Happy new year! I hope you are all enjoying the family time, and have also carved out some time to unwind and relax. Looking back, I'm thinking of what sewing posts and projects at AppleGreen Cottage you loved most in 2017 - it's the colorful ones, off course! Want a sneak peek?
Time to wrap up the year, to see what worked and what didn't. Looking at the sewing part of my blogging life, I took a look at what you liked most and what you probably found the most useful part of AppleGreen Cottage. I'd love to give you more of that!
Popular Sewing Posts
The list of my most popular posts that I checked (and double-checked) today tells me two things, if I judge it by the huge numbers of people that have read the posts. Firstly, you loved the tutorials I made for you, and this makes my heart jump with joy. I am nuts about making tutorials, so - yes, there are many more to come! You are my inspiration when I think of blogging.
And secondly, what a huge number of people out there are ACTUALLY learning to make things! Not just taking a peek, not just collecting how-tos - actually learning while working on their own crafting projects. It just blows my mind how many people are following the handcrafting dream! Many of you also sent me pictures of what things you have sewn for your loved ones, using my patterns. Yey to that, and thank you!
So without further ado, I'm starting with the absolute winner in 2017:
This post went viral, and I feel so honored to offer sewing inspiration to so many people! I always use this technique when I want to have really neat and tidy ends of a zipper on a pouch. Works every single time!
This was probably my favorite of all times - and it might just as well become yours too! If you're subscriber to my newsletter, you've already received the free pattern for 3 sizes (baby to one year). If not, here's the link to the tutorial with the freebie, go check it out:
Just a few days ago I boldly went where I didn't dare before - I made a YouTube video out of this tutorial, so even more people will be able to see this handy little trick! The video is more a slide show than a real video, but it's a beginning. I enjoyed making so much that I'm sure there are many more to come!
So those of you who prefer YouTube, feel free to check out the video here:
This free tutorial was my first really popular pattern ever on AppleGreen Cottage, and I am still emotionally attached to it. I have even kept the blue striped bandana bib as (blogging) keepsake, the very one from this picture!
This is a post showing my favorite beginner sewing projects I collected in one place for my readers as inspiration to make their own Christmas gifts. And oh boy you did! These tutorials are beginner-friendly and have links to patterns, and I guess this was the main reason the post got so popular.
I love Oliver + S. They make amazing patterns! Some time at the start of my blogging venture, I bumped into this free pattern of theirs. It fits perfectly. The rim is just the right size to protect from the sun yet not obstruct the view. And it does not keep falling off like other kid-sized hats.
I made a few extra and while sewing, realized I had used a shortcut, a simplification in the sewing process that made the project even easier. Why not share the little workaround to my readers? So I made the beginner-friendly tutorial. The result is the same as if you follow the original instructions. Why not make things easier, right?
One of my best performing and most popular tutorials of all time, even after years! I felt it's only fair my readers should be rewarded for sticking to it for so long, so I included a free PDF sewing template to this tutorial. So feel free to use it if you'd like to make a soft baby ball like this one.
*Did you know this cute green soft toy has made it to the icon of AppleGreen Cottage website? Check out the blog header if you haven't noticed it yet 🙂
My readers not only want to learn everything crafting-related, it never hurts to find out about the easiest and most efficient ways to do so. This is one thing I love too, and we all seem to have in common. Yey!
What can I say? I fell in love with these free home decor projects. Just a few of them are mine, but I was happy to show what my fellow sewing bloggers made. Let's support great ideas!
I only managed to post this tutorial with the free template towards the end of winter and thought it will go by unnoticed. On the contrary, you loved it! Probably because it's so easy, useful, and made in no time! (even if you only know how to sew a straight stitch!)
Feel Free to check it out here, and grab the free 3-size template while you're there. Totally quick and easy project:
Enjoy the browsing, I'm sure you'll find a lot of useful and fun stuff! Happy sewing,
s
Damjana
Want More Free Patterns+Tutorials?
Get email updates and never miss out on new free patterns, printables and tutorials. If you sign up at THIS link, you'll also get the Fabric Hanging Basket Template for FREE, right now. A cute and easy-sew!
Or ...go straight to one of my currently most popular PDF patterns - the ZIP Pocket Coin purse:
Anonymous
I am using your tutorials on zipper tabs and wrist straps to make a clutch look much neater. Thank you!
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage
So happy to hear that!
Have a great day,
Damjana
Jude
A big thank you for everything
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage
Jude,
warms my heart 🙂