I originally bought this green striped set during my last pregnancy because I wanted something loose and comfortable. Afterward, it was much too big on me, so I listed it on Poshmark — where it sat for quite a while without selling. Eventually, I decided I’d rather do something with it myself. I still loved the fabric, and once I started sewing more, I kept thinking about how cute it would be turned into a little outfit for my toddler. So I took it down, cut into it, and gave

When I started making scrunchies, I kept looking up the same information over and over again — fabric sizes, elastic lengths and how much fullness I wanted. Eventually, I started writing everything down so I could stop searching for the same measurements every time I sat down to sew. The Three Things I Pay Attention To For me, the biggest differences come down to: Size — smaller for little ponytails, larger for a fuller statement look Fabric — lightweight cotton, linen blends

How saving my test swatches helped me stop guessing, remember what worked, and feel more confident at my sewing machine. As a beginner, I spend a lot of time experimenting with my sewing machine. I try different stitches, adjust the length and width, change the tension, and test everything on scrap fabric. Sometimes I finally find settings that work beautifully—only to forget them by the time I begin another project. That’s why I started saving my stitch samples. I Thought I

I wanted a liner for my IKEA SNIDAD basket, so I figured out the measurements, made my own pattern, and used the fabric I already had — even when I didn’t quite have enough. Measuring the Basket I started by measuring the basket itself rather than trying to follow a formal pattern. I measured the diameter across the top, then the diameter across the bottom, since the basket gets narrower toward the base. I also measured the height so I could get a rough idea of how tall the

I made my very first handmade outfit for my toddler — a bright leopard-print top, matching pants, and a scrunchie from the leftover fabric. I’m sharing how the project came together, what I learned as a beginner sewist, and the little details I’d do differently next time.