Let me just start by saying that this was the most fun project I have worked on in a long time! I made four just for fun! The Fabric Tube Maker is a brand new tool from Clover that helps you make a rope of fabric using batting and 2.5 inch strips of fabric. I made scrappy placemats and plan to do a little basket for scraps next.
The Fabric Tube Maker comes with four parts and has detailed instructions with step by step pictures and measurements to help get you started. These are simple and user friendly enough for beginners and children to use. I used a variety of treasured small print Japanese fabrics from my scrap bin for a very scrappy look.
What you will need:
Strips of batting cut to 2 1/4 (perfect for leftover scraps from quilts)
Strips of fabric 2.5 wide by various lengths
To start, simply sew your fabric strips together end to end to make one long strip of fabric. Press your strip with seams open. Place your batting strip on the wrong side of your fabric and insert into Fabric Tube Maker following the enclosed directions. No need to sew your batting strips together, simple place them end to end and they went in smoothly. Note: that normal to thin batting is recommended.
Start sewing your fabric tube along the edge moving the tool as you sew. I found this part very relaxing and enjoyable. When finished you’ll have a long rope to make something fun with.
To make a placemat, fold your strip at one end so the two pieces are laying side by side about 4 to 5 inches, having the end strip on the left side will keep your project so you don’t have to maneuver it through your machines throat. Using a zigzag stitch set to 5 long by 2 wide start your stitching. Note: you can play with the stitch setting on a scrap to get the look that works for you.
When you get to the end of your strip, pivot your long strip to curve it around making it into an oval. This should go smoothly and not need any pushing or pulling.
Continue stitching and turning as you go using your hand to guide and smooth as you work. Note: that pushing and pulling will make your placemat into a curved basket shape rather than a flat mat.
When you have your desired size placemat, stitch to the end of your rope and pivot to zigzag stitch the end of your rope going back over it a couple times to lock your stitches in.
All finished and ready to make a few more! This is a great stash buster and family craft project especially for summer. Make sure to tag Clover in your Fabric Tube Maker projects and follow me @faithessenburg on Instagram to see what else I make.