Sunday, June 14, 2020

FREE Pattern - Decorate and Sew Your Own Face Mask for these COVID 19 Days

I have made quite a few masks over the past few months, following many many different patterns found on this world wide web. I have taken favorite elements from a few to make my own pattern. Others may have come up with this same solution, so I am not claiming that it is unique. I am just offering this particular way of making a mask to those who want to purchase my Decorate and Sew Your Own Face Mask kits or Fabric for Face Masks kits that are COMING SOON to my Etsy shop!



This is a very long blog post, with lots of photos, but the mask really does not take long to make once you've got the hang of it!


Start with two rectangles, measuring 8" wide x 5.5" tall, of light to midnight cotton fabric. One piece will be for the lining and the other will be the outer, more decorative, side of the mask. My kits come with flour sack cotton to use as the outer layer.  But for this tutorial, I have selected a pale green cotton that I have hand printed, using one of my favorite stamps. You can see I folded the fabric to plot out where I wanted to position the motif. I will use a simple unbleached muslin (same in the kits)  for the lining.


The first step will to create a dart, in both rectangles, to help the mask fit better under the chin. Fold each rectangle, right sides together, by bringing the right edge over to the left edge. On that center fold, make two pencil marks, the first mark is on the bottom edge, 1/2" from the center fold. Make the second mark right on the center fold, 1.75" up from the bottom edge. Sew a seam between these two marks, locking your stitch at each end. You can make a light pencil mark as a guide if you like.


Press each dart to the right. Then, place the rectangles right sides together, lining up the dart seams, and pin. In this position, the darts should be going in opposite directions. This results in less bulk.


Sew a quarter inch seam on both the top and bottom edges of the rectangle. I'm using a really dark green thread only because it is more visible in the photos!

With the darts, the bottom edge will be more of a V shape. Just stop on the dart seam, with the needle down, lift the presser foot, and slightly turn your fabric so you can continue the quarter inch seam along the rest of that bottom edge.


Press the seams open from the inside and then turn the rectangles right side out and press top and bottom seams flat. The rectangle now measures 8" x 5".

 


Top stitch a quarter inch seam along both the top and bottom edge.

I really advise inserting a wire - somewhere between 2" and 4" long - within this quarter inch seam at the top of the mask. I use 4" twist ties which are wires incased in plastic. I sell these twist ties in my face mask kits but you can use most any kind of rust-proof or plastic coated wire. I have read that some people cut strips out of  those aluminum roasting pans or pie pans.

To make a little enclosed space for the wire, fold the top edge of your mask to "mark" the center. Then, measure 2" to the left of the center (if you are using a 4" wire or my twist tie)and mark that with a pin or another crease. Make a few stitches back and forth between the top edge and the top stitched line. You can do this with your machine or by hand.


My twist ties are less than a quarter inch wide, so I can insert them, from the side, into the tunnel we just created with the inside seam and the top stitched seam. Push the wire on through until it reaches those back and forth stitches you made.


Then you will need to make another set of back and forth stitches to close that space, keeping the wire, or twist tie, in the center.


Now, we will create gathers on both sides. I find the gathers easier than creating the tiny pleats most mask patterns have, but you can do either. 

This is what the pleats would need to look like. About a quarter of an inch of fabric is pinched and folded over. Six small pleats will be about the same as making the gathers. 


But I find making the pleats to be a bit tedious so I make the gathers. Use strong thread! You can even do it by hand, just make a small running stitch with a knot on one end of the thread. Gather it up and then knot the other end.

To make the gathers with your machine, start at the top edge, locking your stitch, then sew a 3/8" seam down the side. When you reach the bottom, lift the needle and presser foot and pull your fabric out. Cut the threads a few inches down from the last stitch. Repeat on the other side.


Separate the top thread tail from the bobbin thread tail and brush the top thread out of the way. Now, pull only on the bobbin thread, very carefully, until the fabric gathers up from the 5" measurement to a 2 - 2.5" measurement. Tie about 3 knots, using both the top and bobbin threads, to hold the gathers in place. If you need to, very carefully redistribute the gathers until they are even.


Now cut two 3.25" x 2.25" pieces of fabric. I will call these "tabs". Use either the same decorative fabric as the front of the mask or anything else that either contrasts or coordinates! If you are making the ties, it can also match the ties.



Place the mask, on top of one of these tabs, right sides together. Center the tab so that at least .25" extends to either side of the mask. I will call these the "side bits". Try to get the gathers in a straight line as best you can, with the raw edges matching the raw edge of the tab. Pin securely and be sure to have  a pin at each edge.



Then, carefully bring each side bit up and over, carefully removing and replacing each edge pin over the side bits. Repeat on the other side of the mask.


Next, you will sew about a 1/2" seam, just to the left of the gathering stitches so they are covered by the tabs on the front of your mask. Then pull the tab out to the side of the mask. Automatic folds will form on the top and bottom of the tab. Press these down neatly.


Then, take the outside end of the tab and fold it in half-way to where the gathers are. Press this down neatly also. A glue stick can help here to keep all the raw edges and folds in place and tucked away.


Place your tie (will show you how to make these further down) or cotton cord (sold with my kits) right in that space between the folded tab edge and the gathers. I prefer to have the knotted, open ends of the ties pointing down - below the chin dart. The loop of the ties will be up above the mask.




Then fold the tab edge up and over the stitches that attach the tab to the mask.




You want to be sure those stitches are covered so that when you top stitch the tab.......


...... it will catch that folded end securely. 


Bring the other end of the tie or cord up to form a loop, which will go over the head, and down to the other side of the mask.  Repeat with tie placement, folding and stitching of that tab.


Now lets go back some steps and learn how to make the ties!

To make ties, just cut or tear a 1.5" strip of fabric that is about 44" long. I use 44" because that is the width of the lightweight cotton from India that I have. I tried a strip that was only 36" long and it was not long enough to go over my head. However, I happen to have a very big head (hard to find hats or headbands to fit!) - so you may be able to get away with 36" but I would recommend at least 40".


Iron your strip nice and flat then fold in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press.

Open the strip back up and then fold and press one raw edge to that center crease you just made with your iron.


Then fold the other side so that both raw edges meet in the center of the strip. 


 Then fold in half again, with raw edges on the inside. Line the folded edges up exactly and press well. If you press well, you won't have to pin. Edge stitch (about 1/8") along that open edge. Start and stop about 1/2 inch from both ends. Lock your stitches.


Tie a knot in both ends of the tie, close enough to the end to cover where your stitches stopped. There should be about 1/4" of tie left below the knot. This will fray nicely in the wash but the knot will keep it from unraveling completely!


After your mask is made, gather up both ends of the tie and make another knot about an inch up from the tie ends. So, now you have a loop above and below the face mask. 



The mask does not need to be tied closely to your head, although that final knot can be adjusted if you like. To put the mask on, hold it with the inside lining facing you and the dart at the bottom. Pull the ties so that the loop under the mask will go over your head and rest on your neck. Then, slide the mask down so there is enough of a loop at the top of the mask to go over your head. That loop can also be brought down to rest on your neck. but then bring the sides of that top loop up to rest on your ears so it holds the nose area close to your face. Press the nose wire against the sides of your nose for more security.


Or, you can leave that top loop up around your head, nose level. I like to wear it that way when it's windy outside! But if you pull both loops down to your neck, you can fluff your hair or ponytail over the ties and they are then totally out of the way.

I hope all of this was clear enough! Happy mask making!

Monday, December 16, 2019

FLASH SALE on Yardwork Clear Decor Stamps!


ONE DAY SALE
Usually $11 USD
On Sale for only $6 USD

Card making
collage
journaling
scrapbooking
fabric printing



Tuesday, January 8, 2019

The Yardwork Apron - Utility Apron Update!

Hello! It has been a while since I typed anything here but I wanted to introduce the official Yardwork Apron. My last post featured a very early version of my utility apron, which was a work in progress!

I have made many versions since then, but I am now selling what I consider to be the "official" version of what I am calling The Yardwork Apron. Sold exclusively in my etsy shop.

The Yardwork Apron comes with either a canvas weight linen or 8 oz. denim as the "base fabric". Right now, there are 8 different trim options - 4 for the denim and 4 for the linen. These options will change, of course, if the aprons keep selling and I can continue to make them. Let's have a look!


First, the linen versions - here it is with a lovely black and gold block print


another with a green batik block print - you can see all the pockets a little better here



The large fabric loop on the left side, right at the top and of one of the front pockets, holds that heavy pair of scissors! You can hardly feel the weight of the scissors when they are in the loop. Wonder what else that loop would hold.....

All of these trim fabrics are more beautiful up close and in person! Go to the shop to see a few more close-up photos! You can also click on these photos to see a larger version. 




As you can see here, the brass D-ring is for hanging a towel - or anything else that fits!
I invented that little tag having from the key clip - it has magnetic tape on it and is great for holding pins, nails, picture hanging hooks, etc. 

This apron does lots of jobs!


the denim version has a great boho vibe!


this copper-colored trim is more of a contrast. A really lively print!



love this red trim! beautiful bohemian!


Last but not least, the indigo batik trim. This one has been very popular!

I had one of each in the shop for Christmas sales, but will now be making them to order. Usually it only takes me a day or so, but please allow a full week because I have lots of other jobs going on! Some of the aprons are already made up and in stock, so if time is of the essence, just message me over at ETSY and I can tell you which ones are ready to ship or how much time I will need to make one especially for you!












Sunday, November 6, 2016

Utility Aprons for all kinds of Yardwork!

I spent a lot of time in the early fall sewing these aprons for my ETSY shop. These would make a great gift for the gardener, crafter, painter, sculptor, or seamstress in your life! Or maybe you just know someone very involved in home repair! Perfect! Basically a tool belt for women.


The main body of this apron is made up of very heavy natural linen which makes it super sturdy! You can put all sorts of tools in the pockets without worrying about damage.


I had a lot of fun using some of the scraps from my first collection of block printed fabric, along with the heavy linen, for this fun "boho" style apron. This one, I washed and then hung it to dry. I decided not to iron and I really like the casual rumpled look. Plus, who likes to iron?


Here is an ironed version!


These three sturdy linen aprons have lots of different sized pockets. And, all three aprons have this "specialty pocket" which is made up of one tall skinny pocket (great for scissors), a shorter pocket which is good for a cell phone or a notepad, then a quilted business card sized pocket right above the hem. You could keep business cards there, if you are a professional seamstress or a craft vendor, or any other small item such as a box of pins, measuring tape, seeds, a recipe....the list goes on!


I also added this slightly elasticized strip of fabric which is great for holding a hand towel and keeping it within reach! I really tried to think through what a person needs while doing their work and, in most cases, keeping your hands clean is important!


This apron is the original and more simply designed style I have carried in my shop in the past. People have really liked these - they have sold well and have gotten great reviews from customers. This style is lighter weight and is very comfortable to wear. It has three evenly sized pockets rather than the elaborate combination of pockets in the heavy linen aprons. 


Same style as the red apron, but this gold and black one has four pockets. The ties on all aprons are long enough to wrap around and tie in front. 

Would love to make more before Christmas
but I doubt I will have time.

Lots of things in the works! 

But if these sell out, I'll make more in the spring, so stay tuned!





Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Hand Printed Boho Chic Summer Tees


Ever since my post about Fashion Fabric Printing, I have been anxious to put that into action! So, months ago, I purchased some very simple organic gauze cotton "t-shirts" from an ETSY shop based in Thailand. They have a curved hem, round neck, capped sleeves and an easy "swing" style. If I was going to print directly onto an already-made garment, I needed it to have fairly simple lines, so this style was perfect. And, rather than being knit, the cotton gauze definitely added to the boho vibe I was going for!


Of course, being a bohemian-style printing project, I had to start with my Hippie Chick stamp set. Both the stamps and this shirt were specifically created to release your inner flower child! Adding to this, the cotton gauze takes the fabric paint beautifully. Printed in two different rose tones, I think the result is quite appealing.


This one is a little more elaborate and makes use of another obvious choice, my Bohemian Dreams stamp set. It is printed in three shades of blue which brings to mind the batiked, indigo-dyed fabrics that are so popular these days.


I considered printing more around the neckline and/or sleeves on this one but decided to keep it simple. A very clean look and more like a basic graphic tee. The leafy floral motif, printed in two shades of green, is from my stamp set that I call Castle Courtyard.



Using diamond motifs from my Ashley's Garden Companions stamp set, I gave this blouse more of a retro look. I went crazy with this one and printed the front, sides....


..........AND the back!


Last but not least, a blouse with simple and pretty stripes made up of a smaller leafy motif from Castle Courtyard stamps.


You might be thinking, if I bought these shirts months ago, why did it take so long to get them in the shop? Were they terribly complicated and difficult to print? Absolutely not! Just practice on paper first! Iron a crease on the center/front (and back if want to continue there) of your shirt to use as a guide, then get in your zen mode, turn on the music, hold your breath and print! 


My Fabric Printing Gift Set is just what you need to get started!

Unfortunately, I am very sad to report that the shop where I purchased these plain white cotton gauze shirts has since closed. So, these pretty shirts are most definitely "LIMITED EDITION"! But, if you want to make your own, I am sure you can find something similar. Or just start with a basic knit t-shirt - the tighter (smaller? smoother?) the knit, the better. 

OK, why the delay? Well, in-between buying the shirts and now, I was approved to open a shop on ETSY Wholesale! Yay! That's right, I am now selling Yardwork Clear Decor Stamps wholesale. The short story is, I had a lot to figure out! 

So, if you are a retailer, be it "brick and mortar" or online, and would like to carry my stamp sets, please contact me through my retail ETSY shop or at yardworkartwork@gmail.com. If you are not yet signed up for buying on ETSY Wholesale, I can send you a special guest pass to view my line sheet. Please note, only my stamps sets will be available wholesale - NOT the other fabric printing supplies that I carry or bohemian fabric by the yard.


After that, if you want to view more and more on ETSY Wholesale, I'm sure it's easy to sign up. Warning: you will definitely need to provide a tax resale number 
and proof that you are buying for resale.