Links « Simply Serina

Links

**Broken links? Please comment and let me know! Thanks!**

Categories

Personal

Places I Hang Out

Design/DIY

ReadyMade
Domino
Design*Sponge
John Bridge Tile Forums – the best tile forum on the ‘net

Knit/Crochet Resources

KnittingHelp.com – great knitting how-to videos
Emily Ocker’s Cast On – a circular cast on, using a crochet hook, to start a piece of circular knitting in the middle; great for top-down hats, socks, table cloths, etc.
How to Knit Small Circumferences With Two Circulars – knitting small stuff in the round with two circs instead of four or five dpns
How to Knit Small Circumferences Using One Long Needle – also called “The Magic Loop”
Random Stripe Generator – great tool for previewing how stripes might look on a sweater, scarf, blanket, etc.

Knit/Crochet Patterns I Like

Knitted French Press Cozy – I usually put my leftover french press coffee in a pre-warmed stainless steel thermos, but this is way cute and great for short-term coffee temperature maintenance
Swatch-Free Top-Down Hat Pattern by I’m Knitting As Fast As I Can – Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Spiral Top Hat: Calculator – a great top-down hat pattern calculator that lets you choose your own size; also gives instructions for ear flaps
Knit Pixie Hat by Lulubeans – cute pointed hat knit top-down, with ear flaps
Top Down Ribbed Hat – 1×1 rib; more general instructions than pattern
Double Layer Hat Pattern – knit a double layer hat without double knitting; hat is knit in one piece (top-bottom-top, like a sausage shape) and then one hat is shoved inside the other
My So Called Scarf – beautiful knit scarf pattern
SusanB’s Easy Ripple Afghan – great, simple crochet pattern that looks great in stripes of many colors
Crazy Mom Quilts Crocheted Rag Rug Tutorial – use old clothes to crochet a rectangular rug!
Vintage Chica’s Rag Rug Tutorial – crocheted in the round from old fabric/clothing scraps.
Jen’s Sweetie Pie Hat Pattern – cute knit hat; good intro to cables
Zeebee Hat – totally cute knit beanie
D-made Knitting Patterns – lots of free knitting patterns, including socks, hats, scarves

Diaper Sewing/Knitting/Crochet Patterns (For Purchase)

Very Baby – AIO, fitted, side snap cover, velcro cover
Chloe Toes – AIO or pocket, using FOE (fold over elastic)
Sew Darling – AIO, training pants, pocket fitteds
New Conceptions – one size fitted with gussets, side snapping fitteds, variety of covers, training pants, swim diaper, sleep dry briefs for older children
Fattycakes (DSD forum; log in to forum, send a PM to username “admin”) – side snapping AIOs, pockets, fitteds, or covers
Mile High Monkeys – pull on diaper cover, sewn from fleece or wool
Sweet Baby Soakers & Skirties – pull on diaper cover, sewn from fleece, wool, or PUL, with additional instructions for adding a built-in skirt
Littlebums Wool-on and Fleece-on Diaper Cover Pattern – reversible pull on cover pattern
DiaperKit – buy the kit, and all you have to do is sew
Little Turtle Knits – a variety of wonderful soaker and longie patterns; I love these!
WoolyWonder – soaker and longie patterns, and a helpful knitting forum
Fern & Faerie’s Diapering Patterns – knitted soaker and longies, wraps, tights/footed pants; also sewing patterns for fitted diapers and all-in-ones/all-in-twos sewn from all recycled materials
Dandelion Dreamers – knit AND crochet patterns for soakers, longies, skorts, and the innovative sleep sack (an open-bottomed soaker, great for quick changes)

Diaper Sewing/Knitting/Crochet Patterns (FREE)

Fern & Faerie’s Frugal Diapering Pages – Fantastic resource; learn to sew flats, prefolds, fitteds, and pocket fitteds
Fern & Fairie’s Free Knitted Soaker Pattern
The Nappy Network (Wee Weka Patterns) – so many great patterns here, in .pdf format, with instructions and pictures; includes pockets, fitteds, covers, gussets, trainers, FOE, contours…everything!
Curly Purly Soaker Pattern (.pdf) – knitted, adorable, really cool waistband
Miala Projects – a blog with lots of tutorials and links, including cloth diapers and wool
Tiny Bird Organics – knit wool longies pattern, knit flat and seamed
Aubrey DoodlePants – knit wool longies pattern, in the round
Ottobre Knit Wool Diaper Cover (.pdf) – knit flat and seamed
Ottobre Fitted Diaper (.pdf) – two sizes, both run large
Punk Knitters on LJ – wool soaker to knit in the round
Boise Cloth Diapers Recycled Wool Longies
Boise Cloth Diapers Recycled Wool Cover – with elastic casings and velcro closures
Sweaterpants Tutorial – recycled wool longies
Making fleece and/or wool longies out of old sweaters – a Flickr set
Katrina’s Sew Quick Soaker Pattern – a pull-on cover; great for use with recycled sweaters; browse the whole blog for helpful hints and tutorials
EasterBunz – training pants pattern with side snaps
Celtic Cloth – AIO, wet bag, and changing pad
Anayaliss’ Diaper Pattern – velcro in the back!
Diaper Sewing Blog – lots of stuff, all free
Mama Bird – fitteds, AIOs, pockets
Darling Diapers Newborn Fitted – great for snaps
Rita’s Rump Pockets – one size flannel pocket fitted; easy and quick to sew, fastens with one pin! Runs small on bigger babies/toddlers.
Rita’s Rump Pockets OS AIO & Cover Patterns – more variations on the same theme
Diaper Sewing – older, but good; lots of stuff, with pictures
Diaper Sewing Tutorials – fitted, contour with elastic, AIO, FOE cover, side snapping cover, doublers
FuzziBunz-like diaper
Pull-on Fleece Cover
Adding Gussets to Cloth Diapers (SleepingBaby.net)
Make Your Own Bum Sweaters – recycled wool
Tickle Turdle Wool Wrap – crocheted diaper cover, with Snappi or button closures
Diaper Jungle’s Cloth Wipes Tutorial
Wigglebum’s No Elastic Fleece Pull Up Cover – could try with wool, too
MatNap – One size cloth diaper made from beach towelling
My Free Diaper Pattern – One size cloth diaper
Turn Prefolds Into Fitteds – a no-serger-required tutorial (with pictures)
Not So Flat Wrap – no-elastic, quick-sew fitted; basically a slightly shaped prefold with snaps. Turn & topstitch or serge. Very easy, very cute, no elastic to wear out!

Knit Sleep Sack Patterns

Knitty Zodiac (FREE) – sleeveless tank-style top, long flowy bottom, zipper along bottom for easy changes
Sleepsack by Niki (FREE) – basically a shaped tube with ribbing at top and bottom; newborn sizing provided only
SheepyTime Knits Sheepy Sack (FREE) – another shaped tube with a drawstring, newborn sizing only

Clothing Patterns/Tutorials

oliver + s
Jalie – one pattern includes sizes toddler through plus size!
Built By You/Built By Wendy – classic yet trendy clothing patterns for women, available through Simplicity
Sew U: The Built By Wendy Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe – a basic how-to sewing book, with patterns, teaching you how to sew, custom fit, and turn basics into your style
Kwik Sew
New Conceptions – home of the famous Baby Essentials!
Favorite Things – for women & children; clothing & accesories
Baker Lane – dresses for pregnancy, nursing, and beyond
Recycled Sweater Jacket Tutorial – by Flint Knits; a lot of recycled sweater love, with a little knitted trim thrown in to make it special
Bandana Pants – Blue Yonder’s tutorial for cute pants for kids out of two bandanas
Spring Ruffle Top Tutorial – Waaaaay cute pattern that you draft yourself following these easy instructions; customizable for children and maternity (see the comments for the designer’s thoughts on modifying for maternity)
Ruffle Skirt Tutorial (.pdf) – Draft your own skirt pattern, customized to fit you, with this free tutorial

Fabric Sources

Natural Toy/Craft Retailers

A Toy Garden
Oompa Toys
North Star Toys
EllieBelly – playsilks!
Stubby Pencil Studio – eco-friendly art supplies

Soft Soled Shoes Patterns

Favorite Soft Soled Shoes Retailers

Bugaloo – $15 soft soled shoes, in three sizes up to 18m; very cute!
Soft Star Shoes – sizes from newborn through adult!
Bobux – sizes up to 4-5 years; these have been very durable for us

Tote & Bag & Purse Patterns

Tiny Happy Shoulder Bag Tutorial (FREE) – I just love this bag!
Breastfeeder’s Diaper Bag/Purse (FREE) – with options for larger version for cloth diaperers
Sack-style Bag (FREE)
Fabric Diaper Case (FREE) – very basic pattern and tutorial (I would enlarge it for cloth dipes); great for keeping things neat in the diaper bag
Super Eggplant Tote Bag Tutorial (FREE) – Your basic tote bag with lining; great place to start sewing gift bags and grocery bags
Artsy-Crafty Babe Pleated Tote Pattern (.pdf – FREE) – roomy, would make a great diaper bag with inner pockets added
Happy Things Mama Backpack (FREE) – cute drawstring-style backpack tutorial
Bundles of Love Diaper Bag Pattern (FREE) – tote-style with inner and outer pockets; easily embellished
Amitymama Messenger Bag Sew Along (FREE)
Quilted Patchwork Strip Purse Tutorial at Creative Little Daisy (FREE)
Basic Purse Tutorial at Creative Little Daisy (FREE)
Lotus Bag Tutorial at Craft Apple (FREE)
The Purse Project (FREE) – links to loads of tote/bag/purse tutorials
Mari’s Bias Tape Purse with Zipper Tutorial (FREE) – so simple, so cute; good pics on this tutorial; make great little gifts
Curved Bag Gusset Tutorial (FREE) – reusable shopping bag with comfy bag handles and bag cozy for itty-bitty storage
Martha Stewart Dish Towel Tote Tutorial (FREE) – good pictures, easy tote
Box Bag Tutorial (FREE) – would make a great gift for a guy; hand toiletries bag, too
Wristlet Tutorial by Splityarn (FREE) – so handy; I’ve made these and like them
Straight Sided Triangular Cosmetic Bag (FREE) - basically a zippered bag; I like the part about adding squares to the zipper
Amy Butler Nappy Bag ($$$)
Craft Apple Diaper Bag ($$$)
The Hot Mama Messenger-Style Diaper Bag by Wired Up Designs ($$$)

Dishtowel Tutorials

Dishtowel Apron Tutorial – for ages 8-11; click here for modifications for ages 2-4
Little Library Tote – all that’s required is a dishtowel and thread
Sewing Machine Cover at Martha Stewart Living
Write Mama Write’s Martha Stewart Dish Towel Tote Tutorial
Quick and Fun Apron Made From Two Dish Towels – at Instructables; grown-up size!

Nursing Bra Retailers

Breakout Bras – free shipping and repeat customer discounts
Blue Canoe Jane’s Bra – famously comfy organic crossover bra

Mama Pad Patterns

Adahy’s Cloth Pad Patterns (FREE) – includes pantyliner and three different styles of pads
Sew Green Cloth Pads Tutorial (FREE)
Diaper Sewing’s Cloth Menstrual Pads (FREE)
Sleeping Baby’s Cloth Menstrual Pads (FREE)
Tiny Birds Organics Cloth Pads Instructions (FREE)
Brightonwoman’s Two-Part Pad Tutoria (FREE)
Making Cloth Pads (FREE) – patterns and instructions
Kristin’s Cloth Pads ($$$) – I use and love these; stuffable pads that come unstuffed for easier cleaning and faster drying
New Conceptions Personal Things ($$$) – lots of stuff here, including pads, underwear with velcro for attaching pads to, nursing pads, and more

Miscellaneous Crafts

Peasant-Style Nursing Top by Rowena – wear it as a shirt, or take the bottom piece out and use it as a skirt! Genius.
Chenille-backed Blanket Tutorial – super easy baby blanket tute
Chenille-backed Patchwork Blanket – great first patchwork project, good instructions
Super Easy Keychain Tutorial
Scrap Strips Squares/Quilt Tutorial – I’m dying to try this piecing method; so easy and fun
Handmade Holidays – 30 days of handmade tutorial bloggity goodness
Casey’s Wood Products
Water Bottle Carrier Tutorial – would be great for our Klean Kanteens!
Cardboard Dollhouse
Make your own Easy Herbal Cream
Homemade Deodorant – by Angry Chicken
Homemade Coconut Deodorant – at Passionate Homemaking

Christmas/Advent

St. Nicholas Center
The Season of Advent: Anticipation & Hope – article & resources at CRI/Voice, Institute
Advent Conspiracy
Jesse Tree Family Devotions: Advent 2007 – devotions and pictures to color/turn into ornaments from the Reformed Church in America
Christianity Today’s Advent Resources
Christianity Today’s Christmas Resources
Christmas in Cyberspace

House Plans

Home Decor

DIY Handcut Felt Mural – genius, simple, cheap
Design Your Own Trivets/Hot Pads – for less than $1/ea, at Design*Sponge
Recycled Cake/Cupcake Stands – more Design*Sponge DIY genius
Criss-Cross Coasters – make cute, quick little gifts
Recycled Bath Mat Tutorial – I love the embroidered feet!
Rag Rug Tutorial – crocheted from old fabric/clothing scraps.
DIY Table – make a table out of an old door
Swatch Portraits at The Purl Bee – showcase your favorite fabrics in embroidery or quilting hoops
T-Shirt Latch Hook Rug Tutorial – so plush!

Bulk Herb Retailers

Mountain Rose Herbs – they sell so much great stuff, including organic unrefined coconut oil by the gallon!
BulkHerbStore.com

Seed Companies

Johnny’s Selected Seeds
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Sand Hill Preservation Center – sweet potato varieties galore!
Ronnigers – hundreds of potatoes
Fedco Seeds – seed potatoes, onion sets, fruit & nut trees, untreated vegetable seeds
Gourmet Garlic Gardens
SW Michigan Seeds & Trees Resources – by Fast Grow the Weeds
Territorial Seed Company
Seeds of Change
Seed Savers Exchange (SSE)

Gardening

IDigMyGarden.com – heirloom Gardening forum
GardenWeb Forums – forums for everything under the sun
Dave’s Garden

Inspiration

**Broken links? Please comment and let me know! Thanks!**

11 Comments »

11 Responses

on July 7, 2007 at 21:11 | Reply Tricia F.

Once I get a chance, I’ll peruse your links for diaper stuff–I love that punk knitters knit in the round pattern. I’m making my second one right now. Your Our House Blog is linked to your old live journal one, though, just so you know.
on August 12, 2007 at 19:28 | Reply Candy

Wow, what a great blog, thank you for all the work you have put in to this. This is a great refrence for everyone!

Candy
on August 22, 2007 at 14:28 | Reply looking up & link page update « Simply Serina

[...] Links [...]
on October 1, 2007 at 22:28 | Reply cj

I am looking for an ADULT sleep sack like a gown sewn across bottom with leg holes..
on October 31, 2007 at 15:07 | Reply Easily Amused - Soft shoes patterns

[...] collection of patterns, repeating some I already have [...]
on January 10, 2008 at 18:08 | Reply Emily

I’m very excited for all the bag pattern sites you have since I just got a new sewing machine for Christmas and am looking forward to making all sorts of fun new things with it!!

Also, another resource you may be interested in for knitting/crochet patterns (for free & $$$) is the Lion brand yarn site (www.lionbrand.com) which gives you access to a BUNCH of patterns if you make an account, many of them free. I’ve had lots of success, mostly because of how they’re organized. I have never actually used the yarn they recommend in the pattern, but usually things still turn out ok!

Happy crafting!
on March 12, 2008 at 23:41 | Reply Barb

Thanks for the shout out about my blog! I really appreciate it. Care to join a challenge??? The current theme is to refashion a readymade (thrifted) bag.
on June 25, 2008 at 09:10 | Reply Maggi

Hi, this list is great! Thanks so much!

The TickleTurdle Crochet cover link didn’t work.

June 25, 2008

I found this site too, for covers:
http://katrinassqs.blogspot.com/

It’s the Pattern for Katrina soaker pattern.
on September 26, 2008 at 21:34 | Reply graceebiskie

this is an impressive list you got going here, serina! woah! i will defintely check back to this if I ever need anything!!!!
on October 3, 2008 at 09:48 | Reply Serena

Hi Serina! It’s interesting…My name is Serena too, I am a follower of Jesus, I am married to a youth pastor, I have 2 girls ages 5 and 6, and a baby boy, and I am on a sewing adventure, like you! Talk about coincidence! Thanks so much for your website-it has trully inspired me and blessed me. Thanks
on January 20, 2009 at 02:26 | Reply ratrodgrl

hey there,
I was in the July DDC (mothering.com) along with you, and sadly now on the loss side as well. Anyways, I had bookmarked your site when you had your miracle and I was hoping for my own, and then bumped into it again today.

I saw you are getting into the joys of country gardening. So am I. I just read “No-work Garden Book” by Ruth Stout, and you gotta check it out, especially if you’re into organic gardening. It’s about using super thick mulch (like 8-10″ thick) and never having to weed, rarely having to water, and the mulch naturally provides nutrition to the soil. I just got started, but she said after 3 years you’ll be hooked. I dream of the day where I can provide garden boxes to neighbors, etc., from my garden! It’s given me a good place to focus my grief-energy on.

Hugs and blessings to you, I pray for healing for you and your family.