Circular Rotary Cutter | NSM

Today’s special guest has opened my eyes to a tool that I did not even know I needed!! That’s right, this circular rotary cutter puts a whole new spin on my rotary wheel!

Circular Rotary Cutter- Who knew they made one?

 

 

Hey Sewing Loft fans!

I’m Tara from Taradara Made It where I blog about DIY, sewing, painting, home renovations, being a boymom, and life … oh, and going to the major Award shows as well! {picture Golden Globes and Emmys … no joke sweet friends!}

I’m going to share a fun and quick Pillow Case Tutorial using my favorite tool, the Circular Rotary Cutting tool. This puppy is so handy to have if you cut a lot of circles!! It cuts perfect circles and can handle multiple layers easily! No more sitting there with your scissors trying to cut the perfect circle shape!!

We’re going to make a creative applique of colorful flowers and will utilize the free motion stitch on the sewing machine!!

Ready?

You’ll need:

Circular Rotary Cutting Tool

Rotary Cutting Tool

Long ruler

Various fabric scraps for circles and leaves

Sewing machine

Free Motion machine foot

Colorful thread (or white)

Fabric rectangles for main pillow case (38″ wide X 28″ long)

Fabric rectangles for ends {different color} (8″ wide X 19″ long)

Buttons (optional)

Start:

Cut main pillow case fabric. Fold the fabric in half (long ways). Measure and cut using your rotary cutter and long ruler to ensure a straight cut. So, your measurement would be 19″ X 28″ (as the fabric is folded in half remember)

It takes me a bit to decide color combos, I’m sure I’m not alone. So, I like to ‘audition’ fabric to see how they look. To do this, I fold the fabric about the width I’ll be using and set it along the other fabric. I auditioned about 5 or 9 fabrics before I decided on this beauty combo…

Once you’ve chosen you fabric, cut the smaller pillow case fabric for ends.

Cut the end fabric 8″ X 28″.

Fold the end fabric in half long ways with WRONG sides together and press.

This will give you the measurement of 4″ X 28″.

Open the large fabric. Put right sides of each fabric together, pin, and sew the end on. You can use a straight stitch and use a zig zag to finish the edges if you wish (or serge it if you have a serger).

Press to give you a nice flat seam

Tip: Press a crease where the fold will be to help you know where center is while you’re placing your flowers.

Moving on to the embellishing …

{Open your case so you don’t pin the circles and leaves to BOTH the front and back of the case.}

Cut various sizes and colors of circles using the circular rotary cutter. BE CAREFUL! This little tool can cut you and poke you! So please use caution while using it.

Use the regular rotary cutting tool to cut random sizes of leaves. Up to you how many you want and the sizes you’d like.

Lay a large circle down first and proceed to layer with smaller and smaller circles to make a flower. Make it YOURS!!! It doesn’t have to be perfect. Place the circles randomly to make an imperfect flower (if you wish). Pin them.

Take your leaves and place them slightly under the edge of the largest circle and pin it.

Use your free motion foot and be sure to drop the feed dogs! I made circles going around and around for the flowers. For the leaves, I got playful and creative and made squiggly stitches, swirlies, and viney appearing lines.

I used buttons for the center of the flowers, however, you can totally use another small circle.

Stitch the button on.

Fold in half long ways again. Pin and sew the 2 raw edges together. Press.

This will give you a pillow case!!!

And here is the finished product…

You’ll notice that I have not mentioned any “Wunder Under” or any adhesive. You are completely welcomed to use these to make it easier to stitch to the pillow case. I did not use them as I want the edges of the flowers and leaves to fray and become a bit raggy after I wash them. I felt it would add to the interest for my pillow case.

I can’t wait to use it tonight!!! It will certainly be MY pillow … (my house is full of boys!)

Thanks, Heather, for having me share in The Sewing Loft’s National Sewing Series!!

***Please don’t be a stranger over at taradaramadeit.com as I’d love to get to know you as well …

psstt …. I’m off to the Emmy’s and will be posting video and pictures while I’m there!

I’d love to connect with you on Pinterest, Facebook, or on Twitter … oh, and don’t forget Instagram!

Isn’t great how Tara infuses crazy fun into her projects!! Did you catch that she will have some Emmy news? I can wait to see a few pictures!

I sure hope you are enjoying learning about different tools and fun projects during National Sewing Month.  Be sure to stop by and visit some of these amazing guests.  They would love for you to say hello!!

Michelle from Sew Michelle sharing one of her favorite tools and super cute project!