Category: sewing

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Signature Tote Bag

I made this tote bag the other day for my daughter’s friend who is moving away with her family. We took it to a party yesterday so that all the kids could sign their names on it. I basically made a pocket that opens like a book so that the kids could write their name and/or a message, then it is buttoned up to keep the messages inside. This design came from my need to keep things looking neat and tidy, I guess.

The white side of the fold-out pocket is made of two layers of cotton fused together so that the writing wouldn’t bleed through. Otherwise, it’s just a simple tote bag. I thought of it too late, but wish I’d stitched “Bon Voyage” on the flap. I bought the polka dot by Cloud9 Fabrics from Melanie’s shop (no longer in business, sadly) and the linen blend is from Kokka as I recall. This seems to be another version with birds on it. Yes, they “put a bird on it”.

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Snow Day Handbag

The kids have been home from school for three days now! This is what happens when we get snow and ice in Atlanta with very little equipment to clear the roads. We’re definitely starting to get cabin fever, but luckily we have power. I even found some time to sew. For this handbag I again used an embroidered cotton, this time with a Tana Lawn Liberty of London print. Both fabrics were picked up during our visit to Purl Soho back in September.

I made a basic bag, actually quite similar to a simple tote bag, but with knotted straps. I used fusible fleece to reinforce the outer portion and a heavy-weight interfacing to bulk up the lining. There is a magnetic snap and simple pocket on the interior.

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Top 100 Tutorials of 2010

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PomPom Pillow from Living with Punks.
Dip-Dye Lamp and Pillow from Design Sponge.
Simple Pillowcases from Made.
Lazy Daisy Pillowcases from The Long Thread.
Felt Flower Pillows from The Purl Bee.
Stenciled and Stitched Pillow from Artsy Crafty Babe.*
5-Minute Pillows from Grosgrain.
Floor Pillow from Living with Punks.
Cute as a Button Pincushion from Ravenhill.
Matryoshka Doll Pincushion from Maximum Rabbit.
Placemats from Handmade by Alissa.
Modern Placemats from Maggie Makes.
Quilted Placemats from Pink Penguin.
Paper Flower Pomanders from House of Smiths.
Dinner Date Quilt Block Tutorial from Film in the Fridge.
Tokyo Subway Map Quilt-along from Oh, Fransson!*
Knotted Bedspread from kojodesigns.
Eco Travel Lid from Alyson Hill.
Storage Basket from Jezze Prints.
Knitting/Sewing Basket from The Sometimes Crafter.
Jam Jar Cozies from Dottie Angel.
Ribbon Vase Sleeve from The Long Thread.*
Yarn-Wrapped Hangers from Wisecraft.
IKEA Window Shade Hack from Evil Mad Scientist.
Pouf Footstool from Design Sponge.*
Fabric Prints with Tape from How about Orange.
Silverware Garden Markers from Bunnyhill Designs.
Apron Tutorial from Ink and Spindle for the Crafts Dept.
Anthropologie Tea Towel from Lavender Kitty.
Polaroid Magnet Frame from Paper n Stitch.
Pretty Twist Ties from Zakka Life.
Recycled Paper Flowers from Maya Made.
Yarn Pendant Lamp from Pickles.
Felt Scraps Rug from the Crafts Dept.
Fabric Paper Tape from Annekata.
Little Urchin Sea Stone from Resurrection Fern for The Purl Bee.*
Doily Lights from Kootoyoo.
Paper Owl from mmmcrafts for Skip to my Lou.
Matchbook Notepads from Daisy Janie.
Plantable Paper from Alpha Mom.

For Kids & Baby
Skirt with Built-In Shorts from The Long Thread.
Custom Pet Tee from The Long Thread.
Lunch Bag from The Long Thread.
Castle Peeps Playset from Deborah of Whipstitch Fabrics.
Felt Letters from Made by Rae.
Diaper Bag from Warehouse Fabrics.
Storytime Squares Quilt from Made by Rae.
Contoured Burp Cloth from Cloud 9 Fabrics.
Library Tote from Noodleheads.
Rainbow Bunting Baby Quilt from A Pretty Cool Life for Luv in the Mommyhood.
Not Too Tutu Tutorial from UK Lass in US.
Let’s Go Backpack from Four Wise Monkeys for Sew, Mama, Sew!
Paper Puppet Theater from Bloesem Kids.
Snack Bags from Amy Karol of Angry Chicken.
Picture Perfect Bunny Patch Frame from Kata Golda for Etsy’s How-Tuesday.*
Art Notebook from How Does She?
Kids’ Drawing Case from The Long Thread.
Nap Mat/Roll from Prudent Baby.

Softies/Toys
Recycled Glove Chipmunk from Miyako Kanamori for Etsy’s How-Tuesday.
Mermaid from Hillary Lang for Martha Stewart.
Counting Bean Bags from Chez Beeper Bebe.
Gnomes from Gingercake.
Fabric Nesting Dolls from Joel Henriques for Etsy’s How-Tuesday.
Plush Seahorse from Liaspace.
Turtles from Jodie of Vintage RicRac for Whip Up.

Bags and Accessories
Blossom Handbag from Amy Butler for Sew, Mama, Sew!*
Gathered Clutch from Noodlehead.
For Pleat’s Sake Purse from u-handbag.
Patchwork Wristlet from Pink Penguin.
Pleated Pouch from Skip to my Lou.
Catch and Release Scarf from Presser Foot.
Quick Fix Grocery Bag from Between the Lines.
Lunch Money Pinch Frame Pouch from I Heart Linen for Petite Purls.
Patchwork Pencil Pouch from Little Big Girl Studio.
Etch-a-Sketch iPad Cozy from Smashed Potatoes.
iPad Case from Made by Heidi.
Pencil Case from ikat bag for Sew, Mama, Sew!
Fabric Flower Ring from V & Co.
Felt Dahlia Brooch from Not Martha for Holidash.
Tiny Tote Keychain from Kelly Rachel.

Holidays
Japanese-inspired Valentine’s Day Cards from Danielle Thompson.
Recycled Crayon Hearts and Printable Cards from The Long Thread.
Polymer Clay Hearts from Art Mind for Poppytalk.
Something Special Card and Envelope from JCasa Handmade for Sew, Mama, Sew!
Bunny Finger Puppets from The Purl Bee.
Peeps Bunny Bunting from Dana of Made for V & Co.
Chocolate Easter Surprise Eggs from Not Martha.
Pumpkin Pincushion, featured on Whip Up.*
Candy Corn Wreath from Woman’s Day.
Cross Stitched Pumpkin from Elsie Marley.
Reusable Gift Bag from The Long Thread.
Shrinky Dink Snowflake Necklace from The Long Thread.
Itty Bitty Ice Cream Ornament from Betz White.
Gingerbread House Ornament (excerpt from the book Fa La La La Felt by Lark Books).
Felt Ball Garland from Oh Happy Day.*
Straw and Pompom Garland from Elsie Marley.
Stocking Patterns from Denyse Schmidt.
Yarn Ball and Ornament Wreath from Life Through the Lens.
Plastic Canvas Gingerbread House Ornament from CraftyPod.
Printable Gift Tags from Camilla Engman.

*pictured above. Also, be sure to check out Top 100 Tutorials from other years here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Little Girls, Big Style

Last month I picked up a copy of Little Girls, Big Style: Sew a Boutique Wardrobe from 4 Easy Patterns from local Atlanta author Mary Abreu, published by Stash Books.

Since my older daughter is desperately in need of clothes and will only wear skirts that I have made her, I let her pick out some patterned corduroy from Bunte Fabrics and pulled it together with some fabric generously given to me by my friend Simone, who is moving to Singapore with her family next month. (Like I needed to come home with a car-load of fabric and sewing supplies!) I was actually surprised that my daughter chose all of these floral fabrics since she’s not such a “girly-girl”, but she is much more willing to wear things if she’s part of the process.

Anyway, I made two of the No-Hem Skirts, with varying fullness. Then I made one more basic corduroy skirt (the aqua with flowers) while I was at it. What I like about Mary’s book is that she has multiple variations on basic patterns, so you can change them up according to your own preferences or skill level. Perfect for me with two girls who have different styles. I’ll be sewing some of the Twirly Girly Skirts for my younger daughter, who likes things as frilly as possible.

You can look inside the book on amazon and read Mary’s blog here.

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Countdown Calendar

We’re counting down the days until Santa arrives. A day late, but we’ve got candy! Last year we had a store-bought calendar with chocolates and one that we made with activities for each day. This year I thought I’d make a reusable fabric version that we can fill with candy, activity cards, or tiny little toys. The girls have voted for candy this year.

I wanted something simple that we wouldn’t get tired of year after year. The fact that it’s washable is a bonus too. I drew the snowflake design in Illustrator and digitized it for machine embroidery with the numbers added. And this is going to be a pom-pom holiday season for us. I was so excited that my 7-year-old has ended her crafting boycott to make these. Easy and fun for kids to make — I’m planning a post on kid’s pom-pom projects for later this month. I think maybe in a real advent calendar you wouldn’t include Christmas day, but I like the symmetry of five days per row.

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