LEARN

1. Invite a local clothier, dressmaker, tailor, or fashion design student to advise you on stitching. While creating a personalized pillow for your room, learn and practice four different kinds of sewing stitches: back stitch; blanket; cross stitch; and running stitch. See www.sewing.org/enthusiast/html/ehd_funky_fun_felt_pillow.html for instructions; however, pillows can be made with any fabric, color, and design you like.

2. Learn how to sew from a pattern. Purchase a simple, beginner's pattern from a fabric store or find a pattern online. Consider making a cozy for your cell phone (www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=20816.0). To make the cell phone cozy, you'll need:

• Fabric of your choice
• Paper
• Pencil
• Embroidery needle
• Assorted embroidery thread
• Small button or Velcro™
• Embellishments of your choice (like beads, sequins, charms, gems, fabric flowers, etc.)
• Scissors
• Zigzag shears (optional)

3. Take your stitching to the next level by translating a picture into a piece of stitched art. See "De Faced Competition" for examples http://embroidery.embroiderersguild.com/2003-6/rudgley.htm #satin). Use the fabric of your choice. The piece could become part of a design portfolio, if you decide to attend a fashion design school. Make a list of fashion design schools you'd like to go to and their entrance requirements. Learn how to knit by joining a knitting group, taking a knitting class, asking a friend/relative, or teaching yourself. Organize a "Knit Wits" group (in or outside of Girl Scouts) of people who are interested in learning how to knit, too.

DO

1. Pick a season*. Are you ready for a spring fling? Make over one of your skirts by adding an embellishment to it (like a "flounce" or lining along the bottom) to it (www.sewing.org/enthusiast /html/et_flounce.html). Are things heating up for summer? Make a pair of flip flops all your own by embellishing them with hot glue and your imagination. Are fall leaves, um, falling? Make a tote bag out of corduroy or denim. Are you walking in a winter wonderland? Knit a scarf, hat, arm warmers, or legwarmers. (*pick only one season)

2. It seems that no matter where we're going, we've got stuff to take with us. Make a handy tote bag for yourself or as a gift. Consider making a cool beach carry-all, a school tote, or an overnight bag.

3. Re-make one complete outfit—T-shirt, jeans, bag—by adding or subtracting (making an existing shirt into a graphic tee with your very own witty saying on it or a pair of jeans into a jean skirt, for example). Design and/or make an accessory for your "new" outfit, such as a belt, pin, scarf, or bag.

4. As a money-earning activity, come up with a marketable product to sew or knit. Come up with a catchy name for your "signature product line" and design a logo for it. Work with your advisor and/or group to sell the product at a community event or location. Advertise your products to the community prior to the sale.

SHARE

1. Design and make a fabric ball and see how far and wide you can "bounce" it by having it sent to no less than five people. Pick a pattern of your choice. Make the ball and be sure to sign the ball with your first name, location, age, and a message to your "friends far and wide." Include instructions about how to send your ball to others (and how to return it to you), for example:

• A. Brief intro about yourself and this project.
• B. Space for five "friends" to write their information (first name, age, location, date).
• C. Ask that everyone who receives the ball signs it like you did and then forwards it to one of their friends in another part of the state/country/world.
• D. Include a request that the fifth person to sign it returns it to you (if you want, you can always send it back out for more signatures).
• E. Your mailing address for the fifth person to return the ball to you. (Consider getting a P.O. Box for this to ensure your safety and privacy.)

Finally, send the ball to one of your Girl Scout, Girl Guide, or non-Girl Scout friends who lives in a different part of the state, country, or world. Where did your ball go? 2. Pamper a pet by making a toy, blanket, bed, outfit, or embellished collar for your community's animal shelter or a friend. If possible, visit the shelter to present your gift.

3. Donate your time to sew for charity. Contact a women's shelter, homeless shelter, or assisted-living home and offer your sewing skills to help make alterations for a resident. Or, create a quilt or panel for an organization to raise breast cancer awareness or AIDS awareness. If you make a quilt or panel for charity, do so with a group in the tradition of sewing and quilting bees amongst friends and family.

4. Knit (or crochet) for a cause or charity of your choice. Consider making hand-knit caps for cancer patients in hospital oncology units or hospice care; knitting blankets for the homeless, infants, or abandoned animals.