In this beginner-friendly sewing tutorial, I'll guide you through the steps to create a cute mini tote bag that's both fun to sew and functional. I plan to use them as gift bags for books or notebooks. This one fits 2 size a5 notebooks. 

Getting Started

Before diving into the sewing process, it's essential to choose the right fabric. Opt for something like quilting cotton, which is easy to work with and comes in a variety of colors and prints. Additionally, ensure your fabric is on grain when you cut the pattern, though for a small bag like this, perfection isn't crucial. 

Sewing Techniques

We'll be using French seams for this project, which may sound fancy but are actually quite simple and provide a clean, professional finish. Don't worry if you're not familiar with them; we'll walk you through each step. This project is the perfect opportunity to give them a try and practice.

By the end of this tutorial, you'll have a charming mini tote bag that's perfect for carrying small essentials, to use as a party favor bag or as a thoughtful gift(bag) for a friend.

let's create a charming self-closing drawstring gift pouch with just one strip of fabric! In the video tutorial I'll guide you through all the steps. This project is beginner-friendly. 

As you sew, press, and turn the fabric you'll see it, almost magically, come together from just one piece of fabric. Use the bag as a little gift bag or to store some knick-knacks.

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Can you believe it took me less than 5 minutes to cut and sew this pocket tissue holder? The process is not only fast but also incredibly fun. In this tutorial, I'll guide you through the steps, and I'll share the formula to creating a customized tissue holder to fit any packet size. 

Choosing the Right Fabric

I've opted for quilting cotton, but linen is a great alternative. The beauty is that you only need a small piece of fabric, so it's perfect for pretty scraps.

Crafting a Custom Template

To customize the size for different tissue packets, the video includes instructions for custom sizing. I tested this formula on a smaller size, to show how it works.

Watch the tutorial for a detailed guide and start sewing your own quick and easy pocket tissue holders! 

I made this small boxy pouch to add a little bit of padding to my charger and cord that go into my knitting bag. It could also double as a small make up bag for a chap stick and blush. Or turn it into a little gift. 

You can make this tiny box pouch two ways – flat or turned into a cube by boxing the corners. 

I'll show you the step-by-step proces. We'll quilt the fabric, insert the zipper, use binding to finish the raw edges and box the corners. If you don't have batting, you could easily omit the quilting. If you want to give is some more structure without the quilting, use a fusible interfacing or a heavierweight fabric.

Is every new sewer afraid of zippers? I certainly was! However once you get the hang of them they really aren't that bad and scary to sew.

The trick with sewing zipper is to start simple and zippered pouches are simple, don't need a lot of material and if you succeed you'll have a cute little pouch to use.

So In this step-by-step video tutorial, I'll walk you through the entire process, making it easy for even beginners to master.

For this project, I chose materials that strike a balance between weight and easy to work with. A cotton fabric between 150 and 250 gsm should be easy to work with and have enough body to it.

My outer fabric is a 235 gsm cotton from Ikea. As for the lining, I repurposed an old toile made from unbleached cotton. I can 't remember the weight but it's around 140 gsm. 

I let the length of my zipper determine the width pf the pouch. Zipper length (from slider to stop) is 15 cm [6 inches]. The zipper tape total is about 19.5cm [7.7 inch] I used this as the width of the fabric I cut, this way there is plenty of seam allowance next to the zipper ends once I sew the pouch. 

If your zipper tape is shorter, take the zipper length (from slider to stop) and add 4.5cm [1 3/4 inch]. This should give you about 1.5cm [ a scant 5/8 inch] seam allowance next to the end of the zipper.

Finished size of the bag 

• 17 x 16 cm
• 6.7" x 6.3" 

Fabric requirement (seam allowance included):

• Outer 2x : width 19.5 cm x height 17 cm 
• Lining 2x : width 19.5 cm x height 17 cm 

• Outer 2x : width 6.7" x height 7.7"
• Lining 2x : width 6.7" x height 7.7"
  
  

• Gather Your Materials

  Before we begin, make sure you have all the necessary materials on hand:

  • Cotton fabric, look for quilting cotton in fun prints or a light weight canvas. Somewhere between 150 and 250gsm.
  • Lining fabric. Pick a complementary color or pattern. I always have scraps of calico / unbleached cotton on hand so that's what I used. The weight should be light than the outer fabric
  • Nylon or metal zipper with a stop at one end. 15cm [6 inch] 
  • Matching thread
  • Scissors ( or rotary cutter + cutting mat) 
  • Pins 
  • Ruler or measuring tape
  • Sewing machine 
  • An iron preferably with steam. Steam makes the proces of pressing so much easier. Even a cheap one will make a big difference and will work well on cotton.

Are you a beginner looking for a fun challenge to enhance your sewing skills? In this video tutorial, I'll guide you through the process of sewing a lined drawstring bag with a boxed bottom.

This adorable bag, made with cotton fabric, is an ideal opportunity to make the most of  fabric scraps.

The pouch is not only perfect as a gift bag but also ideal for small knitting projects or carrying snacks. Trust me, once you make it, you'll find endless uses for this cute bag!

Embroidery is an art form that allows you to express your creativity through delicate stitches and vibrant threads. If you want to take your embroidery to the next level and create more naturalistic and interesting designs, the key is to embrace experimentation. In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to use the detached chain stitch to embroider captivating flowers. We'll explore various techniques, such as the loop start method and the lazy daisy stitch, to add depth and beauty to your floral creations. Let's dive into the world of needle and thread.

In this blog post and video, we'll explore the art of embroidering wildflowers on linen napkins using the Lazy Daisy Stitch, French Knots, and Back Stitch. Plus, we'll discuss how embracing imperfections can create a naturalistic and charming look.

Finding Inspiration:

Before starting your embroidery project, seeking inspiration can be a great way to set the tone for your design. Consider exploring botanical books with diagrams and colorful illustrations of flowers. These can help you decide on the placement and design of your wildflowers.

Planning the Design:

For this project, a zigzag pattern along flowering stems is chosen for the design. To begin, crease the napkin to find the center of the corner and mark it with a water-soluble pen. For those who prefer working without a pattern, using paper circles as rough guidelines can help decide on the amount and placement of the flowers. However, don't be afraid to deviate from the initial plan and invite creativity while embroidering.

The Loopstart, start embroidering without a knot:

Using DMC six-strand embroidery floss is ideal for this project. Pull two strands but only use one to create a delicate look. To start your embroidery thread without a knot, use the loop method. This involves threading the ends through the eye of the needle, forming a loop at the fold, which will serve as the first petal of the Lazy Daisy Stitch.

The Lazy Daisy Stitch:

To create the Lazy Daisy Stitch, come up with an imaginary ring around the center of the flower. Then, go back down into the fabric where you came up and come back up where you want the petal to end. Form a loop with the thread and secure it with a small stitch. Repeat the process to form beautiful petals. Embrace imperfections, alter stitch lengths, and experiment with different placements to achieve a natural and charming appearance.

Adding French Knots:

French Knots add a lovely textured effect to your wildflowers. Start with the loop method but make a tiny stitch instead of a longer one for the petals. To create French Knots, wrap the thread around the needle a few times, hold the wraps under your finger to secure them, and make a small stitch while holding the needle in the fabric. Experiment with the number of wraps and strands for varying effects.

Connecting Flowers with Back Stitch:

Use the Back Stitch to connect the flowers and create the stem. Make single straight stitches, leaving gaps between them, and then go back to fill those gaps. Don't worry about perfect connections; slightly wonky lines can add character to your design, resembling pencil sketches and doodling.

Finishing Touches:

To ensure your embroidery stays secure, avoid crossing large distances without securing the thread at the back. Weave the thread through existing stitches to reach your desired starting point. To finish the thread, weave it through a few stitches and create a few knots. Leaving a small thread tail ensures that your masterpiece will withstand wear and tear.

The Final Result:

Once your wildflowers are embroidered, wash out the water-soluble pen and give the napkin a gentle press to showcase your work.

Embroidering wildflowers on linen napkins is a relaxing and creative way to add a touch of nature to your table. Embrace imperfections, experiment with stitches and colors, and let your creativity bloom as you bring this naturalistic look to life. Happy embroidering!

Are you looking for an easy and sustainable way to reduce paper waste in your everyday life? Making your own fabric napkins can be a fantastic solution. In this blog post, we'll show you how to create stylish and eco-friendly napkins using linen scraps. Linen, a classic fabric for napkins, is not only durable but also environmentally friendly. Let's dive into the process and discover some useful tips along the way!

Have you ever wondered how to turn yarn scraps into full balls without wasting any material? Well, I love using the Russian join that allows you to join yarn without creating a knot. Not only does this technique create a strong and smooth join when you are working on a project, but it also allows you to use up all your yarn scraps and gauge swatches.

The Russian join is perfect for plied yarn that isn't very sticky. If the yarn is sticky a wet splice is probably a better and faster option.

The Russian Join 

To do the Russian join, you thread the yarn through itself, creating a small loop through which you can thread the end of the yarn you want to join it to. I usually use a blunt needle for this, but sometimes it can be a bit fiddly to thread through the yarn. I like to scrunch up the yarn on the needle and then pull the end through the yarn. To ensure a strong join, I thread it through the yarn at least five centimeters. If you have a loop that's too big, you can pull on the tail before smoothing out the yarn completely.

For yarn that isn't very sticky, I like to thread it through at least five centimeters so that I can taper the ends by thinning out the plies. The extra length gives me some wiggle room and reassurance that it will be a strong join. If you think it looks too bulky, you can thin out some of the plies before smoothing out the crunched up yarn.

Revive Frogged Yarn 

One of the swatches I had was made up of a lot of smaller pieces, and I joined them as I frogged. As you can see in the video, there were a lot of kinks in the yarn, but I was able to do the Russian join without much extra fuss.

After joining each piece, I wound them into a ball by hand, but I wasn't quite ready because of all the kinks in the yarn. So, I decided to use a swift to unwind everything and tie it together so that I could use a steam iron to relax the yarn. It looks so rewarding!

I did have to move up the ties because the seam didn't quite penetrate the wool underneath it. If you don't have a steam iron, I'm wondering if you could do the same over a pot of boiling and steamy water. Washing is another option, but I don't want to wait for it to dry.

I'm using a fancy Knit Pro swift and ball winder, but you can just as easily wind it by hand and use the back of a chair to unwind the yarn. It does take more time, but with a nice movie or podcast in the background, it can be an enjoyable process.

My cake is now ready for a scrappy blanket that I'm planning to knit in the future. I'm so happy with the result!