Make a Pillow Case

This pillow case is easy to make and beautiful on the bed.  This fits a standard size pillow.

For each pillow case:

  • Pillowcase body - 3/4 yard.  Cut one 25 1/2" by 40 1/2"

  • Contrast strip - 1/8 yard.  Cut one 1 1/2" by 40 1/2"

  • Hem - 3/8 yard.  Cut one 9 1/2" by 40 1/2"

Sew the body of the pillow case to the contrast strip; sew contrast strip to the hem.  Press seam allowances toward the hem.  Topstitch the seams.

Press under 1/4-inch at the outer edge of the hem.  Bring this pressed edge to the back of the pillow case so that it covers all seams.  Sew in place so that it covers the seam allowances on the wrong side of the pillow case.

Fold the pillow case in half, right sides together, and sew the bottom and one long side together.  Finish the raw edges with an overlock or zigzag stitch.  Turn pillow case right side out and press.  Insert pillow and enjoy.

 
 

 

Don't Trash Those Dryer Sheets

Did you know they can...

·        Repel mosquitoes.  Tie a sheet through a belt loop when outdoors.

·        Eliminate static electricity from your TV screen.  Wipe screen with a used dryer sheet to keep dust from resettling

·        Dissolve soap scum on shower doors.

·        Freshen air in your closet or drawer.

·        Prevent thread from tangling.

·        Eliminate odors in wastebaskets.  Place a sheet in the bottom of a wastebasket.

·        Collect cat hair.   Rubbing the area with a sheet will magnetically attract all the loose hairs.

·        Wipe Venetian blinds with a dryer sheet to keep dust from resettling.

·        Eliminate static cling from pantyhose.  Rub a damp, used dryer sheet over the hose.

·        Prevent musty suitcases.  Place a sheet inside empty luggage before storing.

·        Freshen the air in your car.

·        Keep the shock away.  Place a sheet in your coat pocket in winter to avoid shock when getting in and out of the car.

·        Clean baked-on food from a cooking pan.  Fill the pan with hot water and add a used dryer sheet.  Let stand for 20 minutes, then sponge clean.  The anti-static agents weaken the bond between the food and the pan while the softening agents soften the baked-on food.

·        Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sandpapering.

·        Deodorize shoes or sneakers.
 

Crazy Squares

This is a fun and fast way to create blocks for a crazy quilt, table runner, or place mats.

Start with at least 6 squares of fabric preferably 12" to 16".  All should be the same size with no duplicates.  Make sure you select fabric with obvious contrast between the colors.

Stack the squares neatly.  In the upper left-hand corner number them with a sticky note 1 through 6.  Make a cut through the entire stack, wherever you like, as big as you like.  Place the numbered cut squares next to your sewing machine.

From the unnumbered stack (the small part you just cut), take the bottom piece and bring it to the top of the stack.  Sew the top two pieces together, then the next two, and on down the set.  Press and restack, making sure the numbers in the top left-hand corner remain in sequence.

Stack neatly again (in sequence) and make your second cut wherever you'd like.  Take two pieces from the unnumbered stack and bring them to the top.  Sew in pairs again, press and restack, always keeping the numbered pieces in order 1 through 6.

Make the third cut, then bring three pieces from the unnumbered stack to the top and sew in pairs.  Finish squares as before.  Stack neatly as before.

Make the fourth cut, then bring four pieces from the unnumbered stack to the top and sew in pairs as before.

Make the fifth cut, then bring five pieces from the unnumbered stack to the top and sew in pairs as before.

Make the sixth cut, bring three pieces from the unnumbered stack to the top.  Before sewing, look at your pairs and make sure there are no like fabrics butting up together.  If you do, simply rearrange until you are happy with the combinations..

You should not have two colors the same next to each other.  If you draw out your cuts on paper first, you can balance the size of your pieces.

After six cuts you'll have crazy squares which you can trim down.  The more cuts you make, the smaller your finished square will be.

Try joining a few to make great placemats, or join more for a crazy table runner.  This would be a great place for some beautiful decorative stitches.  Have fun!