I am always on the hunt for projects to sew that are easy kid projects. It needs to be something that a beginner sewer can make, takes only a few supplies but also has an appeal to kids. The Marble Maze project checks off all of those boxes. It is easy to sew, takes only a few supplies and kids love them.
They are great for kids who need something to do with their hands while waiting at the dentist office or in the car. You can play by yourself or race with a friend to see who can get through the maze the fastest. I have to admit when I made the sample for my sewing class I could not put it down. It is soothing and fun.
Watch the video below on my YouTube channel - Sew-Learn-Create so you can make some for your and your family. They would also be a great party favor for a kids birthday.
The year 2020 was definitely a year to remember. When the pandemic hit I was at a quilters retreat. It was the week after our daughter's wedding. As things began to shut down I was asking my friends what they were talking about. I had no clue because we had spent every spare moment for the previous 11 months planning a wedding. By the time I got home from the retreat the country was in quarantine. Being at home full time and not having to go to work was like my dream come true. Especially since I was fortunate enough to still be receiving my paycheck while in quarantine.
Since I love to sew, craft and quilt there were plenty of projects to work on during this time. Our grown son was also home during the quarantine only he had lost a good portion of his self-employed income from teaching private percussion lessons. I began to help him process this new reality and ideas for projects he could work on began to flow. One of those projects was me finally starting my YouTube channel.
I had been talking about it for several years but did not have the time to figure out how to begin. Well, now I had the time. My son agreed to film and edit the videos so it was a win-win for both of us. In April 2020 in the middle of a world wide pandemic Sew-Learn-Create YouTube channel was born. On the channel I do sewing, crafting and DIY projects. Many of the projects we make come from the sewing classes I teach.
My son and I have learned so much over the last year. My channel has grown much faster than I thought it would and I am now over 500 subscribers. A simple Thank You doesn't begin to show my appreciation for the support and encouragement I have received.
New projects are always in the works for the channel. If you have any suggestions for a project you would like us to try leave a comment below. And if you have not checked out Sew-Learn-Create head on over and give us a try.
The year 2020 was a year like no other but I thank God for the time at home and for the opportunity to share my creative passions with others on a new platform.
Looking for ways you can reduce your carbon footprint and help the planet? These reusable makeup remover cloth pads are quick and easy to sew. They can be used not only to remove your makeup but to wash your face.
I made mine out of some flannel scraps that was gifted to me. The flannel is soft and easy on the skin. Adding the cotton batting in the middle gives them a little fullness and helps hold their shape when wet.
Wash and dry them in a mesh bag with your towels and they are ready for another days use. This will help reduce the need for those disposable cotton balls.
Another bonus is using these around your eyes you don't get that stray cotton ball fuzz in your eye. I can't tell you how many times I have gone all day trying desperately to find that fuzz I could feel but not see.
Trying to do my part to make this world a better place. I would love to have you join me!
Need a small pin cushion to hold your needles and pins while hand sewing? These bottle cap pin cushions are fun and easy to make. They not only use up your scraps but everyone loves them because they are small and cute.
I have them in several spots in my sewing room to keep my hand sewing needles handy. I also have one in my bag I use for sewing on my quilt bindings. I never have a needle push down too far into my pin cushion and disappear only to have it reappear sticking out of my finger. Ouch!
I make these to give away at craft shows for people who sign up for my email list. Everyone loves the "Baby Pin Cushions". It is also a great way to keep those bottle caps out of the landfill.
So whip up some of these and never loose your needle again.
Danna
P.S. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel - Sew-Learn-Create!
Using up my scraps is a constant battle between me and the storage space where they are kept. So I am always looking for small projects that will help me win that battle. Projects that are useful for a variety of people is a bonus win-win.
This summer in one of my sewing classes we made a reading pillow. The bonus project for that class was a corner bookmark. Since I work in two school libraries I am a big promoter of reading for all ages. The link to the corner bookmark video on my YouTube channel - Sew Learn Create is below. It is my most popular video. This project is a great scrap buster because it uses only 3 pieces of fabric.
Since Valentines Day is approaching I decided to tackle my Valentine fabric scrap bag. My daughter is an elementary teacher and loves to shower her kids with a small gift at holidays. So, I created a corner bookmark with a Valentine twist.
By adding a small stamped heart on a piece of muslin it made these bookmarks so cute! To create the stamped heart you use a regular stamp pad and stamp on 100% cotton fabric. I used an unbleached muslin. Once you have stamped your image then iron the image on a cotton setting. This will set the ink on the fabric. Then you are ready to add your stamped fabric to your project.
Add your stamped fabric to the folded piece in the project before you lay out the sewing pieces. I found that using a thread color that matched the stamped fabric for this looked a little nicer.
To make these easy to gift I cut up an old book page and put the bookmark on the corner. Then they were slipped into a plastic sleeve with a topper and label.
I would love to hear your comments on corner bookmarks you make and any variations you add. Keep sewing and Happy Valentine's Day to all you readers out there.
In my 2020 Gift making class we made several projects that make great gifts for family and friends. I do this class in November and December each year and it is one of my most popular classes. I prepare 6-7 projects for the students to sew. There are only two rules: 1. You can only make one gift for yourself - all the others have to be for someone else. 2. You must wrap the gift before moving on to the next project. I use brown paper sacks for the wrapping so this only takes a few minutes.
With so many people working on computers and from home these days I thought it would be great to have my students do something relating to technology. So we made a Mouse Wrist Rest. It helps your wrist be in a more ergonomically position. These were quick and easy to make and were a great gift for almost everyone on their list.
Check out my YouTube for the directions. Also be sure to Subscribe to my channel - Sew Learn Create for more sewing tutorials.
Last Summer at one of my quilt retreats I decided to try a new pattern. I had seen the pattern on Pinterest and thought it was really cute. It is a cactus pattern. The original pattern was done in green for the cactus and pink for the background.
I wanted mine to be a little more subtle so I used a muslin background.
The baby quilt has 4 of the cactus blocks in an offset pattern. I used a fun mix of scrappy green fabrics from my stash. Since the squares are only 2 1/2" it is a great scrap buster project. I actually made two baby quilts. One was donated to our church quilt group auction to raise money for the ministry. The other one is on my Etsy shop Cactus Baby Quilt.
The quilt back is a soft green fabric
The binding is a scrappy binding to incorporate all of the fabrics once again on the edge. Scrappy bindings are a great way to use up those last bits of fabric and can add a playful edge. The finished baby quilt is 35" x 45".
I thought since the cactus is popular I would make a table runner also.
The table runner uses two of the cactus blocks and I put them facing each other with a wide muslin band in between. That way you can see the full cactus shape from either end of the runner.
On the back of the runner I placed a band of pieced scraps. This gives the runner a completely different look when reversed. I always like a table linen that has options with two looks in one. The table runner is 17" x 49". It is also on my Etsy shop. Cactus Table Runner
This pattern is easier than it looks and goes together fairly quickly. I made two baby quilt tops and one table runner top in about a day and a half. The here is the link to the original pattern by Kairle Oaks . Her quilt is beautiful and very big!
So break out your green scrap bucket and make one for yourself or that new baby in the family.
