Popular sewing machine craft projects for teens

This simple envelope purse has a generous flap and a shoulder strap of decorative cording. For evening wear, select an elegant fabric, such as brocade, velveteen, or satin. For a casual look, select denim, poplin, or a decorator fabric.

To add a decorative touch to an envelope purse, the fabric may be embellished with fabric painting or decorative studs before the purse is sewn.

For a painted purse, remove any sizing from the fabric by washing it before you begin the project. If you are unfamiliar with using fabric paints, you may want to practice the painting techniques on scraps of the fabric before you paint on the fabric piece for the purse. Heat-set the paints according to the manufacturer's directions; usually paints are heat-set by pressing the painted fabric with an iron.

Decorative studs may be used alone or in combination with fabric painting. Simple to apply, the studs are secured to the fabric by pressing their pointed legs through the fabric, then bending the legs inward.

Cutting Directions:

Cut one 7" x 22" (18 x 56 cm) rectangle each from the outer fabric and the lining.

You Will Need:

1/4 yd. (0.25 m) each of outer fabric and lining, if fabric will be cut on crosswise grain; or 3/4 yd. (0.7 m) each, if cut on lenghwise grain.

1 1/2 yd. (1.4m) decorative cording.

Fabric paints and synthetic brushes, if desired.

Decorative studs or other fun embellishments, if desired.

A sewing machine.

How to Embellish the Purse Fabric with Fabric Paints

1) Protect work surface with brown paper. Tape 7" x 22" (18 x 56 cm) rectangle of outer fabric to brown paper, placing tape 1/4" (6 mm) from raw edges. Using synthetic brush, apply 1" to 1 1/2" (2.5 to 3.8 cm) stripes of paint in desired colors. Allow to dry.

2) Paint designs across each stripe, in zigzag patterns, swirls, and simple geometric shapes. Allow to dry. Remove tape carefully from edges of fabric.

How to Embellish the Purse Fabric with Decorative Studs

1) Mark design placement for studs on right side of fabric. Press pointed legs of studs through fabric to wrong side; work carefully, because points are sharp.

2) Place fabric, right side down, on firm work surface; bend legs inward, using the handle of a spoon, to secure studs.

How to Sew an Envelope Purse

1) Pin the outer fabric and lining, right sides together. For the flap, mark points on both long sides, 7" (18 cm) from one short end.

2) Stitch 1/4" (6 mm) seam around lower portion of purse, starting at one side. Pivot at markings; stitch 1/2" (1.3 cm) seam around flap. Continue 1/4"(6 mm) seam on lower portion; stop 3" (7.5 cm) from starting point, for opening.

3) Trim outside corners diagonally; notch inside corners. Press seam open, with lining side of the purse facing up.

4) Turn purse right side out; press. Slipstitch opening closed.

5) Fold lower 7" (18 cm) of purse to flap, right sides together. Stitch 1/4" (6 mm) side seams.

6) Zigzag the cording to the seam allowances on each side of purse, catching the end of cording for 1" (2.5 cm). Turn the purse right side out, folding the flap down.

(Courtesy of Quick & Easy Sewing Projects, Singer Sewing Reference Library)

Kites are universally fun both to make and to fly. The two styles of kites shown here are simple to sew, inexpensive and fly easily. Because each has its own appeal, you may want to make them both, and in brilliant colors.

These kites fit into two different categories: delta and flexible. Delta kites, like the fringed delta kite shown in the photo, are generally triangular in shape. They have four spars, or dowels: two along the wing edges, a spine down the middle and a spreader to keep the kite fabric taut. By removing the spreader, you can fold the kite for easy storage.

Flexible kites, like the arch-top flexible kite shown, are designed to bend, even in light winds, helping them remain stable. This flexible kite has an arched spine in both directions.

You Will Need

For a Fringed Delta Kite:

1 yd. (0.95 m) nylon fabric, 45" or 60" (115 or 152.5 cm) wide, for sail and keel.

One 1/4" (6 mm) dowel, 21 1/2" (54.8 cm) long, for spine.

One 1/4" (6 mm) dowel, 19 1/2"(49.8 cm) long, for spreader.

Two 3/16" (4.5 mm) dowels, each 26 3/4" (68 cm) long, for wing spars.

Two caps from ballpoint pens.

Eyelet; kite line.

A sewing machine

For an Arch-Top Flexible Kite:

3/4 yd. (0.7 m) nylon fabric, 45" or 60" (115 or 152.5 cm) wide, for sail.

1 1/4 yd. (1.15 m) nylon fabric, for tails; this is sufficient yardage for all tails.

5/8 yd. (0.6 m) nylon fabric, optional second color for tails at sides of kite.

One 1/8" (3 mm) dowel, 30" (76 cm) long, for spar.

One 3/16" (4.5 mm) dowel, 23 1/2" (59.8 cm) long for spar.

Kite line.

Cutting Directions:

For a fringed delta kite, make the patterns below. Fold nylon fabric on the bias; cut one sail, using the pattern, placing the fold line of the pattern on a bias fold of the fabric. Cut two fabric triangles for the keel, using the pattern, with the 13" (33 cm) side on the lengthwise grain. For the spreader tabs, cut one 1 1/2" x 6" (3.8 x 15 cm) strip of fabric.