LOVE BUGS
FPP the only bugs you’ll want in the house this summer, to make a set of scented lavender bags
BACK YOUR BUGS WITH BOLD PRINT FABRICS TO PICK UP THE ACCENT COLOURS ON THE FRONT
NOTES
■ Seam allowances are in throughout, unless otherwise noted.
■ Press seams open, unless otherwise instructed.
■ The Foundation Paper Piecing templates include seam allowances around the outer edges only.
■ For templates see page 79.
■ For FPP, shorten your stitch length to around 1.5.
■ RST = right sides together.
■ FPP = Foundation Paper Piecing
■ Press all fabrics well before cutting.
■ Only use 100% cotton material and thread if you will be microwaving the bag.
■ Fabric supplied by Robert Kaufman (robertkaufman.com)
FABRICS USED
■ Print fabrics are all from the Mark to Make collection by Malka Dubrawsky for Robert Kaufman.
CUTTING OUT
1 Using the Foundation Paper Piecing template as a guide, cut the fabric pieces for each section of the FPP template, making sure that all of the pieces will be at least in larger than the section they will cover, all the way around.
2 From the backing fabric cut: ■ One (1) piece using the Hexagon Template provided.
PIECING TOGETHER THE SECTIONS
3
On the unprinted side of Section A of the Love Bug FPP template, place the fabric for A1 so that it covers Section A1 plus in on all sides. Place the fabric for A2 on top, so that it overlaps in beyond the seam line between Sections A1 and A2.
4
Using a shortened stitch length, sew on the line between Sections A1 and A2. Fold back your paper and trim the seam to
in. Then press the section A2 fabric open, to cover the section.
5
Repeat for Sections A3–A6 to piece Section A of the Love Bug FPP template.
6
Repeat for the remaining Love Bug FPP template sections:
■ Section B: B1–B11
■ Section C: C1–C6
■ Section D: D1–D7
■ Section E: E1–E16
■ Section F: F1–F5
■ Section G: G1–G3
■ Section H: H1–H8
■ Section I: I1–I5
■ Section J: J1–J23
■ Section K: K1–K5
ASSEMBLING THE BLOCK
7
Return your machine stitch length to normal, for piecing, and sew the sections together, in the following order. Once sewn, remove paper from the seam allowances only and press seams open. Refer to the Layout Diagram for placement:
■ Sew section A to B. Then sew Section C to make ABC.
■ Sew section D to E. Then sew Section F to make DEF.
■ Sew section G to H. Then sew section I to make GHI.
■ Sew section J to K to make JK.
8
Sew sections ABC, DEF, GHI and JK together, centring the bug head and bodies and matching the outer edges. Press seams open as before.
9
Trim along the outer dashed edges of the template. Remove papers from the back of the pieced block and press again.
ASSEMBLING THE LAVENDER BAGS
10
Place the bug block and backing fabric hexagon RST. Sew around the outer edge, leaving a 2in opening for turning. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam to secure.
11
Turn right side out and press, carefully pressing under the raw edges at the small opening.
12
Fill about three quarters full with your filling of choice. Sarah used flaxseed. If you are using lavender or a few drops of essential oil, mix them in now. Stitch the opening by hand to finish.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
To warm the lavender bags, set your microwave to medium power and place approx cup of water in a microwave safe dish inside.
Place the bag inside on a paper towel and heat in thirty second intervals, for a maximum of two minutes. Before removing from the microwave, carefully check the temperature.
If it’s too hot, leave to cool before handling. Bags should not be used by unattended children, and should never be used for sleep. Only microwave the bag if it is made of 100% cotton fabric and thread.