It's been a good while since I posted a sewing videos here. This one is a fairly straightforward design to make a mat using up tiny scraps. You can turn off the sound if you don't like the music. There's no talking.
Here are two tutorials for making your own shopping bags. One is a soft bag that would be comfortable to carry on your shoulder perhaps in a farmer's market. The other is a large sturdy tote for carrying large amounts of groceries home from the store.
This quilt is a version of the jelly roll race quilt. It's a great way to use up scraps. If you enjoy making this type of quilt but don't like cutting all the 2" strips at one time, you can cut the strips ahead of time by cutting up your scraps from other projects as you do them. You might store the strips in containers by color. This way you can later select a pleasing mix of colors, or if you have many from on color group you can make a quilt from one color as this lady does in her demonstration.
If you don't want to do all the trimming of angles, you can make this quilt by just sewing the strips end to end. However, if you do that be sure to trim away any selvage edges first. Also, the angle cuts are what give the interesting points in this.
Here is a tutorial from Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose on how to make a super easy tissue holder from a vintage handkerchief. You could also use just a piece of fabric of your choice. I love vintage handkerchiefs, but I don't want the bother of washing them, so I don't use them. This is a very appropriate way to upcycle one, I think. :-)
Here is a tutorial from the Missouri Star Quilt Co. where Jenny Doan teaches how to make some memory quilt items with your loved one's clothing. There is also instructions for a simple pillow to make with a shirt. I suggest putting a pillow form inside rather than stuffing it directly with the poly-fiber filling because then you can take the outside cover off and wash it (it is made from a shirt, after all).
Also, remember that a lot of ties are not washable, so you may wish to make a wall hanging rather than a table runner if the ones you are working with require dry cleaning. Table runners used on the dining room table are more likely to get dirty and need to be cleaned.
This would be a nice way to use up clothing that you no longer use that still has a lot of wear in it as well. If you have some things that you especially like that you can't or don't wear any more, you could make a memory quilt of your own (or any family member's) clothing.
Fabrics that cannot be ironed are not a good idea for this project.
These coaster would be a fun way to add some color to a room, or they would make great gifts. One might even fit into a card to be mailed. (Check to see if it needs extra postage.)
They also look pretty easy to make. If you have scraps of felt and some stray quilting patches, these would come together quite quickly. This is also a good way to practice top-stitching if it's something you struggle with. These coasters are not a big project and can be used for awhile and then discarded. This is much better place to learn a new skill than on a garment or a big project. :-) The tutorial is at sew4home.com
This is a quick, neat, and easy way to make a potholder (hot mat) for you kitchen or dining table. These would make nice housewarming gifts, among other things. For the batting you can use 100% cotton batting (wadding), heatproof batting, or a 100% cotton washcloth (without rounded corners). Do not use synthetic batting as it may melt with heat. This would be a great way to use up scraps or leftover 10" squares.
Here is a tutorial at the Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth blog for making easy burp cloths for babies. These are really easy to make and would make a fun gift done in pretty or cute flannel fabrics (as shown). Please leave a comment for JES if you like the idea. :-)
Here are the instructions for this pretty patchwork shower curtain. This would be a great way to add color to a dull bathroom. Also, the curtain without the plastic shower liner could be used for a light weight, colorful curtain at a sliding glass door or large window. (You would need to adjust the size appropriately.) By the way, this would be a nice way to use up some larger scraps of fabric leftover from other projects.
Here's a tutorial for making a gift bag with 2 1/2" strips of fabric. You can use leftover strips from a jelly roll (pre-cut), or you can use ones that you cut yourself.
As some of my readers know, we don't celebrate Christmas, but this gift bag could be used in a lot of different ways. It would make a great bag for carrying small hand projects when traveling or visiting. It could be used as a "pajama pillow" for kids to store their p.j.s or nightgowns neatly during the day. It could be useful as gift bag for any occasion. (I think it would be nice with a scarf in it for a lady - Mother's Day, graduation, gifts for bride's maids, bridal shower, birthday, etc.)
One thing I want to note here: Vanessa used a Frixion pen for drawing the lines on the outside ("pretty side") surface of her bag. A friend and I have both found that sometimes Frixion pens will take out the color of the fabric when they are ironed to remove the ink. Although the disappearing ink which becomes invisible when touched with a hot iron has it's uses in sewing and quilting, we recommend that you only use it in areas where it will be hidden inside from view (like when she marks the corners on the inside). The pens are handy and you certainly can go ahead and use it the way that Vanessa does, but just know you may see faded lines when you iron it. However, if you are careful to sew directly on those lines they will be less visible, or perhaps not show at all.
Here is a tutorial for some lovely cloth napkins (serviettes, or whatever you call them in your country :-) ). Stephanie posted made this useful tutorial at The Enchanting Rose. I hope someone enjoys making these pretties.
Here is a tutorial by Debbie Shore for a cute little bag that is quick and easy to make. These would make great gifts, an easy sewing project for beginners, or items for a fund raiser sale.
Here is a tutorial for a nine patch block that lets us use up those little bits of fabric that are so hard to throw away, but sometimes harder still to use! :-) Thanks to Nicole at Mama Love Quilts, we can now make good use of them.
Jenny Doan from Missouri Star Quilt Co. shows us how to make an easy cathedral window block in this tutorial. Constructing an actual quilt or table runner is a bit more challenging than making a single block, so be sure to watch the instructions carefully if you plan to make anything that involves more than one block. :-) I hope to make a single block, and will try to remember to let you know how it turns out.
Here is another tutorial from Susan Claire, the Gourmet Quilter. This one is a clever idea for a wonky 4 patch. It will take a little fussing as far as making the template is concerned if you use that method, but it looks like a fun quilt and I like the way the lines appear "wavy" when she gets it done. This could be made in different sizes for different effects. If you notice at the end, the quilt she made with smaller squares doesn't have as much "movement" as the one made with the larger squares.
This would be a nice project for using up scraps, leftover charm squares or for using your stash.
Just a reminder - I have no control over the advertisements that come up on these videso.
Here is a tutorial for a quick and easy way to make a starburst quilt. The "diamonds" will not be perfect diamonds, but they still look nice and this is a nice, fast way to make it. Jenny Doan from the Missouri Star Quilt Co. does a great job to showing us how.
Note: I do not put affiliate links on this page at this time.
Here is a tutorial for the curved log cabin block from Jenny Doan of the Missouri Star Quilt Co. This is a very versatile block, and using pre-cuts will make it much quicker.
Look at some of the interesting and amazing ways to lay out this quilt here!
Here is a link to a tutorial for some cute bowl covers. You can use this for transporting food, but they can also be used in your own kitchen. How fun to have something that matches your own decor. :-)
