Off the Page with Kathy - Doodlebug Fabric + Doodlebug Cut Files = Fun!

Hi Everyone!  It's Kathy today with my Off the Page project.  I've been hoarding Doodlebug Design Fabric for quite some time, and I thought that the Off the Page Challenge would be the perfect chance to break into my stash!  I made this pillow for my daughter's dorm room using some fabrics from the Under the Sea Collection, some Santa Express Stripe Green Fabric and the Cactus - Fun in the Sun Cut File available here in the Silhouette Store and here in the Lori Whitlock SVG Shop.  Take a peek....

I will say, I was nervous to cut fabric with my Silhouette, I had never done it before, but it really wasn't difficult.  There is just a little prep work involved to get the fabric ready for cutting. First, you want to add your fabric pieces in a plastic bag, and soak with fabric stiffener.  I used Terial Magic. Make sure the fabric is soaked through.

Let your fabric hang dry for about 15-20 minutes.  It won't be completely dry.

Take the damp pieces of fabric and iron between 2 silicone craft sheets or parchment paper. ( this is to protect your iron and your ironing board cover)  the heat will dry the fabric and make it stiff like a piece of paper.

Your fabric is now ready to be cut.  In my case, I did one extra step.  I added Silhouette fabric stabilizer.  This was so that I could iron the fabric pieces on to my pillow case.  You do not need to do this if you just wish to sew the fabric.  I cut a piece of the stabilizer slightly smaller than my fabric piece, ironed it on then trimmed the excess fabric.  My fabric is now ready to be cut.

If using a Silhouette, you want to use a fabric blade for cutting.  

Start by peeling the paper backing from the stabilizer off of the fabric.

Add the fabric to your cutting mat and feed into your Silhouette.  Add your design to the Silhouette Design Studio, size as desired.  Change your settings to Fabric - thin like cotton, and set your blade as recommended.  (I set mine to 4)  then send to cut.

Just like any design, peel away the extra and you have your design!  I did this for all of the Cactus pieces.

Once all my pieces were cut, I ironed them on to the front panel of my pillow case.  You want to start with the bottom most layer, then add the top next layers as you go along.  (I made my own envelope pillow case using the tutorial here, but you can also purchase them pre-made.)

My pillowcase was ready to be stitched together at this point, but first I added some stitching around the different applique pieces to make them a bit more sturdy, better for a dorm room!  

I then finished stitching the envelope pillowcase together and added a pillow form!

My daughter was thrilled and is excited to add this to her dorm room  decor!  That's it for me today, thanks for stopping by to peek!

Washi Tape Week: Storage + Fabric

We are so excited to dedicate this entire week to WASHI TAPE. We love it, you love it, everyone loves it. And if you're anything like us, then you cannot get enough of it...can you? We hope to inspire you to pull out this new favorite obsession for many of us and get crafty.

Washi Tape Storage
by Wendy Sue Anderson

Designer Note: I thought it would be fun to show you how I store my doodlebug washi tape.  I have a ribbon carousel (http://ribboncarousel.com/) that was designed to hold spools of ribbon.  I have plenty of ribbon, but I don't use it as much as I find myself using washi tape (and baker's twine) these days.  So I moved my ribbon to another spot and put all of my fun, bright, colorful doodlebug washi tape and doodle twine on the carousel.  It's easy to see all of my options at a glance without having to dig through a basket or bin.  I also love that I can just tear off however much I need without having to remove the spool from it's storage container.  Not only is it super functional, it looks so fun sitting on my work desk and it makes me happy every time I see it!

Washi Tape Inspired Fabric Project
by Amy Chappell

Okay so this isn't really a "washi tape" projects, but the Doodlebug washi tape inspired Amy to creating this darling notebook cover out of the fun Ladybug Garden fabrics. See how darling the washi tape coordinateds??

Sewing Up Amazing with Amy

Amy has been working hard again on creating amazing projects with the Doodlebug Ladybug Garden fabrics. She even sprinkled in a darling card using the coordinating paper for her mom for Mother's day.

Mini Zippered Coin Purse Tutorial

There is almost nothing that isn't cuter in miniature- houses, dogs, food- and purses.

This little coin purse is diminutive in size, but large on function.  Perfect for summer outings- put in a couple dollars and your I.D. and you're prepared for any last minute snow cone adventures or lemonade stand encounters.  The bright colors will help you find it even in the most cavernous beach bag.

Measuring a mere 3" high and 5" wide this coin purse might seem too small to do much, but adding a 1" gusset allows for a surprising amount of space inside.  And this little guy is lined with laminated cotton- perfect for keeping out sand and easy clean up if it gets dirty from all those coins.

Are you sold yet?  Feeling like you NEED one?  I'm here to help.  This is a quick sew and uses very little fabric.  If you don't have laminated cotton, don't fret, this can be made using any scraps you have on hand.

(Note: The supply photo below shows yellow chevron and the finished project shows red.)

Be sure to visit Amy's Blog post for the specific material list and step-by-step instructions on how to create this adorable coin purse. 

Mini Zippered Coin Purse Tutorial

Now if that wasn't enough...Amy created this darling fabric banner using the same Ladybug Garden fabrics. I think this would be the perfect finishing for a summer party, little girl's room or inspirational craft room!

Flower Tutorial:
Amy wanted to show everyone how she created the yummy little scrunched flowers on the banner picture above. So she created an entire tutorial to explain the steps. Be sure to visit her blog to learn how to make this flower. 

Doodlebug Fabric: Fabric Purse by Kandis

by Kandis Smith

http://www.mycreativetreasury.blogspot.com

I'm a purse fanatic--although I can't afford the really nice brands, I like to have a variety of styles and colors in my wardrobe. I've made a couple purses in the past and was surprised at how easy they are to make! This purse took me 2 hours from start to finish! Can you believe that? When I saw these new classic fabrics from Doodlebug, I instantly saw this purse in my mind. It will go with any outfit in my closet! 

 I added a little Grey Doodlebug Button as my closure. 

 And I used the grey fabric for my lining. You can see the little pocket inside of the purse. 

This is the pattern I used to create my bag: 

Supplies: Beetle Black Boutique Buttons and Doodlebug Fabrics

Note: Doodlebug Fabrics are licensed through Riley Blake, who distribute them to great craft and fabric stores around the world. For more information about these great fabric, please visit the Riley Blake website.  

Check out the great 

Doodlebug Fabric Designs 

here on Riley Blake

...warning, they're irresistible!! 

Doodlebug's Tuxedo Fabrics from Riley Blake

Did you know that Doodlebug creates designs for FABRIC too? 

We license our fun designs through Riley Blake. And we know many of you love our papers, but wouldn't you love to create with the same darling prints in fabric. Just think you could coordinate your outfit with your scrapbook layout (just kidding). 


Today we thought we'd share a fun project that Sherry Cartwright created using the fun Classic fabric prints. 

I wanted to fancy up my camera strap, so I chose some Doodlebug fabric from the Tuxedo collection, from Riley Blake Designs.   When choosing the fabric, I had to keep in mind that I am not the sole user of the camera --- my husband uses it as often as I do.  I chose a black flower print on a dark grey background -- a bit of frills in a masculine color.  

Making the cover was super simple.  Cut fabric about an inch longer than the shoulder strap [usually the nylon portion with the camera manufacturer logo].  Next you want your fabric to wrap around the width of the tube with about a half-inch to spare.  Simply hem the shorter side, then with fabric folded in half lengthwise, right sides of fabric facing, pin  and sew to create tube cover.   Thread your camera strap through the tube and viola!   

It make it look a whole lot better, but I still wanted something cuter.  

So, I made a quick flower.   

Cut about a foot length of fabric, about two inches wide.  Straight stitch in the longest length on your machine settings, or hand stitch loosely,  along one edge.  Pull top string to gather and knot each end to hold gather.  

I used hot glue to adhere to a circle of black felt, acting as the base.  

Cut another piece of fabric in a smaller width and repeat the same process for a smaller flower.  Glue over the larger flower.   

Layer yellow button over black button and attach to center with doodle twine.  Once.   Then, string a rubber band or elastic cord through another button for the back, making sure to knot.  Stitch it on the black felt circle.   

This loop will allow the flower to be attached to the strap when I’m using the camera, but will also allow my husband to remove it when he is using the camera.   

I can’t wait to take my camera out for a whirl in style!