Need a quick costume, but don’t really want to wear a “costume”? Then be sure to check out this Gone Batty Top! This fun little circle top is great for something quick to thrown on and still look holiday stylish. Don’t forget to download the instructions here.

Need a hat to go with that circle top? Whip up an easy Witch Hat, too!

Fall is here which means it’s scarf season. Learn how to make a beautiful, extra long, crinkle gauze version embellished with sparkles and tassels. This double sided fringed scarf is pretty spectacular too.

Forget poodle skirts this Halloween, make it a unicorn instead.

Couldn’t everyone use a bit more light when they sew? Now you can win an LED kit that attaches to your machine.

Beat the chill and make yourself a new hoodie.

If you haven’t tried reverse applique yet, this deer head pillow tutorial is a great place to try this technique out (plus you make a cute new pillow in the process).

This cape is perfect for Halloween or for a child who loves to be a superhero every day.

Tired of Halloween? Get a jump start on Christmas and stitch yourself up some new ornaments like this cute felt camera or this easy rainbow snowcone.

I’m not normally a fan of Joann’s Doodles line for fabrics. While the prints are adorable, the material itself doesn’t (usually) have great stretch and recovery. However when I saw the Cassette Tape print, I caved. I had just stumbled across a retro cassette tape project from Cricut and I decided that I wanted to make a shirt using both elements. I wound up using Jalie’sNico pattern again, but this time went with long sleeves so we can start having “cooler weather shirts” to wear this winter.

The vinyl is changed slightly from the project directions so that it matched the cassette tapes on the fabric better. Instead of going with gray, I opted for silver which shows up better on the shirt (but not so well in photos). Overall, I’m in love with this one – let’s hope Easton feels the same way!

Between being sick and a weekend soccer tournament, I got nothing accomplished. I had started a new Nico on Friday, but still have the hems and an vinyl image to place on the front before I consider it “finished”…. I’m still waffling on what I want to do with it, though.

Meanwhile, today it’s time to get back on track with projects – some “behind the scenes sewing” that I can’t share yet in addition to everything I have recently cut out. Hopefully I’ll have more to share tomorrow, like a new NIco!

There are 73 days until Christmas and this may be the most prepared that I have ever been! Actually, I had a chance to test out Peek-a-boo’s new digital pattern, Jingle All the Way (which is currently on sale for $1 Off the listing price) and decided that I would make Easton a new pair of pjs.

Since I used a purchased tee for the SVG, I decided that I would make the flannel bottoms – so I used Peek-a-boo Patterns Freebie, the Pajama Party Pants. This was my first time sewing this pattern up and was pleased with the end result. The fit was good and the length was perfect for Easton (maybe a tad long, but I prefer them to be a little long to give him a bit of growing room)… but the real test was how he liked them. Let’s just say I can’t peel them off of him! One note about the fabric though, I wound up having to pick some up from Joann’s (because I didn’t pick up quite enough material from another store and they were closed when I was ready to cut). While it was a bargain (I believe it was on sale for something like $2.50\yd), it is thin and BLEEDS like crazy! In fact, parts of the white check are actually stained pink.

I also opted to make a second project with this cut file, a fun jingle shadow box. I’ve seen ones like these on Etsy selling for $30 or more and decided that I could make one for myself. To create this project, I placed a neutral paper in the back of the box, filled it with colorful bells, and placed the image on top of the glass. Depending on the size of the shadow box and the sales\coupons you hit, you could easily make this for under $15.

Who needs Burburry when you can make your own monogrammed poncho for so much less?

Blanket buddies are always fun and this one is perfect for Halloween.

This cute Wobisobi t-shirt hack says it’s great for workouts, but I think it would be fun with jeans too.

With snow already in the forecast for some parts of the US, this fleece ruffle skirt seems like a cozy way to dress adorably.

Bag organizers don’t just have to be for purses, this one looks perfect to use with totes, too!

Cozy up with a pretty fleece blanket (and cool pompom trim).

Learn how to make an infant crib sheet (and learn how to enter to win an infant\toddler mattress too).

Some day I will take all the t-shirts I’ve been hoarding and turn them into a quilt. This article on stabilizing tees for quilting may help too.

Years ago, I made Wonder Woman aprons… now you can too!

Win a Bridgette the Bear sewing pattern and kit.

It’s pumpkin season! Learn how to make easy fabric pumpkins, dye them using the shibori method, or just make yourself proclaiming you love of pumpkin spice!

Roll up brush kits are great for storing your makeup brushes and are handy for taking them on the go.

Protect your laptop and let the world know you’re a Mad Seamstress with this zipper pouch and printable tutorial.

The weather turned cold(er) yesterday so I finally had a chance to wear my new Rainier Raglan…. and I discovered that the black fabric IS a problem. I have no other way to describe it except that it’s crunchy and stiff. Thankfully it’s just on the front and back so it doesn’t feel horrible to wear, but it’s not “comfortable” either.

I had plans to use this same material for the “Dem Bones” hoodie (sleeves, bands, and hood), but after wearing my shirt, decided to scrap it. Not only were the blacks totally different shades, I envisioned this being totally uncomfortable too (and since the fabrics are different weights, a PITA to sew too). So, I scrapped it and decided to hunt for new fabrics – I settled on a washed out black from Joann’s. It has a similar weight and is closer in tone to the original panel. I wound up purchasing enough to make part of a shirt for Easton as well (I have a panel, but nothing to go with it). Cross your fingers this works out!

Between a weekend of fall festivals and soccer games, I managed to sneak in a few small projects this weekend. One of them was a request from Taylor: Shirts. Last year I made shirts for Taylor for her “big\little” reveal day at her sorority (because matching shirts make the best photos). So this year she asked if I could help out her “little” by making shirts for her this year – she supplied the vinyl and shirts and requested a small design on the pocket of each tee. The result is elegant and cute (you can see a bit of them on the photo on the left) and it’s true, they did make for great photos!

After a few weeks of waffling back and forth on whether to buy an Easy Press or not…. I finally caved. It arrived early this week and I tested it out already…. so far, it’s well worth the money!

While I don’t have a regular heat press to compare, I can say this was so much better than my home iron. Not only is the surface larger, but it gets hotter and doesn’t require the insane amount of pressure that I was applying previously. So far, the only drawback would be the actual size it can press – it may be a bit small for large scale designs, but seeing that I don’t do those too often, it may not be that big of a deal.

Since I purchased this, I also bought some new heat transfer vinyl – a few glitters, some flocked (which I need to research on how to cut and press), and printed vinyl (which requires a different technique than what I’m used to).

Now I can’t wait to try this again! Be on the lookout for a lot of fun tees!

Need an elegant, box pleat skirt for yourself or little girl? The Paris Party dress comes in 21 sizes!

Even though my husband claims soup is not a meal, with the weather turning colder, I find a hot bowl of soup very satisfying. This year I may finally have to make these soup bowl hot pads so we can eat chili on the couch for Super Bowl.

Need a quick costume? This Kitty Cat is simple to make and fun to wear! Need something spookier? Try this dead roses witch hat instead.

I have been seeing a lot of these glitter shake pouches in stores. This would make great stocking stuffer this year!

Last week I posted tutorials on making rope baskets and rugs, this week it’s a very cool tote. I am really going to have to try this!

My dog has claimed several pieces of furniture as his own. I would probably need to make several protective pet throws. I might just be better off making some of these fabric dog bones instead.

Get your little girl ready for cooler weather by stitching up some comfy leggings.

Need leggings in adult sizes? The Peg Leg pattern has been extraordinarily popular. Then after you’re done making leggings, stitch up tunics to go with them!

If you’re looking for a new wallet but are intimidated by some of the patterns out there, this version looks simple to make.

Does your little girl want to dress up, but costumes aren’t really appropriate? Meet them halfway with this Mermaid Skirt tutorial.

I have always loved braided Christmas wreaths, especially in bright colors. Now you can make one for your door this year.

Happy National Taco Day! As if I didn’t have plenty of other projects to work on, I decided that we needed to celebrate in style and whipped up a new shirt for Easton (I had plans on making something for myself, but ran out of time).

For this tee, I used the Jalie Nico, a taco print fabric, and fun themed design (I edited it slightly) that I found on Etsy. I wound up having to use my sewing machine for much of this shirt (because I was too lazy to change my serger thread) and I have to admit, I really missed my differential feed. Overall, not bad for a quick whip up, but I’m not sure how I feel about those sleeves… too much?