scrap Archives - Ashley Hackshaw / Lil Blue Boo

Printed Scrap Ribbon Tag Toys (A Tutorial)

July 26, 2011 by Ashley Hackshaw

An easy toy for a baby, toddler or even a puppy! You could even make a large version for a throw pillow or “mini” versions for a baby mobile. You can use a freezer paper stencil, a screenprint, or even just a fabric stamp to make these. Just make sure to use non-toxic, ACMI AP approved water-based ink products that are made in the USA if it might go into a mouth!

Step 1: One you have a fabric print finished and ironed, place the fabric wrong sides together onto a piece of fabric for the back of the toy. Cut out the image with a 1-inch border surrounding it so that you have a front and a back:

Step 2: Cut various 3″ mismatching pieces of scrap ribbon.

Step 3: On the front of the toy, fold each ribbon piece in half and pin in place as shown:

Step 4: Add as many ribbon pieces as you prefer:

Printed Scrap Ribbon Baby or Dog Tag Toys DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

Step 5: Using a 1/4″ seam, sew all the way around the front of the toy to attach the ribbon.

Step 6: Take out your pins and place the back of the toy face down onto the front. Sew all the way around using a 1/2″ seam and leaving a gap…..

….so that the toy can be turned right side out. (If you have curves in your design you will need to “notch” the seams before you turn it inside out so the edges look smooth)

Step 7: Top stitch all the way around the toy using an 1/8″ seam and making sure not to close the gap yet….you’ll need to add stuffing:

Step 8: Add your choice of stuffing:

Step 9: Carefully fold under the open section of the toy and top stitch it closed:

To make a crinkle tag toy:

Cut a piece of cellophane or plastic packaging (like from a microwave popcorn package):

Insert the cellophane or plastic flat up into the toy before closing:

So many different designs and prints you can use!

And they look so cute!

Here are some other scrap ribbon tutorials to check out!

Scrap Ribbon Wallet/Clutch Tutorial

November 25, 2009 by Ashley Hackshaw

These are the little wallet/clutches I made for the SYTYC Contest for the theme “Green.” I was going to wait until after Thanksgiving to post the tutorial, but I had so many requests that I thought I’d do it early. Maybe you want to stay in on Black Friday and make some handmade presents for Christmas instead of shopping!

I made the wallets using leftover ribbon scraps that are too small to use for anything else (except maybe for a scrap ribbon camera strap or a scrap ribbon belt) and a basic applique technique.

The wallets have a clear vinyl ID/photo wallet and three pockets for cash and credit cards.

They are so interesting when folded out!

I made one of the wallets for Sienna’s teacher and one for Sienna (with the little princess button/ribbon flower on the front). She keeps her little pet shop puppies in it now….she doesn’t have any money….not even sure if she knows what money is yet.

Materials needed:
Scrap ribbon
Wonder Under or fusible web (I used the kind without backing)
Muslin fabric for the base of the outside
Fabric for the inside lining
Magnetic clasp
Optional: clear vinyl PVC (for the ID pocket)

Note: All the dimensions in this tutorial are for the wallet size. You will have to adjust them for the clutch size.

Step 1: Cut a 5″ x 11″ piece of muslin and a 5″ x 11″ piece of Wonder Under.

Step 2: Place the Wonder Under on top of the muslin and begin layering your scrap ribbon pieces on top until the Wonder Under is completely covered. Try to overlap all ends of the ribbon with other pieces of ribbon. As you get sections completed, place a piece of parchment paper over the ribbons (use parchment paper if there is printed design on the ribbons) and apply heat with an iron to fuse the Wonder Under. You may need to cut several small pieces of the Wonder Under and place it under pieces of ribbon that do not come into contact with the fusible web.

Step 3: Once all of your ribbon has been fused to the muslin, trim off the excess around edges….

……so you end up with a nice 5″ x 11″ piece.

Step 4: Carefully sew all your exposed ribbon edges to the muslin….this doesn’t have to be exact. There were areas where I just sewed directly across the piece instead of following a ribbon edge….it just depends on the look you want.

Step 5: Cut your 5″ x 11″ piece into 3 smaller pieces: one measuring 3″ x 5″ and two measuring 4″ x 5″…..

….and sew around the edges of each piece to keep all the ribbon secured.

Step 6: Cut fabric pieces for your inside lining: one measuring 3″ x 5″ and two measuring 4″ x 5″. You will also need to cut a 3″ x 5″ piece of fabric or clear PVC vinyl for the inside pocket.

Step 7 Creating your ID pocket piece: Take a piece of ribbon and fold it in half over the 3″ x 5″ PVC piece. Sew along the ribbon edge.

Take one of your 3″ x 5″ ribbon quilt pieces and add one side of your magnetic clasp.

Sandwich your ribbon quilt piece with the magnetic clasp and a 3″ x 5″ piece of lining wrong sides together. Add your PVC piece on top of the two and sew the bottom edge.

Step 8 Creating your middle pocket piece: Cut three pieces of fabric 4″ x 2″ and then cut a slight slant to each as shown below.

Take a piece of ribbon and fold it in half over the slanted edge of each piece (the same as you did with the PVC pocket. Sew along the ribbon edges. Place your top pocket in position first and sew along the bottom.

Then sew your middle on and then the bottom pocket on as well.

Step 9 Creating the top piece: Take your 3″ x 5″ piece of ribbon quilt and a 3″ x 5″ piece of lining and place them wrong sides together. Make sure to add your magnetic clasp first to the lining side. Sew around the edges to secure the two pieces together.

Step 10: Lay out your three pieces as shown….

…..and find a piece of ribbon wide enough to cover where the pieces will connect but leaving a 1/4″ gap in between.

Step 11: Fold your ribbon over the gap….

…..I used seam tape to secure (or you can use small pieces of Wonder Under)…..

…..and sew both up both sides of the ribbon…..connecting the two pieces of the wallet.

Step 12: Repeat to connec the last two piece of the wallet. Use bias tape or ribbon to cover the outside edges of the wallet…..

…..and now all seams should be covered!

Now you can add embellishments to the front of the wallet if you like. For the brown/green wallet I added little flowers made from scrap ribbons, a plain button decorated with thread, a small ribbon “fan” covered with a gold/pearl button, and a ribbon badge with a matching fabric covered button.

Optional: Add a personalized label

I added the little ribbon label inside that reads “Handmade especially for Mrs. Patty. Much love, Sienna” to make the wallet a little more special.

I printed the label on iron on transfer paper, adhere it to a scrap ribbon, and sewed it onto the lining before sewing the piece together in step 9.

Scrap Ribbon Camera Strap Cover (A Tutorial)

October 26, 2009 by Ashley Hackshaw

Here is my new camera strap cover. I made it from ribbon scraps the same way I made my daughter’s scrap ribbon belt.

I had some great new ribbon to use thanks to Jennifer at Strano Design s. If you need ribbon scraps, Strano Designs sells it by the quarter pound!

Step 1: I traced my camera strap onto some plain muslin with a disappearing ink pen……

…..and added 1/8″ to the outside of the traced line. Then I cut around the entire shape leaving 1/2″ for the seam allowance.

Step 2: I lined up ribbon the same way I did in my scrap ribbon belt tutorial except I made sure to sew along the outside line I drew with my disappearing ink pen.

Please see my ribbon scrap belt tutorial for sewing and weaving the ribbon…..

…..and repeat the steps for the entire length of the muslin piece.

Step 3: With all the ribbon attached, iron the sides of your muslin inward on the opposite side.

Step 4: Carefully trim any excess ribbon that hangs past the muslin. I zigzagged all my edges at this point to keep the ribbon from fraying.

Step 5: Retrace your camera strap and trim the ends to the same shape leaving 1/4″ excess.

Step 6: I used pre-made bias tape, and folded around the edges of the strap so it overlapped 1/4″…..

….and sewed it on using an 1/8″ seam. You can use regular fabric for this as well, just cut enough to go all the way around. The raw edges are left in the back.

Step 7: Trace your entire camera strap cover onto a coordinating fabric and cut all the way around leaving 1/2″ excess.

Step 8: Somewhere on one of the sides, mark a 4″ gap to leave open so that you can insert your strap when the cover is done.

Step 9: Fold the contrasting fabric all way around at the 1/2″ mark.

Step 10: Topstitch 1/8″ between the two marks you made for the gap…..

….and topstitch both ends 1/8″.

Step 11: Placing both pieces wrong sides together, topstitch 1/8″ from the edge all the way around to connect the two…..

….making sure NOT to stitch your “gap” or ends closed where you “pre” topstitched.

Step 12: You’re done! Insert your camera strap ends through the gap and to each side….pull the entire strap into the cover. I got the idea on how to insert the camera strap from Petchy. Petchy made hers with the ends narrower too so that the cover doesn’t slip to either side.

No one will ever mistake my camera for their camera….and now my husband will probably be embarrassed to use mine!

If you aren’t interested in going through the tedious process of making a scrap ribbon camera strap…..check out Shealynn’s designs in her Etsy shop! They are great and she’ll add custom features for you!