Liz Johnson.Editor.Sew4Home 
If your sofa seems down in the dumps, the solution can be as quick and easy as a new set of pillows. A blast of beautiful fabric makes your whole room (and you) happier. This set is reversible with pretty flange accents.
These adorable blankets are simply begging for hugs. Made with a double layer of super soft luxury fleece and sporting a lightly stuffed animal head and ears in one corner, who could resist giving them a loving squeeze?!
Hold everything you need in one handy unit and add a bit of flair to the look of your table décor. Because they’re self-contained, you can use the them with placemats, tablecloths or simply line them up buffet style.
We scaled down a traditional laundry duffle to kid size, making it easy to fill and carry to the laundry room. Plus, the super-cute appliqué on the front leaves no doubt about what needs to be done with the bag’s contents!
What if you could create a beautiful apron from just 5 fat quarters and a tiny bit of lining — with virtually no wasted fabric?! The scraps from this garden party apron could fit in a garden party teacup.
Sometimes, you gotta go bold or go home! We created a modern spin on a classic portfolio that makes a wide, decorative ribbon the star of the show as a wraparound feature against a rich solid denim.
Pull out some pretty fabrics from your scrap stash and blend them together into a happy mix of pattern and color. Each mitt uses up to four different fabrics. They’d make a great gift for wedding shower season!
Many heirloom techniques can be re-imagined by machine. Try some classic stitches to create a unique decorator pillow. We incorporated straight tucks, wave tucks, entredeux, and lush ruffles into this tone-on-tone beauty.
Learn the machine stitches and techniques that best mimic the delicate handwork associated with heirloom sewing. We focus on the options that are the easiest to incorporate into garment or home décor projects.
Hardware is usually categorized on the functional side of sewing. For this project, we moved it into the fashionable category; grommets/eyelets and rivets create a striking starburst design on the bag’s solid color front.
Broken zipper = broken heart! It’s a major frustration because it means something either won’t close or won’t open. The most common element to fail is the zipper slider; this can also be the easier part to replace.
From getting the spacing right, to cutting holes in the fabric, to the actual installation process, we’re here to prove you can conquer this hardware at home and get a professional result. Plus you get to hit stuff with a hammer!
For more basic Janome sewing machines (5mm and 7mm), this a fun, easy way to add little decorative stitch touches in pretty thread colors! Be the flower girl of the sewing accessory world, sprinkling pretty posies over any project.
We explain three different decorative stitching options for you to try, and have included three template downloads to re-create our exact designs. Vary the fabric, thread colors, and stitch patterns for dozens of cool combos.
Layers of double gauze give this tablecloth its lovely drape. The deep ruffles are made from two differently colored panels sewn together. We show you how, with some clever gathering, the ruffles can be attached with just one seam.
It’s a fabulous fifties flashback – retro cool but with modern features that make it easier to construct. We love the bold chevron accent on the front and back, reminiscent of the two-tone tail fins of the ’50s era cars.
Shine on! These adorable little pouches are made with Oly*Fun™ Metallic: a flexible, synthetic material from Fairfield that doesn’t tear, fray or fade. You can sew it, glue it, staple it, pin it or tie it. We added zippers!
A classic leather elbow patch – it can transform a rumpled guy in a tacky corduroy jacket into a suave, crush-worthy academician. What else can it do? It can become a unique corner accent for a slim style canvas bag.
Plenty o’ pockets to stash all your stuff! There are four big outside pockets that wrap front and back plus a deep inside compartment. We offer a free set of pattern downloads for the tote body as well as all the pockets.
This clever pillow looks complex with its intricate lattice front and peek-a-boo inset, but it’s so easy. We love the splash of color behind the lattice strips. Just imagine all the wonderful fabric combinations you could try!
A number of colors and textures come together in this pretty apron, but each item is balanced – so they all shine together rather than one thing hogging center stage. Both the neck and waist ties are fully adjustable.
We can’t get enough of the itty-bitty adorableness of Mini Charm Squares. At just 2½”, they are bite-size pieces you can stitch together into colorful combinations. We used them to create double borders on a set of placemats.
Today’s machines can zip along at up to 1000 stitches per minute; you can see how a little length goes a long way. The shorter the stitches, the tighter the seam. The longer the stitches, the looser the seam.
The graceful crane is a symbol for longevity. Although often depicted in flight, the cascading pleats on the front and back of our pillow simulate the folded wings of a crane at rest. Silk dupioni provides a shimmering finish.
The “fanny pack” is back. Of course, we felt a new spin was in order for this favorite, on-the-go carryall. Our version has been jazzed up with cool colors and a contrasting zipper, and slimmed down for a sleek look and feel.
These versatile key fobs are fast, easy, and fun: layer, stitch, clamp, done! One end has a split key ring, the other a swivel hook. You need just a scrap of thin faux leather and a short length of gorgeous ribbon.
What’s the one thing you should do to keep your sewing machine running smoothly? Clean out the lint! It’s an unavoidable by-product of sewing but shouldn’t be ignored. Regular cleaning helps maintain smooth stitching.
One of the best ways to update your home décor is with new curtains. This classic grommeted panel is a project you can turn to again and again. It’s fast and easy, and we give you all the formulas you need to adapt the sizing.
Making a narrow hem with a clean corner can be a challenge. Our go-to option, the one that earns our Sewing ToolBox Stamp of Approval, is a double-turn with a folded diagonal point corner: easy, tidy, and pretty from both sides.
You can never have too many places to keep your stuff. Use this nested trio for sewing notions, as a desk caddy, or organize items in the bathroom, kitchen or nursery. These all nest together; the largest features carry handles.
Cute blankets are always a welcome baby gift. Like painters need their protective drop cloths, babies are often in need of their own little patch of clean real estate, which they can then destroy as they choose.
Generous in size and style thanks to a perfect combination of bold fabric and striking embroidery. Use our free machine embroidery design download or the free printable template for hand embroidery.
A unique empire waist and lovely details make this apron pretty enough to wear outside the kitchen: piping, gentle gathering across the skirt, an eye-catching oval pocket, and an optional fabric flower.
Want to make the beautiful bag above? Then you’ll need some yo-yos: a small, ruched rosette. The easiest way to make them is with a yo-yo maker. We love these Clover options that come in a variety of sizes.
This would be a wonderful learn-to-sew project for kids! We show how to stitch right through our paper pattern pieces, making it simple to keep curves and angles spot-on, even around the sharp corners and tight curves.
Floor it! Our 24″ diameter floor cushion is a comfy 4″ thick – perfect for sitting or as a foot rest. Use around a low table for casual dining. Place on the patio for sunrise meditation. Toss in the TV room for extra seating.
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