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 →

Free Patterns / Home / Projects and Tutorials

You’ll Want to Sew this Reusable Shopping Bag [Free Printable Pattern]

Posted on September 12 by Sew Jewish

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 →

Bar-Bat Mitzvah / Free Patterns / Projects and Tutorials

Free Atarah and Corner Pattern for Your Handmade Tallit [PDF]

Posted on August 22 by Sew Jewish • 3 Comments

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 →

Projects and Tutorials

New to Machine Applique? Start Here

Posted on August 20 by Sew Jewish

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 →

Free Patterns / Projects and Tutorials

Sew a Little Peace in the World with this Free Dove Applique Pattern [PDF]

Posted on August 18 by Sew Jewish • 2 Comments

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 →

Projects and Tutorials

When to Zig and When to Zag: Top Tips for Machine Applique

Posted on August 16 by Sew Jewish • 4 Comments

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 →

Projects and Tutorials / Shabbat

How to Sew a Challah Cover that Zings

Posted on August 8 by Sew Jewish

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 →

Bar-Bat Mitzvah / Holidays / Projects and Tutorials / Tallit

How to Sew Your Own Tallit

Posted on August 4 by Sew Jewish • 17 Comments

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 →

Projects and Tutorials

The Best Video Ever on How to Tie Tzitzit

Posted on July 30 by Sew Jewish

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 →