Sunday 3 June 2012

Ribbon Flowers Choker

Materials Needed
1) 45 cm red satin ribbon 7 cm wide
2) 20 cm red organza ribbon 7 cm wide
3) 1 sequin and 1 pink bead
4) Safety pin

Step 1
Cut a 20 cm strip of satin ribbon 6.5 cm wide and 50 cm strip 5 mm wide. Use the remaining satin ribbon to cut out two circles, one 2 cm in diameter and the other 1.5cm in diameter.

Step 2
Put the wide satin ribbon and organza ribbon on top of each other, matching one edge, and sew together.

Step 3
Place the 1.5 cm satin circle, sequin and bead on top and sew them together. Stick the other satin disc to the back of the folded narrow strip of satin using glue. Sew a safety pin on.

Tuesday 22 May 2012

Satin Beads Necklace


Materials Needed
1m (40”) Satin Ribbon 1 cm (1/2”) wide in dark blue, light blue, green, dark green and purple
1m (40”) satin ribbon 5 mm (1/4”) wide in purple
Wooden Skewer
Hot glue or fabric glue
Needle and pins
DMC stranded cotton in blue, green and purple

Step 1
Step 2


Step 1
Make each bead by starting from the two cut ends of the ribbon. Apply a little glue to the ribbon on the first loop to fasten.

Step 2
Wrap the rest of your ribbon tightly around the skewer and pin the ribbon. Cut a 10 cm (4”) length of the cotton string, wrap it around the bead and tie a very tight double knot. Remove the pins and slide the bead off the skewer.

Step 3

Make up around 20 beads in this way, using contrasting blue and green for your ribbons and the DMC stranded cotton. Using a chenille needle, thread the beads on to the 5mm (1/4”) purple satin ribbon.


Monday 14 May 2012

Fetching Portfolio


Materials

Red Felt: 24” x 18” and ½” circle
Pink felt: 9” x 11 ½ “ (for interior back piece), 7 ½” x 3 ¼ ” (for flap) and 38” x ½” (for strap)
7 ½ ” x 3 ¼ “ yellow felt
8 ½ “ x 11” piece of 1/8“ thick mat board
Embroidery floss in red

Stitches Used

Straight stitch


Cut Case Felt

With fabric scissors, cut a 7 ½” x 3 ¼” rectangle from each corner of the red felt

Attach Interior Back Piece

Slot in the mat board between the red felt and the 9” x 11 ½” pink felt, making sure the board is centred. Safety pin the edges of fabrics, starting on the red side, straight stitch around the perimeter of the pink felt using 2-ply floss. Bind the thread tails in a square knot on the red side when completed.

Attach Flaps

Place the yellow flap partially under one of the short red pieces that extends from the pink centre, overlapping the edges by ¼”. Fasten the flap with straight pins and straight stitch through both layers of fabric with 2- ply floss, tying the knots on the red side.
Repeat on the other short side with the pink flap.

Attach Tie Closure

At the center edge of the yellow flap, slot in the pink strap, stitch an X through all 3 layers and tie off on the wrong side with a square knot.

Monday 7 May 2012

Ribbon Weaving


Weaving ribbons can be used for various soft furnish or on accessories or evening wear. Any type of ribbon can be used for weaving, but if the item is to be washed, you should use materials that can be washed.
Basic Steps for Weaving

Materials required

Step 1
Pen
Ruler
Measuring tape
Iron on interfacing
Weaving board
Ribbon
Pins
Scissors
Steam Iron

Step 1

Pin the  interfacing to the weaving board with the glue facing upwards. Pin one end of the vertical ribbons along the top edge of the interface.
Step 2

Step 2

Weave in the horizonal ribbons and pin the ends. Cut  the interfacing to the size of the weaving area, leaving a 2.5 cm seam allowance all round.

Step 3

Use a dry iron to iron the ribbons with moderate heat to glue the interface and the ribbons. Press the outer edges of the ribbons with the tip of the dry iron.

Step 4

When the ribbons are secure, remove all the pins. Turn over the ribbons with the interface facing up and press again with a steam iron and leave it cool.

Tuesday 1 May 2012

How to Make Fish Felt Glasses Case



Materials

9” x 12” pink felt, for case
1 ½” x 2” orange felt, for fish
1” x 1” white and black felt, for fish eyes
Red embroidery floss
¼” diameter button
Stitches used
Double running stitch,
Blanket stitch, Straight Stitch,

Method

1. Cut the Felt and Design Pieces             

Cut out two 3” x 4” pieces out of the corners of the pink felt (for the case) as shown in the drawing. Then cut out the fish design felt piece and the eyes with fabric scissors.

2. Arrange the Fish Design

Arrange the fish design on the pink felt as indicated in the drawing below. Place the fish eye on fish design. Temporarily glue the pieces in place with a glue stick. As you finished the pattern stitches for the design during this step, tie off all the knots on the wrong side of the felt. Stitch around the fish 1/8” from the edge using double running. Sew some stripes on the fish using double running stitch.

3. Sew Case

With the fish design facing down, fold the pink felt on the folding lines demonstrated in the drawing, tucking the right side under the left to create a top fold piece. With the fold up, fold and pin the overlapped felt in place. Beginning from bottom left corner, tie a knot on the on the inner part of the sandwiched felt with 3-ply red floss. Sew a blanket stitch across the bottom of all 3 layers. Use a straight stitch to sew up the seam on the right side through only two layers of the felt, then to the left along the top opening, around the single-layer fold, and back to the opening on the right before tying off a knot on the inside.

4. Sew Button and Cut Button hole

Sew the button onto the center front of the case, 1 ½” below the opening. Flip the fold over the button and mark a ¼” horizontal slit for the buttonhole. Make sure that the button matches up with the slit before cutting the felt. Remember not to cut the slit too long otherwise it will be too loose. The hole should be 1/8” smaller than the button diameter.

Friday 27 April 2012

How To Make Belt Using Fabric

Have you been wearing the same old belt and hardly can find any special belt that compliments your outfits? One of the ways to be special is to make your own belt that no second person in this world have. A patterned fabric belt can brighten up any outfits and it is easy to make and wear. The length of the belt comes from the width of the fabric you choose and 56" wide fabric should be long enough for most belts. You can use silk brocade, linen, cotton or even ribbons to make belts. Most belts work well with woven fabrics. Try not to use knits and thick fabrics.


Materials and Equipment
4” x 56” piece of fabric
1” x 54” fabric stiffener
Slide buckle
Matching thread
Sewing needle
Iron and ironing board





Step 1
Place the fabric on your work surface with the wrong side facing up. Lay the fabric stiffener on top of the fabric. Match the fabric’s long edge with the stiffener’s long edge. Place the fabric stiffener in the centre and leave 1” of fabric at both ends of the belt. Pin the fabric stiffener and sew the fabric with big stitches.

Step 2
Fold the two long sides inward so that they meet in the centre. Press flat. Fold one end of fabric in so that it covers the stiffener end. Press flat again. Now fold the belt into half along the long edge and press it flat.

Step 3
Sew the long side of the belt with fell stitch and the folded end as well. Fold the other end under and stitch in place.

Step 4
Slip one end through the centre of the belt buckle. Pull about 2” of the belt through the buckle. Then fold back the end of the belt. Pin it to the back of the belt and sew in place with a stitch.


For more ribbon designs, themes and scrap booking ideas, please visit our store at Kasey Crafts.

Please join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kaseycrafts.com

Tuesday 24 April 2012

More Scrap Booking Ideas

We have come out with a few ideas on scrap booking layouts and designs for those who are interested in scrap booking.

Design 1

This is a simple design with lace ribbon running along the edge of the photo. Paste some paper flowers overlapping the photo and include a meaningful word above the photo. Add some embellishment and draw a swirl beside the photo frame.

Design 1

Design 2

Use a tag for your scrap book. Paste the photo on the tag and paste the tag on your scrap book. You may use some ribbons to decorate or tie the tag. Write words on the tag and attach a big flower on the bottom left hand corner. Add some smaller flowers around the big flower and some around the top right hand corner.

Design 2

Design 3

Create a photo frame using a darker coloured paper and decorate it with white and pink flowers at two corners of the frame. Write some words on the right hand side of the scrap book and glue some buttons below the wordings.


We will have more scrap booking ideas coming up! If you like our blog please click g+1. Thank you!

For more ribbon designs, themes and scrap booking ideas, please visit our store at Kasey Crafts.

Please join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kaseycrafts.com

Monday 23 April 2012

How To Make Ribbon Roses

Ribbon roses are easy to make despite their complicated appearance. There are few techniques used in making ribbon roses. More often, it depends on the type of ribbon used. Each method will produce a slightly different flower. You can experiment using different types and widths of ribbon to make ribbon flowers. The wider the width of the ribbon, the bigger the flower will be. The longer the ribbon, the fuller the flower. I will show you how to make a ribbon rose using satin ribbon.

Equipment need
1. Satin ribbon - 50 cm
2. Needle with matching thread
3. Scissors

Step 1 - Fold one end of the ribbon inward and sew the edge to make the core of the ribbon rose. 
Step 2 - Fold the rest of the ribbon outward and down. Roll the folded ribbon around the core and sew the bottom part of the ribbon.
Step 3 - Repeat step two until the whole ribbon has been roll into a rose.

Step 1 - Fold one end of the ribbon inward and sew the edge to make the core of the ribbon rose

Step 2 - Fold the rest of the ribbon outward and down. Roll the folded ribbon around the core and sew the bottom part of the ribbon

Step 3 - Repeat step two until the whole ribbon has been roll into a rose.
You can make roses of different colours and pin them on garments, hats, bags or even glue them on hair clips or hair bands. You can also use it for wedding decorations such attaching them to flower baskets, ring pillow or ribbons and make it into hand corsages. Stay tune for more projects.

For more ribbon designs, themes and scrap booking ideas, please visit our store at Kasey Crafts.
Please join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kaseycrafts.com

Saturday 21 April 2012

Equipment for ribbon work

All you need for basic ribbon work is just a sewing kit of needles, thread and scissors. However, some of the more complicated projects require more specialised items, which are available from craft suppliers.

Equipment for ribbon work

Tailor’s Pin

Tailor’s pin has many uses in ribbon work. You can find them in any crafting or dressmaking supplier store.

Sewing Thread

Sewing thread comes in many different colours but in order to make a good ribbon work, you should always find a colour that matches the ribbon you are using.

Glue

Although you can always use a needle to work on your project, a glue gun would be handy for tricky areas and they are easy to use. They can put on glue with speed and accuracy. However, they are not suitable for children because their tips become very hot when turned on. Non-toxic white craft glue is more suitable for children and it is ideal for sticking large areas.

Scissors

Use different pair of scissors for different functions. Smaller, sharp fabric scissors for cutting ribbons and trimming threads, larger scissors for cutting fabric and the third pair for cutting papers only.

Floral wire

Floral wires are used to make the stem of ribbon flowers. They are usually thick and straight.

Florist tape

Florist tape is green in colour and it is flexible and stretchy. We use it to conceal the floral wire and tie the wire to the fresh flowers stems.

Wire cutters

Wire cutter is needed for cutting florist’s wires used in the ribbon work. You may also use pliers to cut the wires and shape them.

Measuring Tape

The measuring tape is useful for measuring the length of ribbons and progress of our ribbon work such as necklace and bracelets.

Weaving board

Weaving board is needed for weaving ribbons. They should be able to hold pins easily and should be heat resistant with fabric covers. An ironing board would be a good substitute for weaving board.

The above equipment will be used in our upcoming ribbon work project. So stay tune!

For more ribbon designs, themes and scrap booking ideas, please visit our store at Kasey Crafts.Please join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kaseycrafts.com

Thursday 19 April 2012

Types of ribbon for crafts

A ribbon is a long thin strip of coloured cloth used for tying and decorating. Ribbon can be plain or printed. There are many types of ribbon in the market, such as the satin ribbon, grosgrain ribbon, organza sheer ribbon, metallic ribbon, wired ribbon, velvet ribbon, Gingham ribbon, Raffia ribbon and silk ribbon. These ribbons come in vast range of colours for example the yellow ribbon, red ribbon, white ribbon, silver ribbon, orange ribbon and many more.

Satin Ribbon

Satin ribbon has a soft and glossy look that is made from closely weave polyester, a strong and durable synthetic fabric.Satin ribbon usually comes in two forms, single face or double faced. Single face satin ribbon has only one glossy face and matte on the other. However, double faced satin ribbon has glossy face on both sides.
Satin Ribbon

Grosgrain Ribbon

Grosgrain ribbon has a matte and dull appearance, topped with a rib appearance. Grosgrain ribbons are heavier, thicker and stiffer than satin ribbons. They are closely weave, using silk or nylon, into fine corded fabric which makes the ribbon strong. Grosgrain ribbon usually comes in printed designed which is popular in scrap booking.

Organza Ribbon

Organza ribbon, also known as sheer ribbon, has a sheer and translucent appearance. The ribbon is very light and rather stiff in texture. Also, Organza ribbons are usually made from silk or synthetic fibres and they are most suitable for wedding decorations and they go well with satin ribbons.
Grosgrain Ribbon

Metallic Ribbon

Metallic ribbon has a metallic and shiny appearance that glitters. The ribbon is woven using very fine threads of brass, copper or aluminium which gives a glamorous look. Metallic ribbon is very popular for occasions such as Christmas and Chinese New Year.

Wired Ribbon

Wired ribbon has a wire running along one edge of the ribbon and the wire is typically covered by the ribbon fabric. The wired ribbon can be easily shaped to its desired position due to its rigidness. The ribbon is able to stay in shape easily and hence they are used to make ribbon flowers.
Organza Ribbon

Velvet Ribbon

Velvet ribbon has a luxurious and elegant appearance. Traditional, they are woven from silk but nowadays velvet ribbons are also woven from nylon. A velvet ribbon is rather heavy and comes in many different colours.

Gingham Ribbon

Gingham ribbon is checked ribbon that comes in a few different colours usually white and another colour. Popular colours are yellow, red, orange, green and blue gingham ribbons. They are suitable for gift wrapping and decorations.

Raffia Ribbon

Metallic Ribbon
Raffia ribbons have a natural, organic and rustic appearance. Raffia is a natural fibre which comes from the leave of a specific palm tree. The leaves are torn into strips and dried to make into raffia ribbons. Raffia ribbon usually comes in cream colour and sometimes brown.

Silk Ribbon

Silk ribbons are made from silk and they are rather expensive compared to other materials. They are soft and smooth, hence the elegant appearance and feel. Silk ribbons can be plain or printed


For more ribbon designs, themes and scrap booking ideas, please visit our store at Kasey Crafts.
Please join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kaseycrafts.com

Tuesday 17 April 2012

Spice up your scrap book with ribbons!


Have you ever wonder what can ribbons do to spice up your scrap book? Here, I will show you what can you do with strips of ribbonsRibbons are great embellishment for scrap booking because they are colorful and they come in many different designs. Below are some of our scrap book creations with the help of grosgrain ribbons.





Ribbons can be used to divide the scrap book into sections and with the help of two different shades of blue texture papers, it can brings out the colour contrast. Below is another example using the patterned brown polka dots ribbon to add more design to your scrap book.



Besides dividing the scrap book using ribbons, grosgrain ribbons can be used for lining the borders of the scrap book as well. A brown grosgrain ribbon was used in this example.


Grosgrain ribbons can also be used for part of the design of the scrap book. A brown grosgrain ribbon was used in this example to create a branch-like feel. By combining the green and brown grosgrain ribbon, it gives the scrap book a natural colour.


Beside the usual grosgrain ribbons, we can also use ric-rac ribbons to decorate the scrap book. Ric-rac ribbon has a wavy look that gives a more artistic feel to the scrap book.


Stay tune for more scrap booking ideas and designs.


For more ribbon designs, themes and scrap booking ideas, please visit our store at Kasey Crafts.
Please join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kaseycrafts.com