Wondering what you can do with your tiniest fabric scraps and wee, little orphan blocks??? Make handmade fabric notecards! Just buy plain, flat notecards. Then, grab a glue stick and go for it!
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I did consider making another heart backpack, because that was quite a success, but my curiosity to try something new won out. That’s when I was struck with the idea to look through my orphan blocks. I found this English paper pieced block languishing in my orphan block bin. It totally deserves to become something real, something loved.
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Handmade gifts are the best, and few can appreciate that as much as your friends, who likely understand how precious your time is. Sometimes when a birthday is coming into sight, all the good ideas seem to have evaporated. I hope that this list will help you hone in on a meaningful gift to sew for that special friend in your life!
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Taking the time to sew a gift, together with your child, pays heaps of dividends. I have many happy memories sewing gifts for my kids and with my kids. Here are some favorites as jumping off points for you!
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I love sewing baby gifts, don’t you? It is such a personal way to show that you care, whether for the baby shower, as a surprise during your first visit or a special present in the holidays to come. Luckily, I have had the chance to sew a lot of baby gifts over the years. Here are some ideas to get your juices flowing.
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This weekend Elora and I sewed a gift for her friend’s upcoming birthday. The party for this twirly-skirt wearing girl is hearts-themed, thus we shall sew hearts. I printed out four copies of the Penny Sampler Pattern Club heart pattern, and we set out to make a drawstring backpack.
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The hardest part by far is choosing one word for each friend. It would be so much easier to express my appreciation in a torrent of words. But, they are such a pleasure to give! I am positive that I enjoyed reflecting on my friends’ good qualities and giving these little bookmarks as much as my friends enjoyed receiving them.
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Yesterday was a special day for Elora and I - her last speech therapy lesson. In the past year Elora has made fantastic progress, thanks in great part to the two specialists who uncovered the origin of her language development challenges.
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I’m glad I took the plunge with waxed canvas. The finished waxed canvas strap feels strong and sturdy, like leather. A waxed canvas bottom is water-resistant and stain resistant. No wonder bag-makers are going crazy for this fabric.
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Do you think that potholders make good gifts? I mean it’s a humble thing, maybe a little on the silly side, but I like them as gifts. I have two free tutorials if you’d like to try and lots of patchwork potholder inspiration.
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The crazy got started when Elora received a notice about Juffendag. That translates as Teacher’s Day and is a collective birthday party for the teachers, at school. With the school year wrapping up, it felt like a good time for a handmade gift.
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Oh what a year! And it’s almost done. It’s time for looking back and looking forward. What do you need to say as we leave 2020 behind and embrace 2021? Let’s set intentions for the After the Rain sew-along.
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Aria is really hard to shop for these days, but I had a late epiphany that I could make her something to do with knitting. She loves to knit, and said she said could use another yarn-keeper. This bento bag is super easy to sew!
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This week I had fun making doll clothes for Elora’s baby doll. They’re just simple things - diapers and bibs - easy for Elora to use in her pretend play. Doesn’t Dolly look sweet?
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Ok, friends, this was NOT easy. It took pluck to push through with this project. I’m so glad to have made it to the other side and can’t wait to see Elora’s reaction on Christmas morning! Would you like to hear my “war” story?
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When you’re inspired to start a new project, what comes first? Is it the fabric that catches your imagination or the project that simply must be made? It can go either way for me, but this time the fabric definitely came first. Enter the Darlings!
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Before I left, I made love note bookmarks for my parents and closest friends. I chose a word for each of them that captures something I appreciate about who they are. My mother is strength…
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There are moments when you look back on a decision made, a path you took once upon a time, with awed gratitude. Ten years ago we decided..
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