We're thrilled to have been selected to be part of this spring's Amy Butler Alchemy Fashion Look Book and Trunk Show. Rowan Fabrics put together this fantastic idea to promote Amy's Alchemy Studio Collection. They tapped ten prominent designers and asked each to come up with a special project using one of the new Alchemy substrates. Some of our amazing Look Book partners-in-design include Betz White, Amy Barickman, Cal Patch and Linda Lee. Sew4Home was awarded a home décor project, and we chose to work with voile and Amy's brand new cotton linen. Our resulting Sofa Throw features a wonderful zig zag patchwork technique and lusciously long bullion fringe. It's reminiscent of the popular furniture covers of the 1930s and '40s, which tended to be longer and thinner than what you find today. One or more of these heavy throws adorned the back of a couch or chair in nearly every home of the era as a prominent decorating accent. The combination of colors and textures in the Alchemy fabrics we selected have a beautifully vintage feel, but with a modern infusion of pattern and design.

Scrap-It and ScrapBusters are two ongoing series we have here at Sew4Home. The idea is to come up with quick and easy projects that use up some of those special little fabric leftovers in your stash bag. Today's mini key fobs are a perfect example: they're something useful for yourself or great as a gift; they use just a tiny bit of fabric and notions; and they're fast and fun. In fact they were so fun to make, we did FIVE samples. Each features a different embellishment technique: decorative stitching, piping, embroidery, ribbon trim, and patchwork. I'm sure you can come up with even more options: a monogram, lace, rick rack, buttons. 

The Re-imagine & Renovate series is our chance to show you how one project can turn out an unlimited number of ways, depending on the choices you make with fabrics, trims and notions. It opens your eyes to how much fun it is to mix and match colors, patterns and collections to create a new look each and every time. We've made it to the final project is our latest R&R series: Put A Gift In It. Today's super-size round basket is fun to make and fun to use. Some tasks are just big, and so you need a big basket to get the job done. Whether you're doing the laundry, need jumbo storage for knitting or other crafting supplies, or want to put together a king-size gift package - this is the project for you! It's also a great excuse to use a bold geometric print. On some projects, big motifs can seem overwhelming, but on this project - we're happy to be huge!

At Sew4Home, there's little time for the traditional R&R: rest and relaxation! Instead, we have our own definition; in our studios, R&R stands for: "Re-imagine & Renovate." It's all about putting a new spin on a favorite design, picking new fabrics, trims and notions to create a unique look. This week's Put A Gift In It message is ideal for today's basket pair. Wide and shallow, they are designed to be the perfect, easy-to-fill gift baskets. We provide cutting dimensions for both a small (apx. 8" x 5" x 3") and large (apx. 10" x 6" x 4") basket, which nest together for easy storage. Load one up with scrumptious treats or... pick out a few inexpensive items at the store and build your own custom-themed basket for a baby or wedding shower, birthday or housewarming. Wrapping up everyday items in a handmade basket, especially one the gift recipient can use again and again, turns the ordinary into something super special.