How to Upholster A Bench ~ CyberSeams
A tutorial and video about how to upholster a basic bench - also gives tips on how to make your own pattern or base a new pattern on an existing design. ...

The Return Of The Handmade Apron ~ Vancouver Sun
Practical, stylish and easy to sew, the kitchen garment is no longer a symbol of repression ...

DIY shower curtain ideas ~ Kass Wilson, Networx
ou probably think that custom textiles for your home are beyond your means, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You can start customizing your home's look in your bathroom, with that big swath of cloth known as the shower curtain. ...

Square Knitted Baby Hat with Pom Poms ~ CyberSeams
Here is a super simple knitting pattern for a baby hat. It has a ribbed edge and is knitted in the round, then bound off and stitched closed at the top. Super simple for beginners or anyone who wanted to knit a quick hat! I was able to complete this in a few hours. I've seen a few variations of this pattern out there and decided to write my own. I hope you enjoy! ...

Knitting offers welcome relief from fashion lust ~ The Guardian
A few generations ago, crafts such as knitting (for girls) and woodwork (for boys) were a regular part of schooling. The ability to clothe yourself and your family, to furnish and maintain your home – those are fairly fundamental to the adult life that ...

Local 'Angel' knits to give warmth, love to children ~ Seminole Chronicle
While waiting for her younger sister to have her baby, her mother decided to pull out her knitting needles. "My mom brought all this knitting stuff to show us how to knit. My first scarf was a complete catastrophe and so I took a picture of it and took ...

Our Olympic knitters deserve a gold medal ~ This is Grimsby
Ladies who knit at A Good Yarn, in Cambridge Street, Cleethorpes, are knitting cushions to give to Olympic and Paralympic athletes when they arrive in the UK for London 2012. They hope to put tags on the gifts and write personal messages for the ... ...

Breaking news Hilmarton house of wool ends its journey ~ The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald
Created by the village's knitting group Knitti Natters, the house is entirely created from wool and has been constantly updated since it was first brought to public attention in 2010. It has toured around the county, with thousands of visitors flocking ... ...

Knitting for a good cause!

A good yarn: Knitters make sweaters for penguins after oil spill

A couple of neat tutorials that caught my eye

Vintage pattern sizing:
This is one of the topics I get the most e-mails and questions about, so I figured it was time for a post on the subject! Vintage patterns get a bad rap for being extremely difficult to fit, but they're really no worse than modern patterns, I think.

Hand Stitching Projects:
My "big project" for 2011: a plain dress that's becoming a beetle-themed embroidery sampler. A mixture of applique and surface techniques with a steep learning curve! I might even finish it before summer is out...

Men In Tights - A fashion debate or something more?

I recently saw this link posted on Twitter:

Men’s Fashion – Those Aren’t Pantyhose, They’re Mantyhose!

(Yes I know it's not a brand new article.) This has apparently sparked much debate in the article's comment section, to which you can find plenty of detractors. For a supporting view, one commenter wrote his own piece titled,
Mantyhose: What It's NOT--What It IS...

It's interesting how fashion trends get reused and recycled. What do you think? (If you're reading this outside of Blogger, click this link to comment!

Sewing for Charity

Interested in using your sewing skills for charity? Check out our List of charities where your sewing skills can make a difference!

Sewing for tsunami victims: 'She's got a servant's heart'
KVAL
"I love sewing," said 8-year-old Abby Hoggard. And that love of sewing has turned into a labor of love for victims of Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami. "My dad was watching the news and I saw all the video clips and I wanted to help and ...

Apartment residents sewing diapers for babies in Haiti
Stow Sentry
Residents at Stow Kent Gardens in Stow cut and sew cloth diapers that will be taken to earthquake-ravaged Haiti. by Mike Lesko | Associate Editor Stow -- Mary Ann Jones used to sew clothing for her family, but she never figured she'd be sewing diapers ...


Quilters get sewing for tsunami victims
Westmorland Gazette
By Steven Bell » As community groups and businesses continue to hold collections and fundraising events, local quilters are sewing 'comfort quilts' to send to the thousands of people displaced by the earthquake and tsunami. The Mere Quilters, made up ...


More in Sewing News:

Review: Crafty Chica's Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing
BlogHer (blog)
I can't sew very well and I'm not particularly crafty, but those themes are a hook for me. Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing by Kathy Cano-Murillo, aka Crafty Chica, has both and when I was offered the chance to read it I jumped. ...

Hundreds of quilts donated to local charities
Wink News
The group took their love for sewing and turned it into a major charitable organization by donating thousands of quilts over the years. "I still have my health and family and so on. I just like to give to people who are not as fortunate," said Jackie ...

A sewing fix in Bloorcourt Village
Metro Canada - Toronto
She's the proprietor of a magical place called The Make Den, where the city's Scottys, aspiring artists and future fashionistas alike come to get their sewing fix. A 30-year old entrepreneur with a degree from Ryerson and a previous life as a ...

Quilt show brings patchwork of friends together
Herald & Review
“I quilt every day,” said Stine, who prefers hand-sewing and has done it for 30 years. “I always tell my family it gives me my sanity. I just kind of put my mind in neutral.” For 15 years, Stine has joined friends in a sewing group on Wednesday ...

Halloween themes: Costume, Sewing, and Embroidery Tutorials

How-To: Make Monster and Alien Feet - Craft
by Dave Simon
(This tutorial is absolutely brilliant! ~ CSNews) I took an old pair of foam shoes and carefully sprayed expanding foam around them so that I could carve them. They looked good as craggy monster feet, so instead I painted them as is, with gnarly toes and all...

Witchy-poo Shoes. - Sewing
by jemimabean
...just in time for some Halloween decorating, I bring you a witchy-poo shoes pattern and tutorial. Enjoy!
...

Wed The Wild Things Are... - Craft
Tutorial to embroider and frame a scene from the Where The Wild Things Are book...

For the Kiddos!

Craftzine.com blog : Toddler Leggings Pattern
By Natalie Zee Drieu
Lisa at Fitzpatterns wasn't able to find many downloadable sewing patterns for babies so she decided to make use of her daughter's nap time to sew up clothes for her little one. For just $1.50, snatch up this pattern... ...


toddler backpack pattern - Craft
Toddler backpack pattern - This backpack pattern was one that I created a few years ago for a craft swap partner's young daughter who was two years old at the time. The opening is just an overlap on the near the top of the front. Velcro could be added to help keep it closed but isn't necessary. Not having any zippers or snaps, it's very simple for a toddler to open and fill up...



Knitted/Quilted Baby Blanket – Free Pattern
By nikkiinstitches
Here is the pattern for the Knitted and Quilted Entrelac Baby Blanket!...


All Knitted Up: Sweet Little Baby Blankets
By Amy
Two more blankets made it off the knitting needles this past month. I am still working on a third blanket, but I am finally trying a new pattern on this third one. It is hard to find patterns that I really am in love with for baby ...


Fabric Beach Balls Free Sewing Pattern...
By Wendy at AllCrafts.net
Need a sweet baby gift? Make Fabric Beach Balls! They're a great use for small amounts of fabric and they'd be stunning if you used the leftover scraps....

Make your own Max from Where the Wild Things Are Costume
Examiner.com
Additionally, you can sew socks to the feet of your sweatpants or get your sewing machine out and add feet to the sweatsuit to resemble footed pj's You will ...


Adding or Altering Sewing Patterns - Example: Modifying McCalls 5252...
By Chloe Findlay-Harder
All I've done is copied the basic pattern that I'm using, and just added the extra elements on top. That way I can plan my sewing, instead of going “what's next!?”. So next time you're altering a pattern, ...


Wisconsin: Sew much for 'a drab life'
Dubuque Telegraph Herald
But she laughs about the state of the spare bedroom she uses as a sewing room. "This table never gets empty," she said, patting her sewing table. ...


'Men of Cloth' features colorful quilts
Muskogee Daily Phoenix
Sewing has traditionally been a skill learned by men for survival. Soldiers carried sewing kits and repaired their uniforms around the fire at night. ...

Free Mens Knitted Sock Pattern
by CyberSeams
We've got a new sock pattern for men online now, finally! I designed these for my dad. The cuff is a basic rib knit, and the sole of the sock is in garter stitch. I hope you enjoy working on them as much as I did! Read more...



Knitting pattern: Seeta fingerless gloves - Knitting/Crochet...
posted by Maria Sheherazade



Knitting In The North: Welcome, Socktober!
By Charity
Socktoberfest is a month-long sock knitting celebration, and the Mystery Sock is a new sock pattern, kindly offered at the blog Through The Loops. The Mystery Sock pattern is released one piece at a time, over the month, so you have no ...

Needlework, Punch Needle Patterns, plus Sewing News

Free pattern: Precious pug · Needlework News @ CraftGossip
By Denise Felton
This adorable hand-embroidery pattern is free for your personal use from Sublime Stitching. Thanks, Jenny! Get the pattern....



PlanetJune by June Gilbank » the moon punchneedle pattern
By June
And thanks to Craft for their lovely write-up, and Sister Diane at CraftyPod for her wonderful review of my book! Please let me know if you have any punchneedle pattern requests or any questions I can help you with :) ...


The Art of Wax and Fabric
The Epoch Times - New York,NY,USA
Indonesia's greatest contribution to world culture, this craft originated from the royal Javanese court, primarily from the ancient kingdom of Mataram. ...


Fabric art shakes up the status quo
Buffalo News - NY, United States
They are looking for ways to perk up their environment with quick, inexpensive fixes –such as sewing new pillows or recovering the ones they already own,” ...


Sewing for Soldiers
KECI-TV - Missoula,MT,USA
Virginia Fawcett and her students sew pillows for soldiers. One of those pillows reached Joe Rahn in 2005 while he was serving in Iraq. ...

Life-Saving Breast Cancer Discovery Made After Knitting Needle Pierces Woman's Heart
"Klor knew from watching the medical drama 'ER' that she could bleed to death if she pulled the needle out herself... Ten days later, Klor received a phone call from the hospital — one of the X-ray technicians discovered an enlarged lymph node..."


How to make a unisex belt
guardian.co.uk - UK
Men needn't be left out of the craft scene. Perri Lewis has devised a great project that can be made and worn by either gender: a personalised belt!...


Clothing Repair: Reverse Applique for Sleeves and Pants Legs ...
By Julie Finn
T-shirt or jersey-knit pants with small stains or holes; Cotton or flannel fabric in a desired color or pattern for the appliqué (you can use more jersey fabric for a very small appliqué, but the added stiffness of quilting cotton or ...

Sewing - How to Tie Off Your Thread

We've had many requests to show how to tie a knot after you finish hand sewing something. For example, after you've sewn a button back on a shirt. We've updated the How To Sew By Hand - Basic Stitches article to show this tutorial.

Please pass the link along to all your non-sewing friends! You never know when you'll get stuck in a hotel with button that needs reattaching! Read more...


Crafting 101: How can I enter an online arts and crafts contest?
Examiner.com - USA
Is knitting your favorite hobby? If so, I would recommend checking out the Aslan Trends website for a great contest that ends this summer. ...


Handy tags for pattern notes : Hankering for Yarn - Knitting ...
By Noreen Crone-Findlay
Now, my knitting bag is soooo much lighter, the book isn't getting battered around, and my pattern notes are all sturdy, handy and tied to the project. Fantastic! It works beautifully! Whee…. such a simple little trick, but so neat! ...


Sewing Patterns Pattern Reviews for Simplicity Pattern 7157 Sewing ...
Simplicity's pattern 7157 focuses on Early twentieth century undergarments. Views A and B are full-length petticoats with trim variations. View C is a set of combinations (camisole and bloomers). All pieces button up the front.

Looking for New Knitting Projects This Summer?

Mesh Market Bag with Cell Phone Accessory Pockets
CyberSeams has a free knitting pattern for a mesh market bag with optional accessory pockets! Use it for the beach, for shopping, the gym, or for a summer purse! Read more...




What to do with spare plastic bags
guardian.co.uk - UK
As you might not have as many bags to hand, I haven't written a strict knitting pattern (but if you do want to see how many stitches and rows I used, ...


DIY: Knitted Sofa Throw | Instructables ...
Make a beautiful Knitted Sofa Throw by using the basic knit stitch. This throw is made up of 36 six-inch squares and after knitting each square; you can sew each one together alternating the two colors. For this project, the Red Heart Yarn...


Free Knitted Baby Patterns - Ebook From Knitting Daily · Knitting ...
Knitting Daily has published an ebook, with 7 baby patterns in it. And the best part... it's free! You do have to create an account, but it takes just moments...

Free Sewing Patterns For Summer

How to Make a One-Pattern-Piece Reversible Sunhat - CraftStylish
Don't let patternmaking intimidate you! It's simply drafting shapes based on your measurements. This simple sunhat project is a good introduction to the wonderful world of flat patterns...





Tutorial: Sew a skirt for yourself from one yard of fabric
Darling Petunia shows that one yard of fabric is all you need for a very fashionable skirt. Get the tutorial here!





Reversible Flowerpot Wrap Pattern
By so september
I pulled together my photos and some instructions to share for the reversible flowerpot wrap. The pattern is for a 4 inch terracotta pot. These instructions just show how to make it using two fabrics without any extra embellishing but they would be lovely with a little something extra like some embroidery or beadwork for example....

Indian Embroidery Designs

Indian Folk Designs
A wonderful collection of folk designs from all over India! Keep clicking on older posts to see more. Includes Indian embroidery designs - perfect for embroidery around the neckline of tunic style shirts.

Free Sewing Patterns

Free Patterns and Directions to Sew Insulated Totes For Soda ...
Free Patterns and Directions to Sew Insulated Totes For Soda & Water Bottles Use these free patterns and directions to sew insulated totes For soda and water bottles. Keep your bottled beverage cold! water bottle keep cold beverage soda ...

Cowboy Boot Pillow: Cute Vintage Pattern : TipNut.com
By TipNut
Sunbonnet Sewing Case - Vintage Pattern · Pieced Pot Holders & Recipe Book Cover: Vintage Pattern · Apron Breakfast Set: Vintage Pattern Freebie. Free Daily Tips Subscription Join Over 22019 Tipnut Subscribers and receive your daily fix ...

Free pattern: Froggie softie · Sewing @ CraftGossip
By anneweaver
This pattern was created to make use of a Spoonflower swatch. The cutting diagram is a masterpiece in efficient use of fabric! ...

New From the World of Sewing

New From the World of Sewing

Sewing quilts is purpose, friendship and support is payoff for ...
Press-Enterprise - Riverside,CA,USA
Members bring their sewing machines, irons and fabric pieces. In addition to working on their own project, members collectively have sewn about 25 quilts ...

Century of clothes-making
Galesburg Register-Mail - Galesburg,IL,USA
The plant opened with 10 sewing machines. Cox was the salesman, traveling to seven states, Mosser managed the business, remaining in Abingdon. ...

`Sew Much Comfort' for our wounded vets
Edmonds Beacon - Mukilteo,WA,USA
Merilyn Beck provides the services through a group called “Sew Much Comfort,” a nationwide band of volunteers who take donated clothing and alter it for the ...

How to Save Money on Sewing Patterns: Finding Frugal Fashions and ...
Sewing enthusiasts can find a variety of ways to save money with patterns that are $3 are less, 40 percent off, or even free.

Free Knitting Patterns

Knitted Baby Booties - For Straight Needles
by CyberSeams
Knitted Baby Booties - Size: Newborn to Six Months
Here's a pattern submitted by Katie Porter for knitted baby booties, sized Newborn to Six Months.

Knit dishcloth
Examiner.com - USA
It’s an easy yarn to knit. This is the basic dishcloth pattern, also called Grandma's favorite dishcloth. You don't have to be a Grandma to make it. ...

Knitting supplies
Examiner.com - USA
Row counters slip on knitting needles and after each row of a pattern you change the number on the counter. This lets you keep track of where you are. ...

Fiber loom arts
Examiner.com - USA
... fiber around the loom pegs in various patterns. The process was much more straight-forward and finally relaxing for me, as knitting was rumored to be! ...

Felt Food - My Peeps are here - Free Pattern · Felting @ CraftGossip
By Linda Lanese
Free Craft Projects · Leisure Arts - Amazing Crafting Site; Noni’s Patterns - Designer Knitting/Felting Patterns; Today’s Creative Blog - All about crafting. Search for Craft news. Search for: ...

Sewing Patterns and Recycling T-Shirts and Sewing Patterns!

How to Make an Out-of-the Ordinary T-Shirt Quilt: Part One ...
Inspired by log cabin quilt blocks and the work of Piet Mondrian, I improvised a pattern that is both traditional and modern, beautiful and full of memories. This post is all about making the quilt front; next week, we'll do the quilting.
... like the block above. Once the pieces were sewn together, I cut the pieces to complete the block. I did this for the whole quilt; if it's easier for you to lay out your whole quilt before sewing, you can do that, too. ...

Tutorial: Sew a toddler dress or jumper · Sewing @ CraftGossip
By anneweaver
SnazzleCraft shares a free pattern for this versatile toddler dress. With a shirt underneath, it's a jumper. Without, it's a sundress. The pattern is sized for 18-24 months. I suspect it would be easy to size a little up or down to ...

reuse sewing pattern tissue paper » whip up
By Jackie Hernandez
Sewing pattern tissue has a great graphic quality. If you have some vintage or used sewing patterns laying around, consider reusing them for art, home decor, jewelry, or anything else you can decoupage. Here are a bunch of inspiring ideas for reusing sewing pattern tissue paper.

HOW TO MAKE A BABY CAR SEAT COVER - HOW TO MAKE A SAFE INFANT CAR ...
HOW TO MAKE A BABY CAR SEAT COVER. How to make a handmade infant car seat cover using a free sewing pattern for a baby car seat cover that you draw yourself.

Tutorial: Felt chick egg warmers · Sewing @ CraftGossip
By anneweaver
vlijtig shares a tutorial for making these chickie-shaped egg warmers from felt. The pattern is simple but oh, so cute! Get the how-to.

Free Easter Projects and Decorating Ideas

Felted Easter Eggs
We've got a new project that is fun for kids and adults alike. These Felted Easter Eggs are easily made using just a few items from the local craft store. Oh, well, and maybe your underwear drawer! Once they're felted you can sew or pin beads and ribbons to them for an extra fancy look! Read more...


Preserving a delicate craft
ReporterHerald.com - Loveland,CO,USA
Then, he can dip the egg in a color, apply more wax and dip it again to get the different colors needed on a single pattern or area of the egg. ...


Knit This Bunny Dishcloth With This Free Pattern! « Knitting
By Terrye
You've got the cute little chicks and eggs for your table. You've got the chocolate rabbit and marshmallow peeps in the Easter Basket. But do you have the Bunny dishcloth to go with the after dinner festivities?


Easter Bunny Pattern - Craftbits.com! « Craft Gossip
By Shellie
Free Knitted Easter Bunny Pattern Crafts | Gift Ideas | DIY Projects - Craftbits.com!....


Felted Knitted Carrot Pattern by ME! « Felting
By Linda Lanese
Carrots, Carrots everywhere! At night when I'm watching television I like to do smaller projects and I've been knitting things for Easter. I've tried several carrots as you can see from the pictures.


my ramblings: Day 4 of the Egg-ceptional Egg-xtravaganza
By Fiona Carter
Hello, and thanks for dropping by for day 4 of our Egg-ceptional Egg-xtravaganza. Today Mel and I have made some bunny softies using another bunny pattern which caught our eye out in blog-land. This bunny pattern has been designed by
revoluzZza, and here is the link to the RevoluzZzionary Easter Bunny pattern and tutorial. Mel and I made this pattern into little bunny toys, but the pattern is great as a template for any Easter craft, as you will see in RevoluzZza's post
. ...


Elegant Easter centerpieces give you a break from the usual ...
Fort Worth Star Telegram - Fort Worth,TX,USA
We applied glue dots (found in the scrapbooking section of the craft store) to undyed blown-out eggs. The glue dots are super sticky and easy to use. 1. ...


Easter cupcake pattern « Needlework News
By Denise Felton
Book Reviews · Craft Competitions · Craft Events · Craft Shops · Crafting for a cause · Needlework artists · Needlework general news · Applique · Bargello · Bead embroidery · Chickenscratch · Crazy quilting · Cross stitch ...


The Magic Bean: Freebie Friday - Free Easter Patterns
By Colleen Babcock
Here's some great free bunny and chick patterns to keep you entertained over the holidays. This pattern is so cute for a chick with attitude called Chickummyjig by Tania Ennor. These spring chicks are sweet and an easy sewing project. ...


Tutorial: Sew an easter egg pouch · Sewing @ CraftGossip
By anneweaver
Hot Craft News - Most Popular. Tutorial: Sew a liner for a pail or round basket · Tutorial: A cloth napkin becomes a toddler's skirt · Tutorial: Sew a hobby horse · Tutorial: Chalkcloth tags! Tutorial: Fairy dolls from antique photos ...


Upcoming knitting events; free Easter patterns
The Oregonian - OregonLive.com - Portland,OR,USA
If you're looking for some free Easter knitting patterns, check out Knitting Pattern Central (the Bunny Beanie is adorable!); for crochet ones, Lion Brand ...