It's that time already - the end of the school year! Whether it's a graduation gift or teacher appreciation gift, we've got you covered. Check out our new collection of nesting containers and zipper pouches made from bold patterns and bright colors by Marimekko now available at the shop . Also available for wholesale! **update** SOLD OUT! Please inquire about custom orders.

Little Hem is so excited to announce that we are now available on Etsy Wholesale! We will be adding more items weekly, so keep checking back at the shop. Don't see your favorite item on the linesheet?  Contact us at kri@littlehem.com for any further inquiries.

swatch out!

Bins, baskets, and piles of sample and scrap fabric litter my studio space.  I spend countless time digging through these piles, so I decided to put an empty bulletin board to use and finally organize all these scraps into functional fabric swatches.

Using Medioevalis cards that were gathering dust, I simply cut each swatch with pinking shears, glued them on, and pinned them up with some jute twine.  

Not only is the studio more organized, it's also a nice colorful feature!

Sanity in a basket

The state of my child's room often reflects the state of my daily life.  Chaotic and messy.  I can think of many things I'd rather do than clean.  Fortunately, I have a partner who takes pleasure in housework.  However, we're trying to get the little one to take part in cleaning up his messes and teach him responsibility, blah blah blah.  

This is what his shelves normally look like.  Believe it or not, this is his idea of 'picking up'.  At least it's not spread all over the floor and through out the house, but let's face it, it's an eye sore.   

Everyday when I pick him up from school he asks, "What did you make today?  Anything for me?"

He may not be the most diligent child when it comes to picking up after himself, but he does love organizing and can spend hours sorting his belongings by various categories.  So, I made him little baskets from wool and lined them with linen as containers for his sorting.  I made them in a variety of different sizes and colors and he went crazy for these.  

He has so much fun filling them up!  They have become beds for his animals,  goals for made-up bean bag games,  and even a stylish hat!  As for me, I'm happy because everything has found a place and my days have become slightly less messy and chaotic when I have an enthusiastic helper.

They are so quick to sew up.  Although, to be honest, I could have easily cleaned the entire house in the time it took to make all of these, but I certainly would not have had as much fun.  

 

Soft Blocks

 A great baby gift made from 100% wool.  So easy to make and another project using fabric scraps.

Simply cut 6, 3"x3" pieces of fabric, or any size you want as long as it's a square.  Lay out as shown below and stitch together.  Fold sides up and stitch along squares until only one edge is left.

::TIP:: Leave 3/8" unstitched from each edge to avoid puckering.  Cut a foam block to size and place it through the opening.  Stitch opening closed using a blind stitch.  Enjoy!

Bean Bag Critters

These bean bag fellas are so much fun!  

They love to play and be tossed around.  Their favorite game is hide and seek.  

Made from 100% wool and lightly stuffed with lambswool and lentils.  Another great project using wool scraps left over from my scarves.  These are a favorite of my four-year old and I know big kids enjoy them just as much!

I don't use a pattern, but rather wing it depending on what animal I'm making.  Generally, the head is a 3"x3" square and the body 3"x 5".  Add legs and ears to your specifications.

The heads are stuffed lightly with lambswool and the body is filled with lentils.  Place a small scoop of lentils in the legs before adding lambswool for a floppy feel.  Add button eyes, embroider little noses and whatever shaped ears you like.  You can't go wrong, really.  No matter what, you'll have a fun new bean bag critter to toss around or just cuddle with!  

On the 12th day of Christmas...

The countdown is on!  Only 12 days left until Christmas.  This year, I decided to hand make as many gifts as possible.  I was surprised at how many I could make with just the inventory I have laying around my workshop.  Starting today, I will feature 12 handmade gifts that will perhaps inspire you to get creative and give special one-of-a-kind gifts this year.  So, here we go!

A quilted color block book with ages 0 - 2 years in mind.  Made from all scrap fabric and a muslin jacket cover.

  Finally, the perfect reason to keep those colorful scraps around!

Cut out 16,  3"x3" pieces of scrap fabric and sew together with a 1/2" seam allowance.  Sew pages wrong sides together leaving a 2" opening to turn right-side out.  Stitch opening closed with a blind stitch ( I personally don't like seams showing, but you could easily just stitch it shut on one edge).

Optional - sew two button holes on edge if you want removable pages. 

I sewed buttons on the jacket so that the pages could be removable for more creative play.

Add different textured fabrics to add another dimension of fun!