IronBoardCover -tutorial

My old iron board cover was really worn out. I took it off, washed and removed the padding. I used the padding as a pattern to make new cover.

I cut the fabric approximately 5 cm bigger (all around) than the padding. I used old duvet cover a friend gave me few years ago to be used in sewing. I have already used it for Autumn Pillow No1 and AutumnPillow No2.

At first I neaten the edges. I used seaming machine but traditional zigzag is just fine too.

Then I attached the elastic band all over the edges. It helps the edges turn under the iron board and stay there to keep the cover on its place. When you attach the elastic band you just need to stretch it as much as you can when sewing; also around the corners.

It was quite easy to do and needs only beginner 's level of sewing skills. Anyone can do it from recycled materials. If the result is not perfect just use safety pins to fold the extras and attach the cover on its place proper.

AlpacaShawl

I designed and crocheted a shawl. It's long tassels create even more warmth to snuggle up in a hug created by a friend.

I used natural white Drops Alpaca Silk yarn (brushed) (77% alpaca, 25% silk) (25g = 140m) for the shawl and rose Schachenmayr's  KidLight yarn (38% nylon, 32% polyacryl and 30% mohair) (100g = 600m) for the tassels.

Falcon

Lambert's Birds of Garden and Woodland is back for my card making to carry happy birthday wishes over the sea.

AncientWorld

This ancient map decorates a special birthday card. I used pages cut off from Anatoli Tomilin's book How people discovered the shape of the Earth. It is illustrated by Juri Smolnikov.

ShoppingBag -tutorial

You can choose which ever size you desire for your shopping bag; or finish it according to the left over fabric you have. I cut one 60 x 27 cm and two 36 x 7 cm pieces for this bag. Which ever your sizes; are fold the pieces like this and sew the edges.

You can use seaming machine or zigzag.

Pin the bottom of the bag.

Match it with the side edge...

by folding the central bottom to the side edge to form out a triangle. This is not necessary but creates more space in your bag and makes it easier to fill with shopping.

I used 5 cm distance; which ever is your choice, pin it...

...sew it...

...on both side corners.

It looks like this when finished.

Neaten the upper edge of the bag.

Pin it equally; at first the exact central point (the half) and then 1/4 point of the front and back sides.

To turn the right side out of the handles...

...use safety pin.

It is a bit difficult...

...but eases up very soon. Just pull it through; gently.

Neaten by iron and stitch the handles.

Pin the handles to the 1/4 points of the upper edge.

Attach the handles by sewing.

Pin the upper edge at desired distance.

Fold the upper edge...

...and sew the fold and the handles.

Ta-dah! Your bag is finished. I have used fabric shopping bags for ages.