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.

image: About.com

Fabric lunch bags are an easy way to “green” your family.  They’re washable, reuseable and customizable.  This pattern is from Sewing.About.

image: YMIB

I think water bottle carriers are such a handy thing – I’ve been using one for years.  They allow you to keep your hands free while you’re out and about, without misplacing your water bottle.  This cute fabric water bottle carrier pattern was designed by YMIB.

image: Instructables

Book bags or roomy tote bags are  a must for most students (and awfully useful for the rest of use too!).  This pattern is from Instructables.

image: Burdastyle

Simple fabric purses are great for girls – of any age.  The “Maya” bag from Burdastyle is an easy pattern to make a purse that can be customized to fit different ages and tastes.

Post from: Blisstree

Last-Minute Back to School Sewing Projects

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 click on the flowers.  The pattern will open up as a PDF.

image: Jo-Ann

Post from: Blisstree

free pattern for fun & funky fleece flowers

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

Post from: Blisstree

Make your own baby swaddler – free pattern

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 a view from the front of the bag (we’re still working on the wrong side here)

Repeat the above steps with the lining.  Sew the side seams and the bottom This quilting cotton is pretty wild – but I love the burgundy & golds with the fall colors on the outside of the bag!

Turn the bag right side out.  Slide the lining into the bag, with the wrong sides together (you should see the right side of the lining when you look inside the bag)   Fold 1/2″ all the way around the bag & lining, towards the wrong side.  Pin the outside & lining together, matching seams.

Topstitch all the way around the top of the bag.  It should look like this when you’re done – all the raw edges are hidden & the top edge is even.   You could also use a decorative machine embroidery stitch instead of a plain straight stitch.

I used a decorative grosgrain ribbon to make a handle for the bag (I’ll show you how to make the knot on the next post!)   I just used a straight stitch to securely attach the handle.

And here’s another view   I think these would make great decorations for a Hallowe’en party or even as gifts (it’s taken longer to write the tutorial than it takes to make them!)

Happy embroidering

Post from: Blisstree

part 3: mini Hallowe’en bag tutorial

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 all the way around the wreath.  Fasten the ends of the ribbon to the back of the wreath (I prefer to sew them in place, but you can also glue them)

Now take the other ribbon and wrap it around the wreath, but go in the opposite direction.  Again, fasten the edges of the ribbon to the back of the wreath.  Cut a length of ribbon approximately 12″ long and tie a loop around the top of the wreath (to make a hanger)  Tie a bow around the hanger loop if you’d like.

Start playing with your yo-yos and see where they look best.  I liked having them evenly spaced around the wreath.  I’m tempted to make a wreath that’s completely covered in yo-yos now!

I prefer to stitch the yo-yos in place onto the wreath, but you can also glue them.  Just remember, hot glue doesn’t work when it freezes, so use a good quality white glue or epoxy if you want to hang the wreath outside!

Post from: Blisstree

how-to: an easy yo-yo wreath for fall

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 see you back here tomorrow then

Post from: Blisstree

fall decorating with yo-yos