We certainly hope Sew4Home is one of your top stops for all things machine-sewing-related. But today, we're giving your hardworking machine a rest. Instead, we're taking a look at the huge selection of Dritz® Clothing Patches. These fusible wonders are awesome for their definitive use: fixing a hole in junior's jeans. But, that's just the start of the inspiration and fun. Dritz offers a huge selection of colors as well as sizes and textures: from twill to nylon to denim to corduroy and more. We spent some time patching our way through pillows, scarves, tees, and... of course, jeans.
Top 5 End-of-the-Year Teacher Gifts + Thank You Gift Tags
The school year is wrapping up. Soon the books will be closed and the desks will be empty, but the impact on students’ hearts and minds is forever stamped. Great inventors and leaders are not born. They are motivated and inspired by all the amazing teachers who stand up and stand out every single day. We chose five projects you can make to say, “Thank you so much!” Our selection has a relaxation theme, because we simply cannot think of any group more deserving of a bit of R&R. Each option also includes an idea for how to bundle the project into a complete gift package. And, we put together another great S4H printable: a unique set of Thank You Teacher Gift Tags.
Foldaway Shopping Bags with Carrying Case
Reusable shopping bags are everywhere these days. In fact, in many towns and cities, plastic and even paper bags are simply no longer available in the check-out line. I love the sturdy fabric grocery totes you normally come across, and we've made a number of them here at Sew4Home (links are included below). The only problem with the larger, heavier bags is remembering to bring them with you to the store! As an alternative, we have this pair of foldaway bags in their own carrying case. It's compact enough (just 5" x 7" x 2") to throw in your purse or keep in the car's glove box. But it still holds two generously-sized shopping duffles that will carry an amazing amount of stuff! The carrying case even has a handy front pocket to hold a shopping list, cards, keys and more.
ScrapBusters: Stretchy Headbands in Pleated & Turban Styles
You've seen these awesome headbands everywhere. They're a go-to solution for yoga class, running, or just when it's a bad hair day. Now you can make your own. It's very easy, so easy in fact, we did two styles: one is accordion-pleated so you can adjust the pleats to wear it wide or narrow; the other is a turban style with a classic front knot. We tried both styles with a thin woven cotton as well as a lightweight knit. Both worked well during construction and looked great when done. It's a great ScrapBusters project.
Super Sturdy Summer Tote: Dritz Rivets & More
Summer is out-and-about time. Time for traveling near and far. Time for a tote that can stand up to all the adventures. Our Super Study Summer Tote is ready to roll. We love working with the Dritz® Double Cap Rivets to add strength to a bag’s straps and other stress points. They are easy to work with and look great when installed. Our fabric choice for this project was a classic cabana stripe canvas, and we added a pretty monogram on the front pocket to both personalize as well as identify… an important feature when your belongings get piled with other’s during a day at the beach or park. Read on for all the step-by-step instructions, including the cool reverse box riveted corners.
Fast Fridays: Tassel Time – Broomstick and Yarn Chubbies
We use traditional tassels often as a fun embellishment for linens, cushions, bags, and more. But in true Sew4Home fashion, we weren’t content to settle for traditional. We have two unique tassel styles today: the Broomstick Tassel with a sleek, floss wrapped hanging loop, and the fantastical Yarn Chubbies, which we think look like fluffy little dancing dolls. It’s all part of our Fast Fridays series that is all about whipping up something wonderful in no time at all.
How to Install Dritz Home Snap-On Plastic Grommets
For apparel, bags, athletic gear, etc., the go-to grommet style are the ubiquitous metal circles with some type of rope or cording woven through at a closure point. These metal classics are a go-to here at Sew4Home as well, but they're not the only option. For some applications, especially those that need a rather large grommeted opening, we like the Dritz® Home Snap-On Plastic Curtain Grommets. Although they are traditionally associated with curtains, they are a great solution for a variety of projects. We outline the easy installation steps for the plastic grommets and have collected links for a number of our tutorials that feature them.
Stylish Drawcord Backpack
When working on our projects, we're always keeping an eye out in stores, magazines, and online for design elements that are the most stylish, the cutest, and have the best functionality. We want to make sure we're bringing you the kind of high-end features that take handmade to the next level – so your finished item looks as cool as what you'd find to buy. More cool in fact, because you've chosen the fabric, colors, and notions to best fit your personal style. This backpack borrows elements we've seen on boutique bags as well as the street trends spotted on our own local school and college campuses.
Friendly Stuffed Crocodile
"Tick Tock, Cap'n... Tick, Tock... someone is coming!" I spent a good chunk of my childhood hoping, wishing, dreaming I could fly like Peter Pan. I never actually jumped off the roof of the garden shed, but... I climbed up there and thought about it! We've created a wonderfully sneaky stuffed crocodile, our homage to the creepy croc in Peter Pan who was forever stalking Captain Hook. Shannon Cuddle fleece is a fun dot and low nap fleece are the perfect pair for the top and bottom of Mr. Croc. Two widths of rick rack form his teeth and spine. And, we chose Fairfield's luxuriously silky Poly-Fil® Supreme Fiberfill as our stuffing. The texture of this fiber filling is wonderful for toys, plus it's washable and non-allergenic. Although he might look complex, our crocodile takes just a little while. He's playful rather than predatory, so there's no need to be afraid to give him a try. You'll find him extremely huggable with a great sense of humor... except when it comes to jokes involving pirates and lost boys.
Bound Gauze Towels for Drying Crystal, China & Flatware
The dishwasher is my friend. I put just about everything in that puppy and it magically reappears sparkling clean. The key phrase is, “just about.” There are some items that still require hand washing: crystal, fine china, and any flatware you want to keep looking new (sterling, silver-plate or even stainless). Hand washing means hand drying, and for the very best look for your very best tableware, hand drying should be done with a lightweight cotton cloth that can both dry and add a bit of finishing polish. These quick and easy drying towels are made from a single weight gauze bound with traditional quilting cotton. We used Swaddle Gauze by Cloud 9 Fabrics from their Tout Petit collection. It was the perfect weight, and big bonus: so pretty!
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