Trending Post: 50+ Easy to Follow Beginner Sewing Patterns
Tired of trying to spot our suitcase on the luggage carousel at the airport? Add a colorful and unique luggage tag and you might just be able to spot it a little bit quicker. These free printable luggage tags are easy to personalize with your own monogram. Plus they are bright and unique, so spotting your…
Today I’ve got a fun homemade baby gift idea to share with you. These easy-to-make baby blankets are one of my favorite “go-to” baby gifts. Since they are sewn from knit fabrics, they are soft, machine washable, and perfect for a new baby. Keep reading to find out how to make a baby blanket. This is…
A few weeks ago, I asked some of my “blogging buddies” to create a few small sewing projects using Derby Day Fabrics. I absolutely LOVE the projects they came up with. They shared so many things to sew! From adorable mini quilts, dress patterns, travel sewing kits, and more. Each one of these simple sewing projects…
Every few weeks, I like to spotlight a sewing pattern. This week we will be chatting about the Padded Fabric Storage Bins pattern. I’m going to show you a few ideas for variations on the pattern and give you some sewing tips for pattern construction. Even if you’re new to sewing, I think you can tackle…
Amy from Ameroonie Designs is back with us today sharing another adorable sewing project! This Ruffle Edge Doll Quilt Tutorial is easy to follow and would be a great sewing project for a beginning quilter (or even a fun project for kids to try to sew themselves). It would also make a great gift. Every baby…
For the first weekend in a long time, I find myself with a bit of time to sew. Our last few weekends have been jammed packed and I’m looking forward to a bit of downtime. If you’re also finding yourself with a bit of weekend sewing time, and are looking for a quick and simple project…
Easter is right around the corner, and I’m assuming that Spring will decide to make an appearance at some point! Today, to celebrate the upcoming Easter holiday and the eventual arrival of Spring, I’m sharing a free bunny purse sewing pattern designed especially for the Cricut Maker! Keep reading to find out how to make…
Today I’m excited to share with you a “revamp” of one of our most popular sewing tutorials. This Big Bow Clutch tutorial was created several years ago, and I’m happy to say that I’ve made quite a few of them over the years to give as handmade gifts. Keep reading to find out how to…
I always love it when I find new quilt patterns that I want to make! Today’s project is one of those quilt patterns. Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl stitched up this gorgeous Across the Board quilt using Derby Day Fabrics! Keep reading to find out more about the quilt and her pattern. If you like…
Why is everything so much cuter when it’s small? Today for our Derby Day Fabrics blog hop, Amy from Ameroonie Designs is sharing a tutorial for this ADORABLE toddler mini backpack. Just keep reading to find out how to sew one yourself! If you like this project then you may like the Ruby Lou Mini…
This DIY Horse Applique Pillow Cover Pattern is a fun “quick fix” sewing pattern. It’s easy to make and is suitable for someone who is just beginning or learning to sew. It also makes a great kids sewing project! If you like this tutorial then you may also like this reading pocket pillow tutorial. I…
Amy from Diary of a Quilter is sharing a free tutorial for a Rail Fence Baby Quilt for the next stop on our Derby Day Fabrics blog tour! If you like this project then you may also like this Oversized Patchwork Star Baby Quilt Tutorial. Today we have another great tutorial shared as a part…
This week we kick off the Derby Day Fabrics blog tour with a post from Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt! She created this Dresden Quilt Block pillow and I’m seriously smitten! I can’t believe it’s already time for the Derby Day Fabrics blog tour! I swear in my head, it’s still November, not March. My perception…
This past month I had the opportunity to try out a “new to me” quilting technique while joining in on the Lori Holt Let’s Bake Quilt Along. If you don’t know Lori Holt, she is the force behind the Bee in My Bonnet blog and a fabric designer for Riley Blake Designs. She’s designed many quilts…
Today, I’m going to share with you some tips tricks and how-to’s for using the Cricut Maker for Quilting. We will talk about how to cut out basic shapes from fabric with the machine and how to cut out all of the shapes for your quilt project when working with an existing pattern. I’m also…
Kim of Sweet Red Poppy is here sharing a tutorial for the most clever Embroidery Hoop Hanging Wall Organizer! I’m always losing my sewing notions on my cutting table, a set of these hanging on the wall would be so useful! It’s such a fun and creative way to organize your sewing space! Hi, It’s…
Sarah Ashford is with us today, sharing a foundation paper piecing tutorial designed just for beginners! If you’ve never pieced foundation paper before, then you might like to give today’s tutorial a try! Foundation Paper Piecing is a quilting skill that I wanted to learn, so I asked Sarah to write a tutorial geared just…
I love my sewing room, it’s by far my favorite room in my home. It’s usually pretty messy but I love to find ways to “spruce up” the space. Recently I created a DIY Pillow Cover with one of my favorite “sewing sayings” on the front. Today I thought I’d share with you how to make…
Are you looking for a little creative inspiration to start your weekend? Maybe an idea for a fun weekend project? Today I have 7 fun project suggestions for you. I’m also excited to be sharing a tiny sneak peek at my next collection, Derby Day with you. Including a “peek” at a new quilt pattern….
It’s “that time” again. Time to round up the top projects and tutorials of the previous year. This year all of them were sewing projects, which makes me very happy! Curious to see what made the list? Just keep scrolling down to see the Top 10 Sewing Projects of 2017. If you’re curious about years…
This Sawtooth Star Baby Quilt is so easy to stitch up that you’ll want to make more than one! It’s a great quilt project for a beginning quilter. If you like this pattern, you may also like this Turnstile Baby Quilt Tutorial. First up, this is not my quilt tutorial. So if you think you’ve…
One of the biggest thrills of my professional career has been the opportunity to design fabric for the sewing and quilting markets. As of 2021, I have designed 13 fabric collections for Riley Blake Designs. A few of them are still “secrets,” so I have to keep them under wraps, but I do have many…
Create a simple fascinator perfect for an “at home” or kids Derby party with our step by step Paper Flower Fascinator Tutorial. Okay, file this one under GO BIG OR GO HOME! I LOVE a cool Kentucky Derby Fascinator! Every year at the Kentucky Derby, the hats are the show’s stars, second only to the…
Learn how to turn a few pieces from a fabric panel into an adorable, feminine, quilted tote bag perfect for all your spring and summer adventures! Follow along with our easy-to-follow step-by-step sewing directions to create your tote bag! In the last few fabric collections I’ve designed, I’ve included a panel specifically designed to make…
Project Index The Polka Dot Chair blog was founded in 2008 and features thousands of free sewing, quilting, & crafting tutorials & projects. We invite you to take some time to explore all of the great content you can find here. Browse by Project Type Cricut Embroidery Gift Ideas Bag Sewing Patterns Disney Holidays Quilting…
We love to sew and quilt as much as you do! Look for new projects posted every week. Sew Quilt Craft Quilt Along Get the latest in your inbox! Get the latest in your inbox! Browse By Category Cricut Embroidery Gift Ideas Bag Sewing Patterns Disney Holidays Reader Favorites This week’s picks Derby Crafts See…
Does the start of the school year have you itching to make something new? If so, then you may love today’s post. I’ve scoured the web to find more than 20 cute things to make for Back to School. Many of these items make fantastic Teacher Appreciation Gifts as well! If you like this post,…
Padded, braided, and knotted headbands are very trendy right now! Learn how to make a braided, padded headband with our free sewing pattern & tutorial. I always joke that my best ideas come from my kids. I think I need to stop joking, as many of them come from my kids. Several years ago I…
Create a Halloween quilt one week at a time when you join our Spooky Sampler Sew Along! I am so excited to be hosting a quilt along for my Spooky Sampler quilt pattern with Pat Sloan! If you don’t know Pat, you should! She’s an author, fabric designer, and well-known figure in the Quilt industry,…
Stitch up a fun quilt for Halloween using our new Spooky Sampler quilt pattern. The pattern features a variety of quilt blocks inspired by some of my favorite Halloween icons! I know it’s May, and Halloween is still months away, but I’m going to talk about Halloween a bit today, more specifically Halloween Quilts. I’m…
Today I’m excited to introduce you to my fabric collection with Riley Blake Designs, it’s a Halloween Fabric line named Spooky Hollow. The Inspiration for the Line Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays. When my kids were small I loved to help them “design” their costumes and decorate the house to celebrate the…
reader Favorites Search Latest Posts We love to sew and quilt as much as you do! Look for new projects posted every week. Here’s what’s new. Welcome Hey, I’m Melissa! It’s nice to meet you! I’m Melissa Mortenson, a blogger, published author & licensed fabric designer. I’m also a Mom and a Maker. I am…
If you like these Spring Wreath ideas and DIY Magnolia Wreath, you may also like this post on how to make a Tulip Wreath. Spring has sprung in Kentucky and I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of blooms on my Magnolia tree. Inspired by all of the nice warm weather we’ve been having lately, I decided…
As much as a love tackling a big project sometimes I just need a “quick fix” with a simple and easy sewing project. Today I thought I’d share with you a few small sewing projects that you can easily complete in an afternoon. Simple and Cute Small Sewing Projects: One: Embroidery Hoop Baskets I work…
Today I get to participate in a “quilting bee” of sorts. It’s my day for the Splendid Sampler 2 Book Sew Along! If you’re not familiar with it, the Splendid Sampler is a book put together by Jane Davidson and Pat Sloan and features 100 quilt blocks from a variety of designers. I…
It’s 5° outside today, so it only seems appropriate to think about mermaids, beaches, and sunshine right? I’ll just take all of these mermaid DIY projects as a reminder of warmer days to come. We have Christmas in July, why can’t we have summer in January? (*wink*). The next stop on the Let’s Be Mermaids fabric…
I always love diving into my site stats each January to see what projects you guys loved best during the previous year. Each year it surprises me which ones you loved the most. 2018 marked my 10th year blogging. I can hardly believe it’s been that long. I feel like an “old lady” when it…
If I had to pick, I think I’d have to say that Dresden Plate Quilts are my favorite type of quilts (I’d put an Ohio or a Sawtooth star block at a close 2nd and 3rd though). I think there is something so fun about a Dresden plate, it always reminds me of a giant…
Today, I have a Cricut Maker review to share with you. Â It’s a brand-new product from Cricut, and it can cut fabric! Â Keep reading to find out what I thought about the machine. I am also answering some of the most frequently asked questions about the Cricut Maker. Disclosure: I work with Cricut as a…
My husband loves to wear bow ties and has been bugging me for years to make some for him. I’m happy to say that I have figured it out, and am excited to share this free sewing pattern that teaches you how to make a bow tie. I’ve even included a free pattern piece for you…
Today I have a fun and whimsical DIY project to share with you. I don’t know about you, but I do not like keeping my necklaces in drawers or jewelry boxes. They just tangle up to easily. Â Instead, I love to hang them on my wall. That way they stay tangle free and are easy…
I’ve spent most of the week scouring the internet for Easter-related crafts and sewing projects to share on my Facebook page. As I’ve been sharing the ideas, I noticed that a lot of people ask for project ideas that they could complete at the last minute. Today I thought I’d take a second and share…