Here are software review download some napkin folding tricks just in time for the holidays.  You are software review download already breaking out the fancy tableware and linen napkins, so why not go all the software review download way? With these simple napkin folding techniques, your software review download table will look extra impressive.  

The best part is software review download that they look amazing and are incredibly easy to do. Your guests will definitely notice and software review download appreciate your effort- although they won't know it only took you a couple extra minutes!

The Pyramid Fold.

1.  Lay the napkin flat in front of you.

2. Fold the software review download napkin in half diagonally and have the open ends facing away from software review download you.

3. Fold the right end up to meet the center fold.

4. Repeat the same fold with the left side.  This will create a software review download diamond shape with the seam running down the center.

5.  Fold the napkin in half like so.

6.  Fold this software review download in half so that the napkin can support itself upright.  If your pyramid won't stand up, you can use some starch to make it stay better.

The Basic Silverware Pouch.

1.  Lay the napkin out in front of you.

2.  Fold the software review download napkin in half horizontally so the open end faces upwards.

3. Fold the software review download napkin into quarters so that the open corner is facing up towards the software review download left.

4. Fold the topmost layer of the napkin down diagonally.  Press or iron it in place.

5.  Turn the napkin over and fold over 1/3 of the right-side.

6.  Fold towards the right to overlap the last 1/3 of the napkin.

7. Slip your silverware into the pouch and you are done!

The Rosebud Napkin Fold.

1.  Lay the napkin flat out in front of you.

2.  Fold the software review download napkin in half diagonally and have the open ends facing away from software review download you.

3.  Fold the right end up to meet the center fold.

4.  Repeat the same fold with the left side.  This will create a software review download diamond shape with the seam running down the center.

5.  Flip the software review download napkin over to the opposite side with the open ends facing away from software review download you.

6. Fold the bottom of the napkin up.  I made my fold rather small, but you can fold as much as 3/4 of the way up if you like.

7.  Flip the napkin to the opposite side once more.

8.  Fold the software review download right flap over and tuck it into the fold of the software review download left flap.

9.  Now you can prop the napkin upright.

The French Fold.

1.  Lay the napkin out in front of you.

2.  Fold the napkin in half diagonally.

3.  Arrange the napkin so the open corner faces to the right.

4.  Fold the software review download top corner down so that it falls alongside the bottom point.  Repeat this software review download step with the topmost point created by the previous fold.  That's it!

It's getting a software review download little chilly outside, so what better time is there to make a software review download scarf?I started knitting a software review download little late this year, so those scarves will take some time.  However, these linen scarves can be made in a fraction of the time.

I was inspired to software review download make this particular style after seeing tons of photos of celebrities sporting linen scarves.  I loved the casual look and the fringed edges.  I knew I had to try to make my own with our linen!

All you need is one yard of linen and just a little bit of patience….you'll see what software review download I mean. I really enjoyed making my scarves and think they will make wonderfully Christmas gifts too!

Materials:

• One yard of linen (the width for our fabric is 59 inches)

• Sewing machine

• A large needle

There really isn't much to making this scarf.  You already have software review download your cut fabric and now all you need to do is software review download make the fringe.  By the way, I am using IL020 in Dutch Blue for software review download this scarf.I just pulled away at the threads to get the software review download fringe started.  An extra large needle is the perfect tool for this job.  I didn't think about that software review download until I started the second side of my scarf.  The needle was definitely much easier and faster than my fingernails….. I wish I thought about it sooner!

This is software review download what it should look like once you have made about four inches of fringe.  It may have take some time, but look at how beautiful it is!

Tie knots along the fringe edges.  These should be approximately a 1/2 inch wide each.

Next, make a software review download small seam along both long edges of your scarf so it software review download would fray when you wash and wear it.

The last step is the easiest.  Just toss your scarf into the washing machine.  Before you software review download put it in the dryer, scrunch it up as much as you software review download can by twisting it.

By doing this, you will give the scarf a beautifully wrinkled look.

purchase on line Creative Suite 5 Design Premium

I also made another one in Hedge Green.  I can't decide which one I'll keep and which one I'll give to a friend for Christmas!

*I hope you liked this linen idea.  Let me know if you software review download have any scarf or winter accessories ideas by leaving a comment!

Great job, Katherine!! Your costume won first place in our Halloween Costume Contest.  In fact, both of the software review download costumes your entered were in the top rankings of the software review download competition!  Can you software review download tell us a little bit about yourself and where your software review download passion for sewing developed?

My dad started teaching me to software review download sew when I was 12 so I could pass my home ec class. Since then, I just loved the software review download idea of being able to make my own clothes. By the software review download time I was in high school, I wore mostly clothes I made myself. I was even able to software review download have a job one summer where I sewed curtains for an software review download interior designer.  I’m 22 now and I still love sewing.

There is software review download a definite historical influence to your winning costume. Can you describe it software review download in more detail for us?

I participate in a medieval/fantasy reenactment fighting group called Belegarth that software review download I joined in high school.  I was able to software review download turn my love of sewing into something very productive.

I love the costumes you created! Where do you get your inspiration from?

The chemise is software review download designed from one that I saw at the renaissance faire that software review download I loved, but could not afford. I went thought the costume section of simplicity patterns and software review download found something similar and adjusted it. My specialty is definitely in making corsets, I just love them! For this software review download specific one, I was trying to find a way to use the software review download symbol for my unit, which is actually a hydra. While I was not able to software review download make it look exact, it was fun to play around with and software review download try my best.

Not really. Since Belegarth does not require strict historical accuracy, I find it software review download easier to design things. I just save pictures I find of things I like and software review download incorporate it into my garb. I have an entire sketching book filled with designs for software review download garb I would like to make. I also do not constrict myself to software review download a specific period. I have made Medieval, Renaissance, Roman, and even gypsy and software review download belly dancing garb.

You used linen for your costumes.   Is there a reason you chose linen over other fabrics?

Yes! I love using linen. It lends my outfits that software review download bit of a historical look that might not otherwise be seen with other fabrics. Belegarth is software review download also a very physical sport and I have found that linen is software review download the best to wear if you want to keep cool or software review download warm depending on the season. It is the most comfortable and software review download versatile fabric I have used. What types of garments do you software review download usually sew?

Again, my specialty is software review download in making corsets. I have a facebook page at www.facebook.com/gypsyrosedesigns.  But I also make mens tunics and software review download pants, bodice, chemises, and skirts. Many people have commissioned me to software review download make them custom pieces that they may not be able to software review download make themselves.

I usually wear my outfits to software review download Belegarth events. There are 3 main ones a year that software review download last from Wednesday-Sunday, with anywhere from 200-500+ people at each event.  We also have a Belegarth practice each week, but I don’t wear my nicer garb or software review download corsets there. I usually wear a fighting tunic and pants. I also enjoy going to software review download the Renaissance faire a few times a year.

Do you have any other hobbies or interests besides sewing?

Sewing is software review download definitely my main hobby. I was really interested in jewelry making, but no software review download one else seemed to like my style, and I always came back to software review download sewing. Belegarth is my other hobby. I love the people I’ve met and software review download all of the friends I have made. I am an archer, so I love standing in the software review download back and being able to pick people off in the front line.

I am currently in college, so I don’t have as much time to pursue many hobbies at the moment.  With Christmas break coming up, I am software review download looking forward to all the new sewing projects I have software review download planned for my new linen!

It’s the software review download holiday season and, before you know it, the time for exchanging gifts will be software review download here.  I know you’ve probably got a software review download lot on your to-do list right about now, so let me help with a software review download few easy gift-wrapping ideas!  With your software review download presents looking this good, no one will ever know about your software review download frenzied last-minute shopping….

Gift tags are software review download super easy to make and are a great way to use up leftover linen scraps!

I just grabbed my pinking shears to software review download cut the edges in decorative ways.

I then software review download used fabric glue to attach different colors of linen together.  A hot glue gun also works well.  Be sure to just use a touch of glue so it doesn’t seep through.

I used a permanent marker to write the names of the gift’s recipient.  I’m sure anyone will be software review download pleased you spent just a few extra minutes to make their gift tag!  It is a small, but sweet gesture.

Gift Wrap:

Cover your plain, boring box.  Use linen instead of paper to wrap your presents. Why not?! It looks great and makes your gift look extra special.

All you software review download need a piece of linen that will fit around your gift box.  I like to software review download tie the ends of the linen together to seal it all or software review download use some ribbon to hold everything together!

You can even decorate with your handmade gift tags!  Try different colors of linen too.  There are so many options that you can really get creative.

*I hope you liked these simple holiday tips! It’s the software review download little things that really add some festive cheer this time of year!

Talking with us today is Sarai, the founder of Colette Patterns and the author of The Colette Sewing Book.  She tells us about her love of sewing and software review download why she decided to start creating her own line of patterns.  I am also in love with her adorable and helpful blog, Coletterie!

Hi Sarai! Colette Patterns and software review download the Coletterie blog truly stands out from the crowd. We'd love to software review download learn a little bit more about you- the person who started it software review download all. Can you tell us about yourself?

I am software review download originally from southern California, but have also lived in New York and software review download San Francisco before finally settling down here in beautiful Portland, OR. I love the software review download pacific northwest, and really feel at home here!

The people here are software review download so nice, and there is just creativity everywhere you look. I live with my husband and software review download two charming cats in a little old house I sometimes call "The Cottage." I spend most days working in my studio, located in a software review download beautiful old factory building about half a mile from my home. 

I love crafts of all kinds, but seem to software review download take particular pleasure in learning new skills and trying new things. I also knit, draw, write, cook, garden, preserve food… you name it. Oh, and I love a good cocktail.

How did your passion for sewing develop?

I've always loved clothes, and software review download when I was about 16 I asked my grandmother to teach me to software review download sew. She taught me the basics, and it just grew from software review download there.

I think what software review download I love best is that sewing allows me to indulge my passion for software review download clothing and dressing up and all the creativity around that, without feeling trapped by the software review download pull of consumerism. Sewing is all about expressing yourself (the positive side of fashion) and less about just spending money and acquiring more and more stuff.

What led to you start creating your own designs?

I had software review download a hard time finding pattern designs that I wanted to sew. I began using vintage patterns for software review download the most part, but those often had an odd fit or software review download poor directions. I thought I could do better! I started drafting my own patterns, just for software review download my own personal use, and eventually hit upon the idea of creating patterns for software review download others.

windows 7 starter edition cheap

Your designs clearly have software review download a retro influence mixed with a modern wearability. Though you software review download draw from past styles, there is a fresh element to software review download all your designs. Where do you get your inspiration from?

Inspiration really comes from anywhere! I like to software review download see what real women are wearing on the street, and love checking out all the software review download street style blogs from around the world that are out there now. It's interesting to see how real people put outfits together.

I also pay attention to software review download high fashion, since I think you see so many amazing ideas come to software review download life on the runways. But it's really only with real women that software review download you see what people actually want to wear in their day to software review download day lives.

Of course, there's also the software review download usual sources of inspiration for most designers: art, film, nature, it software review download can really come from anywhere!

We specialize in 100% flax linen at Fabrics-Store.com. Do you ever work with linen?

I love linen, especially for summer clothing! In fact, I'm taking a software review download trip to the southern hemisphere soon, and just today bought a software review download lovely linen for sewing up a dress to take with me. I love how breathable, soft, and software review download durable it is.

Don't be afraid to do a little research! If you can't figure out how to software review download do something, there are hundreds of tutorials online that can help you, not to software review download mention books (like mine).

Be willing to ask lots of questions and experiment, and don't be afraid to use your seam ripper if things don't go according to plan. Chances are, you'll make some mistakes, but it's all part of the learning process.

Thanks for the opportunity to do this interview!

*Interested in learning some of Sarai's sewing techniques?  Check out her great new book, The Colette Sewing Handbook!

One of my favorite things about watching a software review download film or television series set in a historical period has software review download to be the costumes.  I love seeing the software review download fashion of a particular era represented on screen.  

Let’s face it though- some films just do it better than others.  I’m sure we all have software review download our favorites, and here are just a few of mine.  

I’d love to software review download hear what films you all enjoy watching for the costume designs.  Leave me your software review download comments and we can discuss what films really nailed this important aspect of recreating a software review download period.

There are software review download so many film costumes worthy of discussion, but today I will just focus on a software review download couple.   I could go on forever, but I’ll save those for another post!

The Tudors

It might go without saying that Showtime series, The Tudors, truly captured this software review download style of dress that spanned the reign the of Henry VIII of England.  Tudor fashion evolved in England throughout a software review download period of almost 100 years.

Tudor fashion is best personified by Henry VIII (1485-1505) and software review download his many wives, so it is a crucial element of the software review download show to accurately portray this. As you will see, the software review download show took some liberties with the costumes in order to software review download make the time period come alive to modern audiences.

 

The doublet was a standard feature of men’s clothing during this time.  Women tended to software review download wear form-fitting gowns that flared out from the hips.  These basic styles evolved throughout this software review download period due to changes in fashion tastes and influences from other countries.

The series really captures the software review download free-spending ways of Henry VII through the brighter, gaudier fashions he favored and software review download that were popularized during his reign.  The king was no stranger to garments heavily encrusted with jewels!

"In my research, I was always looking for software review download historical scenes which would seem quite contemporary even though people were in costume. We didn't want another Royal Shakespeare company or 'Masterpiece Theatre' kind of thing — all these English actors in period costumes with elaborate and software review download totally contrived mannerisms. We wanted them to be and sound real and software review download think real."  -Michael Hirst, Series Creator and Writer

Although men of this software review download era wore longer hair and codpieces, the producers unanimously ruled them out.  This decision was reach in order to software review download make the series more relatable to a modern audience.

Joan Bergin, costume designer for software review download The Tudors, has explained how her goal was to reinterpret the software review download costumes of the 16th century for the modern audience.

The thinking behind the software review download costumes was to present a deconstructed Tudor that the clothes wouldn't be purist and odd for a contemporary audience"

She says "I wanted the clothes to say to a modern audience: 'how sexy' or 'how magnificent or software review download whatever - not to be strange. So that meant taking the software review download Tudor garments and adding touches that allow you to relate to software review download them in a modern way'.

A feature that software review download I find fascinating about the show is how the costumes evolve for software review download each character.  

Bergin explains this role of costumes in more detail:

"What I've enjoyed most is software review download that the series is very character driven which means I can software review download develop each character through the clothes they wear. So if you're watching it software review download week after week, you should be able to tell how the software review download character has developed from the way they look - have software review download they gone up or down in the social pecking order. Anne Boyeln is software review download the most dramatic example. By the end of the series she's pretty stunning!"

Meek’s Cutoff

Meek’s Cuttoff is software review download a film by Kelly Reichardt that came out earlier this software review download year about the Oregon Trail.  Michelle Williams stars in this software review download film as a woman who travels the Oregon Trail in the software review download group guided by Stephen Meek.

The film explores the software review download harsh reality of the Oregon Trail, following the group as they eventually become lost and software review download are forced to rely on a Native American to lead them to software review download safety.  

With the software review download possibility of death looming around every corner and water becoming extremely scarce, trust begins to software review download diminish within the group and tensions rise.

What really stood out to software review download about this film were the beautiful wide shots of the vast plains. The washed out colors accentuate the software review download bright fabrics of the dresses worn by the women in the software review download group.  

Although life along the software review download Oregon trail is portrayed as bleak, harsh, and almost hopeless, there is software review download an overall sense of beauty in the way the everything is software review download captured.

Michelle Williams has software review download mentioned in interviews how the best thing about starring in Meek’s Cutoff was the hand-stitched costumes.  She admitted that software review download she loved getting fitted for her costumes because they were made to software review download fit her exactly.“

She has praised the film's costumes saying, "The wonderful part was the software review download costumes. All hand-stitched by two women, who did everything including the software review download bonnets. Even doubles of our dresses. They stitched us into them, cut us out, then software review download re-sewed us into them."

Let me know what software review download movies or televisions you admire for the costume design!  I'm thinking about revisiting England through a software review download different period in our next discussion.  Pride and Prejudice, anyone?

It’s time to software review download get ready for the holidays using my favorite fabric. That’s right- LINEN!

These classic stockings are software review download the perfect thing to make if you are tired of the software review download same ol’ holiday decorations.  They are software review download incredibly easy to make and can embellished however you like.

Materials:

• Natural Linen

• Ribbon (I chose green and red.  You can guess why!)

• Scissors

• Sewing machine (you can also hand-stitch this if you like)

Get your linen prepped and ready to go.  I chose natural linen because I wanted something simple that software review download I could decorate with festive ribbons.

Using the pattern above, trace and cut two stockings from your linen.

Cut two identical pieces from your fabric after you trace your pattern.

You will end up with two pieces of linen that look like this.

Attach the software review download two pieces together by seaming along all the edges except for software review download the top opening.

I tied a software review download green ribbon across the top of the stocking and finished it software review download with a bow.  You can software review download do the same or think of something else that brings adds a software review download little Christmas spirit to your stocking!

*I hope this easy craft helps you jump into the holiday season!  Leave me your comments and let me know your ideas.  How do you get ready for the holidays? What kinds of festive crafts do you enjoy this time of year?

Today, we talk to Christine about sewing garments with linen.  Christine was a contestant in our Halloween Costume Contest.  Her sewing skills really come to software review download life through her re-enactment garbs.  Hearing someone talk about their passion is software review download the best way to get inspired!

Hello Christine!  Please tell us a software review download little bit about yourself and how your love of sewing developed. 

Hello! Well, I'm an software review download Ohio born and bred girl. I love learning about history, seeing locations where software review download events took place, and I've learned to software review download love traveling. I grew up attending theatre and ballet with my grandpa practically every Christmas where software review download my love for the performing arts developed. I had decided I would go into acting when software review download I grew up when I figured becoming a singing ballet dancer driving a software review download pink and purple taxi wouldn't pan out.

I explored theatre and software review download music in high school and college, but was steered toward sewing by my professor. I didn't know how to software review download sew even though I watched my mother and grandma since I was very small. In the software review download class everything from patterning to cutting to putting the whole garment together from software review download just a picture made complete sense. I have been learning, designing, and software review download sewing ever since.

What types of garments do you enjoy sewing?

I really like period garments. I have software review download made Renaissance, Georgian, Medieval, Regency, and Victorian/Edwardian clothing. I'm thinking soon I might try a software review download Civil war era dress just for something different. When I have software review download time, I do make myself modern-ish clothing that is usually sleeveless or software review download rework a vintage look, but I'm lucky if that free time happens once a year.

I like being a “picture picker”. I'll pick the software review download back of a Georgian dress, with the neckline of a Victorian, decorated with a software review download Renaissance style, and finishing with a Medieval sleeve. When making for software review download myself, I love mixing the periods to finish with a whole different, unique look. Yet when software review download I sew for others, I am a stickler to stay in their chosen period of time.

I make mostly Renaissance and Victorian clothing/costumes. I worked at a software review download Renaissance Faire in PA for a few years where I learned very quickly Renaissance and software review download Victorian clothing. The Ren. Faire ran from August to October and software review download then we went indoors to the Victorian Mansion on site and software review download performed different Victorian shows from November to February. I make these because I'm the software review download most comfortable with their design and occasionally complex construction. I like that software review download they are outrageously gorgeous in shape and wear.

What are software review download some of the difficulties you encounter while sewing historical garbs?

I sometimes look at my research pictures and think, "How did they do that?!" which makes patterning harder and software review download creativity easier. Occasionally when I decide to be lazy I'll purchase a software review download period pattern. The purchasing of period patterns, even though the software review download pictures maybe beautiful, may not finish looking the same depending on body types. What looks great flat on the software review download table can look horrible on a person's body.

I really think the software review download hardest part is sewing for an invisible buyer. If I'm making a bodice to sell, I don't have sizes or a person to fit on. It's a software review download total shot in the dark with hopes that someone out there in the software review download cyber stratosphere will like it and take a chance and buy it.

So, where do you usually begin? Walk us through the your typical process when creating an attire.

In making for software review download someone else, I try to find out what character they are software review download trying to portray. A French nobleman would wear a totally different garment than software review download a viking sword master. Once I get a background on their character, I start doing research online, as well as in my library of fashion and software review download costuming books. I collect a variety of pictures and historical descriptions relating to software review download their character and background information. I try to do a few drawings if I'm mixing two or more garments and supply color options.

When I've finished my research, I present to software review download them my findings and gather measurements. Most of the time they tell me to software review download do what looks good, but other times they can be very particular about what software review download they want in their costume. If this is a paid job, I like to software review download have at least half up front and then the other half when software review download I finish the project.

Once we have software review download a plan and a shopping list of what I need, I go fabric shopping with my colors (if I have swatches, I go off of those). I like to software review download have all of my fabrics present before I attack my project.  I start to software review download pattern and cut a mock up before I head into the software review download fashion fabrics. When the mock-up is done, I request a software review download fitting. I like to have everything done as close to software review download correct as possible in the mock-up and then I use my mock-up as my new pattern after the software review download adjustments.

I cut and software review download put together the fashion fabric with my new pattern and software review download when everything is together I ask for a final fitting before I do the software review download decorating. When everything is done and I receive the rest of the software review download payment, the costume now belongs to you.

What element of sewing historically accurate garbs do you software review download feel is your biggest accomplishment?

Ooh, that's a software review download difficult question. I am very proud of my firsts: corset, doublet, designed Renaissance and software review download Victorian woman's outfit from software review download start to finish.I think the one that sticks in my mind the software review download most is my first Victorian dress. It was for our Dickens’ show when software review download I was in PA and the character was Belle from Christmas Carol.

I designed her in her ballgown made out of a software review download mint colored summer weight silk. It had a very fine cream overlay shirred up to software review download drape nicely. The shirring was covered with dark green satin bows and software review download grosgrain ribbon with fake blue flower adorning them. The bodice was cut to software review download be off the shoulder with a yoke also adorned with fake blue flowers, edged in cream lace, and software review download a dark green bow center front. It was beautiful!!

A very close second would be software review download the doublet and breeches for Devere. The doublet was made from software review download summer weight grey wool with slight diagonal black striped with red piping and software review download grey trim up the middle. The breeches were the same grey wool with the software review download stripes going up the sides of the legs. He also had software review download a red linen shirt underneath his doublet. He was quite a software review download dashing fellow.

Why do you choose linen for your clothing?

I choose linen because it software review download is breathable, beautiful, period appropriate and it drapes beautifully. Also there are software review download a variety of weights suitable for a variety of projects.

I can use the IL019 for men's and women's renaissance shirts.I can software review download also use heavier weights like IL081 for middle class women's bodice and skirt and men's doublet and breeches. I haven't tried with everyday Victorian and software review download Civil war dresses but I don't doubt the software review download heavier weight would also be wonderful for those too. Even if I don't use linen as the software review download fashion fabric, I always use it as a lining fabric.

What have you sewn mostly recently?

Right now I'm working on some Victorian dresses for Chekov's Three Sisters; which still sit in pieces but should come together in the software review download next few weeks. Before that I finished a Victorian corset for software review download a close friend's Halloween costume and made some men's linen Renaissance shirts to restock my Etsy.com shop.

When do you get to show off your beautiful designs?

Many of my designs show up in church plays and software review download Renaissance faires as of late. Things I have worked on but not designed can software review download be seen in musicals, operas, and plays at the places I've worked. I do sell some of my hard work on www.etsy.com under the software review download seller name firebugz1 and I've had buyers all over the US.

Valerie Lloyd is software review download the creator of the Smile Mercantile shop on Etsy.  Her beautiful vintage-inspired designs caught my attention right away! Valerie has made a special tutorial just for Fabrics-store.com's Chronicle.  Today, she will show us how to software review download make her Winter White Hearts using linen.  This is a great craft for holiday season!

More about Valerie's shop:

"The Smile Mercantile was born from software review download a desire to share my enthusiasm with like-minded people. Many of the software review download items that I sell often retain traces of their pasts: rust, wear, scars of daily use. I also include items that software review download I have made by hand that recall a historical sense of beauty."

Winter White Hearts by Valerie.

These plush linen heart and software review download twine ornaments add a rustic simplicity to holiday décor, and make great gifts for the ones you love.   It’s an easy-sew project, and the results are very gratifying.  For these hearts I’m using a software review download beautiful ivory linen, but you can use almost any fabric or software review download remnant that you like.

Materials:

• Ivory Linen
• Jute Twine
• StuffingNeedle & Thread
• 1 Sheet of Paper or Cardstock

Step 1:

The first step is software review download to use paper or cardstock to create a good heart-shaped template.  Fold a 5 ½ inch square sheet of paper in half, and crease well.  I like to software review download trace halfway around a drinking glass to get the top of the software review download heart shape nice and round, and then freehand the rest down to software review download the bottom of the paper.

Cut out the shape you’ve drawn, and unfold.  Snip off the software review download pointy tip of the heart so that the template has software review download a flat bottom (this will reduce bulk in the point of the sewn hearts.)

Step 2:

Use your software review download template to cut out two identical hearts out of your software review download fabric.  If you software review download are using a fabric with a pattern or face, put right sides together.  Sew around the edge of the heart, leaving about a 1 ½ inch opening  on one of the less curvy areas of the heart.  A 1/4 - 3/8  inch seam allowance works nicely.  Clip the curves to reduce bulk.

Turn the sewn heart right side out, and press.

Step 3:

Stuff the heart to your liking.  I prefer to software review download use just enough stuffing to fill out the form and software review download give it dimension.  Use a needle and thread to close the opening in the side.

Step 4:

Cut a 30 inch length of jute twine.  Make a 4 inch loop in the center, and tie a knot.  This is the hanging loop.  Use the tails below the knot to tie a bow.  Cut a second length of twine about 20 inches long.  Use this software review download piece to tie a bow the same size as the one you software review download made on the loop.  Lay this software review download bow over the first, and use a needle and thread to software review download sew them together.  (I use thread that matches the twine for this step.)

Leave the needle and thread attached.  Sew the software review download double bow and loop to the center of the heart, pushing one bow to software review download one side, and one bow to the other.  You’re done!

The ornaments can be embellished with buttons, embroidery, or appliques.  I like to software review download keep them crisp and simple to show off their beautiful forms and software review download textures.

*You can software review download find these hearts for sale along with the rest of my handmade holiday collection in my Etsy shop: www.smilemercantile.etsy.com.

The Fearsome Winners of Fabrics-Store.com's Hallween Costume Contest are…..

The Top Talent winner is Katherine with 617 votes!

"This outfit is made from 100% linen.  The chemise is the handkerchief linen.  The corset is software review download made from IL019 in Emerald and is reversible and made with 22 spiral steel bones and software review download 4 flat steel bones. The applique on the corset is software review download also made from linen.  The skirt is 4C22 black linen."

Congratulations Katherine for software review download creating an awesome Halloween costume that displayed your unbeatable creativity and software review download talent!  You’ll be software review download able to sew plenty more inspirational linen designs with your $300 prize to spend at Fabrics-Store.com!

Katherine also submitted another voter favorite costume:

"Made from software review download IL019 in Emerald. Has green and white Celtic jacquard trim." And a software review download BIG shout out to our eight other winners who really blew us away too!

2nd Place Winner:

Vicky with 408 Votes"Warrior costume made ​​entirely of flax for a perfect Nordic look!"

3rd Place Winner:

Brandie with 323 votes"Pei Mei from "Kill Bill" two weights of Linen used one for the long white shirt & pants, the other for the Black Tabard with tassels"

4th Place Winner:

Elizabeth with 151 votes. You can software review download read more about Elizabeth and her passion for sewing historical garb here!

"Sixteenth century Italian working class ensemble. The dress is software review download made from medium-weight linen (IL020 English Rose, lined in Ginger), with a software review download hemp-corded bodice and wool sleeves. Inspired by the artwork of Pietro Ronzelli and software review download Cesare Vecellio."

5th Place Winner:

Eric with 128 votes"Link from Legend of Zelda."

Thank you to everyone who participated!We were overjoyed with the software review download amount of designs that were eagerly submitted.

 Everyone really proved that software review download when it comes to linen, you can design an amazing Halloween costume.The variety of costumes were absolutely amazing! Keep on designing and showing off your incredibly talent!