How to make & add a hanging loop to your project in 3 easy steps!

Do you have a small project–like the Double-sided Button Rick Rack Flower used here as a decorative zipper pull–that you’d like to hang as a decorative zipper pull or wall ornament or tree ornament or attach to something like a gift/package, etc. but you need a way to do so?

Adding a hanging loop is a super simple way to solve that problem and here’s how to do it in 3 easy steps:

1. CUT a length of string, yarn, narrow ribbon, bakers twine, etc. I usually go with about a 6 – 8 inch length unless I need a longer dangle. If longer dangle is necessary, then cut a longer piece.

Remember, the length of dangle will be 1/2 the length you cut MINUS about 1 inch give or take depending on how close to the end you tie your knot AND whether you are looping around a button (or similar) or through a hole.

2. KNOT the ends. Make the knot as close to the ends as possible.

3. ATTACH to your project. Loop the string around (or through–if there is a hole to insert through), then insert the “folded” end of your loop through the strings of the knotted end.

Click image to enlarge picture and view detail. Pull the “folded” end so that the knot disappears behind the button (or on the back side of your flat item if inserting through a hole.)

If you have a small fabric item that you need to add a hanging hole to, you could use an awl to pierce a hole.

Want the pattern for how to make the Double-sided Button Rick Rack Flower shown here? It’s included as a bonus in my StandZa Zip Bags sewing pattern.

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POPCORN AWESOMENESS–make your own microwave popcorn!

Mind blowing…that’s what this was for me.

Made in the microwave…no fuss…no muss…no nasty preservatives. You control the salt and all your favorite toppings!

I have a weakness. Yes, quilts, fabric, threads, sewing and bicycles. But no, that’s not what I’m talking about now. I have a major weakness for popcorn. I always have. Salty, crunchy, (sometimes spicy) and always delicious. POPCORN. Make it sweet. Make it spicy. Make it buttery. Make it any way you want.

I. LOVE. POPCORN.

Air popped popcorn just doesn’t cut it for me and who wants to clean up that funky machine?

I love microwave popcorn…ummmmm. Have you ever checked out the ingredients for that stuff? Uggggh.

Stove-top popcorn is awesome, but the cleanup is a hassle.

I need something fast, easy, inexpensive, relatively healthy (and OK…sometimes not so healthy if that’s what I choose) and inexpensive.

So, when I discovered I can make my own microwave popcorn I was…BLOWN AWAY!

Here’s what you need:

Microwave
1 brown paper bag (lunch sack size)
1/4 cup popcorn kernels
OPTIONAL toppings: salt, butter, coconut oil, pepper, spices, caramel or any topping of your choice

THAT’S IT! Can you believe it?

Here’s HOW you do it…OMG it’s too easy:

Place 1/4 cup popcorn kernels (I prefer organic of any brand, but use your favorite type and brand) in a brown paper lunch bag.
Fold the bag down about 3 times with approx. 1 inch each fold; creasing firmly with each fold.
Place in the center of the microwave and close the door.
Press the “popcorn” button if your microwave has one. If your microwave doesn’t have a “popcorn” button, set it for 4 minutes and LISTEN CLOSELY. After your popcorn has started popping, it will be done when it goes approximately 3 – 5 seconds without making a pop. If you get to the end of 4 minutes and your popcorn hasn’t even started popping you either need fresh popcorn or a new microwave.
Once popped, pour the popcorn into your favorite bowl and add your favorite toppings.

Enjoy…amazing popcorn. Healthier. Tastier. And at a fraction of the cost.

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2011 Havf a Heart Christmas Ornament Sewing pattern

Click here for the instructions in PDF format for quick and easy printing – requires a new or updated version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Click here for the pattern piece(s) – requires a new or updated version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Havf a Heart™

Heart Ornament or pincushion in 2 sizes

Permission to copy and distribute this complimentary pattern at no charge to others, for personal or NON-PROFIT use, for guild and group projects is granted provided all copyright information and references to Sew Thankful are kept in tact one each and every pattern copy printed/distributed. Permission is also granted to individual crafters (doing their own sewing themselves) to make reasonable quantities of finished items to sell at individual craft fairs, boutiques, etc.

If quilt or sewing shops wish to share this pattern with their customers, permission is granted provided that a COMPLETE printed copy of this entire pattern with all copyright information and all references to www.sewthankful.com is included along with the finished item at NO CHARGE for the pattern itself other than a nominal fee to cover cost of paper and toner. Pattern may be included in a prepared kit that is sold , subject to all the previous requirements.

For any other use, please contact tracy@sewthankful.com to obtain the appropriate permission and/or licensing.

Use of this pattern is voluntary. End user assumes all risk. Neither Tracy L. Chapman nor Sew Thankful Inc. shall have any liability with respect to loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this project. SEW THANKFUL and the SEW THANKFUL logo are a federally registered Trademark/Service Mark of Sew Thankful Inc.

Make your ornament as plain or fancy as you desire.

Make it plain! You can use a single fabric (all 4 hearts the same color) or go scrappy with all 4 hearts different fabrics. Make it fancy! You can make a truly special, customized ornament by using a solid fabric as one side (half) of the heart. Use the plain side as your canvas! Embroider a name, date or special message. Or draw, paint, write, appliqué, embellish with beads, buttons, silk ribbon or hand embroidery, or other creative, personal, artful ideas.

Please read entire pattern carefully all the way through at least once before you cut or sew.

Two Sizes – Finished Measurements:

Large – approximately 4.75” high x 5” wide, depending on how full you stuff it
Small – approximately 3.5” high x 3.5” wide, depending on how full you stuff it

Materials required for EACH ornament:

Large

Light Fabric: 12” x 6”

Medium to Dark Fabric: 12” x 6”

Polyfil or cotton stuffing such as Sweet Dreams by Quilters Dream

Batting Scrap: 6” x 6” (thin, flat cotton batting or poly fleece preferred)

Template Plastic

Ruler or straight edge for marking

Pencil

Thread

Hand needle

Awl

Ribbon (silk, organdy, satin, etc.) you can use up to .5” width if it is a thin ribbon such as organdy or silk. .25” widths are recommended for bulkier ribbons

Optional: Sew Easy Tweezers or Crochet hook

Small

Light Fabric: 9” x 4.5”

Medium to Dark Fabric: 4.5” x 4.5”

Polyfil or cotton stuffing such as Sweet Dreams by Quilters Dream

Batting Scrap: 4.5” x 4.5” (thin, flat cotton batting or poly fleece preferred)

Template Plastic and

Ruler or straight edge for marking

Pencil

Thread

Hand needle

Awl

Ribbon (silk, organdy, satin, etc.) you can use up to .5” width if it is a thin ribbon such as organdy or silk. .25” widths are recommended for bulkier ribbons

Optional: Sew Easy Tweezers or Crochet hook

*Note: ^{Depending on the width of fabric, you should be able to get 3 + Large or 4 + Small ornaments from .25 yard of light + .25 yard of medium to dark fabric . Directional fabrics may yield less. You may also choose to make the ornament from a single fabric or from 4 different fabrics for a scrappy look. I recommend making one with contrasting fabrics first so you get a good feel for the construction process.}

Click here for the project instructions in PDF format for quick and easy printing – requires a new or updated version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Click here for the pattern piece(s) – requires a new or updated version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

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