with Rob Appell
When you tune in to Man Sewing, you see only me and my sewing machine. But if I were to flip the camera around, you would discover an entire team of creative geniuses working together to make Man Sewing a success.
Today I’m working on a quilt that was designed by my good friend Heidi. As a talented member of the Man Sewing family, she is always coming up with cool project ideas. Click HERE to learn how to make Heidi’s Hexis Quilt!
This month is Movember, and if you haven’t heard, it’s a month dedicated to raising awareness for men’s health issues, from physical to mental and all aspects in between. To help call attention to men’s health, men are encouraged to grow a moustache, and start a conversation with those around them.
Some men have the ability to grow facial hair easily, and others not so much. I have joined the no-shave November club this month (although due to filming obligations, I started my shaving vacation a week early), and I suggest you visit Movember.com to learn how you can help educate others about men’s health issues. Along with hanging up my razor for the time being, I teamed up with Missouri Star Quilt Co to create this moustache pillow!
Let me tell you how much I love this moustache pillow! It’s everything you are looking for in a facial follicle-themed creation, with cozy minky and a cuddle-friendly design that make it the addition to your bed or couch you never knew you needed!
Read on below to learn how to make this fan{tache}tic project for yourself or that special guy in your life. To help you get started on your super ‘Stache pillow, we’ve included a FREE moustache template that you can download HERE!
Supplies needed:
1 yard of minky or cuddle fabric (We really liked the Cuddle Embossed Rose 60” Minky by Shannon Cuddle)
4 bags of Poly Fil
Step 1: Gather supplies and print off and tape together the moustache printable
Step 2: Fold 1 yard of minky/cuddle fabric vertically (on the long so that it is approximately 60 by 18 inches and pin together, right sides together (with the fuzzy side facing in)
Step 3: Print off your moustache template. We printed off two templates so that we could cut out the complete moustache, but you can easily flip the template after you finish cutting one side if you would like.
Step 4: Pin the pattern to the fabric. We pinned our moustache about every 3 to 4 inches, and used a few more pins around the curves to keep everything in place.
Step 5: Cut out your ‘stache using a pair of fabric scissors.
Step 6: With the right sides still together, start sewing! We used a serger on ours, but you can use a standard sewing machine. We recommend you use a zig zag pattern for extra security.
Step 7: Sew around the entire moustache, but leave a 6-inch opening so you can stuff it. We used almost four entire bags of Poly-Fil so we have a nice, full ‘stache
Step 8: Hand sew the opening closed using a blindstitch, and you are ready to rock your moustache pillow!
Step 9: Have some fun! What good is a moustache pillow without a ‘stache selfie?! Be sure to share yours with me on the Man Sewing Facebook or Instagram using #mansewing #movember
I hope that this tutorial for your very own moustache pillow will help you create something that will serve as a reminder to take care of yourself, and to encourage the other men in your life to do the same!
Imagine, if you will, a quilting superhero. She has out-of-this-world sewing skills, creative talents that defy description, and the superhuman ability to simplify even the most intricate projects.
Folks, I’m here to tell you that such a person does exist, and she has a name befitting her talents. Ms. Violet Craft is in the studio today to share her knowledge of English Paper Piecing. Click HERE to watch the tutorial and pick up your “The Lion” kit. This is one project you won’t be able to put down!
I’m here to tell you, no matter who you are, you need a bag! Today I’m working on a lined Foldover Bag with a zippered pocket, a heavy-duty strap, and a super durable cork fabric bottom. This bag would look awesome on a man or woman, and construction is a blast. Click HERE to watch the tutorial!
(You may remember that I used cork fabric in my Streamline Wallet tutorial. Cork fabric is a high-quality product, so you pay a little more upfront, but it wears like leather so it’s an investment worth making! Plus, you can order one roll and get two awesome projects out of it!)
The half-square triangle is one of the simplest elements of quilting; I can crank out entire stacks in my sleep! But the really cool thing is how versatile they are. No doubt a thousand years from now, we’ll still be using half-square triangles to make new and innovative designs, (Of course we’ll probably be able to control sewing machines with our minds by then.)
Today I’m working on the Stars, Stripes, and Diamonds Quilt. This design is packed with action, but it’s as easy as laying out your half-square triangles in the right order. Click HERE to watch the tutorial!
I love making handmade gifts for my friends and family, but it can be a struggle to come up with something cool for the hard-to-buy-for crowd. But this year, I’ve got a pretty good solution!
My Flannel Infinity Scarf is stylish, practical, and totally customizable. Your fabric choice can make this project great for men, women, or even teens. It’s easy to make and super soft. Click HERE to watch the tutorial!
A Continuous Zipper Pouch is made out of one zipper – that’s all! No fabric. No lining or foundation. Nada. Just one long strip of interlocking teeth stitched into all sorts of cool shapes! This project can be customized to fit a variety of small objects: pencils, coins, makeup, you name it.
This is one project that will earn you some major cool points with the kids, and they’re a blast to make! Click HERE to watch the tutorial!
I’ve been lucky to travel all over the country to share my love of quilting. After so many trips, I’m pretty good at packing my gear quickly, but waiting for the iron to cool off can really slow me down!
That’s why I made this week’s tutorial, the Hot Iron Travel Cover! This little insulated cover slips right over the hot plate of your iron! Click HERE to watch the vid!
Rev up those sewing machines and get ready to stitch, cuz I’ve got two new FMQ motifs that are going to rock your holiday socks off!
Pumpkins and vines are perfect for all kinds of festive quilt projects. So crank up your favorite Halloween/ Thanksgiving/Christmas mix tape, and have a blast whipping up these cool little designs! Click HERE to watch the tutorial!
Half-square triangles are as basic as it gets, but that doesn’t mean they are boring. Those little easy-to-make blocks are so amazingly versatile, I’ll never stop building with ‘em.
Today’s project, Reflective Stars, is a modern mashup of simple and complex design elements. But because we’re using half-square triangles, construction is a cinch! Click HERE to watch the tutorial.