“Let’s Get Sewing” with Eileen’s dies

The theme for April was sewing projects that use dies from Eileen Hull Designs. It was fun and a challenge to think of ways for create something to share. The versatility of many of Eileen’s dies gave me a number of ways to go. Wanting to make something that was fairly easy and using only a few materials, my results was this Fabric Holder For Credit Cards. Made with fabrics and a small amount of paper that are fused with a thin layer of a product called “wonder under” by Pellon, the project came together. NOTE: Pellon “wonder under” is used because it is a fusible that can be sewn through without causing damage to your sewing machine or needle.) 

For the cover a bright fabric was chosen for the outside and a light coordinated fabric for the inside.  

Outside cover fabric

Inside cover fabric

For the inner folders, two are made, another different fabric was used along with a thin, solid colored paper, in hues that match the fabric. All these are fused together with the “Wonder Under” before die-cutting elements. 

Fabric folder

Folder inside (paper)

Folder insert with folded pocket

View of folder insert

The “Notebook” die (#663635) is used for the cover and the folder inserts. 

If desired or needed, extra pockets can be made from with the fabric/paper combination and machine stitched in place. 

Extra pocket space

Additional pockets for folder covers

Additonal pockets sewn on before finishing inside

Folders with extra outside pockets

The two folder pages are machine stitched into the cover. 

Completed folders stitched to cover

Press the book well with an iron, creasing down the center. A tie made from the same fabric makes a tie for closing. NOTE: A soft flexible band can be used as a closure. 

Stitch a tie made from cover fabric

This holder will hold 12 cards. The number can be as few as 4 or as many as 16.

It can be embellished in any way you desire or left as simple as you’d like. The edges of the cover were first sewn with a zig-zag stitch. The edges of the page inserts are sewn with a regular straight stitch. 

I chose to add some rick-rack, a felt leaf and wooden button for decoration. 

Few added photos of completed holder - 

Space for 4 cards

Space for 2 cards

TIPS: 

• Before sewing in the folder pages and adding the extras,  I gave the cover a coat of clear matte gel medium on the outside and inside. 
• When cutting the folder inserts from the notebook die, be sure the bottom fold for pockets is slightly above the cutting blade of the die to keep the fold.
• Use a contrasting color thread for stitching - just because, why not be a little different.
• The completed holder is about 12" to 3/4" wide. This thickness makes it easy to store in any purse.
• Decorative elements can be added but not necessary. 
• Use a sewable fusible, some are not good to use for machine sewing, can gum up needle and cause issues.

Look at the dies you have and see how you may use them in a different way and with different materials and just have fun creating! 

Materials Used

Eileen Hull Notebook die

Sizzix Big Shot

Assorted fabrics

Coordinated paper, solid, thin

Pellon "wonder under" fusible

Iron

Sewing machine

Decorative elements, optional

March In Minature

This month has been spent creating and sharing ideas with Eileen Hull Designs dies from past releases. Though instead of “going big” we are going the other way, say - little, small, miniature.  

Now I’ll be sharing other ideas with you.  One is a way to give a small handmade gift using a variety of @Eileen Hull Designs dies once again. Using the Tiny Book Case die (664424) and the Tiny Book die (664423) as the packaging and Charms thinlit dies (666769) and the two flower shaped thinlit dies from the set called Bookmark, Pocket & Topper (666767) to create a unique dimensional set of earrings. 

Here are two other sets of the earrings made with different papers for both the background and the flowers 

The last project created used the largest cube/box from an old favorite of Eileen’s dies, 3D Blocks/Cubes (658984). I constructed the block with an open top to create a little baskets. Using a combination of felt and textured paper strips they are covered in a woven pattern.  They can be used as a decorative element, for tiny gifts or favors for any occasion.  My version holds paper covered egg shapes for the coming Easter/Spring season. Add a handle if desired.  

Last week I shared a few versions of small sized banners. 

Ideas, Ideas and More Ideas

Sharing ideas from the past and a few more recent to hopefully inspire you to create from homemade goodness for the coming season.

Whether it’s gifts to give or something to put the gifts in this is meant to give you some ideas!

I have been a big fan of Sizzix for a very long time, even before Eileen began designing for them. I have always found them one of my favorite and useful tools to use in projects I was creating.  My main goal for this post is to share ideas using mostly dies designed by Eileen. Another good reason to use them is that  coordinate so well together no matter who they are designed by.

You will find photos of several of my projects posted here. Hope that they will nspire you with to create your own projects.  

First four are made with the Passport book die

 

Here is a "star book" made with the Tiny Book die and a wreath covered in snowflake die cutouts

A few banner ideas using the Mitten die, Teacup 3Ddie and Needle case die

Keeper for Christmas Photo Cards

Packaging Ideas with box dies

My version of honeycomb ornaments with the Ornament die

For decorating or gift giving - Poinsettia in a foil pocket, Keepsake Trinket box

 

A 3 dimensional assemblage with the Slotted Treat Box die and other Sizzix dies

This is but a small glimpse of what I have made with Eileen's dies but I truly hope they will help inspire you to get out those tools you have and start making your own handmade decorations and gifts. I learn something new everyday by just trying! Happy Holiday making to ALL!

What To Do With Embossing Folders

Anyone who may follow me or know me, does know that my very favorite tools are those from Sizzix. The dies are my "go to" favorites, but I a fan of all the components they make.

This month Eileen Hull's Team have been sharing ieads with her designs of folders for Sizzix.  

 

Here is one that I created this week!  It consists of the Storage Box die for the box base and lid. 

The lid is given design and texture by using an embossing folder. The project is completed with some embellishments using a selection of thinlit dies from Eileen's collection.  

Materials Used

Eileen Hull Storage Box #666498

Eileen Hull Embossing Folder Textured Impressions A5, Floral Damask #666765

Eileen Hull Thinlits, Painterly Blooms & Background #666689 (Flowers, leaves)

Eileen Hull Thinlits, Envelope, Folder & Flowers # 666474 (Leaves)

Decorative file folder, white poster board

Metallic paper

Vellum

Thin metal sheet to create a band around the box lid

Felt, off white, green

Double sided adhesive tape, 1/4", 1/2"

Glue

Flower shaping tools and mat

Beads, for flower centers

• DIe cut box, twice, to create the top and bottom of the box.
• Emboss the metallic paper with the large embossing folder. 
• Center the embossed design for the lid and mark where it will be cut. (Use the wrong side to make marks, before cutting to fit lid.) My paper did not completely fit, so an additional metal band was made to go around the bottom of the lid.
• A strip of off white felt was cut with scallop scissors to make a little contrasting band. Glue near the top of one side of the lid or as desired. (Optional)
• Green felt leaves are die-cut .
• Thinlit flower dies are cut from the metallic paper, backed with vellum to make flowers of  various sizes.
• Position the leaves and flowers in a desired arrangement. Glue all in place and allow to dry.
• Add a flower center of choice if desired to compete the lid embellishments.

Comfort & Joy 2024 - Felt Tree & Wreath Pins

 

Wreath and Tree Pins

Materials

Green felt

Green wool

Green mulberry paper

Iron on fusible

Red papers - foil and smooth

Gold foil paper

Red felt

Brown felt

Glue - Fabri-tac or thick white glue (Beacons Felt Glue)

Aleene’s Fabric Fusion sheets

Poster board 

Green wired pine-like stems

Various decorative buttons

Large safety pins or pin backs

Dies

Eileen Hull Bookmark, Pockets & Toppers, thinlits #666767 (small square, tiny flower) 

Eileen Hull Charms, thinlits#666769 (tree top) 

Eileen Hull Wreath & Snowflake set, Bow, thinlit #675326 (bow)

Journal card, envelope & window, Straight label #666276 (tree trunk)

Circle die, 2” (wreath backing)

Geometric box, #666046 (tree backing)

The original set of pins was made using felt. It’s best not to use a thick felt, a thinner weight is easier to fold. The small square is easier to handle if you use a craft iron to press the folds that form the pieces. (Use something like a mini Olisio iron or Clover mini iron.) 

I used a piece of poster board to cut the circle and triangle from, plus two coordinating pieces from felt or wool of each shape.  I glued one of the fabric shape onto the poster board shape. The folded pieces are then arranged and glued onto the shape.  

For the tree, die-cut 9 small squares from felt or wool.

Die-cut 2 star charms from gold foiled paper.

Die-cut the small flower from the red foil paper and felt.

Die-cut the tree trunk from brown felt.

Die-cut a triangle shape with geometric box die, one from poster board and two from felt or wool.

For the wreath, die-cut 10 small squares from felt or wool

Die- cut the bow using the two pieces, smooth solid for background piece, red foiled for bow outline. 

Die cut two circles from from felt or wool and one from poster board.

Refer to the photos for the folding of the small die-cut squares. Once all the squares are folded they can be glued at the fold or use a small cut piece of Aileen’s Fabric Fusion sheets at the fold 

After all the small squares are folded they can be arranged on the triangle for the tree and the circle for the wreath.  They may need some adjusting to fit them on the background surface before gluing them in place, once a desired arrangement is found. Set aside for glue to set up. For the tree, add the star shaped to the top and add the foil and felt flower on top. On the wreath, use three pine worked stems to form a little pine swag  to glue at the center, then add the red paper bow to finish. Both pins can be decorated how you wish with other decorations.

Here are the same pins made using wool that is backed with a green mulberry paper. The fused paper helps give the wool slightly extra body for folding and shaping.