One of my favorite “new baby traditions” is the practice of bringing the siblings of a new baby little gifts to also make them feel special. That is the idea behind our adorable Big Sister Dolly Quilt. We used the scraps from yesterday’s Beautiful Baby Quilt to create a matching 14″ x 18″ blanket the perfect size for a doll bed. The center patchwork is made up of 2″ x 2″ squares, which were sized to be a perfect showcase for the pretty little motifs of our Cloud9 Maman fabric.
Organic cottons have come a long way over the last several years, and one of the companies leading the pack has been Cloud9. We discovered them a couple years ago, and have watched with delight as their new designs emerged. If you believe organic fabric means dull, drab or coarse… meet Cloud9 co-founders Michelle Engel Bencsko and Gina Pantastico. They have infused their lines with happy colors and delightful patterns from the rich tones of Nature Walk to the forthy fun of My Happy Nursery. And they’ve done it all using 100% certified organic cotton in the manufacturing of their base cloths and eco-responsible low impact dyes. Two of their newest collections are featured today in our Beautiful Baby Quilt: Maman and Nursery Basics. This fabric was an absolute delight to work with. The base fabric is a premium 200 count organic cotton sheeting with an amazing feel that is both crisp and silky soft.
Jazz up your jammie-time with these adorable sleep shorts. There’s one pair for Him with a drawcord and pocket, and one pair for Her with kicky ruffles and a satin bow. We show you how to make a pattern using an existing pair of your favorite shorts. Super easy, super comfy and a super cute idea for Valentine’s Day, especially in pretty pinks (remember… real guys can wear pink) and grays. We used a combination of fabrics from both Dena Designs and Robert Kaufman, courtesy of Fat Quarter Shop.
Our cute quilted case is sized to hold everything from thin readers to designer sunglasses. Batting makes it soft, and the smooth cotton lining will help keep your lenses scratch-free. We added a perky ruffle to crank up the cute factor. Plus, there’s a carabiner key clip so you have all the essentials at hand: glasses and keys; “I can see… I can drive. I’m ready to rumble!” We picked the pretty Oh La La fabric collection by Pillow & Maxfield in Red Petite Fluers and combined that with Dear Stella’s J’Adore Stella Pink Sunburst Stripe. Two different designers but both with a French accent! Together they create a wonderful color and print combo for a lovely Valentine’s Day gift.
When we decided to call our website: Sew4Home, we liked it because “home” is a word that expands beyond the traditional elements of home décor pillows and linens to encompass so much more: the family within your home, the friends you welcome into your home, all the things both inside and out that make a house a home. Many times over the past months and years, we’ve brought you projects that fall into these special categories, including our Gypsy Romance tiered skirt that debuted in March of last year. Even when venturing into garments and other accessories, we still follow our goal to make everything as easy as possible. This skirt is rectangles gathered together and finished with a drawstring channel waist. Simple! As a “Re-imagine & Renovate” project, it’s fun because you can experiment with everything from three casual organic cottons to three shimmering layers of silk. Since the “maxi” is back with a vengeance, our beautiful new batik version is long and lovely.
My personal choice to “Re-imagine & Renovate” was this book bag. Not only was it super fun to make the first time around, I love the slouchy style. Sew4Home calls Portland, Oregon home, where we have a huge number of cool boutiques filled with locally designed and made fashions and accessories. I know this bag would fit right in with the urban cool kids. And for those of you familiar with the hit TV show, Portlandia, you’ll enjoy the fact that our Echino cotton/linen fabric choice allowed us to, “Put a bird on it!” We hope you’ve been enjoying our R&R series, which shows you how we re-made eight original projects. We also hope it inspires you to experiment on your own with new fabric, trims and notions to make something old new again.
This apron shot to the top of our Most Popular list the very day it posted, and although there have been many contenders since it was originally designed and unveiled back in April of 2010, it remains one of our Top Five Projects Ever. Of course, it HAD to be one of our R&R options: “Re-imagine & Renovate.” If you’ve been following us over the last week, you know our New Year’s resolution is to show you how one project can turn out an unlimited number of ways, depending on the choices you make with fabrics, trims and notions. Kick off your own R&R with a shopping trip for some fresh fabric, then use it to put a new spin on a favorite pattern. Our original apron had a very vintage feel thanks to its Simply Sweet fabric by Barbara Jones for Henry Glass & Company. We kept the sweet and added a little spice with a trio of Lecien Fabrics covered in bold roses, polka dots and tiny buds. It would make a dashing Valentine’s Day apron!
Last January, we came up with a number of projects designed to give you great ways to use up your fabric remnants. This “Scrap It” series produced many favorites, which are linked to, pinned on Pinterest and featured on handmade blogs around the country and the world. At the top of the list was our clever two-handed potholder in a splashy combination of fabrics from the Pretty Bird collection by Pillow & Maxfield for Michael Miller Fabrics. To “Re-imagine & Renovate” the project, we decided to search for a more traditional ‘kitcheny’ motif and a narrower palette. The black, red, white and yellow of monaluna’s Metro Market collection with its friendly fowl design was just the ticket. Wouldn’t this make a great housewarming gift? Or, include a few wooden utensils and a spatula, and you have the perfect wedding shower present. Experimenting with fabric is the idea behind R&R. Give it a try; you’ll be thrilled with all the different ways you can put a new spin on a fave design. (By the way… that’s me in the photo above, holding one of my happy hens who approved this new fabric combo.)
It’s Day Two of our 2012 quest to “Re-imagine & Renovate” some of our most popular projects. One project can turn out an unlimited number of ways, depending on the choices you make with fabrics, trims and notions. Sometimes it’s fun to not worry about learning a whole new project; instead, take a fave design and twist it into a brand new look. Today we’re featuring our super simple box-pleat pillow pair, which we originally did in softly serene tones of organic fabric in 2010. Now, graphic fabric from Robert Kaufman in vibrant hues moves them from a whisper to a shout-out of color and vibe.
Welcome to 2012! After the whirlwind of the holidays, we thought it was time for a little R&R. Not the traditional “Rest & Relaxation” but even better: “Re-imagine & Renovate.” We reached back into the S4H archives and found eight popular projects, then we re-did each of them with brand new fabrics, trims and notions. It’s our way to show you how easy it is to put a new spin on a fave design. We kick off the series with our original Mother’s Day Market Tote from 2011, which we turned into a sleek and stylish bag that makes a dramatic fashion statement.
There are lots of patterns out there for reusable hot cup jackets, but none with our signature touch: the girly-girl ruffle! Skip that boring ol’ cardboard sleeve and wake up your morning cup of coffee or tea with a fun and frilly custom jacket. Our instructions are for one jacket, but we ended up making three as we perfected the instructions. They are super fast and easy, and you can really get an assembly line going: cut-cut-cut, ruffle-ruffle-ruffle, stitch-stitch-stitch. These would be awesome for a craft fair or as an Etsy item.
In the world of design, a ‘project board’ is a very common, very important tool. It’s used to collect pieces of inspiration, idea starters, color and texture samples and more. You refer to your project board throughout the creative process to determine direction and refine the look and feel of your design. It’s a bulletin board for your brain. They are used by fashion designers, interior designers, fabric designers… and YOU! Our Half Moon Modern project board is bold and bright with a large center area to pin all your ideas plus two handy pockets to hold whatever else you need. The bright, happy colors of Moda’s Half Moon Modern are an inspiration in and of themselves. We kept our project board purposefully sparse for our photo shoot so you could best see how it was constructed; they are usually chockfull with layers of great ideas.
During the recent Lush & Plush Trends series we did with our friends at Fabric.com, we got hooked on working with faux leather. We had a little bit of one of the sample cuts leftover and put it to use to make this adorable little clutch purse. With its chunky metal zipper, chic tassel and vibrant cotton print lining, once you clutch this clutch, it will be hard to let go. But, if you can pry it from your own fingers, it would make a dandy holiday gift.
This terrific tool qualifies as the perfect stocking stuffer for the sewing enthusiast on your list: a seam ripper with a built-in magnifier and light. The Mighty Bright Lighted Seam Ripper comes from the same clever folks who bring us those cool little book lights and wallet magnifier lights. Even if you aren’t yet in the, “where the heck are my reading glasses?!” category, ripping out tiny seams or tone-on-tone topstitching is a strain on anyone’s eyes and patience. This cool tool is a lifesaver.
This holiday season we are concentrating on bringing you fast and easy gift ideas. You may have already noticed our green “Holiday Gift Idea” button on recent tutorials. In addition, we’ve found a number of inexpensive notions, which we think would be perfect for the sewing and crafting folks on your list. Today’s example is this dandy fingertip rotary cutter from Fiskars®. If you can point, you can use this little devil.
Welcome to our second Moda Fabrics Series: a bold and beautiful sewing room in Half Moon Modern. A good sewing space is all about clever organization. Clearing the clutter frees your brain and helps creativity blossom. We love the crayon colors of Half Moon Modern: apple red, sky blue, canary yellow, marshmallow white and more. It’s a perfect match for the simple geometric lines and shapes of the motifs. This clean design is energizing and especially good in a sewing room or any space where everything else is busy; the simple design and happy hues help pull the room together so it appears neater and more contained. There are eight projects in our series, starting with today’s tab-top curtains, featuring a butterfly accent strip and big white buttons. In the coming weeks, we’ll bring you sewing machine and serger covers, an ironing board cover and caddy, a task basket, pinboard, and a sewing and craft apron with pockets a’plenty. In addition, Moda has put together a stunning Half Moon Modern Great Giveaway and has sponsored a free downloadable Sewing Reference Guide.
When a box of faux leather arrived from Fabric.com, it ended up sitting on the floor next to a paper shredder. I had to wonder: do these two things mix? At the risk of having the evidence permanently ensnarled in the teeth of the old paper shredder, I fed it a swatch of faux leather, stopping with a half inch remaining uncut. I used the reverse switch to remove it, and ended up with a nice little fringe. Where the shredder didn’t cut all the way through, it scored it well enough that it took less than two minutes to finish using scissors. The result: perfect fringe. Roll it up and you get a pretty tassel.
First thing every morning, I see Joel Dewberry fabrics. I used two prints from his Deer Valley collection: Antler Damask in Gourd and Architectural in Goldenrod to make a ‘hiding curtain’ in my bedroom. Not only does it look marvelous, my husband and I came to immediate agreement on the fabrics – which we do not always do. In Joel’s collections, there is a wonderful combination of strength and grace – intricate beauty and bold statements. We are so excited to have him as the featured designer for our third Artist Trio feature with Free Spirit Fabrics.
One of the more tedious sewing tasks is winding bobbins. I’ll be the first to admit it is my least favorite part of preparing to start a new project. I think my dislike dates back to an old sewing machine that had the worst bobbin winder ever; four times out of five my bobbins looked like big globs of thread. Today, most sewing machines have great built-in bobbin winders. Some higher-end models even have separate bobbin winding motors, allowing you to wind a bobbin while sewing. And there are pre-wound bobbins you can buy, but usually only in black and white. As part of our Lush & Plush Series, Fabric.com asked us to test and write about the two bobbin winders they carry. Both are from Simplicity: the SideWinder Portable Bobbin Winder and the SideWinder Deluxe. I took them both for a spin and recorded my results.
We love all the projects we get to create here at Sew4Home, but there are some that rise to the top. Certain special ones we want to keep for ourselves to decorate our own homes as opposed to just display in the S4H studio. Today’s faux fur throw and pillow certainly make that list. So easy yet so luxuriously elegant, we couldn’t stop hugging them. Part of our specialty fabric series sponsored by Fabric.com, the steps are so simple, you’ll spend more time vacuuming up all the stray fur than actually sewing. One or both would make great gifts… that is if you are able to let them go once you’re done. We couldn’t! Make two… there’ll be less crying.
The final entry in our Pretty Piped Pillow Series is a gorgeous octagon, which features a double framed square and clever corner triangles. As with the other pillows in this series, the patchworking looks much more complex than it really is. Make sure your initial cuts are precise, and assembly will be a snap. We show you how to add the piping and how to alter your pillow form to fit the unique shape.
Belts are all over the torso this year. From hip huggers that add shape to a shift, waist-cinchers for a pretty feminine look, and empire waist belts for a figure-enhancing trendy look. Pick your position, cut, sew and go. These 30-minute wonders are easy and satisfying to make; a classic plaid adds a lovely touch of fall to your wardrobe, especially when mixed with something unexpected.    Â
This ScrapBusters project is not only really fun to make, it is an awesome low-cost gift idea. We found the key fob hardware at Ribbon Retreat, one of our Shopping Directory vendors, for just 50 cents each… 40 cents if you buy a bunch. If you have fabric and trim scraps on hand (and who doesn’t???), you can make a super cool little gift for under $1.00! We made a version for Mom and one for Dad as well as a trendy Teen version and one as the perfect Teacher gift. Fast, fun and inexpensive… it’s a triple treat.
You’re a stylish one, Mr. Grinch. If I were a Who down in Whoville, this would be just what I’d wear to whip up my holiday feast. The fourth in our series of retro hostess apron tutorials is the all-out-fun of Be A Grinch! Created with three of Robert Kaufman’s whimsical Suess® prints, the bib and skirt of this apron are actually two separate pieces that button together along the waistband.
These tiny clips are so handy for holding hair in place. They’re lightweight, inexpensive and available everywhere. On the other hand, embellished hair accessories are pricey, so why not make your own! After trying to wrap a ponytail holder without crushing the attached flower, it came to me that it would be easier to just clip the flower to the band after the band was on. Turns out, these little clips have holes next to the hinge springs and you can attach a flower to them by simply sewing it in place. Then you can attach it to your hair, an elastic ponytail band or a headband. Mix and match, wear one, two, three or more. Turn a bad hair day around by rockin’ some pretty flowers.
A sewing room sounds like such a tranquil place filled with lovely soft fabrics. But, there are plenty of sharp and pokey… and hot things lurking, and plenty of ways for things to go wrong if you don’t think ahead.
Shall we sit and have a sip, and chat about our chums? The third in our series of retro hostess apron tutorials is the sheer magic of Let’s Do Brunch. Like the perfect brunch blend of steaming coffee and sticky cinnamon buns, this lovely hostess apron mixes wispy organza and crisp cotton into a delicious design. Its beautifully transparent skirt features four French seams plus accents at the waistband, bottom border and pockets in the fresh, floral Pick A Bunch print from Robert Kaufman Fabrics.
We have a monstrous crush on The Ghastlies collection from Alexander Henry Fabrics. “In Ghastlie Manor on Ghastlie Street, there’s a Ghastlie family you need to meet.” The designs are reminiscent of the work of Charles Addams, who brought the quirky Addams Family to life in 1938 in The New Yorker magazine and spawned a decades-long fascination with Morticia, Gomez and their fabulously freaky family. In fact, we can totally envision svelte Morticia wearing today’s It’s A Graveyard Smash Halloween Hostess apron. This is the second in our new series of retro hostess apron tutorials. With a fluttering batwing organza overlay, velvet waistband and a poison rose accent, you too can be hauntingly haute couture, serving bubbling potions to your ghastly guests.
Do you remember your childhood bedspread? Most people do. Maybe it’s because we always felt so safe and cuddly under those covers. And we all know when you pull the bedspread over your head, you are instantly protected from any monsters who might be trying to get you! Moving from a crib to a ‘big boy bed’ is a momentous occasion in a toddler’s world, and deserving of a special bedcover. Our twin size patchwork quilt tutorial fits the bill. The Gang fabric within the Lil’ Rascals collection by Chloe’s Closet for Moda Fabrics is a fantastic easy quilting pick because the design already includes a four-patch motif, making your finished quilt look like you’re quite the piecing professional.
Down on the ground is where all the cool stuff happens. It’s where cars race and roll, where balls bounce best, and where building blocks can spread far and wide. At 25″ square, our tufted floor pillow tutorial is just the right size for a lil’ sittin’ or snoozin’. And, there’s a handy carry handle so you can take it along on your next adventure. This is just one of the eight projects in our new Storybook Lil’ Boy’s Room Series sponsored by Moda Fabrics and featuring the nostalgic Lil’ Rascals collection by Chloe’s Closet.
Fall is upon us, and with it comes the classic sights and smells of the season: golden falling leaves, cool foggy mornings, and freshly sharpened yellow pencils. This clever pencil case tutorial is based on our original wristlet project, but we increased the size and added a cute front-buttoned pocket and a bright key ring. Try it in a soft, tiny wale corduroy like we did or experiment with washed denim or crushed velvet. Your pencils are looking forward to it.
Vintage, Retro, Old School… or simply, “Hey, I remember that!” Designs with a nostalgic flavor go by many names, but are universally appealing. We start a new tutorial series today called Storybook Bedroom. It’s sponsored by our creative friends at Moda Fabrics and features Lil’ Rascals by Chloe’s Closet. From a chubby-cheeked cowboy to a bespectacled pug dog to a mischievous monkey… the characters of Lil’ Rascals are all up to something. Don’t know about you, but I want to collect my graham crackers and milk, find my favorite picture book, and settle down for a much-needed afternoon nap. Over the next few weeks, we’ll unveil eight tutorials to outfit a toddler’s bedroom. We envisioned a boy’s room, but this collection’s soft color palette and playful designs would work for any lil’ rascal in your life. Today’s project: easy pillowcases sure to make everyone look forward to slipping into the land of nod.
In French, a ‘ruche’ is a ruffle or a pleat. That’s pretty much what it means in English too. But everything sounds so much fancier in French. La Ruche est une merveilleuse technique (see how cool that sounds?!). Use it to add decorative effects to all kinds of sewing projects. Our embellishment tutorial shows you the basic way to create strips of ruching by machine. Then we show you how we turned a single ruched strip into a pretty spiral flower to use as a pillow accent.
This ‘Found Fabric’ tutorial is for all our S4H friends out there who, like me, have a hankerin’ for hankies. Although I haven’t used one lately to blow my nose, mop my brow or bestow as a favor on my knight in shining armor, I still love them. They’re little squares of highly-concentrated beauty, like miniature works of art. Dig out your collection and turn them into a set of one-of-a-kind vintage pillows.
A beautiful quilt thrown across a country fence to catch the golden summer sun and a gentle breeze. A pretty picture to be sure. But even better is the fact that this quilt tutorial is simply the easiest way ever to make a queen-size quilt! It’s perfect for a beginner. The Fat Quarters, which we cut for our blocks, make it look like you’ve been saving scraps for years. And, a machine-stitched binding keeps the overall time requirement pretty darn low.
No nursery series would be complete without some type of storage solution tutorial. I remember back when I had my first baby; it was a shock to realize how much stuff this one tiny person needed. A nursery is often filled to the brim with little things that have to be organized: creams, diapers, diaper wraps, wash cloths, toys, pacifiers, and more! Our Storage Shelf Basket tutorial is fast, easy and fun to make. So much so, you can make lots. Line the shelves with color-coordinated sets so there’s a place for everything (we cannot guarantee ‘everything in its place’!). With the side handle facing out, it’s easy to grab a basket and find exactly what you want. This terrifically-tidy project is just one of eight pieces in our new nursery series sponsored by our good friends at Michael Miller Fabrics. We created the entire Series using their Color Story concept. Our choice: the Citron-Gray Color Story with its cool colors and bold designs.
Welcome to part two of our latest Free Spirit Fabrics Artist Trio series. These collected articles are a way for our Sew4Home friends to meet some fabulous Free Spirit designers, try out a special project each has created just for us, and enter to win some gorgeous fabrics and other goodies. Easy and fun as 1-2-3. This Trio is all about prolific designer, Anna Maria Horner. Last month, we interviewed Anna. Today, she shares an original table scarf pattern with beautiful hand-embroidery accents. Thread up your needle and read on.
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