My Sewing Blog
6 Nautical Sewing Projects to Get Ready for Summer
The sun's out this week, and we're looking forward to months including sun, sand and more colourful sewing! And what's more summery than a nautical project or two? Our nautical fabrics are super popular at the moment, so if you've got your hands on some but need to find something to make with it, take a look at some of these great nautical sewing projects!
6 Nautical Sewing Projects to Get Ready for Summer
Sail the high seas with these cute fabric sailing boats by Sew and the City
Bring a little of the seaside into your home with a beach hut applique doorstop project by Kirsty Robertson.
Take the seaside into your garden by having a go at making your own folding stool project - either print the fabric yourself if you're feeling brave, or pick a nautical themed print that you love! Tutorial by Look What I Made
If you're looking for an easy project to stitch in a few hours, why not try out a bit of cross stitch/embroidery with this cute anchor design by Matildigt!
Brighten up your living room with an anchor shaped cushion by Camelot - comfy and stylish!
If crochet is more your thing, this crochet anchor is just irresistible! A great little tutorial by Petals to Picots, which makes a fantastic little gift for a loved one.
Need some fabric for your next nautical project? Check out our Nautical fabric collection here!
12 Bunny-themed Projects You'll Go Bananas For!
Hoppity hop, the Easter bunny is on his way! And if you haven't seen him yet, you'd better get on with some bunny themed sewing projects to encourage him to come and visit, to leave some yummy eggs behind...
12 Bunny-themed Projects You'll Go Bananas For!
Sleep bunny goody bags by Probably Actually
Yarn scrap bunny by Crafts n Coffee
Bunny embroidery hoop art by Gwenny Penny
Small quilted wall hanging by Craft Ideas
Bunny egg cosy by Campbell Soup Diary
Bunny applique cushion by Butinette (tutorial in German)
Little bunny softie by Craftiness is Not Optional
Felt bunny miniature by Apine Industriose
Mini knitted bunnies by Mochimochi Land
Embroidered bunny treat bag by Amy Sinibaldi
Linen bunny softie by Eab Designs
Best Chicken-Themed Projects for Easter
There seems to be a national day for everything now... and supposedly 19th March is national poultry day! We prefer our chickens looking cute and cuddly, so today we're bringing you the best chicken-themed projects we can find...
Best Chicken and Hen Sewing Projects for Easter
Mini knitted chickens by Woman's Day
Authentic-look stuffed chicken by Ikat Bag
Juggling Chooks by Red Ted Art
Wired leg felt chicks by Myrtle and Eunice
DIY chick egg cosies by Fi & Me
National Quilting Day: Makower Coastal Quilt Pattern
Today is not only St Patrick's day, but also National Quilting Day! And to celebrate, we've nabbed a fantastic pattern by Hilary Gooding for Makower to make up into a coastal themed quilt. Our nautical range of fabrics is our most popular range this month, so what better theme could we pick? Find free instructions below to make your wonderful seaside quilt, and feel free to swap in your favourite nautical themed fabrics for the beach huts.
How to make a Makower Nautical Quilt
Quilt Size 40" x 60" (100 x 150cm)
You will need:
|
Fabric |
Quantity |
First Cut |
SecondCut |
Position |
|
Cream Dimples 1867/L2 |
2 metres |
Cut 5 strips WOF each 21⁄4" wide |
Binding |
|
|
Cut a strip WOF 101⁄2" wide |
Trim to 401⁄2" long |
Top Border |
||
|
Cut a strip WOF 121⁄2" wide |
Trim to 401⁄2" long |
Bottom Border |
||
|
Cut 2 strips parallel to the selvage each 12" wide |
Trim to 381⁄2" long |
Side Borders |
||
|
Cut 2 strips parallel to the selvage each 3" wide |
Trim to 381⁄2" long |
Vertical Sashings |
||
|
From remaining fabric: |
Cut nine 41⁄2" x 21⁄2" rectangles |
Horizontal Sashings |
||
|
Cut twenty four 21⁄2" squares |
Beach Hut Roofs |
|||
|
Red Coastal Village 1160/R |
Fat 8th |
Cut two 81⁄2" x 41⁄2" rectangles |
Beach Huts |
|
|
Grey Coastal Village 1160/S |
Fat 8th |
Cut one 81⁄2" x 41⁄2" rectangle |
Beach Huts |
|
|
Red Seagulls 1162/R |
Fat 8th |
Cut two 81⁄2" x 41⁄2" rectangles |
Beach Huts |
|
|
Blue Seagulls 1162/B |
Fat 8th |
Cut two 81⁄2" x 41⁄2" rectangles |
Beach Huts |
|
|
Turquoise Seagulls 1162/T |
Fat 8th |
Cut one 81⁄2" x 41⁄2" rectangle |
Beach Hut |
|
|
Grey Coatsal Icons 1163/S |
Fat 8th |
Cut two 81⁄2" x 41⁄2" rectangles |
Beach Hut |
|
|
Turquoise Coastal Icons 1163/T |
Fat 8th |
Cut one 81⁄2" x 41⁄2" rectangle |
Beach Hut |
|
|
Red Stripe 745/R7 |
Fat 8th |
Cut one 81⁄2" x 41⁄2" rectangle |
Beach Hut |
|
|
Blue Coastal Village 1160/B |
1.70 m |
Backing |
||
WOF = width of fabric (ie from selvedge to selvedge)
How to make your nautical quilt:
All seams are 1⁄4" unless otherwise stated.
Beach Huts
- Draw a thin pencil line diagonally across the wrong side of all the cream 21⁄2" squares.
- Place a cream 21⁄2" square right sides together in the top left hand corner of one of the 81⁄2" x 41⁄2" beach hut rectangles. Line up the top and left sides. The pencil line should run from the bottom left corner to the top right corner of the square.
- Sew along the pencil line. Trim to a seam allowance of 1⁄4". Press seam allowance under beach hut.
- Take a second 21⁄2" square and place it right sides together in the top right hand corner of the beach hut rectangle. The pencil line should run from top left corner to bottom right corner of the square. Line up the top and side edges.
- Sew along the pencil line. Trim back to a 1⁄4" seam. Press the seam allowance under the beach hut.
- Prepare all the beach huts the same way.
Assembly
-
Lay out all your beach huts in three columns and four rows in an arrangement of the colours that is balanced.
-
First sew the columns together by sewing a cream 4 1⁄2" x 2 1⁄2" rectangle between the beach huts in each column. Press all the seams.
-
Now sew the columns together with the two 3" x 38 1⁄2" vertical sashing strips between the columns. Press.
-
Sew the two 12" x 38 1 ⁄2" side borders to the left and right of the centre panel. Press seams.
-
Now sew the 10 1⁄2" x 40 1⁄2" top border to the top of the quilt top
-
Sew the 12 1⁄2" x 40 1⁄2" bottom border to the bottom of the quilt. Press seams.
Quilting
- Lay the backing out on a smooth, flat surface with the wrong side facing up.
- Spread the batting over the backing smoothing out any wrinkles and bumps.
- Lay the quilt top over the batting.
- Baste the layers together using your favourite method - safety pins, hand tacking, spray basting or micro-tacking
- Quilt as you like by hand or machine.
- Trim back the excess backing fabric and batting to the edge of the quilt top. Square up the quilt if necessary.
Binding
-
Sew all the binding strips together using mitred seams into one long strip. Fold the strip in half along the length with wrong sides together. Press.
-
Sew the binding onto the quilt front. Turn to the back and hand stitch in place.
Don’t forget to label your quilt with your name and the date. Add any other details you might want to remember.
Want to download a PDF of the instructions? Download the free pattern here.
Mother's Day Gifts for Mums Who Sew
Mother's Day is coming up, and I've been stuck for gift ideas for a while. A bit of research, however, has uncovered some great gifts for mums who stitch, and here's the pick of our products that we reckon mum might like if she's a bit crafty too!
Mother's Day Gifts for Mums Who Make
For a mum looking to explore different sewing techniques further, why not try out Elizabeth Bett's fantastic book, The Beginners Guide to Quilting? With tons of handy tips and tricks, as well as a comprehensive introduction to the basics of quilting, she'll help mum to build on her new skills project-by-project.
If mum wants to try something new, get her one of these fab needle felting kits! Each kit comes in a beautifully packaged box and includes everything you need to learn to felt your own creature. They're perfect for beginners, and needle felting is the latest trendy craft that everyone's keen to try.
Sewing boxes are the classic gift for any stitcher, but don't just get her a boring old plain one - pick up a beautifully designed box in a range of sizes from our range. Choose from glitter finish, embroidered, extra large, small and drawer-style boxes!
For the mum that already has a million sewing gadgets and boxes, it can be hard to find something that she won't already have. But we reckon these sewing machine bags are pretty neat, and not only look lovely, but are also great at protecting her prize possession from dust, moisture and damage!
For a mum who loves a different type of needlework, our cross stitch kits are an excellent idea! This pretty one is ideal for mum to put up in the kitchen or lounge once complete, but you'll also find a ton of other designs, including ones for kids bedrooms too.
There is no more classic gift for a sewer than an expression of their passion in any and all forms. So why not dress up their gift with some Love to Sew ribbon? Whether you get a few metres to give as a gift or tie it round the gift itself, this is one piece of haberdashery that is guaranteed to be loved and re-used!
What self-respecting sewer can resist more fabric? Whether you get a couple of metres to really indulge her fabric addiction, or a fat quarter, she'll love seeing her stash increase! Our one-off fabric boxes are a great idea, including a selection of fabrics with co-ordinating habby for a beautiful gift to wow her.
If mum has only just started sewing, or wants to tackle her first project, pick up a sewing kit for beginners that she can get stuck into right away. We have a great selection of different projects that she'll love!
And if one fabric alone isn't enough, what about a fat quarter bundle? These are especially great for quilters or those who enjoy having a variety of fabrics to hand for their next project (or to stroke while they sip their cup of tea, surrounded by 10 cats...)
Shop Mother's Day Gifts
10 Spring Projects to Get Started on Soon
Spring's a-coming! And what better way to welcome it in, than to get started on some makes that speak of sunny days and the bursting buds to come...
10 Spring Projects to Get Started on Soon
Spring baby grass wreath by Patty Schaffer
Pom pom chicks by Crafts Unleashed
Pompom ice cream garland by Pysselbolaget
Bunny embroidery hoop art by Gwenny Penny
Applique bird pillows by So You Think You're Crafty
Scrap fabric table runner by A Spoonful of Sugar
Felt flower wreath by Woods of Bell Trees
Knitted Dogwood Blossoms by Purl Avenue
5 More Cool Valentine's Day Gifts to Make for Him
Following on from the popularity of our previous gifting post, 6 Gifts to Make for Him That He'll Actually Like, we decided to have a rummage around for some more good ideas for handmade gifts. They are just so hard to find! But never fear, here they are...
6 More Cool Valentine's Day Gifts to Make for Him
DIY handcrafted leather bracelet by Jegs Santos
Personalised tie project by Boho Weddings
Leather card wallet by My White Idea
Crocheted pac-man characters by Penelopy Bulnick
Felt iPhone case by Sew Knit Click
Share your own Valentine's gift projects below!
Valentine's Decorations to Bring Love to Your Home
Valentine's day doesn't just have to be about celebrating love with your partner, you can celebrate all the people you love too! So we've rounded up some fun valentine's themed decorations to make, which will help spread the love around your home, whoever is in it.
Valentine's Decorations to Bring Love to Your Home
Hoop Art
"You Will Forever Be My Always" Embroidery Hoop Art by Flamingo Toes
Crazy Canvas
Embroidered Tulip Leaf by Look What I Made
Simply Sweet
Crocheted Heart Door Hanger by Dwell Beautiful
Pretty as a Picture
DIY String Heart Canvas by The Anchored Soul
Couch Potato
Valentine's Pin Cushion Sofa Cushion by So Sew Easy
Dancing on the Ceiling
DIY Mini Heart Mobile by Vicky Barone
Share your comments and ideas below!
Valentine's Projects for all the Single Ladies (and Gentlemen)
In the words of Beyonce: all the single ladies, put your hands up! Now, although you may think you can't celebrate on Valentine's Day because you don't have a S.O., we say - celebrate being single! So we've put together a selection of fab projects to make for yourself, to celebrate YOU! (Gentlemen, you're included in this party for one too).
Valentine's Projects for all the Single Ladies (and Gentlemen)
Abstract painted pillows by A Beautiful Mess
Ironic hearts by Honey Thistle
Arrow and heart hair pin by The House That Lars Built
DIY valentine's heart headband by Alexi Ueltzen
DIY metallic thread bracelet by Tinsel and Trim
Valentine's Emroidery Project by Fort Worth Fabric Studio
Hand drawn oxford sneakers by I Love to Create
Stretch lace knickers by Sewaholic
Weird and Wonderful Valentine's Day Projects
Browsing the web for projects can take up an awful lot of time, but the in the process of looking for a great project, you quite often find some quirky ones that you might have a go at too! We've brought the best of the weird and wonderful projects we could find for Valentine's Day together in one place.
Weird and Wonderful Valentine's Day Projects
Anatomical heart pillow by Hearts and Sharts
Reverse applique Valentine's top by Grow Creative
Cuteness overload meme pillow by My Next Style
(if you want to use the beige fabric, Spraytime Natural is a good substitute)
Valentine's cat embroidery project by The Pink Samurai
DIY Valentine's Heart Shoes by Unusually Lovely
Valentine's dog bandana by Acute Designs
Pompom flower bouquet by Camille Styles
