QUILTsocial Issue 6 | Page 11

Front and Back Tea Cozy Make 2 1. Layer the fabric as follows: batting, cotton lining right side up and cotton print right side down. Place the template on the layered pieces. Pin into place. 2. Mark the top of the cotton print fabric for turning right side out later. This can be 3” to 4” opening. 3. Leave a 2” opening on the right and left side of the base of the cozy to create a channel casing for the elastic. 5. Placing the embroideries on the tea cozy is exciting. Hand stitch them where desired on the front and back of the tea cozy. 6. Following manufactures instructions, use a Hot Touch tool, place crystals on the embroideries and secure. Omni-motion stitches Omni-motion stitches are wonderful to work with. These are a larger decorative stitch that use a special foot, and tear away stabilizer behind the fabric. They vary in size and even though the fabric is thick, the stabilizer is recommended for a great performance. Choose your favourite omni-motion stitch. 1. For the single omni-motion stitch to machine quilt the front and back tea cozy, use the 40wt Robison-Anton® Rayon thread in the needle, and a 60wt bobbin thread. Stitch it out in multiple locations, and in doing so, this will quilt the layers for your front and back tea cozy. 2. Tear away the stabilizer after completion. Note: If you have a sewing advisor on your sewing machine, please set it to woven/heavy for this project. 4. Thread the sewing machine with cotton thread and stitching around the pattern close to the edge. Leave an opening for turning the fabric right side out. 5. Choose an edge finishing stitch and proceed to finish the edges. Trim away excess fabric from the finished edge. Clip into areas of curves on upper edge. Turn right side out. 6. Press. 7. Use a bodkin to pull the ½” elastic through the channels at the bottom edge of front and back pieces. Pull the elastic to desired width to fit over the tea pot base. 8. Stitch all of the open seams closed, including where the pieces were turned right side out. 9. Topstitch using a topstitching foot around all outer edges. Zipper preparation 1. Choose a short zipper and install the zipper foot on the sewing machine, choosing thread to match the zipper. Lay the two completed quilted/embroidered pieces side by side. 2. Place the bottom of the zipper at the base of the cozy. This zippered edge is the opening for the spout. 3. This zipper application was simply stitched on top; it was not inserted into the seam. You may choose to insert the zipper. Pin the zipper on top of the front and back pieces and stitch the zipper into position with a zipper foot. Machine Embroidery 1. Hoop the Aqua Magic stabilizer and load the embroidery design of choice. This particular design is an actual seasonal ornament, but this is a great example of seasonal crossovers. Christmas designs aren’t just for Christmas; it can be carried into other seasons. Another example of this is the Husqvarna Viking Decorate for Easter Kit. Embroidered eggs can be used for Christmas Ornaments. Watch for this in a future issue. 2. Thread your embroidery machine with Signature 40wt Cotton Machine Quilting Thread in the needle and 60wt polyester thread in the bobbin to match. 3. Embroider the designs and when complete trim away excess stabilizer. 4. Soak and rinse the water soluble stabilizer away and lay out to dry, following stabilizer manufacturing instructions. Choose a lace piece you love Lace preparation 1. The lace in the sample has a scallop design on one edge only. Another option is to embroider your own lace. 2. Fold lengthwise the unfinished edge of the lace ½” to the wrong side. Place a tear away stabilizer under the folded edge and stitch the hem in place. Then fold the lace piece in half lengthwise right sides together. Stitch the right and left sides. Turn right side out and slip this lace over the upper edges of front and back tea cozy pieces. Stitch lace in place. Lace placement Scrunchy sewn at the fold edge 11 QUILTsocial .com | issue 6