How To: Anita's No Sew Snowflakes

My mom came up with this idea for our next store front display. Of course I had to jump in and make some,then I thought... why not write a simple "how to"?
Well okay, so here's my first "how to" post.
Enjoy.
Quick, easy and fun, this no sew project is a great project for a case of the "I'm bored" blues, or perhaps for the "I have so much to do that I don't want to, so I'll do this instead" blues. Anyhow, for what ever the reason you should give it a try. Make then on your own, involve a friend or the kiddies. Anyone who is safe with scissors can do this one.

It's just like paper snowflakes you may have made when you were a kid (or last year), except with fabric and that o' so wonderful "WonderUnder" also known as heat and bond.

You will need:
several coordinating fabrics
heat and bond
sharp scissors
rotary cutter
straight edge/acrylic grid ruler
cutting mat

Note: I used 6 coordinating fat quarters and about 2 yards of WonderUnder (you could also use some of those scraps I know you have stowed away some where).

Here's the step by step..
1. Fuse 2 coordinating prints together following the instructions that came with your "WonderUnder" (I used Pellon brand)2. Cut several squares in various sizes, for best results I recommend cutting no larger then 8"x8" and no smaller then 3"x3".3. Take your squares to the ironing board. One at a time, fold each square diagonally to form a triangle and press. Fold a second time to form an even smaller triangle, and press once more on either side, holding for a few seconds (the flatter the better).4. Now for the cool part. Take your pressed triangles and cut into all three sides. Experiment with the different shapes and sizes of your cuts. Curvy cuts have a great effect.
5. Unfold.6.Press out, admire and smile. No two snowflakes are ever the same.
Now cut some more and have a good time. String them up and hang them anywhere you need a little cheer. Note: you may want to use a heavy starch for your final pressing to achieve a stiffer flake for hanging purposes.

Feeling ambitious? Try appliquéing your snowflakes on some tea towels, a child's t-shirt or any project you like. For the purpose of appliquéing there is no need to make your flake double-sided, simply iron on your heat and bond to the wrong side of your fabric leaving the paper backing attached while continue on with the rest of the steps. Remove backing when you are ready to iron onto t-shirt or other, then finish off with a tiny whip stitch in a thread matching your snowflake fabric.

Share with us what you make, this project or any other at our new shoppe flickr group.
We love seeing what you've made from the fabrics we sell.

Your Shoppe Blogger,
April

Share With Us!

Bashful Behhhny says
"Tis the season for sharing, giving and gratitude".

I (April) recently created a Flickr group for the shoppe. Actually for all of you who shop at "the Shoppe" to share the goodies that you've made out of our fabrics, with us and with one another. If you're already a Flickr member it is really easy to add your pictures to our group. Just join our Flickr group here and then go to your own photostream, view a photo you'd like to share with us, above it you will find an "send to group" button, select our "Sew To Speak" group, and your pic is in. If you are not a flikr member you may consider joining, it's free, easy and lots of fun, click on the flickr link above to see more.

We would truly be delighted if you shared with us. We'd especialy love to see all of the handmade gifts you're giving this year.

On behalf of The Sew to Speak Team - Thank you for being a part of our shop and our lives. Happy Days to all of you and your families!!
April Rhodes.

SEW A SHEEP - Holiday Softie Contest!

At Sew to Speak we love our little softy, plushy, squishy sewn animal friends. They are fun to sew and always take on a personality of their own. You absolutely cannot make a mistake on these... they're just certain to turn out adorable.

So we want you to have the joy of making an animal... namely a Sheep and an opportunity to win a prize for doing it.

Here's the deal.... Sew a Sheep and bring it to Sew to Speak by Dec.9th. We will have customers, that includes you, judge the sheep. On Dec. 20th we'll have a holiday party and give out the prizes.

Here's the official Contest Rules:

1. Sheep must be sewn. They can have other embellishments (embroidery, crochet, and etc.) but the body must be sewn.

2. Sheep can be as small as you like but no bigger than 30 inches long.

3. You can use a pattern, book or create your own softy.

4. Sheep must stay at the store until January 3rd and then they are yours.

5. Your Sheep must be given a name, so we know what to call it.

6. All entries must be in by close (7pm) Tuesday, Dec. 9th.

There will be two devisions, Kids - up to 15 years, and Adults - ages 16 and up. Prizes will be given for each devision, so adults and kids each will have a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prize.

1st place a $25 gift certificate

2nd place one yard of fabric, your choice

3rd place a half yard of fabric, your choice

Also... You may enter more than one if you wish.

So don't be sheepish! Sew a Sheep and bring it in by Tuesday, Dec. 9th.

We can't wait to see them!

yours truly,

The Sew to Speak Team.

Oliver & S Trunk Show

Starting today, Tuesday, November 4th through Saturday, November 15th. . . the Oliver and S Trunk Show
is on display in the front window of Sew to Speak.

These wonderful pattern makers have sent us several samples of their adorable fall clothing line. The pieces are darling. Exquisitely well made! We've left some of the garments folded on the table inside so that you might pick then up to look over the stitches in awe, as we have. The quality is outrageously good and their use of fabrics and trims is very inspiring. I must say that my absolute favorite piece in the show is the little pleated skirt hanging in the front window. If only it were about four times bigger...I guess I'll just have to make it, or maybe have it made, for my Aelyn. I always dress her in the things I wish I could wear! :)
We also have a few samples made by our friend Shelly of Figgy's children's wear and my mother, Anita will have the "Sunday Brunch Jacket" finished for Aelyn any time now. It is looking super cute in rusty orange velveteen with blue gingham bias as a surprise on the inside and four vintage buttons on the breast.

Also. . . Anita is giving 10% off these patterns during the trunk show, so be sure to take advantage of that and stop in to pick yours up.
Keep in mind, even if you don't have little ones of your own, handmade baby and children's clothing make wonderful gifts. Mommy's go gaga over this stuff... I speak from experience. I am blessed to have a mother with many crafty friends and was gifted with tons of great hand made goods before my baby girl arrived. We still get great new things made for her all the time (grandmothers are the greatest!). I can't get enough of it! These are the things I'll cherish forever, and I'll share them with my daughter as she grows and one day becomes a woman with baby's of her own.
hmmm.... this blog is making me feel a bit sentimental.
I'm reminded of when my mother and I used to get into her old cedar chest and pull out the blankets and things to find the box of my baby clothes she had tucked away. There was the outfit they put me in when I was first born, my hospital bracelet and hers, a soft, silky pink baby blanket, some photographs and several diffrent hand made outfits, rompers and such. She would talk to me about each piece. . . I remember feeling very special when we would sit and do that. . .


I love you so much Mom!
your baby, April