It is easy to make stylish laptop bags out of attractive fabrics. Your creativity is only limited by your imagination.

We all enjoying showing our style with unique accessories. Accessories aren’t limited to clothing items. Even necessary items for business and school can become fun fashion accessories.

Oh, I know the stores have a mind-boggling assortment of accessories, but even with the wide-range of ready-made options, it is sometimes difficult to find one the fits your personality. If you sew or would like to learn sew, you can make your own practical accessories.

It’s easy to make cell phone and i-pad cases that suit your style. Laptop and netbook totes are also easy to make, although they take a bit more time than cases for smaller items. Laptop and netbook bags can be made with pockets, pin holders and zippered compartments.

Get creative and make beautiful accessories to protect your technology and carry it in style. Cell phone and i-cases are so quick to make and require little fabric; they make great gifts. Laptop and netbook totes are also great gifts to make when you have more time.

Many types of fabric are suitable for technology cases. Choose a bright Amy Butler print or a stylish faux leather. Upholstery and drapery fabric can also be used to make laptop and netbook totes.

This cool pattern from Simplicity features bags for laptops, i-pads, and cell phones. These handy bags can be made out of sturdy canvas or sport nylon as well as broadcloth.

If you just learning to sew, choose a small project such as a cell phone cover and an easy to sew fabric such as a cotton print. If your first project doesn’t come out “perfectly,” consider any imperfections as part of its charm. With practice, your projects will come out the way that you envision.

Ah, the wearing of the green. Everyone likes to pretend to be Irish on St. Patrick’s day. These charming prints and solid greens can be used to make vests, shirts and more to brighten the big day.

A stunningly simple art quilt with embroidered leaves.

I love quilt art and I know many of you also do. But did you know that quilt art doesn’t need to be restricted to wall hangings. Quilt wall hangings are generally relatively large and they are hung without frames; however, small quilts can look very attractive with a picture frame.

Many quilt artists, such as Lenore Crawford, have experimented with framing some of their pieces. Crawford says that she is not always pleased with the results, but many quilt artists love to frame their pieces.

Velvet, velveteen, and panné fabrics must be laid out according to the with the nape layout. So must corduroy and any other fabric with a noticeable pile.

The with the nape pattern layout is designed so that the fabric pile will run in one direction when sewn to make a garment. This means that the fabric will appear as all one color; when fabric pieces with the nap running in two different directions are sewn together the garment will appear to be two different shades. For more information see my post “What is a Napped Layout?”

To last a long time, down pillows should be washed a few times a year. Take the pillow from its cover or case ( a down pillow for the bed should really have a hypoallergenic removable cover underneath the pillowcase). Examine the pillow lining for any holes that could let the down out and repair them if necessary.

Then wash the pillow by hand with a low-sudsing detergent or in a front loading washing machine. Do not put the pillow in a washing machine with an agitator as this could tear it. Dry the pillow on low heat in a load with several clean dry towels to absorb the moisture. A few tennis balls placed in clean cotton socks should be added to the dryer as well; this little trick will keep the down distributed evenly. Be careful not to overheat the pillow. Check the dryer every half-hour and remove the pillows as soon as they are dry.

Upholstery batting is available in both cotton and polyester. Either material provides good comfort and looks for upholstered furniture. Because batting also tends to shift, the entire cushion foam with the batting in place should be wrapped with Dacron wrap or sewn into a muslin cover.

If you plan to upholster many pieces or large pieces which need staples you may want an air stapler and compressor, but most do-it-yourself upholsters find that the less expensive handheld stapler is effective.

A magnetic upholstery hammer has a narrow head to hammer tacks without smashing them. The opposite end of the head is magnetic to pick up nails and tacks. The side of the head is flat and can be used to flatten old nails which can’t be removed

A nail holder is a nice extra which can help you hammer tacks and nails accurately and safely. Some nail holders have up to five evenly spaced slots to help you accurately place the nails. Other nail holders are magnetic.

Web stretchers are an absolute must for this job. They allow you to stretch the webbing straps as tight as a drum, literally. If you lightly tap properly stretched webbing, it will sound like a drum.

Web stretchers are available in two styles: standard and gooseneck. In addition to being purchased separately, they are also available in do-it-yourself and starter upholstery kits. Instruction booklets are included in both kits.

Adding decorative nails to your upholstery project can give it style and sophistication. Nails are easy to put in place especially if you use an upholstery hammer.

OnlineFabricStore.net has a great selection of decorative upholstery nails.