~ Little Sparrow Pinkeep Drum Tutorial ~

Today is very cold, damp and dreary.

The heat is back on and I'm struggling to stay warm!

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Today, I'm going to share how I assemble 

a pinkeep drum....

For today's tutorial I'll be using the model from 

the Little Sparrow Pinkeep Club ~ "A Token of Spring".....it's not to late to join and
still receive this kit :)

For those who have finished the stitching, now is the time

to decide if you want to coffee stain your piece or not?

If you decide to coffee stain ~ please view my separate 

tutorial for this process by going to my post dated Monday,

   January 12, 2015 ~ titled"Queen Esther's Pure Heart". 

♦♦♦

This first set of pictures show how to achieve a 

perfect cutting line....

Whenever I need to cut linen I always pull a thread first,

it's simple to do and keeps everything neat and tidy.

For your finished piece you will need to pull a thread across 

 the top and again across the bottom, as shown on the 

pattern sheet.

Ta dah....this is how things should look after trimming

away the excess linen!

Next, you're ready to cut out the top and bottom circles

from the provided homespun fabric included in the kit. 

Then, on the backside...

Using a pencil, place a small mark on the top edge marking

checkpoints at 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 intervals.

Simply fold the fabric in half and then in half the other 

way; repeat on both circles.

Or, you can center your circles on a grid mat.

Also, in pencil mark one "top" and the other "bottom".

Next....you're ready to begin assembly!

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Stitching the back seam....

Fold design in half with right sides together; VERY carefully

match up the diamond motif stitches with pins to ensure an accurate 

finished back seam....machine OR hand stitch a 1/4" seam.

The hand stitching method is done in tiny back stitches, which 

creates a very strong seam and I feel is more accurate because it 

gives me more control over where each stitch is placed....definitely

my favorite method!

Next, trimming that seam....

If you own a pair of pinking shears...this is a great time to use them!

Not only will they keep your seam neat, pinking shears help to

prevent a seam from fraying.

Press the seam open using either your fingers, a wood pressing 

tool as shown in the photo, or ironing.

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For accurate assembly, checkpoints are a must....

Place a small pencil mark on the top edge marking 

checkpoints at 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 intervals...these will match

up with the marks on the fabric circles.

Fold in half and then in half the other way;

repeat on the bottom edge.

~ Pinkeep Drum Will Be Completely Assembled 

From The Inside Out ~

Place one circle on top of the linen with right side of homespun fabric

facing down.  Start by matching the pencil checkpoint marks on 

circle top to the checkpoints of design piece using pins.

...then continue adding more pins between checkpoints.  

Repeat this process on the bottom. 

After top and bottom is all pinned...sew up the seams!

I like to mark in pencil a 1/4" stitching line around the diameter.

Then choose your favorite stitching method...either

machine or hand stitch.

Stitch 1/4" seam sewing together the top of the drum to the design

piece.  Repeat these steps for the drum bottom.  

Trim finished seam with pinking shears. 

To turn the drum right side out; cut a small slit into the

bottom circle (double checking to make sure you're

cutting the bottom circle and not the top).

Turn the drum right side out.

For the model I used sawdust.  If choosing this filler pack 

very firmly thru the opening.  Constantly filling and packing

as tight as possible,  using 1 full quart jar of sawdust, an

old glass quart oil jar with a funnel (as shown in photo) 

works fabulous!  

1 quart bags of farmfresh sawdust are available in my Etsy

Shop.

//www.etsy.com/listing/227750716/farm-fresh-organic-sawdust-1-quart-bag?ref=shop_home_active_3

Finally, stitch opening shut, then hand stitch a little patch

over the opening.  Using one strand of DMC 611, embellish the

top and bottom seams with small X's (optional).

All finished...enjoy making pinkeep drums!

♦♦♦

Mama Robin is very busy sitting on her

nest above my Studio door...

I'm looking forward to the sound of baby birds chirping

once again!

♦♦♦

I've been busy working on the design for the first kit

coming soon for Humble Hare Handwork Club. 

♦♦♦

~ Weekly Soul Food ~

My brethren, count it all you when ye fall into 

divers temptations; knowing this, that the 

trying of your faith worketh patience.  

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye

may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

~ James 1:2-4...KJV ~

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Sorry for the long post today...hope the tutorial was helpful?

To all my friend scattered everywhere in this 

big world...have a great week!

Kindly, Tammy