Sharing the Sewing Love: My Favorite Sewing Tutorials

I have been thinking lately about the many amazing and talented seamstresses, sewists and crafters out there who help build and sustain sewing as not just a life skill, but a wonderful career or hobby. Like many, I learned to sew from my mom at a young age, dabbled as a teenager, explored in college with a pushpedal singer from the 20′s, and finally came to it as a realistic pursuit as an adult. However, as a late 20-something adult, I had no where to turn and no idea where to go. I didn’t want to pay for classes for something I already thought I knew how to do (and I couldn’t afford them at the time.) Additionally, I am very much a hands-on kinda girl. I wanted to learn by trial and error, sewing late into the night after my daily bike-riding and business days were done. This is where our fantastic online community welcomed me into its gigantic, comforting, and super fun arms. Google became my best friend as I gleefully searched for what I considered modern and current-fashion sewing projects. I was certain I would never quilt, and all I wanted to make were fun yet practical and beautiful things I could use and share.

The handmade is the thing to do, and some say is making a “come back” with today’s eco-conciousness. So in celebration of Sewing September, I wanted to share with you the online and free tutorials I have used, learned from, and thoroughly enjoyed. Patterns I have made, remade, altered, and turned to again and again. I hope you can find the same enjoyment I have, not just in the process of learning to sew, but in the making by hand something you will love and cherish. So without further ado, here they are.

• Noodlehead Fabric Tray ~ I love this one. I have made it in vinyl, cotton, laminate, and more. Make good coaster holders, desktop organizers, kitchen item and gift basket.
• Noodlehead Gathered Clutch ~ This is a super cute, fairly easy zip pouch. The zipper part can be tricky, so read carefully.
• Juicy Bits C is for Crown ~ This one is amazing! I have made it many times over and will make it again. It is a simple felt crown with elastic, and you get decorate it as complex as you’d like. We are huge board gamers, and I made a Settlers of Catan bedazzled crown for the Lord or Lady who wins each match.
• Three Bears Little Boxy Pouch Tutorial ~ This I learned to sew boxed corners on years ago. It is the most simple and sweet little box-shaped bag you will ever make. Since I have learned to line them, which is also very fun to do.
• Happy Things Better Lined Draw String Bag ~ Even though my original link isn’t working for the Happy Things blog, this is her pattern. It is AWESOME. Makes super fun gift bags. I also use it to store holiday buntings/banners. Or anything. I love it.
• Canuck Hippo: YouTube video “How to Miter Sew a Corner Using Binding” ~ So brilliant AND she has a Canadian accent. WIN WIN.
• Jennifer Casa Handmade Kidlet pattern ~ I printed this one out and keep it and remake it for gifts. It is also very easy to just add on handle on the handle-free side to have a sturdy child-sized tote.
• Purl Bee The Unpaper Bag ~ I have made this pattern so many times now, I don’t even use it anymore. I just whip up a tote bag any dimension I choose. However, this was the first and best bag pattern I ever made. LOVE it.
• Anna Maria Horner Figure 8 scarf ~ I have made so many of these, in a variety of widths and fabrics. I especially love them in two layers of voiles for warmer weather.
• Purl Bee Party Garland ~ This one is particularly fun. I make them for most parties, usually using paper. You can often get the huge pads of fancy papers from Joann’s for 50% off with a coupon! Right now long strands hang in my toddler’s room in bright colors.
• Craftiness Is Not Optional the Bapron ~ I made this as gifts before I had a kid. Now that I have a child, it remains the best bib in the world. I even drafted a larger size to make for my huge toddler. LOVE.

Additionally, I often turn to favorite businesses and blogs for their expert knowledge and wonderful service, tutorials, and brilliance. Check out my links list on the side of my blog too!

• U-Handbag is ran by Lisa Lam. Her supplies are awesome, her pricing and shipping is accurate, and her instructions are invaluable. She has free tutorials on how to make awesome bags, and a book I keep gently suggesting my husband get me for any important holiday where gift giving is usual. I should be more subtle maybe?
• The Purl Bee is a group of people and a business, and someone named Molly is kind of a genius. Awesome ideas for handmade gifts.
• Sew Mama Sew is overwhelming with information. I tend to use their search function when I want a specific pattern or idea. They feature many different bloggers or talents. Also they host the May Day Blog Giveaway which I love participating in!

Who do you read and enjoy? Share your blog or blog list with me!

Love,

MaLora

PS: I am also addicted to Pinterest and love finding awesome ideas and creativity there. Are you using it as well? Follow me so I can find your ideas too!

 

 

UPDATE October 08. 2012:

I can’t believe I didn’t include Colette Patterns. Their weekly snippets email, and their forum, are amazing! Check them out!

Sewing for babes: the essential baby apron

I never post as much as I want too. I write amazingly brilliant, witty and yet, emotionally grounding posts in my dreams almost nightly. The truth is I spend most waking moments learning to be a mother, and find time to sew only after he falls asleep at night.

As my sewing skills improve, and my need for a quality top notch handmade item, I am becoming more and more selective with what I make and what I purchase. Not everything is actually better handmade. This might shock or offend some, but we are on a limited budget, and new fabric is costly, not to mention all the supplies for sewing. Sometimes I forget about the millions of tools I use when I sew. It’s more than scissors and a machine. It’s thread, elastic, scissors, snips, rulers, cutting mats, pins, roller cutters, elastic, buttons, snaps, snap pliers, grommets, hammers, magnets, interfacing, iron, spray bottle, ironing board, press cloth, fusibles, paper, pencils, markers… there is more.

Sewing is a huge world with many styles. I am not a quilter, but I do quilt. I am not a fashion designer, but I do design. I fit most best under “home crafter” but that sounds off-putting even to me. Which is the problem with all labels, narrowing the definition is limiting.

I digress.

This post is all about my first custom order. Which is technically from my sister, so it’s not even an order, more of a polite gift request. She loved the baby-apron I made for my own son, and wanted some more in larger sizes. Especially with the eating solids stage, kids are messy! It’s fun to watch my own kiddo eat humus or banana and come away with more food on his face than in his tummy; but it’s not that fun to clean it up. So I redrew Craftiness Is Not Optional‘s basic pattern, sizing it to my son in rib cage circumference and height. Her project is so easy, resizing wasn’t even complicated. {I might have to make one adult sized, for a certain lady who likes messy ribs!}

First up for the girlie girl, hot pink and black flannel.

Next, for the more gender conscious babe, owls and leaves in teal, cream and brown.

I threw in two more extra regular-pattern-sized baprons for my sister’s SIL’s new babies on the way. Whew! I simply love the fabric in this one! It’s like funfetti, or falling stars. Reminds me of children’s books.

Finally, I experimented (don’t I always have to change the patterns?!) I quilted a bapron for extra absorbency. Baby drool is no joke!

My husband said this reminded him of armor, like chest plate or steel. Babies need protection!

I have other projects on the side, partially started, partially finished, fabric purchased, or just plain dreamt of. The Colette Patterns Book is my newest joy, and I flip through it and re-read the pattern instructions, waiting for their turn to come up in my “sewing que.” My first project will actually be “Jasmine” in a soft grey silk, with a black with white polka dots trim for the tie and cuffs. Maybe a self-made pocket on the side, because I can’t leave patterns alone. I just need to make the muslin first.

This is my 51st post! And just in case anyone is actually reading this post/blog still, I have a special gift to give away. Not only will you have my great appreciation and adoration, but one lucky commenter will win  some super adorable fabric! Three fabulous, fantastic fat quarters from my stash. Pictured below (winner chosen Friday, July 20th, by random number generator!).

As always, Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Loose.

Love,
MaLora Ann

PS: I forgot to include my favorites! This fabric just screamed “baby bib” because it is literally the colors of all foods, mixed in one. Veggies, fruits, spit up, you name it, you won’t be able to see it! What do you think? Would you wear one?

A birthday swap with Linen and String!

I am so lucky! Naomi of Linen and String agreed to do a birthday swap with me! Both our birthdays fall in the lovely month of May and we decided to create a special swap just for us. The parameters were simple and fun, and it was funny to learn we both have aqua+red kitchens.

Her lovely package arrived last week and I was so excited to find a bird and bicycle themed sewing pin cushion, also in my favorite colors of yellow and grey. I haven’t seen this fabric collection before, and have decided I must get some yardage to make myself a summer bag. My photos don’t give the pincushion justice.

The amusing part is that for weeks I have had the pattern open on my computer, waiting for me to make it for myself. Here is the pattern from Sew Mama Sew, if anyone gets fancy and wants to make one themselves. I absolutely love Naomi’s color choice, and the linen removable basket is just perfect. The pincushion already resides on my cutting table, holding cutting devices and pins sorted by type! The three color blocks on top help me organize my pins, large quilting ones to delicate silk ones. It’s just the perfect gift to make for a person who sews!

Additionally in the package from Linen and String, Naomi sent along a mug rug, some scrap fabric with lovely birds, and two handmade dish cloths!

And a bicycle baby bib!

More photos reside here: Bird and Bicycle Flickr.

I love doing private swaps! So much fun!

I whipped up in response an instant “Party in a Bag” in bold colors, but my iPhone took poor photos of them to share. The colors are teal, magenta, green and yellow but look more like primary colors when taken on my dark dining table in the late evening when there is no daylight. I love having party decorations on hand, to make any meal or moment into a celebration!

Sewing has been a bit difficult lately, as sitting for too long makes my baby bump annoyed. I hope you all are out there enjoying summer and having instant parties and fun swaps too!

Thank you again, Linen and String, for such a wonderful swap!

Love,

MaLora

 

PS: Check out Linen and String’s post here: http://linenandstring.wordpress.com/2011/06/14/too-busy/

Winners for Sew Mama Sew May Giveaway Day!

Announcing the winners from the May Blog Giveaway (I emailed you with specifics you luckies):

#3.  The Carpet Bag
Autumn | I love all of the zipper pouches so much, but I think I like the carpet bag one the most. Great job on the giveaway!

#2. The Bicycle Bag
64colorbox | I like the bicycle bag. I’ll use it when I ride my bike to do some shopping.

#1. Ruffles
Stephanie | Oh ruffles all the way BABY!! I do like the bike bag too…hehe    xo Steph

Congratulations to the winners and thank you all for participating in my blog giveaway! And special thanks to Sew Mama Sew for “hosting” this awesome community.

Love,

MaLora

PS: It is too gorgeous in Seattle today to sit inside any longer!