Something all Mums love at any time of year is handcrafted gifts from their children, Even if their children are now all grown up. So if you're feeling like you want to home make a Craft item for your Mum this Mothers day then this is a very simple 'present' that would make a lovely forever crafted keepsake. This Craft idea requires minimal sewing machine usage However if you want to add the ribbon to the sides then I find it best to sew the ribbon into place. Also to add a 'gift tag' then some zig zag stitches would be ideal.
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Choose your favourite fabric![/caption]
First of all chose 6 pieces of cotton fabric (Craft cotton is best) to make up the sides, colour and pattern of the fabric is up to you, but I like mine to co-ordinate, I would suggest not using fabric with squares on, if you're not a confident Crafter and the fabric moves whilst sewing then it will show because your lines will not be straight! The size of your 'gift' is up to you, but the smaller the size the more fiddly it becomes. I tend to use a card template that measures 15cmx15cm cut straight with a Craft knife. Use the template to draw around on your fabric. If you would like to add some Craft ribbon around all sides now is the time to sew these along the centre of the squares that will be around the sides of the cube, on the top square make cross with the ribbon.
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Once your gift is filled with wadding, blanket stitch the gap at the bottom.[/caption]
Leaving a 5mm gap all around the edges of your squares (I use the foot on my machine as my guide) pin and begin to sew all the squares together that would make up the sides of your gift. This is basic crafting using the machine so shouldn't be too difficult. Once the 4 squares are sewn together your handcrafted cube will begin to take shape! Pin what would be the top of your 'gift' onto the already sewn pieces sew all around. Do exactly the same for the base but leave a small gap to turn the whole thing the right way around! Before you fill the cube with filling, craft yourself a bow and hand sew this on to the top of the cube. As I do with all my Craft projects that require filling, I just tear up 4oz wadding and starting at all corners simply keep filling until the cube is full!! Sew up the gap using a blanket stitch.
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Use an embroidery hoop and thread to create your personalised gift tag.[/caption]
If you're an expert crafter (or feeling brave) you may want to try adding a handcrafted gift tag, with hand-sewn lettering. This is just a drawn out shape and handwritten note that is then simply traced over onto white or pale Craft cotton. The fabric is then held in pace with an embroidery hoop, doesnt matter which size just as long as its big enough for you to hold and handstitch the lettering. Using a sharp needle and embroidery thread, sew all the writing with a simple craft back stitch.
Once complete, take the fabric out of the hoop. To make sure that my gift tag is stays in place, I would iron onto the back of it some lightweight bondaweb, I use this for all my craft projects that require any applique. Cut around the shape of your gift tag, peel off the back of the bondaweb add some ribbon through the hole of your tag and iron onto your chosen place, do this BEFORE you have sewn alll the pieces of your cube together, then to neaten up the edges (this is something I do with all my craft appliques) machine a zig-zag stitch around the whole tag. Continue constructing the cube as previously mentioned, fill with wadding ensuring your pay attention to the corners and sew up the gap using a blanket stitch.
Handmade Crafts are a great way to treat your Mum, time, effort and care goes into giving her a lovingly crafted item for her to treasure forever.
Choose your favourite fabric![/caption]
First of all chose 6 pieces of cotton fabric (Craft cotton is best) to make up the sides, colour and pattern of the fabric is up to you, but I like mine to co-ordinate, I would suggest not using fabric with squares on, if you're not a confident Crafter and the fabric moves whilst sewing then it will show because your lines will not be straight! The size of your 'gift' is up to you, but the smaller the size the more fiddly it becomes. I tend to use a card template that measures 15cmx15cm cut straight with a Craft knife. Use the template to draw around on your fabric. If you would like to add some Craft ribbon around all sides now is the time to sew these along the centre of the squares that will be around the sides of the cube, on the top square make cross with the ribbon.
[caption id="attachment_6651" align="alignleft" width="276"] Once your gift is filled with wadding, blanket stitch the gap at the bottom.[/caption]
Leaving a 5mm gap all around the edges of your squares (I use the foot on my machine as my guide) pin and begin to sew all the squares together that would make up the sides of your gift. This is basic crafting using the machine so shouldn't be too difficult. Once the 4 squares are sewn together your handcrafted cube will begin to take shape! Pin what would be the top of your 'gift' onto the already sewn pieces sew all around. Do exactly the same for the base but leave a small gap to turn the whole thing the right way around! Before you fill the cube with filling, craft yourself a bow and hand sew this on to the top of the cube. As I do with all my Craft projects that require filling, I just tear up 4oz wadding and starting at all corners simply keep filling until the cube is full!! Sew up the gap using a blanket stitch.
[caption id="attachment_6648" align="alignright" width="300"] Use an embroidery hoop and thread to create your personalised gift tag.[/caption]
If you're an expert crafter (or feeling brave) you may want to try adding a handcrafted gift tag, with hand-sewn lettering. This is just a drawn out shape and handwritten note that is then simply traced over onto white or pale Craft cotton. The fabric is then held in pace with an embroidery hoop, doesnt matter which size just as long as its big enough for you to hold and handstitch the lettering. Using a sharp needle and embroidery thread, sew all the writing with a simple craft back stitch.
Once complete, take the fabric out of the hoop. To make sure that my gift tag is stays in place, I would iron onto the back of it some lightweight bondaweb, I use this for all my craft projects that require any applique. Cut around the shape of your gift tag, peel off the back of the bondaweb add some ribbon through the hole of your tag and iron onto your chosen place, do this BEFORE you have sewn alll the pieces of your cube together, then to neaten up the edges (this is something I do with all my craft appliques) machine a zig-zag stitch around the whole tag. Continue constructing the cube as previously mentioned, fill with wadding ensuring your pay attention to the corners and sew up the gap using a blanket stitch.
Handmade Crafts are a great way to treat your Mum, time, effort and care goes into giving her a lovingly crafted item for her to treasure forever.