It’s been a very HAPPY week for Gingercake Patterns and moi, Virginia Lindsay 🙂 My new book, More Sewing to Sell is finally available for purchase and I am so excited to share it!  This book was a challenge and pleasure to write.  I really wanted to give my readers valuable information on running a sewing/ crafts business.  Not only did I contribute my own experience, but I interviewed 8 very successful sewing superstars that make this book a fantastic resource. Do you see who is in that photo above?  That’s right!  The fabulous Anna Maria Horner!  She talks about hiring employees for the first time and gives her advice when you will know to hire for your business.   She is just as kind and down to earth as you would expect. I also interviewed Kendra Oakden of Swankaroo.  I have admired her simple, beautiful backpacks for quite some time and was really happy to get her in the book.  I was so surprised to learn that Kendra is a one woman show running her business on a small scale exactly the way she wants.  I thought for sure she had 20 employees making backpacks and web designers organizing her social media and photo shoots.  It is amazing what she has accomplished! But I know most of you are most interested in the projects!   I love the sewing projects too!  Here is a peek at a few of them… And, as always, C & T publishing has done an amazing job of photography, styling, and formatting the book.  It is truly a joint accomplishment!  Take a look at some of these photos (and these are projects in the book too!)… Gorgeous, right??  So, do you want to win a copy of the book?  I should hope so!  This is going to be a simple giveaway just for YOU, my regular readers 🙂 . SO leave a comment below and tell me if you have dreams of starting a sewing business and what is holding you back.  OR, if you are already running a business and what improvements you hope to make.  OR, if you don’t want to start a sewing business and like keeping it a hobby and why you like that.  Basically, tell me about YOU! 🙂 . The giveaway will end on December 18th and I will contact the winner via email.  USA readers will get a book and everyone else will get an ebook!  Just leave a comment to enter!...

Gosh I love pin cushions.  I have MANY.  But you need lots of pin cushions when you are getting really creative.  Otherwise those pins end up in piles EVERYWHERE! I also love making something cute and easy with a traditional quilt block!  A pin cushion is a perfect project to make- it’s all the fun of creating a quilt block without the huge time commitment 🙂 Here is the cute block before it was transformed into the pin cushion.  Adorable, right?  Above is the pin cushion version which I created by boxing the corners and adding a backing.  Very fun and easy, friends! Do you want to make one too?  Click the play button on the video below.  Check the description section of the video for all the measurements and materials needed.  Enjoy!...

Back to school is in full swing at my house!  All FOUR of my kids are now going to school all day long.  Yes, I am crying a little but also looking forward to this new chapter of my life.  It actually feels pretty hectic getting everyone ready.  I took an afternoon last week to make some really cute and easy pencil pouches.  This pencil case DIY project is easy and great for beginners.   Feel free to Pin the image below for later use if you don’t have time to make one now! You all my know by now that my favorite way to do tutorials is by video!  I feel like I can really explain what is happening and this is great for beginner sewers.  You experienced gals, just fast forward through the simple parts! You will need a 7” nylon zipper, 10” x 9.5” exterior fabric, 10” x 9.5” lining fabric, and 10” x 9.5” fusible interfacing.  Let me know your thoughts about going back to school and how you like the look of this pencil case below!  ...

A couple weeks ago I made a video on my Youtube channel that was sponsored by Mercari.  Mercari is a buying and selling app that is FREE and very easy to use!  My video shows how I went through my mountain of scraps, divided them into colors, weighed them and ultimately packaged them to see in 1/2 pound bundles on Mercari.  Here is the link to my Mercari store if you want to buy scraps from me.  You can do this too!   I think the key is to weigh them because they charge shipping by the pound.  Here is the video… I gave Anne one of the scrap bundles so she could make a new drawstring back pack.  Look how super adorable this turned out!  She used the pattern from my book, Sewing to Sell. Can you believe how big my girl is getting?  Look at her here.  Going to 7th grade this year and she made this bag all...

My newest Youtube video features this adorable roll-up organizer!  I used mine to for bathroom supplies for my girls going to camp but the possibilities are endless!  I know you will love it!  Here is a sneak peak of the organizer… Click below to watch the video and make your own!  All the supplies needed are in the video description.  You can make this in about an hour 🙂  Enjoy! While you...

Have you been nervous to try quilting?  This is the project for YOU!  Or perhaps just looking to try something new (but really this is OLD) ?  This new tutorial over on my Youtube channel is an easy and modern twist on the classic Lamoyne star quilt block.  This block has been around a very long time!  Some theories link it to Versailles and others to the LeMoyne Brothers and the beginnings of New Orleans.  Cool, right?  It is also called the Lemon Star in New England. This new video teaches you an easy way to make perfect Half Square Triangles (HST) called the magic 8.  I am also not responsible for inventing the magic 8 either 🙂  I wish I knew who to give credit, because it is a brilliant and easy way to make HSTs.  Watch below and make your own… As discussed in the video, here is a “map” to help you create your pillow.  Click on the blue letters to download the PDF and print, or you can just use your phone or tablet to view. LeMoyne Block I would love to see how YOU would mix it up!  I am looking forward to adding some serious color to this project 🙂 . Here is one more photo of the pillow in action in my home…...

Last week Marion finished preschool!  Kindergarten here she comes!  So, I rushed around and made her 3 teachers quilted fabric frames.  You know that is my favorite gift to give, right?  I love how you can give it with a cute saying or special picture and then the recipient can then hang it as is, OR put their own saying or picture in there.  Thus, the perfect gift for your favorite teacher! Alas, in my rushing, NO PICTURES!  but I did make new printables for the frame over on Canva.  Now, I warn you, I am not a graphics expert and I have seen much cuter fonts and configurations than these, but they are still pretty good!  And, Marion colored in the apple, flowers and hearts, so they turned out really cute.  AGAIN, SORRY NO REAL PICTURES :(.  But I still wanted you to see the quotes in action, so I did a little photo shop trickery!  Basically, I superimposed the new quotes on old frame photos.  So, let’s pretend this is what my frames looked like…  (and to get the FREE printables, scroll below!)   Cute, right?  Thoughtful AND EASY!  That is my favorite part because this time of year I am totally swamped with end of the year activities.  As a result,  putting together a nice teacher gift can be challenging.  So, the quilted fabric frame pattern to the rescue- AGAIN! So, here are the PDF printables!  Just click on the blue letters below.  I would recommend printing them on white cardstock and then trimming down.  I usually take the piece of glass/ plexiglass and put it centered over the printed quote.  Then lightly trace with a pencil and cut it out.  Then it will fit perfectly every time!  The printables are for a 5” x 7” frame (which is the standard size of the quilted fabric frame sewing pattern!). Big-heart-to-teach influence of a good teacher teachers plant the seeds Here are the quotes up close so you can see them!  But to print out, you need to download the PDFs above in blue 🙂 I hope you get some use out of these fun quotes!  I know my MOM is going to call me soon and say “Well, Ginny, your quotes were cute but down here in the SOUTH, kids are already out of school!”  Sorry I am late for you on the teacher gifts, southern friends!  But you can PIN these to pinterest and use them next year!  Yay!  And, follow ME on pinterest while you are at it 🙂...

I love summer and going to the pool, beach and lake with the kids.  They splash around and I relax (sorta) and it is really nice.  But, I admit that sometimes I feel  a bit like a pack mule lugging all the towels and chairs and snacks etc.  Yes, the older ones carry their own towels and chairs.  Yes, my husband helps me when he comes along!  But, I am often the one doing the majority of the carrying.  THUS, a new beach BAG! This one was made using very lightweight fabrics and wide handles so I can just fold it up and put away without having it take up too much space.  Bonus!  I like making video tutorials nowadays :).  So watch below to see the movie magic and make yourself a new boho beach bag too…   You will need a yard for the exterior and almost a yard for the lining too.  I didn’t use any interfacing but you are welcome to add for a sturdier version.  Here are a few more...

Does anyone else out there always click on the Pinterest recipes that say (for example)”BEST MEATLOAF EVER”?  I do!  I can’t help it.  I think, if they claim it is the best, it must the BEST!  Well, I think this 1/2 yard tote is pretty great, so I am going to go ahead and call it THE BEST.  Haha!  I will let you be the judge but I may as well shoot for the moon 🙂 I am teaching a little sewing class to a few local kids.  They are so fun and I am really enjoying sharing my love of sewing with them.  Our first project was pin cushions and now we are making our second project, this tote bag!  I think it is perfect to teach them how to follow a simple pattern, learn If you are coming from my Youtube channel, WELCOME!  If you are already a blog follower, head over to my channel and watch this new video and learn how to make this adorable tote bag. You can download the cutting guide to by clicking on these BLUE words below.  Print out this page for easy reference when making these bags (because I KNOW you are going to make more than one!). QuickEasy1:2YardTote-byGingercake Here is the stabilizer I use.  It is my favorite now and I love only using that expensive fusible interfacing when I have too.  I love saving the $$$, the time, and I love how sturdy this stuff make my bags!  Here is for sale on amazon.   Here are a few more photos of the bag!  I used chambray fabric from Andover for the lining and the exterior fabric is from Blend fabrics.  I love this combo, don’t you?  What would you use this bag for?  Library tote?  Piano bag?  Crafts on the go?  Let me know your thoughts in the comments!...

This is one cute chicken!  I don’t know about you, but tons of my neighbors and friends have chickens now.  It may be that I live in a rural area that is still pretty close to Pittsburgh and lots of people around here love the whole hobby farm thing, but I know that chickens are super popular all over the country, right? So, just in time for those hens to start laying again (and for my sweet neighbors to give me some fresh eggs!), I created this new video on my Youtube channel to celebrate our favorite domestic feathered friend. Head over to my Channel (and subscribe for more fun sewing videos!) to watch the video!  Click below (on the highlighted letters!) to get the pattern pieces.  They are just 2 pages and make sure you set your printer to 100%...

Hi all!  I am so pleased and honored to be part of Caroline’s new book, Crafty Little Things to Sew.  YAY!  Caroline is amazing- from her beautifully curated blog, Sew Can She, to her fabulous classes on Craftsy (I have tried both and love them!) to her adorable sewing patterns, she is really making waves in the sewing world! My contribution to the book is this really fun lunch box pattern.  The project is called the Lunch-in-a-Snap Tote on pages 89-93.  It is great for the working girls because you can fit your salad containers and leftovers (my favorite lunch!) as well as a sandwich, pretzels, fruit, etc.  Plus, it is so cute I made another version so I could re visit the project.  Book publishing is a long process and I created this a few years ago.  Yup, I still love it and I think you will too 🙂 . Here is the version I made today… So fun!  The fabrics are from Joann Fabrics- they are the Cloud 9 organics line.  So pretty, right? Be sure to check out some of the other contributors to the book who are blogging about their projects too!   The great news for YOU is that I have a copy of the book to giveaway!  This book has 20 clever, simple and fun projects designed by Caroline herself and 8 other designers (9 including me!).  Here is a sampling below…So, to enter to win, leave a comment below and tell me a crafty sewing project you have made recently.  I am always looking for good ideas.  I can’t wait to hear your comments.  The giveaway will be open until Friday October 27th.  I will randomly choose a winner and send the book your way! THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.  #25, Mona was the winner!  Thank you all for participating...

I am so happy and thrilled to be a stop today on the Frolic Fabric Collection Tour!  I love all fabrics by Tamara Kate and this one is no exception.  I had a hard time choosing just one fabric to work with so I chose a few that matched my favorite one- the flower hedgehog of course:) . Those hedgehogs are too cute for words.I had lots of different thoughts about what I wanted to make and then, last week, I was asked for the millionth time “MOM!  when are you going to make that bean bag chair you promised?!”  That is how 13 year olds talk to their moms by the way.  I knew I had to finally take the leap and make that chair!  And, it would be the perfect way to show the Frolic Collection 🙂 This chair was made from the tutorial by Live Colorful but instead of just using 2 meters of 54” wide fabric, I basically created a simple quilt top with 18” squares and half triangles.  I had four 1/2 yard cuts of Frolic and added two 1/2 cuts of solid fabrics.  Once I had it all pieced together, I backed it with a white muslin and “quilted” the outlines to all the pieces.  The backing was to give the bean bag more stability for wear and tear. One cool thing about this style is that it can be flipped over and takes on a new shape.  The girls call this napping shape and the first, pointy top shape, is reading shape!  I like the fabrics together a little more on the napping side but both look pretty 🙂It took me 2 1/2 bags of bean bag filler from Joann’s to fill this up.  I bought them at 50% off online and picked up in the store.  This filler was something that was always holding me back from making a bean bag chair.  I thought it would be super pricey and hard to work with.  It was a bit challenging to get the filler into the bag but the expense wasn’t too bad with the sale.  Each bag was $12.50, so I spent about $30 total on “beans” and I have about 1/2 bag left over.  Not bad for such a cute chair! Thank you so much to Tamara for including me on her Frolic Collection Tour!  Fabrics will be in stores and online June 15th!  YAY!  They are so bright and beautiful in person and you must try to see them in person 🙂...

Over on my Youtube channel today I shared a new tutorial to make this cute and fun Picnic Quilt!  I have had a great time collaborating with Organic Cotton Plus to make a few videos and I love how this one turned out!  Scroll down to get the PDF map of the quilt and print if you are here from Youtube 🙂 This was an easy and fun quilt to make.  I loved ripping the FQs and then using their size to determine the size of the quilt.  It really made it easy to assemble!  Miss Marion likes it too!   You can watch the video by clicking the play button below.  It is almost 20 minutes long which feels LONG for youtube!  But I will tell you- it’s really hard to show how to sew a whole quilt in less than 20 minutes!  I think it will be worth your time 🙂 Here is the PDF version of the quilt :  OCP quilt design.  Click on that link and print it out on your computer or use the image on your phone like I did in the video.  Here is a photo version you can view from your phone or computer while you sew.  Enjoy your quilt...

Although I set out to make this Classic Bowling Bag sewing Pattern in black, I just couldn’t make myself do it.  I like a soft black leather bag from the department store, but if I am going to sew it, it has to be BRIGHT.  I am so glad I chose this gorgeous coral!  I love how it turned out with the buttery yellow thread. I made the tassels from some up cycled suede and used a saved pice of jewelry from a broken necklace for the brooch.  Have you tried making your tassels yet?  I used this ebook but there are also lots of free tutorials on pinterest. Only one more day to get this fabulous new Classic Bowling Bag sewing pattern for only $5!  After March 16th 2017, it will go up to regular price.  I love how versatile and fun this bag is to make!  Now I just have to decide which one I am going to start carrying around! Don’t forget the giveaway happening too!  For just purchasing the pattern before 3/17/2017, you are entered to WIN!...

Every time I say “New” classic bowling bag I cringe a little inside thinking, “Can I call my pattern a new classic??”  But I do love this new pattern and I am so excited to share it with you all!  Here it is!  A sewing pattern to create the classic bowling bag… I have spend most of my work days over the last month working on this bag.  It has been fun to create- the quilted sides, the simple materials, and the easy construction made it easy to make lots of sample bags.  The biggest challenge was working out the sizing and especially the handles.  I made lots of versions of these handles!   I really wanted to make them look nice but avoid using fancy hardware and difficult techniques. I am so so please with the way they turned out!   I always work to keep things simple and although there are lots of ways to make handles,  keeping them simple and making them look professional are a challenge for sure.   The idea is that a beginner sewer can accomplish something that looks really nice and not kill herself in the process 🙂So, this bag is a testimony that theory- create something beautiful, that you can feel proud to carry, and ENJOY the sewing process!  There are some simple tricks included in the pattern to make sure your are not constantly using your seam ripper and feeling confused.  The materials are easy to find at the fabric store (or even at walmart for that matter!) and although more experienced bag makers could take this to the next level with special interfacing, brass zippers, grommets, and leather handles (all those things would make this bag fantastic!), a beginner could easily accomplish something fantastic too by keeping it simple. It does require sewing through layers, sewing straight lines, installing a zipper, and gathering pockets.  But a beginner with some experience could handle it for sure!  The lining pockets are inspired by vintage travel bags with their pockets that can hold lots of stuff but don’t distort the look of the bag.  I am excited to share lots of versions of the New Classic Bowling Bag pattern with YOU!  I hope you feel inspired to make one yourself!  I know you quilters will get excited to show off your talents and you bag makers can really show off your bag skills on this one.   I hope to learn some things from you all!  You can purchase the pattern in my shop!  Let me know what you think!...

This is my stop on my own Gingercake Holiday Gifts Sewing Series!  I knew immediately that I wanted to share the Quilted Fabric Frame pattern!  It is my new favorite gift to give 🙂 When I created the new frame pattern this past summer, my oldest was immediately smitten.  She is into decorating her room and accessorizing (like many 12 year olds I know!).  Giving a frame can be a little tricky since you either need to have a photo already in it or it feels kinda half finished if you give it empty.  Instead of gathering photos (since you know, at this age, she is going to want to put her friends in there), I decided to make some cute quote printables instead.  Problem solved and I get to pass on my not so subtle Mom messages too 🙂 I used Art Gallery Fabric that I purchased from one of my favorite etsy fabric shops- Llama fabrics.  They have a fantastic selection, Chio always refunds shipping overages, AND it is shipped so fast!   I love how these fabrics from different collections still coordinate.  Another amazing thing about Art Gallery! I also think these will be great to sell at a craft show with the quotes.  That way, people can give them away as a finished gift and the person receiving the frame can either use it with the quote or replace it with a photo.  YAY! I decided to use the binding option for these frames so that they have a gallery type look.  But this pattern also has options of tabs and not binding as a finish.  It is very versatile! I made the quotes into PDFs that you can be downloaded and printed by YOU!  I created these on the canva website. Have you tried Canva yet?  It is an amazing and easy resource for creating graphics.  I highly recommend trying it out! create-sunshine desire-to-create-card grateful-heart stayhumble throw-kindness These quotes are sized to be 5” x 7” since that is the basic size of the frame.  But you can easily adjust their size on your printer to be larger or smaller.  You are welcome to use these but please to do claim them as your own. I can’t wait to give these to my daughter!  One more thing- the pattern calls for using plexiglass which is really nice if you have some handy.  I previously had a sheet of it cut at the home improvement store into 5” x 7” pieces and it worked great.  But for this project, I bought $1 frames from the dollar store and used their glass!  An easy solution for sure except that the glass is fragile. PLUS, if you use a nice card stock to print your quote,...

I have been making these pretty necklaces lately.  They are fast and simple!  The tutorial is featured on Sew Mama Sew today.  Head over and see how you can easily make your...

My 12 year old still likes a new binder cover made by me.  YAY!  She is finally over the lunch bag but still gets excited for this 🙂  I used the Notebook Slipcover Sewing Pattern of course.  On sale right now for only $5! We used the same binder from last year and picked out these very pretty new fabrics from Blend Fabrics.  The fabric line is called Season of Love.  Blend fabrics are always a pleasure to work with- their quality is so nice! Very pretty for 7th grade, right?  Right in the middle of Middle School.  YIKES.  I am thinking about writing more about tween style and sewing for them.  It is such an interesting time for them!  And, it is an interesting time to be a parent too… So be prepared!    ...

I am so excited about my newest sewing pattern!  I have been thinking about making a fabric frame for years.  In fact, I made a version once to appear in a friend’s sewing book but we decided to do a different project instead.  That frame stuck in my head though and I actually knew that I could make a much better version.  Here is the result!   My sister in law, Jennifer Stein, is a great photographer and she is responsible for all these cute photos of my kids 🙂  This new pattern is simple and quick in its most basic form, but one of the best things about the quilted fabric frame pattern is the fun you can have with scraps and fun fabric combinations.   One of my favorite frames is this version above made using binding.  It really frames the frame!   I used Jeni Baker’s binding technique but a traditional binding would also work really well. The directions in the pattern create a frame for a 5” x 7” photo.  But the pattern also gives extra instructions to create a frame for a 4” x 6” and 8.5” x 11” version.  You can also use the measurements given to create a frame of any size!  The one above is made with tabs and hung on a dowel rod.  Super simple and stylish! This one below hangs on the dowel rod and has fun trim added.  The trim is such a fun addition! Head on over to my pattern shop to get our newest pattern!  I can’t wait to see what you...

At the end of this month I am sewing a couple of bags for one of my favorite fabric designers, Kelle Boyd of AnnKelle.  YAY!  She sent me 1 yard of this 108” wide remix yellow daisies which was WAY more than needed to make the bag she requested.   I thought it would be perfect to sew up a cute and summery vacation tote! This version has a twists I wanted to share.  I made the bag just like in the pattern describes but added a flap and magnetic snap closure.  I cut 2 pieces of fabric that were 4” x 8” and fused interfacing to the backs of each.  Then I cut a matching 4” x 8” piece of cotton batting.  I then added one half of a magnetic snap to one fabric side. See the drawing below~Next, layer the pieces together in this order, cotton batting, 4” x 8” piece right side up, 4” x 8” right side down.  See drawing on the left.  Then, sew them together with a 2.5” opening on one 4” end.  Curve the corners at the other 4” end (the one where the magneic snap is attached.  See the drawing on the right. Turn the flap right side out through the opening, poke out the corners, and press flat.  Then top stitch around the entire piece 1/8” toward the edge.  See the dawing below on the left.  Then center the flap on the top edge of the bag- the opposite side of the bag that you want to be the front (both sides are identical in the pattern but maybe you like something better on one side of the bag that the other!).  Pin the flap 2.5” from the top edge and stitch on with a box that measures about 1.75” x 3.25”  you can draw this with water soluable ink or chalk if desired.  See the drawing on the right below. If you are adding the flap on AFTER making the bag (like I did), you will have the problem of inserting the other half of the magnetic snap to the front side exterior.  Simply use your seam ripper to gently take out about 3” of the top stitching and then open the seam between the lining and exterior up.  Measure down 2.75” from the tope edge, centered, and make a mark with chalk or water soluable pen.  Use this mark as your placement for the other half of the magnetic snap.  See the drawing below.   I used steam a seam to close the opening back up but you could also use a blind stitch or simply just use the top stitch to close the opening back up.  Be careul though in...