Month: January 2025

Rescuing Batting Scraps

Sometimes my inspiration for new projects is triggered when I clean up from a previous one! When I finished making multiple sizes of the hot pad cozies in my last post, I had a pile of batting scraps left over. Usually, I stuff them into a clear tote I have on the shelf. These scraps are handy when I need just a small piece of batting for a small project. However, I was still thinking about the hot pad cozies and I knew I’d need 10″ to 12″ squares of batting to make more.

Luckily, that same day I was brainstorming with Toni…my friend with Nittany Greyhounds…about items that could be sold at the next conference. Why not hot pad cozies with greyhound fabric! This special-order fabric is adorable, with prints of greyhounds…but it is VERY expensive. I wondered if I had any scraps left from various projects to try my experiment. I found a pile in my stash I could play with!

Making the Batting Squares

I was determined to try these hot pad cozies without buying anything new. That meant I needed to start with my pile of batting scraps. I started by laying out the pieces and pulling together those that could be stitched together to make 10″ squares.

All my batting pieces are natural cotton and they are all similar weight. They seem to be more “natural” on one side and whiter on the other.

First, I trim the edges that I’ll sew together so they’ll lay flat.

Next, using a zigzag seam, I sew the two sides together. If that doesn’t make 10″ I’ll add another strip to the width. If the total square doesn’t make the 10″ I’ll add another strip along the bottom.

When I’ve pieced a large enough square, I put the pattern on and cut out the 10″ square.

Here are two finished blocks of batting:

Making the Hot Pad Cozies

You can read the details about how to make these cozies at my previous post:

https://marykisner.com/making-three-sizes-of-hot-pad-cozies/

With enough batting squares made, I started cutting 10″ squares of greyhound fabric. I found scraps of coordinating fabric to make the reverse sides.

I started with one of each print, just to see which print worked best. The first one was a very large print of a greyhound. I barely had enough fabric to make just one square. I think the large print doesn’t work…too many extraneous body parts on the edges!

The second cozy I made used a border repeat pattern:

The pattern was wider than the print so it didn’t make good use of the fabric. I did not want to cut off too many heads.

The third cozy I made used an all-over pattern of small greyhounds. I had enough fabric to use the same fabric for the lining; otherwise I’ll use white.

I think if we choose the greyhound fabric wisely, with a small overall print, we could make the best use of the expensive fabric.

For all the sewers out there…save your batting scraps! You never know when you’ll need them! Enjoy!

Making Three Sizes of Hot Pad Cozies

This week I’ve been working on a request from a friend…based on the hot pad cozies I had given her several years ago. She needed a wedding gift for her soon-to-be-married granddaughter. I wrote about these hot pads right at the beginning of my blogging adventure (https://marykisner.com/make-a-bowl-cozy-for-soup-or-ice-cream/)

For this project, I needed to make three sizes of cozies. I’ll start with a picture of my finished products:

These shaped potholders can be used in the microwave (not the oven) and are great when I want to reheat a bowl of soup or hold a serving bowl of vegetables so it can be passed around the table. The tallest one holds a cold drink with ice or a pint of ice cream!

What a thoughtful gift for a young person setting up a new kitchen!

The difference between the three sizes of cozies involves the size of the squares you start with and size of the darts that make the bowl shapes.

Supplies

To make these shaped hot pads, here are a few things you’ll need to have:

  1. A ruler, fine point marker and basic sewing supplies.

2. Fabric, batting and thread must be all cotton. Check labels for any sign of polyester, nylon or synthetic components…they will melt in the microwave. I look for all cotton quilting fabric, all cotton batting (sometimes labeled as “natural”) and all cotton thread. I’ve ordered thread online like this:

Of course, the cone-shaped spools have to sit behind my sewing machine but they are heavy enough to stay put.

All three sizes of hot pad cozies are made the same way. The LARGE hot pad, made for a serving bowl, begins with two 12″ squares of fabric and two 12″ squares of batting. The MEDIUM and TALL sizes begin with two 10″ squares of fabric and batting.

Instructions for Making the Hot Pad Cozies

  1. Cut two squares of fabric in coordinating colors (the cozies are reversible):

2. Place a square of batting on the wrong side of each fabric square:

3. Working on the batting side, use a ruler to draw a stitching line from corner to corner. Stitch on the lines.

4. Next, measure the midpoint of each side and draw lines through the center. These are your FOLD lines.

MEDIUM Size shown below (10″ square)

LARGE Size (12″ square) shown below:

TALL Size (10″ square) shown below:

The size of the darts depends on the size hot pad you are making. Here’s a table to determine those measurements. Draw the stitching lines right on the batting.

The rest of these illustrations are for the TALL hot pad cozy.

5. Fold the square in half along the FOLD line. Stitch the corner darts (see the picture above):

6. Open the square and fold the other way. Stitch on those corner dart lines:

Trim the darts to 1/4″ to decrease bulk.

7. When you open the squares, they will sit like a bowl.

8. Repeat with the other 10″ square. This will make the lining piece.

9. Nest the two finished “bowls” right sides together. Pin the two halves together lining up the darts.

10. Sew around the edges with a 1/4″ seam, turning your needle at the corners and the darts. Leave about 3″ open for turning right side out. Trim the corners.

11. Turn right side out through the opening. Poke out the corners with a stick or chopstick.

12. Top stitch all around the top edge of the cozy.

And, FINISHED! I ended up making 3 of each size, so the newlyweds will have plenty to get started!!

Enjoy!

Still Finding Joy in Making Bracelets

It’s now been more than a year that I’ve been working with gemstone beads. While this hobby started with the “friendship bracelet” fad over a year ago…with words, letters and interesting shaped beads…I was quickly fascinated with actual gemstone beads. Learning about the gemstones and how they were used in history for jewelry, official ceremonies and technology encouraged my interest in them. When I started, I wasn’t clear if others would also be interested in what I was learning. Most folks enjoyed how pretty the bracelets were and were drawn to their favorite colors or their birthstones. You can read about how I got started in making these bracelets at https://marykisner.com/gemstone-bracelets-good-vibrations-for-the-whole-family/

Many of the bracelets I made for the Festival last summer had just one or two kinds of stones in them. I sold 60 bracelets over the three-day festival for $10 each. I will continue to make bracelets like those for the festival this year. I made bracelets in three sizes and discovered the Large (8″) bracelets did not sell as well. Most were bought by or for men. So, I’ll make more of the Small and Medium size and make the Large bracelets with larger beads to appeal to men.

Morse Code Bracelets

Another kind of bracelet I’ve enjoyed making are custom-made to have a person’s name spelled out in Morse Code, using round black beads for the dots and small black cylinder beads for the dashes. The extra beads to finish the bracelet were chosen for a specific purpose…birthstone, favorite color or a specific bead to support a health issue. These could be White Opal beads to reduce stress and worry; Citrine for good luck; or Amethyst for overall good health. Here are some examples:

I actually got pretty good at “reading” the Morse Code in the bracelets…maybe I should work toward my HAM radio license! You can read about making these bracelets at https://marykisner.com/making-morse-code-bracelets/

Bracelets to Support a Health Issue

A few months ago, I was asked to consider making a bracelet to support a friend’s health issue…headaches and migraines. I added a disclaimer that this bracelet was not a medical device! I am not a doctor (actually I am…just not a medical doctor…smile!). While some very sensitive folks can feel vibrations from the gemstones, that is not one of my talents. However, historically some gemstones have helped issues like headaches for some folks. Wearing a bracelet can be a reminder to rest, relax and think about releasing stress which is often the cause of a headache. Wearing the bracelet can’t hurt and the bracelet is pretty to look at. The stone beads are smooth and cool to the touch. Even putting the bracelet in your pocket and handling it now and then can remind you to release stress. Here’s the final bracelet:

I now have several bracelets with specific stones to support a variety of health issues. I’m not sure if I’ll sell these bracelets at the festival, but I can explain them individually to folks. Because they involved more time to make, they will cost more than $10. Here are two other samples:

Making bracelets for others continue to be a rewarding hobby for me. This focused activity helps me release MY stress! Look for me at the Art in the Orchard Festival in July and pick out a bracelet for yourself! If you have a request for a specific bracelet, send me an email and we can discuss it (maryjkisner@gmail.com). To read my post about the Festival last summer, check out this post: https://marykisner.com/follow-up-of-the-art-in-the-orchard/ Enjoy!

Adding Color to My Wardrobe

This new year is the END of my drab wardrobe! Famous last words! For a long time, I’ve managed to coast along, work from home and live in sweats and t-shirts! My goodness, I’m 78 years old! I can risk trying some new colors! I have lived in black and navy blue with an occasional purple for years. Why!

For a while, as my hair turned gray, it felt like the dark colors looked best. Then I discovered I managed to spill or drip something right on the front of most of my shirts. Sometimes my cooking projects enhanced any design on any shirt I had! That didn’t show as much on dark colors! Plus…I’m home most of the time, so who cares if I’m in t-shirts. I seldom spend much time staring at myself in the mirror!

My closet is pretty dark and boring with all my dark shirts!

I occasionally wear a red raincoat…but only when it’s raining! Most of the time I’m in black jackets.

Anticipating Christmas gatherings, I managed to buy a green sweater and a red one. I really fit into our Christmas pictures…instead of all black with a red scarf!

I needed a new mid-weight coat this year. Lands End was having a sale! Yea! I ended up with a navy coat (of course) that was great for those days when I was running around town. I wore this coat to Kathy’s house on Christmas Eve.

While we’re driving I noticed in the car mirror that the lining was a lovely cobalt blue.

Thinking to myself, “What a great color! Why don’t I have more of that in my closet?” So, while Bert was driving past Ebensburg I pulled up Amazon on my phone and in a few minutes I found a sweater, a scarf, a t-shirt and a plaid flannel shirt in this lovely color! Merry Christmas to me!

So that’s the story of adding color to my wardrobe! I’m going to do better from now on!