Razzle Dazzle Bins

Razzle Dazzle Bins

Finished! A comment by Heather, “I pin loads of things and then I’m like: I coulda been makin stuff!”, got me up and sewing. Originally intended for aprons, these Razzle Dazzle prints by Donna Wilder for Fabric Traditions have been sitting in my stash because my mom made aprons for all of us. I’m thinking my sewing studio might be redone using this color pallet. Totally love it! The large one is a perfect size to throw scraps into as I’m cutting out patterns.

There are a few tips for this project:

Using the cutting board to add patterns lines.

1. Use the cutting board as a “ruler” to help place measurement lines on the pattern. Notice that I added the dimensions onto the pattern.

The fold line is marked with three circles

2. When there is a place on the pattern that is “put on the fold”, make a notation on the pattern using three circles. This is a widely used notation system that our mom, a fabulous seamstress, taught us. It is a quick visual which stands out from all of the writing.

3. Those of you with rotary cutters will probably find it much easier to use that system instead of a pattern, as I did. For a rotary cutter make the following rectangles:

1. Large size : Cut 16″ by 12″ of main fabric, lining, and pellon
2. Medium size: Cut 14″ by 11.5″of main fabric, lining, and pellon
3. Small size: Cut 12″ by 11″ of main fabric, lining, and pellon

From each of the bottom corners of the rectangles:

1. Large size: Cut out 4″ wide by 3.5″ tall (from fold)
2. Medium size: Cut out 3.5″ wide by 3″ tall (from fold)
3. Small size: Cut out 3″ wide by 2.5″ tall (from fold)

Since none of my fabrics were directional, I used a fold and did not add the 1/2 inch at the bottom for seams needed in directional fabrics.

4. I’ve decided that I will not do that extra step in cutting out the bottom indents from each corner. As with the Angry Birds basket, it will go a lot faster if I use the following method for each bottom corner, using Fabric Bin Template:

1. Sew up the side seams and press them open.
2. Press the corners flat, so they each form a “triangle”, making sure the side seams matches up with the middle of the bottom piece.
3. Using the appropriate template, draw a line across the diagonal (long edge) of the triangle template onto the fabric.
4. Sew across this line and cut off the extra fabric leaving a 1/2 inch of fabric.
5. Iron the seam open

This will be a much, much faster method and won’t have the “wonky” ends that the cutouts can have.

Enjoy doing something crafty today!