washi tape pencil pouch

I love washi tape (just like everyone else) and I am always looking for new ways to use it!  Since I've been known to sew with just about anything (I wrote a book on it!) I decided to try a sewing project with washi tape!

I treated this just like any of my sewing projects that involve sewing with bits and pieces of fabric or paper- lots of layers of color and shapes with messy stitching over the top.

1. I started by cutting a piece of quilt batting to my desired size (I made a pencil pouch but you could make just about anything).

2. Next, using washi tape, I covered my batting with the tape. There are all kinds of ways to do this- create a pattern, make stripes, go wild with pieces of tape, etc.

The best part is that the washi tape sticks to the surface of the batting (obviously) so there is no pinning things into place!

3. Next, I stitched all over the surface of the tape. There are a couple of ways that you could tackle this step- clean straight lines or messy free motion stitching (my preference).

I went WILD with stitching all over the tape and even added more layers of tape!

4. Last, I sewed my quilted "washi tape" surface into a pencil pouch.

scrappy chair

I have all kinds of old chairs sitting around in my studio that are just waiting for a makeover. And what better 

way than to create a stitched, messy patchwork cover from fabric scraps! Using my book Sew Wild as inspiration, I decided 

to transform a beat up chair into something a little more artful.

I started by painting the frame of the chair with bright pink spray paint. 

Next I raided my stash of fabric scraps and upcyled fabric (whenever I clean out our closets I always try to 

hold onto colorful printed fabrics that can be used in my sewing projects- even Lucy's old clothing is great to use!)

I cut a variety of squares from the fabric and arranged them on top of a piece of quilt batting.

I pinned the fabric to the batting.

Using my darning foot (or free motion foot), I sewed the fabric down to the batting.

Here is where my philosophy of "sewing wild" comes in- I love messy layers of free motion stitching (there is 

no attention to detail or perfection in my sewing process). Instead I go wild with my machine, using it to 

create another layer of texture to the surface of my fabric.

After I stitched my scraps, I wrapped the patchwork around my chair seat 

and secured with my staple gun.

Last, I secured the seat back onto the frame.

The result- a FUNKY and fun chair!

upcycled baby clothing creatures

Our baby is growing like a weed and that means lots of clothing doesn't fit anymore! And while we haven't invested very much money in her wardrobe (thank goodness!), we still have some cute things that already hold lots of memories and I can't bear to get rid of. So I have been saving my favorite outfits to cut up and create a whole bunch of abstract and whimsical little creatures to keep in Lucy's room for future play time and to display as little mementos of her early years. As she continues to grow out of more clothing, I will keep adding more creature to the collection!

I began by sorting my stash of baby clothes- I pulled all of the things that had a cute print or held special memories.

Next I started cutting things up and piecing them back together in different shapes and sizes of the soon to be creatures.

I used free motion sewing to "draw" the faces and I used a piece of stabilizer to back my fabric.

I went for an abstract, whimsical and child-like style for my faces.

Next, I stacked the front and the back and I sewed up the top and sides with a zig zag stitch.

I inserted stuffing and sewed it up.

I made legs out of the sleeves from the garment

and sewed them to the body.

I made little ears and sewed them to the top of the head.

I made a couple more little creatures.

This is the beginning of the collection!

And of course I couldn't resist photographing them with my little lady but she cared more about grabbing her toes

and putting them in her mouth.

But I know someday these little guys will be appreciated!

free motion fish mobile and book tour!

Today kicks off a blog book tour for my my new book Sew Wild- YIPEEE!!! And first stop is over at Sew Mama Sew today where I am sharing a creative and SUPER easy tutorial inspired by my book- for this free motion fish mobile that I made for the baby's room.

The mobile was actually inspired by a large whimsical ocean painting I have been working on for the last few months- I keep changing and tweaking it to get the colors right for the room (blues, greens and turquoise- no pink for our little girl!)

And I knew I just had to create a mobile made to compliment the painting.

Made from scraps of fabric and paper this project so easy to put your own twist on!

Head over to Sew Mama Sew for the complete tutorial and a chance to win a copy of Sew Wild!

And stay tuned for updates on the blog book tour :)

stitched gift wrap

So here is the deal- I don't think I have purchased wrapping paper in years (this is probably not a surprise)! I would never, EVER buy any kind of gift wrap when I can make my own so I am always looking for new ways to wrap holiday gifts. Since sewing has become such a big part of my creative life, I have been experimenting will all kinds of ways to create unique wrapping with stitched surfaces.

Here are some really easy ways to use stitching in your gift wrapping!

A piece of recycled paper bag makes for a great surface to stitch stripes.

Remember all those ideas for crafting with book pages that I posted a couple weeks ago? Well you can also sew on recycled book pages. Stitch a few pages together and stitch all over the surface to create texture.

Create a matching card by layering book pages and paper and sewing them together with a zig zag stitch.

Use fabric (just white muslin) and free motion stitch all over the surface- I created lots of loopy lines. I did not use any interfacing (typically used for stability under the fabric when free motion sewing) because I wanted the fabric to pucker for added texture.

Try stitching on felt- it is colorful and super affordable.

Stitching can also be incorporated into gift tags.

You can purchase a package of tags at office supply stores and transform them into something unique!

Stitch simple doodles on the surface

or even a simple image.

How about filling the surface with a stitched pattern?

You can even stitch fabric to the top of the tag

or create layers with fabric scraps.

Use scraps fabric or painted canvas and cut out simple shapes to create a unique tag.

Use felt and stitching to create leaves that can be added to the surface of a tag.

Take it a step farther and create cards full of stitching by layering scraps of fabric stitched to the surface of a paper card.

Use free motion stitching and write out a simple greeting.

Create cards with lots and LOTS of layers of stitched fabric with a stitched word.