Cold and Flu Season?

by MaryCatherine McCoy

Cold and flu season? No problem. Here’s a quick and easy project you can make with embroidery test stitch-outs or personalize with a monogram or your favorite little embroidery design. So, whether you create just one special tissue holder to cheer up a sick friend or whip up a dozen for all your friends, you’ll ALL be feeling better soon.

Supplies:

Two coordinating fabrics

6” x 8” Fabric A (lining and “trim”)

6” x 7” Fabric B (outside)

Sewing thread for construction

Chalk marker

Optional: embroidery thread, stabilizer and point turner

Construction:

Step 1:

Cut Fabrics A and B according to measurements, as shown. With the chalk marker, draw a line on Fabric B to divide it in half (each half should be 3½” x 3”).

Optional:

Hoop Fabric B (outside fabric) with appropriate stabilizer and embroider. Remove project from hoop, and trim or tear away stabilizer.

Step 2:

With right sides of fabrics pinned together along the 6” side, sew with a ¼” seam allowance OR serge with a 3-thread-overlock, trimming the fabric very slightly. (Note: Corners of Fabric A and B are turned back in photo for illustration purposes only.) Be sure to remove pins before the sewing machine needle or serger stitches over them!

Step 3:

Press both seam allowances toward Fabric A.

Step 4:

Repeat stitching for other end. Press seam allowances and turn, as shown. (Note: In the photo, the raw fabric edges are shown slightly turned back, for illustration purposes only.)

Step 5:

Fold seamed edges toward center chalk line. Pin raw edges, as shown. (Note: In the photo, the edges are shown slightly turned back, for illustration purposes only.) Serge or sew edge using ¼” seam allowance.

Step 6:

Repeat stitching on other end, as shown.

Step 7

Turn Tissue Holder right-side-out, use point turner to ensure crisp corners. Press and insert pocket tissues.

Note: For a complete “Stay Healthy” kit, whip up a coordinating Gift Card Holder:

http://www.designsbysick.com/articles/personalized-gift-cards/

and insert your own prescription or over-the-counter medications, as shown.