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.

Scrap: Jean Blanket

My mom created this quilt for us to use at the beach or park. She suggested appliqueing fun shapes to cover the oil stains on the jean front but I love those stains.

She collected used jeans, squared off the pant legs, and sewed them together for the quilt front.

Those stains give it personality and then I don't have to worry about any other stains we add. :)

The back is lined with a cheerful polyester fabric.

Thanks Mom!

Scrap: Bibs & Burp Cloths

My friend Tiffany and I decided to only use fabric and trim we had on hand to make a few bibs and burp cloths. It was so fun to sew for a little girl!

The bib pattern is one that was traced from one of my son's bibs. The burp cloths are some nice thick cloth diapers and we simply embellished the centers.

Light pink flannel was used for the backing of the pink bibs. The pink bibs have snap closures.

Jumbo Ric Rac is a great way to cover edges on the burp cloth.

Simply quilt together your coordinating fabrics until you have a chunk large enough to trace your pattern on. Such a great way to use up cute scrap fabrics.

These bibs were backed in yellow flannel. I tried Velcro on this bib and trimmed the burp cloth with pink Ric Rac that is peeking out from under the fabric center.

This bib has a ribbon closure. It was by far the easiest to put together but I still prefer snaps for boy bibs.

And, of course, I had to give a lovey!

We can't wait to meet Claudia's baby girl Isabella!

She is due today. Wonder if she will have a Memorial Day baby?