Novita from VeryPurplePerson and Tokyo made this free pattern for an easy-to-sew reversible bag for BurdaStyle. Here is in a version with black and white linen hounds-tooth on one side, and a graphic mustard and brown cotton print on the other side; we love the mixture of menswear and modern floral prints! This bag is roomy enough for a quick run to the farmer’s market to pick up vegetables for soup, or even an afternoon’s worth of shopping errands.

OTTOBRE Design, a Finnish magazine specializing in sewing for children’s and youth, published this free charming set of sewing cards on their website. They designed these doggie-tastic sewing and coloring cards in to introduce children to sewing, and to keep their little hands busy while mom’s working on her own sewing project. I remember being amused for hours with similar sewing cards as a child, and can only speculate that it lead to a lifelong love of sewing.

Kathleen of GrosgrainFabulous contributed this gossamer child’s free tutu pattern to BurdaStyle. Not only is it dreamily fairy-like, it is made mostly by knotting tulle to an elastic or ribbon waistband. We love the addition of greenery vines to the dandelion puff of a skirt. This would be sure to please every wee fairy in your life!
“The moonlight fades from flower and rose
And the stars dim one by one;
The tale is told, the song is sung,
And the Fairy feast is done.
The night-wind rocks the sleeping flowers,
And sings to them, soft and low.
The early birds erelong will wake:
‘T is time for the Elves to go.”
(By Louisa May Alcott)

French and flat-felled seams are innately glamorous. The folks at the Vintage Sewing Reference Library can assist you with hand-sewing techniques that will cause the underside of your garments look as neat and beautiful as the other side. Several seam finishes are depicted, including fell, French, rolled, bound, and French fold. These directions are from American Dressmaking Step by Step by Mme. Lydia Trattles Coates [1917]. And for a more modern set of instructions, BurdaStyle has directions on how to sew neat and beauteous French and flat-felled seams with a sewing machine.

The generous folks at the Vintage Sewing Reference Library have posted these instructions from The New-Way Course in Fashionable Clothes-Making [1926] for sewing a middy shirt, and we knows, everyone needs a middy for when they go a-ferrying. This classic vintage middy can be made in traditional white cotton, navy wool, or whatever fabric seizes your imagination. And, of course, fabrics and trims for this project can be found at Britex Fabrics.

Nicole from Threads designed this elegant, yet easy-to-make vest. It is a cozy addition for autumn wear, and would be delightful made from any of the fine double-faced wools or a sporty plaid mohair fabric that Britex Fabrics has on our first floor. The yardage required is based upon your bust size, plus a few inches for room; ex. a woman with a 32” bust needs a 35” circle of fabric or 1 yard of 45” or wider fabric, a woman with a 36” bust needs a 40” circle of fabric or 1 yard of 45” or wider fabric, and a woman with a 44” bust needs a 47” circle of fabric or 1 yard of 54” or wider fabric.

Dawn at dhbuscher.com has the marvelous idea of making shoe sole inserts to rejuvenate an old pair of shoes or to or customize a new pair, and has written step-by-step instructions. My brain is spinning with the possibilities; imagine sweet princesses and toad cotton in a pair of shiny black Mary Janes, or a dignified red paisley fabric in a pair of Kelly green high-tops. (And if you use thin foam instead of batting, you can also make your shoes that much more soft and comfy)

At BurdaStyle, the talented Sandra Betzina from PowerSewing.com shows a novice seamstress (her daughter, Kim) how to pick a pattern that will result in a beauteous garment. Sandra shows you how to read patterns, and which patterns will be easier for beginning sewers. Our recommendations are to pick fabrics that you genuinely enjoy, buy matching thread, and to read and follow pattern directions.

We love free patterns! The ever-fashionable BurdaStyle has scads of open source patterns on their website. We were particularly taken with this 6-buttoned straight skirt. It only takes 1 3/8 yards of fabric, 1/2 yard of lining…and six snazzy buttons!

Like bushy-tailed squirrels burying nuts in the yard, it is time to start getting ready for the cold winter months ahead. Here are three brightly colored and blooming flannel prints would be perfectly toasty and snugly sewn into pajama pants or a robe. Brrrrrr…….make a cuppa hot coca and watch the snowflakes fall! These flannels are $12.99 a yard, 42” wide, and can be found on Britex Fabric’s 2nd floor.