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Oh My! Handmade Goodness

Next stop on the blog tour! Head over to Oh My! Handmade Goodness to read a book review and enter for a chance to win a copy of 1, 2, 3 Sew.

Oh My! Handmade Goodness is an excellent resource for makers, designers, craft bloggers and handmade enthusiasts. Founder Jessika Hepburn writes and edits with an excellent group of contributors, featuring topics ranging from starting a handmade business to copyright issues,  and she also includes some great project tutorials, handmade artist features, and printables. In addition, Jessika has a shopping guide with links to some lovely handmade shops with a focus on children’s goods.

Thanks to Jessika for being part of the 1, 2, 3 Sew blog tour!

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Lunch Sack on Sew, Mama, Sew!

Today the kind folks at Sew, Mama, Sew! are hosting the second day of the 1, 2, 3 Sew blog tour. The Sew, Mama, Sew! blog is a must for anyone interested in sewing or fabric. Full of tips, tutorials, and the latest sewing trends, it’s a great source of endless inspiration to add to your sewing to-do list.

The jars fabric here is designed and handprinted by Roisin Fagan from Bespoke Uprising. Photo above by Laura Malek.

So head over and get the instructions to make this Lunch Sack from my book. It’s an insulated tote with an attached drawstring lining, perfect for lunches at school or work. This is the third project in the totes chapter, so it presents a few more challenges including French seams and an insulated lining, but I think it’s still easily manageable for someone with a bit of sewing experience.

The other day I sewed a kid’s version using Rashida Coleman-Hale’s Cute Bots fabric from her new I Heart collection. This one is in a fabulous linen/cotton blend! I know that linen isn’t an obvious choice for a lunch tote, but it’s natural and fully washable. And I added my daughter’s name with an embroidered patch.

Here are some other good options to make your own stylish lunch sack:

Be sure to head over to Sew, Mama, Sew! for the full pattern instructions and more photos, and enter to win a copy of the book! And be sure to check out their round-up of summer sewing tutorials. You can find 1, 2, 3 Sew and a great selection of sewing books in the new Sew, Mama, Sew! Book Shop.

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Quick Crafty Round-Up

Boxy Dopp Kit from The Cottage Home for Kojo Designs.

DIY Magic Shell from Emma of Food Coma for I Go by Katie.

Gauzy Cotton Caftan from Craft Stylish.

Kids’ DIY Postage Stamps from Bloesem Kids.

Cocktail Umbrella Lantern from Allison Patrick of Zipper8 Lighting for Etsy’s How-Tuesday.

Floral Straws from Martha Stewart.

How-to Ombre Shirt from Cotton and Curls (via papernstitch).

101 Sewing Tutorials for Summer from Everything Etsy.

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Eyelet Headband on CRAFT

Today kicks off the start of the 1, 2, 3 Sew blog tour with a free project over on CRAFT. I’m excited to start things off with CRAFT because they were one of the first crafty blogs I started reading and still one of the few that I read on a daily basis. I’ll never forget how giddy I was the first time they linked to one of my projects. Thanks to Michelle, Rachel, Natalie, Diane and all the others at CRAFT who have featured my projects over the past few years!

Anyway, today we are sharing a tutorial to make the Eyelet Headband from 1, 2, 3 Sew, perhaps the easiest project from the book — simply cut, punch, sew and you’re done. All of the projects in this accessories chapter are vintage inspired — the eyelet headband is the first project, then you’ll build your skills by making a tea towel apron with shell tuck hem, and then move on to a more challenging scarf, made with 42 tiny yo-yos.

Book photos above by Laura Malek.

My daughter is wearing the headband shown here, in her favorite color of course. The pattern is designed for an adult, but is very easy to adapt for smaller heads. For each project in the book, I suggest possible variations. Here you could make this into a bracelet or necklace, add embroidery or beading, back it with fabric, or try cutting a more intricate pattern in the felt using a craft knife. I think it’s important that you make every project your own. You’ll also find a list of resources in the back of the book. For this thick 2mm wool felt, I recommend FilzFelt.

Check out the post over on CRAFT for the template and complete instructions. As you can see, this headband goes with any mood!

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Mollie Makes

During a time when print magazines are going down by the dozen, it’s refreshing to see a lovely new publication emerge. Mollie Makes is my favorite new crafty magazine. Published in the UK, the magazine embodies the spirit of the crafty lifestyle along with the beauty of a shelter magazine. With project tutorials, featured handmade artists, photos of craft studios and images of vintage and handmade influenced interiors, inspiration and resources, it’s a must-read for anyone who loves handmade.

I was excited to discover the magazine when my editor sent me a write-up of 1, 2, 3 Sew, which was included in the first issue. I haven’t been able to find a copy of that issue in the U.S., but I did head to the suburbs yesterday to pick up a copy of issue #2 from a Joann store. My love for foreign magazines is an expensive habit, with the U.S. price at $11.99, but since this one is packed with so much goodness, I think it might be worth it. And it’s printed in English, which is a definite plus. This second issue also featured a felt flower kit attached to the cover.

Here are some photos to give you a glimpse inside the magazine:

Alicia Paulson’s beautiful sewing space is featured above. You can flip through the first issue here, watch the charming video trailer here, and check out their gorgeous blog here.