Amy Loves to Sew

Amy Loves to Sew

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  • January 4, 2023

    Creative Sewing Challenge Prompts 2023

    Creative Sewing Challenge Prompts 2023

    January 2023 Grateful Heart February 2023 Frozen March Favourite Things April Planet Earth May You Are My Sunshine June Microscopic July Safari August Autumn Vibes October Harvest Moon November Sparkle December Silver Bells

  • January 26, 2021

    Free Embroidery Pattern: Heart of Hope

    Free Embroidery Pattern: Heart of Hope

    This is the last of three embroidery patterns I have been working on during our latest UK lockdown. My little Heart of Hope was stitched in anticipation of better days to come, helping to keep all the worries and woes at bay during this unsettling time. You can download the pattern below for free, its […]

  • January 23, 2021

    Free Embroidery Pattern: Stay Home Stay Cosy

    Free Embroidery Pattern: Stay Home Stay Cosy

    At the time of writing, the UK is into its 3rd lockdown as the battle against COVID-19 continues. To keep myself sane, I have turned once again to embroidery. It calms my energy, occupies my thoughts and keeps me creative. This embroidery design was created in particular to focus on the more positive aspects of […]

  • January 21, 2021

    Queen of Hearts Quote Embroidery Pattern

    Queen of Hearts Quote Embroidery Pattern

    This free embroidery pattern is based on a quote taken from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, and very apt for these crazy COVID times we are living through. “What a strange world we live in said Alice to the Queen of Hearts”. Download the design to make your own Alice in Wonderland Hoop Art, using […]

  • October 12, 2020

    5 Things to Consider When Choosing Fabric

    5 Things to Consider When Choosing Fabric

    It took me a while to realise that not all fabric is equal, and through a lot of trial and error (and I mean A LOT of error), I discovered just how important it is to choose the right material for your sewing project. Here’s a few important considerations I’d like to share with you […]

  • October 10, 2020

    Free Embroidery Pattern: Feather Hoop Art

    Free Embroidery Pattern: Feather Hoop Art

    Download this free embroidery pattern to create your very own Feather Hoop Art. You can transfer either or both feathers, depending on your preference. You can fill the sections as I have done, or simply embroider the outline for a simple but striking affect. The choice of colours and stitches is entirely yours, or you […]

  • June 20, 2020

    Sewing Tutorial: make a cafetiere cosy

    Sewing Tutorial: make a cafetiere cosy

    This week I have written a series of posts breaking down the process of making a cafetiere cosy. This project was inspired by my Creative Sewing Challenge theme for June, ‘Flight of the Bumblebee’, and I’ve really enjoyed the creative journey its taken me on; from honeycomb-inspired crazy quilting, through to darting bee embellishments, and […]

  • June 20, 2020

    Cafetiere Cosy Sewing Tutorial Part 2: thread sketch bee

    Cafetiere Cosy Sewing Tutorial Part 2: thread sketch bee

    This post is part two of my series, ‘How to make a cafetiere cosy’. However, you can also still follow this tutorial for any sewing project you would like to use with thread sketching; the process is the same and it is a very creative skill to acquire along your sewing journey. You will need: […]

  • June 17, 2020

    5 Bee Inspired Sewing Projects

    5 Bee Inspired Sewing Projects

    The theme for my Creative Sewing Challenge this month is ‘Flight of the Bumblebee’. Whilst I currently work on my own sewing project for this theme (a bee-inspired cafetiere cosy!) I thought I’d share some of the other lovely projects I’ve been researching for my Creative Sewing Challenge Community. If you are also interested in […]

  • May 9, 2020

    Five tutorials to help children get into sewing

    Five tutorials to help children get into sewing

    This week I’ve published a series of tutorials to help anyone who would like to support the children in their lives to develop a natural love of sewing. At the time of writing, we are amid the COVID-19 crisis, which has left many of us juggling work, childcare and homeschooling. But this crisis won’t last […]

  • March 27, 2020

    Free Embroidery Pattern: Rainbow of Hope

    Free Embroidery Pattern: Rainbow of Hope

    As the world grapples with the fear and uncertainty that COVID-19 has bought about, I was hunting high and low for some good news stories to share with members of my Creative Sewing Challenge. And I found a news story about the rainbows that children of Italy are drawing and hanging in their windows with […]

  • March 21, 2020

    How to shorten a flared skirt: gathering method

    How to shorten a flared skirt: gathering method

    Like many things I write about on my blog, trying to tackle a curved hem when I first started dressmaking left me feeling frustrated and defeated. The hem would always pucker, and I’d never be able to avoid tucks and kinks no matter how hard I tried to keep it neat. But I have since […]

  • March 8, 2020

    Sewing tutorial: make a dotty daisy bookmark

    Sewing tutorial: make a dotty daisy bookmark

    These bookmarks are so simple to make using embroidery and fabric paints. Even the least confident artist can create a really beautiful result using the end of a paintbrush. An ideal home-made gift for book-lovers, and pretty good scrap-buster project as they require only small rectangles of fabric. Make up a few and Christmas, birthdays […]

  • January 25, 2020

    How to turn sketches into embroidery motifs

    How to turn sketches into embroidery motifs

    I love to sketch, and every so often a little doodle of mine wants to hop out of my sketchbook and do something more with its life. Turns out its perfectly possible to turn your sketches into embroidery motifs, and its very easy. Read on to find out how. You will need: Your original sketch […]

  • June 21, 2019

    Tutorial: how to make bunting

    Tutorial: how to make bunting

    There is something about bunting that just makes you smile. It seems to represent sunny days, garden parties and all things quaint and pretty. No wonder it is such a popular choice for home decor, as well as festivities of any kind. Whether its a nursery or a kitchen, a wedding or a street party, […]

  • April 28, 2019

    How Sewers Can Change the World

    How Sewers Can Change the World

    I first encountered the word ‘craftivism’ from reading a blog a few years ago, and whilst I didn’t immediately grasp the concept, I felt very drawn to the idea that making and creating, a thing I love to do, can have some greater good to bring to the world. I’ve since delved a bit deeper, […]

  • March 21, 2019

    Free Pattern: Embroidered Heart Charm

    Free Pattern: Embroidered Heart Charm

    Make this beautiful felt heart-charm in no time at all.  This is a simple piece of hand-sewing that you can put together across an evening or two; a lovely handmade gift for occasions like Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day, or just something sweet for you to keep.  Choose any colours that appeal to you; I […]

  • March 9, 2019

    10 Garden Inspired Sewing Projects

    10 Garden Inspired Sewing Projects

    Spring is in the air, and everything is beginning to grow again.  Its such a lovely time of year, full of optimism and fresh beginnings.  And for those of us who love to sew, there is something so very inspirational about those gardens full of all things bright and beautiful.  Read on to discover a […]

  • January 18, 2019

    Loving Kindness Sewing Projects

    Loving Kindness Sewing Projects

    Sewing is such a rewarding hobby, but I’ve recently been curious about how I might be able to be more giving through my sewing; not only in terms of making gifts to give, but whether there are other ways that loving kindness can be spread through the things I make.  Here are some of the […]

  • November 24, 2018

    Tutorial: shooting star embroidery hoop

    Tutorial: shooting star embroidery hoop

    Follow this step by step tutorial to create your own embroidery hoop art.  This tiny shooting star is simple to make, and a wonderful little project for anyone looking to develop their hand sewing.  I found denim to be an ideal fabric for this piece, putting a pair of old jeans to good use to […]

  • July 16, 2018

    5 Charities That Need Your Sewing Skills

    5 Charities That Need Your Sewing Skills

    If you have ever wanted to use your sewing talents for a greater good, you are not alone.  Simply making and donating handsewn items to charity is a worthwhile activity in itself. However, there are many organisations who have established their good works around the premise that people who love to sew also have good […]

  • July 13, 2018

    How To Improve Your Top Stitching

    How To Improve Your Top Stitching

    Top stitching is a type of stitch that can be both decorative and functional.  There are a few simple steps you can take to make sure your top stitching looks great, giving your sewing projects that professional finish. Use a sewing machine needle suitable for top stitching Depending on the project you are top-stitching, it’s […]

  • January 24, 2018

    Really Simple Sewing Pattern: Heart Pencil Toppers

    Really Simple Sewing Pattern: Heart Pencil Toppers

    A cute little sewing tutorial, designed for children but ideal for practising your hand embroidery too! I was scrolling Pinterest for a little heart-related project for Valentines to try and review, and stumbled across this lovely little make from the Kids Activities Blog for Back to School: Felt Heart Pencil Toppers.  Now, the original tutorial […]

  • January 2, 2022

    Creative Sewing Challenge Prompts 2022

    Creative Sewing Challenge Prompts 2022

    January 2022 New February 2022 Love is… March 2022 Home Sweet Home April 2022 Cactus May 2022 Hummingbird June 2022 Beauty lies in symmetry July 2022 Orange and black August 2022 Coral Reef September 2022 All good things are wild and free October 2022 Apples and pears November 2022 Mythical December 2022 The Holly and […]

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