I have a new downloadable pattern for you! Just in time for Halloween, you will be able to make yourself a Blood Pool Pillow!

This pattern is super easy, and a perfect DIY for when you are in the mood for a quick Halloween project.

You can get the pattern on my website, on Etsy, or on Craftsy.

Once you get the pattern, you can come on back here for a helpful photo tutorial:

When you print your pattern, make sure that you click the option that says "Actual Size" so that it will print correctly.

Print just the first page, and use a ruler to make sure that the Test Square does indeed measure 2"x2"

 Print the rest of your pages, at "actual size" and lay them out, matching the diamonds on the edges. (A1 to A1) It should look like the layout below.

Cut the right edges off the printed pages along the rectangle line.

Now match up the lines and diamonds and tape the pages together. Do the same for connecting the top row to the bottom row of pages, to create your whole pattern!

Now cut out your pattern along the solid black line, and you are ready to go!

To start your pillow, you first have to cut out your fabric. Cut two of your pattern pieces, making sure that one is face up, and one is face down.

If you have a fabric that is likely to fray, serging the edges is always an option at this point.

 Now machine stitch around your pillow using 3/8" seam allowance (or just inside your serging) all the way around except for the area between the notches that says "Leave Open". Make sure to reinforce where you stopped and started with a little backstitching.

Clip the curves, turn the pillow inside right, and stuff the pillow as much or as little as you like!

Close up the opening in the pillow using a ladder stitch. If you need a refresher, take a look at my ladder stitch tutorial post.

Enjoy your pillow, and Happy Halloween!

Have you ever looked at the patterns I sell, and thought "Can I do that?"
Well, this post is for you!

The more patterns that I come out with, the more I started thinking about creating levels of difficulty so that I can label my patterns correctly. I've created a list of levels, and descriptions for each level, so that you can know which patterns you can handle, and which ones you might need help with!
Here they are:

1. Curious
2. Capable
3. Confident
4. Cocky
5. Couture
6. Crazy

Bonus: Custom

Now let's break them down a little:

Curious: Beginner. I would love to sew! I have a sewing machine, but I've really never done anything with it.

Capable: Advanced Beginner. I've sewn a couple times, and I've used a few sewing patterns. I sometimes have to refer to my sewing machine manual to figure out how to change things.

Confident: Intermediate. I sew on the regular and I'm very familiar with using sewing patterns. I know my machine like the back of my hand!

Cocky: Advanced. I am a fantastic sewer! I don't even need to look at directions most of the time. I just look at the pattern pieces and intuitively understand how things go together. I have lots of different sewing machines.

Couture: Very Advanced. I know some advanced sewing techniques, and I don't mind taking extra time to make my projects really stand out. I can draft my own patterns but I'd rather you do the pattern work for me so that I can get sewing. I can handle any alterations I may need to make.

CRAZY: Crazy. I LOVE SEWING NO MATTER HOW HARD OR WEIRD IT IS!! GIVE ME EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT! COMPLEX SEWING PROBLEMS? PUZZLES? BRING IT ON! (I don't actually know yet what kind of pattern would be in this level, but I thought I needed to go there, just in case)

Bonus - Custom: This isn't really a level, but it is a good label to know. When you see that I have marked a pattern as custom, you will know that for an extra fee I can alter the pattern just for you! For example, my Quilted Tombstone Pillow is custom, because you can customize the text on the tombstone!