What’s on My Summer Craft Table Right Now – Mondays in the Craftroom

Summer crafting always feels different to me. And right now, my craft table is completely overflowing.

Today, I thought it would be fun to share exactly what is sitting on my summer craft table right now because these projects are already shaping so much of my summer creativity.

A well-organized sewing room with folding tables, sewing machines, fabric stacks, ribbons, and neatly arranged supplies on shelves and racks.
Four images: a decorative glass ornament, a kitchen with flowers on the counter, a living room with white furniture, and a bowl of soup with scattered toppings.
Text reads: "MY 100 YEAR OLD HOME | MONDAYS IN THE CRAFT ROOM" in thin, uppercase gray font on a white background.

What’s on My Summer Craft Table Right Now

A sewing room with folded pastel fabrics, striped fabric, cutting tools, a sewing machine, and shelves stocked with fabric rolls and supplies.

Summer crafting is the best.

The projects become lighter, softer, and a little more relaxed. I find myself reaching for linen, cotton fabric, embroidery thread in summery colors, vintage florals, and creative projects inspired by family, travel, entertaining, and our beach house in Ventura.

And an overflowing craft table?

Honestly, I love it that way.

There are embroidery hoops stacked beside fabric scraps, clay tools covered in white dust, thread scattered everywhere, and more unfinished ideas than I can possibly complete in a week.

But somehow, that creative mess always feels inspiring to me.

A large transparent gridded cutting mat with measurement markings along the edges and diagonal lines across the surface.
Cutting Mat for Hobby Table 36in X 59in
A foldable craft table with a grid marked surface, metal frame, mesh storage basket, lower shelf, and wheels for mobility.
Sew Ready Foldable Hobby and Cutting Grid Table
A gridded quilting ruler mat with measurement lines is shown, along with a hand holding a green rotary cutter and two rolls of tape in the corner; quilt patterns appear above.
Slotted Quilting Ruler 17-3/4 x 22 Inch, Extra Large Acrylic Multi-Strip Fabric Cutting Template

Six Sweatshirts for a Girls’ Ventura Trip

Two stacks of neatly folded pastel-colored fabric are placed on a white table in a well-lit craft room with sewing supplies in the background.

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A person wearing a light blue long-sleeve sweatshirt and blue jeans, with one hand in a pocket and the other near their face, looks inspired—perhaps dreaming up new summer crafting projects.
Sky Blue Dokotoo Women’s Casual Crew Neck Sweatshirt 
A woman wearing a loose-fitting light purple sweatshirt and blue jeans, with one hand in her pocket and the other touching her face, takes a break from summer crafting.
Purple Women’s Casual Crew Neck Sweatshirt
Woman wearing a light peach long-sleeve sweatshirt and blue jeans, with her hand near her face and nails painted white—perfect for a relaxed day of summer crafting.
Apricot Women’s Casual Crew Neck Sweatshirt
A computerized Brother embroidery machine with an LCD screen, stitching a multi-colored design on white fabric held in an embroidery hoop.

Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine

A computerized Brother embroidery machine with an attached embroidery hoop, accessories, software, instruction guides, and sewing tools arranged around it.
Brother NQ1700E Embroidery Machine, 6″ x 10″ 
Brother SE2000 embroidery and sewing machine with digital screen, displaying a teapot design being embroidered on white fabric in the machine's hoop.

Brother SE2000 Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine

Three rectangular embroidery hoops with clear plastic grids, each featuring red alignment lines and adjustment knobs, are displayed on a white background.

MagnaHoop Magnetic Hoop Set for Brother

White plastic camera calibration tool with four round dials, alignment grid, red calibration lines, and a metallic base with three screws at the bottom.

MagnaHoop Magnetic Hoop

Four different sizes of white plastic embroidery hoops with purple grid inserts are shown on a white background.

MagnaHoop Embroidery Hoops for Brother Innovis

This project may be taking over the largest section of my craft table right now.

I have six cotton sweatshirts laid out across the table for a girls’ trip to Ventura, and I am creating appliquéd machine embroidery designs for each one.

There is something I absolutely love about making handmade pieces for a trip because they instantly become part of the memories. And I wanted these sweatshirts to feel relaxed, coastal, and personal without looking overly themed.

The sweatshirts are soft cotton in beautiful neutral colors, and I am pairing them with appliqué fabrics that have a vintage California feel. Some are striped, some are floral, and a few have subtle coastal colors that feel perfect for Ventura.

Appliqué embroidery is one of my favorite ways to add texture and personality to clothing because it creates a layered, handmade look that feels much more custom and artistic.

Three fabric pouches with colorful horizontal stripes and teal straps are laid out on a gridded cutting mat with measuring rulers.

I also bought some nylon bags that I will add the names of my girlfriends for the beach!

Right now, my worktable is covered with:

  • embroidery thread
  • magnetic hoops
  • appliqué scissors
  • stabilizer
  • fabric scraps
  • sweatshirt layouts
  • tiny piles of coordinating fabrics
Three rectangular embroidery hoops with clear plastic grids, each featuring red alignment lines and adjustment knobs, are displayed on a white background.

MagnaHoop Magnetic Hoop Set for Brother

Two pairs of small scissors, one purple and one teal, each with matching protective covers labeled "PARSON," are shown on a white background.

Small Travel Embroidery Scissors Set

Package of Sulky Stick 'n Stitch embroidery stabilizer showing instructions and a floral embroidery design on fabric, with product features and usage details displayed.

Stick N Stitch Self Adhesive Wash Away Stabilizer Twelve Sheets 

A circular arrangement of colorful embroidery floss skeins with a set of embroidery needles placed in the center.

124 Skeins Embroidery Floss Cross Stitch Thread with Needles

Forty spools of sewing thread in various colors are arranged in five rows on a wooden rack.

Embroidery Machine Thread, 40 Colors

A roll of white sticky tearaway material, partially unrolled, with text indicating size: 12 inches by 10 yards.

New brothread Sticky Self-Adhesive Tear Away Embroidery Stabilizer

It is creative chaos in the best possible way.

And honestly, projects like this are exactly why I love machine embroidery so much. They combine:

  • sewing
  • fabric
  • personalization
  • embroidery
  • gifting
  • summer memories

All in one project.

Peach Linen Pillow Shams for the Beach House

Two packaged pink Serena & Lily cloths with white ribbons are next to a rectangular plastic cutting mat with a red grid and multiple caution stickers.

Sitting folded neatly beside the sweatshirts are the most beautiful peach linen pillow shams I bought at the Serena & Lily outlet two years ago.

Apparently, I was simply waiting for the perfect project because now I know exactly where they belong.

They are headed to one of the bedrooms at the beach house in Ventura, and I am planning to embroider monograms on them before they make their way up there.

Assorted sewing supplies including a gridded embroidery hoop, two spools of beige thread, folded pink fabric, a Serena & Lily label, and a piece of patterned fabric.

The linen is absolutely gorgeous. It has that soft, relaxed texture that only linen seems to have, and the peach color adds warmth while still feeling coastal and light.

I also found the most beautiful pillow shams in the same rose-peach color, with tan and off-white, which is my color palette for the new bedroom.

There is something timeless about embroidered monograms on linen bedding. It instantly makes a room feel:

  • layered
  • thoughtful
  • custom
  • relaxed
  • elevated

And honestly, I could spend hours choosing embroidery fonts.

Right now, I am testing thread colors and auditioning monogram styles while the pillow shams sit beside embroidery samples and thread cards on my craft table.

I still haven’t decided whether I want:

  • tonal embroidery
  • soft ivory thread
  • or something slightly contrasty and coastal

But that is part of the fun.

Two square throw pillows with a beige floral pattern on a blush pink background rest on a light-colored sofa, adding a summer crafting touch. A ceramic vase with dried branches sits in the background.

Vintage Floral Print Throw Pillow Covers 18×18
Two beige throw pillows with brown floral patterns, perfect for summer crafting inspiration, are placed on a light-colored sofa in a sunlit room.
Farmhouse Floral Pillow Covers
Two decorative throw pillows with a beige floral pattern on a brown background add a touch of summer crafting charm to a light-colored sofa, accented by a vase and branches in the background.
Vintage Floral Print Throw Pillow Covers

Tiny Clothes for the Grandkids

Two pink knitted baby sweaters next to a white box labeled "10 Muslin Burp Cloths" on a white surface.

There is always a stack of tiny clothes waiting to be embroidered somewhere in my craft room.

Always.

And honestly, they may be the sweetest projects on my table right now.

I currently have a few sweatshirts, tiny tees, pajamas, and soft cotton outfits waiting for embroidery designs for the grandkids.

Two sets of children's clothes, one pink and one white with small floral patterns, both featuring the name "Sophie" embroidered on the tops.

Children’s clothing is such a fun canvas for embroidery because even the simplest designs instantly make the pieces feel more personal and special.

And tiny embroidered clothing in an embroidery hoop may honestly be one of the cutest things ever.

I also always add soft fusible backing to the inside of wearable embroidery for children because it keeps the stitching soft and comfortable against their skin. It is one of those little details that make handmade clothing feel much more polished and professional.

I love these projects because they stitch fairly quickly, and every single one feels meaningful.

Two long-sleeve baby onesies with front zippers, one in mauve and one in light pink, laid flat on a white background.

Jimonda Bamboo Baby Pajamas

A pink knitted sweater with a round neckline, long sleeves, and ribbed cuffs and hem.

 Girl Knit Sweater

Six pink muslin washcloths are arranged in a row, each featuring a quilted texture and two layers. The shades range from light pink in front to darker pink in the back.

Looxii Muslin Burp Cloths Baby Girl 6 Pack

Two New Favorite Things Shirts for My Daughters-in-Law

Two white collared GAP shirts, folded and packaged in clear plastic, are placed on a grid cutting mat with inch measurements along the edges.

Right in the middle of my craft table are two Gap shirts waiting to become new Favorite Things shirts for two of my daughters-in-law.

I gifted these to them for Mother’s Day.

These projects are some of my favorite embroidery projects ever because they feel incredibly personal.

A sewing workspace with a sewing machine, threads, fabric rolls, and a white jacket displayed on a pink box, with a grid cutting mat on a table in the foreground.

The idea behind the Favorite Things shirts is simple but so meaningful. I embroider dozens of tiny icons all over the shirt, representing favorite things:

  • foods
  • flowers
  • hobbies
  • drinks
  • travel
  • books
  • pets
  • memories
  • little things that make them happy

The tiny embroidered icons almost feel like a wearable scrapbook.

And honestly, every time I make one of these shirts, I become completely obsessed with the details.

Right now I am still:

  • waiting for Char and Ellie to pick the icons they want on their shirts
  • gathering embroidery designs
  • resizing icons
  • choosing layouts
  • testing thread colors
  • organizing ideas inside my embroidery software

This stage always takes longer than I expect because every little design choice matters.

And honestly, I think that is why I love these shirts so much. They are playful, creative, meaningful, and completely one-of-a-kind.

A person wearing a loose-fitting white button-up shirt with long sleeves and beige pants, standing with hands in pockets against a plain background.

Oxford Shirt Cotton Dress Shirt

A woman wearing a white button-up shirt with rolled sleeves and blue jeans, standing with her hands in her pockets.

Wrinkle Free Long Sleeve Regular Fit Collared Dress Shirt

A woman wearing a white button-down shirt with rolled sleeves and light denim shorts, accessorized with layered necklaces.

Womens Button Down Shirts

An Air-Dry Clay Book Project

Rubber book spine mold and two packs of Iron Orchid Designs air dry clay are placed on a grid cutting mat.

Off to one side of my craft table is an entirely different kind of project.

Air-dry clay.

And right now, I am experimenting with making a clay book with this mould from Iron Orchid.

I love working with air-dry clay during the summer because it feels relaxed, organic, and wonderfully imperfect. And this particular project has been especially fun because I am experimenting with:

  • texture
  • carved details
  • layering
  • aging techniques
  • soft finishes

The goal is to create a decorative clay book with lots of character and handmade texture.

Right now, my table is covered with:

  • clay tools
  • acrylic mats
  • carving tools
  • paint brushes
  • rollers
  • partially dried clay pieces
  • clay glaze
A 10 lb (4.5 kg) package of Amaco white air dry clay, labeled as easy to use, non-toxic, and made in the USA.

Air Dry Modeling Clay

White Air Dry Clay

A small, white bottle labeled "Clay Glaze" with a blue label indicating it's a gloss varnish. The label shows art-related icons and states the volume as 100ml/3.4oz.

 Air Dry Clay Varnish

Assorted paint brushes

A box of 10 wooden texture rollers with unique patterns; a circle inset shows hands using one roller on clay.

Clay Texture Rollers

A set of clay sculpting tools including wooden and metal shaping tools, a round yellow sponge, and a wire clay cutter arranged on a white background.

8 Pieces Wooden Pottery Sculpting Clay

Air-dry clay remains one of my favorite crafting materials because you can create beautiful, handmade pieces without needing complicated equipment or a kiln.

And honestly, every clay project makes me think of three more ideas I want to try.

Cocktail Themed Cocktail Napkins for an Air-Dry Clay Project

A round plate, a square plate, and a glass of pink beverage on a light wood surface; plates feature colorful cocktail and fruit designs on a polka dot background.

This is the only finished project currently sitting on my craft table.

I used a stack of colorful cocktail-themed cocktail napkins for an air-dry clay project, and I am completely obsessed with how fun they are.

If you have worked with decorative napkins on air-dry clay before, then you already know how beautifully the designs transfer onto clay surfaces.

A patterned napkin featuring various colorful illustrated cocktails, garnished with fruit, and scattered with lemon and lime slices on a white background.

These napkins have:

  • cocktail illustrations
  • playful summer colors
  • vintage-inspired graphics
  • whimsical drink motifs

And they are perfect for creating summery clay pieces with lots of personality.

I loved using them for decorative clay dishes and trays, and honestly, the combination of colorful cocktail imagery with soft white clay feels so fresh and playful for summer entertaining.

This project was creative in a way that’s so different from embroidery, and I love having multiple forms of creativity happening at once in my craft room.

Various colorful cocktails and garnishes, including lemon slices, berries, and mint leaves, are illustrated on a white background with pastel dots.

Home Range – Paper Napkins COCKTAILS

Seven sets of unfinished wooden shapes—hexagons, circles, triangles, rectangles, ovals, and squares—are displayed upright on white cylindrical stands against a plain background.

Ceramics Plate Forming Molds

A grid of fruit-themed patterns: lemons on yellow, oranges on white, cherries on pink, and strawberries on red backgrounds, arranged in horizontal rows.

Floral Napkins for Craft 20Pcs Assorted

Vintage Floral Fabric for a Small Quilting Project

A selection of floral and patterned fabric swatches in pastel colors, arranged overlapping on a table with a ruler visible at the bottom.

Folded carefully near the far end of my table is a stack of vintage style floral cotton fabric waiting to become a small quilting project.

Vintage florals may honestly be my weakness.

These fabrics are soft, faded, romantic, and absolutely perfect for summer sewing. Some have tiny floral prints, others have muted vintage colors, and together they feel both timeless and cozy.

A selection of floral and patterned fabric squares is arranged on a table next to a ruler showing inches.
A white Brother GX37 sewing machine with a stitch selection dial and stitch guide on the front panel.

Brother Sewing Machine

Singer Sewing Machine

A white Singer Prisma Heavy Duty sewing machine with a rainbow checkerboard pattern on the lower front panel.

SINGER PRISMA Heavy Duty High Speed Sewing Machine + Accessories

I still have not finalized exactly what the project will become, but right now I am leaning toward a smaller quilted piece that feels relaxed and handmade.

And I am hoping to find a hand-quilting stitch on my Brother Dream Machine. How amazing would that be?

Of course, I also want it to have a vintage feel.

Summer quilting projects always feel slower and more thoughtful to me.

There is something calming about:

  • cutting fabric
  • arranging colors
  • piecing blocks together
  • watching patterns slowly emerge

And honestly, quilting always reminds me to slow down and enjoy the creative process.

Final Thoughts

A sewing workspace with folded fabrics, a sewing machine, rulers on a grid cutting mat, and shelves filled with fabric and sewing supplies.

My summer craft table is definitely overflowing right now.

But when I look across the embroidery hoops, linen pillow shams, clay tools, vintage fabrics, thread, and unfinished projects, I do not see clutter.

I see creativity.

Some of these projects will take days.
Some may take weeks.
A few may completely change direction halfway through.

And honestly, that is part of what I love most about making things by hand.

Summer crafting always reminds me that creativity does not need to feel rushed or perfect. Sometimes the best ideas happen when your table is covered with fabric scraps, embroidery thread, clay dust, and half-finished projects waiting to become something beautiful.

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A craft room with organized shelves of fabric and ribbons, a sewing machine, folded textiles, and crafting tools on a large white table under pendant lights.

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