A number of years ago, we had a French intern working with us... the daughter of a friend of a friend - you know how those things go. She was a sweet girl with a lovely accent, and we had fun asking her for the translation of things we tag as "French": a French braid
In sewing, there's a difference between stitches you use for construction and ones you use for finishing. When you’re first learning to sew, your immediate focus is getting all those pieces to fit together correctly. From the moment you cut the fabric, you’re concerned with maintaining the shape of the pattern pieces. You tediously concentrate
Today's popular laminated cottons start out as basic woven 100% cottons, which are then coated with a Phthalate-free laminate. They're ideal for any project where you want some waterproofing or the ability to wipe the finished item clean with a damp cloth. Think baby bibs, changing pads, raincoats, outdoor tablecloths, reusable shopping bags, and more.
In today's world of instant Internet gratification, does anyone actually hand-write anything any more? Here at S4H, we'd like to think so. And, we'd like to think the handwritten recipe and the personalized gift tag will be two things with enough old-fashioned goodness to never completely go away. I know some of the most cherished
Laminated cottons, oilcloth, and other “sticky stuff” … sure – they can be a little tricky, but don’t avoid them! They’re pretty and pliable and great for all kinds of projects. Simply follow our favorite tips for success.
We now have a lovely new chair thanks to our previous Faux Antique Refinishing project. As a part of that process, we took off the old seat. For phase two, it's out with the old and in with the new as we build a new cushion and cover for the salvaged wooden seat platform. If
One of the fastest, easiest and most rewarding 'furniture renewal' projects is the simple side chair. You get a stunning makeover with very little effort. We've split the steps into two articles: one about refinishing and a second about the new cushion. Depending on drying time in between your coats of paint, this is a
Rather than a napkin ring, add a little seasonal splash to your napkins with a few simple folds and some inexpensive trimmings. These six festive napkins are all fast and easy to assemble, and they’ll fill your table with good cheer.
The button jar. Most every house has one. It may not be a jar; it could a box or a lid or a cup or even a sock. A lot of us spent hours at Grandma's house playing with these beautiful chips of color. Although they do look pretty in pile, they really deserve to
Bias tape is a great and much-used accent for all types of home dec projects. But how many of us have braved the hours of tedious folding to create a good amount of it, or burned our fingers trying to iron the perfect crease? Well, snuff out those burnt fingers, because there is a great
At Sew4Home, we do everything possible using a sewing machine. It's so much faster. However, there are times when hand sewing is necessary. Instead of searching the junk drawer for that needle you thought you saw awhile ago when hunting for the tape, stock up on these five basic types of hand-sewing needles. Hand sewing