Seams And Scissors

Practically Speaking from Made By Marzipan

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We are so pleased to welcome a big contributor to AllFreeSewing, Maureen Wilson from Made By Marzipan!

Free Stroller Bag PatternWhile I enjoy sewing pretty things, I get super excited when I get to sew something that’s practical. I love to solve problems by creating useful things.

For example, the basket on my stroller was impossible to reach, and it became a major undertaking to retrieve the diaper bag whenever we were on outings. So I thought, “Why not just make a bag that hangs on the handles? And while I’m at it, why not add lots of easy-access pockets. Ooo, and what about a snap strap to attach my keys or a pacifier?” And so the Walk-In-the-Park Stroller Bag was born. When you’re sewing, don’t be afraid to adapt a standard pattern to fit your specific needs. You’ll end up with a project that’s completely personalized and totally practical.

Make a Bedside Organizer
I came up with the Bedside Book Caddy because there wasn’t room for a nightstand in my son’s room. Library books would get lost under the bed, or between the mattress and the wall. I thought that there must be a way to organize the books while keeping them off the floor and within arm’s reach. And hey, why not add storage for a sippy cup and a flashlight? He’d love that! And so I created the Bedside Book Caddy, a fabric organizer with pockets.
The Anywhere Chair is one of my all-time favorites. The problem was, I’d take the kids over to Grandma’s for Sunday dinner. Grandma didn’t have a high chair, and there was no room to pack one in the car. I tried sitting my wiggly little guy on my lap, but he’d snatch food off the plate and make a big mess on Grandma’s white tablecloth. So I thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a highchair that I could pack in my diaper bag?” So I played around with the idea a bit, and came up with a seatbelt-like strap that could attach to a standard slatted chair. The baby clearly needs to be supervised while sitting in it (he was always within arm’s reach), but it made it so much easier to feed him! The Anywhere Chair turned out to be a really practical solution.
Anywhere Chair
As I’ve spent time looking through the projects on AllFreeSewing, I’ve been impressed by the smart solutions contributors are sewing up! This Insulated Casserole Carrier will keep your potluck meal hot and prevent you from burning your fingers. I love the little strap for attaching a serving spoon. Genius!
Insulated Casserole CarrierThe Lazy Lounger also caught my eye. It seems like my kids are always arguing over the same spot on the sofa. I haven’t got a clue why they all insist on sitting there, but I know that they’d willingly give it up for a Lazy Lounger. Of course I’d have to make three of these cute little couches, or they’d fight over who got to use it!
Have a problem? Check out MadeByMarzipan and AllFreeSewing for hundreds of practical solutions. Aren’t you smart!

Tell us, what’s the most practical project you’ve ever made?

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