Friday, May 30, 2008

Downloadable Sewing Patterns

Free downloadable patterns from BurdaMode magazine.
Free registration joining the Burda Community required. Use the Register button.
Filling out the profile is a little different than the standards we use here.
1. The address will want street name in the first box, house number in the second. There wasn't enough space for all my numbers.
2. Postal code and city are the same way. I entered zip code in the first box and city, two letter state abreviation and USA.
3. Date of birth is day, month and four digit year.
Fill out the rest of the profile, click OK. A screen for your profile will come up. Then click the downloads tab. The free patterns will be at the top of the list. The "how to download and print", link only brings up a blank; perhaps there isn't one in English. The "instruction" downloads do work.

These patterns and instructions may look more complicated than they are.
For instance, the beret does not have a printable pattern. It is simply two circles of prequilted fabric with a head sized hole cut in the center of one of the circles. Deceptively simple.

WonderHowTo

I saw this on CNBC this morning. WonderHowTo is a search engine for how-to videos.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Homemade Galalith Plastic

This search adventure started with this project at esprit cabane for homemade milk stone (galalith) jewelry.

I continued my search and found this very good Instructable by Coffeebot.
I wonder....mix with casein paint for color?

What is galalith? How is it used? Some Googling led me all over the internet and I found that galalith is categorized with Bakelite for jewelry, buttons, buckles etc.
It can be sawed, sanded and polished. I'm interested more in process than anything else but this could be fun for handbag handles and hardware even if they were rough looking.
Original galalith was made using formaldehyde which is a carcinogen. These two links use vinegar.
Here is an article about Marie-Christine Pavone's galalith jewelry.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Just Tutes

Just Tutes is Charity Beasley's blog of sewing tutorials. She makes and shares her patterns, tips for wardrobe refashioning and frugal sewing.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Kids Craft Weekly Newsletter

Amber Carvan's free newsletter, kids craft weekly, is choc full of fun ideas to keep the little ones busy.

I love the Alphabet Crafts.

Cut 'n' Sew clothing and toys

Clothkits screenprinted clothing panels to sew. Great designers including Rob Ryan.

Found via whip up.

This is the type of thing I think that would make a great Spoonflower project. Cut 'n' Sew panels have always attracted me...even cheater quilts would make a good project.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Tape Sculpture by Joe Davidson

These are the beautiful works of Joe Davidson, made of Scotch tape. Don't they look like alabaster? I'm fascinated by tape sculpture; see my previous post about Mark Jenkins.

Found via the ever curious dear ada.
A fellow Oregonion with a great eye for design. Yes, it's amazing.

Hermes Paper Purse

Patricia (Agence Eureka) mentioned this link on NotCot. Hermes is offering a free printable download for a paper version of their famous Kelly Bag.
A free classic for download on the Hermes site
Let the site load up. Click the small picture of the bag and let that load up. Click "I want it"

Thanks, Patricia, you are the queen of fun things!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

10 Free Bag Patterns

From the online crafts page of Better Homes and Gardens magazine.
This one is shown first. Click on their arrow that says slide 1 of 11 to see the other patterns.

The BHG craft site is quite extensive. You will have fun browsing it.

Friday, May 09, 2008

Decoupage Faux Engraved Tile

I'm always thinking of Christmas ornament ideas and was really taken by the look of this cross by Eileen Bergen, The Artful Crafter. It's decoupage on foam core board making the technique interesting to me since weight is always a factor with ornament making. I don't know that I would make crosses but doves might be nice for me.
Visit the Artful Crafter for project directions.

Pattern-Making Calculator

This calculator allows you to use fractions rather than decimals. Generously shared by sloper maker pattern.stringcodes.com

Friday, May 02, 2008

Fabric Fans

Instructions at the Embroidery Library include how to cut the fan sticks. These are embroidered but the instructions could suit any fabric. The templates and machine embroidery designs are for sale.
A different downloadable fan template is available here from SandScripts online printers.
I even see the shape as pillows. Fans have been a recent interest and I'll have more posts in the future.

Fabric House

Lynn Roberts has posted a tutorial for this cute fabric house on her blog, Mollychicken. I love the birdie on the roof. Visit the tutorial to see how she furnished the inside of her house.
Lynn has posted other tutorials....all charming.
Here's her tutorial page.


Thursday, May 01, 2008

Wire Crochet Patterns and Tips

Shared by Michelle Ryan.

Letter Cubes

Each time I visit Patricia's Flickr papercraft sets I see something I missed. I adore letterforms and the soft colors of vintage printed works always make me smile. These cubes would be fun for messages on a shelf or as little gift boxes. The letters alone could be used in collage and the font on these pages is lovely. Click these pictures to be taken to each page. Click "All Sizes" to download the high resolution versions. Thank you, friend.