Dana Made It + Oilcloth

You all know Dana from the popular Made blog, right? Of course you do! She's the talented blogger that brought us orange lace oilcloth slip covered bar stools and many more great oilcloth creations of the years. 

 

Dana is also the author of the book called Fabrics A to Z and The Fabric Selector. Dana believes that no fabric should be feared so she and Kate from See Kate Sew have teamed up  for a new series called Don't Fear the Fabric!

Dana has been focusing on Oilcloth and Kate has been sharing tips, tricks and tutorials about leather. I love this combo, in fact I think it's perfect. When I was a costumer for film and theatre (B.M. - Before Motherhood) I specialized in tailoring. In the 90's it was very popular for classical productions to have a modern look and leather was the fabric of choice for many costume designers. For example, I was on a team that made a dozen leather pants for an opera St. Louis Opera. I believe it was this set of sewing skills that have made me fearless enough to become Modern June, Oilcloth Addict!

Dana covered the the how to's for working with oilcloth,  

 

Cute and easy oilcloth coasters.

 

A simple geo banner.

 

A fun no-sew project - Oilcloth Planters. 

She's also giving away a great gift from Modern June for two of her readers. Head over to Danamadeit.com to enter to win a copy of my Sewing with Oilcloth book and a four pack of fat quarters of oilcloth!

Happy sewing!!

Q & A: Is laminated cotton a good choice for snack bags?

Q: Can you use the laminated cotton for reusable snack bags?

A: Laminated cottons are waterproof and easy to clean so it's a great choice for snack bags. According to the test results that I received from Westminster Fibers, Inc ALL of the laminated cottons that I carry have been tested and proved to be be BPA and PVC free. These are the chemicals that we don't want leaching in to our sandwiches. Which is why I don't recommend using oilcloth for projects that store food. While many people feel comfortable with knowing that the fabric is PVC and BPA-free every person has to make the decision that's right for them.

Laminated cotton has a thin layer of polyurethane on the right side of the fabric only so you will want to line your snack bags with another layer of laminated cotton. I recommend leaving the lining loose so you can slid it out and clean it thoroughly. I also recommend hand washing any laminated cotton project, as water gets trapped between the layers of laminated cotton and has a really hard time drying out properly. We now sell laminated cotton in Fat Quarters, it's the perfect size for snack bags!

My upcoming book, Sewing with Oilcloth, has a pattern for a really great snack bag and another for a sandwich wrap. Head over to Amazon and pre-order you copy today!!! (Yes, that is my first shameless plug. I am sure there will be many more to come!)

UPDATE:  I contacted Westminster Fibers, INC to see if they had run this fabric through testing to see if it was "food safe" and they haven't tested it and don't have plans to. So I can't say for sure that it is or isn't food safe.

I can say that it is PVC and BPA free. From what I have read this is good indication, but of course I am NOT a scientist and I don't even play on TV.  ; )

As with all the big questions in life we have to educate ourselves and do what's right for us and our families.

Hope this helps. I really wish I could give a concrete answer. I really do. : ) I'll keep asking the hard questions to these company and hopefully someday we'll get an answer.

Happy sewing,
Kelly

Great Idea: Beach Comber Bag

Here's another great tutorial that would be great made out of laminated cotton. Christina from Two Little Hooligans, made a fun little beach comber bags that are great for corralling all of your pool and beach bottles. I'll be making a couple of these for our family vacay in September!

Cristina's tutorial uses 2-3 fat quarters, so I thought it was a great time to make a listing for laminated cotton fat quarters, because sometimes you only need a little bit to get the job done!

Great idea! Pillows with Chalk Cloth Applique!

 

Look what I found by chance yesterday... Merriment Designs walks you through her super cute pillows that are decked out with playful chalk cloth appliques! How cute are these? Grab a fat quarter for chalk cloth and some pretty cotton and get going!

Merriment Designs COPYRIGHT NOTE: You’re more than welcome to use this project and pattern for your own personal use. Please post a comment below or email me if you use this project so I can smile when I see that it’s being used. Craft and pass it on!

Great Idea... Oilcloth Receipt Wallet

Your going to love this one!  Yet another pretty and practical project from Skip to My Lou! Cindy,  I couldn't agree with you more " ...this handy little receipt wallet will do the the trick! -- personal receipts on one side, business receipts on the other. Really it could have many uses --- coupons, lists, checkbook cover, etc!" 

For a complete rundown on how to make this great project head on over to Skip to my Lou. Then head over to our Etsy shop and pick up two Fat Quarters and get sewing!  

FYI, this green print she used, Green Mums, is one of our new prints due to arrive next Monday! 

Chalk Cloth Gift Tags

This weeks winner is number 12,  our friend April!!

April wins an oilcloth fat quarter of her choice and a fat quarter of chalk cloth,

all she needs to make these fun holiday gift tags.

 Congrats April and thank you for your continued support!

Supply List:

• one fat quarter of Chalk Cloth 
• one fat quarter of oilcloth 
• two concentric circles to use a templates
• pencil
• ribbon or ric rac
• scissors 

Using your circles trace on to the back of your chalk and oilcloth.

Add your ornament top, I used my thumb as a guide. I know, very high tech,right? 

Cut out one chalk cloth circle and two ornaments for each gift tag.

Edge stitch chalk cloth tag onto top layer of oilcloth only.

You can opt to make a loop or insert two ties.

Pin ribbon in between the two layers of ornament pieces.

Edge stitch the two layers together.

Now, wasn't that easy?

Monday Madness!

It is that time of the week again, Monday Madness Freebie time!   I am pleased to hear from you all again this week.

I say we start getting ready for the holidays by making gift tags.  With a fat quarter of chalk cloth and oilcloth,  you can make a ton of fun gift tags.  All we have to do is use Suzanne's Chalk Cloth Dot Tutorial  reduce the scale, make a change or two and we can have reusable gift tags to add to all our holiday packages.  I will give it a try, take some photos and report back on Tuesday!

So, my question for you this week is silver, red or green?  What is your favorite holiday color?  Take a look around Oilcloth Addict and let us know what you like best!

oilcloth picnic mat tutorial

After reading the new book by EllynAnne Geisel, The Kitchen Linens Book: Using, Sharing, and Cherishing the Fabrics of Our Daily Lives, I just had to make this pretty picnic mat for my family. The day my family spent flying kites in a wet field I knew we needed one of these, but it was the section on picnics that made the idea a reality. My philosophy for both shops Modern June and Oilcloth Addict is that small things in life help to make big memories. I know EllynAnne feels the same way. Linens of all types evoke fond memories.

Check out my review of the book at Sew Mama Sew! Don't forget to leave a comment after reading the post, Sew Mama Sew is giving away 6 books!!!

Be aware my mat is a big one, 8' x 8', just great for a family of four. Feel free to scale up or down for your needs.

Stuff you gotta have:
4 yards of oilcloth, seen in Lime Green Gingham
A fat quarter of a fun fruity oilcloth pattern, appliques are from the Apples and Pears Oilcloth
Rotary cutter
Ruler or yard stick
Gypsy Gripper, an optional tool I can not live with out.
Thread


step 1. Cut cut out your appliques and take your four yards of oilcloth and cut it into two equal parts ( two, two yard pieces)


step 2. Pin your appliques in the correct corners. You are doing this first so don't have to wrangle that big mat under the machine like it did! Trust me do it now while it is in pieces!


step 3. Sew your appliques into place.

Tip! When turning sharp corners leave your needle in the down, lift pressure foot and then turn.

step 4. Sew your two sides together making a large 8 foot square. Sew right sides together using a 1/2 SA. I suggest you place your machine on the largest table you have, this is a lot of oilcloth, a large table will help support the bulk and keep you happy.


step 5. Lay oilcloth face up roll both sides of the up so you can easily get to your seam. Now finger press your seam off to the left. There is no need to pin.


step 6. Back at the machine you are going to want to do an edge stitch off to the left. This is going to strengthen your seam and substitute not being able to iron. This will help that seam behave. As you stitch make sure both sides of the seam are off to the left.

Tip! I like to use the inside edge of the presser foot as a guide to keep my top stitch straight.


step 7. Fold you hem up one inch and sew one side, then do a faux mitered corner. Or better yet check out this tut for the real thing. I wish I had looked that up when I was sewing up the hem.

Note! Oilcloth does not fray so you could leave this edge raw or pink the edges. I hemmed the mat to help give it body and weight. Wind can ruin a picnic so I figure every bit helps.


step 8. Clean up. Oilcloth is very easy to clean, simply whip clean with a damp cloth. EllynAnne has a great tip for easy clean up at a picnic, she suggests that we eat on and extra tablecloth so when you are done you can wrap it all up and take it home. This leaves the picnic mat ready for relaxation time.


step 9. Storage. Keep the creases away by folding it in half and then rolling it up. Your local fabric shop should happily give you their empty cardboard rolls.

Picnic season is coming, Happy Spring!!!

Pantry Project #5, Chalk Cloth tags and labels

These simple Chalk Cloth tags and labels can be used all over the house, I need these for the pantry/laundry room to get that place organized once and for all.

Stuff you need:

Chalk Cloth Fat Quarter
Oilcloth Fat Quarter Four Pack or a Oilcloth Charm Pack
scissors
spool of ribbon
ink pin and white pencil
vase or template for oval shape
Fray Check


step 1. Find a shape, you could use a template if you have on but I always use what I have laying around. While I was looking around the house for an oval shape and I got lucky! What is so great about it is that the top is bigger than the bottom. How perfect is that? (Thanks Janet, your gifts keep giving!)



Don't have that kind of luck? No problem, find your shape and increase or decrease it on the printer. Easy-peasy!










step 2. Cut your large ovals out of oilcloth and your small ovals out of the chalk cloth.






step 3. Cut your ribbon into 20" strips. Fold the ribbon in half and place it in the center of the tag and sandwich them in-between the two layers. Use cloths pins to pin the tag. Make sure your ribbon in a V shape, this will help you tie your label later. Don't forget to use some fray check on the ends of the ribbon to keep them tidy.


step 4. Set your needle to the left so you can edge stitch the chalk cloth on to the oilcloth. Slowly sew around the chalk cloth tag.


step 5. Make a few without the ties and you can hot glue them onto all sorts of things.


Oh, these are fun. You are going to love making them, they are so quick and easy. Leave me a comment tell me what you would use at set for. The first 10 people will receive a free scrap pack with enough oilcloth and chalk cloth to make a few.

Don't like the oval shape change it up with what ya got!

OCA Tutorial # 6 Gift Jar Decorations by Suzanne of Silver Tree Art

Many give and receive yummy goodess filled in glass jars. We can reuse these jars, and they are a great way of showing off your culinary abilities. So far this year we received a jar of chocolate chip cookie mix and orange spice tea is on the way. I wanted a nice way of topping my homemade strawberry lime preserves and came up with this oilcloth solution in lieu of using fabric. Thus, the tutorial on cupcake toppers was topped with jar toppers! Cupcake Toppers to come early 2009.

Materials:

1 fat square oilcloth (or more, depending on the number of toppers you wish to make)

scissors

pencil or pen

round object for tracing

rik rak, yarn, or ribbon

Step 1: Gather your materials. Remove the lid or outer ring of your jar in preparation of step 2.

Step 2: Using the lid of the jar as a base, make your topper up to a few inches wider all the way around. For the green kiwi dot oilcloth, I used a CD to trace. For the white dot on red oilcloth, I cut my own circle 2 inches wider all the way around. Trace CD or other round object.

Step 3: Cut your circles out of the oilcloth. Using one hand, secure the circle on top of your jar, careful not to spill it's contents. The lid is underneath the oilcloth to keep the food sealed. For a canning jar lid, use the outer ring to secure the oilcloth on top. This takes a little care, as the oilcloth is a little thick. If you go slowly and maintain patience, you'll secure the ring onto the jar. You can also place the oilcloth directly on top of the jar lid & ring and tie off with your ribbon to secure. (I tried using tulle underneath the oilcloth but changed my mind. You see it's not there in the picture below.)

Step 4: Place ribbon around the ring to add a little sparkle. You can add an ornament or candy cane to the ribbon for that extra pizzaz. The project takes little time and adds a lot of color.

In the spirit of sharing and making handmade, here are the cookie jar instructions as given to me. Enjoy, crafters!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix (for a 1 quart glass jar)

Jar Contains:

1 2/3 c. all purpose flour

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 c. white sugar

2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 c. packed brown sugar

1. To make a jar and share: layer the following: flour, soda, sugar, brown sugar, chocolate chips. Seal. Attach directions and enjoy!

2. Directions for Cookie Making: Empty contents of jar into a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine 3/4 c. butter, 1 1/2 eggs, and 1 tsp. vanilla. Beat until creamy. Add to dry mixture. Drop by teaspoonful onto an ungreased cookie sheet or silpat lined cookie sheet, and bake in a preheated oven of 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 8-10 minutes. Serve warm with milk and enjoy!