I will be chiming in each Saturday with a scrap busting post this May! I have been sewing, sewing, sewing which is awesome – but it also leads to more scraps. In the past I’ve used up scraps to make doll clothes and stuff handmade toys but I wanted to expand my scrap busting repertoire. I thought I’d kill two birds with one stone and start out with a Mother’s Day present; my Mom has been hand-sewing loads of hexagons so I figured a needle book might be of use!
I used Deanna at Sew McCool’s tutorial as inspiration, which you can find here. The fabric was originally from a fat quarter stack of Moda’s Bonnie & Camille, Scrumptious that I won through a giveaway at Fluffy Sheep Quilting. I used heavy-weight double-sided fusible interfacing, because I had some on hand.
I’m really bummed, because it looked beautiful and perfectly square and then as I went to insert the KAM snap… it snapped. But only partially, and I couldn’t remove it without cutting it out. And re-doing the entire thing, fraying the edges and distorting the lines. Whine whine whine.
Anyways, I think the spine is a fun little touch, and the snap keeps it closed shut for travel. I have plans to make one for myself soon!
I never blogged about the original project the scraps came from, it was actually an ironing board cover that I made for my Mom’s birthday. It was super cold, snowy, and dark and I couldn’t get a decent picture to save my life. But here are a few of the bad ones!
I used Seraphym’s freebie quilting pattern for the top, which I found on Craftsy here and then just replaced the body and end with strips instead of the checkerboard in the pattern. A thrifted wool blanket made a cheap, plush backing that I quilted underneath.
This picture was just when I was trying to figure out how far I had to zoom out, but it made me laugh so I’m including it.
Phew! Scrapbusting, quilting, and (lack of) cleaning confessions. I’d love to hear any of your favorite scrappy projects in the comments!
Deanna {sewmccool}
Tuesday 6th of May 2014
I LOVE your needle book! Thanks for sharing my tutorial - hope it was helpful to you. And I think I must have that ironing board cover...mine looks really bad and the quilted look is adorable. Pinning!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Wednesday 7th of May 2014
Your tutorial was helpful! I wouldn't have thought of having a 'spine' like that. And ohhh do not ugly up your Pinterest board with my dark photos! I need to make one for myself and take decent pictures, now that it's nice out.
Sarah
Sunday 4th of May 2014
Both the original sewing project, a quilted ironing board cover and use of scraps, a quilted needle book, are gifts to your Mother! HOW GENEROUS with your quilting and sewing talents! I love the colorful floral & polka dot prints in red, gold, pale turquoise, olive, white & coral! BRAVO! You must be pleased to possess patience on the snap failure after "whine whine whine!" Thanks for sharing! Sarah Helene in Minneapolis
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Monday 5th of May 2014
Thanks for the kind comment - hopefully my Mom also loves the fabrics!
Amy of while wearing heels
Saturday 3rd of May 2014
What a great scrap busting project. You, obviously, have some mad sewing skills. Very impressive...as is your ironing board cover.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Saturday 3rd of May 2014
Thanks Amy! I am definitely still learning - I often preface my presents with "well, it's not perfect..." ;)