. Then, I connect the strips by looping the next strip through itself attached to the ball of "fabric yarn" that I have started. Please visit LauraJane's YouTube Video to see how the "slit" method works for joining the strips of fabric. I have also read about this method in a rag rug pamphlet. If I remember, I will look to see what the pamphlet is called. I still have a bit of work to do and am excited to start the rug. I may make a few hot pads before I begin the room size rug to get a little more practice in. Stay tuned to watch my progress on this project. I will share hints and tips that I discover along the way. For instance, I first joined all the fabric strips and then rolled it into a ball of yarn. For me, I have found it easier to add one strip at a time and roll the ball of yarn as I proceed. The only problem is my son wants to play with the "ball."

Teething and Reaching New Heights

We all want our babes to thrive and grow stronger and taller. However, with the good comes the bad. My babe can now reach the ends of his crib which are much higher than the rails. The ends are massive solid rectangular pieces of wood. How in the world was I going to protect my babe from these? Nothing like a problem to inspire a bit of mommy creativity. I decided to make a rectangular quilt with extra fabric on the perimeter to slide ribbon through. Then I could cinch up the ribbon to hold the quilted guard to the end of the crib.

I placed a second piece of fabric underneath the Baby Snoopy fabric shown above, right sides together. Then I stitched them together, turned right sides out and machine quilted where there was batting. Then I top stitched a seam to provide a slot for the ribbon. I slid the ribbon through and went to the nursery. It fit fine, but I knew that my little guy could tear it down in no time! So, back to the sewing machine. I top stitched another aisle to slide elastic through. After sliding the elastic through, I went back to the nursery. I placed the guard on the crib and cinched the elastic as tight as it would go. I noted the location and then tied off the elastic. Then I placed the guard back on the crib and tugged. It was secure!! I do not think that the babe will be able to tear it down with the addition of the elastic. I left the ribbon in as well. I figured a little extra cinching never hurt! This is what the final quilted guard looks like.

I have written three Do It Yourself Tutorials available in my Etsy shop and my Artfire Shop. There are even two No Sew Tutorials.

Math and Sewing

I am a high school math teacher and I love all of the mathematics that is woven into sewing and designing your own patterns. One of my latest sewing creations is a set of fabric blocks. The pattern for a block is simply a mathematical "net" for a 3-dimensional figure. A net is a 2-dimensional representation of a 3-dimensional figure that can be assembled to create the 3-dimensional figure. For a block, which is a cube, there are six sides, so six squares make up the block as shown below.

When sewing, I start by sewing all adjacent sides together. Then, I sew the two sides, and the front and back to the bottom. Finally, I sew the top to each side. For the last edge, I sew only a little ways in from each corner and stop. Next, I turn the block right sides out. At this point, it is time to stuff the block. Finally, sew the opening on the last edge.

Here is a picture of a Jumbo Block that I made for the nursery. Since it is larger, I top stitched each edge to help keep its shape. It is great to double as a pillow for mom or dad after a long night! If you are interested in purchasing this block or one like it, visit my Etsy Shop.

Fabric Blocks for my Etsy Shop

My little guy is going through a phase where he throws everything. So, I made him some fabric blocks to play with. Now when I get hit in the head, it won't hurt quite so much! I also made a set for my Etsy Shop. These fabric blocks are made with stimulating patterned cotton fabrics. Machine wash on gentle and air dry. Each block measures approximately 3 inches square.