With springtime still a somewhat tentative visitor to northern latitudes, making a sudden appearance with sunshine and warmth then just as quickly disappearing leaving cloudy rainy skies, chaotic wind gusts and unwelcome swirling snowflakes, there is perhaps some time to sew that always seems to alleviate any weather doldrums.

Then, as now, there are expressive ways to pass the time by creating small artifacts of surprising beauty with just a few materials on hand. Consider the follow easy to sew and make items.

Retro Inspired Yo-Yo Necklace - these small fabric gathered circles are delightfully easy to sew by hand. Simply gather some small assorted scraps of fabric in pleasing coordinated colors. Create two yo-yo circle templates, one larger than the other out of a cereal box, or plastic lid. Trace around the circle templates with a fabric marking pencil or chalk on the fabric wrong side. Cut out several circles from the fabric. With the wrong side of the larger circle of fabric facing, fold the edge in about 1/8-inch and loosely hand baste a stitch around the entire edge of the yo-yo. Pull the thread to gather the circle into the center and tie off. Do the same with the smaller fabric circle. Stack the smaller one onto the other, stitching a bead or decorative button onto the center. Create 5 or 6 yo-yo pairs. Lay each pair next to each other in a semi-circle and hand tack one to the other. Sew a length of cording to each end to complete the necklace that will be able to be tied at the neck back. Or use a purchased self-aligning magnetic necklace clasp fastener for easy on-easy off.

Elegant Ribbon Flower Pin - a length of grosgrain ribbon about 16-inches long and up to 2-inches wide, creates a surprisingly easy to make flower pin. Fold ribbon in half lengthwise and using a long hand stitch, stitch along the length with sturdy thread. Pull tightly and the ribbon will gather into a circle and want to coil around itself into a few layers. Tack securely at several points so the coil retains its shape. Stitch or glue a pinback to the back of the coiled ribbon flower and a decorative button or beads to the flower center.

Denim Sparkly Bracelet Cuff - great gift idea to make out of denim scraps and wide elastic. Measure wrist and add 1 inch to determine the cuff’s length. Determine what the finished cuff’s width will be, double that and add a seam allowance. Fold fabric in half wrong sides together, lengthwise, and stitch the long edge and one short edge using a 1/4-inch seam. Turn right sides out, press. Fold remaining raw edge in, insert a small piece of elastic, stitch to secure. The elastic should be the same width as the cuff with just a small amount remaining visible. Stitch elastic edge to the underside of the other cuff end so that the cuff edges meet and elastic piece remains hidden on the underside. The elastic helps the cuff to fit over the wrist by expanding slightly. Decorate the finished cuff with sewn-on sparkly beads, an iron on crystal applique or a piece of antique jewelry. Hand stitch a narrow-width lace edging to both sides of the cuff for additional interest.

The scrap fabric box, various on-hand craft supplies, or a handed-down family button box may be great sources for jewelry making materials that require little machine stitching or minimal hand-sewing to chase away that lingering wintery day.

Sew happy, sew inspired.