Rattributes

In this issue of "tutorials with Missy" we'll be aiming for something a little more complicated! Read on to learn how to make a beautiful tube using two different (or, really, as many as you'd like) fabrics! Don't worry, it only looks complicated and like you spent forever at it when in actuality it is very easy!

What you will need to sew this hammock (all measurements given in inches):

• Standard sewing apparatus (sewing machine, scissors, thread, measuring device, etc)

• 15" x 14" piece of cotton fabric

• 15" x 14" piece of a different cotton fabric

• 30" x 14" piece of fleece (this is an estimate -- the cotton portion will actually become a bit smaller than this once you begin stitching it together, but if you like to precut aim for 30 x 14)

• 6 strips (3 of each fabric) of cotton cut 2" x 6" to make ribbon (alternatively, you can just use six lengths of ribbon)

To start, cut both of your fabrics to 14" x 15" (also to mention, if you don't want a multi-colored tube you can just cut one fabric 30" x 14" and skip all of the steps until it comes time to pin to fleece). I generally measure and cut one of my fabrics, and then pin it to an uncut piece of my second fabric. This way I can use my first fabric as a guideline for cutting and don't have to measure the fabric! This way they are also conveniently pinned together for the next step.. that being: now cut your fabric into three strips per fabric (5" x 14"). You should now have six strips of fabric!

Now you'll want to put your strips together. One piece of fabric A gets paired with one piece of fabric B. Put them with right sides together and pin up just one long edge of the fabric. Sew just the one edge together. After doing this you will see that you now have, effectively, three pieces of two-color fabric. We want to turn these "three pieces" into one piece! In order to accomplish this, all we need to do is piece these three together! Remember, right sides together and just pin up one side.

See the picture below if you're having trouble figuring out where to pin. But really, it isn't too difficult -- you want the fabrics to alternate (A B A B A B) so make sure you pin them in that order. Once you have them all sewn together, lay them flat and iron them. Once they're ironed you can pin them down on our fleece (once again, right sides together) and sew together exactly as you would any normal hammock (leaving an unsewn space to turn the fabric right side out). Looking good, eh?

At this point you should make some ribbons or cut lengths of ribbon if you prefer not to make your own (please refer to the basic sewing tutorial if you need help with making ribbons). Fold the ribbon in half and lay them down along one of the long edges of the hammock. I like to put one ribbon in the middle of each differently colored strip of fabric (thus, six). Make sure that you put the loops facing the middle of the fabric (rather than sticking off the edge) or else they will flip inside of the tube when you sew it together and turn it right side out! Now that the ribbon is down (and pinned, I hope!) I like to stitch it in place (lightly is fine) so that it doesn't slip around and get off center when I sew the tube together. You're almost done now!

Just fold the long edges of the tube together (remember, right sides together, this is my mantra!) and stitch it shut (don't sew the short edges, these will make the openings of the tube). Now turn the tube right side out and.. well.. it should be a tube.