Want to get wild and crazy with your sewing machine tonight!? Ever wonder what your machine would make if you weren't controlling it? Push the feed dog down and let the machine do the thinking. Try free-form embroidery. This is one of my favorite projects to do, especially after sewing and pattern making for a long time, because it requires hardly any technical expertise and looks pretty awesome! It's also incredibly easy and relaxing. Here is a detail of a rose motif I attached to a tote bag. All you need is some water soluble backing and whatever scraps, trims, yarns, and ribbons you can garner, and you are all set. (Well, you also need a sewing machine. . . ). You can check out my how to, which also shows how to use this technique to make your own fabric!