Using the Loop Turner Tool to Load Drawstring in a Cord Stop

Sometimes it can be tricky to figure out how to do something that seems like it should be super easy. One example of this (for me) was loading a drawstring through a cord stop, as is required in my Got Sudz soap bag pattern.

There are lots of different ways of doing it, but the fastest way I’ve found is to use my Loop Turner Tool by ToolTron to pull the drawstring through. If you don’t have the Loop Turner Tool by ToolTron but you do have a tiny crochet hook, that will work as well!

To do this using the Loop Turner Tool, first, hold the cord stop in your hand and squeeze down the top push tab several times to warm up the spring.

Next, hold the tab down while you insert the latch hook end of the Loop turner through one of the cord stop holes. Release tab gently and load drawstring onto latch hook as shown:

After you’ve done the above, press the cord stop spring tab down again then pull the loop turner latch hook back through the hole of the cord stop, like so:

Now, repeat this with the other hole of the cord stop using the other drawstring end. Once both ends are loaded, press the spring tab and slide the cord stop up and down a few times while you even the length of the drawstrings and position the cord stop where you want it.

Trim drawstring to the length you desire then finish by tying the drawstring ends together in a knot and trim ends again, fairly close (about 1/2 inch or closer) to knot.

And that’s all there is to it! Have you used this method with either the Loop Turner or a tiny crochet hook? Let me know in the comments below!

5 to 7 Layer Delicious Mexican Dip

This is a Chapman Family Favorite — for parties, sporting event tailgate celebrations, potlucks, and any occasion.  It’s also super easy to make.  You can make it a day ahead of time too.

Ingredients:

  • 1 can re-fried beans
  • 2 – 3 ripe avocados
  • 8 – 12 oz. sour cream
  • 6 – 8 oz. your favorite salsa
  • 6 – 8 oz. your favorite cheese — grated (suggest: cheddar or colby jack)
  • *optional 1-2 green onions thinly sliced
  • *optional 1 small can sliced black olives

Find a pretty container with sides to put your dip into.  Sometimes I use a nice pie plate. Sometimes I use a plastic container that has a lid (especially when taking to potlucks and parties away from the house).  Whatever container you choose, it should have sides at least 2″ high.

First open the can of refried beans. Stir well, then spread evenly across the bottom of your pie plate or container.

Peel, remove pit and mash your avocados then spread evenly over top of the re-fried beans.

Stir sour cream then spread evenly across top of avocado layer.

Pour salsa over top of sour cream layer; use a spatula to spread out evenly.

Sprinkle grated cheese evenly over top of salsa.

*Optional: Lightly sprinkle green onion and/or black olives over top of the cheese layer.

Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serve with your favorite brand of tortilla chips. Refrigerate any leftovers.

ENJOY!!!  It’s fantastic and your guests will love it. In fact, it’s so good Jared (18 y/o son) and I often finish off any leftovers for breakfast the next morning.

Quilted Sea Turtle Pillow — July 2017

Scrappy Sea Turtle Pillow — original design and copyright Tracy Lee Chapman
and SewThankful Inc./SewThankful.com, July 2017.  All rights reserved.

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.

Microquilter Thread

 

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

Rainbows Thread

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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Pepper’s HotFLASH Quilt & Sew Parade!

With 2015, comes exciting changes to SewThankful!  I’m so excited to tell you that I have changed the name of the SewThankful eNews to Pepper’s HotFLASH Quilt & Sew Parade.

GreenChilePepper

Although, to be honest…I may occasionally refer to it as the “eNews” for short.  Just because I take shortcuts sometimes.  I’m spicy like that.

In case you haven’t guessed already, I am Pepper.  My name is  Tracy Chapman and I will turn 50 years old in May 2015 (could there be a reference to HotFLASH here? hmm…). “Pepper” has been my unofficial (family) nick name for several years. This is the BEST time of my life and the name change reflects my decision for forward progress (emphasizing FUN) in this amazing adventure we call life.

Why is Pepper my nickname?  Well, mainly because I love just about everything about peppers…the colors, the shapes, the flavors, all the different varieties.  AND because their colors, shapes and flavors can all change (either subtly or dramatically as they grow).  They can be sweet, spicy or flaming hot.  They can be purple or yellow or green or orange or red (and many colors in between, including mult-color). They can be slender or plump…oh my!  Just like me.

1_purple peppers

Peppers2

 

 

 

 

 

What’s the HotFLASH Quilt & Sew Parade all about? 

The HotFLASH Quilt & Sew Parade is the email “publication” in which I am your friendly guide to fresh, new ideas (some golden oldies too), new products, and HOT SAVINGS on sewing/quilting products, patterns & threads at SewThankful.  Of course, it will be thoroughly seasoned with inspiration, encouragement and occasional views of ever sew spicy New Mexico, the SewThankful Crew and my Tumbleweed Adventures.

Are you a subscriber? (Why not? It’s FREE and you may easily unsub yourself at any time).

If you are already subscribed to the SewThankful eNews, you don’t need to do anything, your subscription settings remain the same through the name change.

If you are not already subscribed, there are two super easy ways to subscribe now:

(1) On your cell phone, simply Text the word    SEWTHANKFUL
to 22828 and you’ll be added to our weekly email list. This option is currently only available to USA subscribers.

(2) Visit this page: http://www.sewthankful.com/SewThankfuleNewsSignUp.html to choose the list you want to join.

Thanks so much for reading today.  I hope you’ll join the parade!  It’s all about living a good life that is flavor-FULL and FUN!

CHILE