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Learn All About Insul-Bright

Learn All About Insul-Bright

by | May 26, 2021 | Fabric, Fabric Guides, Fabric Information Guide, Interfacing and Interlining, Product Guides

What is Insul-Bright?

Is your next project too hot to handle or too cold to hold? What you need is Insul-Bright! Learn all about Insul-Bright in this tutorial.

Insul-Bright is an insulated wadding that keeps hot things hot and cold things cold. It is made from metalised polyester film, with Polyester fibres needled through it. The polyester film reflects energy, hot or cold. The needled material is breathable and the fibres help resist conduction. You can use it for a variety of simple yet practical projects for the family and the home.

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11 Tips For Sewing With PVC Vinyl Fabric

11 Tips For Sewing With PVC Vinyl Fabric

by | May 26, 2021 | Fabric, Fabric Guides, Fabric Information Guide, My Makes, Product Guides, Project Ideas

Hands up if you knew we stock PVC vinyl… This fabric can be a little sticky to handle… Read on for our top tips on sewing with PVC Vinyl Fabric

PVC vinyl is such a versatile fabric with a variety of finishing options…

There’s often a little touch on a project where a transparent fabric could finish it off to perfection; Little ‘glass’ panes in windows, a clear tab to hold an ID tag, a bag you can glance the contents of, an apron that doesn’t hide your outfit… there are so many uses big and small.

So here you have it, a comprehensive guide to sewing with PVC vinyl.

11 tips for sewing clear vinyl


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3 Project Ideas For Father’s Day!

3 Project Ideas For Father’s Day!

by | May 20, 2021 | Project Ideas, Tutorials

Can you believe it’s almost June? Father’s Day is JUST round the corner.

Buying for men can be surprisingly difficult! Turns out they can be pickier than women, who knew?!

Soooo… What are you getting Dad this year? Another pair of socks? Or do you just about have enough brain bandwidth to make a card?

If so, don’t feel bad! We know times have been trying as of late.

To save you the brain power of having to think of yet ANOTHER fun or creative gift we’ve put together 3 Father’s Day project ideas for you below.

First up is the A5 notebook cover which you can find here.

It’s great for busy office Dad’s to help protect everyday notebooks from wear & tear, but most important little food ridden hands!

Next is the large travel wash bag!

Ideal to store bathroom supplies when holidaying or if Dad is super trendy… use it as a man bag.

Last but not least is the SUPER quick to make 15 minute fabric trays!

This is a project we’ve done previously but repurposed for Father’s Day because they’re so handy!

Who loses their keys more? Mum or Dad? We can bet its Dad.

Whoever it is, these snazzy fabric trays are great to have jotted round the house for the whole family to use & keep keys, wallets or any other everyday essentials.

Check out the tutorials & give Dad a handmade gift this year!

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Tutorial: Sew An A5 Notebook Cover In 30 Minutes

Tutorial: Sew An A5 Notebook Cover In 30 Minutes

by | May 16, 2021 | Fabric, My Makes, Quilt Fabric, Tutorials

Sew an A5 notebook cover in 30 minutes. Learn how to do it in this step-by-step tutorial.

There is something so appealing about new stationery; even in an ever increasingly digital age, the perfect notebook still holds its own.

With this in mind we thought a makeover was in order; a cover will level up an already essential item for a lucky recipient.

A Sewing Project For Beginners

You Will Learn:

  • How to draft a fabric book covering
  • How to use Decovil

You Will Need:

Note: this should be enough to cover most A5 notebooks, if in doubt, draft the pattern 1st to check the size.

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How To Draft A Notebook Cover Pattern

1. Cut a length of paper, greaseproof is ideal, large enough to wrap around the cover of the book and fold in either side of the cover to the halfway point (like a book’s dust cover).

Close the book to check sizing before cutting; the cover of the closed book spans a greater distance than when it is open.

The paper needs to be at least 4cm taller than the notebook too.

2. Open out the paper and draw a line 2cm up from the bottom edge.

3. Fold the paper in half bringing the 2 short sides together to find the centre point.

4. Place the spine of the book along the central fold and wrap the paper round the cover.

5. Line up the bottom edge of the notebook along the drawn line.

6. Mark a line on the paper along the top edge of the book and down the 2 edges of the cover.

7. Open the paper out and draw a line 2cm above the marked line at the top.

8. Check the pattern has right angled corners and straighten up any uneven lines, cut it out and label it “Cover”.

9. Measure the total height of the pattern and write it on the pattern (for example, 25cm).

10. Cover the pattern with a second piece of paper and trace out the large rectangle that has formed in the centre, label it “Decovil” and cut it out.

Cut The Fabrics:

11. Cut the following:

  • 1 x outer cover fabric using your “Cover” pattern
  • 1 x lining cover fabric using your “Cover” pattern
  • 1 5x8cm fabric pen tab from your outer fabric
  • 1 x Decovil using your “Decovil” pattern
  • 1 length pattern height elastic (step 9.)
  • 6cm elastic pen loop

How To Apply Decovil

12. Spread a smooth surfaced tea towel/ spare length of cotton over an ironing board.

13. Place the outer fabric right side down.

14. Using the markings on the cover pattern piece, position the Decovil shiny side down.

15. Lay a smooth surfaced tea towel/ spare length of cotton over the top.

16. Dampen the cover fabric using the iron’s spray setting and press for roughly 6 seconds, heat setting 2.

17. Allow the adhesive to cool and cure for a minimum of 30 minutes.

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Assemble The Pen Tab

18. Fold in 1cm along the long edges of the pen tab and press.

19. Fold and press 1cm of fabric along the short edges and press.

20. Fold the tab in half, encasing the raw edges and press.

21. Fold the elastic pen loop in half and tuck 1cm of the raw edges into the pen tab. Pin to secure.

22. Turn the outer cover right side up and where the design on your fabric is directional ensure it is right way up.

23.  Find the line where the Decovil stops on the right and make a mark in the centre of that line.

24. Position the pen tab at that mark, with the tab to the right and the elastic loop overlapping the Decovil to the left.

25. Sew around the 4 sides of the pen tab, tight to the edge to secure.

 

Position The Bookmark

26. On the left hand side of the outer cover, place the bookmark elastic in parallel, 3cm to the left of the line where the Decovil stops and pin

Assemble The Notebook Cover

27. Align the outer and lining fabrics right sides together.

28. Pin and sew the short edges together only.

Form The Flap Pleats

29. Find the edge of the Decovil on each side, then fold over and press the overhanging fabric.

30. On both sides press the fabric along the seam line to concertina back towards the edge of the Decovil.

31. On both sides fold and press the lining fabric in line with the edge of the Decovil, forming the flaps for the cover.

32. Pin and sew along the top and bottom edges of the cover, leaving a 10cm opening in the bottom edge.

33. Turn the cover out the right way, ensuring the flaps overlap the lining.

34. Hand or machine sew the opening closed.

35. To insert the notebook, Open the cover on one side and insert it under the corresponding flap. Repeat on the other side.

And you’re finished, well done!

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Pin For Later!

We hope you found this tutorial useful! Let us know how you get along in the comments below.