Liz Johnson.Editor.Sew4Home
Home Décor Nesting Baskets
Pick a bold fabric to match your décor. Our basket set perfectly nests together. Just the right size for magazines and books, they would also be excellent for knitting yarns. Or, use them to hold an extra-special housewarming gift.
Layered Tea Time Placemats
Lovely linens make any occasion special. Blend pretty quilting cottons to create a set of fancy placemats for tea time or anytime. The finishing touch: a classic gray gingham for the ribbon accents plus a delicate white lace trim.
Spun Stripes Pillow Trio
Stripes are one of those universal motifs. We turned and sewed them in clever ways to create a unique effect. Our “spun stripes” allow simple triangles and squares to morph into pillow tops that seem almost three-dimensional.
Sleek Fabric Wallet with Zippered Coin Pouch
YES, you can make your own fabric wallet! This one features a large center pocket for bills, four smaller slots for credit cards, an exterior zippered pocket for coins, and a wrist strap so it can be carried on its own.
Canteen Style Bag in Wool + Corduroy
Bags come in all shapes and sizes, but this round canteen style is one of our favorites. It has such a great retro feel. You can pretend you’re a Scout on a special outdoor expedition. Download the free pattern.
Sewn Paper + Fabric Greeting Card
Using your sewing machine to join paper and fabric is surprisingly easy. If you’ve never tried it yourself, this is a great first project: not too complicated, yet still a very pretty way to send a special Valentine greeting.
Luminous Jewel Box Pillow Pair
When you think of patchwork, you usually think of quilting cotton. But there’s no rule! We added luxury into the mix with a jewel box blend of silk dupioni in Tiffany blue, glittering silver, burnished gold, and rich ebony.
Sewing with Plush Fabric
It gives a fabulous softness to a wide variety of projects, from toys to pillows to blankets and more. Although not difficult to sew with, to create the very best results, it helps to have a few tips and tricks under your belt.
Faux Flange Cuddle Blanket
The slightly puffy border of this blanket is created with a cleverly seamed faux flange that sandwiches an extra-wide seam allowance. The secret ingredient: super soft plush fabric that gives the edge its added loft.
In-The-Hoop Embroidered Coasters
The technique is just as the name implies: the vast majority of the project, both sewing and embroidery, is done within an embroidery hoop. The elegant result is similar in rich color and complexity to a fine Jacquard ribbon.
Quilting Basics – A Five-Part Series for Beginners
We explain the fundamentals of quilting, including the tools you’ll need, cutting techniques, how to create blocks from basic shapes, piecing tips and techniques, and stitching. Enter at your own risk; quilting can be addictive.
Fancy Border Tea Towels
Pretty towels are a wonderful addition to any kitchen for yourself or as a gift. This option is great for longer fabric scraps. Each towel starts with one 4″ and one 3″ strip, which are then trimmed to fit a purchased base towel.
Compact Geo Pop Duffle
3-D is great when watching the latest super hero movie, but flat is friendlier for sewing. We’ve cleverly adapted the construction of this compact round duffle to allow you to do the majority of the steps with flat pieces.
Decorative Stitch Hot Pads
This happy pair of hot pads is all about the beauty of a perfect line. We selected a wide stripe for the front, then highlighted it with parallel rows of bright decorative stitching. Wrap up several as a unique host/hostess gift.
Faux Fur Pelt-Cut Chair Throw
Transform a plain chair with a cover of softness and warmth. Our faux fur + suede throw is cut to resemble the natural, hourglass shape of an animal pelt. We spotted a similar option online from a top home décor retailer!
Tall Wine Bags in Burlap + Cotton
These tall wine bags mix the rustic feel of burlap with smooth cotton and a velvet or wire-edged ribbon. By cutting the heart appliqué from the same burlap as the main bag panels, it creates the look of a window on the front accent band.
Letter for Santa Pocket Pillow
Tuck a letter to Santa in one pocket, a special treat for him in the other. Then, leave the pillow out overnight and check in the morning to see what Santa has returned. Perhaps a letter back and another special treat!
Patchwork Mug Rug
The mug rug is a mini placemat with just the right amount of room for a mug and a few little treats. Ours features pretty patchwork on one side with custom embroidery (a free download) on the opposite side’s pocket and napkin.
Notepad Folder To Go
In today’s plugged-in-turned-on digital world, is there still a place for writing something down? If you have a handmade fabric folder to keep your pad, pen, and a few extras; low-tech becomes a very lovely option.
Patchwork + Pom Pom Table Runner
A happy tabletop centerpiece has the potential to become a best-loved holiday tradition. Make one for yourself plus more for friends and family. We used a Layer Cake with bright poms in a coordinating color.
Key Ring Gift Card Cases
As a site dedicated to promoting all things handmade, we probably shouldn’t be advocating the gift card. But what if you put the gift card inside a super cute, handmade case? All bases covered, everybody’s happy. A great ScrapBuster.
Holiday Elf Stockings with Curlicue Toes
These unique stockings are so eye-poppingly bright and fun, they’re sure to put a smile on Santa’s face when he lands at your house on Christmas Eve. We show samples in two different colors and patterns. Elves like variety!
Satin Pillowcases Trimmed in Velvet + Lace
They say sleeping on satin pillowcases helps keep wrinkles away. I say, “Sign me up for that one!” These gorgeous cases are quick and easy to make, yet look like the fancy ones with the expensive price tags at the bedding store.
How to Make Continuous Bias Binding
It’s a little bit like the ancient art of origami. You start out with a flat square (or rectangle), and after a few folds, flips, and slices, you have perfect bias strips ready to become custom binding for your next project.
Rustic Sachets with Hand Stitched Accents
With wonky patchwork and a rustic feel, these sachets are all about the random. Hand stitched accents and a bow-tied button make each unique and personalized. Use your favorite little scraps in a variety of textures.
Snowman Pillows: A Reversible Trio
It’s so sad when Frosty melts away, so we came up with a way to keep him safe year ‘round: a set of three round pillows. The fronts feature a snowman smile, buttons, and scarf. Flip over and they’re plain furry pillows to leave out longer.
Textural Baby Tag Blanket + Play Mat
A baby’s first year is all about touch. Why not create a wonderfully soft surface full of interesting textures to investigate?! It’s what’s called a “tag blanket,” combining the classic security blanket with an activity play mat.
Tiny Triangle Coin Pouch
The exterior of this tiny treasure is made from gorgeous Jacquard ribbons stitched side by side. It starts flat, then folds up 1-2-3, and snaps front and back to create an adorable cone-shaped mini purse for coins + more.
Select the Right Thread for the Job
We worked with our friends at Coats to put together a handy overview that can help you understand not only the standard thread choices, but some of the specialty options as well. It’s part science and part art.
Sparkly Hair Clips
Designed with little girls in mind, they can inject a bit of glamour into your lovely locks as well. The “petals” are made from small scraps of fancy fabrics held together with a tiny faceted bead. A nearly-no-sew project.
Baby Burp Cloths in Fleece + Double Gauze
Our ergonomic burp cloth pattern is designed to curve around your neck and drape fully over your shoulder from front to back. It’s fashionable protection in absorbent double gauze and soft fleece.
The Buckle Bag in Mixed Faux Leather
The step-by-step instructions for this unique bag are packed with lots of great S4H tips and tricks for working with faux leather and vinyl, including cutting, stitching, and how to keep layers to a minimum.
Gift Bag with Eyelet Drawstring Top
A reusable gift bag can be almost as much fun as the present inside – especially when made in lovely colors and prints. These feature a cool eyelet-and-cording top closure. Use your favorite quilting cottons.
Fabric Grain: What It Is + How To Fix It If It’s Off
How fabric is woven is important; fabric that is off-grain when you’re cutting can cause the completed project to stretch out of shape. Get a better understanding of how to identify fabric grain and tips on how to straighten it.
The Quintessential Plaid Tote
It has all the traits needed to rocket to the top of the totes. Precision cutting – both straight and on the bias, piping accents, and corded handles are just a few of the styling particulars that give this bag its iconic appeal.
Digital Device Sleeve
Compact and tough, it can hold an iPad and cell phone for Techie Folk, file folders and homework to correct for Teacher Folk or art paper and drawing tools for Artist Folk. It’s a versatile design for any occasion.
Witches Brew Halloween Apron
Spooky Season is right around the corner. Cast a spell over the little trick-or-treaters with this fashionable Halloween apron. With an empire waist, double layer skirt, and pretty piped pocket, it has a certain haunting charm.