Creating a T-shirt Skirt

November 25th, 2011 |

Have a couple T-shirts that no longer fit? Repurpose! Making a skirt out of an old t-shirt is so easy. It is a unique and fun way to spruce up plain onesies with just a t-shirt, sewing machine, and elastic.

Candy Corn Pillow Tutorial

September 14th, 2011 |

It’s that time of the year again! Halloween is right around the corner! And that means it is time to get started on all of those fun Halloween inspired sewing projects. Why not take this opportunity to create a wacky and imaginative project?

Sewing Machine Maintenance 101

September 13th, 2011 |

There is nothing quite so frustrating as sitting down to sew and instead of hearing the smooth purr of your machine, its language changes to kkkalunk, grrrrrowl, and bird nests grow where a uniform stitch should be. This behavior can mean many things, but the most likely cause is an unhappy machine crying for some light maintenance. Ninety percent of the time a little oil, tension adjustment or...

Quilting with Kids

September 10th, 2011 |

How do you inspire a love of quilting, sewing and general creativity with your kids? The answer to that is pretty simple; you help them to incorporate their own ideas and interests with the projects that they will be working on with you. Helping your kids design and create their first quilt could just be the start of a new hobby that blossoms into more time spent together as a family and even into other sewing-related projects.

Getting Started with Sewing

September 9th, 2011 |

So you are sitting in front of your new sewing machine and eager to start your first project, but what should you choose? Begin by taking a trip to your local fabric store and looking at their pattern catalogues. Don’t be tempted to browse through all those eye-catching fabrics until you have selected the design you want to make.

Adventures In Quilting

September 8th, 2011 |

I’ve been putting off my new quilt project for---let’s just say, too long. The 20-year-old spiderweb of faded calico scraps I call my bed quilt won’t tolerate another washing. I’m out of excuses. My children have moved out. I have time, an excellent machine, all the tools, and enough thread & fabric to open a shop. I even found a pattern both my husband and I like. So it’s time to jump in and get started.

How To Make Quilt Binding

September 7th, 2011 |

Creating your own quilt binding will allow you so many more creative options for the overall look of your quilt. Finally, you are no longer limited to premade biased and binding tapes! Not to mention, saving you money, which if you’re like me is going right back into the Fabric Jar Piggy Bank. These 8 simple steps will take your quilt from homemade to professional.

10 Bias Tape Ideas You’ll Use All Year

August 20th, 2011 |

While the idea of using bias fold tape can be a bit intimidating, the benefits of learning how to incorporate it into your sewing projects will soon well outweigh all you fears. Narrow strips of material that have been cut on the bias or cross grain of a length of fabric (at a 45° angle from the vertical or horizontal threads) and sewn together for an even longer length become what is called bias tape.

Why does my back and shoulders hurt when I sew for long hours?

August 19th, 2011 |

You may not think you have to ask why that happens, you may think it is just part of the process. But you should actually be able to sew without pain. The first tip comes from my friend and Orthopedic surgeon, Dr Michael Reid. Dr Reid says to get up and move around often, don’t spend too much time in one position. Move your iron away from your sewing cabinet so you are forced to get up to iron and do the same with the cutting mat.

5 Great Sewing Habits

May 14th, 2011 |

Sewing can be enjoyable and soothing, doctors actually call it a “stress buster”. But “soothing” isn’t the word we use when our threads and needles break, our fabric puckers or machine skips stitches. These things happen to the best of us from time to time, but rarely if we have great sewing habits. I offer 5 great habits...