Hip bags are the perfect way to stash essentials when on a walk, hiking, or just out with the dog. Make one for yourself and find out how great they are!

Looking to use up scraps or have a great collection of fabrics you want to show off? Then be sure to check out this lumbar patchwork pillow.

The Super Bowl is just weeks away. If you’re planning to serve chili on the big day, then you’ll probably want to stitch up a few of these bowl cozys. Thinking cheese dip instead? Then don’t forget about making some tortilla warmers.

Looking for some cute ways to give Valentine’s gifts this year? Why not stitch up one of these mini treat bags? They’re perfect for presenting snack or gift cards!

I’ve been a longtime fan of Maiden Jane’s t-shirt quilts. She and her talented daughter (I bought even bought a cityscape pillow and a couple of dopps bags this Christmas) have paired up for a great sewing giveaway. This is a Facebook only giveaway, so you’ll need an account and follow the instructions to enter.

Cosmetic bags are a great way to keep your makeup organized, perfect for travel, or even give as a gift. Learn how to make one here.

We still have 58 more days of winter, which means there’s still plenty of time to sew up this decorative snow globe pillow. Looking for something just to spruce up your living space instead? Learn how to insert an invisible zipper into a pillow for a quick transformation.

Enter to win a $30 gift certificate to The Fabric Fairy.

The mail has finally caught up with all my packages – so rounding out the mail yesterday was this bundle (along with an adorable penguin print and hounds tooth kitty design that arrived a few days ago. Both currently in the wash) from Blended Threads.

I am planning on doing a hoodie with the stripes and panels. Although, for the life of me, I can’t find the pattern that I originally had in mind for this so I may just go with Peek-a-boo Pattern’s Aspen – these stripes definitely need to be highlighted! The “inked” print is an athletic knit and will likely become some sort of leggings since they are on the beefier side and I’m not sure how that would work as a top. I can’t wait to sew all of these up!

Sometimes we all just want to work on a project without having to start from scratch. T-shirt refashions are great “instant gratification” project and my article in the Spring issue of Creative Machine Embroidery magazine can give you the inspiration to get you started!

For this article I show you how to embellish tees by adding sleeve details, pocket embroidery (both on the pocket and those fun “peek-a-boo” designs that poke out from the top, and creating a cutwork piece along the shoulder and neckline. All of these projects can be created in an afternoon and are super fun to wear. Be sure to check out this issue on newssstands now and let me know what you think!

Some of the fabrics that I had pre-ordered last year are finally starting to trickle in – like this fabulous Blocked Retro French Terry from Blended Threads.

This was one of my first experiences buying form Blended Threads and I was not disappointed (it did take FOREVER for the fabric to get here, but that had more to do with Canadian and US postal services running slow)! This French Terry is some of the beefiest that I’ve worked with, but it still has great stretch and a luxurious feel on the exterior…. I immediately had regrets that I did not buy more. I knew that when I bought this that I wanted to make some sort of retro shirt (maybe even a sweatshirt) so I decided to mash up my concept together to make this – a modified Jalie 3355 sweatshirt. I used the body of the shirt “as is”, but lengthened the bands (the cuffs by 2″, the waistband by 9″) so that they fitted more like a shirt in these areas.

Unfortunately, I could have used another 1/2 yard of this fabric so that I could have matched the sleeve stripes to the shirt, but I think I like the placement of them as they are. Overall, I’m just in love with the end result of this shirt – it reminds me of the Kodak stripes, but muted. Hence, this shirt will forever be named, The Kodak Sweatshirt.

• Pattern: Jalie 3355 (stash)
• Fabric: Blended Threads French Terry, $33.16
• Notions (stash)

• Total Project Price, $33.16

I love wrap tops and dresses. They look great on every body type and they’re a nice change of pace to sew. If you love them too, then you’ll want to check out this tutorial for an easy wrap dress.

I wish I had a cat to sew for because I’d totally make this cat bed.

These Love Koi Plush are so adorable and perfect for Valentine’s Day gift giving!

If you’re looking to start decorating for Valentine’s Day, but don’t want to sew, here’s a fun tutorial for a printable bunting.

Enter to win a $30 gift certificate to The Fabric Fairy.

If you’ve been wanting to reduce your waste around your house, you’ll want to look into these reuseable baby wipes.

Hair scrunchies are the perfect projects for beginners and a great way to sew up scraps. Plus your hair will thank you this summer!

Want the fun of piecing together a project without the commitment of working on a quilt? Then be sure to check out these Log Cabin Hexi Potholders.

Everyone loves a zippered pouch – they’re easy to sew and great for stashing loose items, travel, or gift giving.

It may still be winter outside, but the spring issue of Creative Machine Embroidery magazine is starting to hit newsstands – which means that I can finally show you one of my projects inside: The Aloha Hoodie.

If this project looks familiar to you, it’s because I loved this top so much that after I finished the article last year, I decided to make one that I could wear right away, but without the embroidery (most of the projects that I create need to be sent in 6 months or so before they appear in the magazine). In both projects, I used the Carlton Crop Hoodie (but any purchased hoodie pattern will work) and paired up a tropical print reverse french terry (purchased from SoSewEnglish Fabrics, but no longer available) with hibiscus embroidery designs that were used along the seamline on the front piecing and hood. To add even more texture to this hoodie, I used a white, knit quilted fabric (which is only available in this colorway through a bundle) for the front, back and hood – if you have a chance to buy some of this, I highly recommend it, it’s definitely unique and cozy (but even though it’s a knit, it does have limited stretch, so don’t plan on using it with something very fitted).

Be sure to grab your copy soon! And be sure to share your versions with me!

I had originally planned on spending the weekend sewing, but, instead, we decided to tackle a few projects around the house that we’ve been procrastinating on (and I’m feeling very accomplished). So, I thought I would show you one of my next projects: Greenstyle’s Tempo Tights and a very cool marble athletic knit from The Styled Magnolia (now I just need a solid black athletic knit to use as the base).

This is the first time using this pattern, so I’m hoping that I get a good (wearable) fit right off the bat. I may chicken out using my “really good” material (i.e. the marble print) and test this pattern out with some other lycras I have on hand that I’ve been wanting to stitch up anyway.

Since everyone is still working from home and school, I decided that my wardrobe should probably reflect our current situation more… so you may be seeing more loungewear\athlesiure for awhile!

To kick off off my comfy clothes sewing, I decided to dig into my pattern stash and sew something I haven’t made before – Seamwork’s Mel, a knit, mi-rise jogger pattern with front pockets and elastic, drawstring waistband. I opted to make my pair out of a leopard print French Terry from SoSewEnglish fabrics (with a contrasting waistband and cuffs, also in French Terry).

Overall this pattern was easy to put together. Mel is labeled for beginners, and overall, I would have to agree with that label – except when it comes to the waistband. Not only does it have buttonholes (for making a drawstring), but also sewing a casing\topstitching after the elastic is inserted, which may be a bit more difficult for someone without out a lot of experience. However, the instructions were very straightforward and great to follow.

But what I’m sure you’re really wanting to know is, How is the fit? Let me start off by saying that I was in between two sizes, so I opted to sew the larger size (I figured it was better to go too big in loungewear than too small). The finished look is a bit baggier than the model’s so I might have been able to get away with using the smaller sizing or just used a slightly larger seam allowance. I did find that the waistband elastic was a tad too small for me so I wound up expanding it by a couple of inches – it doesn’t seem to effect wear (it didn’t fall down), but it seems comfier than what was recommended. Once I make a top for this (because I feel the need for a leopard loungewear set), then I’ll be sure to model the finished look.

If you love the look of piping, but don’t like to make (or apply your own) then this tutorial for a faux piped binding looks like a great alternative.

Keep yourself organized, stitch up a last minute gift, or sew up one of these zippered pouches, just because. (comes in 3 sizes, too!).

This laminated diaper bag doesn’t just look great, it’s easy to wipe down and clean, too.

Valentine’s Day is just a month away and you can start getting ready by stitching up one of these plush heart pillows.

This fabric basket is the perfect size for commercial sewing patterns and has a wire rim to help support it’s shape.

Stay cozy, look cute with this Teddy Bear Jacket.

This slouch hat is perfect for cold weather or just a cute accessory to wear on bad hair days.

Did you get a new tablet or phone over the holidays? Learn how to make a pillow stand to support it.

Enter to win an online course and a bundle of Anna Maria Horner fabrics.

Keep clean in the kitchen with the Allspice Apron pattern.

Before I start new projects, I’ve vowed to finish up a few miscellaneous items that I’ve been meaning to work on. For this round, I’m embroidering a few small “gifts”:

A 2020 ornament for my daughter’s dog… because in our family, everyone gets an ornament for the year! I purchased this one just days before Christmas and never got around to stitching it out.

I also made a couple of Grumpy Unicorn bookmarks (now retired, but the snap tabs are still available) for a couple of friend’s daughters. In hindsight, I should have made a simple rectangular style (without a tassel) as they mail better, but these always turn out so cute that I couldn’t resist.