Easy Scrap Fabric Projects ~ Sewing Projects ~ Handmade Sewing Crafts ~ DIY Fabric Projects 

When I was a little girl, my mom made Barbie clothes for mine and my sister's dolls. We had wedding dresses, coats, dresses, etc. They were beautiful, and she took so much time with them. We didn't have much, but I had a great childhood, because my mother made it special.

I hope many people comment to thank John for his part in today’s video! So cute that he took the time to film it, let him know his efforts were appreciated! It showed a neat little glimpse into a dynamic of your relationship.

My sister was 16 yrs older than I and when I turned 7 she gave me a Ginny doll with a full wardrobe she had made. Several of the fabrics were scraps from maternity tops she had made when carrying her 1st baby ( born 4 mos after my 7th Bday). Sweet fabrics. Tiny little collars and waistbands and pockets. Even a tutu with seed pearl trim from her wedding gown which she had made. I still have all of the clothes and the doll. I'm 76. Ginny is 69 lol.

When our cats sit looking out of the window, we call that the "bird channel." 😊

Mary, you are right, sewing during the winter months is my favorite past time. My Mom and I have been sewing since October. We made Pjs for all of the grandchildren and great grandchildren for Christmas. Since Christmas we have been making a quilt for my baby brother and his wife. This makes the third quilt we have made together in three years. So much fun sitting with my Mom and sewing and she tell she me stories of her childhood which I love. My Mom was 99 this past December. She taught me to sew when I was 9 years old and I have made everything from baby clothes to ceiling to floor silk drapes. I love you cat window seat. I wondered why you were putting a steel plate on the board. Genius. Ann from Va.

I really like how you take a “terrifying” skirt pattern and make it not so terrifying. I worked in different sewing factories from age 15 to age 37. God blessed me with a beautiful little girl at age 37. At age 39 went to technical college, along with 3 part-time jobs. Did this for 3 1/2 years and graduated. Stayed home for a couple years and then went back to work as a overnight customer service representative. Stayed there until April 2011 and had heart attack. Went back to work at public library, significant pay decrease and no benefits, but was at home with daughter. Worked there until April 28, 2011. Had 1st open heart surgery on May 3, 2011. No work. Had 2nd open heart June 28, 2013. Was up walking halls with a walker that same day! ❤❤❤🎉🎉

Hi Mary! Great video. Just a tip, the reason your hot pad binding had pleats is because you cut it on the straight of grain. If you cut your strips at a 45 degree angle on the bias it will have a lot give and conform to the rounded edges and that won’t happen. ❤

Nothing like hearing a nice sharp scissor cutting through fabric.

I have a friend who's 85 years old who is amazing at making drapes, bedspreads, shower curtains, and just all kinds of things for people. It's amazing what she can do, and it's all beautiful.

So wonderful that your husband thinks ahead of what you might need, but knowing that he has to have a reserve to suit what your project needs. 😊

Sewing is a lost art. My mom taught me to sew when I was a young girl and I made costumes. I eventually went to school for Interior design and later learned to make custom window treatments, bed coverings, pillows, table runners, and other items. Thanks for your inspiration today. I’m gonna find a sewing project now.

I love to sew. Been sewing since 9, I’m 70 now Thank you for the inspiration.

Hiding boards from Mary! Too funny ❤

I have taken up sewing again. I learned as a young girl from my mother. This year I made pillows with the word "friendship" for my girlfriends and "family" for my two sisters. I'm so grateful for the ability to do this. I like the idea of the table runner. I have a square table that is impossible to buy a runner that really looks right. John did a fine job - thank him for giving us a chuckle about hiding nice boards from you!

To say you are creative Mary is an under statement !!! So love watching your videos as they are so peaceful. You and John are such a sweet couple . Thank you for showing the beautiful birds, I think they are God's little gifts to us. We feed them too and with a covering of snow the cardinals especially look so beautiful !! Hope you and your family have a very nice week. Love the case you made for your glasses !!!

As usual, I always enjoy your videos! You’re so talented and I love your many skills! Not many husbands can say they have to hide wood from their wives!😂 😂😂

This brings back memories. We didn’t have much money when we were little. Womens lib hadn’t really occurred so mum was at home. She snagged some small gingham fabric in a bin, one pink one light green. She bought a pattern for Barbie sized outfits and got busy. She had an old Singer treadle machine with the bullet shaped bobbin. She made dresses, head scarves, pants, pop tops, shorts. All in the gingham so you could mix and match. It was fiddly work and she did it after we were in bed. It was fabulous. I still have that machine and the cabinet it folds down into with the iron fretwork legs.

So nice to see your husband in the video. We don't get to see much of him. You both do such great work.

Both my grandmother & my sewed, but I never learned. So, even though I've sewn simple baby quilts for many years, I'd never ventured out beyond that. I'm turning 65 in a few months & decided last year to teach myself to sew. There are a few lovely ladies like yourself on RU-vid who share easy sewing projects explaining each step to make it easier for beginning sewists. I haven't ventured out beyond pillow covers, table runners, card wallets, curtains & such as of yet, but there are so many simple things you can make that honestly looks store bought for a fraction of the cost. Thank you for sharing. ❤

Hubby is hilarious! We hide our tools from each other here. 😂 Thank you for posting a sewing video. I’ve wanted to add sewing to my painting videos and was hesitant to. You’ve inspired me to do that and to see if sewing will sell in my booth!

Beautiful sewing projects. Love the nice spring fabric that you used. Thanks for sharing the bird feeder with us so we could see all the wonderful birds. So glad the cats like their new place to lay.

Quilter here- if you want to make another pot holder, look up binding a quilt on RU-vid. I find Jordan Fabrics to be the easiest to understand. It’s not difficult to do. Thanks for doing a video on sewing ❤. It’s my favorite hobby and I’m always looking for fun and easy projects.

Sewing has become sort of a lost art. I am beginning to see people around me wanting to learn how to sew now, asking for teachers etc. It is so refreshing to see the renewed interest in it!

I’ve been sewing my entire life and I never knew the corner trick when making a table runner. Game changer! Thank you so much for sharing!

Your husband did a great job! Tell him to do more! We’re not scary!

Your home is lovely. I love your relaxed way of sewing. Thank you for doing your videos and it is lovely seeing your husband and his workshop.

Thanks Mary loved all of your sewing projects. I have been going to Zinks for many years. I was just in your area mid january for my birthday. I went into the Zinks and told them that it was my birthday and they gave me a discount. Thought that was so nice of them. I also mentioned your name and they said, yes they knew you and you were a very nice lady.

I actually laughed out loud when John admitted he hid boards from you!!! 😂 You do everything perfectly and I can see your hubby does too. Love watching you.

I’ve been appreciating your videos on RU-vid seems like for years now, keep up the good work. They come on every Wednesday morning and I look forward to them. It was very nice to hear John speak today.❤

I love your sewing videos Mary! And I especially love hearing about your childhood. I’ve been sewing since I was 9, when I was in 4-H. I learned to sew my own clothes,and I now sew for 3 generations. My favorite thing is to sew doll clothes for my grandchildren! I especially loved watching the birds at your feeder! We don’t have red cardinals where I live, so seeing them was a real treat. So amused at John “hiding” your pine boards! 😊 Keep the videos coming; you are such an inspiration!

How lovely that your husband made his own video... nice to hear his voice

Put a spindle leg on the cat platform for a bit of stability. What a cute idea.

You are the best Cat Mom. Such a sweet human you are.

Mary, I love the way you keep things so simple. I know I will be trying that basket liner method. Your husband hiding the nice boards and you saying he needs a new hiding place gave me a good laugh. Thank you so much for your calm and gentle spirit, and for sharing your ideas so freely.

One year for Christmas I bought my daughter 3 of the the larger size strawberry shortcake dolls lemon, peach and strawberry!! I made her outfits , in solid teal, yellow and pink colors and each of those same colors in gingham check. I made blankets, and all kinds of clothing, everything in I made I made in both fabrics for each doll. Bought a mini baby crib that fit all 3 dolls. My daughter is 49 and guess which dolls she saved for her daughter if she had any!! She had 3 boys so 2 boys are married and maybe a little granddaughter will get to enjoy them! I’m thinking she probably remembers that Christmas above all others!!

I love everything you have sewn. You make me want to dive and sew. I’m in a nursing home, I don’t think they allow sewing machines, though I do have it with me. But I can watch you and imagine. Thank your husband for helping out. He’s funny. Take care

I used to sew all the time and still love looking at fabrics. Zinck’s is a fabric paradise! It was such fun to see John at work in your video! And he gave away his secret!!

Hi Mary, I grew up sewing and very much enjoyed all the projects you made in this video. Your instructions are spot on and you've inspired me to pull out the sewing machine and make things!! YOur husband, John, is wonderful for helping and supporting you. Two more months of winter and we can ease into spring. I"m in the suburbs of Chicago where we have had much snow and freezing temps since the second week of January. It has eased up a bit and the snow is melting. Yeah!! Have a blessed week. 😄😄

Wow! You have beautiful birds at your feeder!

Your cats will really enjoy the birds outside. The bed looks very comfy. Really like the drawstring bag. Very nice video. Thank you

My mom gave me a tiny suitcase filled with Barbie clothes she'd made, and my friends and I had endless hours playing with the dolls and clothes. I had one Barbie and one Midge, and my best friend had Skipper and Ken. Perfect for an afternoon of imaginary fun. I eventually got the Barbie convertible but didn't like that the doors wouldn't open. :) Flash forward to present day, and I have a black cat who loves to sit in any window, so I love the seat you made for your kitties. All your projects are pretty and useful. I enjoy your channel.

I may be dating myself here but a drawstring bag was the first project I made in home ec back when they taught sewing. I admit I didn't take sewing class as seriously as I should have. That is one regret I have. Luckily, I was raised by my phenomenal grandparents who taught me all of the wonderful things I know and now hold dear. I do know how to sew but it has been so very long ago since I had access to a sewing machine. It is definitely on my wish list. I found a Singer while thrifting for $14 and I'm still having nightmares about not buying it. Even if it didn't work I wouldn't have been out much. I wish I would've taken the chance. My grandma also made doll clothes for me. My Barbie doll even had a faux mink coat that she made. It saddens me when I think about the skills I was taught as a young lady compared to what so many younger people learn or don't learn now. Important skills like knowing how to sew could be completely lost in the next generation very easily. I love your videos and really look forward to them. I've learned so much from you. Thank you. I am extremely grateful.

This video is so reminiscent of my mom. She was always sewing. Either doing alterations for people , making our doll and Barbie clothes, our clothes and then even my wedding dress. I’m so sad that I didn’t have the passion for sewing back then. She gifted me a sewing machine for my bridal shower and I was only ever able to make the very basics. Now I struggle with that machine not knowing how to adjust tension, the bobbin settings etc. I want to look for sewing classes near me or just start watching on RU-vid. Thanks for sharing Mary!💕

Also great to see your hubby helping out with his carpentry skills. So great.😊

I am always amazed at the magic of turning out a mitered corner.

My first time watching, and fell in love with your video! I love birds as well and was so special seeing them on your video. I’ve been sewing for many, many years and still learned something from you! I think you’re a special young lady, and God Bless You! I’ll be watching again! 🥰

Makes me want to get my machine out and make some Spring things.

Cardinals just outside the window…incredibly wonderful!

Love pic of one of your cats sleeping on your new window ledge with pillow!! 😻

John did an amazing job filming! Love seeing you both on camera!❤

John's cameo appearance was great! He did a good job. He should do more cameos. Your skirt turned out so cute. I'm afraid that knit skirts only flatter slim figures like yours, so it looks so nice on you. The cat bench for the window was adorable!

I want to make a table runner with some beautiful fabric I have had forever!!! ❤

The cat bed came out great.

Way to go John!…we like hearing from family membs too!😄

Lovely projects as always! Adorable hubby and cats segments too.

Tons of videos on how to make bias binding and mitering the corners. I never have the issues you had here with your hot pad. I don’t make videos or I would show you 😉. Your projects are perfect for anyone’s beginner projects! ❤

Your cats are so sweet! I think they approve of their new window bed! 🤗

The CAT BED was so clever! Sweet for the cats.

I just happened upon your channel, and am subscribed. I am a novice sewer, but getting better each time I sew. I love the simplicity of your instructions and the projects that you made in this video. I will go back to your previous videos to learn more. I loved seeing the birds out the window in the feeder, and your sweet cats too. Look forward to learning more from your videos 🦋

You are so talented

Mary, beautiful. Items as always. Such God given talent. TFS.

I saved up for YEARS & finally bought the serger of my dreams. It's been in it's box, completely unopened for THREE YEARS!!! I've just never felt like I needed it. 🤣🤣🤣

The cat bed is terrific! You could patent them, too. Everything you make is pretty. Thank you.

When I was little, my mom made most of my Barbie clothes. Wedding dresses, gowns, skirts, faux fur coats, pants, jackets, lingerie, shorts, halters, etc. She even made me some beautiful bedding with ruffles and throw rugs. I still have most of them too and I'm going to be 60 this year. I've also made a few items. Now my granddaughters are playing with them all.

Mary, I don't comment very often, but I just had to say that I could watch you do sewing projects all day long - no pressure...

So many beautiful projects. ❤

I love pressing the seams before sewing! So much easier than pinning! I’m doing this from now on! 👍

Great video, Mary! I get in the mood to sew about once a year…this time of year! I am making American Girl doll bedding for a bed from IKEA for an American Girl doll that I am gifting to my youngest granddaughter for her 9th birthday next month. The doll was my daughter’s, and she is at the AG doll hospital being refurbished…I am having such a good time with this project! Sewing is such a satisfying hobby (most of the time)! I just love fabric and have so much that I’ve purchased through the years for various projects…some of which I have actually gotten finished! I’ve been sewing since I was about 8 years old…not often, but enough to remember how to do certain projects! TY for sharing! Cindi (from WV) 😊

Im loving this video, i have a sewing machine my husband bought me during covid, i made masks and altered curtains, ( ive never been a sewer) even though i do many crafts, but obviously like most of us, covid came 😢and I decided its something i should be doing. Needless to say ive not used it since, but im in the process of decorating and buying organising storage for my craftroom as ive lost my mojo ,so watching your videos mary and john 😊 is giving me so much inspiration. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing talents. ❤😊

I love the fabric with the dragon flys. The red birds are so cute. I enjoy your Videos so much in my Lunch break ❤😊 Greetings from Germany

Anyone who can sew n make their own clothes is truly blessed. Every time I try to sew on my machine my seams are always crooked. I even tried putting tape down on the machine n I still do it. I think I’m not meant to sew LOL. That was a great idea making a cat seat for your fur babies. They just love to sit n look out the window don’t they? Your basket insert cover turn out like you bought at the store but even better. I loved all the great ideas n all the material was so pretty n spring like. I really liked the eye glass carrier. I wish you could put them in your Etsy shop. I know many women would love it too. I don’t like the hard covers either. They’re so big n take too much room in your purse. The one you made is perfect. I hope you’ll reconsider of maybe doing that. Please! ❤♥️♥️😊👍👍👍🌟

Love the projects but just got to say I envy you your bird table view, what amazing colourful birds you get coming to feed! Our British birds tend to be less showy, especially living in a town. Need to add that the skirt waistband is such a clever way of getting a smooth fit, will definitely be trying that.

So refreshing watching you.I have not sown in years!! Love your skirt!!

I like your skirt. A sewing machine is on my gift list.😊

Mary, sweet girl...have that adorable husband of yours wall off a portion of his wonderful workshop for you a sewing room! I've had one for the last 30+ years and it's a life changer...a designated space for sewing, projects, wrapping, etc. is so inspirational and save so much time setting up each time you want to make something!

My daughter and I bought fabric at Zinck's when we went to Holmes County. We both bought sewing machines at Somewhere Sewing. Besides that we had great food. My daughter also ordered a baby bed from Yoder's Oak and Cherry for her grandbaby. It's beautiful!

Those mitered corners are an A+!

I love these sewing projects.

Thank you so much I really really enjoyed watching you create all those amazing and inspiring projects. I loved 🥰 seeing the birds feeding and the platform for your cats was a brilliant idea. I brought something similar for when I had my cat, and he loved it too. Please stay safe and well too xxxx Mags ❤❤❤❤

Thank you so much for your easy simple demonstrations of practical applications for sewing. So great and easy to follow along. I love all your sewing projects because they are practical ideas for everyday applications that will be used time and again in the home. Exactly what sewing was originally about. Thank you❤😊

I'm a quilter, so this was a fun one to watch!!!! You always look so nice in all your skirts!

I enjoyed watching you sew..I have always loved to sew..I too am blessed to have a serger n 2 or 3 regular sewing machines..so easy to set up, with all the colors of thread I'm using n not have to stop n wind a bobbin, and re-thread ur machine...lol..I bet you was happy to hear ur husband talking n explaining what he was going to be doing..I'm so proud of my husband, when he makes things for me too..everything is beautiful..thanks for sharing with all of us..

Thank you John... loved seeing his part! My mom sewed my clothes and my doll clothes. My favorite doll, Pebbles, I still have and she repaired it so many times. I can sew straight seam things, but I don't like anything too complicated like clothes. I did make my daughter a recycled denim jean skirt with fabric on the bottom. That project drove me insane. lol Loved your video, Mary. Thank you!

I know I am not the only one who would love a video on The love story of Mary and John! ❤❤😊

I just laughed out loud when you said "and he even talks!" He did a good job! And loved seeing the cardinals at your bird feeder. You had 2 loved ones visiting you that day!

Hi Mary, i got the biggest kick out of John confessing the hidden pine boards😂. What a great guy❤. Loved this video, i have had a brand new sewing machine staring me in the face since last Christmas and i guess i'm scared to try it lol. This gives me inspiration! Thank you and God bless you and your family!

Another wonderful video! Loved all your projects! Really enjoyed watching the beautiful birds too 😊

Loved these projects. The birds were a special touch.❤

I really enjoyed these simple sewing ideas. Thank you Mary.

Well done. Would like to see more sewing projects.

Hey sis. Thank you so much for your down to earth videos! I am starting a large renovation project for my medically fragile daughters room I am learning so much. The one thing I. Can do is sew. But the inspiration comes from just doing it.

Very very beautiful items you have made.wonderful prints and texture of fabrics.half done is due to fabrics❤❤

This is a really fun video 🤗 I love sewing and my mother was the best. Your cats are adorable. Have a blessed day.

Nice video compilation. It’s obvious you like the whole sewing process, which is refreshing. Many videos are how to make something in the shortest time possible, which feels like it’s a race. One suggestion for pot holders and hot pads, old denim jeans can make great backing fabric, and old kitchen towels are great for inside to protect from heat. Make sure they’re cotton, polyester or recycled plastic towels will melt with heat.

I think sewing videos are inspirations for beginners who feel overwhelmed by not knowing simple designs can make pretty items. Right now I’m working on a rag rug….have you ever made one? That would be a great video to do….

Really find watching you do things relaxing thank you

You're one of my new favorite channels. I have the butterfly dragonfly fabric that you used for the drawstring bag. I acquired a serger this year. It's so helpful. Your mitered corners are perfect. Love the cat bed. I have five cats. I'm sure they would love a window seat.

I wish I had just half knowledge. I wish I could spend a week with you in the kitchen.. I need to put together a cook book... Your an amazing young lady...

Good job John……now we expect more from you 😉😀🙃 . Great video.

I love all the projects, especially the skirt. Love all you videos.