Start A Warm New Years FLEECE Tradition

Fun with Fleece

Supplies

• Fleece
• Fabric Scissors

Directions:

FLEECE TOTE

1.        Cut two pieces of fleece 14”X30”

2.       Keeping both pieces of fleece together, cut  1 ½” slits all along the bottom of one end of the rectangle.  As you reach the edge you will cut out a piece approximately 1 ½” square.

3.       Continue to cut slits up each side of the rectangle until you have about 14” of each side cut.

4.       Cut a strip off of the remaining length of each side of the rectangle. These will be the handles.

5.       From the INSIDE -TOP of the rectangle cut out the center pieces.  Make sure you DO NOT cut down further than the top slits on each side.

6.       Next, cut a little snip in the top middle of each fringe piece you cut.  You want to make the snip just even with the ends of each of your original cuts (that make the fringe).

7.       Next take both pieces of a fringe piece and push it through the slit in the top of the fringe. Pull snuggly and securely.

8.       Do this step with each of the fringe pieces.

9.       Tie the ends of the handle pieces into square knots at the top.

10.   To make the flowers…cut two different sizes of squares.  I used a 4” and a 3”.  Make little slits on each of the sides almost to the center.

11.   Fold the square in ½ and take out little triangle pieces from each side as shown

12.   You can cut away more from each petal to shape as desired.

13.   Layer flowers on top of one another and cut two slits in the center about ¼” apart from each other.

14.   Cut slits in desired location on the purse. 

15.   Line up slits in flowers and slits on purse.

16.   Cut a ½”X4” piece of fleece from your scraps.  From the inside of the purse, push each end of the scrap fleece through the slits in the purse and flower pieces. 

17.   From the front side of the purse, tie the scrap piece into a square knot and clip ends to desired length.

 SCARVE

1.       Cut a single piece of fleece 8”X36”.

2.       Along the 8” ends, cut in about 3”…every 1”. 

3.       Follow steps 6 & 7 to finish off fringe

4.       You can follow steps 10-17 if you desire to add flowers

 HEADBAND/EAR WARMER

1.       Cut a piece of fleece 3-5” wide by (circumference of head + 2”).  Make sure you cut the fleece so it is cut on the stretchy length…meaning you want your rectangle to “give” or stretch some.

2.       Cut the end pieces as shown…making and indent and “raindrop” shape in the middle end.

3.       Cut a slit in one of the raindrops as shown.

4.       Slip one of the raindrops through the other as shown. Set aside

5.       Cut flower as you did in steps 10-17 above, only make 3 flower pieces. 

6.       Push raindrop pieces through the slits in the flower.

 HAT

1.       Measure your head and divide by 4.  Add 2” to that measurement and that is the bottom of the triangle pieces you will cut. You need 4 pieces of fleece…all the same color or use two coordinating colors.  You can make the hat as long/tall as you desire. 

2.       Cut fringe along the two sides of the triangle as you did in steps 6-7 of the purse.

3.       At the very top of the triangle cut strips or raindrop shapes.

4.       You will secure the fringe as before only secure using two different pieces at a time. 

5.       Add a new side until you are all finished and the hat is in a round.

6.       Tie the raindrops from the INSIDE of the hat.

7.       Roll up the edge of the hat.

Sit-Upon & Chair Organizers

Sit-Upon & Chair Organizers

by Wendy Switzer

Level of Difficulty: Advanced

Hours to Complete: 2 hours

Supplies:

• Sewing Machine, thread, bobbins, etc.
• Two 15X28 dishtowels
• Scissors or cutting mat & rotary cutter
• Yardstick or measuring tape

Instructions:

1. Cut your dishtowels according to the pattern pictures below 

1.  Fold the seat portion in 1/2 and sew the other long side together (wrong sides together). Turn right sides out.
2. Hem one of the long edges of each of the pocket pieces.  You can use larger pieces and attach elastic to the top edge to create a puffy pocket look. 
3. Next, sew the large pockets to each of the side pieces.  Make sure your raw/unfinished edge is even with the bottom edge of your side pieces.
4. If you desire to divide your large pocket into two pockets, now is the time to sew a dividing line to create that look.
5. Next sew your small pockets onto the bottom edge of the side pieces (on top of the large pockets).  Make sure your bottom edges are all even.  
6. Sew the top edge of your side pieces and your handle edges inside each open end of the seat piece, about 1/2" in.  
7. Decorate with embellishments if you desire.
8. The handles allow you to keep hang up your organizer, neat & full of supplies, when you no longer are using it. 

Side Chair or Under Matress Organizer:

1. Cut a fabric piece 12X26
2. Fold up the fabric 6" to create your pocket.  Pin in place
3. Sew two stitching lines, on your pocket, 4" apart.  This divides your pocket into 3 pockets.
4. Finish the edges...hem, use bias tape, serge, etc.    

Back of Chair Organizer

1. Measure across the chair back that your organizer will be used on. Add 3" to that measurment.
2. Cut a piece of fabric 36"X (measurement of your chair).
3. Fold over 10" and pin.  This is that fabric than will be on the front side of the chair.
4. Next cut pieces of fabric to the desired width and size of the pockets you want.  Specific pockets can be created for your individual needs...for student dorm rooms, crafters, office worker, etc.  
5. Sew the pockets as you did above (arm chair organizer) and finish the edges.  
6. Decorate as desired. 

Reunion Ideas for all ages!

Reunion FUN!

Here are some great ideas for pulling off a stress free family reunion.  Getting everyone involved with simple activities will provide hours of entertainment for all.  It also provides "busy time" for younger people so those who wish to socialize can do so without much interruption.



Easiest way to Tye Dye tshirts
Tye dying tshirts is a great reunion past time, but can be a daunting and messy task.  Here is a simple and mess free way to achieve similar results.

Supplies:

• t shirts
• Rit dye (multiple colors)
• small spray bottles (your local Dollar stores carry the perfect size)
• table covering/newspaper
• paper stencils (optional) covered with clear acrylic spray
• rubber bands

Instructions:

1. Cover table with plastic, newspaper or paper table covering.
2. Scrunch t shirt together
3. Spray with dye
4. You can repeat steps 2 & 3 as many times as necessary or to achieve the look desired using multiple colors.
5. You can also use pattern stencils made from paper (spray with clear acrylic spray to make them durable for multiple uses)
6. You can also take sections of the t shirt and tie with a rubber bands.  Spray with the dye until the section is saturated.  Remove rubber band and you have a unique look and design. 

Boondoggle
This is a fun activity that has been around for generations.  So many fun and unique new ways to keep you busy for hours.  Absolutely THE best patterns for Boondoggle is http://boondoggleman.com/.  Amazing patterns EASY instructions and so simple that kids can follow along!

Supplies:

• Rexlace or plastic lacing
• Design instructions from website mentioned above
• key chains, safety pins, etc. (things to hook to your boondoggle)

Instructions:

1. Follow instructions and create unique and fun boondoggle crafts.

Friendship Bracelets

These are a fun and easy activity for ALL ages.  A great activity to pass the time, have something to do while just sitting around, etc.  Best patterns are available at  http://www.peacepattern.info/ or http://www.how-to-make-jewelry.com/friendship-bracelet-instructions1.html

Supplies:

• Embroidery Floss - multiple colors
• Safety pin 

Instructions:

1. Select pattern and number of colors of embroidery floss desired/needed to create your bracelet.
2. Secure floss to safety pin and follow pattern

Ancestor Sharing
Doing some research of ancestors can be, not only fun, but extremely educational for everyone involved.  Bring photographs, journals, family stories, etc. to display and share.  Learning about your family history can be a great way to connect with everyone attending the reunion, regardless of age.

Great sites for family history:  https://www.familysearch.org/   OR   http://www.ancestry.com

Personalized Table Cloth

Make an easy camping table cloth with sentimental value and a personalized touch.

Supplies:

• twin sheet
• fabric crayons, markers or pens
• iron to set designs
• sewing machine or serger

Instructions:

1. Remove all the folded edges off of the sheet and serge or finish the edges.
2. Have everyone create their own unique art work on the cloth.
3. Add their initials or names next to their art work.  You can also add the age and date at well.
4. Set with an iron. Ready to use!

Bojagi & Furoshiki ~ Oriental Fabric Wrapping

We had a lot of fun with Bojagi/Furoshiki in today's tv segments.  Who knew you could be so creative with some scarves and fabric!  From gift wrapping to baskets and purses...we showed a little bit of it all.

For those of you who are not yet acquainted with those foreign words, here is a quick description for you...

BOJAGI ~  is a traditional Korean wrapping cloth. Bojagi are square and can be made from a variety of materials, though silk is common

FUROSHIKI ~  is a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloth that were frequently used to transport 

clothes, gifts, or other goods

This is an easy way to instantly create something personal and unique.  Grab a light weight piece of fabric that is square and thats all you need...NO SEWING INVOLVED!!!  You can leave the edges unfinished, use pinking shears along the edge or use a non-fraying product.   If you want to be a little more creative with your fabric wraps, sew two pieces, of contrasting fabric, together so you have a varied look for your wrap.

You will be amazed at what a colorful scarf can do for your next gift or basket...and so will the person receiving the gift!

Check out the video segments at  http://connect2utah.com/ 
At the bottom of the home page you will find the "Craft Projects" link.  :)
Click on "Crafty Chick Fabric Wrapping" Parts 1 & 2


Happy Crafting! :)