Sewing for Cats and Dogs

Sewing for pets can be fun and rewarding.  From simple easy sewing projects to difficult designer patterns, your pet can be the best-dressed friend around.

With the Internet it is now very easy to find free sewing patterns for pet costumes and accessories.  If you have a cat you could just type sewing for cats or a similar phrase in the search engine and find all types of things you could try.

Free dog patterns for sewing:

1. A good sewing project to begin with is a dog bandanna.  To make one you’ll need approximately ½ yard of fabric (enough to make two or three), thread, scissors, and dressmaker or quilter’s pins.
2.  Cut fabric in a square approximately 15 inches by 15 inches.  Press evenly to remove wrinkles.  Press and fold ¼ inch all the way around.  Press and fold another ¼ inch.  Pin carefully.  Stitch around entire scarf, being sure to pivot needle in corners for continuous stitching.  When you have finished sewing press again, fold in a half triangle, and tie around your dog’s neck. 
3. You could also make bandannas in the same way for your cat or miniature dog by adjusting the measurements.  For instance, you could cut the square of fabric 9 inches by 9 inches and follow the same instructions to make a much smaller item.

Sewing for Cats:

Cat dresses and jackets are very popular today.  Many people are buying items for miniature dogs too.  Measure dog or cat and find a number of free sewing patterns on the Internet available for sale or    download. 

Try a bonnet for your kitty or a skirt for Fifi.  There are patterns for leashes, bags, collars and blankets - there is no limit to what you can make for your best friend.  The choice is up to you!  

Hand Stitching for Beginners

Have you decided you’d like to learn how to sew?  It’s something that can give you a lot of pleasure, as well as save money.  Kids clothes and items for the home are good sewing projects to start with, but don’t forget to investigate hand sewing.

Sewing is an age-old art.  Tailors and seamstresses put intricate hand stitching on costumes for kings and queens as they perfected their craft.   New patterns and embellishments were designed and the public began to take an interest in learning how to duplicate the work themselves. 

Although the invention of the modern sewing machine changed things, there is still an interest in sewing by hand.  There is a relaxation and satisfaction that is gained by the needle going in and out of the material while quilting or embroidering that is hard to duplicate elsewhere.

The beauty is right in front of you as a piece of plain fabric turns into a finished piece.  Some people have turned hand stitching into an art form by using found objects such as buttons and lace to enhance their work. 

Hand sewing can be an easy way to decide whether or not you’ll like working with fabric.  It involves very little in cost but pays out big dividends in gratification.  Here are a couple of tips to get you started:

You’ll need some supplies:

1. Needles
2. Thread or ribbon
3. Fabric
4. Embroidery Hoop
5. Pattern
6. Batting
7. Ruler
8. Scissors
9. Iron-on embroidery transfer
10. Book of embroidery stitches

Use these steps to get started:

• Use an iron-on transfer to put a pattern on plain fabric.  Pick the color embroidery thread you’d like to use and thread a needle with two strands of floss.   Anchor the thread underneath the fabric with a small knot.  Follow the transfer line with a row of backstitches, following the instructions in the book of embroidery stitches.  
• Another thing to try is marking a grid on a square of plain fabric.  Cut another square the same size.  Sandwich a square of quilt batting between the two pieces.  Be sure quilt batting is cut at least ½ inch less all the way around so there's room for a seam allowance.  Pin and baste together through all layers.  
• Apply a running stitch to follow the transfer lines and quilt the fabric and batting together.  Finish edges as desired. 
• You might want to learn hand stitching by doing ribbon embroidery.  It’s done in much the same way as regular embroidery, but with ribbon that is very narrow.  Some of the stitches are a little different, but a book can help you learn them.  It’s easy to make wall hangings and embellish clothing in this way.

Hand stitching, sewing, or embellishment - what you choose is up to you.  Once you learn one kind you may want to move on to another, and so on.  Practice on scraps of fabric until you feel confident.  Pick colors you like so you don’t get bored with stitching.  Learn to take really tiny, neat quilting stitches.

You may decide to move on to a sewing machine and that’s ok.  You’ll still need to be good at hand sewing to do finish work.  One day you can proudly tell your friends you made it yourself!

Eight Tips for Beginning Quilters

Have you ever visited a quilt shop?  The rows of beautiful quilting fabrics neatly arranged by color will take your breath away.  Your first visit may be the one that brings you back again and again.

Keepsake quilting is very popular now and you may decide to begin with this type of work.  A lot of the intricate patterns and stitches come from the past.   There are many different free quilting patterns to be had online just for the downloading.  The Internet is a good place to learn how to quilt and gain help from those who are more experienced.

Purchase a few basic supplies:

• Quilting ruler
• Quilter’s pins
• Scissors
• Rotary Cutter
• Cutting Mat
• Thread

Eight tips to follow:

1. Quilts can be fun to make, but pick an easy quilt pattern for your first project.  You’ll be glad you did.  
2. You can learn quilting style and hand stitching by sewing simple projects.
3. Quilts come in all shapes and sizes.  Choose one you’d like to work on and keep for a long time.  
4. Pick out colors that are pleasing to your eye.  It’ll make a difference as you work on it.
5. Try to sew a little every day.  While difficult patterns may call your name, stick to things you can manage at first.  
6. Check out books from your local library that offer patterns and sewing tips for beginners. 
7. Don’t be afraid to try new styles of hand stitching.  It will only make you better.  
8. Take a quilting class to learn how to quilt and how to baste fabric together.  Experienced crafters are always glad to share their knowledge.  (Join beginners quilting sites on the Internet to get help and guidance).

After a little practice you’ll be sewing and quilting beautiful items that will make you proud.  It's all about perseverance and enjoying the ride!

Embellish Your Clothing With Hand Sewing

Have you ever thought about sewing with found objects?  These are appliques and lace, zippers, and buttons removed from clothing no longer wanted or used.  You can often check your local thrift shop to see what they do with items that are not in good repair.  If they throw them out it might be possible to get them for little or nothing.

You can find many things at yard sales, garage sales and thrift stores in your neighborhood, but there are a few hints you should take into consideration before you go shopping:

• Only keep buttons, appliques, zippers, and trims that are in good shape.
• Remove the item carefully from the used clothing and put it in a box.  You can have a lot of fun going through this collection when you need any sort of trim or embellishment. 
•  It is easiest to attach these treasures to a piece of fabric, quilt, or other clothing by using hand sewing stitches.  Buttons can make a statement and those that are colorful or vintage will stand out and make your sewing project shine.
•  Cutting small pieces of fabric from garments that are no longer serviceable can add interest to other clothing or art pieces, as well.  Keep a sharp eye out for color and texture.  You can use one or several pieces of material in this way.
•  Keep delicate fabrics to a minimum.  They are not easy to wash and can shrink.  Instead look for cottons and blends that are in colors and patterns you need.  Cut out small squares of fabric for mug rugs.  Make napkins out of skirt yardage. 

Even if you don't know how to sew, attaching decorative items to things you already own is very easy.  A few simple sewing stitches are all that's needed.  The ideas are endless.  If you do your research and follow the latest trends you’ll be at the head of the pack.  Enjoy your newfound hobby – it’ll be a joy for many years to come!

CHOOSING YOUR SEWING PATTERNS

Once you have decided that you want to sew and have purchased or borrowed a few things to get you started you need to decide what your first sewing project will be.  There are many easy sewing patterns available in fabric and craft stores, as well as online.  Sewing patterns range from very easy to extremely advanced.  Look for symbols on the sewing patterns you choose to be sure they are suited to your level of expertise.

Most major fabric and craft stores run monthly specials on sewing patterns so sign up for newsletters and watch newspaper ads.  Some sewing patterns can be purchased for less than one dollar and others only slightly higher when the promotions are running.

Other ways to get inexpensive sewing patterns are through garage sales, thrift stores, and borrowing from friends.  Garage sales and thrift stores often mark sewing patterns for ten - twenty-five cents, so be on the lookout for some you’d like to add to your growing collection. 

There are a few companies that make sewing patterns and some are more difficult than others.  You may need trial and error to see which sewing patterns you prefer.  Sewing patterns often come in multiple sizes today.  It’s always a good idea to trace your size off on something like freezer paper or tissue paper so that you don’t disturb the sizing lines, just in case you like the pattern a lot and decide to make more items.  Online stores such as EBay and Etsy also offer sewing patterns, although you may pay more for them there, as many are vintage and hard to find.  However, I have purchased some “lots”, meaning more than one pattern, for good deals in that manner.

SEWING ROOM IDEAS

Sewing room ideas can literally be found everywhere.   Open any women’s magazine and you will find pages of sewing room ideas turned into havens for those who love to sew.  There are two different paths to travel for sewing room ideas but most can be modified to meet your own expectations and likes.

Sewing room ideas can pop up when you least expect them to.  You may be in a home improvement store and find just the right thing to hold all those buttons you have laying around.  Or you may see a cabinet that is just right for your needs. 

You can thumb through kitchen decorating books for sewing room ideas also.  Many of the organizational methods used in the kitchen adapt themselves extremely well to other rooms in the house.  You may even find that you have extra containers or storage items that could be put to excellent use in your sewing room.  Keep an open mind and look the sewing area over first, to make sure you know how you want to sort your sewing items and how available they need to be for you to function well while working.

A little paint and tile can go a long way into making a room more serviceable.  I have had sewing rooms in the basement, the garage, upstairs, in a huge closet, in the dining room, and even a separate building.  While I liked some sewing arrangements more than others, each gave me the freedom and independence to be creative with the items I choose to sew.   What each area had an abundance of was me – I like to be surrounded by things and colors that I love – they spur me on to more creativity! 

ORGANIZING A SEWING ROOM FOR BEGINNER SEWING

Organizing a sewing room can be fun and rewarding at the same time.  While you are organizing a sewing room you can form ideas about what you’d like to make.  Here is a list of easy projects for beginner sewing. 

• Aprons – Beginner Sewing Skills
• Tea Towels – Beginner Sewing Skills
• Quilts – Beginner Sewing Skills
• Tablecloths – Beginner Sewing Skills
• Placemats and napkins – Beginner Sewing Skills
• Boxer shorts – Beginner Sewing Skills
• Loose fitting tops and pants – Beginner – Intermediate Sewing Skills
• Shift dresses - Beginner – Intermediate Sewing Skills
• Baby and children's clothes – Beginner – Intermediate Sewing Skills
• Tote bags – Beginner – Intermediate Sewing Skills
• Purses – Beginner – Intermediate Sewing Skills
• Crafts – Beginner – Intermediate Sewing Skills

You have probably figured out by now that organizing a sewing room takes some work.  At first keep it simple as you attempt to sew.  Your needs aren’t much at this point and if you continue organizing a sewing room by putting everything in it’s place when you are finished you will find that it’s easy to stay focused and happy while you work.  I cannot stress enough that your place to sew should be simple, accessible, and comfortable.  It doesn’t really matter where the area is located – just that you have somewhere to work.

Ok, so you have decided to make something from the list above.  Arrange all materials close at hand and check them off your list.  If you are using a commercial pattern, it’s a good idea to cut it out before you start.  Done checking the list?  Congratulations!  You are already learning the best way to organizing a sewing room and keeping it that way.