Take Two Fat Quarters: Gifts

INTRO 6
WHAT IS A FAT QUARTER? 7
MATERIALS 8
TOOLS 10
TECHNIQUES 14
- seaming 16
- patchworking 18
- quilting 21
- free-motion embroidery 24
- appliqué 25
- using twin needles 26
- decorative stitches 27
- adding trims 28
- adding piping & bias binding 30
- adding a zip 32

THE PROJECTS  34
Two-Tone Tote Bag  36
Cosmetic Pouch  40
Make-Up Kit Roll  44
Super Summer Shorts  48
Scissor Keep  52
Pin Cushion in a Cup  54
Sleep Easy Neck Cushion  56
Sleep Eye Mask  58
Tablet Case  62
Retro Purse  66
Flying Geese Lunch Bag  72
Tots Trapeze Dress  76
Christmas Crackers  80
Stitch-and-Flip Zipper Pencil Case  84
Two-Tone Teddy Bear  88
Vintage-Style Christmas Stocking  92

INDEX 96

About Wendy Gardiner

Wendy Gardiner is a writer, teacher and author. She has been editor of several leading sewing magazines and written 22 books including The Great British Sewing Bee: From Stitch to Style, Take Two Fat Quarters: Home, Take Two Fat Quarters: Gifts and most recently The Sewing Machine Manual. Wendy has made several YouTube videos for leading haberdashery and pattern companies. She runs regular residential Creative Sewing Weekends, teaches a weekly class and writes articles for various magazines and her own website. Wendy organizes the extensive workshop programmes for the Festival of Quilts and the Knitting & Stitching Shows. She has a strong reputation and fan base because of her enthusiastic and friendly approach to sharing her passion for dressmaking and machine sewing. Wendy lives in Hampshire, UK.

Visit her website: www.wendygardiner.co.uk

Sew Magazine

There's a wide variety of gifts and toys that can be created quickly with supplies that you're almost certain to have in your stash at home already. Wendy Gardiner's Take Two Fat Quarters: Gifts is chock-full of ideas for quick and easy treats that can be whipped up in no time using just a few fat quarter and remnants from your sewing box. we love the look of these cheery read and green festive crackers.

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Customer Review

Absolutely loved this book. From the moment I received it, I was engrossed. In fact I started my first project from the book on the first night.
Beautifully presented with full instructions for everything, along with patterns and amazing photographs that really inspire you. The book is suitable for beginners or experienced as everything is so clearly explained and set out. It covers tool and techniques as well as the projects so you just can't go wrong.

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Mindful Crafting

Who knew just two fat quarters could be used in so many ways?

For the birthday thats on the way, or a festive holiday that needs more sparkle, conquer that pile of odd fat quarters youve stashed away and make 16 fun gifts for your loved ones; from childrens clothes and toys, to bags and make-up pouches.

Start off with an easy-to-follow crash-course on the essential techniques youll need; from adding a zip and bias binding to creating patchwork. Then, jump straight into your stash and get stitching! Each project includes heaps of handy hints and tips from popular best-selling sewing expert, Wendy Gardiner.

Ideal for sewists of all abilities, this is the ultimate, affordable stash-busting project book that will get you making practical, colourful items too.

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Sew

Part of a fantastic series that uses leftover fat quarters to create fun, colourful projects, this book is a great way to make the most of your stash without the need to buy more fabric! The guide starts off with an easy-to-follow crash-course on the essential techniques you'll need - such as bias binding and creating patchwork - then jumps straight in with toys, bags, children's clothes and plenty more.

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Amazon

When I saw the projects on the front of the book, I actually thought there was no chance of me being able to create the gifts, they looked very technical. However, I tried. In fact, the book is very well planned out. The steps are easy to follow and you don't have to be an advanced crafter!

Despite being a great way to use leftover fabric, the gift looked like a great quality, store bought product. This book is amazing for those who love to give a bit extra as a gift while using up old fabric and therefore not putting them on the scrap pile!

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Amazon

Like many quilters I have an ample stash of fat quarters, and this book is ideal for starting to use some of the stash. The book contains 16 projects, which make ideal presents for a wide range of recipients. To start with, there is a page that describes what a fat quarter is. After this, there is double page spread about what materials you will need for the projects; this section explains how and why the materials are used, which is useful for all projects, not only the ones in this book.

There is a comprehensive list of the essential tools, including measuring, marking and cutting tools again, this is valid for most sewing projects. The next section in the book is Techniques. This section is accompanied by colour photos with instructions. One part covers seams including French seams, which sound tricky, but are actually very simple, and give a neat and professional finish to a project. There is advice on different ways to finish seams, and which way is more suited to different fabrics. The section then goes on to detail patchwork and quilting techniques, free motion embroidery, and appliqué. This is followed by adding trims, using twin needles and decorative stitches, as well as adding piping and bias binding and adding a zip. This section is one that I will be referring to regularly, and not only when making projects from this book.

The main section is the one dedicated to projects. The project title double spread shows the finished project, gives a list of what you will need, and instructions for the preparation for the project. There then follows step-by-step instructions for making up the project, including diagrams and photographs. Some projects include ideas for adding other elements to the finished project. Throughout the book there are tips included, giving suggestions for altering the project, or or guidance on resizing a project. These tips are useful for many sewing projects, not just the ones in this book.

What makes this book stand apart from many others, is the inclusion of two full sized pattern sheets in the back of the book. It is a great change from seeing patterns printed in the book itself, which sometimes requires enlarging the pattern. All in all this is a great resource and one that I will be making good use of again and again.

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Amazon

Lovely book to either give as a gift or keep for personal use. Easy to follow instructions and techniques with lovely colourful photographs to follow.

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Amazon

I loved this book. Great ideas and well written instructions and great pictures. It gave me inspiration and the belief that I could do it. It explains different techniques including putting in a zip and free motion embroidery. A great book for all.

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Amazon

I think this is a very good book, it's easy to follow instructions are great, it has 16 different projects to make, with 2 full size template sheets. Perfect for beginners and upwards, with step-by-step guides to all the patterns. Great for using up your fat quarters and small pieces of left over materials.

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Amazon

A beautiful looking book with a good range of gift ideas. I like the patterns in the file at the back, makes everything so much easier. The pictorial steps to making the projects are good and clear as was the start of the book with all the "how to" information. Can't wait to make the scissor keep on page 53.

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Amazon

The details are clear and very concise, pages are colourful and even give me great ideas of my own. Materials are easy to find in craft stores and inexpensive. I highly recommend it!

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Amazon

If like me you have more than few fat quarters then this book will be one for you.

The projects are cute, colourful and useful and as the title suggests, ideal for gifts.

From toys to children's clothes there is something for everyone.

I loved that,was design has a contrasting fat quarter that not only compliments the project but it also gives it an added quirkiness and depending on your fabric choice it will be pretty or retro.

This book is perfect for beginner sewists, as the projects are quite simple, that said, there are many useful techniques that will advance your sewing skills.

There are full sized pattern sheets included, and with easy instructions, accompanied by visual step by step hints and tips, so you really cannot go wrong.

Highly recommended by me!