Category: Easy to make gift

How to create clever pocket placemats

I had book club at my house today. I love books and I adore sewing so I often combine the two. Then, lucky you, I share my sewing ideas with the world at large. Today, I am going to explain how to create clever pocket placemats. Before I do that I want to give some... Read more »
By Kathy Mathews,
July 8, 2018 at 10:35 pm • 

DIY How to make an 8 Crayon bag tutorial

I have a bag mania going on and I like it. Combine that with a need to give a demo at my guild on pockets and envelopes at my guild this month and you have this post. Read and learn how to make an 8 crayon bag. Here is a glimpse of the finished project.... Read more »
By Kathy Mathews,
June 19, 2018 at 12:07 am • 

Upcycle an old pair of jeans into a sewing machine caddy

For reasons that he cannot remember, my husband bought a pair of jeans with a button fly. He wore them a couple of times and then they just took up space. I decided I could make something out of them and sure enough I did. Read how to upcycle an old pair of jeans into... Read more »
By Kathy Mathews,
April 16, 2018 at 11:30 pm • 
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How to make a name tag usable anywhere

My modern quilters guild has challenges throughout the year but no rules. So you can make them or not, for that month or later. We had a challenge in January of ‘put a letter on it’ or a name tag. I made a sign but decided I wanted to do the second part as well.... Read more »
By Kathy Mathews,
March 27, 2018 at 10:51 pm • 

How to create Doll quilts for a good cause

Here are the two I made, one more feminine and the other unisex.
I am so pleased that I was able to create doll quilts for a good cause and it’s all because of my guild. A generous woman told us about an organization that creates dolls for children that look just like them. It’s called A Doll like Me and the dolls are often for children who... Read more »
By Kathy Mathews,
March 18, 2018 at 10:29 pm • 

Improve your zippered bags by using a serger

I love making zippered bags because they are so handy. I really enjoy tidying an area up by putting things in a bag. They are also terrific for travel or purses. I have a new tip for you; you can improve your zippered bags by using a serger. Let me show you how. If you... Read more »
By Kathy Mathews,
March 6, 2018 at 10:48 pm • 
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Use your flannel scraps to make reusable paper towels

I try to find ways to add less to landfills and I’ve seen some ways lately of using fabric for spills and cleaning. “Oh, rags?” You say. Ha, yes but a tad fancier. I am urging you to use your flannel scraps to make reusable paper towels. (They’re actually not paper at all, they’re fabric.... Read more »
By Kathy Mathews,
February 12, 2018 at 3:42 pm • 

I used my serger to make pillowcases faster

Recently I used my serger to make pillowcases faster and as a result, I made 18 of them. That’s a lot of pillows that were covered! I had meant to make some for Christmas presents but I just didn’t have, or make, the time. The final nudge was a raffle my daughter had at a... Read more »
By Kathy Mathews,
February 1, 2018 at 2:46 pm • 

I made a charm pack bag for a gift

When I worked I made multiple gifts for secretaries, administrators, teachers on my team and in my department. Since I was sewing for all of those people I also sewed for nearly everyone else in my life. I am amazed when I think back on it.  When I retired, I cut the list back to... Read more »
By Kathy Mathews,
December 30, 2017 at 5:29 pm • 
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I made 50 Kleenex covers this weekend

I made 50 Kleenex covers this weekend and I loved it. “Why?” might be your reaction and I would understand. I did it for my daughter, don’t we all do goofy things for our kids? I made Christmasy covers, I think these might be my favorites. They were the only ones not from scraps, I... Read more »
By Kathy Mathews,
November 13, 2017 at 7:56 am •