It’s not at all an exaggeration to say that sewing has been one of the most important things in my life. It’s allowed me to both express my own personal creativity and make very useful, practical things. Eventually, my passion for sewing led to my career as a fabric, pattern, and housewares designer.

Many of my first sewing projects as an adult began out of necessity and frugality, including the giant pillows I made from inexpensive muslin in order to transform my studio bed into a sofa. Then there were the customized shades for the house with oddly sized windows and the sweet dress I made from dollar-a-yard calico for my baby girl. But I quickly came to appreciate the immense satisfaction that came from using things I had made myself. Sewing gave me a special kind of confidence that I could create something, that I could make an attractive—and functional—item from a flat piece of cloth.

Each project in this book expresses my love of sewing simple, pretty, and useful things: Bags because you can’t have enough, and they’re just so darn useful and therefore incredibly gratifying to make. Projects for kids because sewing for children is fun. Making things for kids inspires new possibilities that you wouldn’t necessarily pursue when sewing for yourself. Home projects because it’s lovely to put your own individual stamp on your home with handmade items. And easily achievable, modern adult clothing, items that people often are, unnecessarily, nervous about attempting for themselves.

All the projects are simple and can be made by even novice sewers. And for experienced sewers, these projects and patterns are guaranteed to work well and produce a beautiful end result.

In addition to the projects, this book offers simple techniques meant to be built upon. Learning a great way to make a fabric box, a patchwork ball, or an integrated handle for a bag opens up a world of creative possibilities that I hope you’ll explore and use to create your own designs.