Travel Accessories: Cosmetics & Toiletries Case I love travel size toiletries. I think this may date back to my days of playing with Barbie® dolls and trolls. Everything was so little and cute. In fact, most things are more adorable in a mini size: people, puppies, muffins... and little bottles of shampoo, deodorant and lotion. Our Travel Tidy Cosmetics and Toiletries bag is the perfect size to fit all those tiny bottles and jars and more. We used one of the four lovely laminates from Anna Maria's Loulouthi collection as our inside fabric choice so if anything leaks, it can be quickly wiped clean and won't bleed through to the pretty exterior fabric. This project falls into the 'intermediate' category, because it takes some futzing, twisting and turning to insert a zipper into a tube shape and to stitch the exterior and lining fabrics independently into boxed corners. NOTE: You can use a matching thread or a contrasting thread in your machine for this topstitching. Insert the zipper and create a 'fabric tube' Make handle and tab Tags:
Travel Tote with Two-Tier Wraparound Pockets When you're on the road, doesn't it always seems to be the ordinary, everyday things you are suddenly in desperate need of: gum, nail clippers, your headphones? I get a little panicky, certain I've left behind the most obvious items... as if perhaps I'm on an arctic expedition and won't see civilization for weeks. But the opportunity for replenishment doesn't matter; I want my stuff close at hand. We offer a full set of pattern downloads below for the tote body as well as all the pockets. We recommend using a twin needle to do the decorative stitching on this project. Our tote uses a heavy, solid-color duck for the exterior, a fabric that is readily available at numerous outlets, including this pretty 7 oz. duck in brown from Fabric. com. The finished size of the tote is approximately 12½" tall x 11½" wide with 2" deep sides and base. Sew the 1½" button to the center top of the tote front opposite the button loop. Contributors Storage Solutions Related Articles
Closet Hanger Safe for Travel & More We originally designed this clever little storage solution for the frequent travelers out there. It's perfect to slip onto a hotel hanger, fill with your valuables, then cover up with a hanging garment. But it works equally well in your own closet. It's also a great way - when you're traveling or even just when planning your daily work wardrobe - to collect all the accessories that go with a particular outfit. Put lingerie, jewelry, scarves and belts into the zippered and slip-in pockets, then hang up the outfit itself over the Safe. Everything you need for that day's outfit in one handy place! We made both a pretty floral version as well a more masculine striped version, originally using fabrics from the Petal Sateen collection by Tanya Whelan for FreeSpirit Fabrics. This project is easier than you might think, but there are quite a few steps. The closet safes finish at approximately 12¼" high x 16¼" wide. The supplies listed below are for ONE hanger safe. Main panels Front pocket
Double-sided Plaid Flannel Fringed Scarves: Fabric Depot There's power in plaid! It's a fashion staple that never goes out of style. Dress it up or dress it down - it's fabulous in every way. We used a double layer of cozy plaid flannel for our fringed scarves. If you thought plaids only came in the traditional colors and designs of Scottish tartans, "Yer bum’s oot the windae" (translation: you're talking nonsense). Fabric Depot has a lovely selection of both shirting flannels (Shetland, Mammoth and Primo) as well as quilter's flannel (we like the Woolies flannel). Our scarf design finishes at approximately 20" x 78", including a 1½" fringe around all four sides. You can even wear it as a shawl, adding a splash of reversible color to your outfit. Or bundle up your head and shoulders to brave the winter winds in style. To conserve fabric, we seamed two panels to create our 78" length. Flannel is known for its tendency to shrink up considerably when washed. The finishing touch on our scarves is their deeply fringed edges. Other flannel options
ScrapBusters: Reversible Headband Ties or Hair Wraps Call them headband ties, hair wraps, or even scarf thingies. Whatever the name, these cute little ties are fast, fun... and reversible. They remind me of the classic 40s and early 50s shots of movie stars relaxing. Still ultra glamorous in the supposedly "candid" publicity photos, casual hairstyles often featured pretty hair ties just like these to hold back their silky curls. We chose scraps that were wide enough to allow for a single cut length for both the front and back of each tie. You could certainly also piece together a number of smaller strips to equal the needed length. Three of our four sample ties are reversible. Speaking of those cool knots, we offer a pattern download below for the ends so your tie can gently curve down to a narrower width that is easier and prettier to fasten. Wouldn't these make great little gifts?! Our ties are based on a 22" head measurement. Sewing machine and standard presser foot For each tie, you can use scraps or ⅛ yard cuts of fabric. Contributors
Key Ring Gift Card Case: ScrapBusters As a site dedicated to promoting all things handmade, we probably shouldn't be advocating the gift card. But... what if you put the gift card inside a super cute, handmade case? All bases covered, and everybody's happy. As extra personalization, we added a bit of embellishment on each flap. If your machine has a monogramming function, that's yet another option. The key ring loop is optional, but adds a handy extra feature. The snap closure on the flap is also optional. For the best fussy cut, we recommend starting with a scrap about 11" high x 6" wide. It's fun to use an extra pretty print for the lining so there's a pop of color when the case is opened. Even though made with scraps in mind, since the holidays are just around the bend, buying a ⅓ yard cut and going into assembly-line mode might be just the ticket. We offer a pattern download below so you can get the perfect concave and convex curves. Our cases finish at approximately 4½" wide x 3⅜" high when fully folded. Fusing
Beginner-Friendly Back-To-School Totes: Hawthorne Threads Sew4Home is well-known for designing fashionable and functional bags and totes. From shoppers to satchels, carry-alls to coin purses; creating a wonderful bag for yourself or as a gift is a great sense of accomplishment. We put our heads together with our friends at Hawthorne Threads to come up with a cool tote that would be perfect for beginners. This is it! Yes it's easy, but the style is so cute and classic, everyone will have fun making it. More experienced? One of the things that makes our Sew4Home exclusive designs stand out is how we are able to include high-end style and professional finishing details, yet still keep the construction steps clean and easy. These totes have crisp boxed corners, motif-matched exterior pockets, beautifully coordinated linings, topstitching detail, and more. We offer two different handle styles. A pattern download is offered below for the pockets. Keep an eye out throughout the project for links that take you to additional how-to tutorials. Lining
Zippered Clutch with Cross Stitch Embroidery: Janome America A zippered clutch is the go-everywhere kind of accessory that's a snap to make and a joy to give. This version has an chic vintage look thanks to delicate cross stitch embellishment. The embroidery design is one of the hundreds of built-in options on our Janome Horizon Memory Craft 15000. We reduced its size slightly for the best fit (very easy to do right on screen with the MC15000) and stitched it out in matte cotton thread against a rich black background. Coordinating quilting cottons in simple patterns complete the classic styling, adding soft color to the base of the clutch and the lining. Our pretty pouches are so fun and turn out so cute, you may not want to stop with just one. We matched the zipper and tiny satin ribbon zipper pull to the accent cotton, opting for a standard plastic zipper. We always love it when we can add that just-right dash of embroidery to a project to give it a fashionable edge. The ingredients shown below are for ONE zippered clutch. Optional embroidery
Designer Handle Tote: Luxe Style For Less If you're a lover of all things sewing, you've probably heard all the clever quotes: Measure Twice, Cut Once; Keep Calm and Quilt On, Sewing Mends the Soul, and our favorite for today's project: It's All About The Fabric. The fashionable, upscale boutiques in our area seem to be filled with the latest purses and bags. One trend we noticed is what we dubbed, the signature fabric tote: a bag whose fabric is so unique and striking, it is the focal point of the entire design. These special handbags carried price tags for $75, $100, and up! With the amazing fabric options available to you, both in-store an online, you can create your own signature style for a fraction of boutique prices. We turned to our friends at Fabric Depot, selecting an eye-catching geometric in a high-end charcoal and citrine color combination with an amazing chenille texture. We combined our key fabric with a solid faux suede for the inset panels. Our thanks to Fabric Depot for providing the wonderful fabric. Fusing
Dritz® New Product Showcase: Oh What Fun! We love it when the delivery dude shows up with a box from Dritz® because great new products are likely to be inside! The clever minds at Dritz® are always working on new ways to make our sewing and crafting better, easier, and more fun. Today we're showcasing five new items we liked and think you will too. You can find Dritz® notions at in-store and online retailers everywhere. Pins are one of the foundations of sewing. You might not give them a thought as you pin together your latest project. Proud of your latest project? For the least distortion of your fabric, the best hand embroidery hoop shape is round. This is one of the coolest little gadgets we've seen in awhile, and it addresses a problem we all have: keeping track of hand sewing needles. You can never have too many shoes or too many rulers.
Bow Ties-Unexpected Fashion Flair: Dritz® Sewing Notions The bow tie has long been the purview of over-dressed little boys, dapper accountants, and Bill Nye the Science Guy, but we're blasting out of that box. We used unique fabrics and custom designs to create three quirky, confident, and stylish ways to wear a bow tie. Our teen trio effortlessly pulled off each example of this unexpected fashion flair: Newsboy Button Down, Hipster Double Plaid, and Party Chic Velvet. What's the big deal with bow ties? It's all thanks to our friends at Dritz® who sent us their new Bow Tie Kit. These inexpensive kits make creating an adjustable neck band easy - so you can concentrate your imagination on customizing your best bow. The traditional tied bow tie is one length of fabric that tuxedo experts, such as James Bond, can effortlessly whip into a perfectly elegant bow. The only real limitation is the thickness of the fabric/trim used for the band. Once the band is fitted to and centered on the wearer, you can also tack or safety pin the bow in place.