Homemade Holiday Pillows and Curtains

Now that St. Patrick’s Day is coming up, it might be time to pull out my sewing machine and stitch some handmade valences for my daughters’ hall bathroom.

Valentine's Day, Halloween and Christmas pillows that I've sewed for my daughters.

I’ve gotten into the habit of making homemade seasonal valences for our home’s bathrooms ever since I got my sewing machine as a gift a few years ago.

My husband bought the machine for me because I used to get my fingers bloody when I used to hand sew my daughters’ patches on their Girl Scout uniforms.

Those darm patches are so thick (and the iron-on glue on the back of them never stick well) that once I’d finally get the needle through the patch, the force of pushing the needle through would send the needle off course, directly into one of my fingers. Ouch! I’ve even bled on a few of my daughters’ patches.

My husband bought me the Husqvarna Emerald 118 sewing machine, which is simple to use for a beginner like me. Now it’s a cinch to sew on Girl Scout patches.

I haven’t gotten too advanced with my sewing machine yet, but I’ve sewed several curtain valences for our home and seasonal pillows for my daughters’ beds.

I’ve stitched Halloween and Christmas valences for my home’s bathrooms, and stitched my daughters pillows for Halloween, Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day and Valentine’s Day that they love.

I also made Halloween sacks (out of a black and white fabric skull print) for my daughters to use when trick or treating.

Now, my daughters’ beds are filled with handmade pillows, and they choose a different one to sleep on each night.

Know of any fun and simple sewing projects? Please share them in the comments.