letsgosew.com
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up for Sewing News, Freebies, & Updates
  • Order Just Jackets Embroidery Collection
  • Just Jackets FAQ
  • Order Wrapped in Embroidery Book by Joanne Banko
  • Joanne Banko's Blog
  • Machine Embroidery Survey
  • FREE Tutorials and Tip Sheets
    • NEW! Serger Sample Sheet
    • NEW! 2-Thread Serger Techniques-Pt.1
    • NEW! Basic Serger Stitches
    • New! Sew with Your Feet_Resources
    • New Project! Chic Triangle Scarf
    • New! Embroidered Sachet Envelope Project
    • Denim Re-design Hanging Organizer
    • Sewing a Cargo Pocket
    • NEW! Interfacings for Embroidery Tip Sheet
    • Making Kitchen Towels & FREE Cornucopia Applique Design
    • NEW! Embroidery Placement Positioning Tips
    • Tip sheet - 5 Reasons Quilters Need A Serger
    • Free In-the-Hoop Patch Pocket Design
    • Serging versus Sewing
    • FREE Project-Embroidered Gift Tag with Gift Bag
    • Tip Sheet - Pillow Pointers
    • Tip sheet_Sew Straight Laser for Seams
    • Embelishment Tips from dime V.111
    • Tip sheet - Shannon Embrace Double Gauze
    • Tip sheet - Fun with Fonts
    • Fabric Tip Sheet- Sewing Faux Suede
    • Tip sheet for Sewing & Embroidering with Metallic Thread
    • Fleece Ruana Pattern: As seen on PBS It's Sew Easy TV
    • Fabric Tip Sheet - Crepe Back Satin
    • Fabric Tip Sheet-Sewing Slinky Type Knit
    • Fabric Tip Sheet - Fleece
    • Fancy Footwork Tipsheet - About the Walking Foot
    • Fancy Footwork Tip Sheet_Basic Appliqué
    • Fancy Footwork Tip sheet - Ruffler Attachment
    • Fancy Footwork Tip Sheet - Narrow Hems with a Standard Foot
    • Fancy Footwork Tip Sheet - Non Stick Foot
    • Tip sheet - Machine Embroidery Pattern Connection Resources
    • Tutorial_Embroidered Greeting Card Project
    • Tip Sheet - Machine Set up for Shirring
    • Tip sheet - Snowman and Target Markers
    • Tip Sheet for Printing on Fabric
    • Tip sheet-Five Ways to Finish Fleece Blankets
    • T-Shirt Transformation Tutorial
    • Project- Serge a Little Girl's Sweet Summer Dress
    • Tip Sheet for Fleece Frame Shape Appliqué
    • Tip Sheet - Bobbin Work Sewing & Embroidery
    • Tip Sheet - Custom Covered Buttons
    • Tip Sheet - Liquid Stabilizers
    • Tip sheet - Appliqué with Brother XV8500D & ScanNCut
    • Project - Sheer Chiffon Wrap
    • Project - Pearl Trimmed Candle Ring
    • Tip Sheet -Mitered Satin Blanket Binding
    • Fabric Tip Sheet_Knit Know How
    • Tool School Tip Sheets
    • ITH Project Planner
  • As seen in DiME Magazine - Photo Gallery
  • Sewing and Embroidery Events
  • My Sewing Story
  • It's Sew Easy TV Online Blog
  • IT'S SEW EASY TV Videos & Bonus Files
    • NEW! It's Sew Easy TV Series 2100
    • It's Sew Easy TV_Series 2000
    • It's Sew Easy TV_Series 1500
    • It's Sew Easy TV - Series 1600
    • It's Sew Easy TV_Series 1700
    • It's Sew Easy TV Series 1800
    • It's Sew Easy TV Series 1900
    • NEW! Superstar Sewing Stitches
    • NEW! Classy Textured Cape
    • NEW! Baby Bath Wrap
    • NEW! Detachable Collar
    • Sew a Swimsuit
    • Machine Embroidered Garments
    • Kimono Blouses
    • Custom Covered Hangers
    • Sewing Beautiful Belts
    • Felted Flower Hat Trim
    • Sew a Waffle Weave Robe
    • Learn about Couching accessories!
    • Turn a Pashmina into a Trendy Topper
    • Machine Embroidered Reverse Applique
    • Machine Embroidered Knit Dress
    • Use Non-Stick Foot to sew a Custom Luggage Tag
    • Serge & Sew Broomstick Skirt
    • Machine Embroidered Western Jacket
    • Machine Embroidered Bobbin Work Pashmina
    • Embroidered Pajamas
    • Sewing Pearls and Sequins
    • Learn how to use the Fringe Foot
    • Quilted Pinwheel Patchwork Tote
    • Machine Embroidered Lace for Lingerie
    • Sewing Circles with a Circular Attachment
    • Sew with the Edge Joining Foot
    • Re-style Tops for Little Girls
    • Short Style Tip- Blouse Embellishment
    • Learn how to make pretty piping using the Piping Foot
    • Embellish with the Three Slot Cording Foot
    • Facebook Live Interview 12-4-2018
    • Machine Embroidery - Starter Tips

Baby Days Sewing & Embroidery Ideas

7/31/2021

2 Comments

 
Picture
Sewing for babies and making baby gifts is always a fun way to use both sewing and embroidery capabilities on your machine!

Admittedly, the only "babies" I ever raised had four paws, fur, and answered to the call of "here kitty kitty!" However, I have made many baby items for gifts. I've seen the joy on an expecting mom's face when she received hand-crafted items perfect for her upcoming bundle of joy.

In this post I'll share some of my favorite baby days projects created for the It's Sew Easy TV show and the Brother blog where I regularly contribute as a Brother Ambassador. Follow along as I share some photos, descriptions and links to instructions.
Hooded Towel Wrap
Picture
This practical terry wrap is perfect for baby's bath time! Originally featured on It's Sew Easy TV show 1513, you can make this wrap entirely on the sewing side of the machine or choose to add embroidery for the triangular shaped hood. Packaged bias binding makes it fast and easy to finish but you can also consider making custom bias binding for a super cute color coordinated finish. CLICK HERE to watch the video on my YouTube channel. Download a PDF copy of the instructions with an easy step-by-step method for an inconspicuous seam on continuous bias binding HERE.

Machine Embroidered Bath Mitt
Picture
Make this quick and easy bath mitt using a wash cloth and a bit of embroidered ribbon trim. The little duckie design is available as a free .pes design download from Brother, included with the project instructions. This fits in a 4-inch hoop, making it ideal for new or entry level machine embroidery owners. CLICK HERE to download instructions and the design courtesy of Brother Sewing Machine Company.

Baby Bottle Cover
Picture
Another quick and easy project, this baby bottle cover is super cute with added embroidery and it can be easily trimmed with something simple like decorative stitches or classic rick rack. To learn how to make this CLICK HERE to watch It's Sew Easy TV show 1503. You'll find the instructions for measuring and making a custom sized cover, plus a free bonus burp cloth pattern HERE on my site.

Satin Trimmed Plush Blanket
with
Neatly Finished Mitered Corners

Picture
This blanket has to be one of my all time favorite baby gifts to make and to give. Simply cut a rectangle of one or two fabrics and purchase a package of satin blanket binding and you're on your way to making a blanket with a professional finish and a soft edge baby will love to cuddle under. Once you learn the technique for mitering the corners you'll likely keep this as one of your "go to" baby gifts for future baby showers and gift giving. I spent quite a bit of time working out the details for making this easy and effortless. I suggest you watch the video HERE on this page and download the included written instructions for step by step photos to help you master this technique.

Quick and Easy Banded Burp Cloth
Picture
Yet another burp cloth, cos what new parent can't use more of these!?! Grab a package of cloth diapers, some bright strips of fabric and decorative thread and you are ready to whip up one or a half dozen in no time at all! I  recently created this project for the Brother Stitching Sewcial blog. You'll find the instructions HERE. Design ideas include picking a few favorite baby themed embroidery designs, choosing fun sayings to use with built-in lettering, or consider using just decorative stitches or fabric appliqués if embroidery is not in your repertoire.

I hope you enjoy these baby days projects! Great for gift giving but quick enough for  a creative parent to be to make as well!

Save the instructions so when you here the news that so and so is expecting you'll be ready to stitch something cute, made with your sewing skills, love, and a little help from your sewing machine!
2 Comments

Spruce Up YOur Sewing Space: managing Magazines

7/3/2021

1 Comment

 
Picture
I'm starting the slow process of cleaning. clearing, clutter busting and rehabbing my sewing space. I have no set deadline and plan to move at a pace that does not stress me out. I thought I would share so of my ideas and invite you to join me in the journey in the hope that it will help you to get the clutter under control, perfect your workflow, and generally make your creative space more inviting. I want you and me too, to feel inspired and rejuvenated each time you enter it! 

Today we tackle the menagerie of magazines. I should start by saying that I have gone through the process of culling magazines and sewing periodicals many times in my sewing life. Before easy access to the internet became commonplace, we didn't have any other way to learn and be inspired with reading material except for magazines and books. For almost ten years I had the privilege of contributing to what I considered to be the premier machine embroidery magazine, Designs in Machine Embroidery. Copies of my contributions are on my must keep list. The batch of magazines that remain are going through the should it stay or should it go process. Below you'll find my best list of ideas and methods for tackling this stack of shiny paper full of pretty pictures and golden information.
How to Get Started
​Begin by sorting a pile of keepers and discards. Think through your list of sewing friends that may benefit from magazines you are through with. Discards may be newfound treasures for them.
 
Now it’s time to go through the keepers pile. If you don’t have the dreaded FOMO (fear of missing out) syndrome like I do, you may be able to breeze through the index of your saved magazines to see if anything is there that still interests you just by looking at the titles in the index. You may be like me and want to leaf through page by page just to make sure you are not in fact missing out. Now you are ready to plough through and see what you can’t part with. See if any of the following ideas work for you.
  • Clip and File - Once clipped, file in a file cabinet, file box, drawer, or stand up organizer designed to hold magazine or file folders. I like to use a simple A to Z system. If I’m looking for zipper tips, I simply look for the label that includes Z and I’m sure to find what I want. For yet another idea, buy clear sleeves for a binder and store the articles in binders by alphabet or by categories. These methods work for chopped up pieces of articles or multi-page articles you want to keep for future reference.
  • Snap and Store – Snap a picture of a tip or paragraph or even a picture you want to keep and then file it using your favorite digital formula. For me that is yet another A-Z system on my computer. Tip: If you are using a Mac, you can open your picture file using the preview program, add text or drawing to emphasize areas and even export it as a PDF. I know there are other Windows based programs that allow you to do this as well. One that I use for both Mac and Windows is called SnagIt.
  • Scan & Store - If you have access to a flatbed scanner, simply scan in the file, save it as a PDF for easy printing should you choose to print at a later date, and once again, file it in your computer as digital media.
  • Protect & Keep Intact - If you find a magazine that you can’t bear to part with and want to keep intact, consider putting it in sleeves made just for that purpose or make your own from clear vinyl. I have even considered purchasing two-page menu covers for magazines I know I will never want to part with. I'll keep you posted on the progress of that idea.
  • Search Before Saving - Last but not least, if you're seeking to cut down on the quantity of items you are keeping, before you save an article do a quick online search to see if the information exists in digital form. If you can download and save the info you won’t need to store the hard copy. Also, think about the books you already own. Perhaps the same or similar technique or information is already archived in a book you plan to keep. By the way, if it is really important information be sure to have a digital back up copy as well.
P.S. If your favorite magazine is available as a digital subscription you may want consider subscribing to digital downloads to keep from repeats of this sorting process. I won't tell you that I never buy magazines anymore. However, I have a penchant for not letting them go and while I enjoy an occasional magazine as a treat, I don't feel the need to keep my sewing "pantry" full of them.
I hope you found some of these ideas helpful. I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas about managing the menagerie of magazines!
1 Comment
    Picture

    Author:

    Joanne Banko
    Brother Ambassador


    I'd love to stay in touch with you!

    Click Here
    and Sign up for
    ​Sewing News, plus tips, tricks, and notifications about new blog posts.

    Archives

    May 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    December 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    September 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014

    *As a believer in full disclosure, I'd like you to know that Blog posts may contain affiliate links for products and services I know and trust. Purchasing items through a link marked * results in a small commission for me, with no extra charges for you.

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

© Copyright 2025 by Joanne Banko. All rights Reserved