More Sewing to Sell is HERE! And the first giveaway…
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 is closed! Thank you so much for all the entries. I loved reading every one of your comments 🙂 . You all are an inspiring bunch! #42, Lauri Schroeder is the winner and here is her comment. I think the book will be perfect for her!...
read moreSawtooth Star Pin Cushion Video Tutorial
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!...
read moreHow to make the Black Kitty from the Modern Folksy Kitty Pattern
For the past couple of years I have offered a kit to make a really cute (not ghoulish) version of my Modern Folksy Kitty Sewing Pattern in Black. This year I didn’t offer the kit but I am offering the pattern on sale for just $5! I decided to share here how to make the yellow eyes and face on the kitty so you could easily re create this version. Here are some tips to learn how to make the kitty face~ Cut out the eyes from the yellow felt. Use an embroidery needle (a needle with a long eye) to sew the eyes onto the kitty using matching yellow embroidery floss. Use a split stitch to sew the felt to the kitty body. Print out this PDF below as a pattern to cut out the kitty eyes Black Kitty Kit face In the sewing pattern, there are links to help you learn these simple embroidery stitches. After sewing on the perimeter of the eyes, use black floss (provided) to sew a satin stitch to make the eye center. Again use, the diagram on page 22 of the pattern to help with the stitches. Enjoy making your black Kitty! I love how it is decor for Halloween but still pretty...
read more8 steps to Beautiful Balanced Scrap Fabric New Yardage
Have you ever tried to put scraps together only to find that you can’t seem to get the look you want? Yes, me too. Well, after all these years, I have a solution for YOU! I was helping my daughter make her drawstring backpack (from this post a few weeks ago) and as we were going through how to put all the fabrics together, I realized that maybe a lot of my readers might like some help with these strategies- just like my daughter did! In the photo above you can see how she combined her scraps in a visually pleasing way, and although it looks random, we actually put quite a bit of planning into it! So, I made a new video to explain these simple strategies that can help you to combine scraps and make pretty new scrappy yardage. Want to try it out? Watch the video below to learn… I divide the process into 8 easy steps that will help to make it feel more organized. These steps include combining textures, fabrics sizing, seam placement and sewing together in sections. Leave me comment below to tell me how you successfully combine scrap fabrics! I look forward to hearing from you!...
read moreSelling Handmade on Poshmark- adding to my business wheel
Handmade business is all about diversifying. You can’t just keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect to continue staying in a creative and evolving business. I like to think of my business as a wheel with sprockets- like a bicycle wheel. At the center is me, the artist (aka Virginia Lindsay). The sprockets are the different aspects of my business- the PDF patterns, the handmade items, the blog, the books, the youtube channel, the sewing classes, etc. I can talk more about that in another blog post if you are interested! The other day I made a video showing how I have begun selling on Poshmark.  Poshmark is a buying and selling app that is FREE and you can download it here. So far I am selling these necklaces that I made using this tutorial I did for Sew Mama Sew a few years ago. I love how they add such character to a basic outfit (and let’s face it, 95% of my outfits are basic!).  You can get the instructions to make on for yourself here! What are some places you are trying to sell your handmade items besides etsy? Have you had some success? Have you tried poshmark yourself? Let me know your thoughts! You can get the app...
read moreHow to Sew an Easy and Fast Pencil Pouch with a Zipper
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! ...
read moreHow to do some SERIOUS scrap busting!
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...
read moreCustomize Your Clothes with Embroidery
Embroidery is one of the oldest ways of embellishing and decorating your clothes known to man – it dates back to 30,000 BC. Archaeologists discovered hand-decorated clothes, boots, and even a hat from these Cro-Magnon days. This craft of using thread and other materials to decorate fabric is just as relevant today, as it was back then. It is a great way that we can express our style, and personalise the garments that we wear. unsplash-logoAnnie Spratt Embroidery in fashion Embroidery is very much on trend for 2018, you only have to look at Gucci’s latest offerings to see how versatile this sewing technique is to personalise clothing. It goes hand in hand with the arts and crafts style that is sweeping the catwalks. Working for Gucci, designer Alessandro Michele has been taking inspiration from bygone eras, using embroidery, applique and prints, and using them to create contemporary designs. From beautiful, rich colored bird, to sprawling English roses, the designs are ones that truly stand out. Currently, there is an enormous influence from tattoo styles, particularly American Traditional – think sailors and beautiful, bright flowers.  Choosing your materials When you are choosing the fabric that you are going to embroider, you need to pick something that isn’t too thin or flimsy, especially if you are planning to add heavier materials to it, such as beads or pearls. Embroidering a tote bag is a great place to start if you are fairly new to sewing. It is a project that should take 3-4 hours. There are many of the Gingercake designs that can also be customised using embroidery. You can also give new life to existing garments that you own, for instance maybe you can’t afford that fabulous new dress, but you can customise your existing clothes, so that they look unique.  Basic Embroidery Techniques An embroidery hoop is a must have, as it will pull the material flat, making it easy for you to work with. Place the material within the hoop that you want to embroider, and make sure that it is taut before you tighten the screw. Just like drawing a picture, it is a good idea to begin your embroidery design with the outline. You can use a basic running stitch or back stitch for this. When you are filling out your design, even using a simple cross stitch can give your design some great texture. You don’t have to be an expert in sewing, you just need to have a clear idea of what you are going to sew.  Embroidery Inspiration All you need now is a little inspiration for your design. You can take this from anywhere. It might be the tapestries from a manor house. It might be your own name, embroidered in glittery thread. Or perhaps you want to recreate one of your children’s animal drawings onto a t-shirt. Embroidery is a great way of customising your clothes, bags and footwear. You can make existing garments look unique and exciting, with simple thread, beads and...
read moreRoll-Up Organizer Sewing Tutorial
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...
read moreHST Quilted Pillow Tutorial Video
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…...
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Patterns for Sale
