How to Make Patchwork Coasters w/ Lotta Jansdotter from Rowenta USA on Vimeo.
I thought this was a pretty good little video. It is a project for beginners, but it is also an interesting idea for using up scraps for those who have a little more sewing experience and can’t seem to throw away even the smallest piece of leftover fabric.
Ever wanted to learn how to sew but had no idea where to start when it came to which sewing machine was right for you? This video from Threads magazine has some good advice and information.
I was amazed to see that the newer sergers will automatically thread for you, wow! That was always a major hassle when I took sewing classes. I think I drove my instructor crazy asking her to thread it for me all the time.
I posted this photo in one of my Facebook albums but thought it would be fun to share here as well. After taking this picture of “THE” most comfortable cat in the whole wide world, I realized that he is lounging on items that I made a long time ago.
The blue crocheted blanket and the pinkish one across from him were afghans that sort of ran amok. The pillow in the center I also made. I purchased the pillow insert from a fabric store, and I used a pillow case, cut it down to fit around this smaller insert, and stitched it closed. Additionally, the curtains behind him (which I need to replace with new ones) were a sheet that I cut to fit the window and added a casing at the top to fit over a push rod.
As you can see, they all make for a very comfortable spot in front of a window. It feels good to be appreciated.
Pretty Little Presents (Lark Books, $17.59 US, $23.50 CAN) is a compilation of 29 gift-related sewing projects created by 17 different designers. As the title indicates, each project is “little,” which for the most part means not overly time intensive or involved.
Many of the projects can be recreated using scraps such as the “I Heart You Coasters,” “All Buttoned Up” napkin rings, and the “Keep Your Place” book mark. Other projects use a minimal amount of fabric, so phat quarters are ideal if you are like me and enjoy collecting those for your fabric stash.
When I picked this title from the book club I joined, I anticipated that I would probably want to make most of the projects, but after looking it over, I can’t really say that. I could see myself maybe finding the desire to making about half of them, which isn’t too bad. Now, this is me. If you are the type of person that needs to make lots of small gifts (for the baby sitter, teacher, house keeper, third cousin once removed), you may have a different opinion.
The main appeal of this book for me were the simple projects that would probably not take much time, especially for anyone with some sewing skill. For those who haven’t sewn very much, the projects aren’t too difficult, though the instructions may not be enough for the total newbie.
If you were thinking of paying full price for this, my suggestion is to check it out in person at a book store first.
I’m sick…again..this time it is a sinus infection, and since this is the second time since Christmas that I’ve been ill, I figured it was time to actualy go to the doctor. They squeezed me in, which meant a fairly long wait in the waiting room and then more of a wait at the drug store while I waited for my prescriptions to be filled, but one good thing about all of this was that I had plenty of time to browse through one of my new craft books, The Perfect Handmade Bag: Recycle and Reuse to Make 35 Beautiful Totes, Purses and More by Clare Youngs.
Sewing books can be tricky to put together. I actually worked on a proposal for one last summer, and though I did have one editor interested for awhile, I have to admit that the process was much more difficult than I had expected, and I think that is why sewing books can often be a little less than what I have hoped for. You have to be so exact with measurements because these details are crucial to the final product. This book, however, seems to deliver on the details. While I just purchased it and haven’t made anything out of it, from the instructions they look pretty straight-forward. Plus, from the few reviews over at Amazon.com, some readers have posted that they have made multiple bags from it with great success, so I’m encouraged.
This book makes you want to pull out the sewing machine. The bag designs are great. Out of the 35, there are only a handful that don’t interest me, and that’s probably personal taste. The rest are very useful as well as fun like small bucket bags; numerous shopping totes, one that even folds up and secures with a button so you can easily carry it for those unexpected grocery trips; evening bags, one has some adorable mother-of-pearl buttons sewn all over the front and another has a beaded handle; well, you get the picture. Plus, the author uses all types of recycled material and notions for each bag. I’m not sure if I have that much stuff to recycle around here, but it got me thinking about it.
I’m a bag person, and I know I’m not alone in my love for them. I’ve always wanted to make them too, so once I’m done with my current book project and I have my sewing space back (and more time!), making bags from this book as well as a few other sewing projects I left un-done are on my list of things to do. I’d like to make some of the shopping totes as gifts.
My only warning about this book is probably for anyone without any sewing experience at all. There is a techniques section, and it looks pretty thorough. However, when I think back to how hard it was for me and how many years I struggled with sewing before the lights came on, I wouldn’t suggest this book to anyone who has never, ever sewn, unless you have someone nearby who could help you a little. If you did, then this would be a great place to start because most of the projects are designed around sewing straight lines, and many of the projects just require a few small pieces of fabric and notions.
I saw these mentioned via one of my Facebook friends, Project Runway kits for young people who are interested in fashion and learning to sew. Amazon.com has a few of them available on line:
Plus, there are lots more over at Simplicity Creative Group web site. I think this is an awesome idea if you want to encourage kids to learn to sew or even for those who draw as well. I guess we missed the boat for giving these as holiday gifts, but there are always birthdays.
I’m still on the scarf wrapping band wagon. Here’s another video, and it shows how to make The Lotus Wrap.
To continue with the theme of scarf wrapping, here is a video that demonstrates the Orchid Wrap:
I recently received a review copy of The Wrapping Scarf Revolution by Patricia Lee (published by Leisure Arts; $16.95 US), and when I first started reading through it, I have to admit I wasn’t really sure what to think about it. It took me awhile to understand the focus because the idea is simply but at the same time revolutionary: how-to tie knots in scarves as a way to wrap items or create various types of totes. Other than the fact that these turn out to be beautiful, especially if you start off with a beautiful scarf, why would you do this I wondered?
Then I read her story about how she spent time in Korea and this made her appreciate her Korean heritage and that included the bojagi (wrapping scarves) used in place of a paper bag or wrapping paper. Lee was fascinated with the Korean culture that was both frugal yet modern, and the use of wrapping scarves was an integral part of this culture. Compare this to her life in America that included wasteful habits, never even considered in Korea, and she eventually realized it was time to revolt against all this trash (like the wrapping paper she had to throw away after a Christmas celebration one morning).
This experience all eventually lead to her own small business, which involved designing scarves and showing others how to use them to wrap gifts and other items. This obviously brought about her book and is perfectly timed considering the earth-friendly trend that is becoming more popular in America (thankfully). If you are the type of person who brings your own bags to the grocery store, then you’ll “get” and appreciate the concepts in this book.
The book provides 26 step-by-step procedures for wrapping and knotting scarves. You can use these methods to create unique totes, even a backpack, or wrap a gift item, from books to a bottle of wine. I pulled out my one and only scarf (shameful, I know!) and tried what looked like one of the simplest techniques in the book, “The Bow Tie Wrap,” and it was a snap to do.
I love a beautifully wrapped gift. In fact, my very first job back in high school was working in a tiny gift shop, and the owner taught me a lot of tricks to gift wrapping, so it has since then always been something I’ve spent a little extra time doing when I give a gift. Combine this with the idea that you could make these scarves as well, and hey, this is a crafter’s dream come true. On that note, I will say that the only beef I have about the book is that the instructions on how to make scarves is in the very back of the book, and it is not as detailed as I would have liked it to be. But, you really don’t need instructions on how to make a square of material, so that is pretty minor. Plus, you can also buy scarves fairly inexpensively if you don’t have time to make them.
If you are looking for earth-friendly and sustainable ways to wrap up your gifts this holiday season, you will have the help you need to creating some amazing looking gift wrapping with the help of The Wrapping Scarf Revolution.
This picture originally came from an old Halloween photo from my youth. My mom stitched the princess dress (no doubt from a pattern) and then constructed the crown and scepter for me as well. I never knew of anyone back then who bought a Halloween costume. Either “mom” made it, or you dug around in your closet and came up with something from what was on hand. I’m not necessarily against anyone buying a costume, but to me, it can take some of the fun out of Halloween. Even if you don’t sew, you can easily whip up a costume with a few simple tips:
Save your time and money for what counts, getting lots of Halloween goodies!