Sewing Tutorials and Patterns

Diy pirate costume with a free pattern - Here's a free sewing pattern for a pirate vest for kids . It's an easy sewing project, quick and perfect as a diy Halloween costume for kids.  It is great for a kids birthday themed party, or pretend play. The free sewing pattern is available to all new subscribers to AppleGreen Cottage who sign up at this link . Check it out! This tutorial is part of the Halloween Sewing And Craft Tour hosted by Coral + Co., so make sure you read to the end to see more fun Halloween projects by fellow bloggers! Read more »

How to make a key pouch from a coin purse. Today, I have a little hack for you. I turned one of my most popular patterns, this coin purse , into a cute and practical key holder . Want to see how? One single detail did it all. See for yourself! Read more »

Diy lanterns - How to make a lantern is an easy tutorial to make your own felt lanterns. It's an easy beginner sewing project for everybody, even if you have never sewn before, and a great thing to sew together with kids. Give sewing a go - and find out more about the Sew-A Softie initiative later in the post - or in my last year's free softie pattern and tutorial. Read more »

How to sew a zipper tab to reduce bulk on the side seams of any zipper pouch you make from now on. It's an easy how-to for beginners that will make your sewing better, easier, and your zipper pouches look so cute! Check it out! Read more »

An easy way to hide all the raw edges on your project and to create a nice clean finish on your garment, even zipper pouch or home decor. They require no special sewing expertize, except for knowing how to sew a straight stitch. French seams give your projects a professional look. Scroll down and see where's the (only) catch with a French seam. Read more »

How to make a bow - Learn how to make a cute bow with loops for all your diy presents. Aren't these felt gift bows cute as present toppers? I thought of making more felt decorations last time after my rolled flowers tutorial (here) got so popular - felt loop bows are so easy to make, and you need no template and no sewing machine. Follow this easy tutorial and make sure to scroll down to the end of the post for a few bonus tips. Useful! Read more »

Mini pouch with free pattern - This is an easy tutorial that also gives you a free PDF template to sew. For when you need something really small, a cute little pocket which can be added to your key or become a doll-sized handbag, or you can use it as a holder for tiny gifts, like I did this time. Together with this (larger) popular coin purse , this mini version would be a great addition to an Etsy shop!  Scroll down to get your free PDF pattern! Read more »

Learn how to install KAM snaps. What are KAM snaps? These are plastic snaps that are really easy to insert and can be used on practically anything you sew that needs to be closed. Think coin pouches, diaper clutches , cloth diapers, bandana bibs (a  free bib pattern here ), lunch bags and even belts, use them in place of buttons and on hanging bins. In short, you can use KAM snaps on nearly any sewing project! Learn how - in less than 10 minutes! Read more »

Here's a super easy tutorial for fabric bookmarks with felt applique, a clever and simple scrapbusting idea for this book-reading season. You might have noticed my felt-circle bookmarks from a while ago (they include a great PDF template, so grab it while it's free!) These DIY bookmarks with felt applique are a quick and easy beginner sewing project, and they make wonderful personalized DIY presents for your loved ones.  Read more »

It was something like a year ago when I presented this super easy storage cube on Seams And Scissors, and now it's time you get the free sewing pattern too. It's a super easy, clever and simple DIY idea for you to try out this spring. Search through your felt stash for a square piece of thick felt, but first scroll down for the free template ! Read more »

Diy bracelet made of air dry clay  is a great mother's day gift idea kids can make. While kids will enjoy the process itself, they will love the colorful results, too ( here's one more post from Easter!). Making diy air dry clay bracelets involves a great set of activities for toddler to school-age kids: a lot of fine motor skills activities, painting, color mixing and threading. Take a look at this easy how-to and make your own beaded bracelets! Read more »

Learn how to make felt carrots, using this free template and tutorial. Do your kids love felt play food? Make a few felt carrots using this tutorial to start your felt play food collection, and then check out my favorite 7 felt food tutorials I have for you. Easy and quick to make, this felt carrot tutorial comes with a free PDF template ! Read more »

Velcro straps you can make yourself, and that the easiest way! These Velcro straps are both reusable and durable, adjustable in length and super quick to make. You can use them as diy ski straps , to bundle and securely carry your skis, or for any other home use: to keep cables tied up, to nicely bundle that hairdryer cable when travelling, or keep jumper cables neat in your car trunk.  Multipurpose! Read more »

Here's a quick how-to for applying fusible interfacing to your fabric. Fusible interfacing is great for when you need to add stability to your fabric, and it will only take you a few minutes to iron it onto the back side of the fabric. No pinning or basting - take a look! Read more »

Learn how to make a baby scarf that will stay put. It's a beginner sewing project that will neither require a lot of material nor time. Since I had a few pieces of soft fleece left from my last year's neck warmer project ( free template here ), it was time to tackle a new scarf idea. It makes a great diy gift for babies and older kids. Let your kids stay warm wearing these stay-put fleece scarves. Take a look! Read more »

Learn how to make straps for hanging baskets. As promised, here's the tutorial for the hanging strap template, enabling you to turn all your regular bins into cute multi-tasking wall hanging bins . The  free sewing pattern  is available to all new subscribers to AppleGreen Cottage who sign up  at this link . Scroll down to get your own free copy! Read more »

Air dry clay Christmas decorations are an easy Christmas crafting project both for kids and adults. Air dry clay is a versatile and an inexpensive material that can be used for nearly ANY crafting project (Check out these cute diy Christmas cards !), and is just perfect for making Christmas tree ornaments. Making homemade Christmas decorations is such a fun activity! Check them out here. Read more »

Learn how to finish a seam the neat way. Are you just finishing a  topstitching , and you'd like  BOTH of your project sides look clean and polished and without any visible thread tails?  Not just the 'top' side, the wrong one too? Totally doable, even easy! Check out this sewing tip that will make your projects look way more professional!  Read more »

Learn how to sew your own DIY Christmas decorations, this time it's felt stars. The felt star decorations are a free PDF pattern you'll be able to use for a number of projects, like this star softie for kids , or a throw pillow, or - like here, cute and soft little Christmas tree ornaments that will last and make your Christmas feel special. This tutorial links to 2 free templates. Read more »

Learn how to applique with fusible web. It's an easy beginner sewing project, and it will enable you to embellish and personalize just anything you sew. See how to make your own appliques for your projects (like this one with a free pattern ), how to apply fusible web to fabric, and how to sew them using a regular sewing machine. Too easy to not try it out! Read more »