I know that most kids are already back hard at work at school, but there are always a few “Mom – I really need…” that pop up.
I’ve collected a few quick and easy free patterns for back to school sewing patterns (of course, you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy them either!) to hopefully make your life a little easier.
Fabric lunch bags are an easy way to “green” your family.  They’re washable, reuseable and customizable.  This pattern is from Sewing.About.
I think water bottle carriers are such a handy thing – I’ve been using one for years.  They allow …read more

Handmade flowers are a great way to accent clothing, toys – even your own accessories!
There are lots of patterns out there, but this free pattern from Jo-Ann is a great easy how-to.  Perfect for kids and beginners!  Of course, you can get as fancy as you’d like and add more embellishments or another layer of petals.

The instructions call for using a specific type of scalloped ruler, but if you don’t have one, just cut the scallop shape into the fabric free-hand.  You could even use something else as a template (cups, paper towel rolls etc).
To check out the pattern, just …read more

There are quite a few new babies and mommies-to-be around here lately, so I thought it would be fun to have a project for them!
Do you want to make a hand-made gift for the next baby shower, but don’t want to make the standard bib or receiving blanket?  Check out this great free pattern for a baby swaddler. It’s sized for newborn to three month old infant.  There are so many cute ways you could customize it – just make sure the embellishments are washable and baby-safe!
image: Stock.xchg

Okay, so we’ve gotten as far as embroidering the picture – it’s time to sew the bag!
Before you sew up the sides of the bag, cut your lining out, using the outside as a pattern.

Now you can go ahead and sew up the sides, right sides together.  I’m using a 1/2″ seam allowance here.

In order to make a flat bottom on the bag, we need to sew a straight line 1″ from the edge of the side seam.  Open up the bag and flatten out the bottom edges, like I’m demonstrating here.

This is how the seam looks after it’s sewn.

And …read more

Okay, so you got your supplies together?  I asked nicely yesterday

Here’s what I’m using – quilting cottons in shades of green & rust, with coordinating ribbon.

You need to cut out a dozen or more yo-yo circles.  I’m using a 3″ circle here – you can see how small they get when they’re sewn & gathered.  Just remember to use a fairly long running stitch to stitch around the outside – it makes it so much easier to gather them.  I made 2 or 3 yo-yos out of several different fabrics.

Take one of the ribbons and wrap it snuggly …read more

My love of yo-yo circles has been well documented here (and here) whoops, and there’s more here
I thought it would be fun to use yo-yo circles to make a decorative wreath for fall!
I’ll have the step by step tutorial for you tomorrow – but in the mean time, you need to get some things together for it.

a grapevine wreath
several fall colored fabrics (yo-yos are a great way to use up little bits of fabric from your stash!)
two different colors of wide, decorative ribbon, to coordinate with your fabric.
hand sewing needle, scissors & thread.

That’s it! Seems do-able, right?
I’ll …read more