Patterns, Techniques, Articles, Blogs, and other resources to learn how to sew
Sewing Hope is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide opportunities for women in Africa to earn income from sewing. Gorgeous Things blog posts an interview with Sewing Hope’s director, Tara Hawk. Read Gorgeous Things’ interview to find out more about this organization, or check out Sew Hope’s website.
[tags]sewing, women, africa, poverty, nonprofit[/tags]
I am just smitten with this felt gingerbread house bag. This would make such a sweet special Christmas accessory for a kid. It’s a free pattern at Benzie Design, designed by Gracie from Hello Gracie Makes. It’s packed with adorable gingerbread house details, like swirls and stripes and scallops adoring the doors and windows.
And while all those details might seem like this would be a complicated pattern, it’s actually not. The bag itself is made from felt, which makes finishes edges unnecessary. (All of those scalloped edges are just cut from felt, no edge finishing required.) The strap is super simple, made from rope with knotted ends. And all those details are made with some basic hand embroidery stitches. Sparkle felt makes it extra cute.
The striped scallop roof is actually the top flap of the bag. A magnetic snap makes it a secure closure. The rope straps are attached through felt loops at the side of the bag.
They rate this project as an intermediate level, and it should take about 6 hours to make start to finish. That’s doable for a Saturday project or a couple of evenings. Full color photos step you through the entire process.
The project includes a shopping list for all of your supplies. They’ve got a shop so you can order all of them from Benzie if you like and get exactly the supplies used in the project. I noticed it includes a pair of scallop shears, which makes cutting all the scalloped edges for the roof and around the door a breeze.
Finished dimensions of the little felt gingerbread bag are approximately 6 ½” wide x 7 ½” tall. That’s the perfect size to hold a small book, a small toy, or a notepad and some cute pens.
Go to Benzie Design to get the tutorial and free pattern for the felt gingerbread house bag.
I am launching a new business whose product requires sewing. Can you tell me a little about Sewing for Hope – 1-how you get materials to Africa, 2- sewing fees, and 3- how quickly materials are sent back to the United States.
Thank you,
Patty Karn
I am launching a new business whose product requires sewing. Can you tell me a little about Sewing for Hope – 1-how you get materials to Africa, 2- sewing fees, and 3- how quickly materials are sent back to the United States.
Thank you,
Patty Karn
Patty, I don’t know the logistics of how to send the material or how much it costs. You might want to contact the organization directly for that information. You can download a presskit from their website (http://www.fountofmercy.com/Site/sewinghopehome.html) that includes contact information for the director.
Good day,
I am an aspiring fashion designer. i’d like to join the project and sharpen my talent. How do i go about to join?
Kind regards,
Thobi.
i would love to know more and how i can get a sponser i love sewing but i cant afford an advanced sewing machine with overlocking
You can find out more about the Sewing Hope organization here: http://www.fountofmercy.com/Site/sewinghopehome.html
–Anne