Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects (14 page)

Step 7. Attach the bias binding to the pot holder.

a.
First, take the 38″ piece of bias binding, and open it up at the center crease. Then, completely open one of the long, side folded edges, leaving the other folded edge in place. To finish the first cut end of the binding, fold the first cut end
¹
/
₂
″ toward the
Wrong
side of the binding and press.

b.
Starting in the center, at the bottom raw edge on the back of the pot holder, place the folded end of the
Right
side of the bias binding onto the
Right
side of the back of the pot holder. Line up the edge of the bias binding that you just opened, so it is even with the raw edges of the pot holder, and pin it in place.
(
FIGURE 7B
)

c.
Then, stitch a
¹
/
₂
″ seam across the bias binding (on the crease on the binding you made in step 6e), stopping
¹
/
₂
″ in from the first side raw edge, backstitching at each end.

d.
To make the first mitered corner, fold the binding away from the corner of the pot holder, forming a 45-degree angle.
(
FIGURE 7D
)

e.
Then, fold the binding back, even with the raw edge on the first side of the pot holder, and pin it in place. Stitch a
¹
/
₂
″ seam starting at the bottom edge and continue up the raw side edge, repeating this process at each of the corners of the pot holder.
(
FIGURE 7E
)

f.
After the fourth corner, place the rest of the binding along the bottom raw edges, overlapping the beginning of the binding by
¹
/
₂
″, and pin it in place. Cut away any extra binding and then stitch the rest of the binding in place.
(
FIGURE 7F
)

g.
Turn the pot holder over so the front of the pot holder is facing up. Then, fold the binding over the raw edges, matching up the other long, folded edge of the binding with the stitching line showing on the front of the pot holder, and pin it in place along the stitching. Fold the extra binding under at each corner, mitering each angle.

h.
Next, attach the binding to the front of the pot holder by stitching completely around the pot holder close to the inner folded edge, backstitching at each end. Then, slip stitch
*
the mitered corners by hand on both the front and back of the pot holder.
(
FIGURE 7H
)

*
See page 171
for an explanation of slip stitching.

i.
Turn your pot holder over so the back is facing up. Measure 2″ in along the finished edge of each of the hand covers on both the right and left sides and place a pin at the 2″ measurements. Slip stitch 4 or 5 times in place by hand to tack the hand cover to the back of the pot holder. (Do not stitch completely through your pot holder; only catch the back fabric. This is slip stitched by hand to keep your stitches from showing through on the front of the pot holder.) Tie off your thread a couple of times in the same place and then cut your thread to free your needle.
(
FIGURE 7I
)

j.
On the top right corner of the pot holder, place a
¹
/
₂
″ grommet with the finished side of the grommet onto the patchwork side of the pot holder. Use the marking on the pattern piece for patchwork panel B as a guide in placing your grommet. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to attach the grommet to the corner of your pot holder.

Your bedroom should be a relaxing retreat, a soothing environment where you can forget all about the pressures of day-to-day life. To help you turn your bedroom into an oasis of comfort, here are all the things you need—a beautiful duvet cover to adorn your bed, a bedside organizer to keep your sleeping area clutter free, cool lounge pants and a sophisticated sleeping mask so you can sleep in on Saturday morning. Now, if we could just stitch up someone to bring us breakfast in bed . . .

PATCHWORK DUVET COVER

FINISHED SIZES: TWIN: 67
¹
/
₂
″ WIDE × 86″ LONG | FULL/QUEEN: 87
¹
/
₂
″ WIDE × 92″ LONG | KING: 103
¹
/
₂
″ WIDE × 92″ LONG

The mod design of this super-cool duvet cover (see photo,
page 63
) can be customized to highlight your favorite fabric and color combinations, and to fit any size comforter. Easy piecing of ovals on stripes makes for unlimited possibilities and tons of style.

FABRICS

• 44″-wide quilting-weight to mid-weight cotton fabric for the duvet foundation (the front of the duvet cover) back, and bobbles (the decorative shapes to be attached to the foundation) (Please use the charts below to determine the amount of yardage you will need for the size of duvet cover you are making.)

OTHER SUPPLIES

• Comforter in the size of your choice

• Coordinating thread

•
³
/
₄
″ flat buttons (5 for twin, 7 for full/queen, 8 for king)

• Tape measure

• Yardstick

• Chalk pencil or fabric marker

• Scissors

• Rotary cutter and self-healing mat (optional)

• Masking tape

• Straight pins

• Template plastic or freezer paper

• Turning tool (such as a closed pair of scissors)

• Hand sewing needle

• Large safety pins (optional)