Comfy back rest

When you’re done monkeying around, you’re bound to be tired. So sit back and relax on a comfy pillow back rest. I thought making something like this would be complicated, but it came together quickly, and this fabric was really nice to work with – it’s sturdy but soft to the touch.

Insulated shopping bag

This is a nice insulated shopping bag that’s pretty and lined. I found the tutorial at Sew4home.com, and I thought it seemed like an interesting way to put a bag together. I gave it a try, but when doing part of the lining, I decided that I preferred a different method. I included my way below. This fabric is lively and springlike, and I’m sure most of us would like a little “spring” feeling long about now! It reminds me of fruits and veggies and going to the market.

How to do a French seam

French seams are a way to have a garment that’s lovely inside and out. The basic idea is to encase the raw edge of the seam allowance. It’s not hard, and it adds a really nice touch. It’s especially nice on a sheer fabric where you can see the seam from the outside. I initially used a piece of silk for this demo, but after viewing the photos, I realized it was a bit hard to see what I’m talking about. So I redid the tutorial with a piece of sheer fabric I dug out of my stash. I have…

Soft and squishy doggie bed

I don’t have a dog. Truth be told, I was looking for an excuse to make something out of this cute doggie fabric. I paired the dog fabric with some polka dots and houndstooth (houndstooth, get it!?). It’s an easy project and can save you tons over buying a bed at the store. This one will find a home with my niece-doggie Lipcee, but I had no opportunity to show her in action, or lack of action, while using it.

Plastic bag dispenser

I don’t really know how to tell this story delicately. Suffice it to say that my son has started producing diapers that could make a diaper pail wilt. Diapers that need to leave the house immediately. I needed a way to keep plastic grocery bags handy for those particular diapers without the room looking sloppy or the bags posing a risk to my wee son. I whipped up one of those simple plastic bag holders. It’s really, really easy, but I thought I’d show you all anyway. I used fabrics that I already had on hand from when I made…

Fold-up shopping bag

I have this fear that one day all of the plastic bags in my garage will rain down upon me and smother me to death. What can I possibly do with all of those bags? So, I try my best to use reusable bags instead. When I go to the grocery store, I remember them. But for some reason, when I go into any other store, I don’t. That’s why I like to have a fold-up bag in my purse. This bag is easy to make. You may notice my handles are slightly different from the original pattern’s. That’s because…

Shopping cart cover for baby

Let’s do some math: Greasy, grimy shopping carts + puny infant immune system + little hands that are in said infant’s mouth all the time = big need for a shopping cart cover. I looked high and low for a tutorial or pattern, and finally found this one that I liked a lot. It’s really easy to make, and you can pick a cute fabric like these fish. It also covers the cart handle so you don’t have to touch it, either. Add the straps and buckle, and your wee one is clean and safe. I appreciate that the buckle…

Coordinating box pleat pillows

I’ve said it before: Throw pillows are a tremendous rip-off. They often run $20 or more a piece, and they are one of the easiest things to sew. So let’s just all protest by making our own! This project lets you have fun with box pleats and learn to do an envelope style back. Use coordinating or contrasting fabrics so that something special “peeks out” between the pleats. I found this project at Sew4Home.

Thanksgiving casserole cozy

So, you’ve been invited to someone’s house for Thanksgiving. No doubt you can’t come empty handed. But with a casserole cozy, you can keep your dish warm and comfortable. I think comfort is important for a dish. When I was little, I’d arrange my food on my plate and ask my parents if my plate looked “comfortable.” Indeed, it always did, so I’d like to think I know a thing or two on the subject of putting food at ease. I found this tutorial at the Dixie Doodles blog.