Pies + DIYs: No-Sew Makeup Pouch to Head Into the New School Year

Calling all crafters, style lovers, and sewing-enthusiasts — there’s a new brand on the block that’s about to change the DIY game for good. SEWSQUAD is a line of super simple fashion projects that makes creating your own style a whole lot easier. This sewing pattern/teen mag hybrid blows the dust off of the old-school sewing staples you may remember from your youth with a fresh take on crafting.

“We are, in many ways, a fashion brand rather than a sewing pattern company,” explains Zoey Washington, creator of SEWSQUAD (and former fashion director at Brit + Co). “Teens and tweens are sewing their own clothes and altering what they buy all the time. From sewing classes to thrift store flipping, this group appreciates the power of making your own look with your own hands — but there just weren’t products out there that spoke to them. Hopefully, SEWSQUAD can fill in that gap in the marketplace where traditional DIY, crafting, and sewing brands have lost sight of what’s trending and what teens want,” she continued.

Each easy-to-use fashion project comes complete with a simplified, no-machine-necessary sewing pattern that can be done in a few hours and is designed to work for everyone from seasoned sewers to anyone who has never picked up a needle and thread. Patterns are based on popular silhouettes inspired by runway looks, street style, and Instagram influencers.

The first round of projects (or “Drop 1”) includes a Classic Tee, T-Shirt Dress, a Zip Skirt, and Skater Skirt each for $15 that will hit sewsquad.com during #memademay with later drops coming throughout the summer season to compete with fast-fashion consumer appetites. “Fashion fans — particularly teens — are used to seeing new product every few days, so we need to make sure we’re giving them something new and exciting as often as possible, even if it is just a really easy bracelet or a clutch made out of their old jeans. We want our squad to get constant inspiration from us and to love how easy it is to create a style that is totally unique to them,” Washington explains.

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A post shared by SEWSQUAD (@sew_squad) on Apr 11, 2019 at 9:07am PDT

Every pattern also features a magazine-style trend report packed with clever ways to make the simplest piece look like couture. SEWSQUAD even wants you to rethink how you use unwanted material with their “Leftover Looks” or bite-sized DIYs that turn discarded scraps into playful accessories (think scrunchies, drawstring bags, and adorable wristlets).

Head over to SEWSQUAD and sign up to get news on their launch and upcoming projects with Joann stores now.

Are you ready to #jointhesquad?

RELATED: 75 Easy Sewing Projects You Should Try

(Photos via SEWSQUAD)

For this year’s Thanksgiving pie, why go the traditional route? We say create your own memories, starting with this black bottom walnut pie from Jaynelle St. Jean, chef and owner of in Oakland, California. Her bakery is known for offering fun twists on classic pies like a chocolate cream confection with a buttery pretzel crust, a grapefruit custard with graham cracker crust, and her most eye-catching treat: the black bottom walnut pie.

The pie starts with a flaky butter crust that’s topped with a layer of chocolate. Inside that decadence is a walnut filling with molasses and vanilla. Her modern take on the classic nut pie has become a Thanksgiving staple for Bay Area locals, so much so that the shop has a line down the street on Thanksgiving morning. In previous years, her pies sold out for home delivery via William Sonoma.

This Thanksgiving, St. Jean has given us her famous recipe to share with you. Veer off the beaten path and bring this unique pie to this year’s Friendsgiving.

BLACK BOTTOM WALNUT PIE Recipe

(Makes 1 pie; 9 servings)

Ingredients:

Crust:

Black Bottom Crust:

• 1 cup flour
• 3 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons cold butter
• 3 tablespoon sugar
• 2 egg yolks

Filling:

Toppings:

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Make the butter crust. Combine the flour and salt in the bowl of a food processor, add butter, and pulse until coarse.

3. Add ice water and combine until a dough forms.

4. Form into a ball, cover with parchment paper or plastic wrap, and refrigerate for roughly 20 minutes.

5. Make the chocolate crust. Combine flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a bowl, and set aside.

6. In a separate bowl with an electric mixer, beat butter, sugar, and egg yolks until combined.

7. Add in flour mixture, and mix until a dough forms.

8. Form into a disk, cover with parchment paper or plastic wrap, and set aside.

9. Prep the crust. Lightly dust a flat surface with flour. Remove butter crust from fridge, and roll out with a rolling pin until crust is about 1/8-inch thick and fits your pie pan.

10. Carefully fold the crust in half and half again to transfer it into the pie pan without breaking. Unfold it inside of the pan, then cut the edges so they hang off the pie pan (about an inch).

11. Tuck the crust edges under itself. Then position one hand on the inside of the crust’s edge and the other on the outside. Push the dough between the index finger and thumb of your outside hand and index finger of your inside hand (see picture). You’ll form a U shape with the crust. Continue the same pattern with the remaining crust to form a decorative, crimped edge.

12. Place it in the freezer for 30 minutes or until firm.

13. Make the filling. While crust firms up, combine all filling ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and whisk until combined. Set aside.

14. Assemble the pie. Once the crust is firm, remove from freezer.

15. Gently press the chocolate crust on top of the buttery crust base until it evenly covers the entire bottom.

16. Place the walnuts on top of the chocolate crust.

17. Pour into the prepared pie, on top of the walnuts.

18. Place your pie pan on a baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes or until set around the edges and the center is puffy and jiggly.

19. Allow pie to cool completely before serving with freshly whipped cream.

Share your favorite holiday pies with us on Instagram @BritandCo.

(Recipe via Jaynelle St. Jean/Pietisserie; photos via Kurt Andre/Brit + Co)

Designing the perfect home is like self-care. Our spaces are increasingly evolving into our personal sanctuaries as more of us blend our living and working spaces. In 2025, this trend will continue, transforming homes into multifunctional havens: wellness retreats, gathering spots, hubs of tech convenience, and true reflections of personal style. "Creating a personal space and putting your signature on your home to create something unique will be a 2025 trend," says Lily Li, an interior designer from San Francisco's BoConcept. Gone are the generic, cookie cutter designs we see everywhere. 2025 will be all about you and what you love.

Here are top design trends for 2025, according to a recent Home Lifestyles 2025 report from global trend forecaster WGSN, plus our favorite 2025 trends buzzing on the home decor scene!

Keep reading for the top design trends for next year.

Little Luxuries

Lulu & Georgia

Even on a budget, we love to treat ourselves to a little bit of fancy. Think plush throws, high-thread-count bedding, or a curated collection of decadent candles. This trend celebrates everyday indulgences by incorporating small, meaningful upgrades into your home. Statement lighting and mirrors like this Sarah Sherman Samuel Rook Mirror; handmade pottery; even small touches, like gold-rimmed coupe glasses or elegant trays for organizing your essentials, that elevate the ordinary. This is all about feeling sophisticated yet totally cozy.

Individual Expression

Rebel Walls

Individual expression embraces personal style over following trends. More people will look within for their home decor style, celebrating unique, curated spaces filled with meaningful pieces, like vintage finds, DIY projects, and bold color choices. It’s about telling *your* story through design and turning your home into a one-of-a-kind reflection of your personality, passions, and experiences.

Elevated 70s Vibes

Design: A1000XBetter | Photo: Michael P.H. Clifford

Wood drenching is back from the '70s with a more grown-up look. Resurfacing are elevated designs and quality woods with '70s decor like sleek chrome lamps, shag rugs, chenille, and burgundy. Disco lamps optional.

Return Of Post-Modernism

CB2

CB2 Bodene Ivory Resin Coffee Table

Inspired by 1980s post-modernism, AKA "the designer decade," everything from coffee tables to sofas are coming out with unique shapes and unexpected designs. Look for more sculptural pieces that play together with a still-minimal vibe.

Asymmetrical Rugs

Etsy

Etsy Handtufted Irregular Shaped Rug

Hopping on the curve trend are rugs in 2025. Play with your wooly shapes for a more organic look.

Intentional Design

Design: A1000XBetter | Photo: Michael P.H. Clifford

As more people become concerned about climate change, WGSN expects 2025 will bring more services that help us reuse and repair. Things like refillable beauty products, climatarian cuisine (food chosen based on its carbon footprint), and products and services that encourage DIY, resale and repair will be big in 2025. Choosing quality pieces that will stand the test of time and even incorporating vintage pieces for their uniqueness and sustainability factor will be part of this trend.

Warm Neutrals Paired With Deep Blues + Blacks

Ruggable

Ruggable Laine Ivory & Natural Tufted Rug

Warm neutrals like chalk, oat milk and taupe are colors that we'll see more of for versatile home decor. But don't worry, color will be back in a big way too. Organic greens like kelp and emerald, oxblood, clay, sepia, and terracotta will add some richness while soothing pastels like glacier blue and mellow peach, plus flashes of brights like pink and teal, will also grace our 2025 homes.

Color + Pattern Drenching

Le Mieux et Cie

Color drenching will remain a strong trend in 2025, with bold, saturated hues covering entire spaces for a cohesive, dramatic effect. Layering patterns on patterns will also make a statement, as wallpaper and fabric work together to bring texture, character, and a fresh canvas to your space.

Statement Ceilings + Tile

Rebel Walls

Rebel Walls Bruno Sand Wallpaper

The fifth wall is having a moment, with everything from wallpaper and painted stripes to statement chandeliers adding unexpected flair overhead.

Zen Dens

Crate & Barrel

Crate and Barrel Sogno Chaise Lounge

2025 is all about comfort. Think plush, deep sofas, curvy chaises, and furniture with sweater-like textures, creating cozy nooks and rooms you’ll want to sink into with a good book or enjoy chats with your friends and family.

Sensorial Homes

Design: House of Rolison | Photo by Gavin Cater

WGSN forecasts a rise in sensory-driven decor for 2025, so products that soothe our senses. Think ASMR-inspired products like virtual sound baths to enhance focus, mood-boosting products that align with color psychology, robotic scent diffusers, experiential showers and chromatherapy.

Discreet Design

Kam Idris

Tech and aesthetics don't always play well together, but that’s set to change. Expect more discreet tech products and kitchen appliances designed to blend seamlessly with decor. Look for natural materials, soft textiles, minimalist shapes, and inviting colors, along with clever design solutions that conceal tech — like photo frames that double as phone chargers.

"More and more people are choosing to live in smaller spaces or want to use rooms for multiple purposes. Multi-functional pieces will be growing in popularity, including hidden storage options or transformative furniture," says Li.

Biophilic Design

George Kantartzis

Research shows that plants can actually make us happier, so why not design our homes around them? In 2025, expect to see smart gardens with sensor-regulated watering, furniture with built-in planters, and nature-inspired decor. It's all about bringing the outdoors in, and the indoors out.

Outdoor Glamour

Meredith Kleinman Design

Outdoor spaces are becoming true extensions of our homes, with features like al fresco kitchens, plunge pools, outdoor showers (#goals), and cozy outdoor rugs and sofas made with durable, weather-resistant fabrics for fully functional spaces to enjoy most of the year.

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