Liz Johnson.Editor.Sew4Home 
A lumpy, bumpy seam screams “amateur” louder than just about anything else. Pressing carefully throughout a project’s construction makes everything better. We love using the Oliso Minis … now available in FOUR cool colors.
We get asked a lot about our favorite things. Folks are interested in what we choose and use on our projects, and we’re always happy to share. At the top of the list: our machines, which are always Janome. Click to find out why.
If you’re a lucky owner of a Continental M7, MC15000 or MC9450, there is now a Janome Workbook for all THREE models. Each book explores tips, tricks, plus step-by-step instructions and projects to get the most out of your machine.
We’ve alphabetized 20 terms into a mini glossary. If you’re a pro, buzz through and see how many you know. If you’re new, use them as great vocabulary builders as well as to impress your non-sewing friends.
We used a floral, butterfly + bird print for our apron, but any favorite quilting cottons would be equally lovely. The design features four buttons to attach the bib to the skirt, a divided wraparound pocket, and a generous back bow.
A pouf is the structured ottoman’s casual cousin – laid back and soft around the edges. Try our foam and batting solution, which allows the pouf to take on both sitting and footrest duties as well as being able to hold a tray.
Covered buttons are cool! They add the special touch that says, “Stand back… I’m a home décor professional.” Making them with a kit is easy and inexpensive. We like working with the Dritz kits – available in lots of sizes.
Here’s a wonderful way to freshen up your space – indoors or out. Our pillow design features criss-cross lacing along the front closure to add a nautical spin. Bold stripes, cut in different directions, are a perfect fabric choice.
Surround yourself with home décor that makes you smile. Our colorful mini bolster is a great start to your happiness project. It looks quite fancy with a ruched center panel, piping, and pony tail ends – but it’s so easy.
Whip up a pretty new outfit for your favorite sewing machine. This option is an open design, like a pinafore. It drapes over the machine and has handy pockets on both sides to keep a few tools, patterns, and notions at the ready.
A sleek, soft bag in a traditional curved shape with both carry handles and an adjustable shoulder strap. This “New Classic” has timeless lines but with an upstart edginess that adds just the right infusion of fun.
Who loves pockets?! It’s a perfect shape for a handy holder. Print our unique pattern that allows the top of the pocket to curve outward so it’s easy to fill. A large grommet at the top lets you hang it from a knob or hook.
Designed to hang from a crib or changing table, our diaper stacker has plenty of room inside for lots of diapers plus large pockets on the outside for wipes, lotions, and more. The adorable sunshine appliqué is a free download.
We all love little cheats and hacks! Our popular Cheat Cards cover important, need-to-know sewing tips and/or techniques in a handy business card size: 2” wide x 3½” high. Get the six card set for just $1.99 in our Etsy Shop.
Just in time for Valentine goodies, our mini gift bags are also perfect for weddings, birthdays, and other special celebrations. Change up the fabric and you’re set. We used burlap and cotton + ribbon for the unique side ties.
We give you all the tricks to get the perfect shape and structure for this trendy bucket bag, including interfacing specs, a grommet template, even a circular base pattern. Soft upholstery fabric is perfect for the exterior.
Pretty flowers as a gift: Good. Pretty flowers as a gift in a beautifully wrapped vase you made yourself: Great! You need just small scraps of fabric, ribbon, and felt. We include steps for the rolled rose embellishment.
The large clear vinyl pocket on one side can display finished artwork, Valentines + more. Two pockets on the other side, one with a colorful snap-flap, can hold paper, pencils, stickers, and more.
Our beautiful abstract flower design is full of flourishes – perfect to render in the soft texture of a quality wool blend felt. When done in striking solids, this appliquéd pillow makes a stunning statement.
Rather than traditional round spots on her wings, Louise sports 10 pretty appliquéd hearts. And, there’s a hidden heart on her chest, proving she’s filled with love through and through. A full, free pattern set makes it easy.
Fox, squirrel, and hedgehog machine embroidery designs are ready to apply to our towel pattern, other kitchen linens, the front of a tote bag, even a cozy sweatshirt or a child’s overall bib. Exclusively in our Etsy shop.
These round fabric baskets make picking up and putting away much more fun and colorful. There are free templates for our cute appliqués or create your own simple shapes. Each bin finishes at approximately 11″ high x 9″ in diameter.
One of the signs of a truly well-made project is that it looks nearly as good on the inside as it does on the outside. Finishing a project’s inside raw edges elevates the final appearance and adds to your sewing toolbox.
Designed to hold whichever tools you use most in your role as a Maker of Beautiful Things. There’s a set of 13 pockets and the bib is detachable. It would be a fantastic vendor apron for craft fairs and farmer’s markets.
Create a square pillow with an embroidered peace symbol and a coordinating rectangular pillow with the word PEACE embroidered in a gorgeous floral flourish. Our custom embroidery designs are offered as free file downloads.
It’s a digital world out there, and in this world lives a whole lot of cords and accessories and add-ons and jump drives, and…! Stay organized when you’re on the go with a roll-up pocket pouch that can hold all the essentials.
Do you have one of those box-type, Ikea shelf units? These tough fabric baskets are a perfect fit and a stylish solution. The front handles let you slide them in and out just like drawers.
Keep your purse more organized! By loading up the essentials into this multi-pocket pouch, all you need to do when changing bags is switch the organizer from one to the other. Much easier and faster to find everything.
Can you ever have too many zip pouches? We think not! This pretty curved design is long and narrow – a classic “pencil case” style perfect for its namesake utensils as well as make up, toiletries, notions, and more.
Whether you’re traveling near or far, our handsome, go-everywhere tote is a wonderful addition to your packing plans. A subtle monogram is the finishing touch that really makes the project your own.
Faux sherpa is the perfect toasty, super soft choice for all your cold weather accessories. For our wraparound scarf, we paired the sherpa fleece with another perennial winter favorite: plaid flannel. Don’t forget the jumbo poms!
We paired a décor weight exterior with a standard weight cotton lining. Then we calmly meditated on the easiest instructions with the most stylish details. The result guarantees good karma for all who tote this tote to class.
You’ll love this blanket’s easy binding, formed by wrapping a flannel backing square around to the front to create a wide, continuous border. We also show you a clever way to stitch the rick rack in place for a perfect reveal.
Our sweet child’s apron features cute-as-a-button ribbons on a whimsical polka dot base. The classic bib and gathered skirt style is fast, easy, and beginner friendly. Our pattern and cuts are detailed in small, medium + large sizes.
To keep your lips moist and protected from the elements, your best defense is a good offense: constant swipes from your trusty tube of lip balm. Make sure that tube is always handy with our key ring cases.
An ideal Fall blend of two wardrobe staples: plaid flannel and crisp denim. The slight teardrop shape and soft construction gives it a signature slouch that’s as everyday comfortable as your favorite flannel shirt and jeans.
Our list of the top 20 sewing misdemeanors, the little no-nos and uh-ohs we all try to get away with when we think no one is looking. But this year, we’re resolving to kick these bad habits to the curb. Which are you guilty of?
These box totes are sewn up in 100% linen so they have a wonderfully soft feel. Each bag features three coordinating solid colors set against one another in big, bold blocks both inside and out.
Take your pup walking in style! Ribbon, hardware, webbing, a couple of hours – and you can make your own boutique-style collar and leash. This is such a quick and easy project, you’ll be making sets for all your canine pals.
Mistakes happen to the best of us. The good news: ripping out a seam and starting over is something we all do all the time. With a little care and patience, it’s an easy fix and no one but you is ever likely to know it happened.
Our little catnip snowmen are designed as the perfect little toys to keep kitties busy while you’re outside building a real “jolly, happy soul.” We offer a downloadable pattern so you can make lots in no time from scraps on hand.
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