Tie and Dye Projects

Tie-dye is a process of tying and dyeing a piece of fabric or cloth which is made from knit or woven fabric, usually cotton; typically using bright colors. It is a modern version of traditional dyeing methods used in many cultures throughout the world. Tie-dyeing is accomplished by folding the material into a pattern, and binding it with string or rubber bands. Dye is then applied to only parts of the material. The ties prevent the entire material from being dyed. Designs are formed by applying different colors of dyes to different sections of the wet fabric.

Tie and Dye Sundress

Tie and Dye Infinity Scarf

Tie and Dye Tablet cover

 

Tie and Dye Basket Cover

MATERIAL
Plain fabric 
Dye
Salt
Water

METHOD
Get a piece of fabric , coloured dye,  and 1 cup of salt. Set-up at a place with a water supply nearby (sink area).
Tie knots to the fabric in regular interval.


Soak the fabric in the dye (and salt) and boiling water mixture as instructed on pack.

Rinse well in clean water. The water from the squeezed fabric should run clear after. Wring the fabric

Hang Outside to dry.

Tips
Wear unwanted clothes as you may stain them with dye!

Wait at least 72 hours before washing this as the colours might seep into other fabrics/garments.

How to use Fabric Paint

Few colors and a suitable brush, fabric painting opens up endless opportunities for transforming your wardrobe and your home. It enables you to create one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art (t-shirts are the most common) or to design some special cushion covers, curtains,scarfs or tote bags.
Techniqes of fabric painting includes Stenciling,  Block printingand Free hand Painting. 

Lets start with fabric stenciling

FABRIC STENCILING

These trendy stencils are great for stenciling your own designer pillows or curtains or transforming garage sale furniture finds into cool decorative pieces. Decorative possibilities are endless with these versatile reusable stencils!

 Fabric Stenciling Basics: 

Best fabric for painting on is 100 per cent cotton with a tight weave  But good results can be obtained with rayons and silks too. The best is to try a sample square to check the results.
Natural sponges are excellent tools for controlling the amount of pigment applied. Dab the paint-filled sponges lightly with vertical pressure.There are many paints designed specifically or painting on fabric. Regular craft acrylics can be turned into suitable fabric painting mediums with the simple addition of Textile Medium. Heavier fabrics will not move much as you stencil, but lighter fabrics can be held in place for stenciling by working on a smooth cardboard surface that has been lightly sprayed with stencil adhesive. Using stencil adhesive to maintain your stencil in position is also very helpful.If washing the item in the future, the easiest way to heat-set your stenciled fabric is to place the item in the dryer on high heat for an hour. Otherwise, you can heat set the painted area with a hot, dry iron and pressing cloth for a minute or two. A stippling or pouncing technique can be used with the stencil brush to work the paint well into the fibers.

Basic fabric -printing supplies

Self Healing Mat- Place the mat under the fabric
Template/Stencil
Fabric Paint-
Natural Soft Sponge
Foam Paintbrush / Rollers
Paint Palette

Method

 Cover a work surface with kraft paper and tape the fabric on top. Prewash the fabric. Lay the stencil on the area of the fabric you wish to embellish. If you wish to mix colors to create a custom shade,do so on the palette. With a clean sponge,dab the paintinsidethe stencil. In general, its best to work left to right top to bottom. Let dry about 3 minute. Once you finish stenciling, set paint with an iron.

Fabric Free hand painting

A super cool and interesting idea to get all your fabrics trendy and stylish is to paint it yourself and personalize it. Check out some awesome techniques and designs you can go for.

Preparing Fabrics for Painting Designs

There are points you need to take care of before you start painting designs on fabrics. It includes:

1. It’s better to choose 100% cotton fabric for beginners to start painting.

2. Pre-wash fabric you want to paint, so that all the starch is removed from the piece of cloth and it does not shrink after you paint and wash it.

3. Finally, iron your fabric to make it wrinkle-free so that it doesn’t havoc designs.

Important Tip:

To check if the fabric is ready to be painted, pour a drop of water on cloth….if the water droplet is absorbed that means it is ready to be painted directly. If the water drop beads up, it means you need to wash your piece of cloth.

And now you are ready to paint! Let’s get started…

How to Start Painting on Fabric

Since now your fabric is ready to be painted, you can either apply fabric paints directly and make free-hand designs or follow the following steps;

1. Choose a pattern or design you want to imprint on your fabric and draw it on a sheet of paper.

2. Lay a carbon paper on your selected piece of cloth where you want to paint . Now, imprint the design you have already made on paper by outlining it.

3. Use wooden embroidery hoops (easily available in the market) to the area you want to paint on.

4. Use fabric paints directly using round paint brush (for beginners) and start painting your fabric in flow with the design and let it dry.

Tip: If you are artistic enough and want to go or free hand painting, make sure the you lay a newspaper right below the area you want to paint so that the colors don’t get down on the second layer of cloth.

Rocking Chair Cover

Rocking chairs plays an important role in your life if you have a baby. Aanya loved to go to sleep in this rocking chair even before she was born. My chair cushion cover faded over the years and even some threads were pulled out, So I thought of giving this chair a make over. This is a day project and is very easy to make a rocking chair pad cover.

Before

After

The Material

Silk Fabric

Matching thread

14inch Zipper

The Stiching:

Take the chair pad and place it on the Chosen fabric. Before placing the pad fold the fabric into half. Cut the fabric leaving 2 inch margin on all sides.

After cutting match the  back and front of the fabric placing the wrong side outside and stich along the three sides.

Now take the chair pads and put them into the basic cover with wrong side up. Now make two curved pleates from bottom to top and pin it. Adjust the pleats such a way that the pillow cover fits tight.

Repeat the same procedure for the bottom pillow.


Stich the zipper for both the back and bottom pillows.

Bridesmaid Clutch Bag

The idea of the clutch originated with the "Reticule" hundred years ago, during the Victorian era. It was then a mid-sized bag, made out of Lucite, Bakelite, silk, satin or brocade.  Originally popular in France, they crossed over into Britain, where they became known as "indispensables." 
Proper ladies used the "Reticule" to store their handkerchiefs during elegant evenings out on the town. This fashion then went out of style, but came back during World War II.  From the after-war to our era, the clutch purse is the evening bag of choice for women everywhere.

This zippered clutch is ideal for any occasion, morning ,evening,formal and informal parties. The outer fabric is silk with rhinestones border and scattered rhinestones all over the front. The inner fabric and sides aremade of soft white fleece. 

Dimensions
length-5 inches, width- 11 inches, depth- 4 inchesIts an perfect Bridesmaid, Mothers day, Anniversery or Birthday gift. 


Materials
Silk Fabric- 1/2 yard
Fleece fabric for lining - 1/2 yard
Quilting batting- 1/2 yard
Cardboard strip- 11 inches length 2 inches width
White zipper- 7 inch
Rhinestones- 

Stiching:
Step 1
First of all cut a hexagon from the silk fabric, in the dimensions of length 13 inches and width 13 inches
Cut two hexagons from the batting and fleece of dimension- length 11 inches and width 11 inches
Cut two cup shaped fleece fabric for the sides.
Place the fleece cut out place the cardbord in the middle of the fleece hexagon.
Then place the batting and then the silk layer, put a cotton cloth on top.
Heat the iron and apply the hot iron on the layers first the silk side then turn it, put the cotton cloth on fleece cutout and apply the hot iron two to three stroke.
Now your base for the bag is ready.

Step 2
Stich the silk fabric around the fleece by making two folds.
Stich along both the sides of the cardboard to hold it firmly with the fabric.
Now take the sides.

Again double fold and stich the sides of both the pieces individually.
place it alligning with the cardboard and stich with the sides of the bag.

Do the same thing for the other side.
Once your sides are done take the zipper and pin along the fleece fabric at the top.
Stich it carefully.

Step 3

In this step you need to apply the rhinestones. 
There are two ways to do that one is to apply it manually sticking each rhinestone with fabric glue which is tiresome and messy.
The second option is to use a bedazzeler or hot glue gun.
I used the second option.

Miniature Fleece Purse

These adorable, easy- to- assemble bags are just the right size for holding a few small necessities- basic make-up supplies, cell phone, money bags, keys and MP3 players. The bag is great for toddlers (they can put thier crayons and drawing supplies) to teen girls. Try to make these purses with fabric scrapes and enoy yourself or gift the beautiful purse that fashionistas crave for.

The Material:
2 pieces of red fleece(can also use felt if preferred) 5by 7 inches (12.5 cm x 18cm)
1 yard pink yarn
Green yarn sufficient for embroidery
White button
1 piece pink fleece
1 long red zipper
Small strip of velcro


The Stiching:

Cut out the fleece in oval shape.

To customize the purses with original drawing, use a dissapearing -ink fabric pen to sketch shapes onto the fleece scrapes.

 After cutting the bird in pink fleece Place it in the middle of the red felt cut out. Pin the bird to the bag cut out and make a fern stich by hand.

To make the fern stich keep the knotted part outside to make a stem for the leaf. 

Next border the bird with simple stich and stich a button on the eye area and iron on the batting on the wrong side to save your threads from pulling in the future.

Take the second red fleece cut out and make a back pocket by placing your phone and cutting out a square piece inch bigger on all sides. Stich the velcro.

Now place both the red fleece cut outs carefully. Check whether they are alligning properly with each other and pin it to sew. Try to stich in one time so that it the stiches are in a line and not curvy. 

Take the pink yarn and tie a plate using three threads. 

Put it in the opening of the bag and adjust the zipper with it and sew the zipper.

Now with the invisible pen mark small traingles and cut neatly. You can avoid this step by initially cutting the felt cut outs with pinking shears.

Garden Diaper Stacker

I love daiper stacker, they are a cute addition to the nursery and help organise your daiper but at the same time are very handy to use.I had a garden theme for my nursery. I was looking for a similar daiper stacker but did not like any of them so decieded to do it myself. This handy diaper stacker conveniently holds 3 dozen diapers and can be hung off the changing table or anywhere you like.  It offers quick and easy access through the front slit opening. My baby is a girl so I have made it very girly with pink ruffles and flowers and butterflies.

         ggf 

The Material:

1 yard dark pink  fabric for lower body
Quater fabric for  fusible interfacing piping and appliques
Half yard fabric light pink for semicircle body and ruffles
Child’s size hanger
10" x 14" piece of cardboard

The Cut Outs:

2 of piece #1 for bag walls at (see diagram)
1 of piece #2 for bottom at 10 ½" x 14 ¾" (no diagram)
1 of piece #3 for (bottom) cover at 10 ¼" x 14 ½" (no diagram)
2 of piece #4 for top portion from fabric (see diagram )
2 of piece #4 from Fusible Interfacing

The Stiching: (all seams are 5/8")

First draw the applique design on the top cut out. Thencut out the fabric and border the applique

Fuse interfacing to wrong side of each top piece (4).
On outside, pin piping (or lace) to wrong edge of one top section, having tubular portion just Outside the 5/8" seam allowance. Attach piping to curved edge only-not on the straight edge. Baste.
A zipper foot on machine works well to stitch piping in place. Pin top sections, right sides together. Stitch, leaving a ¾" opening at center top for hanger to go through.

Pin piping or lace to lower edge of top, allowing 1" extra for joining.
To join ends, remove 1" of stitching from one end and cut exposed cord the same amount. Fold fabric covering under ½" and place cord ends so they just meet. Refold fabric over cord. Baste in place along seam line.
Stitch center seam in BAG (1).
Turn under 1 1/2" on front edges of bag. Press under ¼" on raw edge and stitch in place. Machine stitch 5/8" from lower edge of bag. Clip seam allowance to stitching at each square.
To gather upper edge of bag, machine baste 5/8" and 1/2 " from raw edge breaking basting at seam.
Fuse interfacing to wrong side of BOTTOM (2).
Pin bottom to lower edge of bag, right sides together. Stitch. Press seam allowance toward bag.
Finish bottom between circles by pressing under 5/8" and stitching in place.

Take two a long strip of fabric you are using for the top and ruffle it and attach on either side of the opening.

Pin bag to top, right side together, matching notches, seam to center and having finished edges at center for front. Pull up bobbin threads and adjust gathers to fit. Baste and stitch.
Press under 5/8" on one short edge of each cover (3). Pin cover sections, right sidesTtogether.  Stitch. Cut corners off diagonally.
Turn right side out Press. Cut cardboard 10" x 14" (you may need to adjust by cutting more to make it fit). Slip cardboard into cover. Slipstitch opening edged together.
Insert covered cardboard into bottom of bag and child's hanger into top of bag. 

Baby Fleece Pants

I love to sew baby  pants they are easy and a day project but with a busy baby like mine it took me two days.
Baby fleece pants are a must in winters and I like to create them myself so that I can personalize it my way with different types of applique. This is a easy and fun project for begginers and sewing experts.

The Material: 

A pair of pants that currently fit your little one

half yard of fleece fabric

1 elastic

Iron on applique

The Stiching:

Lay down your current pair of baby pants on top of the folded in half fabric.

Cut around the pants, leaving about 1/2" extra around the sides, 1" on the bottom, and about 2" on the top. 
On the top, the side of the crotch keep two finger space cloth for the elastic to glide smoothly and not pull the fabric.

After cutting out the first leg (since the fabric is folded in half, you'll have two pieces), flip the pieces over and cut the other leg, the same size.  You should then have four pieces of fabric.

Note: if your little one wears cloth diapers, I recommend leaving an extra 1" on the inside near the crotch to add that extra girth for comfortable diaper wear!

Line up your pieces so that the right sides of the fabric are touching.
Pin along the crotch line of each leg.  You'll only sew from the top of the pant leg to the crotch point. 
Sew with the edge of the fabric on the edge of your machine foot.  This will give you a 1/4" seam.
Repeat for other leg.
Sew the side near the crocth area from the leg to the joint .

 SEW CROTCH

Line up your pieces so that the right sides of the fabric are touching.
Pin along the crotch line of each leg.  You'll only sew from the top of the pant leg to the crotch point.
Sew with the edge of the fabric on the edge of your machine foot.  This will give you a 1/4" seam.
Repeat for other leg.

 SEW ELASTIC
Once your basic pant is done. Now Take an elastic and pin in along the top. (I usually put the elastic and sew because this helps to understand where the elastic is and eliminates any mistake of stiching).
Feel the elastic and sew along the elastic line giving it enough room to move when pulled.
Here the extra fabric in the top portion will help the elastic to pull itself.

HEM BOTTOMS AND ADD APPLIQUE
Leave pants inside out.  Turn up the bottoms of each leg about 1/2", remembering to pin open seams like you did in the previous step.  If you want, you can use the current pair of baby pants to measure length here.  Align the crotches and match the hem length.
- Pin each leg the same length.
Sew along the wrong side of the fabric to hide the raw edge.

Once the pant is ready take your store brought applique.
Heat the iron and follow the instructions on your packet.