Blogs

June 12, 2026

Make Some Fun for the 4th!

Red, White & Blue!

Independence Day parties are casual and fun-- a perfect time to make some easy decor, even last minute.

Here's what I'm doing:

Did you know Ball made special star-studded glass jars just for the big Celebrate America 250? I picked up some jars, flags, twine, battery tea candles and ribbon at the craft store.

JABC - Craft supplies, buttons, twine, jars, candles

Of course, we've got lots of buttons and spools on hand--and an assortment of patriotic cotton-print fabrics. I tore strips of my favorite fabrics about 1" wide to tie at the top of jars and gather into rosettes.

JABC - Red, white and blue fabrics and trims

Ribbons and fabric strips are also fun to wrap around spools and candles. Fasten with a drop of hot glue. Finish by stitching through a button's holes with embroidery floss or pearl cotton. Knot and clip the thread on the back of the button then hot glue the button to a rosette center or ribbon knot. Don't miss the flag stand made from a spool--check the blog cover photo. I'm going to want to make a whole bunch of these for party favors.

Pour some buttons into a jar and set a candle on top for instant party atmosphere. I was going for a more rustic look in the next photo, so tied twine around the jar tops.

Want to up your game?

Take a look at the Patriotic Shop on our website. There are lots of projects to cross stitch and embroider but here's a super easy one to start with...Martha's Garden Bouquet. Put a fabric square in a hoop, cut out and arrange a few felt leaves, then sew on buttons. Sew, sew easy!

JABC - Embroidery hoop with patriotic design of buttons--red, white, blue with flags and a bird.

Click HERE to hop over the Patriotic shop for red, white and blue inspiration!

Happy 4th!

Patriotic Pincushion--Red, White & Ewe!

Pincushion Flashback with Ewe Look Fabulous!

Our woolly Ewe has been a fabulous dresser for many years--we've got an entire library of Ewe pincushion patterns to show her decked out for every season. Recently though she took on a whole new look with FOLKfloral buttons.

We've mentioned before that when you purchase one of our new FOLKfloral sets, the suggested pattern is included for free. You can stash a set because you just love the combination.

The perfect use may come along before you ever get around to assembling the Star Spangled hoop. That's what happened here. That's right--same buttons!

Got a Ewe Hanging out in your Pincushion Collection?

You may already have a Ewe pincushion, but never fear, the traditional Ewe Look Fabulous for Summer! pattern is still available. We've even updated it to include the pocket pattern. Already have the original pattern for the pincushion? Check below to find a link to simple instructions for adding the pocket and FOLKfloral buttons.

Another Favorite for the Season

Tis' the season for Red, White & Blue so here's a peek at another of our patriotic favorites, Home of the Free. Click the photo to find it on our website. It's part of our NeedlePrint collection--fast and easy to stitch because part of the design is printed on the perforated paper!

Some Links for your Shopping and Stitching Pleasure

1. Ewe Look Fabulous for Summer Pincushion Pattern--printed or PDF are both available. You'll also see all the buttons and pins we used--both the traditional version and the fancy new floral pocket.

Click the photo below.

2. Want just the PDF for making the pocket and adding buttons (you already have the Ewe or the Ewe pattern in your stash)--Click HERE for this PDF

NOTE: We used Weeks Dye Works felted wool to make our Ewe--Snow Cream and Kohl. While we don't carry the wool, lots of retail shops do. Click HERE to find a list of suggestions for suppliers.