Early this summer, we presented a series of nine projects, using pre-cuts from Joanna Figueroa's beautiful Fresh Cottons Collection by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda Fabrics. Her buttery soft vintage colors and endlessly mixable prints are a magical blend of old and new. We knew it was the spot-on fabric choice for a summer guest room make-over. Although every one of the tutorials in our Fresh Linens series got great reviews, this pretty pair of pillowcases was a special favorite, and they easily earned a place on our list at #16. This is a great beginner project. So fast and easy, you can start at noon and be napping by 3:00.

Go to the tutorial.

At the beginning of the year, we created eleven Valentines Day projects, and of course, had to include a little something for our furry friends. Coming in at #17, these organic catnip mice were purrfect in every way. Ours were made from Valentine-themed charm pack squares, but you could just as easily dip into your scrap bag for little bits and pieces. We sensed early on that these were destined to be a kitty-crowd-pleaser because Alicia had oodles of feline assistance during their construction.

Go to the tutorial.

Our Nature Brights Kitchen series from February of 2010 was a huge hit. Using Patty Young's wonderfully vibrant Flora & Fauna Collection by Michael Miller Fabrics, we designed ten tutorials to fill the brightest, happiest kitchen ever. These clever dish towels made it on to our list at Fave position #18, because they allow you to start with something off-the-shelf and add your own sewn touches to make it unique. We took plain white towels from Crate and Barrel, then added one, two, three stripes of color. Two narrow bands highlight a center swath of patterned fabric. An easy touch that adds some zing. S4H fans voted these the perfect gift idea.

Go to the tutorial.

In the Spring of this year, we created a small series called Sweet Softies, and little Eggy Pop was the star. Eggy still lives right next to my computer, because stuffed animals make me happy. I can glance over at Eggy when I'm having a bad day or when someone has shot down another one of my 'spectacular' ideas, and there he sits. Always calm, always smiling. Nubby chenille combines with the smooth, retro-inspired cotton of Heather Bailey's Nicey Jane for a sweet and soft vintage look, like a treasured toy you might have found in Grandma's attic. The super-plush minky we used for his hands, feet, legs, top knot and beak make him irresistibly squeezable. Don't you need your own darling Eggy to keep you company?!

Go to the tutorial.

Making it onto our "Faves" list as number 20 is nothing to sneeze at, especially given that we've posted hundreds of articles since our launch. I think the appeal of this beautiful journal, covered in elegant French General Rouenneries in Turkey Red Josephine, is our subconscious desire for a bit of the analog in an increasingly digital world. It's probably ironic writing that sentence on a website, huh? No matter; try it for yourself. Turn a plain spiral notebook into your own inspiring journal with our step-by-step instructions. From March of 2010, this project is a bit more advanced than many you'll find here at Sew4Home, but there are lots of pictures and careful notes about measuring and assembling.

Go to the tutorial.

Thanks to everyone who signed up for our S4H mail list in order to be automatically entered to win our fun Fresh Cottons prize package, courtesy of Joanna Figueroa. As promised, we randomly drew a name at midnight on August 16th, and the winner was... Shirley Chaney of Delaware. Pre-cuts and patterns are on their way to her this week from Joanna. Shirley says, "I have never won anything before, and I'm very proud of this prize." Congrats, Shirley. We have more contests planned for the coming months. Stay tuned!

Eeeek! Thinking about Halloween in August! But, when it comes to seasonal fabrics... you snooze, you lose. By the time October rolls around, the most bootiful and ghoulish fabrics mysteriously disappear off shelves in a puff of smoke only to be replaced with holiday fabric. If you like it, snag it now, and put it in the crypt until you're ready to sew your frightful creations.

We introduced you to Jo Packham last month when we told you about The Creative Connection, a must-go-to event this September 15th through the 18th. When she's not working with Nancy Soriano, putting together one of the year's coolest events for creative women, she's wearing her editor hat at Where Women Create magazine. Each issue of this unique quarterly publication invites you into the inspirational spaces of some of the most extraordinary women of our time. It is filled with gorgeous photography and beautiful stories about what motivates these women to create such incredible art, craft, stories, music, dance, and more. And I mean filled... like Alice in Wonderland, I want to step through the pages right into the rooms.

If you're sending someone off to college for the first time this Fall, you're in for a lot of new experiences. There'll be stories of all-night 'study sessions,' complaints about the new roommate who hogs all the closet space, whining about the food or lack thereof. And then... there's the laundry. You will learn The Lesson of Laundry-Deferral. Or, exactly how long one person can go without doing the wash. Often, this can stretch all the way to winter break. So, send your collegian off with this heavy-duty, jumbo laundry duffle. It's nearly three feet tall with a drawstring top that allows for easy stuffing. Then, with its sturdy strap slung over-the-shoulder, he or she can arrive home for the holidays with nearly his or her entire wardrobe in tow. Stock up now on detergent.

Shopping for back-to-school is almost a rite of passage. You must have at least one new sweater to wear. Because even if the thermometer still reads in the 80s, the beads of sweat are worth the fashion statement. But this year, many of us are on a pretty tight budget. So before buying a complete wardrobe, maybe you should check and see if there are some items you could re-make and re-use. Brush up on your fix-it skills with our basic sewing tutorials, and put a new spin on some rough-around-the-edges favorites.

Belts are all over the torso this year. From hip huggers that add shape to a shift, waist-cinchers for a pretty feminine look, and empire waist belts for a figure-enhancing trendy look. Pick your position, cut, sew and go. These 30-minute wonders are easy and satisfying to make; a classic plaid adds a lovely touch of fall to your wardrobe, especially when mixed with something unexpected.