Let’s Celebrate 5 Fabulous Years!

Dear Sewing Superstar,

Where, oh where did the time go? It seems like only last week we were launching We Like Sewing. Five years went by in the blink of an eye! So many projects. So many patterns. And so many opportunities for creativity. We’ve gathered 50 of our favorite projects from the last 5 years into one Collection — projects to wear, share, and show off!

Sewing Projects with Style

One of the things I love about sewing is that for some things, you don’t need a store-bought pattern. In fact, sometimes you don’t need a pattern at all! Get past your fear of sewing freestyle with this terrific tutorial to create the Bailey Striped Babydoll Top. You’ll love the A-line silhouette and the easy approach to tailoring this top to your size and shape.

Corduroy is one of those fabrics that does well in many seasons. The Cora Spring Mini Skirt has everything you need and skips over extra work you don’t need. This sweet little skirt features a waistband with back elastic, real patch pockets on the front, and a button placket that’s just there for show. Slip this skirt on with your favorite top and head out in style!

Casual chic has never looked so effortless! Our Addie Casual T-Shirt Dress is perfect for summer. It’s comfy and stretchy, making it ideal for jersey or other stretch fabrics, and you can make it with regular raglan or roll-up raglan sleeves. Make this dress in different lengths to expand your spring and summer wardrobe with ease!

It’s hard to resist the cool comfort of a light and flowy summer sundress. And you know there’s no need to head to the store when you can tailor one to your specifications! Our Savannah Button-Down Sundress is a perfect project for advanced beginners. It features a front button placket and princess seams on the bodice. Plus, everyone’s favorite: pockets!

Skip the crowds at the store and spruce up your wardrobe yourself! You’ll love the Kenna Handkerchief Hem Dress—it’s all movement with its fashion-forward handkerchief hem that ruffles when you walk. Pick a bold print and enjoy the just-right three-quarter sleeves and the loose-fitted waist that will make this dress a joy to wear all day! Dress it up or dress it down, this dress is a wardrobe winner!

You can bring the sparkle to the holidays in our High Society Party Dress. This gorgeous winter dress pattern packs a lot of style with its square neckline and a flowing silhouette. Think of it as part New York City society, part boho chic, a dash of vintage charm, and all Wow! Break out the crushed velvet and step out in charming style!

Is there a little girl in your life who needs a pretty new dress? Our Amelia Girls Spring Dress is completely customizable, with three different pattern variations and sizes from 2T to girls’ size 8. Choose a Peter Pan or cloud collar, and add a scalloped hem for a sweet finish.

Don’t toss that old top! Refashion or upcycle clothes for a whole new look:

• Fashion Flashback: Recreating a Lace-Trimmed Camisole
• Laguna Upcycled Peplum Top
• Sunny Season Jeans to Shorts Refashion
• Lucky Stars Asymmetrical T-Shirt Refashion
• Nightfall Embroidery Blazer Refashion

Hearth & Home

Bring the feel of the seaside home with our Breezy Pinwheels Wall Hanging. This lovely wall hanging is made in calming creams and blues, finished off with seashell free-motion details. You’ll feel calm and refreshed every time you look at this lovely design.

Wreaths don’t have to be relegated to the outdoors. Our Rustic Glow Wreath Wall Hanging makes a beautiful accent piece. This beautiful textured wreath features hand-gathered flannel leaves in varying shades of green. Fairy lights give the wreath a warm glow that you’ll definitely enjoy during dark winter nights. But you might like this wreath so much you’ll want to keep it up year-round!

If you need a quick child’s gift and they welcome the whimsical, whip up Slippers the Bunny Stuffie. All you need is two pieces of felt for the body, plus small felt scraps for the comical eyes and cute mismatched slippers — and a little stuffing, of course. Our Slippers is neon yellow, but you can stitch him up in any color combination you like! Make a few versions now to have ready when you need a last-minute gift. Bring on the whimsy!

Getting into high gear sewing up some holiday presents? Treat a young one in your life to a handmade lovey they’ll never want to let go! Jasper the Fox Stuffed Animal is beyond cute and oh-so huggable. Jasper tops out at about 18-1/2 inches — the perfect size for a super snuggly for a little one or a cozy companion for slightly older kids (or kids at heart!).

Every sewist has to start somewhere with quilting. What better way to start than by repurposing a couple t-shirts into a quilt or quilted pillow? Our How to Make a T-Shirt Quilt Pillow tutorial provides all the steps you need to make a cozy t-shirt quilt or pillow. You provide the t-shirts; we’ll provide the guidance. This is just the project to try if you want to explore quilting or help out a budding quilter.

Design your own custom, chenille home décor with our Indigo Chenille Throw Pillow Cover. This project walks you through the process of creating your own soft, textured chenille fabric for a unique pillow cover that’s sure to draw compliments! Dress up your space using this fun technique to create a one-of-a-kind pillow cover!

One of the joys of walking along the beach is finding pieces of sea glass—beautifully polished by Mother Nature. Celebrate those sweet surf treasures by making our Sandstone Sea Glass Quilted Pillow Cover in elegant fall neutrals. Use your favorite fabric scraps and repurpose those old jeans for a unique pillow cover with a seaside theme. Or spruce up your outdoor space with a new set of seat cushions. Our Garden Party Outdoor Seat Cushions will add a bold pop of color to your outdoor furniture!

And we have plenty of projects for decoration and organization:

• Cross My Heart Quilted Table Runner
• Midwest Table Runner and Napkins
• Upcycled Doily Mug Rug
• Hexie Hues Quilted Wall Organizer
• Odds-and-Ends Organizational Denim Basket

Quilt Crazy

If you’re in the mood to take on a big project, the decision could be as easy as black and white — and gray. Our Between the Lines Windmill Quilt is well worth the time you’ll spend to make it. The end result is striking with its eye-catching contrast. This pattern calls for precise piecing in order to create the stunning windmill effect, making this a terrific project for intermediate and experienced quilters.

How about a project to make a bold statement about the joys of home? Make our Home is Where the Hygge Is Quilt — hygge is the Norwegian word for feeling comfy and cozy. This quilt can work as a decorative throw in your living room come Christmastime, or as a colorful extra layer in your bedroom. A combination of quilting and appliqué, you’ll love the cheerful oversized lettering, the big, bright snowflake, and the cheerful gingham check borders.

Create a stunning summer quilt using floral precuts and our Split and Squared Flower Quilt. It’s like creating your own perennial flower garden — one that never needs weeding! This quilt would look great on your bed, your couch, or to brighten up a wall. Colorful quilts like this never go out of season!

Traditional baby quilts often come in soft, pale, so-called “baby colors.” Break with tradition and start your own with our bold and colorful Colorburst Trip Around the World Quilt. This baby quilt is the perfect project for a beginning quilter, with its simple fabric squares. The real magic happens with the fabric choice and the color placement. Go bold and make this baby quilt a unique family heirloom!

If you prefer a baby quilt that’s more on the subtle side, you can’t go wrong with our Color Crossing Modern Rail Fence Baby Quilt. This pattern features clean lines and soft colors — precut-friendly and an excellent choice for beginning quilters!

Don’t feel like starting a quilt? Start with one of our favorite quilt blocks:

• Perfect in Plaid String Quilt Block
• Scattered Leaves Fall Quilt Block
• Sliced Pineapple Star FPP Quilt Block
• Spring Blossoms Sunbonnet Sue Block

Tutorials, Totes, & More

Just when you start getting comfortable with your sewing skills, a new challenge comes along. We love learning new sewing techniques — or brushing up on some skills we haven’t used in a while.

When you sew, you know that the smallest detail can make the biggest difference. One way to make a project really stand out is to make your own Covered Buttons. Never done that before? No worries! We have a tutorial to walk you through the process. Even better, this is a fun & easy project for beginners and experienced sewists alike! What a creative way to use those fabric scraps!

No two women are built the same, and everyone has a horror story about an outfit that didn’t fit quite right. Well, read our tutorial, Perfect Fit: How to Do a Full Bust Adjustment, and you’ll gain the confidence to adjust a pattern to tailor it to your own personal specifications! Knowing how to adjust the bust on a pattern can make all the difference between a shirt that’s “OK” and a shirt that says Wow!

Keep your alterations in place with sharp pins, and keep them handy in your own Shades of Violet Flower Pincushion. All you need is a few pieces of felt and some basic hand sewing skills. Keep your small sewing essentials handy in a Shooting Stars Rainbow Zipper Pouch — a great way to put your fabric scraps to creative use!

And whether you’re heading out on an adventure or you need somewhere to stash small sewing projects, make one of these:

• Denim Drawstring Bucket Bag
• Portia Braided Tote Bag
• Right as Rain Upcycled Umbrella Tote

Super Seasonal Sewing

We love the holidays, and it’s never too early to start getting ready!

Adventurous beginner and intermediate quilters will have fun making our whimsical Harvest Pumpkin Patchwork Wall Hanging. The pattern features classic patchwork for the pumpkin and charming detail along the borders. Celebrate Fall with some colorful Autumn décor!

There’s always time to make one more Halloween-themed something. This year, make it the Halloween Harlequin Throw Pillow. This pattern pays tribute to the stylish 1940s harlequin patterns—a timely take on a timeless style. This pillow’s so pretty it may stay out long after the last pumpkins are harvested.

Nothing says Christmas like a proud, stately reindeer. Our Winter Day Reindeer Throw Pillow is stunning—and it’s a cinch to sew and really inexpensive to make. The combination of classic Christmas plaid with creamy solid fabric gives your reindeer room to stand out! Add a band of gold bells and you have yourself one fabulously festive pillow! Prepare for oohs and aahs all around.

Spread holiday cheer with our Comfort and Joy Christmas Banner. This is a great way to show off your hand sewing skills, incorporating precious woodland creatures like deer, squirrels, and foxes. Best of all? This project is designed to be worked one piece at a time — perfect for sewing on the go!

Need something fun and humorous for the tree? Or maybe a friend’s tree? The Sewn Ugly Christmas Sweater Ornament is super easy to make—all you need is some scrap felt and embroidery floss, plus some wire if you want to make a little hanger to hold your sweater. You can make this charmingly tacky ornament in under an hour—and you don’t have to sew it all by hand if you don’t want to. Machine sewing will speed up the process, freeing you up to make more ugly sweater ornaments for friends, family, and coworkers! It could become an annual tradition! And forget about wrapping your sweater ornament in paper you’ll only use once. Stash precious little gifts in our Colorful Christmas Sewn Gift Bags. They’re quick and easy to make. Start stitching up a stash of little gift bags ahead of the busy holiday season!

Or pick from some of our other favorite holiday patterns:

• Snow Day Snowman Trio Wall Hanging
• Couched Yarn Christmas Tree Pillow
• Merry and Bright Machine Embroidered Placemats

The projects in Celebrating 5 Years: 50 Must-Sew Editor’s Picks For Every Season Collection from We Like Sewing range from Easy to Experienced. That means skill and confidence building for beginning sewists, and interesting challenges for the more experienced among us. All these projects are designed to add a burst of seasonal fun to your sewing projects!

You don’t need any expert sewing skills to make any of the projects in our Celebrating 5 Years Collection. Each pattern in this carefully curated collection includes a detailed template, pattern notes, and a complete list of the tools and materials you need to succeed. It’s time to start planning your next project. Let’s go sew!

FAQ

What are some easy sewing projects for beginners?

Beginner-friendly options in this collection include the Bailey Striped Babydoll Top, Covered Buttons, Shooting Stars Rainbow Zipper Pouch, and several simple quilt and home décor projects.

What can I sew with fabric scraps?

Fabric scraps can be turned into useful and decorative projects such as covered buttons, zipper pouches, pincushions, quilt blocks, mug rugs, ornaments, and gift bags.

What are some good sewing projects for gifts?

Handmade gift ideas from this collection include Slippers the Bunny Stuffie, Jasper the Fox Stuffed Animal, quilted pillows, zipper pouches, totes, Christmas ornaments, and colorful sewn gift bags.

Are there sewing projects for beginners in this collection?

Yes. The collection includes projects ranging from Easy to Experienced, so beginning sewists can find approachable projects while more experienced makers can take on techniques such as precise quilting, appliqué, garment fitting, and refashioning.

What are some seasonal sewing projects?

The collection includes sewing projects for fall, Halloween, Christmas, spring, and summer, including seasonal quilts, pillows, wall hangings, ornaments, banners, and home décor.

Become a Charter Member of the We Like Sewing Gold Club today, and you’ll never run out of projects or inspiration! And right now, when you become a Gold Club Charter Member you will get instant access to printable, designer quilting and sewing patterns for home décor, quilts, bags, outfits, baby items, and so much more!

When you activate your We Like Sewing Gold Club Charter Membership today, you’ll get access to everything we have about sewing and quilting—all access, all the time:

Please act now, while this special offer is still in effect for you!

Happy Sewing!

Caitlin Eaton
Editor, We Like Sewing Magazine

P.S. Imagine having 24/7 access to hundreds of sewing patterns and articles, step-by-step instructions, and video tutorials to help you master any sewing project. All this and more can be yours when you become a Charter Member of the We Like Sewing Gold Club today!