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Easy-to-Sew Bags for Every Occasion

Simple-to-Sew Purses for Every Occasion

Our Best Pincushions

Repurposed T-Shirt Projects by Michele Beschen

Everything In This Slideshow

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Grab Bags

Add this simple carryall to your bag of sewing tricks. Pick two fabrics, one for the exterior and one for the lining, and whip up the trendy shape in a flash.
- Get the bag pattern here.
Shop our favorite DIY and crafts supplies now!
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Flirty Skirts

Dress up your favorite girlie girl in a bouncy, multilayered skirt. Just cut straight strips from two coordinating fabrics; then gather and hem each layer as you like.
- Get the skirt pattern here.
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Roll with It

It's time to face your cosmetics clutter. Corral your makeup brushes inside this clever roll-up pouch that has divided pockets to fit narrow and wide brushes. Then roll it up and fasten the tie ends for compact storage.
- Get the roll-up pouch pattern here.
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Get Ruffled

What could be simpler or more versatile? Make this scarf from two strips of ruffled knit fabric joined with two short seams (yes, just two!) and you're done in a jiffy.
- Get the scarf pattern here.
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Push the Envelope

This clutch is "sew" simple -- it's an open-and-shut case. All you need are three rectangles: one batting, one print for the exterior, and one print for the lining.
- Get the clutch pattern here.
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In Your Favor

Be a super-sweet hostess with pint-size favor bags filled with take-home treats. Use coordinating fat quarters to stitch together a set, add ribbon handles, and mix in the goodies.
- Get the tote pattern here.
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Tissue-Pack Cover

Scraps of bright print fabric are perfect for hiding unsightly tissue packs. Make them to match your room, your car, or your office.
- Get step-by-step instructions here.
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Coffee-Cup Cozy

Sweeten your morning jolt with a coffee-cup cozy in your choice of three delicious varieties.
- Get step-by-step instructions here.
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Precious Pot Holders

Spice up someone's kitchen by gifting festive pot holders.
- Get step-by-step instructions here.
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Bright Bookend

Instead of standard bookends, sew sandbags from fun, colorful fabric to corral your books, files, and folders. Cut two 8x10-inch pieces of fabric, place right sides together, and sew three sides using 1/2-inch seam allowances. Turn right side out, then insert a sealable plastic bag filled with sand. Topstitch all around to finish.
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Funky Journals

Camouflage the cover of a plain-Jane spiral notebook with fabric scraps to make a noteworthy custom journal.
- Get step-by-step instructions here.
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Cute Shoe Flowers

Turn ho-hum shoes into favorite footwear with fantasy flowers made from torn fabric strips and covered buttons.
- Get step-by-step instructions here.
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Ribbon Glasses Case

Turn leftover crafts supplies into cute creations. This eyeglasses case is made with ribbon scraps and detailed with machine stitching.
- Get free step-by-step instructions for our eyeglasses case.
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Easy-to-Sew Tote Bag

This funky floral tote is as fashionable as it is functional. Bright pink, orange, and blue make this beginner purse perfect for spring or summer. Swap in brown and dark green for a fall-to-winter look.
- Get free patterns and instructions for our tote bag.
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Embellish a Skirt

Take an ordinary skirt from drab to fab with raw-edge appliques.
- Get instructions for this skirt.
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Owl Pencil Holder

Take office supplies from drab to fab. Simple felt shapes and stitches combine to make an adorable pencil holder.
- Get free sewing patterns and instructions for our owl pencil holder.
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Easy, Breezy Tote

Make this roomy tote bag by combining multicolor stripes and whimsical coordinates from the Kite fabric collection by Felicity Miller for Free Spirit.
- Get free sewing patterns and instructions for our tote bag.
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Folk Art Glasses Case

This simple sewing project will make the perfect gift. Applique pretty wool felt blossoms onto this handmade glasses case using our free patterns.
- Get instructions for this glasses case.
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Yo-Yo Art

Plain-Jane yo-yos are elevated to a new level when mounted on a painted artist's canvas and presented as a wall hanging. These yo-yos, all fashioned from Kaffe Fassett prints for Westminster Fabrics, are assembled in an unorthodox manner; some are right side up and others are upside down to show off the colorful prints. Sew yo-yos together; then attach them to the edge of the frame with a staple gun. For a fast finish, skip the sewing and use a hot-glue gun to secure yo-yos.
- Get instructions for the yo-yo art.
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Three of a Kind

This pillow and the two pillows that follow were all designed by Judy Sams Sohn. Judy mixed prints from designer Patty Young's Mezzanine collection for Michael Miller fabrics.
- Get instructions for this pillow.
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Three of a Kind

Judy used a design wall to choose her prints so that she could move them around until she was pleased with the combination. If you don't have a design wall, use a piece of cotton flannel on a vertical surface.
- Get instructions for this pillow.
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Three of a Kind

This design pairs a large-scale pattern with a small-scale pattern for added interest.Extra-large rickrack frames each of the fabrics.
- Get instructions for this pillow.
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iPod Holder

Tuck-away pockets protect tune players and ear buds in a simple clip-on carrier. With the swivel hook that snaps onto jeans or totes, your music will go where you go. You'll want to make oodles for gifts or fashion accessories in today's bright paisleys, polka dots, or florals.
- Get instructions for this iPod holder.
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Stylish Patchwork Bag

Sew with your favorite fabrics to make a Daisy Dazzler bag that's totally you. Vicki DeGraaf used paisleys and prints from M'Liss's Expressions line for Jo-Ann Stores to stitch up a stylish patchwork bag.
- Get instructions for the patchwork bag.
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Fleece Pillow Toys

Make pillows for children's toys and gifts. Our quick and easy fish and bird designs will be hours of fun, and double as cute decor.
- Get free patterns and instructions for our pillow toys.
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Handmade Place Mat Pillow

Finished-edge place mats make it a breeze to sew up an artsy pillow in less than an hour. Ribbon and buttons finish the look.
- Get free step-by-step instructions for our place mat pillow.
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Cherry Table Mat

Combine bright floral fabrics and wood bead cherries to add a whimsical touch to any table.
- Get free sewing patterns and instructions for our table mat.
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Decorative Tea Towels

Quickly dress up tea towels with a variety of coordinating ribbons and fabric ruffles. Simply cut the trims slightly longer than the width of the towel, then topstitch the strips in place.
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Sweet and Simple Hot Pads

Treat the cook in your life to personalized kitchen supplies. Even beginning sewers can whip up easy checkerboard and cupcake-design hot pads.
- Get free sewing patterns and instructions for our hot pads.
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Personalized Bookmark

Felt scrapbooking letters personalize a layered felt bookmark in seconds. To complete the design, border one side of each letter with lazy daisy stitches and surround a trio of buttons with stitched petals.
- Learn to make the lazy daisy stitch.
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Chicken Applique Kitchen Quilt

A chicken-wire print background and appliques in feed-sack reproductions combine in this cute kitchen wall hanging. The border corners are fussy-cut from a large-scale farm print. The appliques are fused in place, then machine-blanket-stitched with blank thread.
- Get instructions for the chicken applique kitchen quilt.
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A Piece of Cake

Craft this cute centerpiece display from felt, upholstery foam, and rickrack. Make one pretty piece or a whole cake.
- Get instructions for this cake project.
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Quilted Funky Place Mats

Quilt welcoming place mats sure to impress your guests and please your family.
- Get instructions for these place mats.
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Embellished Kid's Overalls

Excite your little one with a few cute carrot appliques on ready-made overalls.
- Get instructions for these applique overalls.
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Adorable Baby Blocks

Add a handmade touch of wonder for Baby by sewing a dozen or more of these soft, poly-fiber-filled play blocks.
- Get instructions for these baby blocks.
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Easy Applique Pillow

A simple tulip applique transforms a plain pillow into a showpiece. Here's a step-by-step guide to adding layers of beauty with hand-stitched applique.
- Get instructions for this pillow.
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Wild Flower Pincushion

Choose a mix of your favorite fabrics, pile on the petals, and watch your garden grow -- dozens of fanciful pincushions could sprout up over a weekend.
- Get instructions for this pincushion.
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Easy Retro Apron

Bold, vibrant prints are perfect for this retro apron.
- Get instructions for this apron.
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Cotton Drawstring Bag

Keep your wallet, keys, and cell phone safe in this cute, quick-to-make bag.
- Get instructions for this drawstring bag.
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Next Slideshow Easy-to-Sew Bags for Every Occasion
Easy-to-Sew Bags for Every Occasion

We have all your bag needs covered with these adorable tote and purse patterns.
Begin Slideshow »
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