I am very fond of this sentence that roams the depths of the internet "Why Buy It For $7 When You can Make It Yourself with $92 of craft supplies", or in Latvian "Kāpēc pirkt par 7 dolāriem, ja to vari uztaisīt pati par 92 dolāriem" 😆
Do you recognize yourself? I definitely recognize myself!
This will be one of those projects I want to share. Instead of buying special weights for sewing, I decided to make them myself.
Returning to the topic - what is the connection between sewing and stones? The most direct connection is that stones can serve as weights when cutting and tracing patterns onto fabric.
Here are some steps on how to do it:
1. Find the stones
Choose smooth and even-shaped stones. You can find them by the sea, along the river, or simply in your garden. We found some right nearby on the gravel road by the house. Use stones of different sizes and shapes to create an interesting visual effect.
2. Prepare the stones
Before you start painting, rinse and dry the stones so that the paint adheres well. If you have real enthusiasm, you can also prime them after washing.
3. Painting process
There was supposed to be serious painting here, BUT the little ones saw the paints and brushes. 😆 It was impossible to stop them. So the painting process turned into family fun.
I use professional acrylic paints, but if you don't have those, you can mix regular gouache paints with PVA glue - I have repainted several stones this way and the paint holds up very well in outdoor conditions. Since the little ones are involved in this process, I let each of them express their creativity. 
4.Allow to dry
To ensure the paint holds well, allow the stones to dry completely. This may take several days. Yes, they may seem dry, but when you move them, you'll realize that the paint is still soft in some places.
5. Use stones for sewing projects and not only
The painted stones can serve various purposes. You can use them as colorful decor in your home or garden. For me, these stones will serve as weights to secure the fabric for tracing more easily.
Painting stones is not only an exciting creative process, but also a way to use natural materials to create practical helpers for yourself that will make sewing easier.
Wishing you great success!
