Scrap: Gift Card Holder

I had some scrap fabric laying around and have had a gift card holder in the "someday pile" for years now. I want to give Julia's kindergarten teachers and her bus driver a small thank you before Thanksgiving break and thought this was the perfect opportunity to get ride of scrap and be creative at the same time.

My finished product

My inspiration

I think this might have been purchased at a Starbucks many years ago.

It held a gift card from one of my former students.

Step 1: Gather supplies

(2) pieces of coordinating fabric 6 1/4" x 2 3/4"

(2) pieces of coordinating fabric 2 1/2" x 2 3/4"

(2) buttons

Cotton thread

I used pinking shears around the edges of the fabric just like the inspiration piece.

Step 2: Sew your buttons to one large piece and 1 small piece of the same fabric.

Notice the placement of the buttons. You want them fairly close to the 2 3/4" wide edge of fabric. Your sewing machine foot will need to be able to get around the buttons so be careful to not put them too close to the edge. Leave a long tail after sewing on the button to the large piece. This will be your fastener. I I tied this thread around the button after sewing it on to secure the string.

The difference between sewing your buttons on first or after. If you sew them after you will see your thread. Not a big deal but it looks a little nice hidden.

Step 3: Sew your small pieces together, wrong sides together, along the 2 3/4" wide edge opposite of your button. I hope that makes sense.

Again, if you sew your button on before hand you threads will be hidden.

Step 4: Place wrong sides together of large fabric pieces. I used a pin to secure my long tail so I did not accidentally sew it to an edge.

Step 5: Pin small fabric to large fabric.

Step 6: Double check correct placement of small fabric piece on the large fabric piece by folding over the top of the large piece. Unfold before sewing small piece to large piece.

Step 7: Sew small piece to large piece fairly close around the edges.

You will sew the entire large rectangle.

Step 8: Insert gift card of your choice and then fasten in a "figure-8" fashion.

Cut off any excess string.

The inspiration piece had a loop attached for hanging in a Christmas tree. This can easily be added by using grosgrain ribbon. The fabric I chose for this project was in a fall palette. I can't wait to go through my scrap pile and look for cute combos for birthdays, showers, or other gifts. I might even try to add a little embroidery to the front like the inspiration piece.

Julia's First Blanket

My daughter is usually creating up some sort of mess in the craft room while I'm creating my own mess. While browsing Jo-Ann's together we spotted some cute bone and paw print fabric that would be perfect for a blanket for our new puppy.

I cut the fabric out for her and then set her on my lap. My machine, a Babylock Sophia, has a speed control and a start/stop button. You do not always have to use the foot pedal. This is perfect for teaching my 5 year old the basics of sewing a straight line.

Of course, part way through she starts saying "This is taking hours!" Well, it seems like it when you have your speed on the lowest setting. She already wants to speed through things just like her mama did. I know I drove my mother crazy with wanting to cut corners.

Her blanket is cotton on one side and fleece on the other.

Charlie seems to like his new blanket.