Free fabric label tutorial

Today I just found out myself was featured on ALL FREE SEWING website. Here is the project that I was being featured on the website. It's my free tutorial on how to make a fabric label. I have demonstrated three different ways of creating your own fabric labels. You can create them in just 10 minutes! Hurry up! It's time to create your own label.

Hex N More ruler

I love playing with rulers. Making different kind of blocks by using different shapes of the rulers. Today I'm going to feature a special ruler which can make a shape of a hexagon block. Isn't that sound gorgeous? It's Hex N More by Julie Herman from Jaybird Quilts. This ruler comes in two different sizes.

Hex N More Ruler by Jaybird Quilts

Hex N More Ruler by Jaybird Quilts

What can you make out of this ruler? Here you go .....

Hex n More block

Hex n More block

Hex n More block

Hex n More block

You can make this as your table topper like what the original idea from the tutorial.  You can get this free tutorial from Jaybird Quilts website. Julie, you are really cleaver. This ruler is just too gorgeous. Go and grab one! 

Somerset Star Christmas Card Tutorial

These beautiful greetings cards make wonderful gifts and are an ideal way to display your patchwork! It looks complicated but it's actually easier than it looks. There is not much skill needed to make this. This is a traditional patchwork design called Somerset Star in the UK. It's made by using small pieces of fabric folded to make triangles. Here is the instruction of making the Somerset Star Christmas card.

Materials:

• a piece of white or cream backing fabric , 7" x 7"
• a 6" embroidery hoop
• white fabric cut 12 pieces , 1.5" x 2.5"
• blue fabrics cut 16 pieces, 1.5" x 2.5"
• white thread
• needle
• a circle aperture card- circle 96mm Dia

Step 1

Turn under the top edge of each rectangle by 1/4"

Step 2

Fold the top corners to the middle to form a triangle.

Step 3

Create 12 white triangles and 16 blue triangles.

Tips: Use 2 different colours of fabrics to show the contrast.

Step4

Divide the fabric into four and draw a line from left to right and from top to bottom.

Step 5

Using an embroidery hoop to hold the fabric taut so that it doesn't pucker.

Step 6

Position four triangles.

Step 7

Sticth the triangles at the centre.

Step 8

Stitch the triangles according to the order of numbers. Number 4 will be go back to the center on another piece of triangle.

Step 9

Stitch all the four triangles.

Step 10

Take your second set of blue triangles. Build up the next round of four triangles, placing them 1/4" below the first.

Step 11

Build up another four of blue triangles overlapping the first.

Step 12

Take your third set. Repeat the same step as Step 10 for another round of triangles.

Step 13

Repeat the same step as Step 11 for another round of triangles.

Step 14

Continue to work in rounds, spacing the triangles over the previous round and in between until the design is complete.

.

Step 15

Complete the final round.

Step 16

Remove the star from the hoop and iron it on the ironing board.

Step 17

Trim off the extra bit and now you can create your card!

Step 18

Ta da! Here is your Somerset Star Christmas Card!

You can even play around with it by using different materials

or

in different pattern!

For more designs please visit here!

I was featured on Sew Happy Geek !

Somerset Star Christmas Card

Last Wednesday, I went to a quilting group and I saw a lady, Tammy, was stitching the lovely Somerset star. I like the way she used of colours and materials. Since then, I decided to learn this Somerset star!

I used two different types of materials to make these stars. Did you realise the shinny gold fabric and the shinny silver fabric that I have used in the stars?

Yes, those materials are attractive BUT they are not easy to use because they don't crease easily. To make them easier to fold, I ironed the materials before I stitched them together!

The simple technique of using Somerset patches in the circle forms an eye catching central star motif. Do you want to make this a christmas card for your family and friends? Visit my tutorial here. I hope you will enjoy doing it!

Making your own fabric labels tutorial

I wanted to create my own fabric label for a long time. But I couldn't find a best way to print my own label. I read a lot of tutorials from different websites but still do not give me a good result. Therefore, I have done some experiments by using three different methods.

Method 1: Using Vinegar

- I ironed the fabric on a piece of freezer paper.

- Printed my design on the fabric.

- Let it dried for 5 minutes. Then, peeled the paper off the fabric.

- Ironed the fabric and let it set.

- Rinsed fabric in a pan of white vinegar , yes it's VINEGAR for 1 minute.

.

- Laid flat on a towel and blowed dry the it.

Result:

It turned out like this......

Pros- This is a healthy way of creating your fabric label as I didn't touch any of the chemical stuff to make the prints set on the fabric. In another word, this is an Organic Way of printing your own fabric label!

Cons- I don't think it looks great though!

Right, let's move on to the 2nd method!

Method 2: Using Bubble Jet Set

- Poured the solution into a flat pan and saturated fabric in solution for 5 minutes.

- Dried the fabric.

- Ironed the fabric on a piece of freezer paper.

- Printed my design on the fabric.

- Let the fabric sit for 30 minutes.

- Hand washed the fabric in cold water.

-Laid flat on a towel and blowed dry the it.

Result:

.... not too bad. I like it!

Can you see the difference?

Pros- The result was so GOOD!

Cons- Poisoning way of creating your fabric label! Do you know why? This solution contains Formaldehyde, commonly called formalin. Do you know what is that for? It is used to

PRESERVE DEAD BODIES!

"Formaldehyde is highly toxic to humans, regardless of method of intake. Ingestion of as little as 30 mL (1 oz.) of a solution containing 37% formaldehyde has been reported to cause death in an adult. " From Wikipedia.

This bubble jet solution contains a very small amount of formaldehyde at a concentration of 0.001%. I think it is safe enough to use as long as you keep it away from children.

Method 3: Using Miracle Fabric Sheets

Here is the tute:

Step 1:

Create an image or photograph using your computer, digital camera or scanner.

Tips: Print your design on paper first before print on the fabric. Check and align it well before you print it.

Step 2:

Print fabric sheets in your printer tray and print design on the fabric side.

Step 3:

Remove paper backing from fabric sheet.

Step 4:

Iron on the unprinted side of fabric to heat set the image.

Tips: Do not use steam!

Step 5:

Rinse fabric sheet in a pan of cold water for 1 minute.

Step 6:

Lay flat on a towel and allow to air dry or blow dry.

Tada! Here you go ... I have created my own fabric labels with a superb result!

There are many ways of making your own fabric labels. Choose a suitable one and experiment it! Please don't forget to leave a comment! Thank you!