Twirling Whilst Standing Still Skirt

What little girl can resist a twirling skirt?! My daughter had an elastic-waist twirling skirt that she wore for years. I'm talking 5 or 6 years. It started out hitting her knees, but several years later, it was a mini skirt. Get the full tutorial at The Mother Huddle.

How to Make a Pillowcase

Someday Crafts has a great post on how to make a pillowcase. Boy, do I need some new pillowcases! I think I'll try this tutorial and see how I do. I've been using regular pillowcases on some king-size pillows and - it's just not workin'.

Leafy Table Runner - DIY

An easy way to change the look of an entire room is by changing your table runner. I like the summery colors of this one from Martha Stewart. Wouldn't this be also be lovely for a fall table done in russets, greens and burnt orange? Martha used linen and bias tape to make the runner. There's also instructions for matching napkins at the end of the table runner instructions.

A Fourth of July Giveway!

Isn't this pillow darling? Kathy's Cottage is giving it away. Just in time for July 4th but appropriate all year.

Enter here: Kathys Cottage: A Fourth of July Giveway!

Pillowcase Bag

I have made pillowcase dresses (see here and here) but never a bag. This looks quick and easy and would be a great way to actually use up some pretty pillowcases - the ones you like but they don't match your bed, etc. This idea from Martha Stewart.

How To: Make a Zippered Pouch

Syko (one of my absolute favorite artists!) has provided a neat tutorial on how to make a zippered pouch like this one.

Link: How to make a zippered pouch.

Make this Drawstring Pouch

Karin has so kindly provided full instructions for how to make this cute drawstring pouch with carrying strap, including a pattern for the acorn embroidery. Of course you could put whatever you want on yours.
The instructions are clear and she uses lots of photos.
Karin has some other great tutorials here and she also inspires us with her Orange Flower Sketchbook blog.
Thanks, Karin, for sharing this great tutorial.

Bag Love

Love this bag found at Kase-Faz.

Cute Custom Made Fabric Books

Mazette makes these darling, one-of-a-kind fabric books from your photos and suggestions.
They come in 6 or 10 pages (3 double/5 double pages) and they are just as cute as can be.
What a unique gift idea and one that will sure to be a favorite to keep forever!

Mazette's Blog: Peas in the Workshop
Fabric books: $20-$30 Euros at La Boutique de Mazette

Zakka Sewing

Zakka Sewing is a beautifully photographed and illustrated book. The best part: it's in English!
The book features projects submitted by 25 Japanese zakka makers.
I've loved looking through many Japanese craft books like Cotton Time and Cotton Friend and lots of others online.
I have never been fortunate enough to own one, though I would love to. I have done a few projects that I've found online, like this little felt book and this little yoyo puppy.
It was fairly easy to figure out the Japanese instructions because they are so well drawn and photographed.
But now no interpretation is necessary!
Etsy has published an entire tutorial, including patterns, for this sweet linen wrist pincushion, which is one of the projects from the book.
You can also visit the Zakka Sewing website to see more about the book andthe authors and find instructions on several other projects, including this too-cute-for-words squirrel teapot cozy shown on the cover.

Zakka Sewing, by Therese Laskey (of Softies Central) and Chika Mori.
Photos by Yoko Inoue
Book available at Amazon where it's listed for $16.47

How To: Baby Sac

Sweet baby sac found on Sylvie Dusoulier's blog, Coupe Couture. The blog is French with some of it is translated into English by her husband. Sylvie also gives some excellent sewing tips and techniques, the kinds of things nobody tells you about but make perfect sense once you see it done.
Complete tutorial and pattern here.

"Thuy the Lion" Pillow by Mika Yamamura

I can't believe I haven't discovered Mika Yamamura's blog, Cuore, before now. Wow!
Mika designed and made this lion pillow and don't you just love the brown polka dot fabric!
Mika is a professional designer of accessories and worked for Paul Frank Industries for over six years! So you you know you're in for some extreme kawaii when you visit her blog. Have fun!

Handmade Dress with Thrifted Sheets

I just had to write about this darling little dress - with cape - made by Mike for his daughter, Emmeline. Isn't she sweet!?
Mike is a stay-at-home-dad living in San Francisco. He let Emmeline select the fabric for the cape from his thrifted sheets supply. Read all about it on his blog, Cry it Out, but be prepared to stay a while because Mike is also a professional writer and his essays will capture you.

Fabric Sail Boat - Lovely!

Ahoy!
I have always lived surrounded by water on the east coast of the US. I love being around the water and I love boats. I don't know anything about boats but I love them.
I think most people love sail boats and Apol Lejano-Massebieau has created her lovely version of one from vintage cotton that she found at the monthly "brocantes" market in Arles.
Arles...as in France. Tres jolie, n'est pas?

I found Apol through her blog, La Pomme.
Where to buy: La Pomme's shop on Etsy. Ones similar to these are $35 and there are smaller versions made into ornaments for about $15.

How To: Fabric Flower Corsage

I love this fabric flower corsage. Of course you could pin it to a bag like Blair did over at Wise Craft but it would look great on a dress, sweater or t-shirt.
I absolutely love the fabric she used (and how much do you love that bag!?) but the fabric choices offer endles possibilities.
I got a great response to a previous post I did on a fabric flower tutorial here if you would like to see another great example from Molly Chicken, one of my very favorite blogs.
Complete instructions for the flower corsage are here.

How To: Baby Kimono

There is something so sweet about these little baby "kimono". Amy Finlayson has generously posted a complete tutorial on how to make these on her blog Habitual. If you want to see even more examples of her kimono, check out her set on flickr.

More kimono fun:
Men's Kimono
Vintage Kimono
and, yes, even Blythe in Kimono

I learned from Nobu at Funabashi Daily Cell Phone that January 12 was Japanese Coming-of-Age Day. Here's how Nobu describes it:

It is a national holiday.( the second monday of January )
Today, "coming-of age ceremony" is held in every city(or town).
It is a ceremony for the people who reached ( or will reach ) 20 years old during current school year.
The women wear a type of kimoni called furisode. To see some pictures and read more see Nobu's post here.

Madison's Christmas Dress

Madison's Christmas Dress 2008
Originally uploaded by Madison Avenue

I made this little dress from a picture I saw so it's not my original design. This was a little bit of a challenge. The dress you see here is my third attempt. It's fully lined, "fur" cuffs and a little snowflake design on the bodice. I hope to get a picture of her wearing it.
How do you like the icy blue color?

Snowman

I made this ornament based on Tone Finnanger's Tilda line. It's sort of a loose interpretation.

I made the button from polymer clay - my first one. The scarf is a little scrap of fabric from the dress I made for Madison for Christmas last year (sorry, no picture) and the wings are from the fabric I used to make her first birthday dress.

Amy Butler Snow Mum Pillow

I am constantly amazed at the generosity of bloggers. This is a perfect example. Amy Butler has provided free instructions for making this pillow. You can download the full pdf file here.

Pale Pink Outfit

I modeled this outfit from a picture in a Japanese sewing magazine. I added just a few sequins for added sparkle. Ribbon ties at the shoulder have little heart beads; and the legs also have ribbon trim.

It is made from soft soft cotton.