Beach Tote Bag from Say Yes to Hoboken.
Lap Duvet from The Purl Bee.
Playdate Dress from Craftiness is not optional.
Felt Magnets from Everything Etsy.
Sorbetto Tank Top from Colette Patterns for Grosgrain.
Cross Stitched Place Cards from The Making Spot.
Windy Days Quilt from Sarah B Designs for Moda Bake Shop.
Vintage Scarf Display Idea from You Sentimental Idiot for Poppytalk.
Here’s a quick tutorial for a handbag with rope handles. I’ve pretty much been making the same summer bag for the past couple of years (see here and here).
Long story, but I bought some heavy-duty cotton rope to use for chair seats, then decided to go with wooden seats for the chairs since we have kids standing and spilling on the chairs. So I will be doing a lot of rope projects! This rope is a bit sturdier than the rope trim that you can find in the sewing store, but I think that will do just fine for this project. You could also use bamboo handles as I’ve done in the past, following the same instructions. I secured the rope handles by sewing them and then holding them together with hidden masking tape, but I think it would be a nice detail if you used metal clamps from the hardware store — and perhaps a bit more professional!
The fabric is by Nani Iro from Matatabi.
Click on the image below to download the instructions.
Less talk, more craft. One of my summer goals is to make more clothing for myself, so I used this Liberty of London Tana Lawn fabric from Purl Soho (Gray Asami Sayo 1175C) and made this simple blouse. I started in linen with this pattern, but the shape of the center insert and the gathers were just not flattering at all, so I simplified it. It’s still a boxy top, but I think it will work well with a pair of slim capri pants.
Thanks for all of your comments on this post. It is clear that many of you feel passionate about the challenging issues surrounding copyright. During this time of fluent information sharing and the collaborative nature of the online craft community, it is only natural that these issues surface. I respect your opinions about my HandMAYde is Better series this week and while I welcome the debate, I hope that all of you know that as a maker and designer myself, these issues are important to me also. Each of the posts from this week has been updated in response to your concerns.
If you would like to read the full post along with the comments, feel free to read on. I am going to get on with sewing and making things, because I don’t think we are going to find any answers today. What I hope to provide here is a supportive place for inspiration, instruction and resources. Thanks.
Today, Anna Graham from Noodlehead has shared a beautiful pillow that she made, inspired by an Anthropologie version (above left). This project is a great introduction to patchwork and you’ll add piping to the rounded ends, another great skill for new sewers to learn. She shows two versions of the pillow and suggests that you could also add some hand quilting, like the Anthropologie version. Click here to read the full tutorial.
If you haven’t visited Anna’s blog before, you’ll find all kinds of sewing and tutorials. Thanks, Anna!
