Button Clips

Do you ever mix up things that need to be sewn in a certain order?

I do!!!!

When I am quilting, I often lose track of my rows and things get slightly off.  Sometimes, it works out for the better.  Sometimes, my seam ripper becomes my very best friend.

For my recent puffy quilts, I have been purposely doing patterns for them and not wanting to lose my sense of order.  

In the past, I have made some paper numbers that I pin to each stack of fabric squares, but they tend to fall off, rip, or the pin that is attached to my fabric doesn't make it through all my squares.  I frantically look around for the missing square.

Have you seen those button bookmarks in bloggy land that are made with a large covered button and jumbo paper clips?

I tried the paper clips, but they just didn't clip like I liked.
So I thought, why not binding clips!

They snap right onto my stacked fabric rows with no problems!

And my sons can come in my room and mess around with my piles, and I will instantly know which row belongs where lickety split!

Do you need some, too?

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Covered Button Clip Tutorial

Supplies:

Decorative Fabric Scraps
Muslin Fabric Scraps

Binding Clips (Option: Goody Hair clips)

Covered Button Kit

Embroidery Floss

Hot Glue Gun and Sticks

Computer Basics






Cut 10 pieces of your scrap fabric and muslin scraps just slightly larger than the covered button template (usually on the back of the box of covered buttons).

Cut the template and then cut your 20 circles.

(Confession:  I used my Sizzix die cut machine to cut out perfect circles...but they DON'T have to be perfect!)
 

Using a document program, type the 10 numbers you need using your favorite font. 

 Oh, look, I have two email messages!

It might take a few tries, but find a font size that will fit the size of your button cover.

Stack your two fabrics

Place your cut out number upside down
Note: This is just an option.  I really wanted to have this style of font and found this to be the best way to get the look exactly the way I wanted it.

Cut a piece of the coordinating color of embroidery floss you would like to use about 12-18inches long.  Make a knot at one end and thread the other end in a regular sized hand needle.

Pierce through the paper and fabric so that you make simple back-stitch lines.  You should be able to see the number through the paper.

You should have something like below.  
A simple number to be your guide at the front.

Then start making small satin stitches back and forth to cover the number.  Use the paper number as your guide for the width.  As you can see below, the stitch width changes at different places.

Again, if you are skilled with hand embroidery, there is NO need for the paper.  I just like to use it as a guide and it acts as a stabilizer while stitching.

Keep stitching until your number is complete.  Then make a small knot at the back.

Trim excess embroidery floss and tear away the paper. 

Now get all the covered button parts from your kit together. 

Stack the rubber kit part, place your circle fabric side down and the smooth button circle face down.

Then press gently on the button circle so that the fabric and circle sink completely down.

TIP:  Here is my trick and is also completely optional!
Add a small dot of hot glue in the center.  I like it because it insures that my fabric stays tucked!

Place the backing of the covered button with the tab facing up.

Using the plastic piece, press firmly down on all layers.  You should feel a pop when the circular backing clicks into the smooth button part.

My blue piece is dented up.  Miss Prancer, the pug, got a hold of it at some point.

The back of your button should look like this.  
No fabric sticking out and backing completely secure when you pull on the tab (that normally gets hand sewn to a garment).

Time to fill the back completely with hot glue.  
Don't make fun of my hot glue gun.  She was the very first one I ever got 18 years ago in college.  She has been around the country and back again and has never failed me.  

Did I mention she only cost about $1.99 back then?

Keep adding glue and then lay your binding clip into the glue.  Take a moment to cover the binding clip also so that it is secure to the covered button.  If you want to make a bookmark, this is where you glue a jumbo paper clip instead.

Let dry!  
If you are worried about the look of the glue, you can cut a small circle of fabric or paper and glue it on.  I did not, because the only one who will see the back is me!

You now have 10 clips to do what you will.

 

 When mine are not in business,

I just clip them to the basket liner of the notions basket next to my sewing machine.

They make me smile!

P.S.  Mr. Boss has become my personal marketing advisor.  Apparently, I need to make my blog more accessible....so I am not only on Facebook, but am on Pinterest, Google+,  and Twitter and you can also follow me by email. 

WIP Wednesday: A spooky sort of week...

I was so distracted helping the boys prepare for the Halloween festivities, that a lot of sewing went on hold.  I did get Button's costume embellishments, a bow tie and duck feet, just in time Monday afternoon see HERE.  It is amazing how fast I can sew on a deadline sometimes!

Monday actually was a very busy sewing day.  Halloween!

Halloween Throw Pillows

I finished FOUR of them Monday morning.  I am working on one more today.  

I found all the fabric on the remnant rack at Hobby Lobby.  The bigger pillow fabric are Home Dec fabrics.  

I started out with the idea of the cat and the bat, but didn't like that they didn't pop.

I appliqued the moon with some scrap white/beige fabric I had in my stash to make the black "pop".  

I used batting as my "stabilizer" so it would be a bit puffy.  I then cut out two cat and bat shapes.  One in the black burlap and one in the solid black cotton I had.

I needed to have the  cotton because the burlap has a very loose weave and also frays like crazy!  I love the look of burlap, but it sometimes drives me batty (ugh..do you ever get tired of my puns?)!

I then did outline quilting for the bat and some swirly curly free motion on the cat pillow. 

Simple envelope backings.  Makes it easy to do change outs for the holidays.

I realized after I was finished that the moon idea was meant to be. 
I looked down from the upstairs and realized the matched something else.

My HAUNTED MANSION MANTLE!

Today's pillow is going to be a bare tree in the burlap with either a small moon or much larger moon in the background...we shall see!

Mr. Boss doesn't understand the need for me to get them done on the holiday or after. I tried to explain to him that I would rather pack them away to be stored with the other decorations than have the fabric and WIPS sitting around in my studio.  Don't you agree?  

Hawaiian quilt

Only five total hand stitches made last week.  Every time I pull it out to work on the last few evenings, I end up laying my head down on a pillow and passing out.  Sleep wins over sewing. A very rare occurrence around here!

Puffy Quilt #3

Baby boy and momma are waiting patiently for our replacement fabric to arrive on my doorstep.

  I am still a little sad that I couldn't find the other fabric.  

10x10 inches!  Who knew it would haunt me so!!  Serves me right for designing a quilt without making sure I have enough fabric. 

The new fabric has brown dots on the white/cream background, but goes with the "dot" theme!

Covered Button Project

DONE!  I will share the final project on Friday! 

It comes with a tutorial...even though the more skilled sewers don't need it!

Highchair Cushion

Zero.  Nada.  Nothing.  No progress....so sad!

Cuppa Joe Block Swap

Did I mention that I joined a swap this past summer?

No?

Well, maybe because I forgot?

Guess who has 24 blocks to knock out today.....

ME! ME! ME! 

Sorry swap buddies....I am doing nothing but the blocks.....I swear....

Except only after I finish Mr. Boss's laundry.  

He gets kind of cranky without clean socks.

Like always, go to Lee's Linky party

The aftermath...

I hate to post already this week, but have you had one of those days/nights you will never forget?

We did last night.

As I mentioned yesterday...the boys had big plans to scare the neighborhood.

BUT FIRST....THE CUTENESS....CAN YOU HANDLE IT?

I bought the costume at Carter's from the clearance rack.  Since Button was born, Bunny has been fascinated with all of the "ducky" clothes, blankets, towels, and toys for babies.  So we thought that this costume honored the Ducky Nation.

Oh?  You didn't know there is a Ducky Nation?  Here is the pledge:

" I pledge allegiance to the Ducky flag, of the United Duckies of Ducky Nation.  And to the Ducky Republic for which duckies swim, one Ducky Nation, under the Great Ducky, indivisible, with ducky liberty, and ducky justice for all."

Here is the hitch.  The employee at the store made a statement that the costume was a bit girly...due to the tights.

So I went to work on a exaggerated bow tie and some duck feet. 

Button really loved them.

He kept the costume on for four hours...no fussing.

I have to say...it was truly a memorable night.  Even though they dressed up scary.

When I came home, there was a new "friend" that Mr. Boss bought.

And more spiderwebs in the yard.

The fog machine, strobe lighting and music were the show stoppers.

They scared the young and the old!!  

A lot of screaming and giggling.  

These are girls that were running and spinning....I had my camera set so the shutter was open for a long time to see more light!

Sometimes, there was hysterical laughing.  They would walk up and our spooky friends would be hiding or just in the vicinity standing utterly still like statues.

After the candy was grabbed out of the cauldron with swirling fog, they would turn around and the boys would move.....screaming, running, and then laughing would commence. 

Our house was declared the spookiest in the neighborhood.  

The boys were so excited.

Mr. Boss kept saying "See what you started with that spooky mantle?"

But Button says....

Don't worry...they are just my silly brothers......

They wore their official school uniforms, coats and ties to All Saint's Day Mass today!!!!!