Easy Projects that Work
Sewing Ideas
I love to test my own fabric designs. There are an overwhelming number of creative sewing projects on YouTube, Pinterest and in Blogs and Books. When I try a few out, I'll let you know how it went here and provide you the link! You'll also get to see how my Janet Design fabric looks on these projects. This is just a sewing playground...
The Furoshiki Bag
Furoshiki is a traditional Japanese fabric wrap and has existed in Japan for over 1,200 years. It is like a fabric origami purse or bag that only uses a square of fabric and two rings.
I wanted to make this small bag to hold a wallet and keys using one 27" square of my "Paper Shide Stripe" fabric. However with a twist! I wanted to make sure the bow on each side was a complementary color! Make the bag with the instruction link below but FIRST prepare the fabric by sewing about 8" of another fabric over each of the four corners. I also trimmed away and hemmed the fabric beneath so that the four corners were only a single thickness of fabric.
Instructions by Chirimenbunny:
The Reversible Boho Bag
This is currently my favorite sewing project for testing my fabric. It is so fun to pair a textural cotton linen blend or in this case, a wool flannel, with a cotton print of my own design! Spoonflower's Petal Signature Cotton works great for this.
I learned to make this easy bag from Dana at "Made EveryDay". She has easy instructions and a great video that you can follow along with. The only change that I made was the size of the bag. I kept the arm straps exactly like Dana's free pattern. However, I shortened the bag width and depth by several inches. Now it is a little slimmer and perfect to hold and
find a few items inside easily.
Made EveryDay with Dana:
Easy Snap Wallets
This is a fun project you can finish in an afternoon, although I usually do all the fabric cutting the day before, then sew.
The wallets have two pockets inside and come in two sizes. I organize my purse with a snap wallet for each use; cosmetics in one, cards in another and receipts or cash in another one. This way nothing is loose and everything is easy to access!
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You can read through the easy instructions from Caroline Fairbanks at SewCanShe. She has free instructions you can download too. The only thing I had to purchase was an inexpensive Plastic Snap Fastnener Kit which you can get from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J5WFQZG?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3&th=1
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View the instruction for these Snap Wallets at
Magnetic Jar Openers
This is a best-selling little item at fairs and art booths. Visitors to the booth love to see a variety of my fabrics and they like the usefulness of such a simple tool. They even come back asking for them after the fair!
Although this is a very simple sew, if you have a basic machine without a teflon sewing foot, this can be tricky. I purchased a teflon sewing foot so that the machine wouldn't get caught up on the rubber grip side - and it didn't work. I tried covering the foot with tape to help it slip - and it didn't work. TIP: Here is what actually works. I sew through the layers with a coffee filter on the bottom between the sewing machine and grip side. I just sew right through it and tear it off after the project is sewn. It works like a charm!
For clear instructions and a video, visit Deb's Days at
Infinity Scarf
Making an Infinity Scarf is so easy - you might as well get to always choose exactly what fabric you want to wear! I made this infinity scarf using Spoonflower's Cotton Lawn fabric. It has a nice drape but was a little crisper than I like for my scarves. I think their petal signature cotton would work just as well or for winter you can order fleece fabric from them. You can also order a design on polyester chiffon for warmer months and that makes a gorgeous scarf.
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The instructions and video are by sewandquilt at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfAzrV4XEaw
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Easy Gift Bags
Sometimes you just know your friend needs a tiny gift to cheer them. Any time of year, this little bag shows that you care and know what they like! I like to fill them with cocoa mixes or chap sticks or gift cards.
I added the beads to the tie ends of the gift bag. I think there are so many stylish beads you can choose from. I have also added outer pockets sometimes.
The easy to follow instructions with pictures are by Caroline Fairbanks at
https://sewcanshe.com/2018-11-13-diy-hot-cocoa-bags-easy-sewing-gift-idea/
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The Bento Box Carrier
I use my Bento Box Carrier every work day! There are such helpful plastic bento lunch boxes that you can buy with snack compartments - but they are difficult to carry with your purse, mail and coat. I found some great instructions with a video online and made my own from my Torii Gates at Dusk in cotton twill.
One word of caution on this tutorial. The instructions are for a non-directional fabric. I wanted to use my Torii gate fabric so I cut the main outer fabric piece into two so that each would look upright from all angles. Then I sewed the two pieces back together with a 1/4" seam keeping it still exactly the same size as the template measurements. Also - watch ahead in the video so you know which side is up on the template! The outer fabric will fold in half and look like a mini t-shirt shape, not an H. :)Instruction video is by Ten Sai Mom's Sewing Journal at
Embellished Towels
This is a handy gift you can sew in under an hour. It is a great way to feature your favorite fabric and coordinate with a theme or color in your decorating. You can change the width of the fabric band to suit your preference. I used Spoonflower's Petal Signature cotton and it has held up perfectly! Even in my art room with lots of hands on towels, the cotton is soft and dries fine.
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The instruction tutorial that I used was by Kathleen Malarky of Clothworks for Brandi Frey's YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROZNmfPGvtA
Party on the Run(ner)
I love the idea of taking a portable party with you for when you need it. Even better is a portable party that makes it super easy for people to get together!
The Party on the Run is actually the party supplies you need - built into a rolled up table runner.
This design is my own.
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For my daughter who wanted to have a spontaneous cocoa party with friends, I sewed this little project that can be rolled up and mailed! So perfect.
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You can read how to sew up this project - which can be finished in just an hour and uses only about a yard and 1/2 of fabric, in "My Journal". The link is below:
https://janetolsonart.wixsite.com/janetdesign/post/cocoa-party-ready-in-a-runner