The Freeneedle Blog

Hacked!

Can you believe it - we were hacked!  I'd assumed that this sort of thing happened to big business where at lease there was something to gain - not a little sewing and needlework site.  

No real damage done - just lots of frustration, however we do apologize if things didn't look quite right here for a day or so.

Ms Stitch - 22 September, 2007

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No Sew Projects

I've noticed an increasing number of no sew patterns available, which to start with I thought was a little odd.  However having given it more thought, it is a great way to introduce people a little nervous of sewing to the craft.  Working with fabrics that don't fray and getting used to the feel of a project, using patterns etc all helps to build up confidence.

Some tips for no sew projects can be found at the DIY network.  I love the idea of using toupee tape!

Ms Stitch - 19 September, 2007

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YoYo Choker

This cute little choker has been made from fabric Yo-Yos which have been decorated with a crochet edging and finished off with a vintage mother of pearl button in the center of each yo-yo.

The Yo-Yos in this choker have been made with the Clover Quick Yo-Yo Maker, however Yo-Yos are quick and fun to make by simply using a mug or other circular object as a template.

The Yo-Yos in the choker were made using a thin cotton muslin.

Materials

• 1 Large YoYo (made with large Clover YoYo maker, but any YoYo around 2 inches will be fine).
• 8 Small YoYo’s (made with small Clover YoYo maker, but any YoYo of around 1 1/4 inch will be ok).
• 9 Buttons
• Crochet silk
• Ribbon to fasten.
  

Instructions

1/ Make a crochet lacy edging around the large yo-yo and 4 of the smaller ones (see instructions).

2/ Crochet around the edge of the remaining 4 yo-yos without making the chain flounce (steps 1 to 5 in the instructions).

3/ Sew the yo-yos together, alternating a lacy one with a plain one, allowing the lacy edge to overlap onto the plain yo-yo. The larger yo-yo sits in the middle. TIP: when sewing the yo-yos together shape the choker in a slight ‘u’ shape, this gives a more elegant fit around the neck.

4/ Sew a button into the centre of each yo-yo.

5/ Either crochet a chain or add ribbon to the back of the choker to fasten.

Enjoy!

PS - instructions for making a YoYo can be found HERE, and more info about the Clover Yo-Yo Maker HERE.

Leave a comment and let me know what you think...

Ms Stitch - 2 September, 2007

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Crochet a Lacy Edging on a Fabric Yo-Yo

It is easy to crochet a lacy edging around a fabric Yo-Yo. This gives a flouncy finish to these versatile little fabric discs.

Materials

Yo-Yos made from any fabric, however loose weave fabric is easier to get a crochet hook through.Yarn or thread, thin silk looks wonderful but any crochet cotton will also work well.

Equipment

Small crochet hook – the thinner the better.To make a lacy edging on a yoyo, first you need to make a foundation row of stitches, and then form the chain stitch flounces on the second round.

3/ Poke hook through the yo-yo to the left of the first stitch, catch the yarn and pull through the yo-yo. This gives two loops on the hook.

4/ Wrap yarn around hook and draw through the two loops, leaving one loop on the hook.

5/ Continue around the yo-yo.

6/ Make 5 chain stitches, slip stitch into the next stitch and repeat around the edge of the yo-yo. Fasten off and bury end at the back of the yo-yo.

Ms Stitch - 2 September, 2007

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Things To Do With Tea Towels

Tea towels are a great source of cotton fabric, but often overlooked. 

 
Dust off that slightly naff holiday momento and have another look at the things you can do with it!!

Clothes Peg Bag (or Clothespin Bag!) 

Homespun Tea Towel Apron

Tea Towel Bag Tutorial

For more ideas simply type 'tea towel' into the search box.


 

Ms Stitch - 31 August, 2007

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Recycling and Repurposing Jeans

Jeans are such a versatile garment. As well as being great to wear, they also provide a good source of fabric when they have fallen out of favor.

We've found already 20 different free online sewing projects for reusing jeans in the FreeNeedle database. These range from making a cute flower through to turning jeans into a skirt (there are a few skirt projects, a good tutorial is this great one at SavvySeams.com.

Simply type 'jeans' into the search box (or follow this link) to get a complete list of the latest projects and tutorials we have found.

I made the booties in the picture following one of the baby shoe patterns, and using recycled denim.

Ms Stitch - 27 August, 2007

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Hello and Welcome

So, what's it all about then?

For a while now I've been marveling at the range and quality of free sewing patterns and projects on the internet. There are some fantastic things out there, ranging from free toy patterns, tutorials explaining tricky and not so tricky techniques, recycling projects - the list goes on.

Many of these patterns are easy to find - some however are less easy. They are hidden away in Blogs, or tucked away at the back of a website. Absolutely wonderful resources that people have so generously put together sometimes are difficult to find.

So my quest has been straightforward, to gather these links, to sort them into categories, so feel free to browse the sections looking for great sewing projects. I've also added key words so the database is searchable (go on try it - looking for things to sew with 'felt', or make with ribbon? Simply type in the keyword and let the search fairies get to work).

Do feel free to send me any links or pointers to any sewing related websites. Use the 'suggest a link' form or 'contact us'.

Ms Stitch - 26 August, 2007

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