Tracy’s Original Designs – SewThankful Blog

Quilted Sea Turtle Pillow — July 2017

Scrappy Sea Turtle Pillow — original design and copyright Tracy Lee Chapman

This is the Scrappy Sea Turtle Pillow I designed and made as a gift for a very dear friend. She listens without being judgmental, she encourages without being critical, but she also tells it like it is. She is the best kind of friend and she’s made a wonderful difference in my life so I wanted her to have something special to know that she’s important and cared for. She adores Sea Turtles–and purple & blue are her favorite colors.

At first I was going to make this as a wall hanging. Then I decided to make it into a pillow instead so my friend can display it easily wherever she wants and it’s hug-able. Making the quilted turtle as a pillow sham (with a custom shredded gel-foam pillow insert) also keeps the quilted turtle sham easy to wash and dry.

This is my own original design, entirely from scratch. Where did I get the turtle image? I looked at many sea turtle images and sketched my own. Then I challenged myself to use only fabrics, threads and items from my own personal stash–no buying anything new.

First the turtle was outlined with a hand sewn big stitch using rayon perle from my personal stash.

I used raw edge fusible applique (using Sew Lazy Fusi-Bond http://www.sewthankful.com/Sew_Lazy_Fusi_Bond_Lite_Sew_Lazy_SLG101.html) to place the pieces of the turtle body & shell.

Each piece is freemotion quilted using Superior Microquilter thread (http://www.sewthankful.com/superior-sewing-threads-microquilter.html).

Then I added wavy quilting lines (to give the feel of water) using Superior Rainbows Thread (I used #831 Mediterranean – http://www.sewthankful.com/Superior-Thread-Rainbows.html ).

The scrappy binding was made from random small scraps of fabric used to make the turtle.

The finished dimensions of the pillow are approximately 27 inches x 20 inches.

I love how this sea turtle turned out. Even better, my friend was thrilled and loves it too.

Yes, a pattern is being developed…stay tuned.

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Sew BikeChic™ — Sewing a Recycle/Upcycle Bike Tube Coin Purse

Today I spent the day playing with rubber…rubber bicycle tubes that I recycle into usable items.

So I decided to try making a cute little zippered coin purse that is fully lined. I used my I-Zip Wallets sewing pattern as a guide for determining size and basic construction (note: sewing with rubber instructions are not provided in this pattern).

Here is what I came up with:

Recycled Bike Tube Zippered Coin Purse -- fully lined — Recycled Bike Tube Zippered Coin Purse — fully lined

Here’s a peek inside:

Inside the coin purse…see, fully lined! 🙂

Working with recycled rubber–especially recycled bicycle tubes–presents a number of challenges. One must collect it, clean it (many bicycle tubes are filled with SLIME™ or other sealants), cut & prepare it (it curls, stretches and bulges in places due to the circular shape of the tube) and you need to know how to sew it.

Sewing rubber can be tricky in a number of ways. For example, once the needle goes in, there WILL be a hole (that will be seen if you have to remove stitching). Additionally, the rubber likes to “grip” and stick to many sewing machine beds as well as the presser foot.

I find it extremely worthwhile to make the effort in order to keep the tubes out of landfills. It’s especially rewarding to turn toxic trash into an attractive, functional item that is super durable and FUN to carry. 🙂

If you like the style of this coin purse and would like to make one for yourself out of fabric, you may be interested to learn more about the I-Zip Wallets sewing pattern by clicking here (note: sewing with rubber instructions are not provided in this pattern).

I-Zip Wallets — Sewing Pattern Download from Sew TracyLee Designs

I’m sew excited about my newest pattern. I spent a lot of time writing and testing and re-writing and testing. 🙂

I hope you enjoy making these cute little zip wallets as much as I do.

The pattern includes lots of pictures and step-by-step instructions to make 3 sizes of I-Zip Wallets.

There are options for interior and exterior pockets (a pieced pocket option is provided) as well as an optional removable wrist strap.

Instructions to make the optional braided fabric zipper pull are also included.

Take a closer look at some of my models:

Clutch wallet size I-Zip — Clutch wallet size featuring pieced exterior pocket, removable wrist strap and braided fabric zipper pull.

Cell Phone Wallet size I-Zip featuring wrist strap and braided fabric zipper pull.

Coin Purse size I-Zip featuring single fabric exterior pocket and braided zipper pull.

Easy Reversible Pocket/Purse Tissue Covers

This is not a new project. I wrote it way back in 2008 and I’ve shared it with eNews subscribers over the years.

However, it makes sense to share it here and now with all our blog readers.

This pattern/project was developed in response to the change in packaging for pocket tissues. As far back as I remember, pocket tissues packaging had a slit in the top, center of the package so you could pull your tissue out one at a time. Somewhere around 2008 (may be different for other regions), the design of that packaging changed so the opening was placed on the long SKINNY side.

These covers hold your tissues inside and allow you to access the tissue from the long skinny edge.

Click here for the pdf pattern/project – requires Acrobat Reader

This pattern/project is being provided for FREE. Use of this project is at will of the user. User assumes all risk. Tracy L. Chapman & Sew Thankful Inc. shall have no liability with respect to loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this project.

Here are a few that I made:

Sew TracyLee Designs introduces: EZPZ Fast & Fabulous Reversible Placemats sewing pattern

Are you looking for an outstanding pattern to make placemats that FEEL professionally made? This is the one you want! Make placemats come out the perfect weight and thickness. They’re not too puffy and not too wimpy.

EZPZ Fast and Fab Reversible Placemats sewing pattern includes instructions to make 3 styles of reversible placemats (mix or match as you desire). Finished size is approximately 14.5″ x 18.5″.

Placemat Panel Styles include: Plain Jane, Accentual Anna, Strippy Sam

AWESOME Pattern/Design Features:
• FAST—No pattern pieces to trace or cut; use your rotary cutter, ruler and mat to cut your fabrics FAST! Plus, NO BINDING on this project!
• EASY to make—Step-by-step instructions guide you all the way through the construction process. Lots of pictures plus Tracy’s tips and hints help you achieve a professional result.
• REVERSIBLE—Enjoy twice the style in each placemat. Mix and match front and back panel styles.
• FABULOUS—Not too puffy, not too wimpy. These placemats lay smooth and flat with a classic sense of style and grace. Feel the quality of your work… fabulous.

This is a downloadable pattern so you receive it right after you check out of the shopping cart! YOU SAVE TIME and YOU SAVE MONEY on shipping!

Like to make great gifts for not a lot of money? You probably have everything you need right now.

Unlimited Options! Use this pattern as a teaching tool or use it as a canvas for your own creative style. Practice new techniques and have a useful item to show off when you’re finished.

Want to turn some of your fabric stash into cash? YES—you have permission to SELL finished items using this pattern, no annual limits. NOTE: Our permission applies only to the use of the pattern, not to any fabric company/designer fabric licensing restrictions, where required. For any applicable fabric licensing permissions, you will need contact the specific fabric manufacturer.

Click here for more information on this awesome pattern from Sew TracyLee Designs!