Fabric-Lined Baskets

A roll of bakery twine, pinking shears, and hot glue are all that's needed to repurpose a well-worn-though-cherished quilt into a pretty basket liner.




Polka-Dot Pincushion

A pincushion is an easy and practical first project. Take two 4 1/2-inch squares of muslin, decorate one with polka dots, sew the cushion together, and stuff it.




Polka-Dot Pillows

Trace a glass, compact disc, or quarter or silver dollar; or use your computer to make paper patterns for circles of different sizes. Cut out patterns, pin to the fabric, and every polka dot will be perfect.

Use a whipstitch around the edge of fabric that won't unravel, such as the wool felt dots seen here.



Rose Napkin Rings

Brighten up your table for entertaining with these floral napkin rings. Buy faux roses in your favorite hues at a crafts store, then sew them, singly or in pairs, onto regular hair elastics with a few stitches.




Doily Lamp Shade

For the lamp shade, remove the original fabric, leaving only the frame. Pin small doilies around the top, and then to one another, for a skirtlike effect. Remove pinned doilies. Machine-stitch together. Slip "skirt" over frame; hand-stitch around frame's top.



Table Runner

Create a dazzling flow of dots with round doilies. Machine-stitch them together and drape over a wood table where they can be admired.