creative jewish mom

How To Thicken Fabric For DIY Projects

Dreaming of sewing your own tent? Or maybe a play teepee for the kids? And if so, trying to think of a way to thicken your fabric? First lets take a look at the options available for thick fabric and then learn about how to go about thickening that fabric that you really want to use, but it just isn't thick enough for the project at hand. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere and it is summer, now is a great time to start thinking about DIY holiday gifts, which in many cases might use, you guessed, it thick fabric to provide warmth. The internet is of course packed with great DIY tutorials for anything you can dream of and for the kind of project that can suit almost everyone, amd take a look at 3 DIY Duvet Cover Ideas To Make At Home  . Of course you'll want to know about the kinds of fabric you can use for those projects, so keep on reading!

Sewing Tips For Beginners

Above: Giant lonestar quilt made with fleece, a great beginner's project, and an amazing gift, tutorial here.

Once upon a time sewing was a very necessary skill as folks needed to know how to sew their own clothing and household items. Today sewing is generally a hobby rather than a necessity, and it has become a fantastic creative outlet. Wearing or decorating one's home with projects you've sewn (and giving them as gifts) is an amazing feeling! And it can be easy on the budget to alter one's own clothing or re-make hand-me-downs. The quilt shown above was made from old fleece blankets! And of course making your own costumes, well, that is both a money saver and a great joy. That said, starting the sewing journey can be confusing and even difficult, as there are materials, skills and basic knowledge that are crucial to success. Take it from me, the most important key is patience, and sticking to your goal, and of course some valuable tips are always helpful.

So, keep on reading and take a look at these sewing tips for beginners and enjoy sewing success!"

A DIY Dreidel Shaped Pillow For Hanukkah!

I made this dreidel shaped pillow a few year back, but thought I'd share it with you again as it is truly a fun item to bring out for the holiday or give as a gift. Enjoy!

It is true, you don't see a whole lot of sewing projects from me, as I'm quite a rookie, but I just couldn't resist trying my hand at this idea that i've had running around my head for a few years now: a dreidel shaped pillow with a little pocket to hold Hanukkah prizes!  It is a perfect project for those new to sewing (or not) and uses a pillow insert so that you can easily store it flat until next year.

Easy Sewing Projects You Can Do At Home With Your Kids

Above: Felt gift pouches are a great project for a beginner, see the original post here.

Spending time with your kids is essential for their intellectual and emotional growth. You can spend quality time together by playing your kid’s favorite sport or any activity that allows engagement between parent and child. Bonding time can and should include teaching your children something that you love to do such as painting, gardening, crafting or sewing, just to name a few. Stargazing could also be on that list!  I love creative activities that all build small motor coordination as well as skills that are useful in life in general, and one of those is surely sewing! With that in mind, why not introduce your kids to sewing, and at the very least when a button becomes loose they'll have the confidence to sew it back on! 

To get you started, here are some simple sewing project ideas to do at home with your kids or of course a few of the cuties in the neighborhood or who have a special place in your heart. I'm always encouraging giving back through crafting, right?