I can't make just one!

Pin It

 

You know the saying, "you can't eat just one!" well, I am the same when I am trying something new. I learned how to make these braided leather bracelets and they are very cute just plain but I thought they would be even cuter with a cute leather flower.

 

The braiding took a little practice because you braid it from all one piece, I got the tutorial here.

 

Once I figured it out though, I couldn't stop!

 

There are so many possibilities. For some of the centers I used old earrings.

 

For this center I just used beads. I did use the recommendation of using water colors, to dye the leather.

That is how I got these great colors.

 

Just some black leather with an earring center.

 

This one was dyed.

 

The color of the leather originally was the color of the braided band, the leather is a light color. I think this made it easy to make whatever color I wanted.

 

They look yummy enough to eat! I bet you can't eat just one!

My first try at applique

 

I have been working on this book for awhile, I thought it was so cute and I wanted to try doing applique with my sewing machine. Granted it is much easier with an embroidery machine, but it still took a lot of time.

 

I made the blocks on different colors of felt.

 

The machine does an outline stitch for the first step and then you know where to place your fabric.

 Then you choose what fabric you want each piece of the bug to be.

 

Then the machine sews another stitch around the edge of the design. You then take the hoop from the machine, ( you don't un hoop the fabric.) and then you use these fabulous scissors!

 

Did you know there was any such thing as applique scissors? Well, you know the saying "the right tool for the job makes all the difference," well, this tool makes all the difference.  The scissor makes it so you can cut very close the sewn edge and then you won't have any fabric sticking out of the edge of your last stitch.

 

You then put the hoop back into the machine and the machine sews a satin stitch all around the edge.

 

You have to complete this process for each color of thread and fabric. 

 

The machine does have an automatic needle threader which is fantastic for my Grandma eyes!

 

After finishing all of the blocks I chose some fabric to sew the blocks to.

 

I then sewed each block with a decorative edging stitch, no I did not do this my hand!

 

Then I added a decorative wave stitch around the outside of the pages.

I then put all of the pages together and sewed a stitch down the middle with the book open.

 

Then I folded the book and put another straight stitch down the side.

 

Yes, it is a labor of love but it was so fun to make, even if it took forever to finish.

 

Hopefully someday someone will cherish this handmade item from their grandmother!

Have a great week!