Tutorial: How to attach jumbo ricrac perfectly, every time

It's been ages since I last post a tutorial. So I thought I'd do a simple one on how to attach ric-rac, in my case onto a kitchen towel. I've been married for 10 years now and I'm lucky to have everything in the house ready at my disposal. I practically moved into our home with just a luggage. I never did buy a single kitchen towel ever since we got married so after 10 years, you would imagine that any kitchen towel in my possession looks more like a rag cloth than anything else. So I decided to make some new ones using some face towels that I found at IKEA for RM1.50 a piece.

So, back to my tutorial, the items that you need for a kitchen towel is:
1. 1 IKEA face towel (size: 30cm by 50cm or 12inches by 19 inches)
2. Cotton strip. I made mine 13inches by 4.5inches
3. Jumbo ric-rac. I use the 5/8inch wide

 On the right side of the cotton strip, pin the ric-rac along the long side; matching the bottom of the curve along with the bottom of the fabric.

Stitch over the ric-rac; I use my foot as a guide which is about 1/4inch from the edge and just about right in the centre of the ric-rac. Do it on both the long edge of the fabric.

Once you've attach the ric-rac as mentioned above, just turn the ric-rac over along the stitch line and TADAAA!!! there you have it, a perfectly even ric-rac edging. Just finger press it so it stays in place of if you really have to, run a low heat iron over the fabric. The ric-rac is made of polyester so it doesn't withstand high heat as cotton does.

 This is how it looks like on the other side.

 Place the cotton strip on the towel, perhaps 1to 2 inches from the edge, make sure you have cut your fabric to include the seam allowance on both ends. I made mine an extra 1" long so i can fold in 1/2in seam. Pin it in place like so.

 Stitch as close as you can at the edge of the fabric all round.

TADAA!!! there you have it. A pretty kitchen towel to brighten up any kitchen.

Don't just make one, make a bunch of it. A great way to use up all the scraps. A perfect house-warming gift and you can make some for Christmas sock filler.

Bazaar # 9: Supplies Surprise! 6 Bazaar

A quick shout out for my next bazaar appearance. It’s a supplies bazaar this time. I’ll be de-stashing my designer cotton at RM33 per meter!!!!! Only during the bazaar. These are some of the stash from Micheal Miller’s Sanctuary collection.

I also have 2 yards of chalk cloth available at RM75.00 per yard (36” x 47”). I’ve made chalk mats and chalk cloth party banners with these. (see here)

Jumbo ric-racs at RM2.50 per meter and a meter bundle of 8 colours @ RM18.00 only. 

I’ve got hold of some Fabric Mod Podge too. Only 5 bottles available at RM30.00 for 8oz bottle.

I have the Classic Mod Podge too (yellow label) but only the 4oz one at RM15.00.

I’ll be rummaging my things tonight to see what else I can bring to the bazaar. They say "one crafter’s junk is another’s treasure”... I wonder what other treasures I’ll be taking home with me from the bazaar... Cringe to think how am I ever going to fit all my stuff in my over-stuffed sewing room...

Shout Out: Bazaar #8 - Fuyoh Art Bazaar 4

If you’ve been following my updates on my bazaar appearance, you’d be wondering where’s bazaar #7. I kinda missed out on that. It was last month at Subang Parade (3 June 2012). Nothing much to report. Business was a bit slow that day. Had to do a solo act as my partner couldn’t make it. Survived the long hours, yada, yada, yada.  Lets move on to my shout out, shall we?

This Sunday, 24 June 2012, I’ll be at Publika for Fuyoh Art Bazaar #4. The theme is traditional so I’ll be coming in my traditional costume. Nothing fancy, baju kurung for me :) unless I decide to be adventurous and comes in a sari? who knows? *wink*

Don’t miss my booth. It’ll be at #66, my lucky number this round :)

What’s new? My last four pieces of Ipad cosies knitted in Colourscape Chunky by Kaffe Fasset. I like the mouthful description, don’t you? They’re my last four as I’ve run out of my Colourscape Chunky stash, after almost 2 years keeping them in my knitting yarn stash. I’m glad they’ve received a good response as Ipad cosies after I first premier them at Markets@JayaOne (Read about it here). 

I’ve also have a fresh shipment of Jumbo Ric-Racs which just arrived after 1 month! They’ll be retailing at RM2.50 per meter and a 8 meter bundle at RM18.00 (a discount of 10%). They’re made of polyester and suitable as embellishment on dresses (low heat iron possible) as well as for scrapbooking, or other crafts. I have 8 colours. Come and see how yummy they are :)

It measures approximately 5/8” from peak to peak:

Compare between the jumbo ric-rac and the normal ric-rac commonly found:

Anything else? I’m trying to perform miracles and R&D new chalk cloth party banner.... Nothing is cut, my sewing machine is cold... What am I doing here?!!!!!!  See you tomorrow folks!!!!

Addition (as at 3.30pm, Saturday 23 June 2012)

Instead of doing another entry, I’m just adding on the new stuff I’m going to bring to FAB:

Reusable Chalk Cloth Party Banner ver.2.0

Fresh from the sewing machine.

They measure approximately 7” width and 10” height.

I’ll be selling them loosely ie per pieces:

1-4 pieces = RM10.00 each piece
5 pieces onwards = RM8.00 each piece

It comes with the cotton rope (12” for every banner piece).

So come and visit my booth and string up your own party banner!