Here's another fun project we did in our booth at the recent CHA Craft Super Show in Anaheim. Again, this completely proves neither lack of space nor limited time are sufficient excuses for not making your own home décor. The other lesson from this tutorial is how a clever bit of geometry can transform a plain square pillow into a much more interesting pieced pillow. Start with a square and slice it into pieces, then put it all back together again. The only thing to remember is to add ½" to each piece anywhere there's going to be a seam. As I always say, after all the time I spent hating math in school, Mrs. Martinsen was right, I do use it all the time!
Jazzy Ironing Board Cover
You'll see from our instructional photos below that we made this jazzy ironing board cover while working in our booth at January's CHA Craft Super Show. So I don't want to hear any more whining about having no time and no space to sew. This tutorial is proof positive you can have success in the smallest of areas. An ironing board cover might seem like a rather mundane project, but think about it – you look at your ironing board a lot. Wouldn't it be easier on the eyes if it had a cheery cover?
Valentines: Sewn Paper and Fabric Card
Using your sewing machine to sew paper and fabric together is surprisingly easy. Since I'd never tried it myself, I thought I'd start with a project that wasn't too complicated. It's a satisfying way to use up little scraps of pretty fabrics. Tomorrow, I'll show you how I made a coordinating envelope.
Valentines: Heart Happy Apron (Men's Version)
On Wednesday of this week, we featured our Heart Happy woman's apron. Today it's the guy's turn to shine. Made in the same longer-style French baker's cut, our men's version goes even further down that road, using a smooth white cotton twill with cream linen ties. You'll notice the cream linen matches the woman's apron ties, and we used a scrap of that apron's Paula Prass Woodland Delight in Brown Bloom for a coordinating pocket heart. You know, they say the couple who cooks together in matching Sew4Home aprons is 47% happier than the average couple. Don't even try to prove that stat.
Valentines: Happy Heart Apron (Women's Version)
Patterned in the longer style of a French baker's apron, our woman's Valentines apron is the perfect accessory to don when lovingly whipping up a dinner for two. Believe it or not, it takes just a single yard of fabric thanks to our clever cutting plan. We even supply you with a pattern to download to help you cut the arm hole curves. Start to finish, you can easily make this apron in an hour. In fact, check back this coming Friday to see our matching men's version. Make them both and cook together in style.
Last Minute Gift Pillows: Fragrant Lavender Sachets
Why is it at this time of year there are so many ads on TV for those wacky room fresheners. Everything from candles to things you plug in the wall outlet to ones that squirt a spray into the air when you walk by. It's all very weird if you ask me. Seems like it would be so much nicer to smell a batch of cookies in the oven or a bowl or potpourri on the table or ... to tuck one of these lovely lavender sachets into your drawer or closet. Very retro, very green, very easy to make. Wrap up a color coordinated bundle for a sweet smelling gift.






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