You CAN make this! (Review and Giveaway)
February 10, 2009 by Deb
Filed under Giveaways, Recent Reviews, website
When I was a child, one of my fondest memories is of watching my mom and her sewing machine. I don’t have a single photo of her working at it, but I can remember that it was pink, and was attached to her sewing table so that the whole contraption could swing down and flip over, leaving a completely free desktop for when you didn’t need to be sewing. I thought that was the coolest thing ever. 
My mom taught me the basics of how to sew, and helped me make made clothes, sleeping bags and other accessories for my dolls. And when I got older, she and I worked together to make a skirt for me – the one and only piece of clothing for a real person that I ever sewed. I still have it packed away somewhere.
Over the years, I’ve forgotten most of what I ever knew about how to read and use a pattern, and can’t do anything more than sew a straight seam on my own, non-pink, usually tucked away in a corner in the basement, sewing machine. I’m truly in awe of those people I know who can sit down and whip up the cutest things without hardly a second thought. One of the things on my ‘to do someday’ list is to re-learn how to sew.
That item may get checked off sooner than I ever thought, thanks to my discovering the website called YouCanMakeThis.com
What it is:
YouCanMakeThis.com was created by a stay-at-home mom who wanted to find a way to provide downloadable instructions on how to make just about anything from children’s boutique clothing and jewelry, to handbags, home decor and more. What makes the site unique is that these instructions are written by everyday moms who have an expertise in an area. They are written in a way that makes you feel you have a friend sitting right next to you, telling you what to do next. They all have detailed instructions and step-by-step full-color photos so even the most “craft-challenged” person can make these items for their homes and families.
The instructions are provided in an e-book format (PDF files) that you can view on your computer or print as needed. They include a comprehensive list of materials and supplies needed, along with printable patterns (and an explanation of how to print them yourself), and easy-to-follow steps that include a lot of graphics and photos showing you exactly how to ‘make this’.
And there’s much more than just sewing projects – you can find out how to make everything from knitting and crocheting projects to painting, beading and photography ones. You can make your own hair accessories, digital scrapbook pages, decorated flip-flops, or vintage-looking photos. There are even instructions for projects that kids can make by themselves.
Here’s my take on it:
This site is a ‘do-it-yourself’ wanna-be’s dream! I literally sat and browsed for an hour, finding so many projects that I would love to try. In fact, the only thing the site doesn’t seem to sell is an instruction booklet on how to add more hours to your day in order to have the time to sit down and make everything that you want to. 
I was sent the instructions for how to make two projects – a “She Loves Me, She Loves Me KNOT” Handbag, and a Reversible Patchwork Bucket Hat. Both of these look extremely do-able, even for a sewing newbie like me, so I am looking forward to trying them out. As soon as I locate and dust off my sewing machine, that is. Stay tuned for a review of the whole process once I get the first project done!
The bottom line:
YouCanMakeThis.com offers a huge variety of projects for anyone who’s ever wanted to try learning a new craft or hobby – or perhaps just wants to make something specific. The detailed instructions and step-by-step full-color photos help even the most “craft-challenged” person make any of these items for their homes and families.
Where can you find it?:
The site is located at http://www.youcanmakethis.com. It’s easy to find whatever kind of project you’re looking for – either by using the categories menu along the left side of the site, or the search bar at the top. You can even search for more projects by your favorite author. Prices vary depending on the project, but seem to range mostly from around $5 to around $20. There are even several free ones available!
Here’s a great deal for you:
If you’d like to try out some products for free, you can sign up for their FREE newsletter. After sign-up, you’ll receive a link in your email inbox asking you to confirm your subscription. Simply click on that link, and you’ll receive all of these product instructions pictured here (a total of seven e-books!), plus an online video and digital scrapbooking frames.
Would you like to try it?:
Thanks to YouCanMakeThis, I have the opportunity to give away a $50 bundle of great do-it-yourself projects! You can learn how to make a Child/Adult Apron Set, Women’s Reversible Wrap Skirt, The “She Loves Me, She Loves Me KNOT” Handbag, The Reversible Patchwork Bucket Hat, Easy-Fit Pants, and Boys Ties. And don’t forget – even if you’ve never sewn before, the site believes that you REALLY CAN make these things!
If you’d like to try these out for yourself, here are the rules:
- Enter by visiting www.YouCanMakeThis.com and leaving a comment here to let me know something you’d like to learn how to make (other than the projects mentioned/shown here). Please don’t just say ‘choose me’, or your entry will be discarded.
- The contest will run until Saturday, February 21st at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be selected through random drawing, contacted by e-mail, listed on this post and also submitted to PRIZEY.Fetch.
- Please leave a valid e-mail address or other way to contact you! If you don’t wish to leave your e-mail address, please make sure that you leave a unique name and check back with PRIZEYWinners to see if you won. If the winner hasn’t responded within 3 days, an alternate winner will be chosen by random drawing.
- If you’d like extra entries, you can:
- Sign up for the YouCanMakeThis newsletter and leave me a separate comment to let me know.
- Subscribe to my RSS feed (click on the orange icon in the upper right sidebar) or subscribe via e-mail – leave me a separate comment to let me know.
- Mention this contest on your blog with a link back to this post and to YouCanMakeThis.com, and leave a separate comment with the link to your post so I can find it.
- Either Twitter about, ‘Stumble’, ‘Digg’ or ‘Kirtsy’ this post – leave me a separate comment with your username at whichever site(s) you chose (one extra entry per method).
So that’s a total of 8 comments/entries if you do all of the extra entry options.
Good luck!
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED – the random number generator has chosen comment #13 as the winner:
Congratulations to Baba, whose extra subscription entry has won for her! I will be e-mailing you shortly to work out the details.
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love to be able to make the Animal Loveys – Blankies
I would like to learn how to make a quilt hanging.
Thanks for the great giveaway.
I also get your feed.
Holiday ornaments!
I would love to know how to make the Aivilo Pleated Tote!
Would love to build a cupola; they love so fantastic on barns and sheds.
I would love to learn to make handbags. I also thought the tween clocks were cool.
They had so many cool projects. I like the chef hat and it is free so I think I am going to try it!
I’d love to make my kids the Skull Bones Hat & Scarf. Thanks!
I signed up for the You Can Make This newsletter.
I’m a subscriber of yours.
And I’ve twittered: http://twitter.com/coriwestphal/status/1233582456
I would love to learn how to make the County Fair Treats – Felt Food. thanks!
kylie8cake@gmail.com
I would love to make the set of chef hats! I love it! Thanks..
I’m a subscriber
The adult and child chef’s hats are cool.
I like the pillows.
i like the “Gingerbread & Co.” Polymer Clay Beads
I would love to learn how to make the Cupcake Pillow-Crochet.
I would like the handbag one. Thanks!
The Bakery Sweets Felt Food Instructions & Pattern looks like a challenge
I love the Little Louie Dog pattern! So cute!
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
I subscribed to the You Can Make This newsletter!
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
I subscribed to your feed via My Yahoo!
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
I stumbled this. My username is ctb0520. http://ctb0520.stumbleupon.com/public/
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
I just Tweeted this. My username is ctb0520. http://twitter.com/statuses/friends_timeline/17015307.rss
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
I’d love to try the Make Your Own Gourmet Cookie Bouquet. Thanks!!!
I would love to learn how to make different types of decorated birdhouses. Thanks
The Skull Bones Hat & Scarf would be an awesome thing to make for my niece who loves skulls & cross bones.
I signed up for all 3 newletters;
YCMT Newsletter
You Can Sew This Newsletter
Yarn Can Make This Newsletter
I’m a subscriber
I would love to make any of the lovies~!
Baby Doll Top & Dress Sizes is my pick.
Too cool! I would love to learn how to make the Easy-Fit Pants for my boys! Thank you so much for the great contest!
I’d love to learn how to decoupage shoes. That’d be cool.
heatherpooh (hotmail)
Stumbled.
choochoo428
The Perfectly Preppy Skorts & Skirts looks good.
I signed up for the newsletter.
subscriber
The gourmet cookie bouquet project sounds very interesting!
I signed up for YouCanMakeIt’s newsletter.
I subscribed to your blog by email.
I am interested in learning How to Make Glass Pendants and Beaded Rings. This is a great giveaway and I really hope I win. Thanks.
I would love the Fishy Toy Amigurumi Style.
How cute!! I’d love to try these projects! Thanks.
[...] when I first discovered YouCanMakeThis.com earlier this year, I was intrigued and browsed eagerly through the site looking at all of the fun, [...]
[...] $50 Bundle of Do-it Yourself Crafts by YouCanMakeThis [...]