I’m working on a few presents, so sorry, no crafty pictures, but I needed to know how to knit a button hole. I can sew one with my eyes closed, but since I’m a novice knitter, I need my eyes open and the internet. I actually squealed when I found this and smiled the whole time while watching.
Archive for the 'tutorials' Category
Every year I talk about doing it, but this year I’m going to talk about it now instead of 2 months from now. I want to make my Christmas gifts this year. I have a list of ideas (not matched up to the recipients mind you..)but a list of wonderful useful projects that I’m using as a starting point. Of course it will evolve according to wish lists and such, but I’m excited about it none the less.
Felted Sweater Coasters : and and , oh and , gosh I love
Blankets: I love , this ,
Napkins: because I LOVE bias tape. Here’s not using bias tape.
Freezer Paper Prints: The ideas have been percolating over here (in my head…), I’m eager to attempt a few….here’s a cute , and a on .
Pillows: In a perfect world I’d love to and make some groovy pillows. But I have other ideas for pillows too. , , and all of these .
Bags: The possibilities are just endless. But this season I’ll probably focus on fabric shopping bags….. I love my , but I think I love my more, it’s easier to carry…., but I also love making bags out of found clothing/bedding/fabric.
Looking for your own ideas? Check out . There are so many , you are sure to find something for everyone on your list. But start now. Or the list over at .
You don’t have to sew to make your gifts either. I’ve been cooking up a storm and have been tossing around food gift ideas, maybe a collection of my fave recipes, or ingredients in a jar for my fave soup or cookies.
The possibilites are endless, so I’m making my list and checking it twice, going through my supplies and doing a little bit every week. I’m hoping to get together with some of my fellow craftettes and plow through the project list so I’m not late!
What are you going to make for the holidays?
Pressing as you sew is super important to the success of your project. I have had may tailor’s ham for 20 years or so. Follow on and make your very own.
Could be the name of the “girl next door”, but I’m thinking skirts. Not for me, I don’ t need any bubbles, the last one I wore was to my HS Christmas Dance, back in the late 80s. It was a tulle bubble skirt with a tube top. Black, of course. I crimped my platinum locks. Lots of black eyeliner. It was really wonderful. I’ll have to see if I can find a picture.
Anyway, enough FLASHBACK….I’ve certainly been noticing the bubbles. They do remind me of the 80s (cringe), but I think they are still fun, perfect for spring and I am truly in love with the updates. I think they are much more tasteful and classic than their grandmas from the 80s.
I’ve got a few planned for Iz this summer. Since she’s a 3T, I can experiment quickly with yummy remnants. Although, with a skirt class on the horizon, I might just make one for me!
Here’s a on converting a hem to a bubble hem. love it. make it.
I think pillows are a great beginner project, heck – they are a great project for any level stitcher. Excellent practice. Not a big fabric investment, not even a big time investment, and they allow for you to experiment with fabrics, colors, thread, closures and size. They always look fabulous and are the perfect accent in any room. Beautiful shots of color. I love pillows.
Everybody came to class with an idea or drawing and we talked about how to turn it into an appliqué. We made a pattern, traced it onto the fabric, then cut them out of fabric and pinned the motifs down to the pillow fabric – and stitched away. Once the front was done – we put a zipper in the back, stitched up the sides and VIOLA! pillow happiness.
I think you might remember my love of handmade pincushions? This is another great sewing project. Great practice for learning basic hand sewing stitches. These were inspired by this . Each picked a jar or bottle lid, made a pattern and picked their colors. I LOVE the pocket for the scissors/seam ripper. Makes it a cool little sewing station.
Small projects like these are perfect practice for any sewer. They make the best accessories for your home or sewing kit (or )
Wednesday, February 27 6Pm-9Pm – we’re making Egg Cup Pin Cushions at . I hope you can make it.
I love it when creative people publish their own patterns. I think before you shop at Vogue, Butterick, McCalls, Simplicity, etc – look for something cool from an independent creative.
I am thrilled about for the that . Makes me want to run to , again, and buy the chair, just so I can try out the pattern and make my own cover.
I’ve been making a few of ‘ . I love this pattern. Super versatile.
I’m thinking I’m going to make the , in (plum?) velvet, for the holidays. Love the shape.
This is cute. The pattern is available on , as well as finished garments all by .
And who needs a skirt pattern when you have a pillowcase and ?
I love this from .
I think I might just have to make one of these from .
has some cute patterns. I like , it’s such a pretty shape.
I’m always on the lookout for patterns like these – have you found any? I’d love to add them to my list.
I don’t think you need me to say it, but I will in case you weren’t sure how I feel, kids can learn to use the sewing machine early. 4 or 5. Yep. It’s true! Michelle received a sewing machine for . Check out what this has already made and read about what her .
You can totally get your little one up and sewing. Check out for some (there are 3 total). (or come for a lesson at )
There is no need to purchase a “kids” sewing machine, they can learn on yours, or grandmas. Start with paper or felt so the kids can see what the needle does when they wind the flywheel or step on the pedal. Make something fun and simple. It’s fun and…in case you weren’t sure, sewing helps your kids practice eye/hand coordination, patternmaking, math, color theory….learning as it should happen…while playing.
, originally uploaded by .
We finished up our first Learn How to Sew class..and let me tell you WHAT A CLASS!
I always think how cool it is that people want to learn to sew – and they are afraid too – yet they jump right in. I know that I was standing over each and everyone of these LuckyStitchers – but they could totally do this on their own.
This was a series of 4 classes. The first class – we talked about our machines – how to wind a bobbin, thread the machine, check/adjust tension, learn and practice the many different stitches and make a button hole. There are so many cooooool things you can do with a sewing machine and a little experimenting. Like the scallop stitch – if you do it properly – you can use it as an edge!
Anyway – the next class we started our totes (instructions for all to come soon – check back – they will be posted here). There was lots of practice sewing some straight lines, turning the corner while sewing and turning corners when you turn your project right side out.
We finished up our totes by the third class – we were ready for our little pouches for the fourth and final class. First – I demonstrated how to do an applique – then the gang went to work. It think everyone was pretty happy – and kind of amazed…they all looked so cool! Even more learning about the sewing machine – getting the stitches just so – and the applique works perfectly!
Second – was the zipper and the making of the pouch. It was based on this wonderful tutorial from
I think the pouches turned out super swell….and I think these LuckyStitchers no longer fear their machines and will keep sewing!
I think no matter your level of sewing – you can take a class and learn something. If you take a class at – you’ll notice there is a . THIS IS A SUGGESTION! Don’t be afraid to learn something new. It’s fun!
I love blogs. I love them because of so many different reasons, but today especially because the ability to categorize posts really butters my toast! My lastest clicking obsession is finding patterns, tutorials and reviews of patterns. So here are a few of my favorite things (oh Maria…):
– You can download clothing patterns too! Love this
– Great directions andfab pictures.
- Oh, LOVE that inside this category are MORE lists of links to other tutorials.
Here’s to spending hours looking through tutorials! CHEERS! But be sure to take a few of those moments and actually make something…
I made another little zippered pouch for the . It’s on it’s way to someone in the UK. It’s small and filled with just a few things, pink irridescent sequins by-the-yard, pink felt flowers that have a fusible backing, perfect for ironing onto something and the cutest rhinestone flower stickers. The pouch is from this wonderful . The fabric is from thrifted drapes. I’m almost out of it…and everytime I’m out thrifting, I go straight to the drapes and bedding. I did get some great stuff on my last trip, pictures later.
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