We love Matching Games. I have to admit that Bethany is a little too good at these games these days, and Mummy definitely doesn't have to let her win anymore...she just does it on her own. I blame baby brain ... I wonder how long I can continue to use that excuse?
I first saw this idea of a fabric matching game on a stall at the craft market ,"Wheel 'n Weft", that's run a couple of times a year in Thornleigh, Sydney. They were completed by some very talented twin sister crafters known as The Twin Thing. I loved the idea, and thought it would make a great project to use up some scrap fabrics. It's also really cute!! The game by The Twin Thing had small circles of fabric appliqued onto plain colour backgrounds, and a little matching draw-string bag to hold all of the pieces.
Now, I'm very new to applique, and the thought of sewing carefully around 20 little circles kinda freaked me out, but I did like the idea of having some applique practice. So I decided I'd do squares instead. I searched the net for some more inspiration, and looked at a few blogs and tutorials I found online like this and this, but in the end this is what I came up with ...
UPDATE - If you'd like a set of these, but don't have the time to make them, I've now added a couple of sets to my Etsy shop for sale. Head over and take a look!! Otherwise feel free to use my tutorial below to make your own!
I used:
- 10 different scraps of quilting fabric
- Fat quarter of white background fabric
- Fat quarter of backing fabric (I used pink gingham ... you can never have too much gingham!!)
- 1 Button
- White thread
- Sewing Machine
- Iron
- Time Taken: About 3-4 hours - cutting all the pieces is a little time-consuming, but kinda therapeutic!
Tip: I used a rotary cutter, quilter's ruler and mat to cut all the pieces.
Cutting:
- Cut 20 squares (3.5 inches x 3.5 inches) from the white background fabric
- Cut 20 squares (3.5 inches x 3.5 inches) from the backing fabric (pink gingham)
- Cut 2 squares (2 inches by 2 inches) from each of the fabric scraps (ie 20 squares in total)
Sewing:
- Pin the small squares onto the middle of the white background fabric, then using a small zig-zag stitch sew around each, trying to sew right at the edge of the square to make it look nice and neat. I lower the needle, then lift the machine foot to pivot at each corner, so that you have to stop less times, and have less threads to trim off.
- Place the white background squares and backing fabric squares right side together, and sew around the edges using a 1/4 inch seam. Leave a small opening (about an inch) in the side of each square for turning through.
- Turn the squares through the right way (using the little hole you left in the seam).
- Iron each square, being careful to fold in a 1/4 inch seam at each of the openings left from turning them through.
- Topstitch around the edge (about 2-3mm from the edge) all around the squares. This just makes them sit better.
Ta-da ... you have a matching game. Mine is definitely not perfect, but I think that's part of the charm! Now of course, any cute matching game needs a matching bag!! Mine is kinda like an envelope.
- Cut 2 rectangles (6.5 inches by 14 inches) from a matching fabric (what was it I said about never having enough gingham?!?)
- Cut diagonal lines at one end of both rectangles to make a point (this is easiest if you lay both pieces on top of each other and cut both together)
- Put the two pieces right side together and sew using a 1/4 inch seam around 3 sides, leaving the bottom (straight) edge open for turning.
- Turn through to bring the right sides out.
- Iron the whole thing flat, then turn under and iron a 1/4 inch seam across the bottom that you left open for turning.
- Top-stitch along the bottom.
- Fold the bottom up to about 3 inches from the top point, then pin the sides to hold it together.
- Start at the bottom on one side and top stitch 1/4 inch in from the edge. Go up the side, across the top via the point, and down the other side. This holds it all together in an envelope shape.
- Use the machine button-hole function and foot to make a button hole just below the point (make sure you measure it against your button to make sure it fits .... I'm speaking from experience there!!)
- Sew the button on the front.
- Do up the button, then topstitch along the top edge, about 2mm in from the edge to help it sit better.
I think it's gorgeous, and I reckon it's a fabulous gift idea for a kiddy friend! Mine is very girly looking with all that pink gingham, but I'm sure you could make an amazing boy version!
Let me know if you have a go at making it...I'd love to see your pics!!
