Lace Overlay Clutch
This fancy zippered clutch is perfect for weddings, evenings out + more; and it’s a fun way to use some of your prettiest fabric and lace scraps. The fabric peeks through the lace overlay for a lovely textured combination.
Liz Johnson.Editor.Sew4Home
Drapery Tapes: The Fastest Way to Finish Curtains
Simple panel window coverings are often one of the first DIY home décor projects people attempt. Figuring out how best to hang those pretty panels can be more of a challenge. Dritz offers three drapery tape solutions.
Easy Corduroy Slouchy Shoulder Bag
Our soft shoulder bag is beginner friendly but with a very stylish finish. The cool strap-and-tassel closure is a look we spotted on some of the trendiest designer bags. To get the signature slouch, look for a very fine wale corduroy.
Benny Loses His Blanket Children’s Book
Reading with the children in your life is one of the best experiences you can give them. We wrote this special book as a free download and hope you enjoy the adventures of Benny, who loses his blanket but finds some special friends.
Easy Felt Shoulder Bag
With clever cutting and careful stitching, this ribbon-accented bag is super cute and super easy. No complicated corners or closures, and the main body of the bag is a heavy wool felt, one of the most forgiving fabrics for new sewers.
Cozy Fleece Body Pillow
Our super soft body pillow offers 4½ feet of huggability. It’s a must-have for crashing on the family room floor, relaxing (I mean studying), and it can provide sleep support for pregnant moms or full body support for napping dads.
Fast Gift Wrap Sleeves
Slice, stitch, tie, give. Just a few steps to fast, festive, reusable gift wrap solutions in wool felt with cotton accents. Pretty bows and belts keep things wrapped up tight. We showcase three different sizes and styles.
Patchwork Strip Pillow with Decorative Stitching
Create a fast, patchwork pillow using thin scraps. We dove into our stash for leftover Jelly Roll and Honey Bun strips. A variety of decorative stitching along each seam adds a dash of color and texture. Each one is different.
Gumdrop Pillows in Colorful Shaggy Faux Fur
These eye popping pillows are created in Candy Shag Faux Fur. The long nap starts as pure white at the base with brilliant candy colors at the tips. As the nap shifts, so does the color. Wonder if that would work on my hair?!
Luxury Faux Fur Collar Wrap
Fur collars are a gorgeous way to update a coat, adding an instant overlay of luxury. The back of our collar is a rich faux suede. Go with natural tones as we did or walk on the whimsical side with brights and/or unique nap styles.
Machine Basting Basics
When does 1+1 = 1? When you’re basting two layers together! Lear: how to determine if your sewing machine has a basting stitch, when to use the stitch in sewing projects, and why hand basting is sometimes best.
Modern Two Tone Tote with Leather Handles
Light/dark – they say opposites attract, and that is at the core of this gorgeous two-tone tote. The striking contrast gives the project a modern look with a sleek simplicity that sets off the focal point: real leather handles.
Girl’s Two Tier Party Skirt
Is there a little girl in your life who needs a bit of party sparkle? Our sweet skirt features two layers of Metallic Double Gauze. We include a chart for sizing from 7 to 14. The panels are all simple straight cuts so it’s easy to adjust.
Bound Sweater Knit Poncho
Ponchos allow you to go outside wrapped in a soft, cozy blanket and no one thinks less of you… in fact, they compliment you on your chic fashion sense. We’re down with that! This gorgeous version is easy, cozy, and fun.
Sewing Patches Tote
If you’re sewin’ and you know it… clap your hands. Honor your favorite hobby with our fun machine embroidery patches. Free downloads are included in 6 popular formats. We used Sulky 30wt cotton for a perfect matte finish.
Sleepover Sack with Matching Pillowcase
It’s a snuggly, lightweight choice for a sleepover party or a night at grandma’s. The matching pillowcase makes it a complete set, and a wraparound harness with a built-in handle means it’s easy to carry to and from.
Message Pinboard with Three Handy Pockets
Keep counters and other work surfaces tidier and more organized with a pretty framed pinboard, featuring three stuff-collecting pockets + hanging hooks. Use a new frame or repurpose one from old artwork.
Quilted Mug Rug with Napkin Pocket
Bigger than a coaster but smaller than a placemat – a mug rug is just the right size at your desk, in the sewing room, or on a small table in the living room or den. Our design adds a unique little pocket with its own napkin.
How to Insert a Push Lock Closure
This earns our Sewing Survival emblem because learning the ins and outs of all types of hardware options is key to adding a more professional finish to your next bag project (and more!). The secret is precise measuring.
Machine Cross Stitch Placemats + Napkins
Download free embroidery designs to add delicate autumn leaves to table linens (and more). Learn two hemming techniques: narrow double-fold hem with diagonal point corners plus a wider hem with full mitered corners.
Fleece Scarf with Zippered Pocket
This bound fleece scarf is super fast and easy. We added a lightweight zippered pocket on one end. Use it to hold essentials so you can keep those jacket or pants pockets free to stuff your hands – ‘cause it’s cold out there!
Bound Jelly Roll Strip Placemats
Pretty placemats sweet enough to eat. The design is perfect for leftover jelly roll strips or cut your own narrow strips from scraps. Decorative stitching ties the rows together and holds all the layers in place.
Relaxed Shoulder Biz Brief
High-tech accents; like snaps, hooks, and locks provide functionality as closures as well as pro style. This slim shoulder bag uses SIX different fasteners, including a pair of mitten clips to tether a matching inner pouch.
Color Block Poncho
Made entirely from soft, smooth flannel; this stunning poncho has the weight and drape of wool but without any of the scratchiness, so it’s perfect to wear around your face and neck. We selected seven amazing herringbone colors.
French Mattress Edge Cushions
It’s a hand-stitching technique! This type of edge finish for a pillow or cushion is not difficult, but for the best results; you need a longer, stronger needle, heavy-duty upholstery thread, and a soft yet stable mid-weight fabric.
Janome Taping Guide Foot
This clever Janome foot helps you attach tape evenly and smoothly to the edge of your fabric. Adjust it to handle widths from 5mm to 20mm. Use both single fold and double fold binding styles, either tape you’ve made or packaged.
Accent Rug with Sunshine Appliqué
Bring a little sunshine inside with this cute appliquéd accent rug. At 40” x 32”, it’s a nice size for a nursery, kitchen or bath. We include a full template to create the sun circle and perfectly position all the teardrop rays.
Whale Appliqué Hand Towels
Wash your hands! Getting little ones to follow this important recommendation can be challenging. Make washing up more fun with our cute hand towels. We’ve created two adorable whale appliqués you can download for free.
The Lodge Blanket
Toasty. That’s what this blanket is all about. We layered a plush Sherpa style faux fur with a rich faux suede then bound it all around with the suede. The natural tones and classic plaid have the rustic look of a lumberjack coat.
Kitchen Curtains with Ribbon Ties
Instantly transform windows from plain and boring to pretty and bright. These simple yet stylish curtains combine two fabrics and use a simple row of ribbons to tie the top in place. Panels are lined for extra sun-blocking power.
Zippered Mini Clutch with Cross Stitch Accents
A beautiful little zippered clutch is the kind of accessory that’s a snap to make and a joy to give (or keep). This version has a chic vintage look thanks to delicate cross stitch machine embroidery in a variety of soft colors.
Lap Blanket with DIY Chenille Accents
When temperatures dip, it’s a perfect time for a lightweight lap blanket to keep you cozy. Our 41” x 41” design features corner tassels and unique accent scallops. Wash, fluff, and dry to give these strips the fuzzy feel of chenille.
Patchwork Trivets with Circular Quilting
Pretty patchwork with pie-shaped wedges spins into a full circle. There are free downloadable patterns for the front wedges and the back circle. A Janome Circular Sewing Attachment gave us those perfect concentric quilting circles.
Plump Pillows with Charm Pack Ruffles
Charm squares are just that: charming little chunks of fabric, 5″ x 5″ squares from all the patterns and colorways within a given fabric collection. Stitch them end-to-end to create the ruffle strip around a fun and colorful pillow.
Mesh Laundry Bags
Make these handy, lightweight bags in any size you need. They’re super fast and easy. Use them to gather up your washables to carry to the laundry room. Or pop the whole bag into the washer and dryer to handle delicates.