{"id":956,"date":"2018-12-15T10:47:48","date_gmt":"2018-12-15T10:47:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gursewingmachines.com\/blog\/?p=956"},"modified":"2020-02-26T12:22:05","modified_gmt":"2020-02-26T12:22:05","slug":"sewing-tips-puffed-quilts-neck-warmers-tote-bags","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gursewingmachines.com\/blog\/sewing-tips-puffed-quilts-neck-warmers-tote-bags\/","title":{"rendered":"Sewing tips – from puffed quilts to neck warmers and tote bags"},"content":{"rendered":"

Five varied and interesting tutorials at varying levels of difficulty<\/h2>\n

Hello sewists everywhere! We’ve got a very interesting array of goodies for you this time.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We appreciate that in the frantic run up to Christmas, you’ll have very few opportunities to indulge in your favourite hobby – but as the dust settles, the mince pies finally disappear and everything begins to calm down a bit, you may just get the opportunity to sneak away and spend some time with the real love of your life – your trusty sewing machine…<\/p>\n

So here are some of our current favourites – guaranteed to break you out of the worst of any post festive period gloom, starting with,<\/p>\n

How to make a fleece neck warmer<\/h3>\n

The perfect way to ease yourself into the new year – it’s incredibly easy, but it looks wonderful!<\/p>\n

This is our first visit to the Apple Green Cottage website<\/a>, but it certainly won’t be our last! This project is even more wonderful if you just happen to have some fleece leftovers from a previous sewing effort.<\/p>\n

Perfect for:<\/strong> \u201c…those who don’t like wearing (uncomfortable) traditional scarves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

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How to make the perfect pocket<\/h3>\n

Back to the marvellous\u00a0So Sew Easy blog<\/a> this time, for a how-to on the thorny subject of unlined patch pockets, or, as they are sometimes referred to, applied pockets.<\/p>\n

This step by step guide by Mayra, defines a patch pocket as being “a separate\u00a0piece of fabric that is applied to the right side of the fabric.”<\/em> As well as being a practical addition to a garment it really gives you the chance to add some real creative touches to shirts, jeans and jackets.<\/p>\n

We like:<\/strong> There’s even a free downloadable template!<\/em><\/p>\n

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Fat quarter tote bag<\/h3>\n

We just love this one from\u00a0Lindsay Wilkes on The Cottage Mama website<\/a>, which she describes as “an easy afternoon project “.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

This is a fully lined bag made from six fat quarters (it make sense – really!) and some other bits and bobs: exterior, lining and top band fabrics, the strap elements and the “fusible interfacing”<\/em> (just love that phrase – it breaks the ice at parties LOL).<\/p>\n

This is a particularly well-presented tutorial – the photos and instructions are so detailed.<\/p>\n

What’s really good about this:<\/strong> “Once you know how this sweet little bag goes together, you will be able to whip up several of them in no time.”<\/i><\/p>\n

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Fabric box tutorial<\/h3>\n

A new port of call for us here at GUR Sewing Machines – the website of the self-proclaimed “quilt whisperer”<\/em>, Joey. This tutorial on her Joeys Quilting Co website<\/a> is an easy thirty minute project.<\/p>\n

Joey’s written instructions are straight to the point and really easy to understand – but for good measure she’s also added a step-by-step photo section as well.<\/p>\n

We like:<\/strong> The first one really does take 30 minutes – and subsequent ones even less!<\/em><\/p>\n

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How to make a puffed quilt<\/h3>\n

We’ve not forgotten you quilters out there! Or rather those who are thinking of getting into quilting for the first time.<\/p>\n

A huge thank you to Amanda on the A Crafted Passion website<\/a> for this puff quilt (sometimes referred to as a biscuit quilt) how-to, which includes a printable pattern.<\/p>\n

We love the purple and grey colour scheme by the way! This tutorial is “written for a non-sewer by a non sewer”<\/em>, according to the accompanying video which really has a rocking soundtrack.<\/p>\n

Look out for:<\/strong> “Once all your squares are sewn, take your batting and start stuffing all your squares. This is\u00a0personal preference on how full you want the squares to be. I wanted them filled but not too full that they weren\u2019t flexible.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Have fun!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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…and when you’re ready for a new machine in your life…<\/span><\/h2>\n

We’re not suggesting that you should be unfaithful to your old tried and trusted machine: but don’t you just sometimes yearn for something a little more… exciting?<\/p>\n

Choose from GUR\u2019s amazing selection of sewing machines and get free UK delivery! They have been supplying sewing machines for over 60 years.<\/p>\n

Top quality manufacturers include:-<\/p>\n