Pinwheel

Decorate your little darlings room, add some fun to party decorations and use up some of those scraps all at the same time! Thanks to Sandi Henderson and Portabellopixie Boutique Patterns here is a fun and easy project for your scraps!

Note: to enlarge this simply double click on the image or go to http://www.sandihendersondesign.com/category-s/113.htm to download Sandi Henderson's pattern for yourself!

Button Up!

Thumbtacks

Magnets

 Create beautiful fabric button magnets and push pins for your home or office, as gifts for your teachers, family and friends!

Supplies:

1/2" Cover Buttons -for push pins (you'll need the kit if you don't already have one)

7/8" -1"Cover Buttons -for magnets

Scrap fabric in lovely colors of your choice

Super glue (I prefer the gel)

Nickel Plated Thumbtacks

3/4" round magnets (ceramic or alloy will work)

Button Shank removing pliers (or wire cutters will work too)

Get Started!

Push Pin

1. Start with the 1/2" Cover Buttons. You will need one top piece and one bottom piece for each pin. 

2. Remove the button shank using the pliers. You will need to pull it out or use wire cutters to snip close to the bottom side of the button and remove the shank.

3. Cut a square of fabric slightly larger than the white piece in the button cover kit. Follow the directions as to how to apply the fabric to the top of the button and then secure the bottom of the button (which no longer has a shank).  You now have a covered "button"

 4. Glue  one thumbtack to the underside of the button as shown. Let dry completely before use.

Button Magnet

1. Do the same as shown for the Button Pushpin as shown in 1-3.  Instead of using the 1/2" buttons use the 7/8-1" buttons.

2. Once the buttons are covered with fabric, use the super glue to attach one magnet to the underside of the button (the shank should not still be attached)

3. Voila! You're done!  My boys love to play with these in the car or with small magnetic surfaces. They are strong and durable and look lovely on any surface whether it's your whiteboard at work or your home refrigerator. They are not dominating and intrusive and can add just a little funk to your everyday life!

Ribbon Wand

RIBBON WAND

This super easy project will leave your little princess or gymnast smiling! Whip one up for some entertainment on a rainy (or in my case snowy) day or create a special wand for your little girl's princess or fairy costume!










Supplies:
Long strips of scrap fabric (at least 10" long up to 22" are perfect)
1/4-1/2" wooden dowel at least 12" long
Tulle or ribbons
Hot glue gun
Sewing Machine
Craft flower
Button, craft gems or jewels
Small screw and drill OR staple gun (to attach ribbon to dowel)






1. First cut strips of fabric and tulle into 1" wide strips that are at least 10-22" long Here I cut 4 strips of tulle and 4 long strips and one shorter (about 5-10" long) of the fabric.



2. Stack 2-3 layers of the longer fabric and tulle. Place the shorter fabric piece (which will be wrapped around the dowel) about 1-2" below the short edge of one stack. Stitch the fabric to the stack, back stitching at the beginning and end of stitch.




3. Make a second stack of fabric and tulle and repeat step 2. It will look like the photo above.

4. About 1" down from the top of the dowel, place the short strip of fabric on the dowel and tack with a little glue. Wrap the strip around the dowel. With about 1" left to wrap around the dowel, I secured all the layers to the dowel using a very short screw and drill. You can also use a staple gun. The idea is that you go through all layers of the fabric and into the wood so that your fabric does not unravel.

5. Finish wrapping the dowel which will cover your screw or staple gun. Glue edge in place.

6. Use your imagination and what you have on hand to decorate the top of the wand. I wrapped an extra piece of tulle around the fabric and tied it in a bow to give a little more whimsy. Then I used 2 medium sized flowers and buttons here. I removed the flowers from the plastic stems then hot glued each layer of the flower petal (in this case there were 2 layers) to the side of the dowel. Then I glued on the button. I did this on two sides of the wand.

7. You could also use ribbon, craft gems, beaded necklace (ie: mardi gras beads), charms, garland, a fabric yo yo and so many other options to embellish your wand.

7. Now your little one is ready to play fairy, princess, or practice her gymnastic ribbon performance :)

Gift Tags

Scrappy Gift Tags

Materials:
Scrap fabric
3x5 index card (no lines) or card stock (or repurpose a cereal box)
Wonder Under light weight double sided iron on adhesive (or a clear plastic)
Scissors
Hole Punch
Ribbon or string
Buttons (optional)
Template (Shown here with Butterfly)


This simple technique of fabric and paper applique yields endless possibilities for using up your scrap pile. From gift tags, decorated gift bags, applique cards and even mobiles you'll have fun creating and coming up with new templates and uses for your applique cards.

1. Trace butterfly template onto card stock. Cut out along traced lines. This is your template.


2. Cut a piece of Wonder Under a little larger than the butterfly template. Iron to the WRONG side of a piece of scrap fabric also a little larger than template. Follow the wonder under manufacturer instructions. Tip: use a cloth or piece of white paper when ironing. I place one underneath the wonder under/fabric and also on top to protect my ironing surface and iron from the melting fibers.


3.Remove the paper backing and iron onto your piece of cardstock.
4. Trace template onto the paper side. Cut out the butterfly shape.

5. Punch hole in the template at your desired place. Shown here in the center of the butterfly.
6. Thread the ribbon or string through the hole and tie a knot.

Congrats, you now have a beautiful hand-crafted and unique hang tag for your gift! Write your message on the paper-side of the gift tag.

Ideas:
1. Tags of all shapes! You can make hang tags using the same method that are geometric shapes (ie: rectangle, triangle, circles, etc) Use objects from around your home as templates such as mason jars, credit cards, etc). Find other shapes for templates such as hearts, birds, ladybugs, etc.

2. Dress up your gift bag/box! Instead of ironing the Wonder Under to the cardstock, you can iron your tag onto a gift bag or box. After step 2, trace the template to the paper-backing of the Wonder Under. Cut out shape and remove paper-backing. Iron onto your gift bag or box.


3. It's a wrap! Add some strips of scrap fabric to the bag handle or wrap around the gift box like ribbon.

4. For a more eco friendly option, re-purpose a cereal box as cardstock. Iron your fabric to the printed side. Plastic wrapping can also work as an adhesive instead of wonder under. Plastic bags work but avoid using plastic with print as it does not adhere as well. You may want to experiment with different plastics as I've found my regular plastic wrap I use for food does not bond well but the plastic wrapping my that my son's diapers come in are great!

5.Embellish it! Add ribbon for embellishments using glue. Add buttons as eyes and nose. Use rickrack for the mouth or to decorate the tags. Add ribbon, tule and any other scraps lying around.

Let your imagination have fun with this project! Your friends and family will love the personal touch!

Izzy & Ivy Patterns are Here!

The new patterns from Izzy and Ivy are here! I think our entire family will be sporting one (or a few) of these but Jack and Jill hats. I wish they made clothes for my size...I want twirl skirts and shirts! :)

Find more designs at www.sparrowfabrics.etsy.com! !


http://http://www.etsy.com/listing/75359417/jack-and-jill-hat-pattern-by-izzy-and

http://http://www.etsy.com/listing/75357943/princess-bella-pattern-by-izzy-and-ivy

http://http://www.etsy.com/listing/75359667/penelope-ruffls-purse-pattern-by-izzy

http://http//www.etsy.com/listing/75358713/addie-jo-skirt-pattern-by-izzy-and-ivy

Swinging

Swing into spring with this flirty skirt fresh off the sewing machine made with some of the new fabrics at Sparrow Fabrics

This ruffled swing skirt is created from Pat Bravo's Bazaar Style collection. Get your fabric now at http://www.sparrowfabrics.etsy.com

My goal is to get some tutorials going too, maybe pdf patterns?? This skirt was so super easy and took less than an hour! Add a pair of leggings maybe some boots and I'm ready for farmers market!

Hello!

Welcome to Sparrow Fabrics! After years of sewing, buying lots and lots of gorgeous fabrics, I am marry my passion for fabric and creating here at Sparrow Fabrics. To me fabric is a beautiful art canvas that you can cut and stitch into something to wear, carry, and enjoy everyday! I hope you will enjoy my fabric selections and fun patterns!

I am excited to offer specials, free stuff and more. I would love to see what you create using your fabric ordered from Sparrow Fabrics!