I love Sunday mornings. Getting some work done, sewing, finding beautiful things on Pinterest, and over-thinking everything.
Etsy Finds Friday
Parade Print in Orange from Helen Rawlinson, $17.29.
Pretty Pachyderm, $42 from Nifty Kidstuff.
Washi Tape Organizer from 464 Handmade, $30.
Crocheted Hearts, $6 from Viola’s Boutique.
Tangerine Checker Throw Pillow, $58 from B. Perrino Quilts.
Fabric Bundle, $13 from Cottonholic.
Kokeshi Doll Tooth Pillow from During Quiet Time, $16.
Echino Dot Fabric Fat Quarter, $4.25 from Charm Stitch.
Bright Quilt Wood Wall Hanging, $195 from Gary Park.
Crafty Kids
I haven’t been working on any projects that I can show you now, but my kids have. My 9-year-old got a Bebichhichi doll from the Japan store when we were in Epcot a couple of weeks ago, so she made a house for the doll. Remember Monchhichi? Oh, these little versions are so cute. I think this is the beginning of a collection. Just what we need. Anyway, my daughter is having fun working on the house and furniture.
And my seven-year-old is learning to sew! She was so eager to learn and I knew she’d have more fun learning from someone else, so I signed her up for classes at Whipstitch, where she learned to make this too cute kitty. Looks like she picked out some of Rashida’s fabric for her project! And I’ve discovered if you hate turning fabric tubes, let your kids do it! Their tiny little fingers do it much faster.
1, 2, 3 Quilt
Exciting news! I’m working on a follow-up to 1, 2, 3 Sew. The new book will be called 1, 2, 3 Quilt and — you guessed it — it will be all about quilts, including quilted and patchwork projects! I’m excited to be working with Chronicle Books again. This book will be geared towards beginning quilters and those with more experience who are looking to try new designs and techniques.
I just finally finished up a couple of quilts I’ve been working on for a while (not for the book). One is the Crossed Quilt Block that I wrote about last spring and another is a baby quilt. On the crossed quilt, I made the quilting in a wonky pattern just like the crosses. I’ve got a new free motion machine that I’ve enjoyed working with and am loving the handmade look it creates and am enjoying the quilting process, but still not a fan of binding quilts. But I love the puckered look of a freshly washed quilt.
The book will include some very finished, manicured looking quilts as well as those with a more handmade aesthetic. So I’m curious — what kind of quilts do you like? What would you like to make? Modern, traditional — a mix? What techniques do you most want to learn? What are you afraid to try? I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions as I’m working on the book. The book will be available in Fall 2013!
Top 100 Tutorials of 2011
There was lots going on in the craft world this year. So much that I can hardly keep up anymore, but I’ve tried to round up 100 of my favorite craft and sewing tutorials of the year from around the internet. In the sewing category, I’ve included the free projects available from my book 1, 2, 3 Sew. Looks like I actually have a few more than 100 projects listed here. Go make some stuff this year! The projects pictured above are marked with an asterisk.
Sewing Projects
- Mouse Pincushion from 1, 2, 3 Sew, video tutorial for Etsy.*
- Lunch Sack from 1, 2, 3 Sew for Sew, Mama, Sew!
- Market Tote from 1, 2, 3 Sew on the Chronicle Books blog.
- Eyelet Headband from 1, 2, 3 Sew as featured on CRAFT.
- Pintuck Clutch from 1, 2, 3 Sew featured on Burda Style.
- May Flower Hair Clips for Alpha Mom.
- Dictation Pouch for Skip to My Lou.
- Monster Tooth Pillow from The Long Thread.
- Woven Felt E-reader Case for Lark Crafts.
- Bias Tape Bunny Ears from Country Living.
- Stuffed Fabric Turtle from Make and Love It.
- Layla the Elephant from Riley Blake.
- Geometric Stenciled Tote Bag from How about Orange for Modern Mom.
- Shopping List Holder from Terri Harlan for Lark Crafts.
- Embellished Vintage Hand Towels from Lovely Nest Designs.
- Pencil Pouch Tutorial from Gwenny Penny.
- Bee Skirt Pattern from Whipstitch Fabrics.*
- Fabric Ornament from V. and Co.
- Fabric Bowl Video from Brett Bara.
- Tangram Fabric Puzzle from Beauty All Around.
- Laptop Bag from How Joyful for Sew, Mama, Sew!
- June Picnic Throw from Bolt Neighborhood.
- The Playdate Dress from Craftiness is Not Optional.
- Monster Pillow from Ruffles and Stuff.
- Sorbetto Tank Top from Coletterie.
- Teepee Tutorial from LoLovie.
- How-To Make French Knots from We Love French Knots.
- Little Houses from Retro Mama.
- Ironing Board Caddy from Sew4Home.
- Three Tiered Girl’s Skirt from Make It and Love It.
- Swiss Cross Bag from John Q. Adams for Sew, Mama, Sew!
- Chevron Baby Blanket from Aesthetic Nest.*
- Lattice Pillow from Persia Lou.*
- Heart Hotpad from Made.
- The Graceful Kelly Bag from U handbag.
- Hobby Horse from Abby Glassenberg for Whip Up.
- Reversible Sewing Machine Cover from Stay-at-Home Artist.
- Cottage Door Hanger from The Split Stitch.
- Bunny Pants from Made by Rae.
- Shirred Skirt with Pockets from Running with Scissors.
- Organizer Basket from Pink Penguin.
- Scrap Busting Potholders from My Girl Thursday.
- Bento Box from Lark Crafts.
- Dress Up Wings from Llevo el Invierno for Prudent Bay.
- The Junebug Girl’s Dress from Craftiness is Not Optional.
- Make-Up Bag from Sew Like My Mom.
- Magnetic Bookmark from The Southern Institute.
Quilting
- Fish Baby Log Cabin Pattern from Malka Dubrawsky for Sew, Mama, Sew!
- Pound Cake Quilt Block from The Long Thread.
- October Block of the Month from Alissa Haight Carlton for Sew, Mama, Sew!
- Liberty Mini Quilt from The Purl Bee.*
- Monsterz Hexagon Quilt from Cloud 9 Fabrics.
- Patchwork Quilt Binding from I Heart Linen.
- Under Over Quilt Block from Lucie Summers of Summersville.
- Crossed Quilt Block from The Long Thread.
- Spiderweb Quilt from Quiltville.
- Modern Hexagon Quilt Block from Reanna Lily Designs.
- The Modern Workshop Quilt from Oliver + S.
- Mini Bookshelf Quilt from Don’t Call Me Betsy.
- Windy Days Quilt by Moda Bake Shop.
- Just Around the Corner Quilt Pattern from Free Spirit Fabrics.
Paper Crafts
- 3D Paper Ball Ornaments from How about Orange.*
- Simple Advent Calendar from Daisy Janie.
- Paper Flower from Patricia Zapata of A Little Hut.
- Mitten Gift Tags from Present and Correct for Design Sponge.
- Valentine Angel from Allsorts.
- Paperbag Wreath from Bloesem Kids.
- DIY Washi Tape Star from Papernstitch for Creature Comforts.
- Paper Gems from Mini Eco.
- Paint Swatch Chandelier from Hey Gorgeous.
Crafts
- Colored Pencil Jewelry from Mini Eco for Design Mom.*
- I-Cord Necklaces from The Purl Bee.
- Chevron Printed Fabric from Prudent Baby.
- Watercolor Fabric from The Girl Creative.
- Rainbow Tinted Mason Jars from Say Yes to Hoboken.
- Stamped Tea Towels for Indie Fixx.
- Colorful Cubes from Abbey Hendrickson for Etsy’s How-Tuesday.*
- Chalkboard Gingerbread People from Whip Up.
- 10 Ways to Make a Garland from A Beautiful Mess.
- Spread the Love Printable Labels from Maize Hutton.
- Turn Bottles into White Vases with Aura Joon.
- Gingerbread Heads from Bakerella.
- Ombre Tutorial from Freshly Picked.
- Embroidery Hoop Turkey from Gwenny Penny.
- Gift Wrap Paper PomPom from Bloomize.
- Felt Flower Wreath from Nest of Posies.
- Vintage Wooden Spool Cork Board from The Silly Pearl.
- Layered Ribbon Trees from Sparkle.
- Stenciled Circle Rug from Tatertots and Jello.
- Simple Drawstring Coin Purse from Between the Lines.
- Chalkboard Calendar from PSA Stamp Camp.
- Make Your Own Washi Tape from Between the Lines.
- Decoupage Pumpkins from Country Living.
- Watercolor Resist Cards from Glamour Grace.
- Bird Ornaments from Torie Jayne.
- Cross Stitch Wall Mural from Eline Pellinkhof on freshome (inspirational photos, not a tutorial).
- Magnetic Advent Calendar from Twig & Thistle.
- Valentine Scratch Cards from Bloesem Kids.
- DIY Branch Hooks from Scandinavian Deko.
- Print Your Own Fabric from Maple Ash and Oak for Poppytalk.
- Tiny Vinyl Records from The Long Thread for Alpha Mom.
- Doily Print Bowl from Soda Pop Design (via Creature Comforts).
Be sure to check out my tutorial round-ups from 2010, 2009 and 2008.