Planning a special celebration? You don’t have to settle for those ubiquitous plain organza favor bags. We’ll show you how to sew a set of unique favor bags using fabric ribbon. The ribbon’s pre-finished edges mean you can sew up a set of bags fast with just a few simple seams. For Hanukkah, fill them … Continue reading
Author Archives: Sew Jewish
Win Hanukkah gift giving with a doll version of a special sewing project
Doll versions of pretty much anything win over a lot of young hearts. So for Hanukkah gift giving, think made-for-play versions of something you sewed during the year, like a quilt, challah cover, or dress. Bonus: You might have enough fabric left over from the original project that you won’t need to buy any new … Continue reading
You’ll Want to Sew this Reusable Shopping Bag [Free Printable Pattern]
Just in time for Sukkot, we offer this pattern for a hardy reusable shopping bag. This sturdy tote will last longer than most reusable shopping bags you’ll find, and it stands up to a good sanitizing wash. It’s the perfect size for carrying apples and other treats freshly harvested from the farmers market, orchard, or … Continue reading
Free Atarah and Corner Pattern for Your Handmade Tallit [PDF]
Are you making a tallit? As promised, here is a pattern for an atarah (neck piece) and corner pieces. Earlier, we posted instructions for making a tallit that used a purchased atarah. Now, with this pattern, you can make your own. Neither the atarah nor the corner pieces are strictly necessary for a tallit, but … Continue reading
New to Machine Applique? Start Here
Are you new to sewing or machine applique? We don’t want you to miss out on our dove or other applique projects. So we’ve collected these basic tips to walk you and your machine’s presser foot through your first steps. With these tips, start practicing on straight lines, then move on to corners and curves. … Continue reading
Sew a Little Peace in the World with this Free Dove Applique Pattern [PDF]
Add the bright, peaceful energy of this applique dove to your home. Perfect for a pillow, baby blanket, or wall hanging. We framed ours. The dove pattern is only about 4 inches (10cm) square, so you can complete this project in less than an hour. If you want to brush up on your machine applique … Continue reading
When to Zig and When to Zag: Top Tips for Machine Applique
Update: You’ll now find a video showing these machine applique techniques on the Sew Jewish YouTube channel: How to Finish Machine Appliques – Beautifully! There’s a new applique pattern headed your way in our next post, and we wanted to give you our top tips for getting top notch results. Are you new to machine … Continue reading
How to Sew a Challah Cover that Zings
This isn’t your grandmother’s challah cover. Well, it could be if you chose to make it with burgundy velvet and gold trim. But why not give your challah cover some zest? We juiced up our version with a raspberry-colored graphic print and a lining with an over-sized floral print featuring a splash of lime. Make … Continue reading
How to Sew Your Own Tallit
Update: You’ll now find full instructions for a tallit as well as a tallit bag, kippah, and other projects in the Sew Jewish book, available in paperback from Amazon and in PDF format directly from Sew Jewish. The tallit is the one sewing project (besides the curtains that hung in the Tabernacle and Temple and … Continue reading
The Best Video Ever on How to Tie Tzitzit
This video by Jewish Pathways explains how to tie tzitzit to a tallit better than any other I’ve seen. It’s the one I always refer to: Here are a couple of my own tips: Each time you start a new set of windings, pinch the hanging tzitzit threads together just below the knot. Make the … Continue reading