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Charitable Sewing: Quilts for Kids and Quilting for Baby too!

November 12, 2010 – 10:02 pm


If you’ve not sewn for a charitable cause before, it can be quite rewarding. Recently I became involved with my local chapter of Quilts for Kids, a national non-profit group that delivers colorful quilts to hospitalized children, and others in need through Head Start, Ronald McDonald House, etc.

Making a quilt for a child isn’t brain surgery and it doesn’t have to be an artistic endeavor–all that’s needed are some colorful fabrics and simple sewing skills. Even if you’ve never quilted before, you’ll be successful. Quilts for Kids founder Linda Ayre says only two things are required–”Have fun and fill it with love!”

The quilt sizes vary from 27″-32″ for the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) to twin size, and anywhere in between. Most of the ones I’ve been making are about 42″ square, so a single fabric width works for the backing.

Quilts for Kids has specific guidelines for fabrics and stitching on their web site, as well as a listing of chapters around the country so you can connect locally. The quilts have to stand up to repeated washings in the hospital settings, so be sure to follow the construction guidelines if you become involved with this group.

Not only is it a good way to use up your fabric stash and try out new quilting patterns, but it’s a great way to help a child in need. Free kits are even available from the chapters, should you not have any quilting fabrics on hand. Get together a group of sewing friends, adopt this project as a guild activity, or simply crank out the quilts in your own sewing room. Six million kids are hospitalized annually, so there’s an unending need for quilts–and you can help!


If you need inspiration for a quilt, check out Quilting for Baby, by Jeanne Stauffer and Sandra Hatch. This colorful book has over 50 baby quilts (and some other projects) to stitch up for little ones. Whether you want something interactive with pockets to hide treasures, or something with dimension and tactile appeal, you’re sure to find a project you can’t wait to make in this 176-page book, complete with full-size patterns and color illustrations in the directions.

By LindaG | Posted in General Information, Sewing and Crafting Book Reviews

35 Sewing Projects Using Fabric Scraps

November 9, 2010 – 1:49 pm


Like most sewers, you probably have a lot of scraps sitting around for “someday” when you think you might need them. If you’re diligent, scraps can get used regularly for quilts, covered buttons, yo-yos and other small places where just a bit might be needed. If you don’t remember you have them, scraps can linger for years without seeing the light of day!

Sewing Bits & Pieces: 35 Projects using Fabric Scraps will have you clearing out those scrap bins in no time. Look for appliques, magnets, food bags, pieced pillows, sachets, a host of kids’ clothes and accessories, stuffed toys, party lights, head scarves and many other ideas in this colorful book by Sandi Henderson, a fabric and pattern designer. 172 pages.

If your scraps are bigger and stored as fat quarters–a quilter-ly term for pieces that are 18″ x 22″, your world opens even wider. Small Stash Sewing…24 Projects Using Designer Fat Quarters uses these generous “scraps” for belts, handbags, pillowcases, necklaces, scarves, simple quilts, basket liners, photo frames and lots of kids’ accessories. You’d never dream that they’re all made from fabric pieces this size. 138 pages.

So get reading and turn those scraps into something smashing!

SEW-lutions tip: Interested in making yo-yo’s? See our free SEW-lutions Guideline #9.265 for instructions.

By LindaG | Posted in Sewing and Crafting Book Reviews

Simply Irresistable Bags – Sew, Knit, and Crochet Your Own Tote Bags

November 9, 2010 – 1:59 am


If you’re like me, you can never have enough tote bags. Whether you leave them in the car to take with you to the grocery store, or you have one to match every outfit (and then some!), bags are terrific. I use them to store things in various rooms of my home as well…they make a lovely addition to the decor, and tend not to look like the clutter they might contain. Bags are also a great risk-free way to try out new sewing and embellishing techniques as well.

Simply Irresistible Bags offers up 45 bag options in its 128-page format, complete with large color pictures of each bag. Unlike most books, all the drawings and templates are located in the back instead of actually with the project instructions, so there’s some back and forth needed, but the results will be worth it.

Look for bags that utilize sewing, knitting and crocheting and a host of craft and sewing techniques, like applique, hand dyeing, stenciling and embroidery among the mix. Raw materials include some recyclables as well–like denim, ribbons, maps, photos and even food packaging.

So, take a peek and stow your stuff in style!

For more bag projects, visit the Purses, Bags and Totes section of www.sewing.org.

By LindaG | Posted in Sewing and Crafting Book Reviews, Sewing, Quilting, Embroidery & Craft Products

National Sewing Month contest entries have been posted

November 5, 2010 – 9:47 pm

The 2010 National Sewing Month contest entries have been posted on the www.NationalSewingMonth.org website.  We guarantee you’ll be inspired by the ideas, techniques and sheer creativity you’ll find in these pics.  Congratulations to our first, second and third place winners – Peggy Cox, Kyle Leandra Kolkovich and Lorry Haflich and special kudos to everyone who entered. It was such a hard decision to pick just three winners that embodied this year’s theme.

Planning begins soon for next year’s National Sewing Month celebration and we’ll post information as soon as it’s available. Until then, happy stitching!

By SCAJanice | Posted in General Information, National Sewing Month

Stitching Fabric Napkins on Your Serger

October 27, 2010 – 10:47 pm

I’d like to make fabric napkins to match my new placemats. Can I finish the edges on my serger?

Using a serger is an ideal way to finish napkins, and you can make dozens of them quickly and easily. For more information on making fabric napkins, see our SEW-lutions Guideline 8.130

You have two choices for serger edge finishes–an overlock stitch or a rolled hem. The overlock stitch, made with three or four threads, finishes the edge but allows some of the fabric to show through the stitching. It creates a flat hem, and you can adjust the stitch length depending on how dense you want it to appear. A rolled hem creates an edge that is slightly rolled and encased in denser stitches than the overlocked edge. The edge appears slightly raised (with the rolled fabric inside) and continuous, without any fabric showing through the stitches. It’s a good option when using contrasting and/or novelty threads. Follow your machine instruction book to adjust the settings (and tnesion) to create a rolled hem.

Using a texturized thread like Woolly Nylon or Woolly Polyester,  for edge finishing produces a dense, filled-in line of stitching. The thread stretches slightly as it’s serged, then relaxes to fill in any space between stitches.

When you work with a serger for napkin making, there’s no need to cut apart the napkins before finishing. Simply draw the lines on the fabric length, then serge on the lines. The blades will cut the napkins apart as it finishes the edge.

To finish the corners, stitch off the ends of each edge, apply seam sealant to the serger threads, and trim when dry. Another option is to thread the serger tails into a tapestry needle and thread them back under the edge stitches.

By LindaG | Posted in Sewing, Quilting & Embroidery Tips & Techniques