Is there ever a day that goes by that you aren’t thankful for your sewing skills? Not here. When I first moved to my small coastal town, I discovered that the post office does not deliver mail to the town’s residents. “What?” But the more I thought about it, there was an opportunity for exercise […]
Fiber Fun Scarves
If you love fabric, there’s also a good chance that you love fibers of all kinds—yarns, novelty threads, ribbons, trims, cords, etc. Assuming that’s the case and perhaps you have some of those things in your stash, making your own scarves is a fun way to showcase a medley of those fun fibers. Here’s what […]
Drape and Shape a One-Hour Vest (Preview)
Vests are a popular garment for good reasons — they go many places and serve many purposes, from dressing-up an outfit for the holidays, to giving a skirt or pants a fresh look, to adding a colorful layer to a plain top, and to keeping you warm. With these simple drape-and-shape techniques, you can quickly […]
Canine Capers: Sewing for Your Furry Friend
We all love to sew, whether it’s for ourselves, for friends, for gifts or for our homes, but sometimes our pets need a little sewing love as well. Both of these dog toys are great gift ideas for your own dog or grand-dog, and are also ideal for community service projects or donating to your […]
Suit-ability: Repurposing Suits for Other Projects
Not all fabric we use in our projects comes from the fabric store—some comes from our own closets or from the closets of others near and dear. Have you noticed in the past few years that there are fewer and fewer men wearing suits? Blame it on the popular work-from-home phenomena or simply the trend […]
Project: A Summer Hammock (preview)
Relax in your backyard with a book, enjoy a cup of coffee on the porch, or swing peacefully as you bond with nature at your favorite campsite in a colorful, decorative hammock. It’s said that hammocks guarantee an amazing sleep experience, whether it’s an afternoon nap, or a full night’s rest. Simple to sew, this […]
Hot Pad Helpers
Whether you call them hot pads or potholders, the purpose is the same—to protect hands and table surfaces from the heat of a pan just removed from the stove or oven. Hot pads are an ideal beginner sewing project (perfect for kids), and they’re a fun way to use up scraps since they don’t take […]
Stabilizer Organizer
Tired of hunting for the right stabilizer every time you tackle an embroidery project? This project is a great way to keep them clearly identified and within easy reach. Carmen DePalma, a talented educator and ASG member, originally created the organizer for the Marathon Thread Company and has shared it with us. Sturdy Home Dec, […]
Make Your Own Luggage Tote
After being cooped up at home for over a year, everyone is anxious to travel again, even homebodies like me. In anticipation of an in-person ASG conference, I decided to make a luggage tote that fits on the handle of my rolling suitcase. To get exactly what I wanted, I made my own pattern for […]
National Zipper Day: Zipper Pansy Pin
Make this sweet pansy pin using designer zippers from Ghee’s! It’s easy to construct and is a perfect embellishment for any season. Feature one or several on a lapel, handbag or headband or decorate a hat, belt, or shoes. You can even make other unique jewelry like a necklace or bracelet. Materials 2 decorative zippers […]
DIY Table Runner
Run, Run… Table Runners A table runner can be used to add color and interest to any part of your home décor, showcase a display of collectibles, or it can be used simply to protect the dining table surface. You get multiple functions in one! A runner can even be used over a tablecloth to […]
What I’m Sewing: Pink Sand Beach Designs Fiji Tote
Charlotte Trayer from the Seattle Chapter of ASG created this roomy, fat quarter friendly tote bag. Q. Item Created A. Tote bag Q. Independent Pattern Designer A. Pink Sand Beach Designs Q. Name and Number of Pattern A. #124 Fiji Tote Q. Fabric Used: A. Cotton/linen for exterior, Japanese cotton print for lining, other cotton […]
Shower Power: Sew a Fabric Shower Curtain
Nothing’s more fun than sprucing up your home and as sewers, a little refresh is easy to do. So, why not start in the bathroom with a fun fabric shower curtain! Choose a bold print, fabulous stripe or even a luscious solid cotton or polyester fabric. Decorator weights work well and often come with coordinates […]
Creative Fixes
OOOPS! Much as we love sewing, things don’t always go as planned. Sometimes an accident happens in the process from cutting to finishing, or even at the first wearing. Rather than using any of ‘those’ words, it’s a lot more fun to try to figure out a creative solution to the problem that looks like […]
You Sew, Could You…
Whenever I hear those words, every cell in my body goes on high alert. I never know what will follow, but it is rarely good. “Could you replace this zipper—in my jeans?” “Could you hem my daughter’s prom gown, all six layers with ruffles?” “Could you make floor to ceiling pinch pleat draperies for my […]
