Say Goodbye to Summer with a Cool Treat

Although summer weather is still in full swing, school has started up again for many of us, and that can only mean cooler temperatures aren’t far behind. While the summer sun is still shining bright, whip up a cool treat and spend some time outside! Jennifer Casa‘s Snowy Citrus Cups from her book Teach Yourself VISUALLY Crafting with Kids is a great summer refresher, and it’s a fun easy thing to make together with your kids. Click here for the complete instructions: Snowy Citrus Cups.

Let’s Go Fishing!

The Let’s Go Fishing Hat (shown on the cover) is one of the reader favorites in Shelly Figueroa & Karen LePage‘s Sewing for Boys: 24 Projects to Create a Handmade Wardrobe. The raw edges and patchwork nature of this hat are the definition of weekend summer casual. The authors recommend using up your old scraps or old shirts to make a hat your boys will want to wear. Click the cover above for the free pattern.

Free Project from Teach Yourself VISUALLY Jewelry Making & Beading

Knotted and woven bracelets are popping up everywhere these days, from Etsy to Nordstrom and beyond. Why not try your hand at making your own? Chris Franchetti Michaels shows you how in her Beaded Square Knot Hemp Bracelet project from her book Teach Yourself VISUALLY Jewelry Making & Beading–a guide that’s packed with how-to information about all kinds of jewelry-making techniques, including the macrame knotting used in this project. You just might feel like you’re back at summer camp!

For many more great projects and techniques, check out More Teach Yourself VISUALLY Jewelry Making, also by Chris. And check back here for more news about her latest book, Earrings VISUAL Project Guide, coming this fall!

Free Project: Saturday Market Skirt

Ever since we published Sewing Bits & Pieces, I’ve wanted to make the Saturday Market Skirt. Tell me how cute this is.

As my four-year-old would say, “SO cute!”

With drought hitting the Midwest, the idea of a flowy, pretty skirt that catches even the slightest breeze became more and more appealing, and last week I grabbed a stack of fabric from my stash and finally made the skirt. The verdict? LOVE IT. Absolutely love it. The construction is so well put together and finished, and it was a lot of fun to sew.

Do you want to make your own? You can get the free pattern here. Sandi sized the pattern from young girl to women’s XL, so it’s perfect for everyone who wants to add a little flair to her wardrobe.

Summer Bolster

Vintage AND practical–what’s not to love? The summer bolster is one of my favorite projects from Maya Donenfeld‘s Reinvention. It transforms your winter down comforter into a lovely storage pillow that can be showcased year-round. Maya suggests using a larger piece of an antique textile such as a bed sheet, coverlet, or tablecloth. Perfect for refashioning that heirloom that has been hiding away in the closet. Click on the above picture for instructions and be sure to read her heartwarming story at the end. Thanks, Maya!

Free 4th of July Project for Kids

 Here’s a fun, quick craft the whole family can help create! This sparkly wand, featured in Marie LeBaron‘s Make and Takes for Kids: 50 Crafts Throughout the Year, would be perfect for little ones to wave at this week’s patriotic parades, backyard barbecues, and firework displays. Click on the picture for instructions. Happy 4th, everyone!

A Glee-ful Announcement – Sewn Hats

Normally, you wouldn’t be seeing an announcement about a book that is not yet on store shelves. But, like many of you, we love to watch Glee. After this week’s episode, Prom-asaurus, we just had to post a free pattern for you. You see, one of the main characters, Brittany, totally rocked a mini top hat with her prom dress. Well – we just happen to have a mini top hat pattern in an upcoming book, Sewn Hats! And, it’s one of the hats that has gotten a ton of comments any time it has been out and about – I just know it is going to be one of the favorites.

So, for all of you Gleeks who want to recreate a little piece of their favorite show, here’s a link to our version of an embellished mini top hat. Click here for the free pattern!

Look out for more great hats designed by celebrated fabric designers, pattern designers, and bloggers in August, when Sewn Hats hits bookshelves! (Although, you can pre-order now!)

Free Project from Teach Yourself VISUALLY Color Knitting

Want to try your hand at stranded knitting without committing to a whole garment’s worth of stranding? Mary Scott Huff’s Songbirds Blouse from Teach Yourself VISUALLY Color Knitting is a perfect fit for spring. Knit in cool cotton yarn, its cheery birds are sure to make you smile as you watch them come to life on your needles. Subtle waist shaping makes this versatile sweater figure-flattering, too. Click here for the pattern: Songbirds Blouse Pattern.

Songbirds Blouse

Songbirds Blouse Detail

Free Project from More Teach Yourself VISUALLY Jewelry Making

Looking to add some new jewelry pieces to your spring wardrobe? Chris Franchetti Michaels, author of More Teach Yourself VISUALLY Jewelry Making, offer this lovely project from her newest book. The Filigree and Gemstone Ring has a trendy antique look, and following Chris’ clear, step-by-step instructions makes it easy to make. Click here for details: Filigree and Gemstone Ring.

Free Spring Banner Project from Make and Takes for Kids

This week I did a project with my daughter from Marie LeBaron’s Make and Takes for Kids. We modified the Crushed Eggshell Bunting a bit for her brother’s first birthday, but that was half the fun. In fact, we had so much fun that I’m going to share the project with you today. The project in the book uses crushed color-dyed egg shells – which might be in abundance for some readers after this weeked. Eggshell Bunting Projectfor the project instructions.

Here is how we set about making the bunting as a birthday party decoration!

First my daughter marked her triangles on some leftover scrapbooking paper

Next, she cut them out

She used recyled tissue paper to make her letters

Then she glued the triangles onto some great ribbon we found on sale at a local craft store

She added some finishing touches from my papercrafting stash

And, voila, the finished banner. The baby couldn’t read it, but I think he thought it was fun all the same.