I’m back with another DIY or Buy, this time featuring pin cushion thread catcher patterns. Trust me, if you like to sew, this guy is going to become your new best friend. Thread catchers act as little trashcans for your stray threads and empty spools and you can set them wherever you happen to be …
This free tiered baby dress sewing pattern has subtle gathered ruffled tiers and a classic pillowcase-dress-inspired neckline with ribbon ties that’s perfect for late spring and summer. And it’s super easy to sew. This sewing pattern was totally inspired by a piece of fabric; specifically, the Texas Modern Strips Coral fabric at Spoonflower by Jacinda …
Kaya is such an awesome dog that she deserves an equally awesome DIY dog blanket for the floor. And this DIY dog blanket for is so easy to make – no quilting nor backing fabric required! You can use the pre-quilted diamond fabric that we used — it comes in several solid colors –or choose …
This free pillowcase pattern features a super cute little pocket for tucking in nighttime treasures. Kids can use the pillowcase pocket to store flashlights and bedtime friends. Adults can tuck in tissues, earplugs, or a mobile phone alarm clock (although I recommend putting your phone on airplane mode and turning off the wireless first). I …
Want to learn how to sew a French seam? It sounds fancy but they are really pretty easy to sew. And they give your sewing projects a professional finish that tucks away all fraying raw seam edges without needing a serger. So what is a French seam? It’s basically a two-step seam that encloses raw …
I sewed this non-slip fabric kid’s play mat for Play-Doh and coloring for our living room coffee table. The DIY fabric kid’s play mat is super oversized (16″ x 28″) to give lots of playing room. It’s machine washable, hang dry. And did I mention the play mat is non-slip too? Yep, I backed it …
So I like oilcloth, laminated cotton, PUL fabric and oil canvas but let’s face it, they can be a real pain in the ass to sew. Case in point: using pins will leave a permanent teeny hole in whatever you’ve made. You can try to put your pins so they’ll be hidden within the seam …
Hop to it and make these cute little fuzzy DIY bunny slippers to keep the kid in your life snuggly warm. It’s a super cute sewing project to make for Easter. This free bunny slipper pattern features a cute little bunny face with floppy ears on the slipper toe… …and a little white tail on …
This free child-sized messenger bag pattern is the perfect shrunken size for the special kid in your life. Make this DIY kids messenger bag free sewing pattern in a couple evenings. This kids messenger bag free sewing pattern is a variation of my free bridesmaid’s handbag sewing pattern and my free shoulder handbag sewing pattern …
Here’s how to make a fabric baby gate for the bottom of stairs or between doorways. This DIY fabric baby gate has given me a lot of piece of mind these past months. We tried store-bought safety gates at the bottom of our stairs but couldn’t figure out how to work around our awkward window …
Make your own oven mitt in less than one hour with my free oven mitt sewing pattern. These DIY oven gloves are just the right size — not too big and floppy — and you can choose to quilt the outside of the oven mitt or leave it nice and smooth. I’ve made them both …
Here’s an original free apron sewing pattern with two built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket. Aprons have been glued to my body ever since I started feeding Elise – I find it’s just easier to wipe my hands on my stomach than find a dish towel. I need something that would work for me as …
Here’s a free baby bonnet pattern just in time for summer. It’s a really nice baby sun hat free pattern that you can make with our without the ruffle. My super cute baby hat free sewing pattern is below! Elise looks adorable in hats. I just can’t get enough of them. So I decided to …
I made this toy travel blanket for Elise’s first plane flight. We were flying to Maine and I wanted any toys she dropped to stay in our seats rather than fall into the filthy abyss of the airplane floor. Check out the Snag Free VELCRO loops on the blanket border to attach toys. Instead of …
The pincushion thread catcher that my mom gave me years ago is my sewing table’s best friend. Yeah, I know it seems a little grandma-ish but it’s no surprise that I’m a big fan of things that are both clever and cute. This pincushion thread catcher free sewing pattern is an easy beginner sewing project …
My baby Elise is four months old now. She can hold her toys in both hands and sit up assisted. I think this big girl is ready for some colorful jingly oversized 5″ x 5″ baby blocks! I am really loving the colors that I chose …which sort of was a fluke. I just went …
I’m crazy excited to be a part of the Sewing 2010 Day-to-Day Calendar edited by Megan Smith. One hundred simple sewing projects organized in three-day increments fill this crafty calendar of the new decade. Featured MerrimentDesign.com projects include sewn poppy fabric invitations, bridesmaid’s applique handbags, Thanksgiving felt leaf placecards and napkin rings, and Chicago flag …
Here’s an easy, fun and practical gift for new arrivals: Planes, Trains and Automobiles burp cloths. Friends Tamara and Jon recently welcomed Lucas, little brother to adorable Sienna, and I made these especially for him. Now while this craft has little to do with the classic movie, the idea of using it as a theme …
I am totally in love with these DIY sewn fabric wedding invitations that I designed for recent bride Natalie Fayard. Thanks to Google, Natalie and her mother found me and my sewn fabric poppy wedding invitations that were featured in the The Knot’s 2007-2008 Fall/Winter National Magazine. Natalie had found this lovely yellow, black, white …
Want to sew a gift for your favorite kid? See how to make a DIY fabric memory game for kids. You can use your own photos or you can download my Chicago photos that I took all over the city. You’ll print the photos onto super cool printable inkjet fabric. Yep, you can print onto …