Cheryl Owen - Sew-It-Yourself Home Accessories: 21 Practical Projects to Make in a Weekend (IMM Lifestyle Books) Stash-Busting Projects with Beginner-Friendly Step-by-Step Instructions & More Than 200 Color Photos

Published 2018--IMM Lifestyle Books www.IMMLifestyleBooks.com

IMM Lifestyle Books are distributed in the UK by Grantham Book Service, Trent Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 7XQ.

In North America, IMM Lifestyle Books are distributed by Fox Chapel Publishing, 903 Square Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552, www.FoxChapelPublishing.com

2018 by IMM Lifestyle Books

Produced under license.

The patterns contained herein are copyrighted by the author. Readers may make copies of these patterns for personal use. The patterns themselves, however, are not to be duplicated for resale or distribution under any circumstances. Any such copying is a violation of copyright law.

All photography by Paul Bricknell (Paul Bricknell Photography Ltd) except as follows. Mark Winwood: bottom left.

Print ISBN 978-1-5048-0093-8
eISBN 978-1-6076-5518-3

For a printable PDF of the patterns used in this book, please contact Fox Chapel Publishing at , stating the ISBN and title of the book in the subject line.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Owen, Cheryl, author.

Title: Sew-it-yourself home accessories / Cheryl Owen.

Description: Mount Joy, PA : IMM Lifestyle Books, [2018] | Includes index. Identifiers: LCCN 2017044254 | ISBN 9781607655183 (pbk.)

Subjects: LCSH: House furnishings. | Machine sewing.

Classification: LCC TT387 .O94 2018 | DDC 646.2/1--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017044254

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Its easy to be enticed by the fabulous array of cotton fabrics available today for sewing projects. This book shows you how to turn these fabrics into beautiful home accessories, whether you plan to keep them for yourself or give them as presents. All the projects in this book use small amounts of fabric, so if you already have a glorious stash, youll find lots of ways to use it! Dont be nervous about mixing printsits a great way to use up small pieces of fabric and to give your creations a quirky touch. If you want to use coordinating fabrics, buying a set of fat quarters is a great way of making sure that your fabrics will go well together. Fat quarters are sets of rectangular fabric pieces about 22" x 18" (56 x 45cm) in size. They provide a handy amount of fabric for sewing many small home accessories.

In this book, you will find projects for those new to sewing and for the accomplished sewer. Many projects incorporate techniques that you may not have tried before, such as embroidery or quilting, so its an ideal way learn something new or to incorporate a familiar, favorite technique. Basic sewing techniques are explained concisely at the beginning of the book, and each project has clear instructions and step-by-step photography to guide you and give you confidence as you work. Even if you are already an experienced sewer, there are lots of innovative ideas and suggestions included here that will inspire you to create projects with your own flair. Enjoy filling your home with this variety of home accessories!

Your main fabric is not the only material you might need when sewing! From interfacing to batting (wadding), there are several other materials you might need in addition to your fabric of choice.

All the projects in this book are made from cotton. It is the easiest of fabrics to work with, so its just right for a beginner. The variety of printed cotton fabric is vast, inexpensive, and widely available. Check your local fabric store or shop online. Many cotton fabrics are produced for patchwork and quilting purposes, and its these kinds of fabrics that have been used for most of the projects in this book. You can easily complement the prints by using coordinating, pattern-free cottons. Heavier-weight cottons are suitable for simple cushions, aprons, and bags (such as the tote bag ). Most printed fabrics have a right and wrong side, and its usually quite obvious which is the right side. Most plain fabrics, woven stripes, and woven checkered fabrics do not have a wrong side; these are known as double-faced fabrics.

As it is a natural fiber, cotton may shrink. To test for shrinkage, cut a 4" x 4" (10 x 10cm) square of fabric. Wash and press the square, then measure it again. If the square is now smaller than 4" x 4" (10 x 10cm), it has shrunk, and you should wash your fabric before cutting out the pieces for the project.

Stiffen fabric with interfacing to give it more body or to add strength. Nonwoven and woven varieties of interfacing come in different weights to suit particular purposes. Interfacing is sold in packs or by the yard (meter). Iron the shiny side of iron-on (fusible) interfacing, or baste (tack) sew-in interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric.

Fusible (bonding) web, which is similar to interfacing, is a double-sided adhesive web with a paper backing that is used to fuse layers of fabric together.

A layer of batting (wadding) is sandwiched between fabrics to pad them. It comes in various weights and is made from man-made fibers such as polyester or natural fibers such as cotton, wool, and eco-friendly bamboo. Use cotton batting (wadding) for items that will come in contact with heat. Batting (wadding) made from natural fibers is prone to shrink, whereas polyester isnt, so if you are planning to wash an item frequently, it might be more practical to use polyester instead of cotton.

Use a layer of insulated lining in items that will come into contact with heat (such as the pot holder ). It reflects warmth back to the body and is breathable, letting moisture escape. Just remember: insulated lining is heat resistant but not heat proof.

Find a nice selection of supplies at department stores and sewing shops. Dont be afraid to collect a large stash of buttons, ribbons, and other trimmingsthey will come in handy for lots of applications!

For machine and hand sewing, choose sewing thread to match the fabric colors of your project. The thread should be strong and durable with a bit of give in it; an all-purpose polyester thread is a good choice, and it has more give in it than an all-purpose cotton thread.