Sewing Projects Archives - Seams Like a Story

September 29, 2026September 29, 2026

How to Make Patchwork-heart Cards

an (almost) no-sew project

After browsing through the card section at a local store recently, I walked out disappointed by the selection (and the price.) Inspired by something I saw at a craft store, I wondered if I could make my own cards. What did I have on hand? Scraps. Lots and lots of fabric scraps leftover from various sewing projects.

I came up with this simple and (almost) no-sew project using what I had at home. Here’s how:

1. Make your “patchwork”

I used cotton or cotton blend pieces leftover from previous projects. Using my rotary cutter and mat, I cut random sections into squares, triangles, and strips ranging from 1″-2″. I then arranged the fabric bits on a 7″ x 10″ piece of fusible fleece, with the sticky (bumpy) side up. You could also use fusible interfacing if that’s what you have, but I like the puffy effect the fleece gives the project. I tried to cover the entire fleece, playing around with colors and shapes, trimming as needed to fill the space.

2. Adhere the patchwork to the fleece

Carefully take the patchwork to the ironing board, cover with a pressing cloth, and press to adhere the fabric to the fleece.

3. Cut the Hearts

Make a heart pattern from cardstock, then trace the shape onto the backside of the patchwork piece. Cut the shapes out. I think it would be fun to experiment with different patterns: Christmas trees, balloons, flowers. Simple shapes would work best.

4. Stitch the hearts onto blank greeting cards

I purchased a pack of plain white 4″x6″ greeting cards and envelopes (from Amazon). Then, using a zig-zag stitch, stitched around the edge of the heart. You might notice I added a button. ( You know I can’t resist adding buttons from my vintage button stash to my sewing and craft projects) If you want to do this, sew it on before you stitch the heart to the card.

I love the way the stitching secures the edges of the heart and gives a quilt-like effect. Not a sewist? No worries! You could always glue the heart onto the card.

5. Add a message

I used a black sharpie fine point pen (and my best kindergarten teacher printing) to write a message at the top of the heart. This is where you can really personalize the card.

That’s it! Have fun!

Threads of Thought

You make my heart happy! What other messages and shapes can you imagine?

Books by Debra VanDEventer: Out of the Crayon Box Until Italy

When not sewing or crafting, I’m writing! Be sure to check out my books: Out of the Crayon Box, and Until Italy!

https://amazon.com/author/debravandeventer

July 20, 2026July 15, 2026

Stitching Up Memories of New Zealand

the author wears an apron she made from New Zealand fabric

What souvenirs did I bring back from my trip to New Zealand? Writer Me, brought back a journal full of detailed notes, words and inspiration for future stories and posts. Like my zip lining experience! https://seamslikeastory.com/ziplining-over-new-zealand

But Sewist Me collected yarn and fabric!

Since returning from New Zealand this spring, I have been working on completing my second draft of book #3. My yarn and fabric waited patiently in my sewing/writing studio. Now, with my manuscript in the hands of my beta readers for review, I needed to step away from writing for a bit–the perfect time to pursue other endeavors. It’s good to exercise my brain with creative ventures of that are visual and tactile.

This week I turned my attention to the lovely bird and fern print I had purchased at a sheep ranch (of all places!). the perfect amount to make a simple apron. I used a pattern I’d drafted years ago, adding in a yard of fabric from my stash to make it reversible.

But wait! An apron? Won’t it get all stained and dirty? Yeah, I thought about that too. But why not make something that I can use? Something that will remind me of our trip each time I wear it.

Hubby Ed does most of our coking, but I love to bake bread. Now I can travel back to New Zealand each time I make a loaf!

Threads of Thought

Have you done any traveling lately? If so, where did you go?

What are some of the things you bring back from vacations?

What creative endeavors do you enjoy?

You can find more of my adventures here!

https://amazon.com/author/debravandeventer

July 7, 2025July 7, 2025

How to Make a Reading Pillow

…and why you need one!

A green and white book pillow with a book titled Until Italy in the pocket

I was browsing through a gift shop recently, when something caught my eye. A Reading Pillow? I’ll admit, I don’t get out to gift shops very often, and I might be way late to the game here, but I’d never heard of such a thing. What is a reading pillow? How do you use it? I pulled the pillow off the shelf for a closer look.

Huh…the card in the pocket said to put the pillow on your lap and rest your book or tablet on it while reading. This helps to elevate the reading material to a more ergonomic height. As a bonus, you can stow your current read in the pocket, and with the handy carrying strap, transport it to your favorite reading spot. So clever and beautiful! I’m a writer and an avid reader. I had to have it, but alas…it was pricey.

Wait a minute! I There’s a reason I named this blog Seams Like a Story. I own a sewing machine (three actually) and have some basic sewing skills. All I needed was a pattern. After posting about this on FB, my friend Becky sent me a link to a step by step tutorial and I got to work. (see link below)

Three types of fabric to make a reading pillow, and a rotary cutter on a cutting mat

The beauty of this project was that I could use leftover fabric I had from previous projects. All I needed to purchase was a pillow form. Once the fabric was cut (I used by rotary cutter for this) the sewing was quick and easy– all straight seams!

the author with her book Until Italy on the reading pillow

2 Books, Out of the Crayon Box: Thoughts on Teaching, Retirement, and Life...and Until Italy: A traveler's memoir

So happy with my book pillow! It has definitely elevated (pun intended) my reading experience. Make one for yourself! And if you’re looking for something to go with it, my books, Out of the Crayon Box : Thoughts on Teaching , Retirement and Life, and Until Italy: A Traveler’s Memoir, fit perfectly in the pocket! Click here!

Threads of Thought

Ready to make your pillow? There are lots of resourses online. Here’s the link for step by step directions that I used: How to Sew a Book Pillow

April 7, 2025April 10, 2025

Making the Joan Woven Top Using Vintage Pillowcases

From Linen Closet to Wardrobe

Close up of an embroidered pillowcase design, purple blossom with yellow sprigs and a blue ribbon

Last month I published a post “Deb Speaks Out: Finding a way to live our lives as honest, respectful, loving people in the midst of chaos. I concluded the post by saying we can’t live without joy. We have to find it.

Consider this post #1 in a series of “Finding Joy.” This was truly a joyful find. When searching for an old sheet to use to try out a new pattern, I found a set of embroidered pillowcases my mother-in-law had made decades ago. I’d never used them, but now I thought it was a shame that they’d been hidden for so long. I wanted to celebrate the beautiful work and the woman who made them. I remembered hearing about someone who turned vintage linens into clothing. Could this work with my pattern?

Preparation

Before I cut the pillowcases apart, I drafted my pattern, the Joan Woven Top by Style Arc, onto tissue paper. I was excited to see there was just enough fabric in the pillow cases to construct this simple top. I noticed, however, one of the cases had yellowed. Doing a google search I discovered several ways to try to brighten vintage linens. I soaked the yellowed case in a weak solution of cool water and Oxy Clean, did a gentle hand scrubbing, and rinsed thoroughly. Then I put the case out on a towel in the Arizona sun for several hours. I repeated this process twice and was amazed at the final result. The two cases were now the same color. Using a rotary cutter, I cut off the edges and top of the pillowcases, leaving the lace edging intact, carefully pinned my pattern pieces, and cut.

Sewing and Adaptations

The Joan Woven Top is a simple, boxy top that features a deep-v neckline, dropped shoulders, and arm and hemline bands. The center front seam makes the v-neck facing go on easily, but it’s important to be precise. There is a YouTube video to lead you through this step if needed. To adapt this pattern to the pillowcase fabric, I needed to make a center back seam instead of cutting one back piece on the fold. I didn’t have quite enough fabric for the neck facing, so I substituted a piece of an old sheet in the same weight and color as the pillowcases. By leaving the lace edging on the pillowcases, I didn’t need to add the hem bands. This made the top a bit longer, but no hemming needed!

The Result

Ta daa! I’m happy with my new summer top! It was a great way to practice this new pattern, it didn’t cost me anything (other than the cost of the pattern that I’m already planning to use again), and best of all, it gave new life to the embroidery work my mother-in-law so lovingly made.

Who knew I’d find joy in my linen closet!

Threads of Thought

I can imagine this conversation when I wear my latest creation out to lunch :

“Say, are you wearing pillowcases?!”

“Why yes. Yes I am.” (hilarious!)

Find joy my friends!

If you are enjoying my blog, and want to read more, check out my books Out of the Crayon Box: Thoughts on Teaching, Retirement, and Life and Until Italy: a Traveler’s Memoir. Perfect reading for summer escapes or book club selections. Get you copies here!

December 17, 2024December 16, 2024

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas (pillowcases)

The Obsession Continues

the author holding a Christmas Pillowcase in front of a Christmas Tree

Once, when I was newly retired and trying out novel things to do, I became obsessed. With sewing. Christmas pillowcases.

It went something like this:

Excerpt from my first book, Out of the Crayon Box: Thoughts on Teaching, Retirement, and Life:

“Since I was retired, I could sew whatever I wanted. That’s what I was thinking when the article about the Christmas pillowcases caught my eye. With the holidays coming
up, it was the perfect project to help me brush up on my sewing skills. Off to the fabric store I went with the exact measurements in hand, eager to get started. The first pillowcase was a cute little reindeer print with a snowflake border. It stitched together in a flash and I ran to Ed’s office to show off the finished product, eager to impress him with my talent.
“Look what I made!” I bragged.
“Wow,” he said looking up from the computer.
“That’s nice.”
Encouraged by the ease of my success, I trotted back to my sewing machine to stitch up another one. The candy cane print with red checked trim was delightful. As I snipped the last thread, I ran to Ed’s office to reveal my latest creation. He wasn’t there, but
I tracked him down in the living room. “Here’s another one!” I beamed. “See how I made
French seams so that the edges are nice and neat on the inside!”
“Mmm, yeah… that’s great.” He glanced away from the television, hardly noticing my exquisite French seams. By the time I had finished the third pillowcase Ed
was not in the office or living room. I found him in the bathroom. I’m sure he was hiding from me. That’s when I realized I had a pillowcase addiction. “

Christmas 2024

I thought I was over my obsession. I hadn’t sewn a Christmas pillowcase in over 6 years. I was clean until a friend wanted me to go to the fabric store with her to check out the flannel fabric sale. There it was. Staring me in the face. Bolts and bolts of Christmas flannel. I’ll just buy a bit, I thought. The next thing I knew The clerk was measuring out a yard of 4 different prints for me.

Back at home, I looked up the directions I’d saved. Ah yes, the burrito pillow case method. (It’s a thing…Google it. ) Once again, I was in sewing heaven. Is it the textures? The jolly prints? They way it’s a quick sew? By the end of the afternoon I had three cases ready for my holiday guests.

Now seriously?! Aren’t these cute? They make me smile…

I probably should have been cleaning house , but when I told my friend about my afternoon, she said it was ‘time well spent.” She gets it.

As I write this, there are 9 more days until Christmas. You may be in the Holiday blitz, but STOP, even for a moment, and do something that makes YOU smile.

Threads of Thought

Thanks for following me here at Seams Like a Story. I hope you find something in each post to make you smile or think, or feel encouraged. I’ll see you back here in the new year!

Would you like to read more from Out of the Crayon Box? Or maybe you’d like a delightfully fun trip to Italy? You can find my books here!