By: Stacy Thompson
So if you are anything like me, you have absolutely no time and no inclination to visit a mall, store or shopping venue at this time of year — but you want more than anything to give a perfect gift or something useful to those you love. Well, I can’t promise the perfect gift, but I can give you a guide to making, yes, making, a personalized, comfy and cozy present for anyone on your list. I give you…the No Sew Throw.
There are many videos on YouTube that can help you on your quest (and I recommend searching them before you start) but here are some tips to get you started:
- Buy 2 yards each of patterned and solid fleece (or 1 1/2 if you want a smaller throw) from your local craft store (Michael’s, Joanne’s, Hobby Lobby, etc.).
- Pick out your patterned fleece first and buy the solid to match. I had a great time with this and took some really wild patterned fleece and toned it down with solids. You could also use two solids, but with different types of fleece — ultra-soft and heavier fleece may work well together.
- Trim the fleece and pin together, right sides out. Make sure the fabric matches up and pin together to keep it from bunching or overlapping.
- Cut out corners — Usually 3 x 3 or 4 x 4 squares on each corner. (See the photo.)
- Cut 1-inch-wide strips.
- Then, there are a few different ways to go with the ties.
- Knotted ties
- Cut 4 x 4 squares at each corner.
- Cut 4 inch long, 1-inch-wide strips.
- Tie the two fabrics together, twice – make sure the knots are secure
- Threaded tie
- Cut 3 x 3 squares at each corner.
- Cut 3-inch-long, 1-inch-wide strips.
- Cut 1/8 inch hole through both strips near the top of the strip, on each strip.
- Feed bottom strip through the hole in the upper strip.
- Feed bottom strip through the hole in the upper strip. (You can feed through one more time if you want to—it depends on how you want your throw to look.)
- Braided tie.
- Cut 3 x 3 squares at each corner.
- Cut 3-inch-long, 1-inch-wide strips.
- Cut 1/8 inch hole through both strips in the middle of the strip, on each strip.
- Starting in the middle of one side, feed the right side strips through the left side strips. Continue to feed the right side through the left side until completion.
- Knotted ties
Finish your throw with either knots or by sewing in buttons or other ties — and then, sit back and enjoy the smiles! Free to contact me (stacyt11@hotmail.com) if you need some help.
Happy Holidays everyone — and I look forward to seeing you all in 2017!!