Sewing Projects & Patterns

Make a cute DIY card holder wallet using paper. Yep, paper! Add clear contact paper like I did for water-resistance. Protect your vaccine record card, gift cards, credit cards, and business cards with this easy card holder DIY tutorial.

Sew up a set of my cute modern quilted potholders to brighten up your kitchen. My free quilted potholder sewing pattern makes both square and round potholders so you can choose whichever shape you like. The hand pockets on the back fold like a taco to protect your hands from heat.

See how to make an easy L quilt block using new fabric, fabric scraps, or even baby clothes for a memory quilt. I’ll show you how to combine these double letter L quilt blocks in a bunch of different simple and modern quilt patterns.

Here’s an easy round potholder sewing pattern and free tutorial that’s simple enough to make in an evening or two. My free quilted potholder pattern folds like a taco around cookie sheets and pot lids to protect your hands from the heat. This round taco hot pad style is both functional and cute. I mean, …

Make Christmas special for the kids in your life by making them a handmade DIY Christmas gift! Here are 10 fun Christmas gifts to sew for kids of all ages. Most of my all-time favorite sewing projects are for my kids. In fact, most of my best DIY ideas, in general, are for my kids. …

Thinking of trying a face mask sewing pattern? Today I’m sharing lots of tips to help when making DIY face masks and face coverings. There are several popular face mask sewing patterns out there and if you’re like me, it can be a little confusing which one to choose. Which style? How to fasten? I’ve …

See how to make an easy pencil case with my free pencil case sewing pattern and tutorial! This useful and quick beginner sewing project is a perfect DIY back-to-school project and also makes a great DIY gifts idea for kids. This zipper pencil case can hold pencils, markers, gel pens, and more. Yes, there’s a …

Looking for a cute boys Halloween costume idea? Make this DIY kids cheetah Halloween costume with a cozy hoodie and pants plus a ‘World’s Fastest Land Animal’ running medal and running shoes. This kids cheetah costume is a cute Halloween costume idea for kids that you can make yourself. Kids love animal Halloween costumes and …

Here’s an easy and free baby bib sewing pattern with a few clever twists for drooly babies who are teething. First, it’s lined with waterproof PUL fabric, the same stuff that you can use to make DIY baby diapers. I put orange PUL fabric on the back to reduce teething wetness on his clothes and …

DIY kids play kitchens don’t have to take up a lot of space. Make this flat felt portable DIY kids play kitchen that you can play with anywhere — on the rug, on a coffee table, wherever. Then just roll it up to store away until the next time that the ‘restaurant’ is open. This …

Wanna know how to sew bias tape with mitered corners? This tutorial will show you how to sew bias tape corners like a pro. I finally got my head around out the best way to sew double fold bias tape with mitered corners. Yay! I’m talking pretty, perfect mitered corners like this… Keep reading for …

Make a cheerful headboard slipcover to quickly and easily change up a bedroom. Because the slipcover is removable, it’s a super cute and inexpensive way to decorate a kid’s room and keep changing it up as they grow. And seriously, how sweetly adorable is this pleated pocket storage pocket? The storage pocket is just the …

Whether you want to hide a dated headboard or just freshen your bedroom, making a DIY headboard slipcover transforms your bedroom without the commitment and cost. I made this ‘how to make a headboard slipcover’ tutorial for DIY Network. I wanted to make a plaid flannel headboard slipcover to temporarily make our city bedroom feel …

I’ve gotten a couple emails lately asking me about my sewing machine and what sewing machine I recommend, so here’s some advice for beginning sewers. The quick answer? You don’t have to spend a lot, and honestly you really shouldn’t!

This Bull in a China Shop DIY toddler Halloween costume was inspired by my charming 2-year-old boy. Liam is deliberate, like whenever he picks something up or puts it down it’s just a wee bit more aggressive that it needs to be. Things get broken. Ripped. We’ve made a handful of ER trips. Liam just …

Here’s a handmade kids’ Halloween costume idea that’s sure to be a trick-or-treating masterpiece: a classic watercolor paint box, topped with a handmade French-inspired beret and a jumbo paint brush made from a pool noodle. It’s simple and clever with just a little sewing needed. I made this watercolor paint box artist costume for DIYNetwork.com. …

Some book press for the “One-Yard Little Wonders” book – you can read my Q&A profile over at Storey Publishing’s blog, “Inside Storey.”

Even though I like to dabble in lots of crafts like paper and decoupage and painting, sewing is still my first love. That’s why I’m so proud to be included as a contributor in the new book “Little One-Yard Wonders – Irresistible Clothes, Toys, and Accessories You Can Make For Babies and Kids.” It’s the …

This free sandwich bag sewing pattern and tutorial is so easy you’ll be able to replace your old plastic snack bags in no time. I designed these free fabric sandwich bag and snack bag sewing patterns to have extra large flaps. The flaps act like teeny little place mats, which helps avoid germ fests like …

Recycling sweaters into winter hats is an oldie but a goodie because it’s cheap and useful and makes a great DIY gift. Check out this cute recycled sweater hat that Elise and I made from a recycled sweater! Making a hat out of a recycled wool sweater is such a quick project! I think this …