It began in pregnancy- wondering if there could possibly be a pair of pants out there that neither dug into my ever expanding belly nor fell off of my rear in an effort to sit “under” a belly that slipped lower every day. If such a pair existed, they only fit for a few days […]
Tutorial: How to Sew a Lined Patch Pocket with Contrast Band
Patch pockets can be made by cutting a single square (or other shape), turning the raw edges under by ¼ inch and topstitching to the garment.
Free Online Sewing Tutorials for Slings, Wraps and Baby Carriers
Babywearing is back in a huge way, and if you have basic sewing skills you can whip up a huge variety of mei tais, ring slings and other carriers. It’s worth trying a few different kinds of carrier to see what suits you and your baby.
Free Sewing Patterns – Maternity Tops for Early Pregnancy
In the first trimester, it can be tricky finding clothes that make you look pregnant rather than chubby. This in-between stage usually only lasts for a few months at most, so it seems a shame to spend a lot of money on shirts and tops.
Sew Your First Quilt This Fall
Fall is always the first season to call me to the sewing machine. It’s an especially inspiring time for quilts and my quilting friends also find this to be true. It could be the shorter days, the cooler weather, or the upcoming holidays. In any case, if you’ve never quilted before I encourage you to start checking into it this fall.
Why Bother Lining Garments?
It’s often tempting to skip linings. They can almost double the time it takes to sew a garment; they may not show from the outside, and lining fabric costs money. On the other hand, linings can do more than just give a professional finish. You’ll notice that couture clothes and the more expensive types of […]
How to Sew a Simple Library Tote
Krista Maurer is a writer, photographer, seamstress and boutique owner. She loves fresh flowers, Christmas lights, good seafood, wrapping presents, and hostessing parties. You can find more of her ideas and tutorials at KristaMaurer.com. Whether it’s the dog-days of summer or the start of a new school year, every child needs their very own library […]
How To Make a Paneled Skirt Without a Pattern
A paneled skirt is a very versatile type of skirt. By choosing more or fewer panels and widening or narrowing those panels toward the bottom, you can make a skirt that is almost straight or an incredibly twirly full skirt. Because the fullness comes from tapered panels, this skirt has no gathers or bulk around […]
How to Make a Dirndl Skirt Without a Pattern
A dirndl skirt can be made using either one piece of fabric or two. Essentially the skirt is a tube, gathered at the top; if the tube is made from one piece of fabric it will have a single seam, placed at the side or the back. Many people prefer to sew two pieces of […]
Five Small Christmas Gifts to Start Knitting Now
These easy knitting projects are good for relative beginners. Most of them knit up in a few hours, ready to be popped into a drawer for safekeeping. The projects are also small, making them ideal for using up scraps of wool from your stash. Bowtie Scarf These cute scarves are equally appropriate for children and […]
Cheap Ways to Sew Fabric Gift Bags: Eco-Friendly, Reusable Gift Wrapping On a Budget
Sewing fabric gift bags is the perfect way to teach a child how to sew – but don’t spend a fortune on expensive Christmas fabric.
Adapting a Quilt Pattern to Alternative Colors
Want to use a particular quilt pattern that is an easy pattern, and looks beautiful, but the color scheme doesn’t fit your style? You can change the colors of your easy quilt pattern to match your home décor by changing them out.
