FunThreads Designs: Tuesday Tutorial #3

Summer Vacation

Another easy peezy favorite pattern from the children's sewing classes that I teach. This is made to fit 18-inch dolls such as the American Girl Doll.

Pool Towel

Supply List

1/3 yard Terry Fabric

1/3 yard Cotton Fabric

26 inches of ric rac

Chalk Wheel

Freezer paper, wrapping paper or newspaper to draw your pattern

sewing supplies

Seam allowance = 1/2 inch

Step 1 - Make the Pattern

Draw a 12 x 21 inch rectangle on paper. Label it "pool towel - cut 1 of terry and cut 1 of cotton"

Step 2 - Cut the Fabrics

Stack both fabrics together and pin the pattern on top. Cut it all out.

Step 3 - Add the Rick Rack

Place the terry fabric on the table. Use a large ruler and a chalk wheel to draw a line 3 inches from the bottom and 3 inches from the top of the towel.

Pin the ric rac to this line. Sew down the center of the trim to attach it.

Step 4 - Sew the Towel

Place the terry fabric and the cotton fabric together with "pretty sides" touching. Make the edges even and pin.

Mark a 3 inch opening on one long side edge. This is where you will turn it later.

Sew around the towel using a 1/2 inch seam.

Step 5 - Clip Corners and Turn

Carefully clip a small triangle off each corner. Do no cut your stitching.

Turn the towel right side out and use your point turner to poke nice corners.

Step 6 - Top Stitch

Work your seams neatly to the edge and pin as you go. Turn in the seam allowance at the opening.

Top stitch around the towel using your presser foot as a guide. This step will sew the opening shut too.

Enjoy Your Towel!

Pool Tote

Supply List

9 x 12 piece of felt

9 x 12 piece of fabric

Two 10 inch long ribbon

Freezer paper, wrapping paper or newspaper to draw your pattern

sewing supplies

Seam allowance = 3/8 inch

Step 1 - Make the Pattern

Fold an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper in half. On the folded edge draw a rectangle that is 1 inch up from the fold and 1 1/4 inches in from the side at both corners. Cut out this rectangle and unfold the paper.

Label the pattern "pool tote - cut 1 felt & cut 1 fabric".

Step 2 - Cut out the Fabric

Stack the fabric and the felt together with pretty sides touching . Pin on the pattern and cut it out.

Step 3 - Attach the Handles

Place the cotton fabric only facing "pretty side" up on the table. On the top edge measure and mark 3 inches in from both sides.

Place the ribbon facing down at the marks. Make the edge of the ribbon even to the fabric and pin.

Stitch across the ribbon ends to hold them in place using a 1/4 inch seam.

Repeat for the bottom handle.

Step 4 - Sew the Top Edges

Place the tote fabric and the felt together with "pretty sides" touching. Make the top and bottom edges even and pin.

Sew the top and bottom edges using a 3/8 seam.

Turn pretty side out and finger press the seam. You don't want to iron on the felt.

Step 5 - Sew the Sides

Fold the tote in half with "pretty sides" touching. Felt will be on the outside. Make the edges even and pin.

Sew the sides using a 3/8 seam.

Step 6 - Sew the Bottom Corners

Pull the notched corners out and bring the edges together shaping the bag and pin.

Sew using a 3/8 seam.

Turn tote pretty side out. It's optional to top stitch around the top of the tote but it looks nicer.

Enjoy your Tote!

Grass Skirt

Supply List

1/2 yard of green fabric

11 inches of 1/4 wide elastic

Freezer paper, wrapping paper or newspaper to draw your pattern

sewing supplies

Step 1 - Make the Pattern

Draw a 16 x 21 inch rectangle on paper. Label the pattern " grass skirt - cut 1"

Step 2 - Cut the Fabric

Pin the pattern to the fabric and cut it out.

Step 3 - Make the Casing

Fold the fabric in half to make a piece that is 8 x 22 inches. Press this fold.

Sew 1/2 inch from the fold to make the casing.

Use a safety pin on the end of your elastic to help guide it through the casing.

Stitch both ends of the elastic to the casing to hold it in place.

Step 4 - Sew the Back Seam

Fold the skirt in half with "pretty sides" touching. Make the edge even and pin. Sew approx. 1 inch down using a 1/2 inch seam. There is no need to sew all the way down since you will be cutting fringe anyways.

Step 5 - Cut the Fringe

Cut the fringe from the bottom of the skirt to just below the casing. Don't cut your stitching. Make strips approx 3/4 inch wide. You can use pinking shears for a different look.