🧵 Making Something New 🪡 | The Small Sewing Project

I have a bin at home where I keep bits and pieces of fabric from previous sewing projects. Some are fairly large pieces, while others are little scraps that aren’t quite big enough to do much with on their own. Every now and then, I come across them while looking for something else and think about what I might be able to make with them.

It’s easy to hold on to leftover materials, especially when you think you might find a use for them someday. Rather than throwing away a perfectly good piece of fabric, I’ll tuck it away in the bin, along with all the others, and leave it there until I come up with an idea.

One of the things my daughter is good at is seeing how patterns can be combined. I might have a piece with little flowers, another with stripes, and something else with a pattern or colour that I wouldn’t normally choose. They don’t necessarily look like they belong together when they’re sitting in a pile, but sometimes they work nicely when she arranges them side by side.

It can feel good to make something using materials you already have. You don’t always need to go out and buy everything new when you decide to start a project. Sometimes it’s worth taking a look through your cupboards and seeing what you have available. You might find just what you need, even if you hadn’t thought about using it that way before.

Of course, it doesn’t always work out quite as planned. Sometimes a piece isn’t quite the right size, or the colours don’t look as good together as you imagined. You might move things around a few times before finding an arrangement you’re happy with. But I think that’s part of the enjoyment of working on something yourself. You can take your time, make adjustments, and change your mind along the way.

Another thing I like about using leftover materials is that the finished item doesn’t have to look perfectly coordinated. A collection of different patterns can give something a bit of character, and I don’t mind when things look a little mismatched.

There are so many things you can make with small pieces of fabric, depending on what you have available. They might become part of a patchwork cushion, a small bag, dish towels, or even a pocket on something you’re making or already own. It’s a nice way to use up materials that might otherwise stay tucked away for years.

I suppose it’s a good reminder that we don’t always need to start with something new when we want to make something. Sometimes we already have plenty to work with. We just need a little time to look through it and decide what to do next.

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This story is called The Small Sewing Project, and it’s about mismatched fabrics, a place for trinkets, and a day at home.

I’m spending the day at home, with plans to work on a sewing project I’ve been thinking about for a while. My nephew comes over to visit, and one of the things we enjoy doing together is baking. He likes helping in the kitchen, measuring ingredients, stirring mixtures, and getting his hands into whatever we happen to be making. I’ve been meaning to make him an apron of his own, so I decide today is a good day to get started.

I have a collection of fabric pieces tucked away in a cupboard. I bring them out and spread them across the sewing table, taking my time looking through the colours and patterns. There are flowers, stripes, checks, and a few fabrics with small pictures printed across them. I hold a couple of pieces next to each other, trying to decide which ones might work best together.

After looking through everything, I can’t settle on one, or even two, so I choose to use bits of all of them, just like my nephew would likely do. For the pocket, I like a small piece of cream-coloured fabric with thin pink stripes.

I gather my supplies and arrange them on the table. There’s my sewing machine, a pair of scissors, a measuring tape, a little tin of pins, and a collection of thread in various colours. I find a spool of cream-coloured thread that should work nicely with all the fabrics.

Before cutting anything, I decide on the shape and size of the apron. I want it to be comfortable for him to wear, with enough room to move around and a pocket across the front where he can tuck a small wooden spoon, a recipe card, or any trinkets he wants close by.

I begin by cutting the fabric into squares, making a pile of each pattern as I go. There are little blue flowers, pink and white checks, tiny cats sitting among balls of yarn, and a paisley print in shades of yellow and orange.

I arrange the squares across the table, moving them around until I like how they look together. Some patterns sit nicely beside one another, while others need a little space between them. Eventually, I find an arrangement that I’m happy with and take a moment to enjoy the colourful collection spread out in front of me.

Once I have the pieces in the right order, I begin sewing them together in rows. I place two squares together, line up the edges, and carefully stitch along one side before adding the next piece. Gradually, the separate squares become longer strips of fabric, which come together to form a larger piece. I press the seams with the iron as I go, making sure everything lies flat before joining the rows together.

The sewing machine makes a soothing humming sound as I guide the fabric beneath the needle. I work slowly, stopping now and then to straighten a seam or move a loose thread out of the way. When all the rows are joined, I have a colourful patchwork piece that is just the right size for the front of the apron.

I lay it flat on the table and smooth it with my hands, looking at all the little patterns together. The cats are particularly cute, and I like how the flowers and paisley seem to bring out the colours in the other fabrics. It has a cheerful, slightly mismatched look, which I think is exactly right for this apron.

Using a pattern I’ve kept from an earlier project as a starting point, I mark out the shape of the apron on the back of the patchwork fabric. I make a few adjustments to get the size right, allowing enough room around the sides and shaping the top so it will sit comfortably against his chest. Then I cut around the markings, setting the remaining fabric aside for another project.

Next, I work on the pocket. I fold the striped fabric into the shape I want, pressing the edges with the iron before pinning them in place. I make it wide enough to hold a few small things, with a section stitched down the middle to create two separate pockets. Once it’s ready, I place it against the front of the apron and move it around until I like where it sits. A few pins hold it in place while I check that it’s straight before sewing around the sides and bottom.

For the neck strap and ties, I choose the same fabric I’d used for the pocket. I fold the long strips in half and stitch along the edges, turning them right side out before pressing them flat. The neck strap will sit over his shoulders, while the two longer ties will wrap around his waist. I attach each piece securely, checking the stitching before moving on to the next one.

There are only a few steps left. I trim the loose threads, give the whole thing a final press with the iron, and hold it up to have a look. The patterns look nice together, and the striped pocket adds just the right touch.

I’m pleased with how it’s turned out, and I think he’ll enjoy having something I made just for him. I fold it carefully and set it aside, already looking forward to the next time he comes over.

I wish you sweet dreams.