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.

Knot the ends.

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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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