With a Tutorials Page just filled with gorgeous projects, you can find yourself getting lost in them all.
My favorite projects of hers are by far and away her children’s clothing. They always have the most fantastic little details, which set them apart in a way that not many can compare to.
Whether its piping, ruffles, scallops, collars, pleats, or more – she manages to incorporate them all into her beautiful looks.
It gets better though, because recently she opened her own Cottage Mama Pattern line. Her Janey Jumper and Shortcake Romper are absolutely fantastic!!!
Needless to say, I was super excited when Lindsay signed on to the Series! I cannot wait to see what her ReSewLution could be…shall we?
1) Use up my excessive amount of fabric scraps
3) Dabble in the world of quilting
To start off 2012, I thought I would start at the top of the list and use some of the fabric scraps that have been invading my sewing studio. Since I typically design and sew children’s clothing, the amount of fabric scraps is out of this world. Big pieces, little pieces……you name it, I’ve got it…….it’s getting a bit ridiculous!
My girls are beginning to become interested in playing games. With them being 2.5 and almost 4 years old, there aren’t a lot of games they can play together, but we’ve found that they really enjoy matching games.
I was inspired by the ‘I Spy’ quilts that many people seem to enjoy making and came up with a game version ~ the ‘I Spy’ Fabric Matching Game. This is a great way to use up the many different fabric scraps you have lying around. If you have little ones, they will truly enjoy playing this game. It is stimulating, fun, and pretty much indestructible (which you know is important if you live in the world of toddlers). There are two different ways to play so it’s great for 2 year olds on up.
‘I Spy’ Fabric Matching Game
~Tutorial~
- 20 4.5″ squares of fabric (2 squares of 10 different prints)
- 20 4.5″ squares of fabric (all the same print)
- 20 4.5″ squares of batting
- Basic sewing supplies
Take one piece of your printed fabric, one piece of the fabric backing and one piece of batting. You will be making a total of 20 squares, 10 of each different print. All of the backs will be the same.
Layer your three pieces. Place the back fabric and printed fabric with the right sides together and layer the piece of batting on top of the back of the printed fabric.
Stitch all the way around the square with a 1/2″ seam allowance, but leave a 1.5″ opening on the side.
Clip the four corners of the square. This will allow you to turn the corners out nicely.
Turn the square right side out by pulling the fabric through the opening that was left on the side of the square.
Grab your point-turner to push the corners out. If you don’t have a point turner, you could use any pointy edge tool (i.e. a chopstick, ect). Point-turners are really inexpensive, so it’s a great tool to have in your sewing basket.
Insert the point-turner and push each corner out by using the pointy end.
Sometimes it takes a little work to get the corners pushed out, but just take your time.
Once your corners are turned out nicely, press each square.
Press the opening on the side under so it is in line with the rest of the square.
Top-stitch around the edge of the square using a 1/4″ seam allowance. The top-stitching will catch the opening and sew it closed. Press both sides to set your stitches.
Continue top-stitching all the squares until you have 10 sets of 2 for a total of 20 squares.
So here’s how to play……….
Option 1: Advanced Matching (age 4 and up)
Turn all of the 20 squares over so that the back sides are up. Place them in four rows of five. Make sure the squares are all mixed up.
Each player takes a turn turning over two squares. When they turn over two squares that match they get to keep them. This method requires the child to remember where they have seen a specific pattern to find the match. The person who collects the most matches wins!
Option 2: Beginner Toddler Matching (Ages 2-4)
Lay out all of the squares with the printed sides up. Have each player take a turn picking out one print and simply finding the other one that matches. Continue taking turns until all the matches have been made. In this version everybody wins!
I think the ‘I Spy’ Fabric Matching Game is the perfect gift idea for any child. You can make the game themed if you are not using fabric scraps – make it geared towards a boy or girl or keep it gender neutral. You could also theme it towards the child’s interest – nature, animals, bugs, flowers, sesame street, ect…
1) ‘Love a Tree’ Organic Cotton – Timeless Treasures
3) Joann’s super-clearance fabric purchased a year ago
5) ‘Sweet on NYC’ by Sugar Pixie – Timeless Treasures
7) ‘Children at Play’ by Sarah Jane Studios – Michael Miller
9) Pink Cupcakes by Robert Kaufman
Jessica, thank you so much for inviting me to share in your wonderful ‘Re*sew*lutions’ series. What a great idea! I’ve had a fun time and I think I’m off to a great start for 2012!
That is the cutest game ever Lindsay, and of course you made it absolutely perfect. Loving the fabrics you used. So cute! And those are some great ReSewLutions as well, I cant wait to see how they emerge on your blog throughout the year.
Thank you again so much for being here!
You can find Lindsay’s Cottage Home here:
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Thanks so much for stopping by, and until next time…Happy Sewing!
Very cute and simple project the kids are sure to love! And eat up some of that overflowing scrap bin! Thanks for sharing!
what a great idea!
Absolutely lovely, Lindsay.
Great idea to use up scraps. Love it.
I can’t wait to do this – what a great idea!
I have been saving up scraps for this very thing! Love the way you did it. Great fabrics too!
Thanks everyone ~ I had a fun time picking out the different fabrics for this little game. I think my favorite one is the little taxi cabs ~ so cute!!
Thanks again, Jessica, for inviting me to be part of this wonderful series.
Lindsay
Ohhhh…I love this!!!! I’m also dying over that tape measure ribbon! Where did you get that? You always have the best trims and doo dads! Love it!
I have so many i spy squares already cut and I have the same resolution to get through them. This idea is grand!
My mother-in-law has been collecting a big glass jar of ‘treasures’ for me this past year and gave me the whole jar for a Christmas present. It included all sorts of different trims, buttons, rick rack, ect……that ribbon was in there with everything else. I love it too!
LOVE THIS—I’m totally making some. What an awesome idea!
liZ
Great idea, when the children are too old to play we could use them as coasters!
This is so much cuter than playing with cards! Thanks for the really fun, well-written tutorial!
Letty at http://www.happydancequilting.wordpress.com
what a great idea!!!!! Guess that is why I didn’t come up with it, ha ha!!! I’m making my daughter a busy book for big girls and I think this would be perfect for a game to go with it and I think I might use the extra fabric that I used to make her dresses as the matching pieces!!!!! Perfect!!!!