Featured Designers

Natalie Chanin, the woman behind the line Alabama Chanin, has recently released her second book regarding hand sewing and sustainable living.  Her first book, Alabama Stitch Book, introduced readers to her company’s philosophy and lifestyle.  Now, with the second book, readers have a chance to indulge in more than just sewing projects: recipes and furniture suggestions round out real lifestyle advice.

If you’d like to get started with a sewing project, choose from one of the DIYKits available from the Alabama Chanin online store.  The kits come equipped with everything you’ll need to complete your journal cover, or reverse-applique scarf, or corset.  Try a kit or choose your own fabric and make a project from Alabama Studio Style.  And check out Natalie Chanin on her blog tour at the following blogs:

Heather Ross Journal

Anna Maria Horner

EcoSalon

A few weeks ago, Havel’s Sewing mentioned that you can develop your own fabric design and send it to Spoonflower for production.  But what about printing on fabric by hand, at home?  In Amy Karol’s new book, Bend the Rules with Fabric, she has terrific instructions on how to print images, from photos to your favorite sketches, onto fabric for your crafting projects.  She recommends using EZScreenPrint products, which are apparently a cinch to use.  You can learn more about her fabric and sewing projects at her blog, Angry Chicken.

And, for the printing enthusiast, Havel’s Sewing would like to introduce you to Lotta Jansdotter, a Swedish designer who designs for textiles, ceramics, stationery and more.  You can learn more about her techniques in her book, Lotta Prints.

So get some ink and get to work!

Although you can often find McCall’s patterns for a steal, sometimes we like to try more of what our favorite designers have to offer.  Most of our fave fabric designers offer free patterns on their websites.  And, sometimes, their fabric manufacturers do, too.  Here’s a quick list of Havel’s Sewing’s Favorite Free Patterns:

Amy Butler offers free quilt, yoga bag and tunic patterns here.

Anna Maria Horner offers free quilt and pillow case dress patterns here.

Made by Rae offers a darling free pattern for her Buttercup Bag here.

Heather Ross offers her Medocino sundress here.

Moda Fabrics offers several free quilt patterns here.

And, The Purl Bee offers a variety of free patterns here, including their Oilcloth Grocery Tote (which is more a tutorial than a pattern.)

We hope you like our selection of free patterns. Now get busy downloading and get your sewing machines started!

For over 25 years, Havel’s Sewing has manufactured innovative cutting tools to meet your sewing and embroidery needs.  We are pleased to introduce the newest innovation from Havel’s Sewing: the Sew Creative blog!  Visit us often to read about successful sewing projects, patterns and fabrics, and links to sites that offer instructions and guides on a variety of crafty undertakings.  We’ll also be posting occasional time-saving techniques and interviews with creative professionals.  Feel free to browse through our blogroll for inspiration.  We’re excited for this new development at Havel’s Sewing.  Join us in our creative journey.  Check back often!