We Like Sewing 2026 October

September 1, 2026 By
Photo used by permission from We Like Sewing

“Game On, Quilters: A Thrifty Sweatshirt Refashion Challenge”. That’s what the cover says…and we’re the instigators! Deborah and I challenged each other to a quilted sweatshirt sleeve challenge and extended it to the readers of We Like Sewing. We set the rules, wrote instructions, and provided some tips for success. Join us!

Refashion a sweatshirt and tag your pictures online #QuiltedSweatshirtSleeve. Not sure where to start. Learn how in the We Like Sewing online magazine.

Photo used by permission from We Like Sewing

We Like Sewing 2026 October Issue

This must read and sew issue just hit the web. We Like Sewing 2026 October is a blast to browse. It has fashion, fun and festive patterns in it. I adored the Halloween projects. The butterfly wings for children looks super adorable. There’s also a roundup of 15 weekend projects you can work on this fall including Deborah’s pumpkin plant holder.

Photo used by permission from We Like Sewing

Why and How Do We Upcycle?

The #1 reason we love refashion and upcycling is that old clothes are getting dusted off and worn again. And we love that we can plot and sew and wear our creativity on our sleeves.

  • First and foremost, we shop our own closets.
    Deborah found a sweatshirt she hadn’t worn in years…and decided to quilt the sleeves.
  • Second, we pick through our fabric stashes.
    They aren’t large and our fabrics are very random, but we always turn here to get the project rolling.
  • Third, we go thrifting.
    This is where the real hunt begins. We browse for beautiful fabrics in several departments including: bed linens, curtains, fabric remnants, pillow shams, and even clothing.
    Bed linens are a great place to source solid fabrics.
    The sunflower used on my sweatshirt was a thin polyester valance.
  • Fourth, I rummage through the “free” table at my sewing and quilting guild meetings.
    Most of the fabrics people bring to the free table are small…which is great for small quilted projects like sweatshirt sleeves.

Here are some close up shots of our refashioned sleeves from upcycled fabrics. The printable template for the flower is available in the magazine, too.

Photo used by permission from We Like Sewing
Photo used by permission from We Like Sewing

Ready to sew your own sweatshirt sleeves? Get started with the We Like Sewing 2026 October issue.

Tag your photos online: #QuiltedSweatshirtSleeve

Can’t wait to see your quilted sleeves!

Dana

Filed Under: Appliques, Challenges & Contests, Publications, Quilt, Sewing, Twins Face Off Design Challenge, Yarnitect Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Winners in the Anne Geddes Baby Twins Face Off

September 22, 2015 By

Winnners in the Twins Face Off with Anne Geddes Baby Witch Challenge

Yarn Twins: Dana Bincer and Deborah Bagley

I, Dana, officially won the Twins Face Off witch challenge by designing the hat. But I’m sharing this victory with Deborah because she designed the inspiration pieces. Actually, she designed 3 out of the 4 pieces in the Witch Way, This Way set. If the challenge had been hat vs. gloves, I’m not sure who would have won!

Witch Outfit

Winners in the Giveaway

1st Place: Nancy S.
Nancy wins 4 skeins of Anne Geddes Baby and the Witch Way, This Way crochet pattern.

2nd Place: Elizabeth
Elizabeth wins the Witch Way, This Way crochet pattern.

Witch Way on Etsy.

And a big thank you to Red Heart for sponsoring the event. And thank you to everyone for participating in the Twins Face Off Design Challenge. It means a lot to us that you voted and entered the giveaway.

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Vote in Witchy Twins Face Off with Anne Geddes

September 15, 2015 By

Vote in the Twins Face Off Crochet Design Challenge with Anne Geddes Baby

For this Twins Face Off crochet challenge we used Anne Geddes Baby yarn. It’s up to you to choose, which crocheted Witch Accessory you like better. After you vote below, scroll down to enter the giveaway for your chance to win 4 skeins of Anne Geddes Baby from Red Heart and a copy of both crochet patterns.

Giveaway ends September 21, 2015 at midnight.

Twins Face Off Witch Hat and Scarf

Left: Witch Hat with Dangling Spider    Right: Extra Long Striped Scarf with skull and spider web applique. See more photos.

crochet witch accessories

The hat and scarf were designed this month to coordinate with some gloves and leg warmers that we crocheted earlier this year. See more photos of the Witch Way, This Way crochet pattern.

The vote is annonymous, so vote with confidence.

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Which Witch Accessory Do You Like Better?

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Filed Under: Adult, Appliques, Halloween, Hat, Mittens, Scarves, Cowls & Shrugs, Twins Face Off Design Challenge Tagged With: , ,

Twins Face Off – Anne Geddes Baby Sneak Peek

September 8, 2015 By

Sneak Peek of Twins Face Off Crochet Design Challenge with Anne Geddes Baby

Last week we announced that we would be doing a Twins Face Off using Anne Geddes Baby yarn by Red Heart. This month is a little different. We are using the following items as our inspiration piece:

Witch Goves and Leg Warmers

These little pretties are our inspiration for this month’s challenge. Deborah had worked up the witch gloves and leg warmers using Anne Geddes Baby yarn a few months back. Now we’re using them to inspire us for more Halloween fun.

Next week we’ll share photos of the finished projects and ask you to vote for the design you like better. We’ll also be giving away prizes.

  • 1 place: 4 skeins of Anne Geddes Baby yarn and both crochet patterns;
  • 2nd place: both crochet patterns.

See you next week when we open up the voting and giveaway!

Witch Way pattern on Etsy: Here

Filed Under: Halloween, Twins Face Off Design Challenge Tagged With: , , , ,

Twins Face Off with Red Heart Anne Geddes

September 1, 2015 By

Twins Face Off with Anne Geddes Baby Yarn by Red Heart

Red Heart is sponsoring this month’s Twins Face Off with 4 skeins of Anne Geddes Baby yarn.

Red Heart Anne Geddes Yarn for Twins Face Off

Next week we will announce what cateogry of item we will crochet . We’ll also share sneak peeks at what we’re working on. The week following that we will ask you to vote on the two designs and open up the giveaway!

Giveaway to include:

  • 1st place wins 4 skeins of Anne Geddes Baby yarn and both crochet patterns;
  • 2nd place wins both crochet patterns.

See you next week for the sneak peek.

Witch Way pattern on Etsy.

Filed Under: Twins Face Off Design Challenge Tagged With: , ,

Winners in the Twins Face Off Flower Challenge

August 31, 2015 By

Winnners in the Twins Face Off with Vanna’s Choice Stashbuster Flower Challenge

Deborah Bagley

Congrats to Deborah Bagley for winning the Vanna’s Choice stashbuster Twins Face Off design challenge. The Floral Heart Throw Pillow won by a healthy margin.

Both designs were well received, but the pillow outclassed the door stops. People used words like “stunning” and “gorgeous” when talking about the decorative pillow. And I, Dana, have to agree. Deborah definitely deserves the win with this beautiful pillow.

Floral Heart Throw Pillow

Winners in the Giveaway

A big round of applause for the four winners in the Vanna’s Choice flower challenge.

First Place & Second Place for 8/25/15 Draw: Terri C. & Kelly A.
Terri and Kelly win the patterns for both flower projects. Congratulations.

First Place & Second Place for 8/28/15 Draw: Teresa & Marcia A.
Teresa and Marcia win the patterns for both flower projects. Congratulations.

And a big thank you to everyone for participating in the Twins Face Off Design Challenge. It means a lot to us that you voted and entered the giveaway.

Floral Heart Throw Pillow crochet pattern is available on Etsy.

Filed Under: Twins Face Off Design Challenge Tagged With: ,

Vote in Twins Face Off Flower Stashbuster Challenge

August 18, 2015 By

Vote in the Twins Face Off Crochet Design Challenge
This is a Flower Stashbuster Challenge with Vanna’s Choice Yarn

It’s up to you to choose, which crocheted floral project you like better. After you vote below, scroll down to enter the giveaway for your chance to win a copy of both crochet patterns.

Giveaway ends August 24, 2015 at midnight.

We have extended the vote and giveaway to August 28th at midnight. We’ll select 2 more winners!

Twins Face Off Floral Design

Flower Projects Close UPs

Left: Floral Heart Throw Pillow Right: Flower Door Stops

We raided our stash and used Vanna’s Choice yarn for our projects. Learn more and see additional photos for Floral Heart Throw Pillow and Flower Door Stops in the Etsy shop.

The vote is anonymous, so vote with confidence.

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Which Floral Project Do You Like Better

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Filed Under: Flowers, Home, Home Decor, Twins Face Off Design Challenge Tagged With: , , ,

Twins Face Off – Vanna’s Choice Sneak Peek

August 11, 2015 By

Sneak Peek of Twins Face Off Crochet Design Challenge with Vanna’s Choice

Last week we announced that we would be doing a Stashbuster Challenge using Vanna’s Choice yarn by Lion Brand. Here’s a sneak peek at what we’re working on:

Sneak Peek of Twins Face Off Flower Challenge

Flower is the category of this month’s challenge. And it looks like we’re working on two very different types of projects. This should be fun!

Next week we’ll share photos of the finished projects and ask you to vote for the design you like better. We’ll also be giving away prizes.

  • 1 place: both crochet patterns;
  • 2nd place: both crochet patterns.

See you next week when we open up the voting and giveaway!

Filed Under: Twins Face Off Design Challenge Tagged With: ,

Twins Face Off with Stash Buster Challenge

August 4, 2015 By

Twins Face Off Stashbuster Design Challenge and Giveaway

This month we’re raiding our stash for the Twins Face Off crochet design challenge. We’ll be using Vanna’s Choice, a Lion Brand yarn.

Vannas Choice

Next week we will announce what cateogry of item we will crochet . We’ll also share sneak peeks at what we’re working on. The week following that we will ask you to vote on the two designs and open up the giveaway!

Since we’re raiding our stash, there won’t be a yarn giveaway. But we will be giving away the patterns!

  • 1st place wins both crochet patterns;
  • 2nd place wins both crochet patterns.
Filed Under: Twins Face Off Design Challenge Tagged With: ,

Winners in Lacy Scarf Twins Face Off

July 28, 2015 By

Winnners in the Twins Face Off with Shangri La Yak/Silk Yarn

Dana Bincer

Congrats to Dana Bincer for winning the Shangri La yarn Twins Face Off design challenge sponsored by Bijou Basin Ranch. The Beaded Broomstick Lace Scarf squeaked a win with 53% of the vote!

We heard from many people that this was the most difficult challenge yet in that they liked both designs and found it very difficult to choose a favorite. We love that!

Shangri La Yarn from Bijou Basin Ranch

Winners in the Giveaway

A big round of applause for the two winners in the Shangri La lace weight yarn giveaway.

First Place: Stephanie S.
Stephanie wins 1 skeins of Shangri La yarn and the patterns for both lacy scarves.

Second Place: Joyce C.
Joyce wins both patterns for the lacy scarves.

A special thank you to Bijou Basin Ranch for sponsoring this months challenge. Stop by your local independently owned yarn shop to puchrase this fabulous yarn, or visit their website.

And a big thank you to everyone for participating int he Twins Face Off Design Challenge. It means a lot to us that you voted and entered the giveaway.

On Display and a 2nd Chance to Win

Both lacy scarves are on display at Ewe and Me: A Yarn Boutique in Colorado Springs for the next month. Feel free to touch and feel how soft these are and pick up a skein or two of Shangri La while you’re there.

The patterns for the lacy scarves are available in our Etsy shop or free with purchase at Ewe and Me the month of August 2015.

Lacy Scarves Crochet Pattern on Etsy.

There is a second chance to vote and enter the giveaway at Ewe and Me. So stop by and enter!

Tomorrow we’ll post a review of Shangri La. Be sure to check out what we liked and didn’t like about the yarn.

Filed Under: Twins Face Off Design Challenge Tagged With: ,
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