Linda Mae Pillowcase Tutorial
Annie Rose from Cowgirl Snaps created this pillowcase tutorial to complement our Pajama Party! She’s offering a chance to win 48 Cowgirl Snaps in any color (your choice, mix & match) and a set of Dritz Pliers. Just mention your favorite Cowgirl Snap color in the comments or tell us what you’d do with the snaps! Don’t miss her pearl prong western snaps tutorial for more basic western snap information.
Edited to add: OK! We have a winner! Congrats to Kylla (Annie Rose will contact you soon with details).
From Annie Rose: Pajama parties mean pillow fights, coziness, and eventually, sleep. The Linda Mae Pillowcase makes a great pillow that’s perfect for tossing at your friends, tucking under your arm while you lean over to hear a secret, or snuggling up with when you finally fall asleep. And if you get whip-creamed for being the first one asleep- don’t worry! It’s easy to remove the pillowcase for washing.
The Linda Mae Pillowcase Pattern incorporates two different fabrics, and the slightly staggered placement of the Cowgirl Snaps brings the fabric on the back of the pillow up to peak out on the edges on the front. This also gives the edges a charming, natural ruffle. The Linda Mae is only a tiny bit more complicated than the most basic pillowcase pattern, but so much more distinctive! No one will believe you when you tell them it only took you 45 minutes to make it for the first time.
I like to use contrasting colors or patterns for fabric on the front (piece A) and back (piece B). I also like to choose a Cowgirl Snap color that either accents and pulls forward the (B) fabric, or contrasts strikingly with one or both. For this demo, I used hand dyed yellow cotton muslin for piece (B), a purple and white flowered vintage sheet for piece (A), and Marigold Cowgirl Snaps. It would also look great with perhaps a dark teal back, a neutral brown front and Chartreuse Cowgirl Snaps. Or perhaps a red gingham front, a matching solid red back, and alternating red and white Cowgirl Snaps? The options are endless!
Supplies
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Fabric marker or chalk
- 6 Cowgirl Snaps
- Dritz Snap Pliers or other snap affixing device
- 16″ x 16″ pillow form
- 1/2 yard front pillow fabric (A)
- 1/2 yard back pillow fabric (B)
- 1/4 yard fusible (iron-on) interfacing
- Sewing machine and thread
Approximate Time:
30 – 45 minutes
Skill Level:
Beginner
Making the Pillowcase
Instructions:
Ok, here goes!
First, of course, iron your fabric so it’s easy to work with and easy to cut evenly.
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1. Measure and mark fabric (A) and (B): 23″W x 17″H
. Cut 1 of each fabric
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2. Measure and mark fusible (iron-on) interfacing: 2″W x 17″H
. Cut 4.
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3. Lay pieces (A) and (B) in front of you, so that the rectangle is wider than it is tall. From here on out, I will refer to the edge on the left as side 1, the top as side 2, the right edge as side 3 and the bottom as side 4. |
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4. Place fabric right side down on the ironing board. Make a fold 2 1/2″ from the edge of sides 1 and 3 of pieces (A) and (B) and iron the fold down. |
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5. Unfold pieces. Place fusible (iron-on) interfacing along the edge of the fold on side 1 of the wrong side of piece (A) and iron using a cover cloth on top. |
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Interfacing should always be tucked away where no one can see it, and this is why it’s on the wrong side of the fabric. And do make sure the fusible side is against the fabric. This is the side that is textured and a little sticky sometimes. (Otherwise it will stick to the cover cloth instead of your fabric.) Iron interfacing on sides 1 and 3 of pieces (A) and (B). |
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6. Iron the edge of sides 1 and 3 over 1/2″ for pieces (A) and (B). This 1/2″ fold should cover the edge of the interfacing. |
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7. Refold the first folds you ironed, so that the interfacing is completely covered, and the raw edges are tucked away. Sew 1/8″ from the edge of the inner fold on sides 1 and 3 of pieces (A) and (B). |
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8. Place right side of pieces (A) and (B) together.
Sew side 2 of pieces (A) and (B) together using 1/2″ seam allowance… |
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…Then sew side 4 of pieces (A) and (B) together using 1/2″ seam allowance. Almost done! Now it’s time for the snaps.
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9. Measure and mark sides 1 and 3 of piece (A) (the fabric that will be on the front of your pillow) for snaps. Measure and mark a spot 4″ from the top seam, and 1″ from the outer edge of side 1. Measure and mark another spot 4″ down from the first, and another one 4″ down from that one, both 1″ from the edge. You should have 3 marks evenly spaced on your pillow, all 4″ apart and 1″ from the edge. Do the same for side 3 of piece (A). |
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10. Measure and mark piece (B) (the fabric that will be on the back of your pillow) for snaps. Measure and mark a spot 4″ from the top seam, and 1 1/4″ from the outer edge of side 1. Measure and mark another spot 4″ down from the first, and another one 4″ down from that one, both 1 1/4″ from the edge. You should have 3 marks evenly spaced on your pillow, all 4″ apart and 1 1/4″ from the edge. Do the same for side 3 of piece (B). Measuring this extra 1/4″ will give the pillow the cute edging and the extra oomph of ruffle. |
Adding the Snaps
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Now to apply the snaps! Please see my Dritz Plier tutorial for Cowgirl Snap application tips.
When you’re putting on your snaps, remember that the finished pillowcase should have the bright sparkly pearl side of Cowgirl Snaps showing on the front, and the silver rings of the ring prongs showing on the back- the studs and sockets will be on the inside. |
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11. Load the Dritz pliers with a pearl prong and a socket. Your pillowcase should still be inside-out. Put it on your lap so that piece (A) is facing you. You should be able to see the marks you’ve made on the fabric. Hold the pliers so that the pearl prong side is on the bottom, and slip piece (A) in between the jaws of the pliers. |
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Position them over the first mark… |
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…And gently squeeze. Repeat for each mark on piece (A).
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12. Load the pliers with the ring prong and stud. Your pillowcase should still be inside-out. Turn it over so that piece (B) is facing you. You should be able to see the marks you’ve made on the fabric. Hold the pliers so that the ring prong side is on the bottom, (Pic 18 ring prong in) and slip piece (B) in between the jaws of the pliers. Position them over the first mark… |
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…And gently squeeze. Repeat for each mark on piece (B).
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13. Turn the pillowcase inside out, place pillow form inside and snap the Cowgirl Snaps together!
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Your pillow is done – now go start a pillow fight!
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I love those marigold colored snaps! They’re so sunny.
Lovely tutorial, and what a super idea. I’ve never seen these snaps in colors other than white, so I gasped when I visited the Etsy site with all the glorious colors. Chartreuse is my favorite and would be so pretty on a white linen blouse!
I LOVE pearl snaps!!!! I always look for shirts made with them at the thrift stores. The chartreuse are my hands down favorite- I had no idea they came in so many colors! I would use them for all sorts of things but I happen to be working on some wallets, so…
These cowgirl snaps are the BEST! I suddenly have the urge to make my son a whole new wardrobe of western shirts.
I love the teal snaps! I use these all the time and am thrilled to find a supplier with such a great color selection! Thanks Annie Rose (and Sew, Mama, Sew!)!
cute. i love these pillows and the western theme!
How to pick just one favorite? I love all these beautiful Cowgirl snaps! I’m a cool colors kinda gal so I’m instantly drawn to the teal, but I love how all the shades look so great together. I’d like to make a larger pillow – maybe with more basic prints/colors and a mix of colored snaps to really let them be the focal point.
My favorite has to be the teal! So awesome. I’ve never even seen these before, well never saw them in quite this light I guess is more the case. I think they’d be really cute as the snap on some baby bibs. Just add that little bit of pizazz. Or anywhere else for that matter!
Oooh, I love the teal ones and the chartruese! I have some plain jain ivory colored ones that I’ve been using on some wallets but these colors just might inspire me to make a whole shirt!
Oh this is fantastic! I love these types of snaps but only saw purple or white at the fabric store. Love the teal but peachy is also calling out to me! It’d look so cute with a blush colored fabric. Or gray!
Ooh, my two favorite colors are light blue and white. I’d make some little pouches.
I love the teal and chartreuse colors! Thanks for the tutorials.
OK. These are beautiful. Esp love the teal!
I love the marigold snaps and the red ones would be great to put on matching shirts for my boys.
Great tutorial! I love these snaps, especially the plain cream and white colors. I think I’ll have to try some out on the next shirt I make.
I love pearl snaps. I use them on nearly everything. The forest green is beautiful and would look awesome on a crisp plaid shirt for fall!
The snaps are so cool. I never knew these were missing from my life, but now I must have them. I think I need light pink or berry to make a girly western shirt. Love!
I love pearl snaps! And you can’t find the cool colors at your local fabric stores. I love the dark purple ones, and would love to make a Decades of Style 1944 housedress in a purple print with the purple snaps. I need purple in my wardrobe.
What a great way to use some beautiful snaps. I am loingf hte burgandy and the black.
oh, i love the chartreuse and teal snaps…hmmm and the marigold! (it’s so hard to choose!) if I had these, I’d definitely put them on several blouses that I’m hoping to make this fall/winter! and I’d definitely make a couple of these pillows, too! what a cute idea.
Teal for me! Would look great as an added detail on the bag I’m making.
That is a really cute idea, to use cowgirl snaps on a pillowcase. I think my favorites are actually the black ones. I have never used snaps like that in a project before… I may have to do so now.
I love all the colours of snaps! If I had to choose it would be the teal snaps. I think I’d use them on some bags. Since it’s getting colder I would maybe use them on pj shirts and bottoms for my little guys to keep the pj shirt from pulling up when they are sleeping. I can’t count how many times I’ve checked on the boys and their bare bellies are showing while they’re sleeping.
i love all the colors, especially the marigold and the teal. but i need white to add an extra snap for my daughter’s dress.
LOVE this! I would definitely use the pearl snaps to make these pillows for all over my house….what a great idea!!!
I love the chartreuse snaps! Great color!
Some red snaps would be perfect for a shirt I’m making for my son. So much cooler than buttons. I also like the forest green and the cobalt.
I’d take black snaps! I have small envelope-style pouches I am making and would love a nice snap for the closure.
These are so beautiful! The chartreuse ones would be perfect for the closure on a burlesque bustle skirt I am making and the teal ones would be lovely for a tote bag with a wave embroidery design I am working on for friend! Thanks for the tutorial!
I love the teal snaps. Great tutorial.
I really love this pillow, but am alwasy shying away from using snaps. But, I think this is partially because I never thought to buy this Dritz Plier tool.
It is so hard to pick a favorite color in her shop, but I really love the salmon pink.
I love working with snaps! It’s scary at first because it seems unforgiving, but I love the finished look. Great project.
I love the berry color! I think I would have to make this pillow, along with many other clothing projects I can think of. Eww, I hope I win!
These are fantastic–I’ve loved pearl snaps since I was a little girl, and am delighted to see so many new ways to use them. Thanks for the inspiration!
Holy cats! Those are beautiful snaps! Methinks I would have to make myself a lovely shirt. I can’t decide which colors I like–they’re all so lovely.
Lovely pillow and thanks for reminding me about pearl snaps. My sewing machines is, ahem, “older” and buttonholes always deter me from a project…snaps could be perfect! The teal ones would look lovely on an oliver and S jumprope dress I have planned for my daughter!
Oh my goodness, what gorgeous colors… I love marigold, berry, kelly, blue, & red. They’d be snazzying up my daughter’s jumpers and my bags and doodads to hold stuff
I love the orange. I would love to see those on a black microcheck gingham for Halloween. Or the teal on chocolate brown velveteen. So pretty.
Thanks for the great tutorial. This pillow is fab, so quick and easy. I can’t decide between cobalt blue or purple, but then I like the burgandy too. So many to choose from! I can see these on bags and jeans, shirts, crayon rolls, little make-up bags…The list is endless….
Oh, the burgundy snaps are just what I need to finish my Steampunk Miss Kitty costume. Some to decorate the front of the bodice, and some to gather and let down the bustle.
Beautiful snaps. Right now the orange ones catch my eye.
Doh’ I posted a comment over on the Snaps post. I didn’t know you could get these. I think they’d be fun going up arm warmers, or on a fabric cuff. I could see them on kid’s clothes, too. I’m in love with the teal (a color obsession of mine lately).
Annie, your sewing machine looks exactly like mine except for the color. Mine is named Weber. Do you like your machine? I’ve never seen one similar to mine. I’m enjoying your pattern!
Bobbi
the cowgirl snaps are awesome. i love the teal (and the red and the brown…) the pillows from the tutorial are great! i would also like to use them for a mens shirt or shirt dress.
I love the snaps!!! And I love all the tutorials!!! They are amazing!
I really like all of them, but my favorites would be the teal and kelly green.
Oh I just love snaps and never have the gusto to use them. I love the lavender snaps and I’d probably go a little hog wild applying them to everything! But I’d definitely do a shirt for myself, and add them to the backs of dresses for my daughter.
I have to agree with lots of others that teal is just awesome! Maybe I just like that color because lots of my fabric has teal in = )
There is a lot of great colour selection. I want to make matching shirts for my sister and her preschool daughter. They are a “horsey” family and love to ride, so these would make amazing Christmas gifts – I will be in the good books forever ! (add a self-satisfied smile here)
Omg, omg, omg!!! I am in love with these snaps. I absolutely adore the hot pink ones, but they’re all fantabulous!
I would add pearl snaps to EVERYTHING. Aprons, gloves, shirts, skirts, even undies. I need these!!!
I LOVE the teal snaps, I have a thing for taupe linen, and these teal buttons would look fabulouso!
Red snaps – to match my red patent leather shoes. I think some snap details on a skirt would be darling.
I LOVE this pillow! I must try it. My fav snap colors are teal, forest green, red, and marigold. The brown is nice too.
I love these little snaps! I would add them to pillows, purses, skirts…everything! I love the teal color (and purple, and kelly green…)
The teal snaps are so pretty as is that pillow!
my dd (10 year old) loves the cobalt, teal, black, forest green, lavender, dark purple and berry. She would put them on everything she makes. (me too, I like the purple collection)
i would put snaps on everything! pink ones of course!
Burgundy – useful for new baby attire!
oh my! So many cool colors. purple, salmon pink, kelly green and teal are my favorites. I loved how you used them on the pillow. I would use them on pillows and wallets that I make. How cool!
I like the teal, chartreuse, and the light yellow. Definitely need to get some of these and make a shirt – and maybe a pillow or two!
I think the teal or marigold snaps are my favorite. There is this new Western shirt pattern at Decades of Style that they would work really well with!
Dark Purple. I LOVE these snaps. I use them on my daughter’s a-line dresses. I much prefer snaps over buttons. What a groovy bunch of colors!
Very pretty pillow!
I love the salmon pink color! These would be totally fun to add to bags and even aprons for effect!
What a darling pillow! I love all the snap colors!! I can’t choose just one.
This is great! The pillow is lovely and it’s the first real “instructions” I have found. I love all colors of pearl snaps, I have a fascination with them really. Of course I’d like to use them on some toddler western shirts, but also – to replicate these wonderful little purses my mother made in the ’70′s, she used pearl snaps on them all and I loved them!
I’d use my snaps on pockets! Pockets galore! Little girls’ skirts, totes, purses – and pillows. I’ll take some of every color.
Love the snaps! I have just been using plain, boring regular snaps. These are so much cooler and more versatile! While I would have to have the burgundy for my pink-loving daughter, I love the teal, too.
western snaps are my husband’s fav. they are fantastic! thank you annie rose for this kind offer! my favorites are the teal and purples.
I have to agree with a number of others that I never knew that cowgirl snaps came in any other color than white. I love the cool colors, but I would love to make my boys something with the marigold.
This is so cool! I would love to use the dark purple snaps to give my grandma’s Christmas present (the Emeline apron) some “bling”. And the light pink and marigold for a purse for my daughter.
Oh, those are wonderful. I’d use the cobalt blue ones on a nice pajama top for myself. I’d be tempted to use some fun colors to close pencil rolls or needle cases, too. I never knew that the snap pliers existed – I thought you had to buy one of the big snap-setting machines to have fun with snaps!
Darling Pillow!
these are really cool I would love to get my hands on some of those pearl snaps!
I love the pillow case and those snaps are so cute I’m alwas looking for fun closures for pillows and bags. I love the teal and kelly green.
i LOOOOVE the teal ones! they would be great to use as tab closures on some tab-style curtains! and i would use the black ones to snap my sons pillowcases shut because he was complaining that his pillows always fall out of their cases
Um.. cobalt is my favorite today, that might change tomorrow – they’re so beautiful! Thanks for the excellant tutorial!
I would pick the cream!
I love the chartreuse – they would be perfect for my new kitchen curtains!
Teal and lavender are great colors! I’d use these for an i-phone case and western shirt for my cowgirl 11 year old. She’s starting gaming with her pony and is would be awesome to make her a shirt.
Chartreuse is nice and bright! Teal is pretty, and gray is so cool! I would stick with the theme and use any of these colors on a finished vintage cowgirl shirt pattern I just purchased!!!
I LOVE the teal snaps! I have tried using snaps before with an ancient pair of plyers, but i wasnt shure how it worked. I cant wait to get some more and try again!
Oh they are lovely! I think I would use some on a doona cover I am making and also to button up a shirt dress I am planning on making in blue linen.
ooh, these are pretty! I think I like the lt.blue and hot pink the best!
Wonderful and fun tutorial! I love the pearl snaps – just beautiful!
I LOVE the kelly green snaps. They would go so nicely with my son’s eyes!
My husband is in a Red Dirt Country band that just hit #35 on the charts ( hooray top 40! The name of the band is Willie Stradlin, the song is Chop Away) and I’ve been working on making them all some nice shirts to wear for thier new album coming out this winter. They’re all obsessed with the idea of having pearl snap shirts, so I would use the snaps to make them some nice shirts, and the band wives western shirt-dresses to wear!
GREAT tutorial. I love the colors, plus thank you so much for showing how to install the snaps. I must try this!
The marigold and teal snaps make me drool! The black pearl snaps are very mysterious and remind me of a black eyeball or mood ring.
I love using pearl snaps on my wallets and clutches. I just wish I could afford the expensive snap setter and not have to bang these babies in place all the time!
Ok, favorite colors? Chartreuse & teal & classic cream. What to do with them? Hmm. I think I’d start with a wallet or purse – something quick and easy for instant gratification. Them maybe some wrist bands? And I love the idea of spats with pearl snaps…
Btw, great site redesign – I usually read Sew Mama Sew via my google reader so I don’t see the actual site all that often… it looks great!
The cobalt blue snaps are just gorgeous. I think they would be perfect for a fleece vest–who knew one could use snaps on fleece? Thanks for the constant education, SewMamaSew!
those snaps look awsome on the pillow. I’d totally make some in green for my daughter. it’s her favorite color.
Is it safe to say I love all of them? The teal, purple and marigold all look amazing. Thank you for the wonderful tutorial and the giveaway.
Hi everyone!
I have never heard of these snaps before, but, after reading the tutorial and checking out the etsy store i definitely will give them a go.
I love the teal – they would be lovely for purses, cosmetic bags, ipod cases….the list is endless
Thanks again
Gorgeous pillow and those snaps are fabulous! I’ve been wondering if I should get one of these sets, this might have given me the extra push that I needed! Thanks for sharing!
Wow, I didn’t realize that the were such nice pliers for these! I bought some similar snaps and the only color available were like a pearly blue. my pliers are from the thrift store and I have ruined so may snaps from either assembling wrong or from the snap sliding out of place from the pliers (they don’t have a lovely rubber thingy)
Anyway, I love using them on wallets and purses and such, I just had a thought though- I’d love to throw some on a cute tabbed hat!
It was really hard to choose just one color, because I love the burgundy and the teal and the orange and and and… but if I have to pick one, I am currently in a chartreuse mood
Very nice work on the tutorial-I look forward to making these pillows. I love the marigold and the cobalt snaps, the colors are so rich!
I really love snaps–I got my first snap plier about 30 years ago–but have had trouble finding nice snaps–these are so wonderful–cobalt blue is my favorite–first I’d use them for a snappy bib–then maybe a little shirt for my grandson–or to close a little tote bag!
Brilliant idea! And now I REALLY need to get me some snap pliers…
This is great! I would love to put some snaps on a jean jumper for my little lady. Any assortment of colors would be wonderful. I need to make some of these pillows too.
LOVE all the snaps- especially the black! I would finally attempt to sew some clothing items just to showcase the fabulous snaps.
I love the Teal snaps – one of my favorite colors – didn’t realize these snaps came in so many colors
I love all the colours, except black. Why make it blck if there are so many coll colours. I think I’d close a bag with a real lot of them, or as decoration for fabric flowers – would be nice in the center.
This looks like such a fun tutorial! I want to try it! Of course now you mention the Cowgirl Snaps store, weeks after I purchased snaps from another source that I didn’t like near as much. But, I’ll be bookmarking her shop for future purchases! I love all the colors – but orange really caught my eye!
I love the look of snaps but haven’t had the courage to try them — this looks so easy! I’m poo-poo-ing all those other snap tutorials that suggest them to be a difficult project. I’m so drawn to the metallic mix — fabulous for fall!
I love love love the chartreuse ones but the black ones are a close second! I use these types of snaps on my mini wallets and clothing! Hope to win! Thanks for the great giveaway!
What a great project! Thanks for the chance to win a prize! I like the peachy, burgundy, hot pink, light pink and berry colored snaps! I would use them for making baby bibs for expecting friends or my little ones.
Oh. I love the cream snaps. They would look so nice on baby bibs and pacifier leashes. Fingers are crossed.
I loves the snaps!! Used to put them on every thing but haven’t in a while. (If you haven’t read the tutorial – go! It’s really good.) I’m using them again for a shirt for my son and hope to make a couple more shirts for him.
wow! the pinks are AMAZING! I think I’d use them in something home decor though- so one of the shades of green would better coordinate with my house…
Super cute pillow & great tutorial!
mary
Ooh! Thanks so much for the tute – and now I know where to go to buy some of those chartreuse snaps – LOVE them!
The purple are my favourite, they look like little jewels. I think they would look lovely on a purse.
My head is spinning with ideas. Thanks for the tutorial! I think the teal is amazing and I’m excited to try the snaps on some coffee cozies.
Lovely to know where to find some of those great colors!
Teal is my favorite.
Chartreuse snaps! Who knew that I’d love them so much?
And what a cute pillow. Thanks for both tutorials.
All the colors are so pretty!! If I had to pick, it would be between teal and cobalt blue. And this is a WAY nicer pillow case than the one I tried to dream up myself once upon a time!
Wow those are gorgeous! Here we go, now I need another craft gadget! You can never have too many, right? I am in love with the teal snaps, and think they would add some great zing to cotton dress that I’ve been dreaming of making for myself. I’m always sewing for other people and I really need a dress!
Oh, so lovely! I couldn’t possibly choose a favorite color, but I do like the teal and the chartreuse snaps. I’ve never used them before—maybe I could start with a little card case? Thanks for the tutorial and the giveaway!
The yellow snaps! They are like little sparkly suns. Love it.
My favorite are the cobolt blue. They are all so very pretty & the colors are so vibrant.I’m really loving the purple too though. I want to put snaps on a few wallets but also want to add them to my daughters dresses & I might just use a few on a blouse for me!!
I am way behind on your blog, I haven’t been by in awhile. I just had to comment because I’m in love with that sewing machine! In love! And the tutorial is great, as always. Thanks!
Lovely tutorial, and a super idea, Thanks for sharing!
A discovery is said to be an accident meeting a prepared mind.