The Cottage Mama Blog - Sewing. Cooking. Crafting.

Aug

Free Summer Sewing Patterns & Tutorials

It's that time of year again.........time for summer sewing! I've rounded up a group of Free Summer Sewing Patterns & Tutorials for your little girls. Although, fall is my favorite season of the year, there is something so sweet about summer sewing......sundresses, bonnets, ruffles. Also, the bright colored fabrics and trims make my heart swoon. I've collected several dresses, hats, skirts, shorts and hooded towels that are all available for free here on The Cottage Mama blog. So I hope you'll enjoy this round-up of projects! … continue reading

Jul

A New Summer Picnic Dress

Last weekend I created a New Summer Picnic Dress which is another version of my Free Summer Picnic Dress Pattern. I haven't made this dress in a long time, so it was really fun to sew one of these again. I originally created this dress for my Matilda (who is now 6 years old), but the one that I sewed here is for our little Josephine (16 months old). … continue reading

Jul

Happy 11th Birthday, Matilda Jane!

Dear Matilda, Happy Birthday! Today you turn 11 years old. You've been counting down the days until your birthday for about 20 days now and the day is finally here! Things are a little different this year on your birthday since we are experiencing a global pandemic (COVID-19), but nevertheless, we will still be celebrating our special girl (you!) today! Here are a few things I'd like to remember about you when you turned 11 years old and a few things you might like to remember about your 11 year old self...... You love all things NASA. You know so much … continue reading

Jul

Reversible Tulip Petal Sun Hat

Reversible Tulip Petal Sun Hat My dear, sweet friend, Evy Hawkins, has created a wonderful tutorial for taking The Cottage Mama 'Tulip Petal Sun Hat' free pattern and making it reversible.......thus a Reversible Tulip Petal Sun Hat! She's also sharing how to add embroidery to this darling hat. Isn't the one she created for her granddaughter just the cutest? Evy is an incredibly talented seamstress and has so much knowledge to share! … continue reading

Apr

Bunny Plush Toy Tutorial

My children love stuffed animals and I wanted to make a sweet little bunny plush toy for our new baby girl, Josephine Mae. If you own a copy of my 'Woodland Hand Applique Set' you can simply use the large bunny applique to create this adorable toy. This bunny rabbit takes no time at all to sew, so if you're looking for something to make for your little one, give this a try! … continue reading

Mar

Happy 12th Birthday, Savannah!

Dear Savannah, Happy birthday, Savannah!! Today you turn 12 years old. 12 years old.......I can hardly believe it. In a years time, I will have my first teenager. It just doesn't seem possible. When I started The Cottage Mama, you were a little toddler and now look at you.......you are a beautiful young woman. Here are some things I would like to remember about you when you turned 12 years old and some things you might like to know about your 12 year old self. You love, love, love dance. You spend 6 or so days a week dancing working on ballet, pointe, tap, … continue reading

Jan

Crayon Art Tote Pattern and Tutorial

One of my daughters’ very favorite presents has been a collection of art supplies for her to use and get creative. We are on the go a lot, so what better way to bring her art supplies along than with a Crayon Art Tote. If you have a budding little artist in your life, make them their own Crayon Art Tote……….it is guaranteed to be a present they will treasure for many years to come! … continue reading

Nov

Georgia Vintage Christmas Dresses

I absolutely love having special Christmas outfits for my kids. The last two years my mom (aka Grandma Jane) has volunteered to make the kids Christmas dresses / outfits, but since she was out of commission recovering from her aortic valve replacement surgery, I knew I was definitely on duty this year. Generally I like to make the girls coordinating looks, but this year I decided to go for completely matching. I used my Georgia Vintage Dress Pattern and made Savannah a size 6 and Matilda a size 5 and they both looked absolutely darling (if I do say so myself). Now … continue reading

Oct

Happy 5th Birthday, JoJo!

Dear Josephine, I can hardly believe you are five years old today! Happy Birthday sweet girl!! I can't believe our youngest baby is five years old! It is true what they say.......'the days are long, but the years are short'. Time sure is flying by and there are some things I would like to remember about you when you turned five years old and some things you might like to know about your five year old self...... … continue reading

Sep

Mary Jane Baby Shoes Pattern

It's National Sewing Month and today I'm partnering up with Joann Fabric and Craft Stores for their #sewyourstyle blogger campaign and contest sponsored by Joann's and Pellon. Today I have a free Mary Jane Baby Shoes Pattern to share with all of you as part of this series. We are due to have our fourth child, a sweet baby girl, in about 4 weeks from now so I've been busy nesting and sewing a few things for the new little miss. I came up with these Mary Jane Baby Shoes and have the pattern available for you for free here in size 6 - 12 month (this is a simple, … continue reading