8 QUICK & EASY sewing projects that stood the test of time!

Dear Sewing Friends, in this video I would love to share with you 8 projects that I made in the past that my family uses almost on a daily basis. I hope you enjoy this list and get some valuable ideas and sewing inspiration.
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MY FAVORITE SEWING TOOLS:
1. Bias Tape Maker - amzn.to/3151IFh
2. Medical Tracing Paper (I use it for pattern drafting) - amzn.to/2EMafDm
3. Water soluble thread -amzn.to/3AHePQi
4. Diagonal seam tape - amzn.to/3OyHHjb
5. Bulky Seam Jumper (some sewing machines come with it and some don't) - amzn.to/3GDdRbD
6. Eloflex Stretchable thread (not the same as shirring elastic) - amzn.to/3VEAhxx
Towels - • How to sew the most US...
Napkins - (1st project in this video) - • MUST TRY 5 easy projec...
Scrunchies - (3rd project in this video) - • 5 easy and USEFUL sewi...
Aprons - • Apron cutting and stit...
Scarf - (2nd project in this video) - • MUST TRY 5 Actually US...
Rope baskets - (5th project in this video) - • MUST TRY 5 easy projec...
Zipper pouch - • A versatile gift you c...
This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase something from the links displayed above I get a small commission. It does not come out of your pocket, but it does help me to support this channel. Thank YOU!
#nopatternsewing #easypatterndrafting #thoughtfulcreativity
Thank You for being here and I hope that this channel encourages you to sew and make beautiful things!
xxx, Alisa

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

What quick&easy projects have served you well over the years? Let us know below :)

[@abaigealduda2756]

Curtains!!!

[@abaigealduda2756]

Also "snakes" to block cold air from coming in under doors.

[@epowell4211]

I really need to make some of those@@abaigealduda2756

[@AvrilBrown-ld6gm]

I've just made a tote bag out of some fabric remnants and it will be so useful. As I've said in other comments I haven't sewn anything for years so ask me again later in the year:)

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

oh, that is a great one!

[@martinadelvai4115]

The best thing I ever made was a carrying aid for our elderly dog. My mom lives on the 3rd floor and on the day after her 15th birthday Tina could no longer walk the stairs without help. Later she needed the support also during her walks. This thing was in use so much, multiple times a day every day. It allowed her to live an extra almost 2 years since it gave my mom the chance to bring her downstairs and upstairs safely. I had to use my most expensive fabric for this project because it was right when the lockdown in February of 2021 started and I couldn't go out to buy something.

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Martina, that is wonderful and thank you for sharing.

[@torirochleau-rice8037]

Last year, I made 75 zip pouches for all the dancers in my daughter’s company. They were all different, and each bag had two zippers and was designed with least three fabrics. SO much fun to make and everybody loved them.

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Thanks for sharing!! How wonderful

[@AvrilBrown-ld6gm]

I just really want to say thank you. I haven't done any sewing for a number of years and discovering your channel has reignited my passion for sewing. I've just managed to put together my first garment - well, okay I still have to do the neckband, cuffs and hem but it looks like a garment and I'm so proud! So thank you and looking forward to your next video.

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Thank YOU Avril for sharing and I am just happy that we get to be a part of your reignited sewing passion. If that brings you joy and happiness and fulfillment - I am beyond happy for you. Of course, sewing journey would not be fun without testing our nerves and then some, but just remember that it is all a part of the learning, and we learn every day. I am proud of you and here's to more happy sewing :)

[@AvrilBrown-ld6gm]

@@ThoughtfulCreativity thank you

[@Mrs.Patriot]

Aprons are a must for preserving our clothes, especially during economic downturns when we may not be able to replace them. Even if we can sew them ourselves! Frugality always pays dividends. ❤

[@pavlal.4552]

I'm used to wearing my "worse" clothes in the house just like Alisa, but I still put on my apron every single time I'm cooking dinner for my family.😊

[@Mrs.Patriot]

@@pavlal.4552 My grandmother always wore a housecoat. She saved her best for church and social functions.and had everyday type clothes for errands, etc. because no one would ever wear a housecoat anywhere but at home.

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Ladies, we are in the same club :)

[@LeAnnRN]

Soup cozies and even holders for a 9x13 pan. I use Insulbrite on the inside to keeps thing warm, or cold. I also made a couple pads to set my pans on that I take from the oven so my glass cooktop doesn’t get scratched.

[@imsewblessed1578]

Hello Alisa 😊. It’s very interesting to see what has been useful for you. I must say my most useful sewing projects have been the quilts I’ve made. I’ve made 10 and recently made two scrappy flannel quilts for my grand children. I had to do everything with my left hand, including cutting sewing everything, so it was a very slow but successful project. And now they have two cosy new quilts for their beds. After that, I think my most useful are the pillowcases I’ve made. They get an absolute ton of use. And the napkins as well. I think I will make some new napkins because mine are really old and looking pretty bad., but this time I won’t make them with a solid colour, I’ll make them with something multicoloured. I think that’ll keep them looking better for a longer time. The ones we’ve had for about four years can be used as rags now around the house.

[@theresaanndiaz3179]

I love aprons! I recently made an apron out of a water resistant fabric for my husband when he does dishes, I use it for when I bath my dog, he is small and I use the sink. When my granddaughters were little I made them their own aprons using fabric they picked out. We use fabric napkins too.

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

That is a great idea for families with pets! Thank you for sharing!

[@marilynk7491]

A couple of things to add: potholders (a great scrapbuster and quilt practice!) and pillowcases (another scrap-buster but you need bigger pieces!). I use both on a daily basis.

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Oh yes! I had made potholders and my hubby was taking them down to the garage to handle hot metal stuff that he was working with... so, I got annoyed and we got silicone holders, they look like little grabby things and they have stayed put so far.

[@tlsnana9539]

Each year, I make fresh wallet style tissue cases for my friends and favorite people (my sons various caseworkers and doctors offices, nurses, favorite cashiers, neighbors, caseworkers, etc). They’re easy and seem to be appreciated.

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

That is so awesome!

[@missyb.623]

We use cloth napkins, so do my adult children. I make them for special occasions, too. We all also use aprons. I often make matching aprons as a wedding couple gift, with matching hot pads.

[@joanold4035]

I make lined drawstring bags of various sizes that can hang on back of doors, or peg hooks etc. to hold multiple things, such as my hairdryer, kids laundry, shoes, sports kits, and project bags for knitting/crochet.

[@stitchersdelight]

I'm still laughing about the spider...lol Totes and napkins and pillow covers are the things I reuse the most. Practical and pretty. Love your videos !

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Omg... yes, lol :D

[@loves2spin2]

My favorite that everyone seems to appreciate is the hanging kitchen towels.

[@yesvelas4]

Just subscribed 👍 I've seen your videos and liked them all

[@epowell4211]

I like the dishcloth/tea towel idea. I grew up with the rule that you only use a disposable item if a reusable one can't/shouldn't be used. Like, when you dry your hands after normal washing you use a cloth towel, but if you've been handling raw meat/unsanitary items, you use paper then hand sanitizer. I've always liked the idea of cloth dinner napkins - in the early days of this invention, they napkin would stay at the users seat and be used for many days. With modern laundry convenience, they're more practical. You have such a bright, cheery personality online, your always easy to follow, and you have many clever ideas. Thank you for putting in the effort for our enjoyment!

[@KSMP]

We still have paper but go reusable whenever we can. Those reusable sponge cloths you can get in packs of ten are amazing.

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Oh yes yes, we use reusable sponges that can be composted (we have a compost pile) and they are great for any messes for which cloth towels/napkins would be a bit to tricky to use.

[@pavlal.4552]

I still use my apron on daily basis 😊 it was my first "big" project and even though it's full of mistakes, I still proudly wear it while cooking ☺️ thank you for this video 👍❣️

[@heathermassey8273]

Made pot holders and oven mitt from an old towel and flannel fabrics scraps, they lasted for years!

[@John-316URLOVED]

I use my tote and mini tote bag (water bottle carrier) every single day :)

[@oskarmolly]

I love the napkins and towels. I'd love to be able to find fabric like that they are so cute! I've been playing with the idea of making some nice slippers, the bootie kind. After going through 3 hurricanes in a row this past week, warm ideas fill my head. I really really don't like the cold or to be cold. I just made an apron that has spools of thread and needles all over the fabric more for sewing then cooking but it's cute. It was used a lot this week making pots of soup that can be heated on a wood stove when the power went out.

[@sandrajahn8071]

Apropos of zipper pouches, I’ve made several washable, reusable food safe pouches to replace ziplock bags

[@lovemesomeslippers]

What did you use to make these?

[@InAgatasCottage]

Great video Alisa For us "stable, useful things" are Face wipes, reusable pads, mug rugs/coasters. Plus all things you mentioned in your video

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Those are GREAT additions to the list, thank you Agata!

[@mrgarner4796]

Alisa, you are a girl after my own heart ❤❤. Thank you for all the wonderful quick projects and tips.

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Thank YOU for watching and being here, I love seeing your comments :) here's to more happy sewing

[@torirochleau-rice8037]

We use cloth napkins at home, and have done so for almost 40 years. I’m always glad to learn that others do this as well. (And, everyone here has their own aprons.) Love your videos.

[@joanhawkins8552]

I love my kitchen boas, I just cal it my around thr neck towel. Use it when my kids come for a cookout. I don't to worry about dropping my napkin have to get one of the grands pick it up and toss it in the trash. I use it when cooking or doing the dishes (I get real messy,lol). Love your videos.

[@sylviaburns8160]

My most useful are zippered pouches, some with vinyl and quilting on the back side, handbags and hanging kitchen towels. Thank you for your videos. I like your teaching and honesty. I have a small kitchen too!

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

How interesting to read everyone's makes and feedback on what they use the most. Yes, it is so funny - our small kitchen is smaller than in my parent's apartment, yet we eat dinner all together every night and so we cook every night. We just try to make it work, but if there are two people in there - NO WAY :)

[@AnnRicci]

My family has almost never used paper napkins. Coming from an Italian//Spanish family we always used a 'mappina'. We still use them. My daughters (40 & 42) had childhood flannel sheets, which I came across recently, and I turned them in mappinas !!! I love them because when I use them I get happy flashbacks. I had given one to a friend and she says it is the best 'cleaning' cloth she has ever owned !!!! Love YOU and your channel !!!

[@maggieleplan3212]

Hi Alisa, Like many many I'm using a lot my 3 totes bags, and have zipper pouches everywhere in the house and in the car for medicines, toiletries...and indubitably for the little tools in my sewing room. Thank you for your videos.

[@brandimr23]

I made a large trivet or hot pad, it's a rectangle and it's almost the size of one my kitchen baking pans, we use it all year round and especially the holidays so we don't melt or warp our table.

[@jubileedesignstudios6255]

We used cloth wipes, diapers and femenine hygiene products for so many years! I need to make more towels for my kitchen!

[@nancyc6448]

Hi, another useful, enjoyable video, thanks. I use my microwave bowl cozy everyday! I’ve given them as gifts and find that folks either always use them or barely use them. ❤

[@doudou53d44]

I have made two handbags last year and enjoy them very much !!!!!

[@bitsnharry]

I seem to have been born with a love of linen kitchen towels! I use old linen tablecloths, big thrifted shirts or skirts or the doggy bags from there Fabric Store on line. ❤

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Ooooh yes, I love my linen kitchen towels. May I ask you - how so you like the doggy bags? I have ordered full yardage from them before, but never the scrap bags. How did you like it? :) Thank you in advance

[@katwitanruna]

Liked. Shared. Commented. Up the algorithm!

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Thanks for that, Kat! :) appreciate it!

[@katwitanruna]

@@ThoughtfulCreativity well I appreciate your fantastic videos!

[@cosmicpolitan]

What a great video! The most useful thing I make are fabric bowls to use in the microwave so you don’t burn your hands. You just have to make sure to use 100% cotton batting.

[@victoriahannah1633]

I’ve been thinking for awhile about making cloth napkins. My family likes my bowl cozies for hot soups.

[@1anita1m]

Great information. It's always a good idea to think about what is needed around the house for organization. Like you said, it is easy to go overboard. Thank you 😊

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Exactly, and when we go overboard it usually becomes clutter vs being useful. :)

[@tlsnana9539]

Hmm. . . Just a thought . . . I’ve gone overboard on a few things and wonder if my neighbors or a local group home could enjoy them. I don’t know. I just love seeing people smile. I thing it’s a grandma thing.

[@1anita1m]

@@tlsnana9539 Donating would be a great idea.

[@JB-vd8bi]

I love my aprons. I'll try the scrappy one

[@barbaravollmert9508]

Love your channel!! So inspiring and you are a great teacher, I love making useful things! Thankyou for all your hard work!!!😊😊😊

[@jeric2773]

Enjoyed all your quick and easy projects and plan to try the aprons but what really caught my eye is what you are wearing! I really like the sherpa pull over sweater you are wearing over the white shirt. Do you have a tutorial or a pattern for sewing it? Thanks for all the fun videos!

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

I sure do :) just go to my channel (click on my channel name) and then go to the "videos" tab, you will see it there - it is one of the most recent videos in my "sew easy" series.

[@jeric2773]

Found it! I am going to make a fleece one for size and practice and then a double sherpa like the one you made. Thank you, thank you. @@ThoughtfulCreativity

[@cynthiafeldberg4782]

Small coaster size quilted squares, they can be tossed on the table and a mug is snug.

[@asajarl5519]

Thank you Alisa ❤Always delightful to see you!

[@khughes962]

A heavy canvas tote for carrying in wood for the wood stove sees daily use in winter. Also a fleece snuggly wrap with pockets, also for winter, are my most heavily used seasonal items. Most used are my qsnap covers and totes for embroidery projects. I do need a new apron though. Oh, and my clothes pin bag and a silly tube of fabric with elastic I sewed on a whim years ago to hold my plastic grocery sacks.

[@pamd6532]

lovely!! You're the bee's knees

[@Queenread82]

Thanks Alisa, this was a fun video. I have made all of these except the reusable cleaning towels. I've been using fabric napkins (also tablecloths and placemats) as a basic utility item for almost 40 years. We lived rurally and It just seemed wasteful to throw out all of the paper - also cloth cleans fingers and faces better than paper does. I just wash it all with the towels. We use old towels for clean up but I have been thinking of making some of the ones you show. All of our napkins (and dishcloths) are one use then wash, I'm squeamish. I've made the bowls, bags, aprons, and totes for gifts as well as for my own use. We also use bowl cozies and I made baskets and bowls from quilted fabric. Also - covered and lined boxes for storage, an anti-slip coaster for my sewing machine foot with silicone shelf lining and bias tape.

[@AngeVPV]

Great video!

[@yvonnecox5049]

Hi, I love your videos! My most useful,projects have been making placemats, pot holders, totes, and pillows.

[@deniseg7340]

Cute projects; I look forward to trying a rope basket - I haven't tried one before! I always seem to spill on myself when cooking & washing dishes, so the Apron is a must I think; and I could make great use of cloth napkins. I appreciate the word of caution about not making too much of any one item!

[@kristinjacobsen3417]

We use cloth napkins, kitchen towels and rags. I mention rags because we might hesitate to grab a nice dish towel to wipe up a mess. So we have a stash of rags (no sewing!) under the kitchen sink, to use for really messy messes. Depending on what it is the rag might just go in the trash, or be rinsed and washed. I often wear an apron, i use a crocheted zipper money pouch in my purse. A friend who is a much better sewer is making bibs for a little girl in Kenya who is named after me. And, she's making a beautiful 'clothing protector' (bib) for my 108 year old great aunt!

[@stellaunger8568]

Love your channel ❤️😁🌹

[@mariarylin4444]

Love your videos, always so much inspiration❤

[@KSMP]

A craft apron for my daughter. I made it for her several years ago when she was in kindergarten and it's still going! She wears it every time she does crafts that involve painting, which is a lot lol. One question i have for you is, how do you keep your kitchen towels from feeling greasy after a while? Ours are horrible even after washing.....

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

Not lone ago, I had a neighbor who made her own reusable cloth baby wipes, cloth diapers, cloth napkins, cloth sanitary pads, and many other items to save money (and because she and her children have allergies to many man made products). There is always one of my home made quilts on my beds.

[@jsd2457]

Always love the videos showing how to use scrapes. Do you have a tutorial on how to make that first pouch? I love the shape.

[@laurum1318]

Such great ideas! ❤

[@conniesmith9989]

Hi. Thank you. 😊. Something to think about.

[@Costuracontumash]

👈🏼They are perfect ideas for my project thank you 🙏🏼 👍👋

[@clairefrancois6046]

❤❤❤

[@dyeitb1ack]

Great video as always! 😄 please Where can I find the tutorial for the gorgeous little zipper pouches shown at 7:15 with the little handle at the top and the zip going vertically down the centre?

[@lizsewingtropical1438]

Rope basket: is it possible to make more of a square shape?

[@carolh8611]

Potholders 😅

[@patriciacunningham5472]

I don’t know why you keep showing up on my KZbin. I have been trying to get rid of you for months!

[@MarianneSmith62]

Now that you've commented, I bet it'll become more bothersome to get away 😂

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

What a positive and pleasant comment to read, the grace and the choice of words... Instead you can simply Google the solution to find out how to make KZbin not to suggest certain channels to you, or any time you see my videos on your feed, there are 3 dots on the bottom of the video, click on it and it will give you a few options including "do not show this channels". And that's it. Takes just a few moments. Have a great day!

[@InAgatasCottage]

I know why. You have created on your KZbin page, a playlist - My Fav (it's public so anyone can see it). Alisa's video from around a year ago is added to that playlist (it had to be added by you). This video is in the middle of the playlist between Toe Cyst, Burial of gold fish and sewing machine presser foot. KZbin is recommending you videos/creators based on what you included in your playlists and stiff you watch. It may be worth to review your own profile instead of taking your frustration out on amazing content creator. Best of luck.