Sewing Business Blog » sewing projects

Free Sewing/Craft Patterns

Sarah J. Doyle — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 10:36:56 +0000

A few days ago I ran across a free “25 Sewing Crafts” downloadable book from FaveCrafts. This book has a lot of great ideas and patterns for sewing and craft items – and the best part is that it’s FREE. Here’s a picture of the ebook, so you’ll know what you’re looking for when you click the above link:

While you’re checking out free sewing and craft patterns and classes, be sure to check out what’s on PatternsThatFitYou.com and Patterns2Go.com – you’ll find enough goodies to last the rest of the winter!

While you’re visiting PatternsThatFitYou.com, you might want to look into all the pattern making classes for women and children — won’t be long before we’re going to be starting on the spring and summer sewing!

Sewing Businesses Help Customers Save Money

Sarah J. Doyle — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:22:09 +0000

How can you in sewing businesses help your customers save money? I truly believe this Holiday Season will see fewer gifts given, and those who will be giving gifts will be looking for “deals”.

The current economy, where people are losing jobs left and right, where homes are being foreclosed on and where those who DO have a job are seeing their hours drastically cut is making for a bleak Christmas. Where will the extra money come from for those Christmas gifts, party outfits and new Christmas clothes for the kids?

One big way that those in sewing businesses can help out, and we’ve touched on this before, is to dig into the scrap boxes! You probably have big enough scraps to make some infant / toddler size dresses, pants and blouses that you can have priced at a very nominal fee. In addition, use those scraps to make a wide variety of toys for all ages, book marks and initial pillows for the teens, all of which can be very nominally priced because you’ve actually just used your “time” in making them, as the scraps are left overs from other paid jobs.

If you need ideas for things to make, “Nursery Room Projects” and “Sewing With Leather” can give you ideas, in addition to checking out Patterns2Go for free patterns and cheap patterns that you can use for those toys and other Christmas items. Check out some tutorials at PatternsThatFitYou for additional ideas for projects.

After you’ve made a bunch of items, arrange them in your sewing room or customer waiting area, and take a few pictures. Head down to the local newspaper to talk to one of the editors and let them know what YOU’RE doing to help the economy in your area — let them know you’ve made dozens of toys, infant / toddler outfits, etc and have marked them far below regular retail prices. The newspapers are always looking for things to write about for their paper, so you might just get headlined in your daily / weekly paper.

If those who have a sewing business or craft business throughout the country would consider doing this type of scrap sewing for affordable gifts their customers can purchase, perhaps it would help ease the effects the economy is throwing at us, and make Christmas a little brighter for some who have no hopes for a Christmas at all.

How To Make Boutique Style Baby Blankets

Sarah J. Doyle — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 09:43:27 +0000

Baby blankets are always popular gifts for baby showers, gifts when the baby comes home from the hospital, and are always nice to have extra ones, so make plenty of them for the new baby.

Liz Johnson is the editor of the Sew4Home site, and they have instructions on making three different boutique style baby blankets. These are really cute – here’s a picture, and I’d recommend you check out the instructions and get some made up for the next baby shower.

The finishes / edgings on the blankets are really nice.

While you’re working on things for the new baby and baby’s nursery, check out the NurseryRoomProjects website and get tons of ideas for additional gifts and decorating.

Make Scrappy Gifts For The Holiday Season

Sarah J. Doyle — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:15:49 +0000

As you probably already know, I’ve been “hit” by something pretty rough – am still taking the daily IV antibiotic therapy treatments at the local hospital and having to take 2 additional antiobiotic types of pills (been going on since the 10th of Sept). The doctor says it’s a “severe allergic reaction”, which he believes came from the “hike in the woods with the grandchildren” during the time poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac were in full force out there. Given the extreme reactions I’d had to poison ivy as a child, he believes it got in my system right at the ankle where the itching was, then the infection “swept” through the system, and instead of swelling the eyes shut as what happened as a child, it just kept pulling me down – tired, swelling legs then swelling arms, etc. Not sure how much longer I’ll be on all these meds, but until the horrible purple rash clears up on my right ankle, he’s gonna keep me on all of it.

HOWEVER, since the doctor won’t let me do hardly anything but “rest”, I’ve been looking at all my material waiting to be sewn, scraps for projects, sorting the scraps, etc. All of a sudden, the light bulb went on, and as my daughter would say “two brain cells rubbed together”! My mountains of scraps are going to be my money maker this Holiday Season!!!

Think about it! Gifts for yourself to give AND gifts to sell in your customer area AND gifts to sell on ETSY and other places ALL MADE OUT OF YOUR SCRAPS!

I’m so excited I can hardly stand it — thinking of all the things I can make, not only for family gifts, but for selling in my customer waiting area and most likely on ebay as well.

Think about things like scrap tote bags, leather bead necklaces, kids balls made out of scrap fabric, soft baby blocks, and one of my favorites for home decor are these Octogan Placemats

There are dozens and dozens of patterns for children, for teens and for adults that can be made from scraps! Check out Patterns2Go for additional ideas and check out other websites for “scrappy” ideas.

I’m here to tell you that THIS Holiday season IS going to be my most profitable one yet! It can be YOUR most profitable Holiday season as well, and use up those boxes and bags of scraps. WHOOHOO! I can’t believe I thought of this in time to actually do something with the idea for this years’ income!

Get your thinking caps on, and let us know what all you come up with for gifts and to sell, using those scraps and not having to go out and buy new fabrics for the items!

Little Pouches and Bags

Sarah J. Doyle — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 15:25:00 +0000

Sometimes I find little pouches and bags that are just the cutest things — and very useful! This first one is a small boxy pouch that could be used for makeup, or as the designer says “for those sweets and treats” you’d like to stick in your purse! I’ll go for the sweets and treats!!

The tutorial on how to make this little boxy pouch is located on the ThreeBears blog and was designed by Penny. Great pictures as she photos every step of the process. Thanks a bunch Penny!

Or try this smaller and flatter pencil case or pouch.

This looks like an even easier one to make and could hold the make up or goodies as well. Thanks to LondonMummy for this detailed tutorial.

An additional idea is to use up some of your scraps and make this scrap tote bag — you can make it any size you want, from small to large, depending on what you’d like to use it for.

The scrap tote bag comes to us from PatternsThatFitYou, and the free tutorials / classes there.

If you have made small bags or pouches or have run across additional tutorials on how to make them, please let us know, so we can pass them along to our readers.

More Last Minute Gifts

Sarah J. Doyle — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:18:00 +0000

For those of us who just seem to need “one more gift” for somebody, I have a couple last minute, super duper easy to make gifts that will thrill those you make them for!

The first easy last minute gift would be suitable for any teenager or middle school student. All kids need their own noteboard to keep class assignments, pictures, telephone numbers and notes on.

Head down to your local fabric store and see how many empty fabric cardboard bolt “boards” you can get. (I’m thinking this time of year they probably have quite a stash of them).

Purchase enough burlap or tan cotton duck fabric to cover the board and glue to secure the fabric to the bolt board. You can then either cut some little decorations from felt or purchase some appliques to glue onto the board. If you have enough time, you might even get a square of felt and cut out the person’s name and glue it to the top of the board — “Nathan’s Notes” — or just the name to personalize it. Sew a small drapery ring to the top center to hang the bulletin board. If you’re a crafter and actually do crafts for craft shows, etc, you might be able to make some extra cash by making these to sell!

A portable thread hanger is sure to be a success for the sewer, quilter and crafter. This thread hanger is so easy to make and you’ll be thought of all year long as the receipient uses your special gift.

For this project, begin with an ordinary wire coat hanger and loosen the top with pliers and straighten it out. String spools of thread on the wire, using a variety of colors, and put it back in shape. It is best to put standard colors that would most often be used, such as black, white, green, yellow, red, light or dark blue, etc. Decorate the handle with ribbons or a big bow. At the end of the ribbons tie small strawberry or heart shaped pin cushions. When thread is needed it can be pulled from the spool easily without removing the spool from the thread hanger. Each spool of thread has a “notch” at one end for attaching the thread after using so there won’t be a problem with all the threads getting knotted.

This project comes from Patterns That Fit You, and more specifically from the “Crafts For All Seasons” class which contains a collection of thirteen craft items that are suitable to give for any occasion, or for your own personal use. Complete instructions and full size patterns are included.

SEW204 - Crafts For All Seasons Class – $6.95

Quick And Easy Last Minute Gifts To Make

Sarah J. Doyle — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 16:40:00 +0000

We’re getting down to the wire for getting even last minute gifts made. I’ve found a few quick and easy gifts that can be put together quickly and will make excellent stocking stuffers, or wrap them up to give.

The first gift idea somes from Sewing.org’s free projects – washcloth puppets. Now these would make some toddler very happy. Might even be able to use them in the bath water!

Now how cute are those little darlings!!

And, speaking of washcloth items, our second idea comes from Patterns2Go, and it’s for washcloth slippers. These can be made up super quick and are excellent gift items for anybody on your list, and especially those in a nursing home or somebody in the hospital. Grab a pack of washcloths and make a bunch of them. You’ll probably want a couple pair for yourself!

The last quick and easy gift is for the “best ever baby bath towel”. Anybody with a new baby or even a toddler would LOVE to have this handy towel – the neat thing is that it keeps mommy dry while getting the baby or toddler out of the bath water. This baby bath towel comes from NurseryRoomProjects, and we thank you for the great idea and free pattern.

These ideas should cover a few extra people on your list. Thank you to those folks who have provided the free tutorials / patterns that we can all enjoy. Happy sewing and crafting!

September is National Sewing Month

S. Denise Hoyle — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:03:00 +0000

September is National Sewing Month and it is a wonderful opportunity to communicate the passion and joy we feel for sewing with our customers! Of course home sewers know the creative, therapeutic and calming effects that come from their sewing projects throughout the year, but those of us in the sewing business should consider getting involved and taking advantage of this annual event in a way that can benefit our customers and our businesses at the same time.

No matter what type of sewing business you are in, there are many ways that you can generate publicity and goodwill for your business by helping to celebrate National Sewing Month. Consider holding a class at your store or business to teach sewing basics, offer to give a short sewing lesson at a meeting for a local youth organization such as the Girl Scouts or 4-H Club, allow your employees to volunteer to teach these lessons while on the clock, donate any leftover or unused fabric, equipment or sewing supplies to local schools, senior centers or organizations that can use them. Prepare a press release discussing National Sewing Month and any steps your business is taking to help celebrate it then distribute these to all local media outlets. National Sewing Month is a joint venture between the American Sewing Guild and the Sewing & Craft Alliance and they have provided many free marketing materials that you can use to help promote the celebration through your business.

Many large companies such as JoAnn Fabrics and CreateForLess are celebrating National Sewing Month, so this is also an excellent opportunity for you to take advantage of the specials they are offering to promote the celebration for your business - for instance JoAnn Fabrics is offering 10% off Singer sewing machines, and CreateForLess is celebrating with extra sewing specials all month long.

Project Runway The Bootcamp For Sewing

S. Denise Hoyle — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:34:00 +0000

Kelli Martin couldn’t wait to get out of Columbus, Ohio when she graduated from Westand High School in 1998. After two stints at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, thanks in part to a $20,000 Bob Mackie scholarship, she returned.

For the past several weeks, Martin brought national attention to the city to which she thought she’d never return as a contestant on Project Runway, the Bravo network’s search for the next great American designer.

When Martin left Columbus this time — to compete on the show in New York City — she was again confident that it was the right thing for her to do, but she also knew she’d come back. In late 2006, the Clintonville resident opened her own boutique, Black Market, 2579 N. High St., just south of Clintonville. “Why not come back and open the store I always wanted when I was younger that never existed?” she said.

“I’m really into contrast,” Martin said, adding that she favors feminine silhouettes with raw edges and tears. “I like to be very feminine and pretty, but at the same time I want them to look rough and confident. For the most part, I really draw a lot of inspiration from the streets and people watching and sub-culture and sub-sub-cultures that blend together.”

Martin began exploring fashion at a young age, donning looks that weren’t always met with approval at school, such as brightly dyed hair. Her principals thought she was a “crazy heathen troublemaker,” she said.

She couldn’t buy the things that suited her tastes when she was younger, so she relied on her own innovation. “I scoured thrift and vintage stores and mangled together what I like,” she said. “I like to ‘MacGyver’ stuff to my liking.” The designer taught herself how to sew, said her grandmother Jeanette Kelley. When Martin was a girl, she had Barbie dolls with handmade leather outfits, the proud grandmother recalled.

She has since put her creativity to use to win the first challenge on Project Runway. On the show, aspiring fashion designers complete weekly challenges, designing and sewing garments to be modeled for a panel of judges that includes model and producer Heidi Klum and fashion designer Michael Kors.

The Columbus woman’s creativity came in handy in the first week’s challenge when the designers had to shop at a grocery store for their materials. She won that challenge. Martin survived three more challenges before being eliminated for an outfit she designed for Brooke Shields to wear on the television show Lipstick Jungle.

Martin said she was thankful to be able to show the world her point of view through an experience she described as the “boot camp of sewing.” Designers usually have just one day to dream up and make their designs.

“I felt like, it’s what I love to do, so other than the lack of sleep and the heat, I was loving it, she said. “I really did feel almost as if it was a vacation for me. I was there doing what I love to do … I didn’t have the stress of every-day life.”

Since July 16, Martin’s every day life has been a little more stressful — in a good way. “My business has been absolutely out of control,” she said. “I couldn’t have asked for anything more than the flash of the store that they showed on the first episode.”

At Black Market, Martin sells things that she designs and makes herself, as well as other new and vintage items. With the boon to her business from the show, she had to hire a seamstress, she said. She hasn’t been able to keep her own designs in stock. Read more about Kelli’s story at the Columbus Local News page.

Diversify Your Sewing For Additional Profits

Sarah J. Doyle — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:54:00 +0000

A few posts ago we talked about expanding your sewing business to include sewing for plus size children, a much needed and seldom addressed area of sewing.

Today, we’re going to talk about a totally different sewing niche, that of sewing nursing garments for those mothers who want to breastfeed their babies. When my daughter’s first son was born, she searched high and low for conservative, nice looking nursing garments. There was literally nothing available, either in ready made garments or clothing patterns. About the only thing to do was “throw a blanket over the shoulder and unbutton the blouse”. This did not appeal to her.

Immediately she starting designing some clothing patterns to use so that she could retain some privacy and comfort while nursing in public. From camisoles to “cross over” and “crop style” nursing blouses and dresses to comfortable nightgowns and pajamas, she finally felt like her nursing garments were stylish, comfortable and so much better than the “blanket over the shoulder” routine.

I would venture to say that if the seamstresses that are reading this would post their business card or flyer in OB/GYN waiting rooms extending this type of sewing service to those nursing mothers, they would have more business than they could handle. I-Nursing has a large variety of nursing patterns that range all the way to 5X. An excellent way to promote your new service would be to print out the pictures of the patterns available and make them into a little booklet for your customer waiting area. This type of booklet could also be placed in the OB/GYN waiting rooms with the title “Nursing Garments” with YOUR name and phone number on it.

Check for yourself the pattern books and clothing racks for nursing garments in ANY size, and then look for some in the 1X-5X size range — you know the full figure and plus size ladies also breastfeed their babies!