Last February, I got a sewing machine. One might think that by now, you know, since a year has passed, that I might be onto more advanced sewing projects…
but I’m not.
I’m still on the super easy stage.
I’ve tried, unsuccessfully, some harder projects (like clothes) but I’ve decided to just stick with the easy peasy projects.
And then I thought I would share them with you… in case you’re a new sewer or want to try it out.
Included in this list are the links to the tutorials that I found online, as well as pictures (not good ones but pictures nevertheless) of the ones that I completed.
Placemats
St. Patrick’s Day placemats were the first thing I ever made with the sewing machine. I LOVE a decorated table for the various holidays and I LOVE placemats but have you ever priced them? (And I need eight…it’s right expensive.) Making them is cheaper. And honestly, these are so easy!
A few notes about how I adapted the pattern/instructions.
I do use fusible fleece because it’s so much easier. It can be pricey, so I use a coupon for that or wait until it goes on sale. I’m not good at matching colors so I don’t. As you’ll see with my Christmas ones, I just have two different Christmas patterns. I have ones that are fall on one side and Halloween on the other. It means one set of placemats for September through November. That works for me. And I’m also not good at matching threads.
Here are a few that I’ve made. (Please note…I have the fabric to make Valentine’s Day and Spring placemats, I’ve just not gotten around to it. And what isn’t pictured here are the Thanksgiving/Halloween ones. I wasn’t pleased with them and will be redoing them… hopefully…this year.)
and let’s not forget the ones that I made my grandma for her birthday!
Large Patchwork Bag
Straight lines are my friend. I can do ones that aren’t straight, but I do best when things are straight. Thing 2 came to me and asked me to make this for her to take on a trip to the beach. She asked me two days before she was to leave. I took one evening to cut it out and one evening to sew it. This was before I got a rotary cutter. (One of God’s best inventions was a rotary cutter!) I just told the hubs the other night that I wanted to make another one of these for me. (I could just take hers… she doesn’t use it anymore!)
A few notes: If I were to do this again (and I want to) instead of the stiff fusible fleece used on the bottom, I would use a piece of the needlework plastic. The handles were the hardest part except for the box pleat. Don’t let that scare you. Even my mom didn’t know what it was but this great box pleat youtube video helped me and it was super simple!
(that’s a picture of the box pleat!)
Reversible Bag (Also known as “That Damn Purse”)
I make placemats and purses mostly. Because I’m a bag lady. I love them. And when you can make your own then somehow that’s not quite as bad as buying them, right?
I saw this tutorial and knew that I had to make it. And I did. Twice. The first one is not as great as the second…. but once Thing 2 saw the first one, she wanted one of her own. (Again, I’ve not seen it in a year!)
This bag was very easy to make once I decided to read the instructions right. It was dubbed “that damn purse” after I unsewed it several times and threw it across the room. Once the hubs read the directions and told me what I was doing wrong, it came together easy peasy. The second one took no time at all.
I’m currently attempting to figure out how to extend the straps on this one (it’s hard with no pattern) because if I did, I would pretty much have something very similar to the $40 Inside Out bag that Thirty-One has in their Spring 2013 catalog. I know I can make it for less than $40.
The last three are super simple but travel as a set. :)
Little Girl’s Quilted Purse
I had some very pretty fairy princess fabric that I picked up in the remnant bin (I love to buy fabric that I don’t know what I will ever do with…) and came across this tutorial on Pinterest. So I made it and it was super easy.
Little Girl’s Quilted Purse Tutorial
A few notes: I didn’t have a walking foot to quilt this (well, I do, but I don’t know how to use it.)
Thing 4 fell in love with it as soon as I gave it to her.
She loved it so much that she asked me for some matching accessories. So I made those as well!
Tissue Holder
This was very easy to whip up. With a child who needs to blow her nose constantly, she needs to carry tissues. And this just makes it all the more fun! These are also great to make with remnants!
A few notes: This tutorial is part of a sewing 101 tutorial if you’re a new sewer. I think you’ll enjoy her overall tutorials.
And no purse set is complete without a change purse.
Lined Zipper Change Purse Tutorial
A Few Notes: Don’t be afraid of the zipper. Seriously. And here’s a great youtube video for help with the zippered pouch. And I didn’t use any interfacing. :)
The lining of all three pieces is this really pretty pink with glitter in it. I’ve not seen her use this purse set in almost a year. But she still tells EVERYONE about it.
So there you have it. Here are 6 easy sewing projects for those who are skilled and want something quick or someone who is just starting out and wants something easy to do.
I have a free evening and now I am in the mood to sew something… unfortunately, that would require me to clean up my sewing garage and I don’t have that much free time!
Until next time…
