Sew a Valentine's Day Card Bucket or Bag

A new pattern is in my shop
You will LOVE making this pig or panda bag.
The animal lover in your life will LOVE that you made it for them.
Perfect for collecting cards, giving a Valentine's Day treat or decorating your home.
It will become a treasured part of your family celebrations.
The PDF digital pattern includes both views.


Featuring a rosy cheeked pig with the cutest curly tail.

Pig bag

And a huggable panda bear.


Panda Bear

You can purchase it on Etsy, and download it today!
Easy right?



 

Printing and Assembling Your PDF Pattern

If you are new to using downloadable PDF sewing patterns; here are some hints to get you started.
I sale my patterns on etsy, and they have an awesome way to access your downloadable purchases. Just click on your profile, go to "my purchases and reviews," scroll through to find your purchase and click on the black box to the right of the purchase that says,"download." You are able to download to your device from here. A downloadable link is also emailed to you once you've made your purchase. Keep in mind that you cannot access your purchases from the etsy app, you must use the website.
After purchasing a PDF pattern, save it on your drive where YOU can find it. Whether it's on the hard drive of your device, or on a Cloud account (like Google Drive) keep a copy of it.
Next, you need a PDF reader on your device. This is an app that will allow you to open, read and print your PDF. I use Adobe Acrobat Reader. It's free.
Open your pattern using the Reader.
Since some pattern pieces are larger than a usual home printer can print, there are usually multiple sheets to attach together.
Print the pattern pages. In the settings of your printer, choose "Actual Size" or "No Scaling." You need this step to be 100% accurate! Otherwise, your pattern will not fit together. Most patterns have a test square that you measure to make sure it is printed to the correct size. Don't skip this step.
Trim the blank borders from the pattern sheets. Leave some of the borders to have a surface to adhere to. I love my paper trimmer, it makes quick work of cutting clean, straight lines.

Line up the printed sheets in order to get your large pattern pieces. Keep it all as accurate and smooth as possible.
**In my patterns, you use the background 1 inch grid squares and the pattern lines to help you keep it all straight and lined up. I also include a layout in the written instructions of how to assemble the pattern sheets. Every brand of pattern will vary slightly, but the goal is to create large, accurate pieces.**
Last, tape the sheets together. You can use a glue stick, but I find the clear tape easier to smooth and keep control of the piece.

And there you go. You now have large pattern pieces that are ready to use!




Assembling a Print at Home PDF Digital Pattern

If you are intimidated by print at home patterns, this post is for you. This video helps to explain a lot of the concerns about assembling the pattern sheet. Check it out!

Summer + Bicycle Baskets = Fun

Summer is on it's way. To celebrate, I've added new bike basket liners to my shop. Instant download patterns are available for those who wish to sew their own. Happy Summer!





T Shirt Dress with Circle Skirt Free Instructions

Charity Dress Sewing


My church group has been busy creating these darling T Shirt Dresses to send to women and girls in Africa. Ours will be donated through Eyes4Zimbabwe, a charitable organization that you should really check out.

The free instructions include measurements for Gildan brand T shirts, but the idea can be applied to just about any brand. Just be sure to check size and style specifications for your charity.

The free instructions are a 2 page PDF. Please do not sale these instructions, but feel free to share them, use them and distribute them for free to anyone making dresses for charities.

Pumpkin Faces - Free SVG files



These cute (AND FREE) SVG files can be used with your cutting machine software to create facial features for the cutest pumpkins in town. Use them with vinyl on an actual pumpkins, or cut them out using heat transfer material/vinyl for T shirts or for easy faces on my Trick or Treat Bag pattern.

Click here for the Cute Grin Pumpkin Face

i sew stuff

Click here for the Big Smile Pumpkin Face


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Click here for the Toothy Grin Pumpkin Face

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These files are my designs, and I ask that you please not sale them. You are welcome to link to this site to direct others to it.

Happy Halloween Crafting!



Halloween Throw Pillow Cover with Heat Transfer Vinyl

i sew stuff

I made this cute Halloween pillow today. It was super simple, and the best part was the image was free! Man, I love the internet. And crafty people who post stuff on the internet.

You can find the image here. Just remember to reverse it in your software if you are using heat transfer material. 

I used this tutorial to make the zippered cover, and her hints for sewing with pom-poms are genius. 

I even had all supplies on hand. That NEVER happens. Usually I have to make several trips to 10 different stores- but this stuff was 100% from my stash. 

I put this cute black and white gingham (Jan Shade Beach, Holiday Homecoming by Henry Glass Fabrics) on the back. I love gingham.