Patterns, Techniques, Articles, Blogs, and other resources to learn how to sew
Miriam Tribe from Mad Mim shares a free pattern and tutorial for making her Strapping Stick Horse. It’s the classic stick horse toy that you probably remember from your own childhood. His head is made of faux suede with a yarn mane, and his body from a wooden dowel. Get the pattern and tutorial. Here is the PDF.strapping-stick-horse-pattern
[photo from Mad Mim]
As a caregiver to an elderly parent navigating the challenges of aging and dementia, I’ve found myself on a mission to create thoughtful, practical items that assist in everyday care while maintaining a sense of dignity and comfort. Over the years, my sewing projects have shifted from creating cute clothes for my children to sewing things that support my parents through their later years. It’s not always easy, and it can be heartbreaking at times, but crafting these items has brought a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
If you’re in a similar situation and looking for sewing patterns and tutorials to support your loved one, whether they are in a wheelchair, dealing with dementia, or simply needing adaptive clothing, this roundup is for you. These patterns offer solutions to daily challenges, from sensory stimulation to maintaining dignity and comfort.
When caring for someone with dementia, eating can often become a messy experience. An adult dignity bib offers a simple but effective way to help prevent spills and ensure that your loved one remains comfortable and clean during mealtime. This pattern provides a great way to create a stylish and practical solution for dignity and comfort.
How to Turn a Plush into a Weighted Toy
Weighted toys can be a calming and comforting tool for seniors, especially those experiencing anxiety or agitation. This tutorial shows you how to transform a soft plush toy into a weighted sensory item, offering soothing pressure and comfort to help relax your loved one. It’s a great way to create a personalized, comforting toy that provides sensory input.
Special Needs Bib Pattern — CraftBits.com
Fidget quilts are fantastic tools for dementia patients, offering tactile stimulation and promoting calmness. In this video tutorial, Rob guides you through the process of making a fidget quilt, showing you how to add various textures, buttons, zippers, and other engaging features to keep your loved one’s hands busy and focused
Making Fidget Quilts for Dementia Patients | Madam Sew – MadamSew
How to Make a DIY Lycra Sensory Bed Sheet | And Next Comes L – Hyperlexia Resources
Lycra sensory bed sheets are an excellent choice for providing calming pressure during sleep. This pattern from And Next Comes L explains how to make a DIY Lycra sensory bed sheet that can help your loved one feel secure and relaxed while they sleep, which is especially useful for those with sensory processing issues.
Wheelchair And Walker Carry Bag Sewing Pattern
Tutorial: No-sew adaptive sweatshirt for wheelchair users
Tutorial: Adult-sized bib – Sewing
Sewing pattern: How to Make a Fidget Quilt
How to Make an Adult Pocket Diaper
For individuals who need additional care in maintaining hygiene, adult pocket diapers can be a game-changer. This pattern teaches you how to create a comfortable, functional pocket diaper, ensuring your loved one stays dry and comfortable throughout the day.
How to Sew an Adult Front Closure Swim Diaper
How to Sew a Fitted Adult Cloth Diaper
For those looking for an eco-friendly and budget-conscious option, sewing a fitted adult cloth diaper can be a great solution. This pattern offers detailed instructions for creating a well-fitting, reusable cloth diaper for adults who need additional support.
The Linda Pants – Free Adaptive Sewing Pattern
Adapting Creatively: Wheelchair Rain Poncho Tutorial
This wheelchair rain poncho is a practical and thoughtful accessory for wheelchair users. This tutorial shows you how to make a poncho that will keep your loved one dry while they’re out and about, ensuring they stay comfortable in all weather conditions.
Adapting Creatively: Split-back Wheelchair Jacket
For those who need a little extra calming weight throughout the day, a weighted lap pad is an ideal choice. This simple but effective pattern helps you create a lap pad that can be placed on your loved one’s lap for a soothing, calming effect that promotes relaxation and comfort.
Making for 4year old boy with canser
Her website is no longer available so the links don’t work.
We have updated the link to the web archives page.
The pattern is cut off can you post the link Here so we can use it.
I do not see an issue with the PDF pattern. You have to piece the pattern together on 2 papers to make the full head template.
I made this stick horse for my grandson, he LOVES it!! Thank you so much for the GREAT pattern!! It was perfect!! VERY HELPFUL!!
I just made two for my grandsons. They turned out great. I did make a couple changes from reading another blogger who used the pattern. Here is what I did:
1. I sewed the nose bridge in before adding the ears. That allowed me to be sure the ears were even and across from each other. You may have to adjust where you cut for one ear to make them even.
2.On one horse I added a blaze to the nose bridge. We have been reading “Billy and Blaze” books so I free cut and attached a blaze to match the horse in the book.
3. I suggest creating your own nose swirl and placing it up higher than what is marked on the pattern. If you look at Mad Min’s drawings, you will get a better idea.
4. Use both pictures and writing to guide you. I do enough sewing but Mad Min did a wonderful job of both pics and writing to make things understandable.
5. I added a bridle by looping some macramé cord I had across the mouth and then 2x through a ring on each side of the head. One side then went over the mouth and the other side went under the mouth and each looped 2x through the ring again. I then tied it at a length I thought will work well for my grandsons. It is not secured (sewn on anywhere)so time will tell how well it works when the boys play.
6. If in a hurry, you can sew on button eyes and skip sewing the mouth, which was the toughest part for me. You may have to cut your bottom neck piece a little longer and you can make the nose bridge and bottom neck one long piece. If you want a bridle, you will need to find a different way to do that.
Seriously, this is the best tutorial on how to make a ‘realistic’ stick horse you can find. I can’t wait to make cowboy outfits and give these to the boys.