Ways to win a free pattern right now

There are 2 ways you can win a free pattern from me right now. On Pattern Review, I am sponsoring the red dress contest. If you can make a red dress and post a pattern review before the end of this month, you will win your choice of any one of my patterns. I love Pattern Review. It is a great resource and community of sewists. Click on the contest link to see the lovely dresses that have already been entered. The last time I sponsored a contest there, I think we set some kind of record for participation. I love that I can give everyone who enters a prize. They deserve it! Check out some of the great bags the winners have made with their free patterns. This link goes to their StudioCherie pattern reviews.

The second way is to become a fan of StudioCherie on Facebook. Use the contact me button there to send me a message with your pattern choice. The 3 patterns to choose from are here in this photo album.

Free Sewing Tutorial Yoga Mat Carrying Strap

The gym bag pattern should be ready by the end of this week. Meanwhile, warm up with this quick and easy yoga mat carrying strap project.

Materials list:

* 1.5 yards of 1” wide webbing
* 2 scraps of fabric 17” long by 5” wide
* 2 pieces of heavy weight iron-on interfacing 17” by 5” each
* 8” of 2” wide Heavy Duty Velcro

Step one- Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric following manufacturer’s instructions. (I used pre-washed cotton duck which is already a heavy fabric, so I skipped this step.)

Step two-

a. With right sides together, fold fabric in
half the long way, as shown right.

b. Mark 2 dots, each 1” from either side of

center of the fabric as indicated.

c. Using a 3/8” seam allowance,

stitch the raw edges together,
leaving a 2” opening between the dots.
d. Do this for both pieces.

Step three – Clip corners (as shown top right of photo,) turn the fabrics right sides out and press, pressing the seam allowance under in the open area.

Step four-With openings facing one another, pin the following items in place as shown below:
a. 4” of female (the softer side) Velcro at one end of each piece.
b. 3” of male Velcro on the opposite end and flip side of each piece.
c. Strap ends inserted in the openings (not twisted.)

Step five – Stitch everything in place and stitch openings closed. I used contrasting thread so you can see some different ways to do it.

To Use – Just wrap the fabric around the ends of the rolled up mat, secure with Velcro, and carry.

©2011 StudioCherie

Feel free to stitch and sell, just mention this StudioCherie tutorial