Posts Tagged ‘easy sewing patterns’

Deal of the Week: Christmas Ornaments Kits

Monday, November 26th, 2012

As December is fast approaching, there is one particular type of craft that we all have in common – handmade Christmas ornaments! With snowfall on its way, and Christmas only a few weeks away, all of us crafters look forward to making as many original ornaments as we can; which is why November’s final deal of the week so perfect. The Six Christmas Sayings Ornaments Stitch Kit, will give you six totally original ways to craft a handful of ornaments for yourself, or your loved ones this winter. Whether you plan to hang them on your own tree, your children’s or your neighbor’s, ornament crafts are sure to get us all in the holiday spirit.  This deal of the week will help you get ready for December, while you save.

Deal of the Week2 266x300 Deal of the Week: Christmas Ornaments Kits

This stitch kit includes six different sayings and six different designs, allowing you to make each ornament unique from the last. This deal of the week  will include 14-count ivory Aida, cotton floss, felt and the needle. For ease of production, simple instructions will also come along with your package. This stitch kit kit is ideal for any discount-shopping crafter, looking for a weekend full of holiday-themed projects. With six different ornaments to work on, this inexpensive purchase will keep you busy for a couple of cold winter days!

Deal of the Week 2 300x224 Deal of the Week: Christmas Ornaments Kits

At the low price of $12.99, it is hard to resist such a fun and festive crafting kit. Snowmen, reindeer and angels, are only a selection of the holiday themes included in this set. If you know someone that loves Christmas crafts, why not purchase this kit as a thoughtful gift for them? Seeing that this deal is marked down by an entire 35%, you’ll be able to spend money on a selection of crafting materials, without breaking your budget. Whether you make and distribute these six different ornaments, or use the entire package as an extra crafty gift for one, you’re taking advantage of a great deal. Act fast, because when December steps up, this deal backs down.

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Happy Birthday Levi Strauss!

Friday, February 24th, 2012

Tomorrow is Levi Strauss’ birthday! This man gave Americans the iconic look of blue jeans and I’m sure we are all very thankful to him. I have yet to meet one American that does not own a single pair of blue jeans. I know at one point in my life I owned so many pairs of jeans that I could wear a different pair every single days for almost two weeks straight! Crazy, I know. Well, even the best pair of Levi’s will wear out with time, so we’re celebrating Mr. Strauss’ birthday with some fun jean crafts to make with your old worn-out jeans! What a great way to extend the life of your jeans and stay green by not tossing them in a landfill huh?

5 Ways to Upcycle Your Jeans

how to make jean purses%281%29 Happy Birthday Levi Strauss! Need a new bag? Well, if you have an old pair of jeans sitting in a giveaway pile, you can quickly make a brand new adorable bag for yourself! There are lots of ways to personalize and embellish these bags with fabric and trim so if you have a lot of old jeans around you can easily make several! Hold on to the legs for some awesome things you can make below.

 

how to make slippers from jeans Happy Birthday Levi Strauss!

Having homemade slippers is great during those freezing months. Did you know you could use your old jeans to make an adorable pair of slippers? What a cute idea of adding a bow to them, that makes them seem much more personal and cozy don’t you think?

 

 

jean pocket pot holder Happy Birthday Levi Strauss!
Here’s a fun idea I never would have thought of! Turning your old jeans into pot holders! Great one huh? It makes so much sense because denim is so thick and sturdy. Besides, what’s better than adding a little handmade love to your kitchen decor.

 

 

apple printed lunch sack Happy Birthday Levi Strauss!

 

I know we always use all sorts of bags and carry-alls in my house to transport lunch, gifts for my parents, bringing yarn and needles to a knitting circle, etc. That’s why I thought this was such a cute idea! It’s not only an adorable bag all on it’s own, but it’s so useful!

 

 

 

DIY cut off jean shorts Happy Birthday Levi Strauss! The simplest thing to do with jeans that have holes in the knees or are ripped at the bottom is to turn them into cut-offs! What better way to stay comfortable and cool in the summer that in your favorite pair of jeans , just shortened!

 

 

 

Of course, these are suggestions for those jeans in your collection that are beyond saving. If you have a favorite pair of jeans that is a little too faded for your tastes or has a small rip, don’t take the scissors to them just yet! You’ve probably got a lot of wear left in them. Check out all of the denim thread and patches on CutRateCrafts that can help you show off Levi Strauss’ hard work a little while longer!

Be sure to wear your favorite pair of jeans today to celebrate with us!

What do you usually do with your favorite pair of worn-out jeans?

 

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5 Felt Projects and the Materials to Make Them

Thursday, February 16th, 2012

I love felt.  It’s one of my favorite things to craft with.  You can use it for almost anything and it’s so cheap to buy!  Craft felt sheets run anywhere from $0.25 to $1.00 per sheet in most stores, so I make it a habit to stock up on felt when I’m out shopping!

Since spring is right around the corner, I’ve gathered up five springy felt projects to share with you, as well as information on how to get everything you need to make them.  So grab your felt and some embroidery thread and let’s get to work!

Felt Baby Booties 254x300 5 Felt Projects and the Materials to Make ThemFelt Baby Booties:  These little felt booties are just the cutest thing!  You can make them for boys or girls and decorate them to your heart’s content!  This package of Pastel Colored Felt would be great for this, since you’ll be well stocked with lots of light pinks, blues, greens, and yellows.  You’ll also need some fun embroidery thread to decorate your booties.  This embroidery floss pack contains all the best colors for your decorating needs.

 

Felt Covered Wire Hangers:  Keep your closet organized and pretty with these cute felt hangers!  Felt covered wire hangers 5 Felt Projects and the Materials to Make ThemYou can even add a cute little felt flower for a sweet touch!  These hangers are very easy to make and also make great housewarming or Mother’s Day gifts.  The hand stitched felt technique used in this project also adds a nice touch to these hangers.  Even Joan Crawford would be proud!

 

carnation fun button 5 Felt Projects and the Materials to Make ThemCarnation Felt Button:  Speaking of felt flowers, did you know you can make felt flowers in minutes?  These adorable carnations are great for Mother’s Day or birthday packages.  I made a beautiful bouquet of these flowers using this Classic Felt Colors Package.  I even had enough felt to make a bouquet for my sister!  You will need some glue for these flowers, and I recommend this Felt Glue.  It’s easy to use and bonds quickly…so you can make lots of flowers in no time!

 

Felt Bracelets and Bangles:  The coming of spring means sleeves are getting shorter…time to show off that wrist Felt Bracelets Gone Wild 246x300 5 Felt Projects and the Materials to Make Themflair!  These funky and fun bangles are a great way to jazz up some old bracelets you have lying around.  Feel free to add all the fabric embellishments you want, though I prefer various buttons!  You could also use the embroidery floss pack to add some stitching decoration to your felt bangles.

 

Bunny Peep Bunting 150x150 5 Felt Projects and the Materials to Make ThemBunny Peeps Bunting:  Who doesn’t love those little marshmallow Peeps?  Now you can enjoy them without feeling guilty about calories!  This super cute Peeps banner is a great and easy felt project.  You’ll need a good portion of felt to make this, so felt by the yard might not be a bad idea.  This is a great project for those who are new to bunting…and it’s by far one of the cutest banners I’ve ever seen!

 

In terms of bang for your buck, felt is about as good as it gets.  There are tons of projects you can do with felt, and often all you need is a pair of scissors and a little imagination!

 

What’s your favorite thing to do with felt?  What’s the best felt project you’ve made so far?

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8 Tote-a-lly Cute Bags + A Must-Have Sewing Book

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

As a group of craft editors, we are huge fans of tote bags.  We haul our stuff to work in them during the week and on the weekends we use them to carry our craft supplies wherever we go.  I personally don’t know what I’d do without my handy dandy tote bag; it’s a true life-saver for me.  Like the time I broke the heel off one of my shoes, but luckily I had a spare pair in my trusty tote.  This is why when people ask me what my one must-have accessory is, I always have an answer right away:  tote bags are key to daily life.394110 main 8 Tote a lly Cute Bags + A Must Have Sewing Book

Since totes are a way of life for us editors, we thought we’d share some of our favorite bags with all of you.  But first, you have to check out this book of Sew and Go Totes from Leisure Arts.  All of the 9 patterns included can be made in just a few hours and each of them has such a unique design.  Seriously, these bags are unlike any other totes I’ve found online.  If you’re looking for fun new handbag designs, this book is a must-have.  I’m ordering mine today!

Okay, now without further ado, here are the top pick totes chosen by each of our editors:

burlap purse with shabby rose 8 Tote a lly Cute Bags + A Must Have Sewing BookCaitlin’s Pick:  This Burlap Purse with Shabby Rose is a great everyday bag to carry around because it goes with everything!  Also, you can’t beat the price.  You can make this cute tote for around five bucks!

 

 

Large Tote with Rounded Opening 8 Tote a lly Cute Bags + A Must Have Sewing BookKari’s Pick:  As soon as Kari saw this Large Tote with Rounded Opening, she knew she had to make it right away!  Not only is yellow her absolute favorite color, but the fun polka dot design fits her personality to a t. 


 

not just another pretty purse 8 Tote a lly Cute Bags + A Must Have Sewing BookKirsten’s Pick:  Kirsten chose this Not Just Another Pretty Purse as her top tote.  Why?  It’s all in the name!  She loves this stylish tote because of its unique shape.  She can carry everything she needs with plenty of room to spare!


read and sew tote 8 Tote a lly Cute Bags + A Must Have Sewing BookJessica’s Pick:  This Read and Sew Tote is perfect for Jessica because she’s a huge bookworm.  She plans to use this tote to carry her books to and from the library, not to mention everywhere else she goes!


Rescued Threads Tote 8 Tote a lly Cute Bags + A Must Have Sewing BookChristine’s Pick:  Since Christine loves checking out thrift stores and resale shops, this Rescued Threads Tote is a natural choice for her. Made from repurposed materials, this bag is eco-friendly and adorable at the same time!


Reversible Tote Bag With Adjustable Strap 8 Tote a lly Cute Bags + A Must Have Sewing Book
Rachel’s Pick: 
Whenever I find something reversible, I immediately have to have it!  I love that you’re basically getting two bags for the price of one with this cute Reversible Tote Bag


 

hobo dance bag 8 Tote a lly Cute Bags + A Must Have Sewing BookJulia’s Pick: This Hobo Dance Bag is one of Julia’s favorite totes because of its fun, girly design and because it celebrates one of her favorite pastimes: dancing! 


 

 

pillowcase bag 8 Tote a lly Cute Bags + A Must Have Sewing BookMaggie’s Pick:  Maggie loves anything with a vintage feel, so this Pillowcase Bag is totally up her alley!  She’s also excited because she can make this pretty tote simply by refashioning a pillowcase.  How easy is that?!

 

 

 

We want to know:  Which of these tote bags is your favorite?

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Sewing 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Sewing

Tuesday, July 5th, 2011

I recently bought this book, Sewing 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Sewing, for my sister. She’s always wanted to learn how to sew, but never took the time out to teach herself and because we don’t live super close to each other anymore, learning to sew was never on the priority list when we spend time together. Her husband bought her an amazing vintage Singer from the late 60s that is fully functional and even came with it’s own  sewing table and she never uses it! It was making me so mad that I threatened to take it from her if she didn’t learn how to sew. Well, trying not to be mean-spirited, I bought her the book as motivation.

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Now, my sister already had a general grasp of hand sewing items, but there is a section that explains the basics to you and she said it taught her a thing or two she didn’t know before. She was mostly excited to get started on her sewing machine. Once she had gotten through the sewing machine basics and sewed a few stitched on some scrap fabric, she was feeling confident enough to start working on some projects.

The great thing about the book is that it’s full of all kinds of projects for the beginner like t-shirts, wrap skirts, pillows, and curtains. After a week with the book she had already finished a wrap skirt for her daughter (who is loving her mom’s handiwork on the sewing machine).

She says that all of the patterns are brightly colored photographs that are easy to follow and that’s why it was so easy for her to move forward so quickly. Pretty soon she’ll be looking up projects on AllFreeSewing, just like I do.

Actually, I already found a couple projects she might like when I was looking for something to make this weekend. I know she would love making this cute little 20 Minute Skirt and this Chanel Ruffle Cuff (because she loves Chanel, who doesn’t?).

20 minute skirt tutorial Sewing 101: A Beginners Guide to SewingChanel Ruffle Cuff Sewing 101: A Beginners Guide to Sewing

Why am I pushing her so hard? Probably because I’m jealous of her sewing machine and if she’s not going to be using it, I see no reason not to make good on my threat. Right icon wink Sewing 101: A Beginners Guide to Sewing ?

What was your first sewing project?

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Great Baby Gift Idea: Sew a Car Seat Liner

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

It seems that Summer is the hot time to have a baby (yes, pun intended, of course!).  Several of my friends are due this Summer, and I recently heard on the radio that there’s supposed to be a big “Summer Baby Boom” this year.  That piqued my interest, so I did a little digging and found out that apparently more babies are born during July, August and September than during any other time of the year.  Crazy, huh?

With stats like that, chances are you know someone who’s set to deliver their bundle of joy in the next few months.  And you know what that means… baby gifts!  I love making personalized baby gifts for my friends.  It’s so much better than buying generic infant clothes from a retail store, and they’ll probably last a lot longer too!

For my friend Liza who’s due July 4th (exciting, huh?!), I’ve narrowed down my options to these three sewing projects:

Ruffled Newborn Skirt Great Baby Gift Idea: Sew a Car Seat Liner newborn sleeper Great Baby Gift Idea: Sew a Car Seat LinerHooded Baby Towel Great Baby Gift Idea: Sew a Car Seat Liner

I’m also finding it hard to resist making this adorable Patriotic Bow Tie since it’s going to be an Independence Day baby, but Liza’s having a little girl, so I’m not sure how that would go over.  But seriously, how cute is this crochet pattern?  4th of july bowtie2 Great Baby Gift Idea: Sew a Car Seat LinerI just had to mention it!

Anyway, even though I love the three sewing projects above, I know Liza is going to get a ton of cute outfits for the baby.  That’s what happens when you have a little girl!  So while I really want to make the cute ruffle skirt and the pink sleeper, I’m thinking I might actually go a different route.

I recently found this awesome pattern for a baby car seat liner, and I think it would make a perfect gift for anyone who’s expecting.  It’s something people don’t really think of to give, but it’s one of the things a new mom needs most.  You want to keep baby comfy when 460972 main Great Baby Gift Idea: Sew a Car Seat Lineryou’re on the go, and a snuggly liner for the car seat will do just that.

I really like the pattern from Ammee’s Babies because it’s meant to fit a variety of car seats and the design doesn’t interfere with the car seat straps, so it’s easy for mom to use.  Plus it promises that it’s easy to clean, and Mom will definitely appreciate that!  For added convenience, you can order the pattern online for a great discounted rate and they’ll ship it right to your house!  No need to head to the craft store in the sweltering Summer heat!

Since this is a beginner sewing project, I might have time to make the car seat liner PLUS one of the cute girly gifts above.  As you can tell, I’m a little too excited about sewing baby gifts for my friends, so I guess it’s a good thing that I have a couple of little ones to sew for this Summer!  I sure hope one of them is a boy so I can make that adorable crochet bow tie!

Tell us: What is your favorite baby gift to sew?

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Sew It, Stuff It: Cut, Stitch, and Sew 25 Adorable Soft Toys

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

When I was a little girl, my mom was a full-time homemaker and a hardcore crafter. I remember falling asleep to the sound of her sewing machine so many nights. I loved helping her sew my Halloween costumes and learning how to make things on her sewing machine. When I was very young, before I discovered the world of customized clothing and embroidered purses, my favorite thing to sew was stuffed toys. My mom would let me pick out scraps from her fabric box, and then we would sketch out the animal or doll I wanted on a piece of printer paper. She would help me to cut out pattern pieces for each limb and then show me how to sew them and stuff them. My favorites were a felt turtle with no eyes and a hippopotamus made from scraps of brown canvas. They were so special to me because they were different from my other toys. They didn’t have fake plush fur, and they were permeated by memories of sewing with my mom.

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Homemade sewn toys are an incredibly personal and sentimental gift that only you can give your children. In Robert Merrett’s book Sew It, Stuff It: Cut, Stitch, and Sew 25 Adorable Soft Toys, you will find 7 chapters full of patterns and ideas for homemade toys. You can use this book to make toys for children of any age. The Comfort Zone chapter is perfect for babies and small children. Hugging one of these homemade toys during a thunderstorm or a night away from the parents is like having a little piece of Mom for your little ones. Sew It, Stuff It also has an Activity section full of toys that will keep your kids busy during playtime. For impressive toys that you can give as gifts, try the 3D Delectables chapter. These are the more challenging projects that look store-bought, and they’re also great for decorating kids’ bedrooms.

If your little ones are all grown up now and you’re feeling a little nostalgic for the times when they would cuddle with a homemade stuffed toy, try the Kids Forever chapter. The Divine Dollies section is also great for adult daughters who might appreciate the charm of a vintage rag doll. My favorite chapter in this book, however, is the Simple Starters chapter. This section is a collection of easy-to-sew projects that you can make in just an afternoon. Why do I love this chapter so much? Because these projects are perfect for teaching kids how to sew. Get your kids involved in choosing a project, cutting out the fabric pieces, and stitching the toy together. You’ll have fun with your kids, teach them new skills, and create tangible memories. Trust me, your kids will cherish the homemade toys as much as I do Hippo and Turtle.

To read more information about Sew It, Stuff It, see our review of the book on AllFreeSewing. If you’re ready to start sewing and you want this book on your doorstep ASAP, you can order it on CutRateCrafts today!

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Casserole Carriers: The Hot New Accessory

Monday, April 25th, 2011

When I first found out that casserole carriers were the new hot project over on AllFreeSewing.com, I was a bit surprised.  I mean, a casserole carrier isn’t exactly the first thing that comes to my mind when I’m looking for new things to sew.  Then I started thinking about it, and it totally makes sense.  How many times have you brought a hot dish to a potluck or a dinner party and had to carry it into your friend’s house bundled in a bunch of dish towels or something equally unattractive?  Embarrassing, right?

Now, take a look at this cute casserole carrier and imagine how you’d feel strutting in with your dish cradled in this beautiful fabric accessory.  You’d be like Betty Crocker meets Martha Stewart meets Heidi Klum.  Your friends will wonder how you make it all seem so easy and effortless, and when you tell them that you sewed the casserole carrier yourself, they’ll be triply impressed.  There’s no reason you have to clue them in that this is actually one of the easiest sewing projects around, and that you made the carrier from extra fabric you had lying around your house and the round purse handles you ordered from CutRateCrafts.com.  Just take the compliments and go with it!

casserole and pie carrier Casserole Carriers: The Hot New AccessoryAnd as the new dinner party fashionista, your friends are probably going to want suggestions from you about how to make their own trendy casserole carriers.  If you don’t want them to be a bunch of copycats, let them know that there are plenty of casserole carrier patterns to go around.  Find six of our favorites and more over at AllFreeSewing.com!

What do you think of these casserole carriers?  Would you make one?

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February’s Favorite Sewing Scrap Buster

Friday, April 1st, 2011

Scrappy Needle Case Februarys Favorite Sewing Scrap Buster FaveCrafts readers loved the shabby chic Scrappy Needle Keeper from Patchwork Posse, and I know you will too! If you’re not already hoarding color-coordinated scraps to make your own needle case, start today! The beauty of this project is that it’s made almost entirely from leftovers. With an old sheet, tablecloth, or even a bit of muslin, you create the base for the patchwork cover, and a few, small squares of felt “keep” the needles inside the case. The cover is made entirely from fabric scraps of any shape or size. This project is great for experimentation; you can easily use larger scraps, as shown, or you can try tons of tiny scraps for a more variegated effect. If you want to take the pattern one step further, try cutting the scraps into interesting shapes like patchwork squares or polka dots! But truthfully, I think the simplistic beauty of this project lies in the haphazard combination of fabric pieces you don’t have to measure and trim.

While the colors and shapes of the patchwork cover come together organically out of the materials you already have in your stash, the button closure is something you might have to pick out at a craft store. The button and loop should match with the rest of the fabrics and pull the whole project together. If you’re making a Scrappy Needle Keeper with a similar color scheme to the sample, try a Wrights Single Fold Bias Tape in cool Mediterranean. Of course, if you’re using a different color scheme, Wrights tapes come in literally dozens of other colors. I especially like Spice and Sea Glass.

And don’t forget to pick out a great button! Any old spare button will leave this needle keeper in the doldrums. Take a cue from Patchwork Posse and choose a novelty button that will add a bit of sweetness. A package of assorted buttons in different colors and shapes will give you plenty to pick from. But I have my eye on these turquoise glass bead buttons, which I think will go perfectly with my Sea Glass button loop!

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  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Februarys Favorite Sewing Scrap Buster
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Februarys Favorite Sewing Scrap Buster
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Februarys Favorite Sewing Scrap Buster
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Februarys Favorite Sewing Scrap Buster
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Februarys Favorite Sewing Scrap Buster
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Februarys Favorite Sewing Scrap Buster
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Februarys Favorite Sewing Scrap Buster
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Februarys Favorite Sewing Scrap Buster
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Februarys Favorite Sewing Scrap Buster
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Februarys Favorite Sewing Scrap Buster

Quilted Bags with Style

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011

I keep seeing these adorable quilted bags around and thinking that I have a ton of scrap fabrics lying around. Why don’t I just make my own? Well, with Ellen Kharade’s book I have all the styles and patterns I could ever want to start making my own bags!

She was really crafty and helpful by putting in patterns for all skill levels, so if you’re new to sewing don’t be scared! You can easily be making your own bags too! It’s a really good tool to have if you have a ton of scrap fabric lying around that you don’t know what to do with or if you’ve always wanted to to try making different kinds of bags. Check out this review on AllFreeSewing.com. It tells you everything you need to know. And the best thing is you don’t even have to run out and find it, it’s available on CutRateCrafts.com and can easily be shipped right to you! I know I love getting things in the mail.

 

465956 main Quilted Bags with Style

If you’re looking for more books on bag sewing take a look here:
Simply Irresistible Bags
Free-Style Handmade Bags and Skirts

 

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  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Quilted Bags with Style
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Quilted Bags with Style
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Quilted Bags with Style
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Quilted Bags with Style
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Quilted Bags with Style
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Quilted Bags with Style
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Quilted Bags with Style
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Quilted Bags with Style
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Quilted Bags with Style
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Quilted Bags with Style