It's the time of year for outdoor events, which means outdoor sitting – often on "non-chair surfaces." From summer concerts to Shakespeare in the Park, when the weather turns wonderful, activities move to more natural venues. These beautiful, wide open spaces can offer an auditorium made from a soft green meadow. Actually, they're more likely to offer a lumpy field of damp grass. For portable comfort, bring along your own stylin' set of round seat cushions. We used water-resistant rip stop nylon on the back and pretty outdoor polyester prints on the front, and they come with their own handy nylon drawstring duffle. Toss them on the lawn to keep your pants dry and your bum comfy.
Beaded Floral Wedding Gown Sash
One wedding accessory that has remained popular over the last several years is the bridal gown sash. We found them as a recommendation in wedding planning articles as well as for sale on a variety of sites, from high-end bridal specialty boutiques to Etsy. However, the price of this popularity was steep: $200-$600 and up! With a few small cuts of luxury fabrics, such as lace, tulle, satin, and organza, along with some beautiful pearl or crystal beads, you can create your own custom wedding sash for much, much less. Plus, it will be perfect for your colors and your wedding. The key to creating a beautiful look, such as you see on our sample, is to experiment with color and texture, as well as with the placement of the flowers, beads, and other embellishments until you get a look that's just right for the bride-to-be.
Round Patchwork Floor Cushion with Tufting and Piping
Floral on the floor! Who says tables and counters get to have all the fun when it comes to gorgeous bouquets of blooms. We used nine floral prints (originally from Amy Butler's Violette collection for FreeSpirit Fabrics) to create a beautiful patchwork floor cushion for your seat or feet, giving new meaning to "tiptoe through the tulips!" We offer pattern downloads for all the patchwork pieces so you don't have to blow a gasket trying to turn squares and rectangles into a perfect circle; we did all the math for you.
Sewing Tips with Rick Rack: The Most Terrific of Trims
Rick rack or rickrack or ricrac, however you spell it, there’s no denying it’s been at the top of the trim list for near 200 years. Earliest mentions of this wavy wonder date back to the mid-1800s! At its most simplified, rick rack is defined as a flat, narrow woven braid in a zig zag form. It was originally known as “waved crochet braid.” That’s right! Rick rack’s history is not as homespun as you might think. Rick rack was a preferred trim for fancy handwork in the late-19th and early-20th century, a sought-after component of crocheted lace designs. Because the harsh laundry methods of the time involved boiling-hot water, grated lye soap, and large wooden paddles, the durability of rick rack made it a favorite with seamstresses who were tasked with applying or repairing the much more delicate laces. From elegant lace gowns to prairie pinafores, it’s a trim that’s weathered the test of time and we have the best tips for adding it to today’s projects.
Ironing Board Thread Catcher & Tool Caddy
During any given project, you're likely to log at least five miles running back and forth between the sewing machine and the ironing board. Crap... need another pin. Dang... where are my scissors? Shoot... forgot to grab the seam gauge again. Sound familiar? We decided your taken-for-granted ironing board was in desperate need of its very own notions caddy. Of course all this fabulous organization means you will now have to make up that five miles with extra laps on the treadmill.
Yoga Tote with Wraparound Mat Straps: Dritz Belting
We’ve done totes and we’ve done yoga mat carriers, but – until now – we hadn’t combined the two in such a stylish way. Collect all your gear into a generously sized tote, then use the handy wraparound straps to secure your mat to the front of the bag. All-in-one and ready to head to class and back again. Pulling it together for both fashion and function is 1½” Dritz Belting for the handles, accent straps, and wraparound straps.
Soft & Stuffable Cotton Shopping Bags
As more and more stores boost their recycling commitment (some entire cities have banned plastic bags), it's becoming pretty common to bring your own shopping bags. Fabric bags are the go-to alternative and widely available, particularly the heavier, structured bags. Lightweight, flexible bags that would best replace plastic can be harder to come by. Luckily, you're a clever sewing person and can make your own... with a little help from your friends here at Sew4Home.
Striped Table Runner with Decorative Stitching
Start with a simple yet bold fabric, add some distinctive decorative stitching, and the result is a stunning table runner that's a perfect backdrop for any gathering or occasion that calls for a pretty table setting. Remember, "Life is short; use the good china!" We chose a canopy style striped fabric, which is easy to find in a myriad of colors. We offer two options from Premier Prints below. Thanks to our amazing Janome studio machines, we found the perfect stitch pattern, picked a strong contrasting thread color, and sewed our long lines of embellishment with perfect form and precision... even when running for over 100 inches! Industry-leading stitch quality is one of the main reasons we are so happy to be an exclusive Janome studio.
Heart Shaped Slip-on Oven Mitts
Two hearts are always better than one, and our heart shaped oven mitts are the perfect pair. They slip onto your hands to give you a protected yet flexible grip for hot pots and pans. Patterns are offered for both the full heart shape as well as the unique curved pockets. A diamond quilting pattern secures the insulating layers of fabric, thermal batting, and regular batting, but you could alter the quilting pattern to best suit your fabric's motif and your personal style.
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