Stitch pouches in just the sizes you need to protect beach reads, your phone, and other gear from splashes and sunblock splatters.

The lovely old log cabin pattern gets a new look that's far from the frontier. Stitch these chic building blocks into wall hangings, totes, quilts and more.

These easy-to-make seersucker napkins are the perfect addition to your home, especially during the summer months when you're hosting outdoor parties. The classic fabric is inexpensive and available at almost any cloth store, so you can mix and match a few colors. Even better, seersucker's slightly puckered texture means there's no ironing required.

Put a twist on the classic cafe curtain by smocking the upper edge. Use the gingham’s pattern as your grid.

This silk drawstring bag with grosgrain ribbon is elegant for evening essentials. Here's one basic way to sew fabric to a backing.

These adorable hats are reversible and will keep the sun off of your little one's face. We also have adult-sized templates, so you can make one for yourself.

Store-bought cushions spring to life when adorned with pretty, handmade Ultrasuede florets.

These coasters make a great housewarming gift. Each takes about 15 minutes to complete, so it's easy to plan on making a set of four or six for a generous gift.

This simple shade is quickly and easily sewn and can be raised to two heights to let in varying amounts of light. All you need is French ticking, raw linen, twill tape, and buttons.

Make toasty woolen gloves even better by sewing in hand grips.

These little pillows will do wonders for your mood and have a surprisingly regal provenance. Packed with lavender, they're like the ones made for European aristocracy in the Middle Ages, when the fragrant herb was rare and something of a luxury. To strike the right note of indulgence, we chose striped and solid silk taffeta; whatever fabric you use, you won't need much of it.

The same oilcloth that covers your kitchen table can transport your lunch in leak-free style. These reusable bags will cut back on waste since they can simply be washed with a damp sponge (oilcloth is not washing-machine safe).

Protect a well-dressed dinner table without sacrificing formality by using pairs of linen napkins as slipcovers for cork trivets.

Leftovers are the bane of the sewing room, but a little creativity can save odd lengths of fabric from ragbag ignominy. One idea: Use strips of cloth or lace to trim the opening of a cotton pillowcase. A monogrammed handkerchief from a flea market can be folded diagonally and machine-stitched to a pillowcase, creating a wonderful gift for someone with the same initial.

There's no better way to cover a baby's precious toes than with a pair of soft, snug, hand-sewn booties.

This TV cozy keeps your electronics out of sight.

Step out of the tub in style. Pretty ribbon transforms a store-bought mat into one specially made for your bathroom. You'll need a mat that has an interior border and no rubber backing. Choose a ribbon that flatters your decor and is the same width as the border.

This backpack isn't just pretty, it's also washable and lined with water-resistant nylon -- perfect for busy kids.

The tailored look of men's handkerchiefs can add punch to more than just pockets. Turn a set of new hankies or pristine vintage ones into a valance.

These petite stuffed animals -- a Fair Isle lamb, a cable-knit chicken, and an argyle pig -- are so cuddly and simple to make, you'll want a menagerie.

When clothes need mending, reach for this book -- its felt pages are designed to keep sewing supplies organized.

This pocketed quilt, made from recycled shirts, will look sweet hanging on the wall of any child's room.

This simple reversible purse is a wonderful project for beginning and advanced sewers alike.

A wraparound pincushion that fastens onto your sewing machine keeps pins in place and at your finger tips.

There's more than one way to wear a pair of jeans. With a length of denim, the perfect tote bag is a few stitches away.

Fill these soft butterfly sachets with your favorite scent; they're a great way to freshen drawers and closets, and would make a lovely gift or favor.

Polarfleece is an excellent winter fabric because it's soft, lightweight, durable, and machine-washable. And while it traps heat just as efficiently as wool, its stretchy fibers don't shrink or absorb water.

Pleated pockets on this leather-trimmed apron give a little more room for the supplies a crafter needs.

On chilly days, slip kids' hands into mittens you've decorated to look like ferocious beasts.

Handmade dolls are wonderful playthings and steadfast companions for children -- especially when they resemble familiar people. These basic dolls have yarn hair and clothes fashioned from fabric scraps, which give them a rustic aura.

Add a fun touch to your wardrobe with this lovely woolen beret.

This clever and easy-to-make pouch will keep small objects such as keys, credit cards, and cell phones accessible and ensure that they don't fall to the bottom of your handbag.

Keep sewing machine gears dust-free with a good-looking tea towel cover.

If you don't want to limit yourself to store-bought coordinating crib sets, a handmade duvet cover is a wonderful alternative.

This beautiful lace-inset table runner has a romantic, classic appeal.

A baby's clothes acquire history so quickly: the blanket she came home from the hospital in, the overalls she wore while learning to crawl, the flannel pajamas she slept in. For those items too precious to give away there is a solution more creative and less cluttering than a box in the attic -- a baby memory quilt that is sure to become an heirloom.

A simple fabric cover refinishes an old wooden headboard (and footboard) without requiring any scraping, sanding, or painting. Choose heavyweight fabric for this project; it works like instant upholstery, softening the lines of the wooden form underneath.

It's always nice to have clothes that smell sweet. And it's easy enough to achieve this with just some fabric and a few cedar blocks or pouches of lavender.

Giant leather place mats, each made from six pieces of lambskin that were sewn together, topstitched, and given a canvas backing, are a fashionable twist on a tablecloth.

Use one hankie and a piece of cotton fabric to sew a decorative cover for a baby's room.

Dish towels are inexpensive and washable. They're also hemmed -- a handy shortcut when sewing this dishy apron.

Instead of settling for a print that's not quite right, make your own outdoor chaise cushions using inexpensive pillows and the fabric of your choice.

With ribbon, Velcro, and a few basic supplies, you can transform an ordinary towel into a stylish beach accessory.

On bus or train trips, during wedding ceremonies, or whenever silence is required, keep your child entertained with a homemade felt activity book.

Create a cozy, warm bed for your feline in five easy steps.

Colorful, casual, and altogether charming, this vintage-style tablecloth is ideal for outdoor entertaining. It's also easy and inexpensive to make, requiring only bandannas and a few basic sewing supplies.

Protect your party clothes while serving guests or whipping up last-minute treats -- without donning an outfit-obscuring coverall. Tie on a lightweight, color-coordinated bandanna apron.

These felt booties are soft and cuddly -- and perfect for baby's feet.

Get a load off Dad's back by turning one of his button-downs into a sweet knapsack for his little girl.

These colorful kimonos are ideal for babies, who dislike having clothing pulled on or off over their heads.

With this project, you can transform a button-down shirt with a torn sleeve or stained collar into a decorative throw pillow.

These charming animals are made using mismatched socks.

Creating a proper superhero cape is an easy project involving little more than a bath towel, a washcloth, and reflective material.

Sew patriotic swag to hang outside your window -- it's easier than it looks!

Create this versatile table runner using a fabric with loose weave, such as burlap or linen mesh.

Transform a wool cardigan into a charming dog coat -- your furry friend will enjoy the extra warmth.

Most linen closets hold a few perfectly usable but mismatched towels. You can easily unify an assortment of solid-colored towels by sewing on washable, decorative ribbon that complements all the hues.

This adorable felt cherry pie is perfect for any play kitchen.

Turn a scrap of ultrasuede into a cozy case for your iPod.

Stitch up a homemade heating pad using vibrant fabric and dried cherry pits.

Give wonderful new purpose to pretty fabric remnants by turning them into blankets for a newborn.