by toogie 16 Sep 2017

Hello Cuties- I will try to explain how I made the Valet Tray for those who were wanting to know.

I used my walking foot on my regular sewing machine and also my little Wonder clips, by Clover, to hold vinyl together as you cannot pin.

*I cut two pieces of vinyl 11 inches square. I marked my center for my design with a chalk.
*I 'floated' the vinyl on top of the tearaway, making sure my vinyl stayed centered and straight with the hoop to embroider.
*Remove from stabilizer after embroidery complete.
* I then marked with chalk again 1 1/2 inch away from the outer edges, all the way around. Then I marked the inner square 1 inch away from that mark, all the way around. (OR 2 1/2 inch from outer edge, if that makes more sense to you)
*Place vinyl WRONG sides together and use Wonder Clips to hold edges and corners even.
* Stitch with a lengthened stitch, my machine I set to 3.5 or 4 stitch length. Start at the inner square mark, by back stitching, at beginning and end.
*Stitch middle square and then the last, outer edge, keeping your stitching straight on mark, being sure to always back stitch 2 or 3 stitches, at beginning and ending.
* attach Kam Snaps as shown below

A word of caution though- I don't think it would be advisable to stitch a very dense design. I worried about it perforating and the vinyl coming out around the design area. I'm not sure how to explain what I mean, but maybe you can understand.
* Also, using these instructions anyone can make these any size, too and you don't have to have a large embroidery hoop field. The design I use is 4 inch square.
Good luck with your tray and ask if you need to know anything I may have forgotten to include.-Toogie

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by jenne 21 Sep 2017

Thanks for the info, I have embroidered on upholstery vinyl before and made a purse with it, red or blue work designs work great for this type of material. love the little tray you made. you did a supper job on it.

1 comment
toogie by toogie 21 Sep 2017

Thank you jenne. I liked it too and thought someone else make want to make some, for their upcoming Christmas giving. I think they make a handsome gift.

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by cooperal 20 Sep 2017

Lovely and practical! Thanks for your instructions...very easy to understand. I love ITH projects but this one is going to work just as well. I'm sure I have fabric...hahaha...and this will be a head start for some Christmas gifts. I'm guessing that redwork type designs would work best when using the vinyl. Thanks for sharing this and God bless. Avis

1 comment
toogie by toogie 21 Sep 2017

Have fun making some Avis. This is so simple you won't make just one.

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by cfidl 17 Sep 2017

Fabulous piece! I made one out of felt, this one is so much better!

1 comment
toogie by toogie 18 Sep 2017

The vinyl does 'dress' it up but I bet yours looked good too.

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by Smokey12 17 Sep 2017

Thank you for the directions. Now to decide a center design.

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toogie by toogie 18 Sep 2017

You are quite welcome and let me see yours.

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by joansatx 17 Sep 2017

So good looking! Great job!

1 comment
toogie by toogie 18 Sep 2017

I am glad you like it. It is a hit over here at my house, thanks to you!...Now I'm ready & waiting for your next bright idea! I'll give you 'till Tuesday, lol because I can't sew tomorrow, I am baby sitting Rylan, my great grandson Monday.
No joke, you saved me here for the men a gift.Thank you

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by kustomkuddle 17 Sep 2017

Thank you for the instruction, Toogie. You make it sound so easy!

1 comment
toogie by toogie 18 Sep 2017

It is easy and you don't need a fancy machine.

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by spendlove Moderator 17 Sep 2017

That is a great finished product. It could easily be done ITH (if you had a hoop big enough!)

1 comment
toogie by toogie 17 Sep 2017

Yes, it is a great item and the sites a Cutie told me about were ITH, but why waste a lot of stabilizer. It doesn't take long on a regular sewing machine.

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by kingmar 17 Sep 2017

Great job. Very practical. Did you use topstitch thread for the squares or poly?

1 comment
toogie by toogie 17 Sep 2017

I used my same poly embroidery thread, top and bobbin. After I sewed three sides, I would stop, and look at the first stitch I made to make up one square. I would pull my top thread through the back and hand tie about 3 times and clip the ends, then sew on to overlap, back stitching and hand tying those ends too, on the backside. Have I confused you yet?-lol

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by mariagiannina 16 Sep 2017

Thank you for those instructions Toogie!

1 comment
toogie by toogie 16 Sep 2017

You are so very welcome. The good thing about it is, besides being a GREAT gift for our men (!) you can make whatever size you want. Go measure the remote control and make one for by his chair, for his remote & whatever he keeps right at hand. Be sure to allow 3 inches for both sides and ends, that would cover your 1 1/2 inch sides/ends up, plus whatever size you want the bottom to be (where the remote sits).

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