Scrappy Flower Pins

Inspiration for my pins came from several venues. I love recycling projects. These pins provide me with ways to use up scraps of fabrics, orphaned earrings and buttons while playing with colors and textures. I carry the makings in a big box so I can craft the pins while I spend time with my Mom watching the boob tube.

SCRAPPY FLOWER TUTORIAL

My scrappy flower pins are a great way to use up bits of leftover fabric and orphaned earrings and buttons.
The pins have 2 to 5 layers. I love to mix different textures and colors of fabric. They are like potato chips - you can't have just one!

My tutorial shows how this particular pink scrappy pin is made. I used 3 fabrics - tulle, open weave cotton and a regular cotton. Cut the strips according to the following measurements. I used a rotary cutter for the tulle. I just tore the cottons. I like the fraying that I get this way. The loose threads lend an organic look to the finished pin.

This is how I cut the strips:

Strip 1 - approx. 1 1/4" wide by 18" long
Strip 2 - approx. 1 3/4" wide by 13" long
Strip 3 - approx. 2 1/4 " wide by 22" long

The gathered strips turn into the pictured rosettes.

Sew a running stitch on each strip along one long side. Pull up to gather. Meet ends and sew together. Be sure the gathers are arranged evenly.

Sew (or could glue) the circles on top of each other - biggest to smallest.

Select a center for the flower - orphaned earring or button, pin, pendant, etc.

Attach the center piece through all layers of the flower. Buttons are the easiest to sew on. I also sew on earrings or pins, often I will remove their backing to have the item lie flatter.
You could also simply glue the center.

I chose a pink yo yo from my stash.

Sew (or glue) the yo yo to the back of the flower to cover the stitches and to help support the petals.

Attach a pin back - I use an adhesive backed pin and then also put in a few stitches for extra security.
Attach the pin above the center of the flower so it will hang nicely on clothing.

Here is the pin livening up a plain black jacket.

The scrappy flowers look great on hats. Either pin it to the hat or sew it on permanently.

How to Make a Handbag from Jeans

Next Friday, February 5, 2010 I will be demonstrating to the Wearable Arts Bee how to make a handbag from jeans. I have made 4 of these bags now so I will share my experience.

MAKING A HANDBAG FROM JEANS

Select a used pair of jeans. I prefer size 6 – not too big, not too small.

Lay the jeans out on a cutting table. Cut off straight at crotch.

Make front and back waistline match up – cut a straight bottom.

Sew the bottom right sides together.

Open up one of the legs at the inner leg seam and press open.

Use bag to measure for a front flap. The flap should be slightly narrower than the opening of the bag. Make the flap long enough to fit part way into the bag. Cut the flap from the opened leg. I center the flap on the leg side seam.

Use bag to measure for lining.

Cut out the lining. Add pockets, if desired, now. Sew up the lining and place in bag. Check if fits properly. Adjust as needed. Press top edge under about 1/2”. Set aside for now.

Line the front flap with selected fabric, right sides together. Turn and check the size. Now is the time to make any adjustments. Trim seam and press.

Insert the flap partway into the bag so it folds over the front as desired. (right side of flap to inside of bag) Sew flap to bag.

Measure for straps. Cut from the legs to make the straps. I use a length of fabric approximately 4” wide and 48” long, piecing, if necessary. Fold the strip wrong sides together, sew, turn and press.

Insert the straps about 2 – 3” into the bag and sew.

Put the lining back into the bag and sew the lining around the opening of the bag. This will also reinforce the flap and straps.

Embellish the front flap as desired.

My black leather jean handbag

Here is the bag that I made from size 10 leather jeans. I bought the jeans in a thrift shop for $4.00. I got them in early summer last year so they had been marked down several times already. The leather was soft and easy to work with. These jeans were already lined so I didn't add a contrasting lining.
At first, I only added a small rosette to the flap. After viewing a designer bag in a fashion magazine I enlarged the rosette. The center is an orphaned button.

My cooking video

I just had a student at the Digital Media Library help me convert this old video into a youtube friendly format.

Yes, that is me - 20 years ago.

Here I am on That's Clever!

Now you can view my segment on That's Clever. Just click on the title "Here I am on That's Clever" and you will connect with my video on youtube.
Woohoo-enjoy, enjoy!

I'VE MADE THE BIG TIME!

Here is a link to an article in the Rice News: http://www.media.rice.edu/media/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=13516

Here's an interesting website for free handbag patterns.