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Fabric Cones for Swap – Scrap Mania!

Posted on 19. May, 2008 by Jenny in Fabric Arts

I impulsively signed up for a swap on my CPS Yahoo Group, making fabric cones. They are inspired by old-fashioned May-day cones.  Back in the day, you’d make a little decorative cone from paper, fill it with small candies or flowers, and leave it on the doorknob of someone you admired or loved.

So now they’ve grown up, and it’s an excuse for mixed-media craftistas everywhere to spend an exorbitant amount of time on a bit of frippery. Ours were inspired by Ruth Rae, but I found a slew of Etsy artists who are making them from paper or fabric or both. Check out some of these artists’ links for inspiration:

• Traci Wilkes
•  Modern Victorian
• Artistic Mood Swings

So here’s how I made mine.  I started with a 9″ square of cotton batting. I layered torn strips of fabric across the diagonal, starting in the middle and working my way out.  I stitched the strips down with a variety of machine stitches built into my machine. (I’m a lazy crafter!) When the batting was covered, I added a backing fabric and stitched some more, couching ribbons and yarns down. (It effectively made a quilt sandwich!) Then I trimmed it all back down to make it square again, and finished off the edges by zig-zagging some fringy yarns to the edges. (I went around twice to cover the raw edges completely.)

To add some embellishments, I cut little squares of netting and iridescent films…and tucked in some little buttons and charms, then stitched those on. To form the cone, I just brought 2 perpendicular sides up, and whip-stitched it by hand, adding a few beads as I went. I used more yarns for the handle.

I also got inspired to use up some of the smallest bits and bobs to make an ATC tag as a gift for the hostess.

So I really enjoyed making these… fun, and quick. And a great way to use those little bits that you accumulate in the scrap bag.  I can’t wait to see the ones I get back!

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Tags: Fabric cones, fabric scrap projects