Lanyards & Nametags: Name tag Resources and Ideas

At the recent December meeting, Kelly suggested we all make Lanyards and Name tags that reflected our own style.We posted about lanyards and are now here to give you ideas about namet ags.

A simple Google search using the terms (no quotes) "nametags fabric" will give you a lot of eye candy. Switch over to the images tab and just look at the variety of options. Some people did a little piecing. Some added a small image and their blog name.

Some musts:

• Make sure your name is readable: large font, bold, dark color or good contrast with background
• Make your name tag a reflection of your personality

Inspiration

• add blog name
• add your Avatar or social media image
• add some piecing
• machine embroider your name
• hand embroider your name
• Use a different shape for your nametag - star, shipping tag, circle, rainbow, heart, assymmetrical
• Print on fabric with your printer
• Shape it and put a pocket for a pen, etc
• Check out this Pinterest board called Quilty Name Tags

Use a shape Add a love or hobby (besides quiltmaking!) Add buttons or other embellishments Make it three dimensional Make it round (or not rectangular)
Use your favorite colors, embroidery AND embellishments!

There are a lot more ideas out there. Use your imagination! I can't wait to see what you come up with. ;-)

Lanyards and Nametags: Lanyard Resources & Ideas

Kelly, the incoming President, asked everyone make a lanyard and a nametag that reflects them and their style. There will be a special show and tell to see your beautiful work.

Lanyards are about 37" long before finishing. You may want to adjust this length if you are taller or shorter.

If you want some direction on making lanyards, here are some links:

• Learn with Joann: Make an Easy Lanyard (YouTube video)
• Gen X Quilters: 10 Minute Project: How to Sew a Lanyard
• Two Peas in a Pod: Patchwork Lanyard Tutorial
• Pink Buckaroo Designs tutorial looks like it uses bias binding. That might be worth a try as it might make the lanyard hang better
• Double-sided Lanyard from  Ellison Lane
• Sew Can She.com tutorial for Pretty Lanyard
• Simply Cotton Little Lanyard tutorial
• Pile o' Fabric combination lanyard and nametag (2 birds one stone)
• Sew 4 Home lanyard with secret pocket
• Cold Hands Warm Heart tutorial - good indications and photos of where to sew
• Sheena Griffith has a Pinterest Board of Key Chains and Lanyards

A couple of the above use a cover to finish the lanyard where you have sewn the clasp or hook on to the fabric. You can also finish the end of the fabric before sewing on the clasp or hook.

There are, of course, many other tutorials available. Use your favorite along with some pretty scraps to reflect your quiltmaking style or personality.

Hardware
Some patterns call for various hardware. Think about the following, but check the pattern before purchasing:

• swivel hooks (Try Studio Kat Designs and Atkinson Designs)
• swivel clasp (one tutorial mentioned TWPMango* as a source.
• O ring (try the hardware store, if you can't find a good size at your LQS)
• Badge clips with swivel (JKMribbon* has them)
• Nickel sanphooks have an interesting shape. I am not sure how to connect them to a fabric lanyard, though.

I did find O rings in a variety of sizes as well as rectangle metal things other hardware that might be useful at a couple of non-chain hardware stores in the City - Standard 5&10 on California Street in Laurel Heights as well as at Cliff's Variety on Castro in the Castro. Check your local mom and pop hardware stores to see what you can find.

Shops*:

• JKMribbon
• USA Lanyard
• TWPMango 
• Voodoo Rabbit (Australian shop, so plan ahead)
• Sew Thankful

 Other thoughts:

• Try some ribbon instead of fabric. Britex has some lovely thick ribbons that would make some special looking lanyards.
• Use scraps to make the main part of the lanyard
• Add beads or buttons to personalize it
• Make it more of a chatelaine by adding a scissor pocket and other handy accessories, such as a Lip Balm Key Fob. I found a few chatelaine tutorials here.
• The You Sew Girl blog has a Convertible Strap tutorial, which will give you ideas about how to add other types of hardware to your lanyard. Need some extra rings? Check  out this tutorial. Want to use your bias tape maker? This tutorial is for you.
• Perhaps you want your lanyard to be adjustable? Take a look at the adjustable strap tutorial.

There are a lot of options for you to personalize your lanyard. Let your imagination spiral off into magical directions.

While you are making your own, why don't you make one for the officers as a thank you gift? These also make great gifts for teachers.

Look for a nametag post coming to this blog soon!


 *Your editor has no personal experience with the sources provided

BAM-BOM December: Pine Tree

This post is part of the Block of the Month series, sponsored by Bay Area Modern Quilt Guild.  See all the blocks right here.

I can't believe we are on the last block already!  Our final block is a paper pieced tree.  There are several different variations for you to chose from, so pick the one you like!

The pattern for this little guy (he's a 6" block) is available as a free download right here.  You do have to put in an email address to download it, but the pattern includes detailed paper piecing instructions.  With the easy block and lots of instructions, this is a great starting point if you haven't paper pieced before.  There's even a video tutorial if you want a little extra help. 

 If you have some paper piecing experience and don't need much for instructions, you can also pick from the options below, which are template only.  Just click on the picture to open up the template.

Thanks for a wonderful year, and I hope I see all your blocks and quilts in the Flickr pool!

BAM December meeting reminder

We can't wait to see your smiling face! 


When: Saturday, December 14th at 1:30

Where: 
Redwood City Library (downtown branch)
Meetings are in the upstairs community room
1044 Middlefield Rd  
Redwood City, CA 94063


NEW MEMBERS
If you’ve never been to a meeting before this will be a great meeting to see a lot of new projects and meet our members. Your first meeting is free and you can read about becoming a member here. We want to see your projects too, so bring them along! If you have any questions, ask any officer. We’re happy to talk with you.


On the fence about attending? Check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BayAreaModern or the notes and pictures of the great work our members create.

See you Saturday!

Sew Day, Sunday, December 8, 2013

Our next Sew Day is Sunday, December 8, 2013
Sewing will go from 12pm-10pm - any project is welcome!
Please RSVP to this post here in the forum (NOT on this blog) if you are coming, so we can get a head count.

Location:
Los Altos Library
13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos, California, 94022
http://g.co/maps/kvpkt
Note: This is not the same location as our regular meetings.

Shout out if you can bring these items to share:

• Light/non-messy snacks
• Irons (need 3 total)
• Ironing Boards (need 3 total)
• Large Cutting Mats (need 2)
• Design Walls (need 2)

Plan to bring your own:

• Extension cord and/or power strip
• Sewing machine
• Cutting tools/mats (you might want a personal one)
• Night-owls may want to bring an iron and cutting mat if an early-bird needs to take theirs home.

We will be in the Community Room of the Los Altos Library. It's the large room on the side of the library nearest San Antonio Rd. There are two sets of double doors on the outside of the library - both lead into a foyer area, and the Community Room door is on the left part of this foyer, the checkout desk is on the right.

If you arrive first, go talk to the librarian at the children's reference desk to check in.

If you arrive late (after 5pm when the library closes), knock on the doors closest to the Community Room, and someone should be able to let you inside.

We will need to set up and take down tables and chairs, which are available at the library. Please plan to help with this. Also please try to keep your floor area clean.
Coffee and other light snacks are available in the foyer of the library.
People often pick up meals from a local restaurant. There are many places nearby, or you can take San Antonio to El Camino and find many restaurants and markets there.