Free Sewing Patterns: 19 Easy Projects

Free Patterns for the Beginner Sewer has lots of fun projects. Here are just a few from their website that you might find interesting:

Pot Holders
Kitchen Curtains
Simple Tote Bags
How to Sew a Basic Fabric Yo-Yo
Craft Tool And Paint Brush Holder
How To Sew A Baby Receiving Blanket
Sachets
Scented Hot Pad
Envelope Back Pillows
Fabric Canning Jar Covers
Fabric Paint And Applique Tee Shirt
Keep Em Cold Can Wraps
Draft Stopper Snake
Hood Scarf
One Yard Apron
Potpourri Pie!
Clothes Pin Bag
Magic Wallet
Durable Grocery Bags and, finally
MORE Free Beginner Sewing Projects

The referenced website has intermediate and advanced projects as well. There is something for everyone to sew, and you don't need to buy the pattern, thanks to About.com .

Huck, or Swedish Weaving

Swedish weaving is an old craft with colored threads working designs upwards in repeating patterns to make a repetitive motif. This type weaving is a surface embroidery where the floss/yarn is woven under the top threads of the fabric "floats". Rarely does the floss penetrate to the wrong side of the fabric.

While doing a bit of web surfing regarding this embroidery craft, I came across an interesting blog about huck weaving. It can be found at Quilting Memories, along with an explanation of Swedish weaving (huck weaving).

Another site, with a “how-to” guide on this type fabric embellishment is found at Huck Embroidery How-To.

... Monk's Cloth has become popular for making afghans, baby blankets, pillows, and even tote bags. Aida cloth can be used as well as most pre-finished items used for cross stitch such as towels, bookmarks, and baby bibs. When working on Monk's cloth, which is approximately 8 squares per inch or 4 floats, with yarn, you may use a size #16 or #13 tapestry needle as well as the special bodkin and weaving needles they now have out. For stitching on smaller fabric though, use a blunt tapestry needle, such as when working with cross stitch. Make sure the needle easily moves under the floats of the fabric you wish to use. The tightness of the fabric weave will also determine how easily a needle will slip under the floats. (from Here and Above).

Carol Selfors, a local friend, brought this craft to my attention and shared with me a few of the blankets in her stash for illustrations to this post. Carol has made several lovely items using this thread technique for pattern design. Here are a couple of pictures of her blankets graced with huck weaving:



Many huck weaving patterns can be found here at: crafts.

BMW: Top of the Rockies Rally (Paonia, CO) and Colorado Mountain Fair in Carbondale

July 26-27, 2008 was time spent by over 800 bikers in Paonia, Colorado at the BMW Bikers' Rally. Skeeter Kopacekv came from Minnesota and is shown beside his bike (in black). And Shag is standing by his blow-up alien protecting his Beemer (it's a long story, and he has the video to prove it).

Colorado Beemers were hosted by residents of this small Colorado mountain town. Friendly Paonia residents provided attendees

Breakfast on Saturday, a great Dinner on Saturday night...along with First Rate Music on stage on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.

Then a fast and beautiful trip over McClure Pass to Carbondale, CO for the annual Colorado Mountain Fair was the second stop on the weekend. Beautiful handmade things there, and I talked to a woman I was acquainted with through her Etsy shop.

Two friends were displaying their glass dichroic art at this juried fair, and I came away with a beautiful necklace from Holly Sokol. Her Sokol Kiln Fired Glass site is well worth checking out.

At the Colorado Mountain Fair, the Police got in the spirit by performing their security duties dressed in tie-dyed shirts and caps.

Everyone had a grand time. If you did not participate, you might want to plan for it next year.