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Sewing for Beginners eBookPillowsHeating Pillow with BuckwheatBy: Jenya of MyEvaForevaSew up an easy pillow filled with buckwheat toserve as a heating pad. Buckwheat holds theheat (or cold) better than rice or other grainsand is hypoallergenic, since buckwheat is notactually a cereal or grass. Add a few drops ofyour favorite fragrance oil, or just enjoy thesmell of buckwheat. You can also use this pillowas a wrist pillow when working with yourcomputer mouse. This project comes to us fromJenya of MyEvaForeva. She has two Etsy shopsat forEvaMore and EvaForeva.Instructions:knit a cover piece; make it the shape you wantyour heating pad to be. place your hand knittedpiece in a flat position and slightly stretchcut your cotton into two exactly the samepieces so that they are slightly bigger than yourknitted pieceMaterials: hand knitted piece (optional, but if youdo use it – only natural yarn like wool orcotton)piece of fabric (preferably cotton) thatis at least twice bigger than your knittedpiecesewing machineneedle and threadsscissorspiece of paperbuckwheattake two cotton pieces and place the knittedpiece in between like in the photoFind thousands of free crafts, decorating ideas, handmade gifts and more at www.FaveCrafts.com.13

Sewing for Beginners eBooksew around the edges making sure you get allthree layers. leave an opening about 2” longuse blind stitch to close it up. you are done!now go put it in the microwave and heat it upfor 1 minute, take it out and shake it up. thenput it back in for another minute. don’t you loveit?turn it inside outmake a little fennel out of paper and use it to fillup the sack with your precious buckwheatabout half way so the sack is rather loose – thisway it will take a shape of whatever you wantto warm up easierFind thousands of free crafts, decorating ideas, handmade gifts and more at www.FaveCrafts.com.14

Sewing for Beginners eBookRecycled Sweater Throw PillowsBy: Heidi Borchers for Inspired at HomeThis eco‐crafting idea uses recycled sweatersfound at thrift stores or in the backs of closetsto create cozy pillows. For the best results, lookfor sweaters with embellishments or greattexture. This project comes to us complimentsof Heidi Borchers for Inspired at Home.Listen to the audio of this project. (mp3)Instructions:1. Using pillow form as guide for size, marksweater on right side, using the samemeasurement as pillow form (i.e. 16” form,draw 16” square on sweater.) Be certain thatyou shift your pillow form around sweater toinclude the most decorative areas!2. With wrong sides of sweater together, stitchalong 3 sides of marked guidelines.3. Cut along stitched edges to ½” from stitchedline. Cut along unstitched 4th edge too.4. Slip pillow form inside stitched sweater.5. Pin unstitched edges together to hold inplace and stitch together.6. Working a small section at a time, place aline of glue along the stitched edge.Immediately lay trim into glue. Repeat untiltrim is glued along all four sides of pillow.Materials: Heidi’s Designer Tips: It’s easier to stitch with acontrasting color thread so when it comes timeto clip the edges, you can follow the stitchingline. Because the trim will cover the stitchingline, you don’t need to worry about the color ofthe stitching. Also, if you don’t sew, whereverthe instructions tell you to sew, you can gluethis project instead.Pillow formRulerChalk pencil or disappearing ink penEmbellished sweatersSewing machine and thread (eithercomplementary or contrasting color)ScissorsStraight pinsDecorative trimHot glue and glue sticksFind thousands of free crafts, decorating ideas, handmade gifts and more at www.FaveCrafts.com.15

Sewing for Beginners eBookEasy Pillow Sewing ProjectBy: Janis Bullis for Prym ConsumerUse felt squares to stitch easy pillows withflowers or personalized initials. This is a greateasy sewing project for beginners.Instructions:1. Measure and cut two 9" felt squares forpillow.2. Draw your initial or daisy shape oncontrasting colors of felt, using thedisappearing fabric marking pen.3. Cut out shapes on marked line.Project Time: Less than two hoursMaterials: 1 Skein of Embroidery Floss – forBlanket Stitch around outside edge ofpillow1 Skein of Embroidery Floss – forRunning Stitch for attaching shapes2 Felt Squares, 9" x 12" for pillowContrasting Felt Squares (1 square forinitial or 2 squares of different colorsfor daisy)Polyester FiberfillSewing Basket ExtraLongDressmakerPinsSewing Basket Embroidery Needle, size3 or 5Sewing Basket 5½" Superior FabricScissorsOmnigrid 6" x 12" RulerQuilting Basket Disappearing InkMarking Pen4. Pin felt shape to center of one pillow square.Use a Running Stitch to attach felt shapes.(Figure A) Stitch about 1/8” from cut edge offelt shape.5. Pin pillow front and back together. Stitchoutside edges together using a BlanketStitch. (Figure B) Leave 5" unstitched atbottom for stuffing.6. Stuff pillow. Pin opening closed andcomplete stitching. TIP: Disappearing inkmarks will disappear within 24 – 72 hours, oryou can remove them with a damp cloth.Find thousands of free crafts, decorating ideas, handmade gifts and more at www.FaveCrafts.com.16

Sewing for Beginners eBookof paper as a template.BagsBow Bag Sewing Tutorial2. Use a dinner plate to draw a curvearound one corner (you can adjust thesize of the curve by choosing smaller orbigger circular things).You can never have enough bags right?Especially with a free sewing pattern. Beccyfrom Wipster used scraps of upholstery fabricand an old pair of jeans to make this cute BowBag. The top has a drawstring so it can expandwhen you need it to, but draw it up for security(and cuteness).3. Cut the curve. This is the basictemplate; the straight edge on the rightis the fold line.Materials: 1 yard x 12” main fabric (I used largescraps of upholstery fabric)1 yard x 12” lining fabric (I used an oldpair of jeans)1 yard of ribbon5” elasticA dinner plateInstructions:1. Because I wanted the bag to be able tohold files/paper etc. I used an A4 sheetFind thousands of free crafts, decorating ideas, handmade gifts and more at www.FaveCrafts.com.17

Sewing for Beginners eBook4. Cut 1 (back) piece on the fold and twohalf (front) pieces. Add extra seamallowance to these two pieces. Cut twopieces on the fold for the lining (Irecycled a pair of jeans).6. Open out the front piece and press theseam. Topstitch the front seam open.7. Cut a piece for the pocketapproximately 6x6 inches.8. Fold and press the edges. Press the topedge deep enough to encase the elasticand sew this edge.9. Thread elastic through casing using asafety pin, gather and secure at bothends.5. Pin the two half front pieces facetogether and place a mark 2 inchesfrom the top, then another 1 inchbelow that. This will be the opening forthe drawstring casing. Sew up frontpieces, leaving the 1 inch marked areaopen.10. Sew the pocket to one of the liningpieces, approx 3" from the top.11. Sew the two lining pieces together,leaving a 3" opening in the base.Find thousands of free crafts, decorating ideas, handmade gifts and more at www.FaveCrafts.com.18

Sewing for Beginners eBook12. Place the lining inside the outer, rightsides together. Pin and sew.13. This bit's a bit tricky, but hold on inthere :) Invert the bag by pulling all thefabric through the hole in the liningthen sew up the hole. This always lookslike it isn't going to work, and then itmagically becomes a bag, you'll see ;)whole bag, like tram‐lines (avoiding thepocket, don't want to sew that babyshut!)16. Measure across your body to determinethe length of the handle and cut twostrips of fabric as long as you need (plus1" seam allowance) by 2" wide.17. Sew a point on one end of the handle,and half the point on the other (this willmake life easier later) and trim theseams.14. Press the bag (again!) and topstitcharound the top of the bag, as close tothe edge as possible.15. Measure from the top of the bag to theopening of the ribbon casing. Markwhere the casing needs to be at eachside of pocket and sew around the18. Use a knitting needle to turn the handlethe right side out (Keep going, nearlydone.)Find thousands of free crafts, decorating ideas, handmade gifts and more at www.FaveCrafts.com.19

Sewing for Beginners eBook19. Press the handle flat.20. This is where you'll be glad you halfsewed the second point! Push theexcess fabric inside to form the secondpoint and press.24. Tie your ribbon to a crochet hook andthread through casing.21. Topstitch the handle as close to theedge as possible.22. Line up the handle with the outer sideseam of the bag and stitch across,following the topstitching on the bag.The handle should overlap the edge ofthe bag an inch or so, for decorativeeffect.23. Sew a decorative vintage button to thepointed bit.25. Gather the top of the bag slightly andtie a bow and you’re done!Find thousands of free crafts, decorating ideas, handmade gifts and more at www.FaveCrafts.com.20

Sewing for Beginners eBookRibbon Stripes BagInstructions:By: Cathy Stapleton for Prym Consumer USAVarious‐colored ribbons and wood handlesbecome a unique little bag, like this one perfectfor Halloween. The project is quick and easy, asthe bag and lining are made together.1. From foundation/lining fabric, cut one 9½” by 26” rectangle ( bag foundation ) ,one 2” by 26” strip ( bag bottom ) andone 3” by 18” rectangle ( plastic canvascover ) . Interface each piece followingmanufacturer’s instructions.2. Place wrong side of 2” strip on rightside of foundation fabric along one 26”length. Stitch using a ¼” seamallowance. Press seam allowancetoward wrong side of foundation fabric.3. On opposite 26” length, fold and press a¼” hem, wrong sides together.Time to completion: 1 ½ to 2 hoursMaterials List: ½ yard ‐ lining/foundation fabric½ yard – fusible interfacing2 yards ‐ ½” ribbon (ties)1 yard each of assorted ribbon to equala 9” width of bag. ( ex. Six ribbons witha width of 1 ½” equals 9”)Fray Check ‐ Dritz # 674Plastic Canvas – 2 ½” by 8 ½” rectangleSewing/Craft Glue Stick – Dritz #401Sewing Machine with zig‐zag stitchBag Boutique HandlesBefore beginning, create a design chart bycutting a small amount from each ribbon andtape them to an index card in placement order.Label top and bottom ribbon.4. Referring to design chart and aligningalong top edge over hem, place topribbon, right side up on wrong side offoundation fabric. Set sewing machineto a narrow zig‐zag stitch and stitchribbon along top edge of bag coveringhem. Tip – use Sewing/Craft Glue Stickto temporary baste ribbon in place.5. Select next ribbon from chart and placeon bag butting edges together. Again,zig‐zag along edges making sure tocatch both edges to join ribbon.6. Continue aligning and sewing ribbonalong wrong side of foundation fabricwith last ribbon covering seam edge.Continue and zig‐zag last ribbon onbottom edge to secure in place.7. Using a rotary cutter and mat, trimribbon evenly with sides of foundationfabric. Apply Fray Check to ribbon edgesto prevent fraying.8. Set machine to regular straight stitch.With ribbon side of fabric together, turnFind thousands of free crafts, decorating ideas, handmade gifts and more at www.FaveCrafts.com.21

Sewing for Beginners eBookand stitch sides using ½” seamallowance. Press seam open.9. Returning to zig‐zag stitch, secure edgesof seam by stitching down each seamallowance, creating center back seam offinished bag.10. Continue with right sides together, andcreate the bag bottom by stitchingremaining bottom fabric together usinga ¼” seam allowance. Press seam open.11. To create a bottom gusset, fold bagwith right sides together so bottomseam is centered and facing up, formingtriangles on each end. Stitch acrossbottom of triangle using last zig‐zagseam as guide. Turn bag right side out.12. Center bag handles on each side of bagand mark placement for ties.13. Cut ½” ribbon to eight 9” lengths. Usingtwo 9” pieces together, fold in half andmark center. Attach to bag by stitchingon the right side of bag, across centermark of ribbon at handle placements.Tie ribbon to handles to attach.14. With right sides together, fold 3” by 18”fabric piece in half to create a 3” by 9”piece. Stitch each 9” side together using¼” seam allowance. Turn and insertplastic canvas. Fold opening and handor machine stitch in place. Place inbottom of bag for stability.Find thousands of free crafts, decorating ideas, handmade gifts and more at www.FaveCrafts.com.22

Sewing for Beginners eBookCamping or Sleep Over BagBy: Noelle Beegle of The Home Ec Teacher'sDaughterEver struggle to get your sleeping bag back intothat tiny sack you bought it in? Get a littlecreative and sew up a much more convenientbag in colorful fabric to transport your sleepingbag and other essentials. These are great forkids going to sleep‐overs or anyone going on acamping trip. This great sewing project comesto us from Noelle Beegle of The Home EcTeacher's Daughter. Iron and Ironing BoardSafety pin (a small one)(You could also plan to add ribbon orric‐rac in the process as well. Anotheroption would be to do somehand/Machine embroidery on the bagespecially if you have kids)Measuring:First things first get out that Ruler and thesleeping bag you plan to make a new bag for.Roll up the sleeping bag as best as you can soyou can get the measurements of the cylindershape. Here are the measurements you willneed1. Height Radius of top of bag(Remember radius is ½ the diametersee geometry does come back to hauntyou!)2. Diameter of the bottom3. Width of the Ribbon/String you will beusing (if string just follow my directions)My Measurements were as follows:Height Radius 13 3 16inches Diameter ofbottom 6inchesMaterials: Fabric (this will depend on the size ofyour sleeping bags ours were prettysmall so half to three quarts of a yardwere used.String/Ribbon and Clip (I reused thestring and the clip from the bags weoriginally got)ThreadSewing MachineScissors, Pinking Shears, and Rotarycutter if you have oneRulerFrom this we create the new measurementsnow this is where you have to get a littleinventive on your own:First increase the Diameter of the bottom by atleast 1.5 inches (I increased by 3.5 and found a9.5 round plate) . Use this to make the circularpattern piece for the bottom (I traced the plateon the fabric I had).Find thousands of free crafts, decorating ideas, handmade gifts and more at www.FaveCrafts.com.23

Sewing for Beginners eBooktake the width and multiply by 2 and add 1 inch(if you have ribbon that is half an inch wide thenyour strip should be 2 inches wide)Second you have to calculate the Circumferenceof the circle which is Pi*Diameter or3.14*Diameter 3.14*9.5 30 inches (aprox)and then add a seam allowance of half an inchso 30.5inchesHere is it mapped out on fabric:Third Add at least 4 inches to the height 13 4 17inches (you can add more to the height ifyou want the bag to be deeper to fit moreitems.Assembly:First if you want to add embroidery or some ric‐rac this is the time to do it! I would add it onlyto the large rectangle and the circle.With the Second and Third measurements youwill cut one large rectangle measuring 30.5x17inches (or whatever the measurements youcame up with)Take the small rectangle and fold the shortedges over so they are ½ an inch, iron flat, andsew down.Fourth if you are using string or cording that ispretty thin you need to cut a strip of fabric thatis 1.5inches x 30 inches. If you are using ribbonFind thousands of free crafts, decorating ideas, handmade gifts and more at www.FaveCrafts.com.24

Sewing for Beginners eBookPin the raw edge of the small rectangle underthe flap on the large rectangle. Make sure youcenter it (there should be some of the largerectangle on either side).Sew the flap down. There really is no seamallowance here just try to make it in the middleof the flap. This makes a casing for thecord/ribbon.Next fold the long edge over in ½ and iron flat.From here you are going to enclose the rawedge of the flap on the large rectangle. This isgoing to sound difficult but it’s really easy. Ironthe casing so it’s going up.Take the large square and on the long edge foldover ¼ inch and iron.Find thousands of free crafts, decorating ideas, handmade gifts and more at www.FaveCrafts.com.25

Sewing for Beginners eBookNext Flip over the fabric so you are looking atthe right side of all the fabrics and iron theseam you just made up over the raw edge. Thiswill enclose the raw edge of the flap.You can either pin this down or hold it down asyou sew. When you sew it down you want tosew close to the first seam you made (you cando it on top of the first seam if you like. This willcompletely enclose all the raw edges on the topof the bag.Now for the French Seams: Fold your bag inhalf so the short edges meet up with the wrongsides of the fabric together. Sew a quarter inchseam on the edge of the fabric (you will besewing on the right side of the fabric). Next takepinking shears to the seam you just madecutting it down a bit. Turn fabric so the wrongside of the fabric is on the outside and the rightsides of the fabric are together. Iron the seamand sew down with a quarter inch seam. Turnso the right side is out and notice the seam isenclosed. Easy Peasy right?Find thousands of f

ulled tight. Sewing for Beginners eBook Find thousands of free crafts, decorating ideas, handmade gifts and more at www.FaveCrafts.com. 12 5. Knot your threads, keeping the opening on . cup and