Kids Duffel Bags

I saw this tutorial on making a Retro Duffel Bag.  I decided to make one for Bubbles and JB.  I thought it would be perfect for a weekend trip to Grandma & Grandpa's.  I made mine bigger than in the tutorial so it would hold all their clothes for the trip.  I wanted to use up some fabric from my stash, but didn't have any heavy weight fabric that I wanted to use for this project so I used some heavyweight craft fusible interfacing.  It was a pain to work with, but in the end I'm glad I used it.  the duffel's are very sturdy.  I also used the tutorials instructions on making your own handles, again using stash fabric.  The only thing I would add, if making one again, would be to add a little loop pull tab at either end of the zipper.  It would make it easier to zip open and closed.  It seemed like it took forever to get them done, but that was because I only had a few minutes at a time to work on them..  In actuality, they came together quite quickly.  Tutorial on Saltwater Kids found via MADE.

Lauren's Zippered Pouch

Birthday present #4 for the month is a zippered pouch for my niece.  I used this tutorial, and embellished the front with an "L" in a reverse applique (there are many tutorials online, but I just winged it).  It was quick to put together, and I really like how it turned out.  Next time I would add a little loop on a top corner to add a carabiner to so it could be clipped to a backpack or belt loop.

Travel Jewelry Roll

I made this travel jewelry roll for my mom's birthday.  It has 5 main sections with 3 small pockets within each section, with a fold over flap to keep everything in it's place.  I think it would be great for any small items you might travel with, like finger nail clippers, etc., not just jewelry.  It rolls up nice and small, and went together very quick, and easily.

Simple Sundress

Heather Ross is sharing her pattern for a simple sundress for FREE! You can't beat that! It uses elastic thread which my sisters-in-laws and I are just getting into. I'm slightly obsessed with it right now. This dress is women's sizes S-L and only uses 2 pattern pieces (unless you choose to put in the pockets in which case it's 6)! Not only that, but she includes a link to buying a giant roll of elastic thread for super cheap. Maybe my s-i-l will want to go in on it with me. If not, it's cheap enough to get it all to myself. Link to Heather Ross found via Whip Up.

Update: I FINALLY ordered the elastic thread!

T-Shirt Skirt

This looks like a very simple skirt to make, and very comfortable. It's made from recycled T-shirts. I'm not sure if I could pull off this look, but it would be really cute on the girl in my house who still lets me dress her. Who knows, maybe I will make one for me to lounge around in during the hot summer days. Found on Craftstylish.

Fabric Flower

Wise Craft has a tutorial on how to make a cute and simple fabric flower. My sister-in-law showed me one she made to put on her little girls shirt. Here is a video on how to make it as well. I can't wait to go whip some up!

Patchwork Pincushions

I haven't given my sister-in-law her extra sewing machine back yet. I'm trying to get a few little sewing projects done before I do. As I was working on the Easter outfits for the kidlets, I realized I could really use a new pin cushion. I have the standard red tomato. Not very attractive, if you ask me. Here are 3 pincushion I really like. The patchwork pincushion looks simple and straight forward. The pincushion trio is very cute, but I think I would just make the biggest flower. The wild flower pincushion is cute, too, but looks more involved than I want to get in a pincushion. Found on BHG.com.

The Shirt Dress

'Made' has a tutorial on how to make a little girls dress from a mans shirt. Cute. Link found via 4 Crazy Kings.

Little Boys Tie

Here is a tutorial on making your own tie for your favorite little boy (or two). This may come in handy for an upcoming family wedding this September (come on guys, make it June!). And isn't that crow picture an the wall cool? Link to Purl Bee found via How About Orange (one of my favorite blog stops).

Update: I made 2 of these for the boys. They turned out really cute. It was a lot of hand sewing, which I don't enjoy. I might make some more, but I'll wait until the memory of making them fades.

Grab Bag

I think this is a cute little Grab Bag, especially in that cute fabric. I think I saw this, or one very similar, demonstrated on Martha. If I remember right, it was very easy to put together. This bag and instructions were found on Better Blog. Now, if only I had a functioning sewing machine.

Tote Tutorial

Instructions to make your own sturdy tote bag found on JCaroline Creative. I'm one who loves step-by-step instructions, especially when they have a lot of pictures to accompany them. My sister-in-laws have been making similar totes for about a year (maybe more). I have yet to make myself a cute tote due to the passing away of my sewing machine. I'm going to hold onto this until I get a replacement (whenever that will be :( )