Sew for Dad Tutorials: Day 4

It's the fourth day of our Sew for Dad tutorials, and today's project just goes to show that sometimes the fabric choice truly makes the gift. The fun novelty print we used--the "lots of shots" print from Kanvas' Man Cave IV collection--turns a simple concept into a gift any guy would love. Paired with a terrycloth backing, the fabric makes a perfect bar mat--keeping glass bottoms and the table/bar surface dry during a party! 

Materials:

• 1/4 yard lots of shots print
• One 16" x 22" black terrycloth towel (or 1/2 yard black terrycloth)
• 1/4 yard black solid

Cutting:

From the lots of shots print:

One 8" x 22" strip

From the black terrycloth:

Two 8" x 22" pieces (if using a towel, you can simply fold it in half to measure approximately 8" x 22")

From the black solid:

Two 3-1/4" x 42" strips

Make the Bar Mat:

1. Using the chalk or fabric marking pen, draw quilting lines on the 8" x 22" lots of shots strip (We used diagonal lines 1" apart.) Layer the marked fabric right side up on the double layer of terrycloth and pin in place. 

2. Machine quilt with coordinating color thread, following the marked lines. Trim the quilted piece to measure 7" x 20". 

3. Sew the two 3-1/4" x 42" black solid strips short ends together and press strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Use to bind the bar mat. Note: We wanted a wider binding that almost looked like a border, which is why we used 3-1/4" wide strips and a 3/8" seam allowance.

You can use this same idea with a larger piece of fabric to make a drying mat for dishes by the kitchen sink. (It might not be well received as a Father's Day gift, though!)

You can win a pack of 10" squares of these fun Man Cave prints. To enter, simply sign up to follow the Benartex blog via a blog reader or follow by email (both options are in the right hand sidebar) and leave a comment telling us you did so. For a second entry, like us on Facebook and let us know you did so. Also, in your comment, tell us about any father's day plans you have for this year. This giveaway is open through Monday, June 16 at 11:59 PM EST. 


Don't miss our other Sew for Dad tutorials:
Day 1: Kelly from My Quilt Infatuation with a quilt using Who's on First

Day 2: Benartex blog design team with a travel roll using Venezia

Day 3: Jaime from That's My Letter with a work apron using Man Cave prints

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Sew for Dad Tutorials: Day 3

It's the third day of the Sew for Dad blog hop here at Sew in Love with Fabric, and today's designer came up with a great idea for using all those fun novelty prints, like those in Man Cave II, III and IV, combined with solids, checks and stripes.  Enjoy Jaime's tutorial and then head over to her blog to enter for a chance to win a pack of 10" squares of Man Cave prints!

Hello readers Jaime here and I blog over at That's My Letter where I build, paint and sew everything.  It's all DIY all the time and today I'm sharing how to sew these work aprons.  Originally the aprons were designed by Ana White and myself as a feminine work apron.  I have tweaked the tutorial ever so slightly for a more masculine version just in time for Father's Day.  Today I'm sharing how to sew a work apron:

Supplies:

• self healing cutting mat
• rotary cutter
• quilting ruler
• scissors
• thread to match
• straight pins
• iron
• drop cloth (pieces listed below)
• pocket & trim fabrics (pieces listed below)

Step 1: Cut drop cloth pieces as listed above.

Step 2: Cut pocket and trim pieces as listed above.  Trim is cut on the bias.

Step 3: Construct front pocket - layer drop cloth, fabric then trim.  Stitch trim using 1/4" seam allowance.  Press trim open.

Step 4: Flip pocket over to back, press trim raw edge in 1/2", fold over seam allowance and pin.  Stitch trim in place from front stitching in the ditch.

REPEAT STEPS 3 & 4 FOR BACK POCKET.

Step 5: Center back pocket piece on top of main apron body drop cloth, pin at center and stitch.  Begin stitching with a tight zig zag for extra reinforcement then switch to straight stitch.

Step 6: Fold drop cloth body back to left, layer front pocket piece on top of back pocket.  Measure 3 1/2" from center, pin and stitch again using tight zig zag at top. 

Step 7: Repeat process for left side.

Step 8: Lay apron flat and trim bottom edges flush.

Step 9: Pocket pieces should extend 1/2" beyond main apron body.  Pin pocket pieces flush to edge of main apron body and then make one pleat tuck in corner and pin.

Step 10: Pin main trim to edge of apron and stitch using 1/4" seam allowance.  Trim excess at both corners.

Step 11: Press trim open, press raw edge in 1/2" then fold again and pin to back.  Stitch in ditch from front. (Same process as Steps 3 & 4.).

Step 12: Find center of waistband piece and center of apron, pin waistband to apron at top then stitch using 1/2" seam allowance.  Press waistband open.

Step 13: Flip apron to back, press raw edge in 1/2" then fold over to back and pin.

Step 14: Press raw end of ties in and then press raw edges of sides in.  Fold in half and pin.

Step 15: Top stitch ties and waistband.  Start at one end of ties, once you get to the waistband shift the stitching into the ditch. 

Thanks Jaime!

You can win a pack of 10" squares of these fun Man Cave prints. For details on how to enter to win, head over to Jaime's blog.
Don't miss our other Sew for Dad tutorials:
Day 1: Kelly from My Quilt Infatuation with a quilt using Who's on First

Day 2: Benartex blog design team with a travel roll using Venezia

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Sew for Dad Tutorials: Day 2

We're back with another tutorial for a Father's Day gift idea (although this could easily be repurposed for anyone...girl or guy). We hope you enjoy this tutorial from the Benartex blog design team--so quick you can make it in an evening!--and then don't miss the fabric giveaway at the bottom of this post.

How do you give black and cream a little extra contemporary flair? Add red accents. We used the black colorway of the Venezia collection from Contempo (it comes in blue as well) to make this versatile travel case for dads--perfect for phone and iPad charging cords or even bathroom toiletries! We couldn't resist the red zipper, piping and elastic band to add a little zip to these fantastic monochromatic fabrics. Fun for dad and fun for you!

Materials:

• 1/3 yard small black circles print
• 1 fat quarter black stripe
• 1 fat quarter mottled black
• 2" x 15" red solid strip
• 11" x 17" batting piece
• 7" red zipper (or 9" zipper)
• 12" Wrap 'n Fuse Piping
• 1/2 yard red 1/8" wide elastic
• 1/4 yard black 1/4" wide elastic
• Fabric marking pen or chalk

Cutting:

From the black circles print:

Two 10" x 15-1/2" pieces

From the black stripe:

Two 5" x 12" pieces

From the mottled black:

One 10" square

One 2-1/2" x 10" strip

Two 2" x 4" pieces

From the red solid:

One 1-3/8" x 12" strip

Make the Travel Roll:

1. Following manufacturer's directions, envelop the fusible piping in the 1-3/8" x 12" red strip and press with iron to make piping.

2. Align the red piping along a long edge of one 5" x 12" black stripe piece, matching raw edges. Layer the second 5" x 12" black stripe piece on top, right sides together. Pin to secure and then stitch. Hint: Use your zipper foot to get closer to the piping. 

3. Fold so the wrong sides of the black stripe fabric are facing and the piping is peeking out the top edge. Press.

4. Layer the 11" x 17" batting piece with one 10" x 15-1/2" black circles piece on top, right side up. Measure in 4-3/4" from the right edge and draw a line with chalk or marking pen (shown in blue in the picture below). Square up one short end of the stripe pocket piece and align along the marked line on background. Trim excess from other short end. Measure and mark two lines on the stripe pocket to create multiple pockets. (We measured 2-3/4" and 5-1/4" in from the left edge...shown in blue below.) Stitch along the two marked pocket lines, backstitching at red piping to secure.

5. Fold each 3" x 4" black mottled piece in half wrong sides together so it measures 2" x 3". Position so folded edges are just past the top and bottom of the zipper as shown and stitch in place. Press pieces back to make the zipper end tabs. (Note: if you use a 9" long zipper, you don't need these tabs.)

6. Fold the 2-1/2" x 10" black mottled strip in half wrong sides together so it measures 1-1/4" x 10". Sew the folded edge to the zipper and tabs. Fold the 10" black mottled square in half wrong sides together so it measures 5" x 10" and sew the folded edge to the opposite side of the zipper and tabs. Trim sides of tabs to a 1/4" seam allowance.

7. Trim the zipper pocket width to 5-1/2". Your zipper pocket should look like this:

8. Lay the pocket right side down on the background, matching the long raw edge of the pocket to the marked line (shown in blue below). Stitch 1/4" to the left of the marked line and fold the pocket back. Trim to square up the piece and remove excess batting. Topstitch the long side of the pocket opposite the zipper if you like. 

9. Cut two 3-1/2" lengths of black elastic and fold the ends under 1/4". Measure up 2-1/2" from the red piping and center elastic over wider pocket (center area) and two narrower pockets (left area). Sew elastic ends between 2" and 2-3/4" apart to create space to tuck something into the elastic band. Backstitch ends to secure.

10. Cut a 15" length of red elastic, fold in half, and stitch ends to create a loop. Center along the right edge of the top piece with raw edges matching. Lay the 10" x 15-1/2" black circle print piece on top, right sides together. Stitch around all 4 sides, leaving an opening along the top for turning. Turn right side out, poke out corners, and topstitch around outer edge, securing the opening. You're done!

Fill with cords for electronic devices, toiletries, or whatever else might need to be packed for a trip!

Fold or roll the filled travel up and use the red elastic to secure.

You can win a fat quarter bundle of Venezia! To enter, simply sign up to follow the Benartex blog via a blog reader or follow by email (both options are in the right hand sidebar) and leave a comment telling us you did so. For a second entry, like us on Facebook and let us know you did so. Also, in your comment, tell us your favorite dad memory. This giveaway is open through Saturday, June 14 at 11:59 EST. 

Don't miss our other Sew for Dad tutorials:
Day 1: Kelly from My Quilt Infatuation with a quilt using Who's on First

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Sew for Dad Tutorials: Day 1

Do you have a favorite dad in your life? This week we'll be featuring some quick and easy tutorials for Father's Day gifts! Up first is Kelly from My Quilt Infatuation, who used the Who's on First collection by Bristol Bay Studios to make a baseball-themed lap quilt. After you've read through the tutorial, head over to Kelly's blog for a chance to win some Who's on First for yourself!

Hi, I'm Kelly from My Quilt Infatuation, and have a tutorial for a quick quilt that is just perfect for a baseball-loving Dad, using the Who's on First line.  I just have to say- wow!  Father's Day really crept up on me this year!  With the first of June falling on a Sunday, Father's Day seems so early in the month.

I don't know about you, but my dad (and my husband) are really difficult to buy for.  They certainly aren't demanding.  Quite the opposite- they are the kind of men who always insist that they don't want anything at all.  Well, I always say that a handmade gift is the best kind of gift.  If your guys are like mine, they'll certainly appreciate a quilt like this.  Needless to say, I'm really excited to share this tutorial with you!

This fabric collection has two different panel prints that make putting the quilt together simple and best of all, super fast.

Fabric Requirements-
1 24" panel- Who's on First Natural/Multi1 yd. long panel (Play Ball Natural/Multi)
1/3 yd. of each    
    *Pitch Catch Tan
    *Ground Ball Black    
    *Ground Ball Blue    
    * Batter Up Black
1/2 yd. Ground Ball Red
Backing- 3 yds. Ground Ball Blue

*I only used five prints, which is why I have a 1/2 yard of Ground Ball Red listed, but you could easily substitute a sixth print or solid fabric, and have 1/3 yard of each (including Ground Ball Red).

Cutting Your Fabric-

Start by trimming the main panel.  Trim off the top and bottom border, leaving just the picture blocks and blue border.  Cut in half lengthwise, giving you three picture blocks on each side.

Next, from the cream colored panel, Cut into three long sections, use the button print as a cutting guide.

Trim 2.5 inches x WOF from each print.  Cut two WOF strips x 2.5 inches from Ground Ball Red.  Save these six strips for binding your quilt.  From the remaining fabric of each print, cut seven 4.5x8.5" bricks.  Also, cut one 4.5x4.5" half brick from each print.  You will need one extra brick, and one extra half brick.  You may cut these from any print you choose.

You should have a total of 36 full bricks (4.5x8.5") and 6 half bricks (4.5x4.5").

Now you're ready to assemble your quilt!  Start by assembling the panel pieces.  Alternate the cream colored panels with the picture panels like this-

Then create three rows of bricks.  Each row should have six full bricks and one half brick.  Be sure to alternate the side of the half brick so that the seams are offset, creating that great brick pattern!  Sew the rows of bricks together, and sew to the top of your panels.

Now, just make another set of brick rows for the bottom of your panels and you're all set!

See how fast this quilt is?  Baste and quilt in whatever method you desire.  I used Ground Ball Blue for the backing.  I just love the aged look of the baseballs.  Oh, and don't forget to use those binding strips that you set aside earlier to create a great, scrappy binding!

The finished quilt measures approximately 51 x 60" and is sure to surprise any Dad who's an avid baseball fan!   It would look great tossed in a recliner in a sports themed man-cave, and is just right for wrapping up on chilly nights at the ball field!

Thanks Kelly! What a great idea for a quick quilt for your favorite baseball-loving guy. For a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of the Who's on First collection (see the entire line here), head over to Kelly's blog. Be sure to stop back here each this week for another man-themed tutorial (we love last-minute, easy-to-make gift ideas!) and chances to win fabric!

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