If you’re looking for a quick way to add decorative elements to your sewing and craft projects, iron-on appliques are a great option. This video demonstrates how to make appliques using adhesive web, also known as fusible web. You can watch the video above or on YouTube. This is the first video tutorial made especially … Continue reading
Almond trees blossom in late winter, in the middle of Israel’s rainy season. They’re the first trees to blossom in Israel, making them an ancient Jewish symbol of renewal, hope, and diligence. The almond tree appears a number of times in the Torah. When Jacob sends Benjamin with his other sons to Egypt for food, … Continue reading
Whether you plan to make a large prayer shawl or a scarf-style tallit, these guidelines will help you determine the best size for you. Before making a final decision, you’ll probably want to try on a few prayer shawls to gauge how they look on you. If you don’t have access to any finished examples, … Continue reading
Hanukkah is almost here! We’ll soon be lighting menorahs, eating latkes, and spinning dreidels. The Sew Jewish book includes instructions for making dreidel game party favors, little pouches to fill with a dreidel and pieces of sweet chocolate gelt. The book even includes printable dreidel game instructions to tuck into the pouches (versions for both … Continue reading
Make some waves! Learn how to sew wave tucks for a handmade hand towel in this first video tutorial based on a project in the Sew Jewish book: the al natilat yadayim hand towel. I designed this hand towel especially for the hand washing before eating bread and before eating the matzah during the Passover … Continue reading
What makes a sewing project Jewish? I’m continually turning this question over in my mind. Hebrew phrases or Jewish symbols mark a project as Jewish, but what if you don’t use them? How do you give the object you’re designing a Jewish identity or imbue it with a Jewish idea? That was the question I … Continue reading
When you’re writing a book about sewing, you get some of the most insightful questions from editors who don’t do a lot of sewing. And if you’re writing a book that touches on Judaism, you get some of the best questions from editors who don’t know a lot about Judaism. Enter my friend Ann, who … Continue reading
I first became aware of the fish as a Jewish symbol when I visited the Tunisian island of Djerba and saw fish painted on the walls of Jewish homes. They were stick figures, hand painted in Mediterranean blue and swimming against bright whitewashed walls. Since then, fish seem to be everywhere, and they’ve become … Continue reading
The year I lived in Tunisia opened my eyes to a whole new world of Jewish culture, especially during the spring holiday of Lag b’Omer. The holiday takes place thirty-three days after the first day of Passover. In my American community, we celebrated with a picnic, but on the Tunisian island of Djerba, the El … Continue reading
I honed my skills in the home economics school of sewing, which is mostly about sewing clothes and choosing threads to match your fabric. But last year I took my first quilting class [at The Happy Quilter in Valley Cottage, New York – since closed] and learned the virtues of working with neutral colored threads. … Continue reading
Switch up your latkes with this sweet and savory combination of beets and goat cheese. A layer of melted goat cheese in the middle makes the texture rich and decadent. My daughter describes them: “Sweet, salty, creamy, crunchy.” Serve them with a crisp green salad to complement the the latke’s sweet, creamy richness. I was … Continue reading
One of the cool things about the new school year is that my daughters are bringing home some really interesting books, like my oldest daughter’s art history book. It includes a photograph of a frieze from the Arch of Titus in Rome, pictured above. My youngest daughter said that when one of her day school … Continue reading
![How to Make Your Own Wedding Chuppah Pole Stands [Video]](https://sewjewish.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/chuppah-pole-stands-video-thumbnail.png?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "How to Make Your Own Wedding Chuppah Pole Stands [Video]")
Are you sewing a wedding chuppah? In this video we show you how to make stands for the chuppah poles using flower pots, PVC piping, and about $10 worth of concrete. The stands are very much like the stands we’ve used for huppah rentals at our sister site, Huppahs.com. They’re very steady. This is my … Continue reading
![A Bucket Hat Pattern for Sun and Synagogue [Free and Ready to Print!]](https://sewjewish.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/summer-hat-fit-for-synagogue.png?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "A Bucket Hat Pattern for Sun and Synagogue [Free and Ready to Print!]")
Does the sunny weather put you in the mood for a new summer hat like it does us? Then we have a free printable pattern for you. This hat looks super cute in the summer sun, and it’s also synagogue worthy when you sew it up in a classically formal print like a chintzy floral … Continue reading
When Erika and Adam married earlier this month in romantic San Juan Capistrano, they wed under a chuppah that the groom’s mom, Marla, created from an heirloom lace tablecloth once belonging to Adam’s grandmother. Marla shared photos and details on our sister site, Backyard Huppah. It’s so lovely, we thought you’d like to see it, … Continue reading
Find yourself looking at any wedding registries lately? How about using that registry as inspiration for a unique, handmade wedding gift: a challah cover that coordinates with the couple’s china pattern? The cover can become a highlight of the couple’s Shabbat and holiday table decor, covering the two loaves of challah bread, for years. Start … Continue reading
Squares of fabric whip up into drink coasters pretty quickly. Make a set for yourself or a hostess gift. We kicked ours up a notch for a Passover craft swap with pomegranate appliques based on the pomegranate atarah pattern — I’m kind of in a pomegranate place right now — but the general instructions apply … Continue reading
Add a beautiful silk atarah (neckpiece) to your handmade tallit. We show you how in this video tutorial to accompany the new pomegranate-themed atarah pattern. The tutorial includes lots of details and tips for doing machine applique with silk, so even if you’re a beginning sewing enthusiast you can create a lovely atarah that makes … Continue reading
Sew Jewish 