Quick Projects
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Father’s Day Gift to Sew & Give: Free-Motion Hand Print Tie
Need a quick Father’s Day gift? Jazz up the standard tie gift with free-motion stitching using your child’s hand print. This up-cycling project starts with a standard tie straight from the closet or thrift store and makes it a keepsake that dad can wear to work on the daily. Trace the child’s hand on the tie and refashion it by free-motion stitching around the hand print. Use Sulky Tear-Easy stabilizer to keep the tie from stretching out as you sew. The full instructions come from Heather at heatherhandmade.com. From Heather I love sewing, up-cycling, and refashion, and I share that love when I teach others how to sew with sewing…
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Embroidered Swim Coverup for Kids & Adults
An embroidered swim coverup is great for beach or swim days. This one has dual uses–it’s your towel and your coverup all in one. Using terry cloth and a cute embroidery design, this project is easily achievable in two hours or less (depending on how large the chosen design is). My daughter is always tripping on her towel after swimming so I thought this was a great solution for her. This project is also suitable for adults–even as a bath towel! Choose a design based on the recipient’s interests. The placement of the design is also your choice. Move the design to the curved lower edge on the front of…
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5 Father’s Day Gifts to Sew & Embroider
Here are five Father’s Day gifts to sew, some of which are even easy enough for kids to sew themselves. Dad String Art Pick up a canvas and outline letters using a lightbox. Poke holes along the letter outlines and then thread a needle with two to three strands of Sulky 12 wt. Cotton Petites thread (choose a Blendables™ thread for a neat look). Instruct the kids to sew back and forth through the holes until the desired look is achieved. Dad can hang this in the office, garage or work space and keep it forever! This project by the blog teachbesideme is great for kids of all ages as…
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3 Outdoor Embroidery Projects to Make in an Afternoon
Summer is coming and it’s time to get the patio furniture out of hiding and gather some fun outdoor embroidery projects to jazz up your deck decor. Using blanks, like tea towels and bath towels, is one super simple way to embroider personalized projects in a fraction of the time. Weigh the cost of purchasing a blank, or set of blanks, rather than the yardage needed to create the project if the main focus is embroidery. You may save a couple of bucks along with a couple of hours (or more!) and end up with something just as sweet. Here are three ideas for outdoor embroidery projects to get your…
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5 Summer Break Sewing Projects for Kids
Now that the kids are out of school for the summer, it’s time to keep them busy with some summer break sewing projects. These easy projects for kids to sew require just a bit of fabric and beginner hand-sewing skills. As the summer goes on, move on to more advanced sewing techniques, like machine embroidery. They will love watching the machine do its magic and picking out all the thread colors for the design. 1. Glove Monster This cute project by Craftaholics Anonymous repurposes all those single gloves you have left from winter. Add a bit of felt scraps and choose a few colors of Sulky Cotton Petites™ threads and…
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Rainbow Felt Wreath with Hand Embroidery
With so much rain (and even snow) in much of the country we’re looking for the rainbows and sunny days ahead! Whip up a rainbow felt wreath to bring some color to your front door and start searching for that pot of gold. Rebecca Greco shares just how fun and easy making this rainbow felt wreath is. Not only does it only take a few hours to stitch, it doesn’t require many materials, either. Make one for a retiring teacher or lunch helper to say goodbye once school is out for summer – or one for yourself! Add an initial or monogram to the center for even more personalization. This…
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Pillowcases for Pets in Need to Make & Give
Pillowcases for Pets: Calling all Animal Lovers! It’s National Pet Month, so we’re taking a slight departure from our Pillowcases for PEOPLE in Need charity sewing initiative to bring you Pillowcases for PETS in Need! Use an existing pillowcase or create your own using our free pattern. Stuff it with batting or shredded memory foam, and then whipstitch the cuff closed. Or simply insert a standard pillow into the pillowcase (if your pet is well behaved and won’t tear it apart!). It’s easy to add appliques to the pillowcase body or add machine embroidery to the pillowcase cuff–a cute doggie or kitty design, fire hydrant or fish adds a little…
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Quick Gift for Moms, Mimis & Grandmas for Kids to Make
Teach Kids to Sew with a Quick Gift for Mom! We can’t get enough quick gift ideas for Mother’s Day. Moms deserve this special day so much after all they do each and every day! Earlier this month we posted five great gift ideas, including projects and no-sew gifties, but we wanted to provide something that the kids could make themselves. Our good friend Stephanie of Swoodson Says has some wonderful project ideas that make great quick gift for moms, mimis, grandmas, aunties and best friends. Here is one to get your creative juices flowing. Hand Embroidered Quick Gift Not only does this make a great quick gift, but this…
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C’mon Get Scrappy! 5 Uses for Fabric Scraps
Calling all Fabric Scrap Stashers! These projects are for you! As we head into Earth Day, it’s time to delve into our fabric bins and create some fun projects to use up our fabric scraps! Each project listed here uses one fat quarter (or less) of fabric. They make great gifts for teachers (school is almost out for summer!), friends (bunco party, anyone?) and yourself (don’t forget YOU). 1. Pencil Case Pattern Pencil cases don’t have to hold just pencils. I use them for makeup brushes (try lining it with Stitch ‘n Seal for easy cleanup), art supplies, Lego mini-figures (I need three just for my son’s current collection), and…
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St. Patrick’s Day Sewing Projects to Make & Give
There’s still time to decorate with St Patrick’s Day Sewing Projects! Here are 5 St Patrick’s Day Sewing Projects to whip up in time for the little leprechauns to visit. Shamrock Place Mats These cute place mats are quick to make and you can use whatever green and white fabric you have in your stash. Try quilting them with Summer Grass Blendables 30 Wt. Cotton Thread. 2. Mug Rug Use this under your Shamrock Shake or Green Tea for a festive addition to afternoon tea. 12 Wt. Cotton Petites Thread is perfect for wool applique. 3. Pretty St Patrick’s Day Pillow Embroider a shamrock, like this Mendhika Shamrock from Urban…
