If you have just finished making a beaded necklace or bracelet, there is a very good chance you have a few leftover beads sitting on the table. Not enough for another big project, but far too pretty to put back … Read More...
You know that old sewing machine table that’s been tucked in the garage or gathering dust in Grandma’s basement? Or maybe just the rusted machine head that no longer runs but still looks so cool? Before you haul it … Read More...
There is a certain kind of sewing pattern that makes you start mentally matching fabrics before you have even finished reading the description. You know the type — relaxed shapes, clever details, pockets if the sewing gods are smiling, and … Read More...
You know a little bit what you’re in for when you see the header for the Etsy shop Happy Sloth Patterns, whose tagline is “dumb patterns made by an idiot human.” Which at least implies there’s no AI to be … Read More...
Sewing your own bikini sounds like one of those projects that belongs in the “maybe when I’m braver” pile, right next to jeans, bras, and anything involving slippery stretch fabric. But honestly, once you understand the basics of swimwear fabric, … Read More...
I have never stitched a greeting card, but I kind of like the idea of it. It’s a card and a gift all in one, and hopefully one the recipient will hang onto for years to come.
This collection of … Read More...
If you’re craving a splash of color and a little tropical warmth, this Needle Felted Hibiscus Flower Tutorial by SnowflakeForest Felting is like a mini vacation for your craft table. The bold, vibrant red petals and sunny yellow center make … Read More...
Summer is the time for sweet treats, whether eating them or stitching them. This collection of patterns is full of designs that are good enough to eat. Almost.
This year of ice creams from Simone Balman Art is lots of … Read More...
Shark Week generally happens in July, but any time is a good time to learn more about sharks.
First, start with some fun whale facts like these from Kids Craft Room. Here I learned about the dwarf lantern shark… Read More...
If you’re new to crochet or just want to make some easy and cute dolls and toys, The Big Book of Beginner Amigurumi is a great place to start.
The book is by Maggy and Pippa Woodley; you may know … Read More...
Sewing Pattern Saturday is my weekly way of highlighting independent Etsy designers who are creating sewing patterns that are thoughtful, practical, and genuinely useful in everyday life. These reviews are written from a real sewist’s perspective, looking beyond the listing … Read More...
Non Stop Stitch is an Etsy shop based in Ukraine with a dizzying quantity and variety of cross stitch patterns.
They tend to the cute/whimsical and colorful, with lots of flowers, animals, fantasy designs and some classic Ukraine inspired motifs. … Read More...
There are a few sewing skills that feel a little bit like magic once you finally “get” them, and the slip stitch is absolutely one of them.
Also called a ladder stitch, invisible stitch, hidden stitch, or sometimes a blind … Read More...
There is something wonderfully sweet about these little Pocket Emotional Support Chickens. They are tiny, soft, slightly silly in the best possible way, and exactly the sort of handmade project that makes people smile before they have even finished … Read More...
There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a tube top sewing project. It takes me straight back to summer wardrobes, beach bags, music festivals, backyard barbecues, and that glorious stage of sewing where you realise a wearable top does not … Read More...
I’ve been writing about knitting online for a long time, and a lot of things have changed. But one good thing I think has changed over the years is that fewer people see knitting as a seasonal activity. Most people … Read More...
These three Peony flower frames are perfect for Spring scrapbooking, card making or other paper crafting projects. There’s a square frame, a round frame and a hexagon frame, all with pretty Peony Flowers and leaves that you can color in … Read More...
I was directed to a cross stitch pattern from Silverberry Designs for a recent post I was working on, and I knew that I needed to share them with you for one reason: cross stitch Clue.
This re-creation of the … Read More...
There’s something about vintage red, white, and blue that feels nostalgic in the best possible way — faded parade bunting, old fireworks labels, paper tags tied with twine, and that slightly grungy Americana style that layers beautifully into a junk … Read More...
Cross stitch is not a craft I generally travel with (since I’m not that good at it, I prefer not to be moving while I’m doing it) but I’m sure there are lots of stitchers who would like to take … Read More...
Let me just start by saying—this book is an absolute dream for anyone who gets a little thrill from dusty corners, vintage finds, and the stories old objects tell. Better Homes and Gardens Flea Market Decorating is like walking through … Read More...
I already shared some cross stitch patterns specific to America 250, but if you want to cross stitch something more general for the Fourth of July, these patriotic sampler style patterns are a great place to start.
Stitch up some … Read More...
A lot of kids aren’t in school for the Fourth of July, but whether you’re in a classroom or at home, you’ll probably want to mark July 4, 2026, in a special way because it is America’s 250th birthday. And … Read More...
There’s something magical about breathing new life into old wool scarves. Maybe it’s that soft merino one with a tiny moth hole, or a thrift-store find that’s just a bit too itchy to wear — either way, they’re perfect for … Read More...
Some sewing patterns stop you mid-scroll because you can instantly imagine how they’ll fit into your everyday wardrobe. This wide leg jumpsuit does exactly that. It feels modern but not trend-chasing, relaxed without looking sloppy, and practical enough to actually … Read More...
Unique Stitch Crafts is a Turkish designer that has a couple of main interests in their cross stitch designs: travel and Christmas stockings.
By far the biggest category in their storefront is Christmas stockings, with more than 100 options to … Read More...
The 2026 Houses awards shortlist celebrates the country’s most ‘intelligent, dynamic and visually compelling homes’. For the apartment category, jury chair Alexa Kempton says judges looked for ‘density done well’.
‘Building is high-cost and comes with environmental consequences, and the jury observed architects rising to the challenge,’ she says, adding that designing something that will ‘last well into the future and adapt to the changing needs of the occupants is essential’
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One of the most common supplies for cross stitch, aside from fabric, needles and floss, is an embroidery hoop. A hoop isn’t needed for every project, and indeed there are some stitchers who prefer not to use them at … Read More...
If there’s one topic that makes sewists uncomfortable faster than sewing zippers, it’s pricing. Not how to sew the item — but how much to charge for it once it’s finished.
Most people don’t struggle with making handmade items. They … Read More...
Miranda Fagandini says the noise made by these devices is dreadful and can be life-altering
On reading the latest column in your long-running series (Lawnmower hum: why the sound of the summer could cost you £5,000, 27 May), I noticed that the writer didn’t include the curse of the leaf blower in their list of antisocial garden tools.
The noise is dreadful and can be life-altering. We bought one which turned out to be so loud that it has caused permanent hearing loss and hyperacusis (sensitivity to loud noise) in my left ear.
Continue reading...Most of the cross stitch projects I make are pretty small and not something I would consider heirloom quality (though I am working on a big...
