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All Blog Posts (290)

Nothing better than a clean craft room!

Hello! So I spent most of yesterday and today working on cleaning and organizing my little craft room, and let me tell ya, it has been quite the adventure. It all came about when I decided that I just HAD to find one specific pattern that I was sure was in my closet, so I tore EVERYTHING out looking for it. After gutting the closet I decided it would be a good idea to finally go through and organize things. I'm on a VERY limited budget (My husband and I are both going to school and we have a 17… Continue

Added by Lizzie Fenwick on July 9, 2009 at 1:13am — No Comments

Why recession may be turning women to sewing

By Chester Chronicle With the recession kicking in, reports suggest that more women are taking up sewing. We go undercover to find out why women are becoming keen to buy needles and thread. When it comes to arts and crafts, you can safely count me out. Artistic in a cerebral, imagi… Continue

Added by Editor on July 8, 2009 at 7:23am — 9 Comments

Sew stylish: Her men's shirts

By A.D. Amorosi Since 2005, Van Aken Custom has fitted, designed, and crafted hand-stitched shirts for men who crave definition (literally and figuratively), quality and panache. Unlike shirtmakers who calculate only cuff, neck and sleeve length, she takes 15 measurements: chest, neck, waist, hips, forearm, upper arm and the distance between shoulders. Weight, height and arm length are factored in as w… Continue

Added by Editor on July 8, 2009 at 7:16am — No Comments

I never need an excuse to buy fabric

My husband is 100% behind my fabric buying & sewing. I sometimes think I should feel guilty about buying more fabric, but for some reason I don't. Continue

Added by Donna on July 7, 2009 at 1:50pm — 1 Comment

Quilt commemorates couple’s engagement

A romantic idea in creating a quilt from family clothing. There is a love story behind a quilt Adrian resident Rose Hinkleman made this past winter. In 2006, her son, Bill Rodgers, proposed to his wife, Robin, using T-shirts that he and their respective kids wore to form the question, “Robin, will you marry me?” Hinkleman made a keepsake quilt for the family and inc… Continue

Added by Editor on July 7, 2009 at 8:31am — No Comments

A Community in Stitches

By Carrina Stanton The seams are flawless on the flirty little sun dress. Looking straight out of a catalog, it is something every little girl might wear. The only difference is that it was made by its owner. “That’s being made by a 9-year-old,” said Elizabeth Rosenberg, president of the Lewis County Clothing and Textile Advisors, while walking through a recent sewing camp for young people held at the St. Urban Grange in Winlock... [… Continue

Added by Editor on July 7, 2009 at 7:30am — No Comments

Question - I don't know where to post it.

I'm wondering if anyone knows whether or not I need to pre-shrink nylon tulle if I am using it for a skirt? I've used it for crafts and costumes before, but never for a skirt. I've actually searched the internet but have not been able to find an answer for this question. Any comments or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Ags Continue

Added by Alie Stevens on July 6, 2009 at 5:03pm — 2 Comments

Hi!

Hi there. My name is Laurie and I'm new to this group. I just uploaded some pics of my sewing studio. I do machine quilting, hand and machine embroidery, and finally just realized my dream come true - a longarm quilting machine! I am a retired (disabled) 54 yr old RN; had to stop working in 2001 because of multiple medical problems. I started quilting about a year after that when I finally got over the self-pity party! I still miss working but DO love my quilting! I am also (since having stopped… Continue

Added by Laurie Britt on July 6, 2009 at 12:49pm — 2 Comments

Everything’s coming up roses

A bag from an old pair of jeans gets the flower treatment. IF YOU sew running stitches along one side of a long strip of material and pull the thread at one end, it will gather into a circular shape. Roll up the gathered side from the centre, continue to turn it round and round and you’ll get a rose. The longer the strip is, the bigger the bloom will be. Stitch on the reverse side to hold… Continue

Added by Editor on July 6, 2009 at 6:11am — 5 Comments

New Roman Shade Patterns - Top Down Bottom Up Roman Shades

I'm so excited to share these new easy Roman Shade Patterns! The Directions are easy to follow and even a beginner can make these. I will also offering hands-on classes for these shades. The Top Down / Bottom Up is great for those of you who have a view from your windows but want a little privacy.

… Continue

Added by Claudia Buchanan on July 5, 2009 at 9:30am — No Comments

Quilts can exude patriotism

The crisp contrast of red, white and blue quilts hanging on a porch can take on a patriotic feel and add instant merriment like flags to commemorate the special Independence Day holiday. While we may never know if album quilts with a cluster of American emblems, American flags or both wer… Continue

Added by Editor on July 5, 2009 at 5:34am — No Comments

Quilting is form of therapy for Spring Grove woman

By Laura Gossman Horihan

Quilting isn't just about keeping fingers busy. For one Spring Grove woman, quilting helps her sort out her mind. Designer Kay M. Capps Cross has turned her basement into a quilting studio, with spools upon spools of thread and yards upon yards of fabric. She sells her… Continue

Added by Editor on July 4, 2009 at 6:32am — No Comments

Happy 4th Everybody !!

I hope everyone is going to have a great weekend doing whatever you choose to do. Me....I'm going shopping tomorrow. I need some white thread and pink thread, some batting, and I'm sure I will need some more fabric. I am going to make a reversible quilt for one of my Doctors that just had a little girl, Megan. One side is going to be all girly looking with pinks and white, and the other side will be yellows and greens....I think. I am awful, I start out really well and know exactly what I want t… Continue

Added by Molly Wilson on July 4, 2009 at 1:48am — No Comments

Sunbonnet Sue: All Through the Year

i just got this book (from second hand bookshop) and never done anything like that. will be interesting to talk to people who made Sunbonnet Sue :) and see their creations. i am thinking to start from small bag :) i tried to make a group - Sunbonnet Sue, but could not do it, dont know where to take group address to set the URL for the group. Continue

Added by Larisa on July 3, 2009 at 8:11am — No Comments

Pattern

Does anyone have a Japanese Tabi pattern. I am looking for the one that you sew. all I have been able to find is the knitted or crocheted patterns Thanks Continue

Added by Mary-Anne Watson on July 2, 2009 at 9:02am — No Comments

Needle-and-thread artisan marks 20th year in business

Dresses, pants, skirts and blouses fill Sonia Derbekyan’s small store. They are waiting to be sewn, shortened, hemmed or otherwise altered. A bright white wedding dress hangs in one corner of the room — Derbekyan’s current undertaking. Summer means wedding season, and five layers of the very full skirt need tailoring. There is much work to be done, but af… Continue

Added by Editor on July 2, 2009 at 6:10am — No Comments

See quilts by acclaimed textile artist at The Cotton Ball in Morro Bay, CA

When he was 7, Rob Appell walked into his mother’s sewing room and pleaded for new clothes for his G. I. Joe doll. Sensing an opportunity, his mom, Judi, handed him a needle, thread and a scrap bag of fabric, then talked him through his first stitches. As it turns out, that initial sewing lesson paid off. Today, Rob is now a highly acclaimed textile… Continue

Added by Editor on July 2, 2009 at 6:06am — No Comments

Sew natural, organic sewing business in Sacramento

Becky Carter’s Velvet Leaf eco-friendly DIY fashion boutique, in Sacramento offers certified organic, vintage, and sustainable clothing crafted by their very own fingers, which hardly leave a carbon fingerprint. Their store has a charming ambience that surely will make the shopping experience pleasant for customers as well as Mother Earth... [… Continue

Added by Editor on July 2, 2009 at 6:00am — No Comments

How to Sew a Sash - 9 Steps to Making Fabric Flowers and Yo-Yos

By Jini Pinto Do you know how to sew a sash? Do you know how to sew a sash and embellish it? Embellishing your sash or fabric jewelry pouch is easy. This project is simple and easy learn to sew project. Yo Yo is a great way of decorating your fabric and if done at home you can get the right match for your sash, ribbon headbad, fabric pouch, tote bag or even your tea cozy. You can teach small children to learn to sew yo yos or sew it yourself to embellish children's clothing or use it to decora… Continue

Added by Editor on July 1, 2009 at 8:07am — No Comments

Quilts of Love

By JULIA LEDOUX "Wounded warriors around the country are being wrapped in love and prayers, thanks to a ministry stitched together by Circle Sewing Studios in Woodbridge and the Protestant Parish of the Quantico Chapel. The Wounded Warrior Quilt Ministry has donated and distributed nearly 50 quilts to injured service members since it began its work last year. Retired Air Force Reserve… Continue

Added by Editor on June 30, 2009 at 6:56pm — No Comments