Learn how to make a heart cutout on your next little girl’s dress.
Always wanted to join a quilt-a-long, but never had the supplies? Here’s your chance to win (almost) everything you need and join in on A Few Scraps fun.
Create a canvas wall hanging – you can read!
The shift dress featured on Sew Stylish is so adorable, I’m thinking about putting it on my must sew list. You can download the pattern and instructions to make your own, here.
Create your own adorable sock monkey with this free download from Operation Sock Monkey.
Since it’s time for back to school, our days of Sailing on the Lake are over, but it’s never too late to create the look! Learn how to create this pretty little top at Sewing Princess.
I’ve read a lot of ‘making your own sandalsshoes’ articles in the past few years, but these are the cutest I’ve seen! No wonder I had seen a lot of hub-bub on the internet about them!
I have no idea what I would do with them, but I need some of these knitted ice cream cones!
ilovetocreate.com is having daily giveaways. Today’s? Iron-on appliques from Tulip.
A sneak peek at Ottobre Woman’s upcoming issue. I LOVE that pea coat!
There’s lots of ways to win a fat quarter bundle of Pure Joy – read here to learn how. Although if that fabric isn’t your style, you can always try for a FQ bundle of Country Lane, here.
Indietutes ElvisBlue Hawaii dress has got to be my favorite girls summer frock this year! Learn how to make your own Solar Dress here.
This year for school, Taylor has a very LARGE (required) binder that she has to carry around for her classes. Maybe I can jazz it up with this cute little binder pouch?
Aww, this is so adorable (I love how they kept the buttons) – turning a Hawaiian shirt into a toddler skirt.

If it wasn’t enough that Hot Patterns released two new patterns last week (love those relaxed tees), they also have two new patterns up at Fabric.com today as well! I am anxious to try out their cosmetic bag pattern – it’s a cute variation on the ones that I’ve previously made…. maybe they’ll be just different enough I can make a new round for Christmas gift giving? If I can convince Easton to nap this afternoon, I may give this one a whirl today…. or I may just break down and nap – this back to school schedule is kicking my rear! When’s the first vacation day?

Are you tired of looking at aprons yet? I hope not because here’s one more for the mix! I’ve had this idea in my head for awhile and am happy to see it appear in real life – I call it, The Little Black Dress Apron (now you can be perfectly dressed for any occasion). The styling is very similar to the Wonder Woman apron and features a sheer overlay skirt, long ribbon ties so the bow can be worn in the front, and sequin trim around the neckline. I have enough material to make this one again…. I’m just preparing you.
What is everyone else working on?

I know it sounds cliche, but “it seems like only yesterday” that I was talking about Taylor starting summer break. Today, it’s officially over. Here is Taylor sporting her ‘back to school’ look for the 8th grade – which started this morning. I’m sad to see it end, but am looking forward to some structure in our routine once again!
With fall here (only the time frame, not the temperatures!), I’ve been thinking ahead to fall designs and was definitely inspired by the latest Burda…. not by the seeing patterns so much as I was by this gorgeous scarf! It’s been several years since I’ve done any knitting and I’m not sure that this is something I can successfully do, but I am absolutely in LOVE with it. Anyone want to give me knitting lessons?

Anyone care for a sew along? Amy Butler’s Style Stitches: 12 Easy Ways to 26 Wonderful Bags is released in almost two weeks (however, Amazon has them in stock already) and I’m thinking it might make the perfect fall sew-along! I’m thinking we shoot for a September 6th start date and work until the end of the month – that should give everyone time to get their books, supplies, and start to work on their favorite design. So, what do you say?

Towel wraps. Not only are they an easy way to get ‘dressed’ after a shower, but they’re a great way to get that ‘spa’ feel at home when getting ready for date nights – not to mention a perfect gift for the college freshman living the dorm life! New up at The Sewing Republic is a tutorial for The Shower Wrap – it’s easy to sew, one size fits all, and is absolutely adorable.

If you’ve been thinking about getting the Wee Wonderful’s book, but wanted to try a project before buying, then here’s your chance – Mermaiden Free Pattern.
I love custom key fobs. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to make your own. While you’re there, be sure to check out the latest CraftSanity podcast.
Win a copy of The Embroidery Companion.
Download a free quilt pattern and enter to win the fabric that was used to make the display quilt! Hurry, this one ends tonight!
For many of us summer break may be over, but there’s still time to sew up a pretty summer shirred dress. Learn how to do this technique here.
Even though the name, Spiderweb Potholders, conjures up images of Halloween. These pretty little hotpads look nothing like the holiday – learn how to make theme here.
This has to be the cutest coupon organizer that I’ve ever seen.
If you’re getting ready to send your kids back to school, here’s a list of 20 great projects to make to get you started on the new year.
C&T Publishing is giving away a HUGE Summer Quilt Show package including books, videos, and fat quarters.
It’s way too hot here (another 105 degree day) to think about wearing a fleece scarf, but I realize, eventually, that things will cool down an this Serpent Scarf (with pocket) will be a fun way to warm up (and hide your keys).
Start your little girl back to school in style with the Leisurely Dress.
Add a bit of flair to your garment by adding Chevron Pockets to you clothes.

Knowing what my day would be like today (in a word, busy!), I was very motivated to get into the sewing room yesterday and test my second apron design. This particular apron is a bib-style with a single tie that comes up through a casing under the arms and over the neck. It’s finished off with a bit of piping and a pretty little flounce. I need to go back to the drawing board on the facing that creates the casing because I was a bit off on the length of this one. Somehow, designing facing for items trips me up – I’m always so close to perfect, but there’s always something that is just a bit off.
Now I have one more ‘look’ to test out. While the overall pattern design is similar to the Wonder Woman apron, I have a different style in mind that I’d like to try. I’ve been thinking about this one for awhile so I’m anxious to see how it turns out.

As much as I love sewing, there are some things that are just worth buying. Yesterday, we got a catalog in the mail that had toddler costumes. Not only was Easton totally amused by them, he found one that he wanted – Elmo. Even after I told him that he would have to wear the hood with the head up(he shook his head yes, then told me we had to go ‘bye bye’ to get the outfit), he was all for it. Not only would buying this costume now please Easton now (I can imagine him running around the store in the 100+ degree heat with this on), but I would avoid having to find a pattern (I’m sure that there is a ‘vintage’ costume for Elmo out there somewhere) and having to work with red, shedding, shag fur.
While we’re on the subject of ‘Halloween’, I’m ready to sew up my second apron. While this one doesn’t scream Halloween (it’s not like a costume), it does have the most adorable orangeyellow dots (they remind me of candy corn). I had picked this up at FabricMart a few years ago and I can honestly say, I love this fabric as much as what I did when I first bought it. Hopefully, I’ll have a finished apron to show off tomorrow!
Edited to Add: If you’re in the Wichita area, be sure to check out today’s Groupon deal for Monica’s Bundt Cake. Not only is this my favorite sweet shop, but she’ll be featuring my aprons in her store.

Sometimes we make things that seem like a good idea at the time, but we look back on them and wonder what we were thinking when we sewedknitted them up. The photo on the right is from the December 91/Jan 92 issue of Threads (photo via Submitterator) and is a prime example.
As I clean out my closet and purge some of the things I’ve made, I have a few of those – “What was I thinking?” moments (none quite as horrific as the Threads magazine photo). Anyone care to share theirs?