dana's test blog: Pacifier Clip tutorial

Tired of baby losing her binky? Don't settle for what you see in the store. Making a pacifier clip is easy! And once you've made one, you'll want to make 20. They're the perfect accessory for any baby shower gift.

The clip attaches easily to a carseat, shirt, or stroller,

and the pacifier pops right into baby's mouth.

Life just got a whole lot better.

Okay, let's get started.
Since fabrics and machinery vary from sewist to sewist, we'll show two different methods for making your clips.

NEEDED:
* 14 x 2 1/4 inch rectangle (14 x 2 1/2 if not using a serger) of fabric.
Cottons work best - simple cotton, seersucker, corduroy, denim, etc.
* 14 x 1 1/8 inch rectangle of interfacing
* Small square of velcro
* Suspender Clips (easily found at most sewing stores and online. If you can't find any, other fasteners will work as well)

Start by cutting fabric and interfacing rectangles. If you're using a heavier cotton or corduroy, omit the interfacing. It simply adds thickness and strength to your "ribbon" part of the pacifier clip.

Your fabric rectangle should be 14 x 2 1/4 inches. It will eventually be folded in half to make a 14 x 1 inch long ribbon. You don't want your ribbon to be too bulky, so you only need one layer of the interfacing...or a rectangle that's 14 x 1 1/8 inches.

To make the entire cutting process easier, first cut the fabric rectangle and then cut the interfacing larger than you need....

Fold your fabric rectangle in half, length wise, and iron it. Then shove the interfacing piece right in the middle of the sandwich. It will be sticking out of the side. Then use your rotary cutter to cut the edge of facing, making it the exact size you need.

You're left with something like this:

The easiest way to sew this project is with a serger. BUT, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A SERGER don't worry. Keep reading so you get the gist and we'll show you another method below.

Today we'll be using a ROLLED HEM. If you've never used one, it's easy. It involves 3 spools of thread and NO cutting hands. The stitch is very narrow and as you go, the edge of the fabric is slightly rolled under. This is a wonderful way to finish off silky scarves, dinner napkins, or a ruffled knit hem. Consult your user manual for all the details, since you also need to make adjustments to the differential, stitch length, tension, etc.

In my Bernina manual, these are the settings for a 3-thread rolled hem:

Set your machine up with a thread color that either compliments or contrasts with your fabric.

Practice on fabric a few times to make sure the machine is adjusted properly.
Then start at one end and serge all the way down one side.

Serge around the edges and back up the other side.

Clip off the hanging threads.

To keep the corners from fraying, use Fray Check or other anti-fray liquids.

Dab a very small amount in the corners and let it dry.

Okay, you're done with the "ribbon" part of your clip. Let's add velcro and a clip.

Cut a small piece of velcro, about 1/2 inch long. Hold it up to your serged ribbon and make sure it's wide enough to cover your ribbon:

Sew one side of the velcro square at the end of your ribbon:

And sew the other velcro piece about 3 inches down (this becomes the loop that will hold the pacifier).

I've just shown you the easiest method for sewing on velcro. However, your thread will show through on the other side of your ribbon.

Not a big deal if the thread color is camouflaged.

But if you want a more polished looked, sew on the velcro pieces in the first step, before serging down the sides. Open up your folded rectangle, place the velcro pieces just as you did in the step above, sew them down, and then continue by sandwiching the interfacing inside, etc.

Now we're going to sew a clip to the other end of the ribbon. If you have a personalized label or patch, you can add it now. I love a colorful added touch.

Grab one of your suspender clips:

Loop the ribbon through the end of the clip:

Fold it over:

And sew it down:

And you're done!

If you don't have a serger, here's another method....

Cut a 14 x 2 1/2 inch fabric rectangle and a 14 x 1 1/8 inch interfacing rectangle.
OR if you want a contrasting back to your ribbon, cut 2 fabric rectangles that are 14 x 1 1/4 inches. This is what I'll be doing here.
Remember that if you want a cleaner look, sew your velcro squares on now. Or you can wait till later.

Okay....
With right sides of your fabric together sew down one side of the ribbon, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. If you're not using two fabrics here, just fold your large rectangle in half and iron it down (as we did above):