Quilting Arts Magazine Embellishments
Fiber Art Trends & Tips from Quilting Arts Magazine
 Issue 97
 In this issue of Quilting Arts Embellishments, Natalya Aikens shows you easy, earth-friendly ornaments, we invite to join a sew-in to benefit disabled veterans, and remind you to pre-order Studios and Stitch.

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In This Issue
Natalya's Easy Cap Ornaments
Sew-in to Benefit Veterans
Pre-Order Studios & Stitch

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Gift Subscription

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Subscription Renewal
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Scraps plus Caps equals Ornaments! 
 
By Natalya Aikens
 
While some of us are still playing on the beach, others are planning ahead to the holidays.
 
These ornaments are easy to make and use up two materials you probably have plenty of: bottle caps and fabric scraps. Even if you don't start your holiday projects in August, you will want to start collecting your bottle caps now so they're ready to go when you are.

Materials
  • Bottle caps of various sizes
  • Flannel or batting scraps
  • Fabric scraps (medium weight)
  • Fusible interfacing
  • Mini iron
  • Hot glue gun and glue
  • Fabric glue or gel medium
  • Beads
  • Beading thread and needles
  • Embroidery floss
  • Metallic embroidery thread

Directions

1. Assemble your caps in pairs, matching them up by similar shape and size. Hot glue the pairs together by running a bead of glue along the inside edge of one cap and pressing it to the other. Prepare any unmatched caps by stuffing them with bits of batting and covering the opening with a cardboard circle.

2. Using the fabric glue or gel medium, cover the caps with 1 layer of batting or 2 layers of flannel (2 circles for the ends and 1 strip for the width of your shape. Use the glue sparingly as you will have to stitch through it later. Leave to dry overnight.

3. Iron the fusible web onto your fabric scraps using a protective sheet. When cool, peel away the paper backing and cut the fused fabric into a variety of small shapes. 

4. With a small ironing tool, fuse the pieces randomly to your covered caps, slightly overlapping the shapes as you go. (Note: You can use a regular iron, but it's harder to work with.)

5. Embellish the "quilted" shapes with beads, buttons, embroidery stitches or a combination. I like to use metallic thread or floss.

6. Glue on a long piece of floss or decorative yarn to hang your ornament. 
  
Cloth Paper Scissors 19Want more ideas for holiday decorating and gift giving? Quilting Arts Gifts 2008-2009 includes projects like felted wool ornaments, quilted mirror frames, personalized CD covers, a festive table runner, quilted mini boxes, beadecked wreaths, embroidered wildflower cuffs, a decorative fabric portfolio, and much more, including 7 patterns.

 
 

Pre-order Quilting Arts Gifts today.

Join the Ultimate Sew-in to Benefit Veterans

Here's a great opportunity to have fun and help disabled veterans at the same time. Quilter and disabled veteran Juliet C. Madsen of Parker, Colorado, has organized a series of quilt-fiber fundraisers to benefit veterans and related programs.

The Ultimate Sew-In is the first event in this series. It will take place on September 27th at the Colorado History Museum where quilters from around the area will create quilt tops out of grab bags of mystery fabric. The finished tops will be collected and redistributed to longarm society that will help Juliet complete the quilts.
 
In November, the quilts will be auctioned off at a black tie affair in Denver and then sent to Quilts of Valor where they will be distributed to wounded and injured soldiers. According to Juliet, all proceeds from the Ultimate Sew-in and the black-tie auction will benefit the Paralyzed American Veterans, who will be participating in the Denver Wheelchair games. This donation will help transport, lodge, and feed more than 550 paralyzed veterans who wish to be a part of the games.
 
Quilters and donations are needed for the sew-in and other events. To participate or find out more information, contact Juliet through her website, strokeofluckquilting.com.
Pre-order Studios and Stitch
 
Cloth Paper Scissors 19Studios Fall 2008 will be on select newsstands October 7, but if you pre-order now, it will come right to your door and you'll save 10% off the newsstand price-subscribers save an additional 10% when ordering online. Flat-rate shipping applies.
 
Cloth Paper Scissors 19
Quilting Arts Stitch speaks to a new generation of sewing enthusiasts, and kick-starts the creativity of those who have been stitching for years. It's the sewing magazine for the 21st century.
 
Quilting Arts Stitch 2008 will be on select newsstands November 11, but if you pre-order now, it will come right to your door and you'll save 10% off the newsstand price-subscribers save an additional 10% when ordering online. Flat-rate shipping applies.
For more events, projects, challenges, and new and exciting mixed-media products and books, visit our website, QuiltingArts.com. If you are a current subscriber of Quilting Arts Magazine, or if you place a subscription/renewal order with an order, you will receive 10% off our retail prices on all your purchases (excluding subscription orders and renewals).