Inspiration Friday - Tutorial

Hello! Today I'm at the MemoryWorks 2011 RETREAT!!! Check out other blog posts, the MW Studio & MemoryWorks Facebook page for pictures & RE.treat highlights!

Now onto today's tutorial.

One of the newest and hottest tools is the We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy tool.  This thing blows out of the MemoryWorks shop quickly!  And I can totally understand why!  I love this handy little tool, saves me from taking out my sewing machine (which needs repairs) and is perfect for those who do not own a sewing machine.

The changeable heads are fantastic as well!  There are plenty of designs and stitches that will coordinate with all your layouts!  The twine is excellent quality as well. 

A few tips!

• I highly recommend the piercing mat.  It makes it easy to get your stitches on your page.  The mat is foamy to "give" when piercing through papers.
• Use a little pressure.  You need to press down on the tool a little bit for it to pierce through the paper.  Test on scrap pieces prior to using it on your layout.
• Save the twine!  What I mean is... twine is often more then 1 ply.  You will have several (usually 6) little strands per 1 larger strand - make sense?  Pull these apart gently so you don't tangle them, and use 2 or 3 strands when stitching.  It will give you a more sewn look vs. a hand stitched look.  Neither are right or wrong, just giving you ideas on different ways to use this handy tool.
• Buy the Storage CASE!  Or at least something you can store this lovely tool & it's accessories. I have the hardest time keeping my stuff all together.  Once this baby is in stock, it's mine!  And it will be easy to tote around to events as well.
• Use your paper piercer.  If you didn't get through all layers of paper or didn't press down hard enough, use a paper piercer to punch your holes more to get the needle through.

Okay enough talking! Lets work on a project!

This tag includes a few different tutorials, including: the Sew Easy tool as well as paper piecing.

Supplies needed:

 

* WRMK: Sew Easy Tool with straight stitch attachment, Zig Zag attachment, Piercing Mat, Floss (or other floss brand) - color to match your papers
* My Minds Eye: Life of the Party 6x6 paper pad, Accessories Sheet, Alphabet (feel free to use any paper line you have in your stash.)
* Pink Paislee: Soiree Stamps
* Ranger: Distress Ink - Worn Lipstick, Ink Blending Tool
* Tattered Angels: Glimmer Mist (Rum Punch), Glam (Golden Goddess)
* Standard Tag (I used my Tim Holtz Tag Die - 3-1/8" x 6-1/4")
* Fiskars: Scallop Sentiment Border Punch (not pictured) * Black Ink
* Button

Step 1: Paint on Tattered Angels Glam (or other paint of choice)

 

Step 2: Spray tag with Glimmer Mist (Rum Punch) and ink edges with the ink blending tool & Worn Lipstick ink.

Step 3: Using the Banner stamp from the Pink Paislee: Soiree stamp step, stamp on the tag (I used black ink).

Step 4: Pick out pattern paper choices for the banner pieces.  Ink each piece individually and cut out.  

TIP: When using stamps / shapes that are symmetrical and solid, stamp the image on the BACKSIDE of the paper.  This way the pattern shows.  Cut around the stamped image.  Flip over and adhere (the none stamped side facing up) to the coordinating stamped image. See image in step 5

Step 5: After you have adhered all the pieces to the designated area.  Pull out your Sew Easy Mat & tool.  Across the "Banner line", press down with some pressure with your Sew Easy tool (Straight Stitch), across the line.

 

This is what the backside looks like after piercing.

Step 6: I divided my string up and separated 2 strands and set it aside before stitching the banner section.  Stitch across the straight stitch (as seen below).

 Step 7:Cut out 2 pieces of pattern paper (largest measuring approx. 3" high), punch one side using the Fiskars border punch on both pieces.  (Both pieces not seen below).  The 2nd piece will be adhered UNDER the longer piece.

Then adhere a sticker banner piece to the larger piece (not attached to the tag yet).  I cut approx. 1/4" off the edge for the sticker to fit like I wanted it.

 Step 8: Using the Sew Easy tool and the Zig Zag head; run the tool along the edge of the sticker, closer to the left edge.  Stitch, using the 2 strands you set aside earlier.  This will give a less dense stitch look.

I did this step separate from the tag so there was less layers to pierce through.  Which makes it easier to stitch and pierce.

Step 9: (not pictured)  Adhere the 1st smaller punched stripe towards the bottom of the tag. Adhere the longer stripe on top of the smaller one.

Step 10: (not pictured)  Embellish as desired.  I used the MME Stickers and Alphabet stickers, plus 1 button.  Use dimensional adhesive to pop up items.

There you have it!  Can't wait to see what you come up with using these two paper crafting ideas!