Isle B. Stitching

Well, I spent a little time wandering around the web and found a few neat projects that I filed away in my huge stack of papers that I really must go through one day. You may be interested in them too.

Pink Penguin shows how to make this reversible patchwork tote bag. You can find the tutorial here. I wonder how this would look made out of old tee shirts? I mentioned in an earlier post (Make this: #12) about Pink Penguin’s tutorial to make a fabric basket. I know some of you made her baskets and told me how easy her tutorial’s are.

For those of you who sell your crafts here’s a little tutorial on how to make your own labels. Even if you don’t sell your creations, it’s still nice to put in a label so that someone knows that you took the time to make them a special gift. The tutorial includes photos so it’s easy to follow. You’ll find that making your own labels is cheaper than having them custom made. 

L’arbre de Bobines tells you how to make this drawstring bag. Isn’t it so cute? I think these would make great little gift bags. I think the site is either French or Italian. The tutorial is in English but you may have to read parts of it two or three times in order to grasp what you’re supposed to do. Still, it looks easy enough to follow. Plus, she says you can contact her if you have problems or questions.

Here’s a couple of pin cushions that will look nice in your sewing room and look easy to make. UK lass in US has a tutorial for the apple here, and you can find the instructions for the pear here. She also has this tutorial for a fabric doll house that will make a nice Christmas gift for a little girl.

Finally, some nifty projects disappeared from the Kunin Felt website when they reorganized. Blossom the bear and Skippy the rabbit were some cute ones from 2000. You can find Blossom here, and Skippy is here. I found these links through Silver Seams Open Source Sewing. If you sell your crafts then you need to check this site. Her patterns are available for you to make and sell. Here is what she says,

Some years back, I decided there was a need for “open source” sewing patterns – not just free instructions on the web with a “You can use this but don’t resell the results” afterthought, but properly licensed stuff like I use when I’m wearing my software developer hat. Since then, the potential for hobby crafters to sell their work has only increased (Etsy, etc.), so there’s more need than ever for the ability to sell stuff without worrying about getting a special dispensation from the pattern designer, or worrying about a C&D or a DMCA takedown notice.

I hope you’ll try your hand at some of these projects. Until next time!

 I spent some time today looking over some of my favorite sites to see what’s been added. Found lots of new goodies and things to make.

Quiltville has plenty of free patterns and tutorials. I’m especially interested in how to make maverick stars, which are made with the tiniest of scraps—and I have plenty of those. The newest free quilt pattern is Out On a String. Check the site out; I’m sure you’ll find something of interest.

Emily at Inside a Black Apple was recently on Martha Stewart and showed how to make her cute Black Apple Doll. I enjoy visiting here because she always creates the neatest things and has the coolest pictures.

four twin sisters is a great site for applique patterns. They send a free fat quarter if you send in a photo of a finished block from one of their patterns. I’ve received quite a few cute, cute fat quarters from them.

One of my favorite places to visit is Pat Sloan’s Quilter’s Home. She’s currently doing a Farmer’s Market BOM. While you’re there, be sure and check out the free BOM for Remember…It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere. She has several other free patterns you’ll be interested in, as well as some you can buy. Until next time.

Let’s go sew!

Here’s a few more ideas to try. I keep a file of all these neat things, but I’m not sure I’ll ever get through them! Just like my fabric. I keep adding to my stash, but I don’t think I’ll ever use it all.

 Chocolate on My Cranium has this cute tote bag to make, and also this reversible tote.

Wise Craft has a rice pillow that looks easy to make. ~E Made This filled her’s with buckwheat hulls and lavendar. A few years ago I found the Cherry Pit store where you can buy cherry pits to fill your pillows. According to their site, cherry pits can retain and slowly release moist heat or stay cold for a long period after being heated in a microwave or chilled in the freezer. They are all natural with no added chemicals. I haven’t bought any yet, but I still have this spot bookmarked under my favorites.

JCaroline Creative has this tute for a hobo bag. You can get directions at Ric Rac to make a quilt using your selvages. She’s also used her selvages to make a little tote. There aren’t any directions, but you can use any pattern. It makes a cute bag.

I’ve spent some time on the computer this afternoon and found some great projects to try. You might find some of these of interest too. The first is this cool wallet from that*darn*kat. I found this tutorial from stitch.rip.repeat for creating your own bunting. This one also has tutorials on printing your own fabric—which I really want to try—and how to make patchwork circle appliques—I love to applique. Lindamade has some easy potholders to make from old cocktail napkins. Very cute! I know aprons are one of the latest crazes, but they don’t spark my interest. I’ve never hung out in the kitchen making huge meals, and Roger has, over the years, come to accept this—sometimes sadly, sometimes grudgingly—but I’ve finally convinced him that a bologna sandwich is delicious and nutritious when you add a lettuce leaf and a slice of tomato. So I really have no use for an apron but, my homemaking skills aside, my longest year has a nice tutorial for a half apron that you might be interested in. Until next time.

Let’s go sew!