Blogs - Page 2 of 2 - Marent Crafts Haberdashery

Posted on March 29, 2021April 13, 2021 by bonnix — Leave a comment

How to Make a Child’s Quilt in 15 easy steps

If you are new to quilting, then you’ll want to tackle a small project for your first one. What better than making a child’s quilt for a toddler bed? You can create a design using pre-cut squares of fabric, especially for quilting or you could even use old clothes or fabric found in a charity shop to keep the costs down.

Materials you will need:

Your chosen fabric – this design uses fat quarters

Backing fabric

Bias binding

Wadding

Equipment you will need

Sewing machine

Scissors or rotary cutter

Patchwork Quilt Ruler

Coordinating Moon Coats thread

Cutting mat/board

Quilting Pins

How to make the child’s quilt

Lay out the fabric squares in your desired pattern
Cut out some simple shapes from any spare fabric to applique to the quilt
Sew the shapes onto the fabric squares
Sew the squares together in rows on the right side, using a ½ inch seam allowance
Press the seams flat
Sew the rows of squares together on the right side, again using a ½ inch seam allowance
Press all the seams flat again
Lay out the backing fabric and the wadding on a flat surface
Lay the quilt squares on top of the backing and wadding
Pin all three layers together
Sew the layers together including stitching along the seams where the squares are joined to create the quilted look
Cut the bias binding long enough to go around all sides of the quilt
Unfold the bias binding and pin it to the back of the quilt
Sew the binding onto the back of the quilt as close to edge as possible
Fold the bias binding over the edge of the quilt and sew to the front, tucking the raw edge under to create the perfect finished product.

Safety

Ensure that you use only fire retardant wadding which comes in a range of weights from 2oz to 14oz. For a child’s quilt, use lightweight wadding at 2oz to create a low tog rating. It is not recommended by the Lullaby Trust to use quilts for children under the age of one.

20 other things you can do with wadding

Fabric coasters
Christmas tree decorations
Quilted hearts for a loved one
A Quilted purse
Quilted makeup bag
Padded photo album cover
Pin cushion
Stuffed toys
Wrapping up delicate items to post
Padded camera case
Padded spectacles case
Quilted mobile phone case
Padded keyring
Small padded bags for storing jewellery
Padded rice bag for easing aches and pains
Padded table protector for hot pots/teapot etc
A Padded table runner
Make a Padded tablet cover
Quilted cushion cover
Quilted pillowcase

Get in contact for information about which wadding/batting to use for your project. As ever, if you have any pictures of your projects that have used wadding, we would love to see them.

Posted on March 17, 2021April 14, 2021 by bonnix — Leave a comment

How to use Elastic For Sewing Projects – Which One Should I Use?

There are a few different common types of elastic for sewing projects, but do you know which one you should use when? If you are a beginner sewer, the range of products in a haberdashery can be quite overwhelming. It’s hard to know where to start.

So, in this blog, we’ll look at the 3 most common types of elastic for sewing use and give you some handy hints on when to use each one.

First, there is Flat Elastic or Flat Elastic Cord, which is also known as braided elastic. Flat or braided elastic has parallel ridges that run along the length of the elastic. The ridges provide extra grip. But one downside is that flat elastic has a tendency to become narrower as it is stretched.

Flat Elastic

You should also be aware that braided elastic also tends to roll more easily than woven or knitted elastics. If you sew through braided elastic, it can also lose its stretchiness. For these reasons braided elastic works best in sewing projects where the elastic is contained within a casing or hem rather than being sewn directly onto the fabric. Be careful of using braided elastic in waistbands though because of its tendency to roll up. It can work well on smaller areas such as cuffs where the rolling is less of an issue. You can purchase braided elastic in a variety of colours, although white or black elastic are most popular and naturally, it is available in a range of widths to suit your project. At Marent, we offer white and black flat elastic cord in 3 different widths.

Woven Elastic

If you are sewing a waistband for skirts or trousers, a woven elastic, also referred to as non-roll elastic is your best choice, especially if you are using heavy weight fabrics. This elastic does not lose width when stretched and is generally firmer, giving more structure to your garment. It can be sewn directly onto fabric or used in casings.

Woven elastic, like braided elastic, may fray if you cut it lengthwise, so it’s always best to buy the correct width of elastic for your sewing project. Our woven elastic is available in white and black and 6 widths between 19mm (3/4 in) to 75mm (3 in).

Knitted Elastic

Knitted elastic is a lighter, softer elastic than braided or woven elastic. It rolls more than woven elastic but less than braided and therefore does not work so well on heavy weight fabrics. Like woven elastic, the knitted version does not lose its width when stretched. It works well for lingerie and pyjama sewing projects.

There are some other different types of elastic for sewing which you could use for different types of projects such as buttonhole elastic for adjustable waistbands, lace elastic for lingerie, round clear elastic for swimwear and stockings and you can even get plush backed elastic which is softer against the skin if you are making a garment for someone who has sensitive skin.

Whatever your project, whether large or small, a garment, a bag or perhaps a facemask, you can be certain that at Marent Crafts we will have an elastic to suit most needs.

We’d love to see example of projects you’ve made that use our elastic, so please do send us your pictures.

Checkout our video on Elastics for some more information:

Flat vs Woven Elastic

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Posted on January 10, 2021February 4, 2021 by bonnix — Leave a comment

How To Use Polyester Wadding – 5 Simple Christmas Projects

Polyester wadding is a product which might not be at the forefront of your mind when you think about sewing. We tend to focus on the beautiful fabrics, trims and buttons – the elements that are on display. However, without the polyester wadding, sometimes also known as batting, there are quite a few projects which could not be completed. Here are just 4 simple projects that use this unsung product.

Coaster or Placemats

You can protect your surfaces from marking from hot cups or dishes by making coasters or pot rests which contain a layer of heat resistant polyester wadding. Why not get some festive fabric and create a whole set of coasters as a Christmas gift? We found a simple DIY pattern to make 4 coasters using just a few materials or make a larger oblong to create padded table placemats to brighten up your festive table.

Padded Table Runner

Nothing sets a dinner table off better than a beautiful table runner – your Christmas Dinner table wouldn’t look the same without one. As you may be resting warm dishes on the runner, it’s a good idea to use a layer of wadding inside the runner. If you have a spare afternoon, you can create a bold and bright runner or something a little more subdued depending on your festive theme. Polyester wadding, as long as it is heat resistant would be a good option as it’s less expensive than cotton wadding.

Padded Christmas Tree Decorations

Wadding can also be used to create padded Christmas tree decorations using felt squares or fat quarters which come in a wide range of designs. This upcycling design uses old jeans material, festive fabric and batting to create a different look for your tree.

Children’s quilt for Christmas Eve

If a child in your life is reluctant to go to bed on Christmas Eve, perhaps this sweet little project will encourage them. How exciting to have a quilt that only goes on the bed once a year! We go into more detail on our other blog on how to make a child’s quilt – you can choose some Christmassy fabric or even have the child choose their favourite festive fabric.

Padded Christmas Stocking

No blog on Christmas sewing projects using wadding would be complete without a padded Christmas stocking to hang on the mantlepiece in anticipation of a visit from Santa. Check out this simple Christmas stocking pattern which you can complete in a morning. If you have time, why not make one for every member of the family?

Whatever your project, whether large or small, you can be certain that at Marent Crafts we will have wadding to suit most needs.
We’d love to see example of projects you’ve made that use our wadding, so please do send us your pictures. If you are into your Christmas sewing projects, why not also have a read of our other blog which gives you 14 more fun, yet straightforward suggestions.

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Posted on January 3, 2021January 19, 2021 by bonnix — Leave a comment

Learn more about 14 Christmas Sewing Projects Using A Sewing Machine

Check out our curated blog of some easy and not-so-easy Christmas sewing projects using a sewing machine. With all sewing projects we recommend that you use high quality thread which won’t snap, warp or degrade. There’s nothing worse than putting your heart and time into a project for it to quickly fall apart at the seams due to poor quality materials.

1. Cuffed Christmas Stockings

These cute Santa stockings make great mantlepiece decorations or are perfectly sized for classis small Christmas gifts such as satsumas or wrapped chocolates. The sewing is relatively straightforward and should take no more than an afternoon to complete.

https://www.positivelysplendid.com/christmas-stocking-pattern/

2. Advent Calendar Bunting

Gorgeous festive bunting can be re-used year after year – fill it with wrapped chocolates or small toys to make your kids happy in the run up to the big day.

https://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/downloads/articles/Advent_Calender_Bunting.pdf

3. Christmas Tree Ornaments

These super little tree ornaments are straightforward for beginners or you can embellish them if you are a more advanced sewer. Using only 3 items – Christmassy fabric, batting and some ribbon, these trees are quick, simple but utterly delightful.

Easy Fabric Christmas Tree Ornaments to Sew

4. Reusable Gift Bags

Why send more rubbish to landfill, when you can create reusable gift bags which are a gift in themselves. Anyone who is eco-minded would love to receive their Christmas gift in one of these pretty bags.

https://www.positivelysplendid.com/make-reusable-gift-bags/

5. Felt Elf Hat

Using a simple design, these felt elf hats make great festive party favours. They are also great for costume parties. These hats are very straightforward, taking around 20 minutes to make. A good project to share with your child.

Easy DIY Felt Elf Hat Pattern

6. Christmas cushion

An extremely easy project taking only around 15-20 minutes– making a cushion from two Christmas placemats and some wadding – what could be easier?

DIY 15 MINUTE PILLOW FROM PLACEMATS

7. Santa Tote Bag

This is a fun red bag that looks just like part of a Santa suit. Again, this is a relatively quick project and uses only 5 different materials. Don’t forget to use your coordinating threads on each area of the project to give it a professional finish.

Cute Bag to Make for Christmas-Santa’s Belt

8. Quilted Christmas Table Runner

This lovely quilted Christmas Table Runner is a little more complicated than some of the other Christmas sewing projects, uses more materials and will probably need a few hours of sewing time, but you’ll be impressed with the finished result. Marent crafts recommends our Fire Retardant Wadding for this project.

Merry & Cheer Quilted Christmas Table Runner Pattern

9. Santa Sack

This pattern is a very clear step-by-step guide to sewing your own Santa Sack for the big day. It uses appliqué to attach the star, but you could use the initial letters of your children’s names so there’s no question over whose sack is whose.

https://www.gathered.how/sewing-and-quilting/sewing/how-to-make-a-christmas-gift-sack/

10. Fabric ‘paper’ chains

Making Christmas paper chains used to be a common childhood activity. This fabric ‘paper’ chain project that would be good for showing your child how to use a sewing machine. A short chain for the mantlepiece or a long one that goes all the way around the house – you choose.

https://www.gathered.how/sewing-and-quilting/sewing/how-to-make-fabric-paper-chains

11. Fabric Cutlery Holder

Jazz up your Christmas lunch table with this lovely fabric cutlery holders. Using contrasting fabrics and interfacing these are straightforward and make your table look very elegant.

https://theseamanmom.com/diy-cutlery-holder/

12. Infinity Scarf

This scarf is very easy to sew but looks wonderful – anyone receiving one of these scarfs as a gift will be delighted. Don’t forget to use only the best quality fabric and thread.

Infinity Scarf Tutorial – plaid & lace!

13. Christmas Place Mat

Another easy Christmas sewing project which could be completed in an hour or two. This project also uses interfacing to give the place mat a bit of weight. You could use different fabrics on each side – one for Christmas, one for summer, perhaps?

Easy Placemat Sewing Tutorial

14. Christmas Tree Advent Calendar

This fun Christmas tree design comes with detachable velcro shapes so children can decorate it and redecorate it to their hearts’ content. It has 24 miniature pockets for the countdown to Christmas and is quick to sew so you’ve still got time to whip up your own version before December.

https://www.gathered.how/sewing-and-quilting/sewing/easy-sew-christmas-tree-advent-calendar/

For materials such as wadding, interlining, cord and thread our thread comes in a range of colours and we supply coats moon thread, overlocking thread., visit our shop and get started on your sewing projects today!

We’d love to see any pictures of your Christmas sewing projects, so why not visit our Facebook page and post one there for us.

Here is a review on our threads.

Posted on January 2, 2021January 19, 2021 by bonnix — Leave a comment

What are 5 Simple Stitches For Perfect Sewing Right Now [Using Coats Moon Thread]?

When learning how to sew, it’s important to get high quality sewing thread which won’t snap too easily. Coats Moon 120 Spun Polyester Sewing thread has a reputation for running smoothly in sewing machines, being of good durability and strength at a reasonable price. It is also great for hand-sewn projects and does not easily become tangled.

Coats Moon thread is available in 48 different colours from Marent Crafts. Enabling you to find the perfect matching or contrasting thread for your project. You can buy individual spools or if you are a more prolific sewer, you’ll love our Coats Moon Thread colours box because this box contains 24 spools of thread in different colours – choose from light or bright (standard).

Before you embark on any sewing, it’s a great idea to have a practise of the most commonly used basic hand stitches. There are 5 simple hand-sewn stitches for the beginner sewer to master. Let’s take a look at them:

Running stitch

Running stitch is the simplest sewing stitch because it’s created by moving the needle in and out of the fabric at regular intervals. This is done so that each top stitch is the same length. Running stitch is often used to sew basic seams or hems and it is also used in quilting to hold the wadding in place.

Back Stitch

The purpose of back stitch is to create a strong bond between two layers of fabric and is achieved by doubling back with the needle to ensure no gap between the stitches. Great for hems and repairs an it is popular in embroidery projects to for outlining shapes and creating letters.

Basting Stitch

A long form of running stitch, this technique is used to temporarily hold two pieces of fabric together. Often done in a contrasting colour to the fabric, so that it is easy to spot when it comes to removing the stitches.

Whip Stitch

Whip stitch is used to join two pieces of fabric together and consists of bringing the needle up through both pieces of fabric from the bottom to the top with the thread wrapping around the edge of the fabric. It is commonly used for hemming.

Ladder Stitch (or slip stitch)

This stitch is used to join folded two edges together where the seam needs to be hidden. It is often used to sew stuffed toys, cushions, pillows or lined hems. The knot is hidden in the seam allowance and make a stitch on one side of the fabric, and then go across the seam and make a stitch on the other side of the fabric parallel to the edge. Keep moving across from one side to the other and the stitches will look like a ladder. Pull the thread tight to hide the stitches inside the seam.

Sewing machine threads

If you are progressing onto sewing machine projects, you may have a much larger range of stitches available to you. Depending on what your sewing machine offers. It is vital to ensure you use a high-quality sewing thread so the inferior thread can break easily. Because it can cause frustration and damage to your project or even your machine. Coats Moon thread will work just as well for your sewing machine projects as your hand-sewn ones. The thread comes in 1000 yard spools which is enough to make a queen size quilt.

Overlocking thread

We should not finish this basic sewing blog without a quick mention of overlocking. Overlocking sewing machines require a different type of sewing thread. Overlockers create a neat tidy edge which helps prevent the fabric from fraying. Overlocking thread tends to be rougher in feel and weaker than regular sewing thread. It may jam up your sewing machine, so we don’t recommend you use overlocking thread in a regular sewing machine. Available in 38 colours, you can get your overlocking thread from Marents Crafts in boxes of 10 cones or 100 cones, or of course, individually.

Get in touch and tell us what you are making

We’d love to hear about your latest projects, so please send us a picture of you using your Coats Moon Thread and we’ll give one lucky customer a £10 voucher for the best project. Send us your picture on Facebook Messenger and follow us on Facebook for all our best offers.

Posted on January 1, 2021February 10, 2021 by bonnix — Leave a comment

New Partnership – Bosal & Marent Crafts

Announcement! We’ve partnered up with Bosal to become their new distributor across the UK and European markets.

Sharron Belcher, Bosal sales manager UK recently spoke about the partnership, their bestselling foam interlinings and the ups and downs of the COVID19 pandemic.

Tell us a little bit about the history
behind the company. Who started it
and when?

Located in Limerick, Maine, Bosal has been distributing American-made products for more than 60 years. Bosal Foam and Fibre offers the highest quality interfacings, stabilisers, foams and fibres to its customers. A family-owned business, Bosal strives to meet the needs of the consumer and stay up to date with the newest designs and exciting new projects.

Bosal Foam and Fibre sells all the products directly to distributors, allowing the opportunity to find the product that works best for you. Bosal products are available at numerous retail stores and online sites throughout the US, Canada, Australia, Costa Rico, Spain, Portugal, Germany, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Panama, the United Kingdom and places in between.

How has the company evolved?

Bosal Foam and Fibre came about from the Owner Robert Harrisburg who wanted to find a hyper allergenic foam for a mattress for his wife Sarah Lee. Initially dealing in foams Bosal expanded into the polyester and fibres. Bosal then expanded the polyester and fibre products by bringing into the business Rolando Berdion a specialist in foams, fibres, and interfacings. Rolando developed a range of retail products for the sewing and the craft market.

The company has evolved now into not only providing the best highest quality American Quilting Battings, interfacings and bag making foams and stabilisers, to providing handy pre-cut packs of all shapes and designs. Bosal work closely with a host of popular crafting designers and design bespoke packs to go along with the designer’s patterns. Two years ago, Bosal Foam and Fibre enlisted Sharron Belcher working in the UK to grow the business in the UK and Europe. Sharron has a wealth of experience in interfacings and the craft market in the UK. The company hopes to grow brand awareness and availability in the UK and Europe.

What do you specialise in and what’s your bestselling product?

Bosal Foam and Fibre specialises in quilting, dressmaking and crafting battings, interfacings, and stabilisers. Bosal’s bestselling lines are In-R-Form® a foam interlining used for bag making, table runners, storage, and quilting. In the quilting world Bosal’s 100 per cent Organic, Cotton Pre-Shrunk is a go-to product for quilters, as it offers beautiful handle, no pre-washing and sustainability. Bosal’s bestselling interfacing I Fashion

Fuse which is a 100 per cent Woven Fusible Cotton Interfacing. Which can be used for dressmaking, patchwork, bag making, face coverings and memory quilting.

What sets you apart from your competitors?

Bosal Foam and Fibre can collaborate quickly and creatively with designers to make new products. Bosal can adapt the current product range to support new ideas in the crafting market. The company also have many different products to what UK competitors offer making it exciting for the UK consumer.

How would you advise a retailer who is interested in stocking
your products?

Retailers can find products in the UK through our UK distributors. We’re pleased to announce our new distributor Marent Crafts. Who will have a wider variety of Bosal products in stock from December. Bosal Foam and Fibre in the UK can support any retailer with product knowledge, education, images, sourcing, social media content, sampling, and brand awareness. Bosal also helps support retailers at consumer craft shows.

What can we expect from you in the future?

Since March 2020, none of the trade shows or consumer shows have been able to go ahead. However, Bosal during this challenging time has continued to ship globally. Going forward watch out for our collaborations with Beyond Knit and Stitch and Facebook Live demonstrations.

Bosal is also extremely excited to be working with Marent Crafts as a new wholesaler and we look forward to having many more of the amazing projects and fabrics available in the UK.

For all the latest announcements keep up to date on our social media.

Check out some of our other blogs for top tips and things to know here.

See below for one of our reviews.