If you are going to hang out the washing, why not do it in style? Fill this novelty clothes peg bag with lots of coloured pegs and the next sunny or windy day the laundry mightn’t seem such a chore. Here you can learn how to turn the bag into a 3D item and “box the corners” giving it plenty of “peg room”.
Note: Different coloured thread may be used in photographs/video for clarity.
Requirements
• ½ metre fabric main.• ½ metre fabric lining.• ½ metre medium weight iron-on interfacing.• Double-sided fusible webbing 5” by 4”.• 2½ metres of twill tape.• Assorted ric-rac, ribbon and lace for embellishing.• Wire hanger.• Compass.• Pen and paper.• Sewing machine.Directions
Take wire hanger and bend in half until it resembles a triangle, like the birdhouse roof, measuring approximately 11” wide at the bottom (see figure 1). Wrap twill tape all around the hanger until it is completely covered. Secure with a couple of hand stitches.
To make the pattern for the birdhouse peg bag, place the hanger on paper and draw around “the roof”. Draw a line down each side to measure 8” and then straight across the bottom to complete. Add on ½” seam allowance all around the edge (see figure 2).
Cut out two patterns in main fabric, two in lining fabric and two in interfacing. Iron interfacing to the back of the lining. Draw a 6” diameter circle onto the back of one piece of lining. Lay this lining and one main fabric piece right sides together and sew on the circle line. Cut out the inside of the circle leaving ¼” seam allowance. Snip into the seam allowance as far as the stitching (snip to, not through) all the way around the circle. Turn fabrics right side out. Press. The lining and main fabric will now be referred to as one piece ie front of birdhouse. Using photo as a guide, embellish front of birdhouse with ric-rac, lace, ribbon and any other trims you might have. Turn down ½” hem to the inside at the apex of the roof. Stitch.
Using bird image as a guide (reversing the image), draw onto paper side of fusible web (figure 3). Cut out roughly. Iron onto the back of the bird fabric and cut out along the traced lines. Peel off paper backing and arrange bird appliqué in place. Press. Sew around outside of bird using zig-zag stitch (or straight stitch.)
Place back lining and back main fabric wrong sides together. Turn down 3½” hem to inside at apex of roof. Lay this down on flat surface with lining facing down and back main fabric facing up. Lay front bird house, right side down, on top aligning all edges. Sew all around the edge using ½” seam allowance. Neaten seam allowance with zig-zag stitch.
To “box the corners” (figure 4) – on one corner, align bottom seam allowance and side seam allowance one on top of the other. Press flat to form a triangle. Mark 1” from the tip of the corner. Draw a line straight across at this point. Sew along this line. Cut away excess fabric and sew over raw edges with zig-zag stitch. Repeat with other corner.
Fill with brightly coloured clothes pegs and you’re set to go.Next week: Quilt a practical dust cover for your sewing machine, etc.
If you are going to hang out the washing, why not do it in style? Fill this novelty clothes peg bag with lots of coloured pegs and the next sunny or windy day the laundry mightn’t seem such a chore. Here you can learn how to turn the bag into a 3D item and “box the corners” giving it plenty of “peg room”.
Note: Different coloured thread may be used in photographs/video for clarity.
Requirements
• ½ metre fabric main.• ½ metre fabric lining.• ½ metre medium weight iron-on interfacing.• Double-sided fusible webbing 5” by 4”.• 2½ metres of twill tape.• Assorted ric-rac, ribbon and lace for embellishing.• Wire hanger.• Compass.• Pen and paper.• Sewing machine.Directions
Take wire hanger and bend in half until it resembles a triangle, like the birdhouse roof, measuring approximately 11” wide at the bottom (see figure 1). Wrap twill tape all around the hanger until it is completely covered. Secure with a couple of hand stitches.
To make the pattern for the birdhouse peg bag, place the hanger on paper and draw around “the roof”. Draw a line down each side to measure 8” and then straight across the bottom to complete. Add on ½” seam allowance all around the edge (see figure 2).
Cut out two patterns in main fabric, two in lining fabric and two in interfacing. Iron interfacing to the back of the lining. Draw a 6” diameter circle onto the back of one piece of lining. Lay this lining and one main fabric piece right sides together and sew on the circle line. Cut out the inside of the circle leaving ¼” seam allowance. Snip into the seam allowance as far as the stitching (snip to, not through) all the way around the circle. Turn fabrics right side out. Press. The lining and main fabric will now be referred to as one piece ie front of birdhouse. Using photo as a guide, embellish front of birdhouse with ric-rac, lace, ribbon and any other trims you might have. Turn down ½” hem to the inside at the apex of the roof. Stitch.
Using bird image as a guide (reversing the image), draw onto paper side of fusible web (figure 3). Cut out roughly. Iron onto the back of the bird fabric and cut out along the traced lines. Peel off paper backing and arrange bird appliqué in place. Press. Sew around outside of bird using zig-zag stitch (or straight stitch.)
Place back lining and back main fabric wrong sides together. Turn down 3½” hem to inside at apex of roof. Lay this down on flat surface with lining facing down and back main fabric facing up. Lay front bird house, right side down, on top aligning all edges. Sew all around the edge using ½” seam allowance. Neaten seam allowance with zig-zag stitch.
To “box the corners” (figure 4) – on one corner, align bottom seam allowance and side seam allowance one on top of the other. Press flat to form a triangle. Mark 1” from the tip of the corner. Draw a line straight across at this point. Sew along this line. Cut away excess fabric and sew over raw edges with zig-zag stitch. Repeat with other corner.
Fill with brightly coloured clothes pegs and you’re set to go.Next week: Quilt a practical dust cover for your sewing machine, etc.
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