Accessories You Sew

A monochromatic log-cabin design in soft cowhide gives the pattern a modern yet relaxed vibe.

To make the bag, stitch together an 8-by-5 1/2-inch rectangle and 3-inch-wide strips using a leather needle and heavy-duty thread. Be sure to increase the stitch length to avoid perforating the leather. Add a strap of natural canvas. If you like, you can sew a matching lining.

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

Add a pop of color to any outfit with this simple-to-sew fabric clutch.

There's no better way to cover a baby's precious toes than with a pair of soft, snug hand-sewn booties. They may seem daunting, but these slippers are made easy with ingenious templates.

These unique tote bags are made with a traditional Hungarian reverse-applique technique.

These attractive belts can be made with any grosgrain ribbon, from an ornate brocade to a sporty nautical stripe.

Get baby ready to fight the winter chill: a festive pilot's cap embellished with felt hearts helps keep tiny ears toasty. Cut two large hearts from felt. Then use a needle and thread to stitch them to the cap at three points. If you want the decoration to be permanent, affix hearts with fabric glue before sewing.

It's not a tote itself, but this handy accessory can help organize your favorite bag. A three-pocket pouch can easily be fashioned from a carpenter's canvas nail apron (available at hardware stores).

This homemade satchel has quite a few tricks up its sleeves -- er, pockets. For one thing, it's not simply a tote bag; it's also a beach towel. Plus, it has pockets inside for holding goodies and supplies.

Give an orphaned pillowcase a new home -- over your shoulder.

Add a fun touch to your wardrobe with this lovely woolen beret. Our template makes it easy.

Made from strips of folded fabric, bias tape adds a dash of detail to an ordinary tote bag.

Whether you use a baseball cap or sailor's hat to make this headgear, your kids will love wearing it -- and their delicate skin will be protected from the sun. An island paradise complete with pretty shells, the most evil shark in the sea, and a bright (but slightly befuddled) lobster will sit just right on young silly heads everywhere.

Summer means lots of water, lots of swimming -- and a backpack for carrying things like towels and sunscreen to the beach or pool. Your child could use her school backpack, but why not make a fresh, pretty one -- you can even coordinate it with her bathing suit. Ours is washable and lined with water-resistant nylon, and it takes only an hour to complete.

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.

Dress up little (or big) girls' shoes with these lovely fabric flower shoe clips.

A kid's favorite outgrown pants can be more than a stylish memory if you turn the pockets into a hip purse. Little trendsetters can pick from this season's ribbons for a flattering purse handle.

Cover up with a breezy wrap made from one of your favorite fabrics.

Give your plain-Jane espadrilles some summer panache with pretty ribbons. 

Cut a strip to fit across the vamp. Using fabric glue, "hem" the cut edges to create neat ends. Then glue to shoe, and let dry. To add ties to the back, cut a length of sturdy ribbon (such as grosgrain or canvas) that's long enough to wrap around your lower leg twice and be tied into a bow. Fold it in half, and sew the fold to the top of the heel.

Turning an old T-shirt into a grocery bag is an easy way to go green.

With a few stitches, a bathroom towel can be turned into an all-in-one beach mat and tote bag.

Add the silvery peal of tiny bells -- as well as scalloped or hole-punched edges, bows, and embroidery -- to a darling pair of homespun slippers.

On chilly days, slip kids' hands into mittens you've decorated to look like ferocious beasts. Try this pair of fire-breathing dragons for maximum toastiness.

Boring shoes? Saved by the bell! The idea: Dye plain white satin slippers a pretty color and sew a smattering of bells, along with some ribbon, on them.

With a few basic supplies, you can turn any towel into the perfect beach tote.

These charming T-shirts are perfect for kids.

Make this tote to carry towels, sunscreen, and other beach or pool essentials. Use fabric leftover from the Souvenir Sling Chair project, and the bag will coordinate neatly with your waterside seating.

This one-of-a-kind silk scarf is the perfect gift for any fashionista.

Nothing feels better than terry cloth after a swim, and a towel poncho is everything that a towel is not: It will not require one hand to hold it when its wearer is eating ice cream, and it will not unceremoniously unwrap.

Upcycle an old felted sweater by making it into something new, such as one of these adorable hats.

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

With this special technique and some creativity, you can transform a plain tee into something special.

A muffler with sewn-up compartments offers all kinds of possibilities. Objects can be stockpiled, cleverly hidden, or simply toted along, like the dog on the left, for a very warm ride.

With very little alteration, you can turn one of your favorite beach towels into a handy tote.

Upcycle a cloth place mat and turn it into a stylish purse.

Use this gradient-dyeing technique to make this fashionable spring scarf.

This pair of bedroom slippers is trimmed with store-bought bright-yellow raffia fringe, using thread that's the same color as the raffia.

A day at the beach needn't end with a bag full of sand; make a mesh bag to tote your beach supplies -- the sand will fall through before you reach the car or your home.

This felt handbag is an adorable, easy-to-make accessory.

Give an old leather jacket from the back of your coat closet new life by turning it into a stylish everyday tote.

In the mid-19th century, paisley scarves were popular accessories for many well-dressed women, and they have never lost their appeal. Here, Martha shows how to make a chic short version using paisley silk and cashmere.

One of the best ways to keep your yoga mat in good condition is to house it in a tote bag, such as this easy-to-make version.

Keep little ones warm all winter with these easy-to-make fleece hats.

A great project for a rainy day or weekend afternoon, making this pretty and practical headband doesn't require much more than a length of ribbon, some elastic, and a few basic stitches.