Who doesn't love books, books and more books?  Of course, there are some strange individuals who don't, but other than teenage boys with too much energy to be still enough to read (!!), I don't know any. If you are like me you have lots of books on your shelves and are always seeing more that look too good to miss out on.  With this in mind I have decided to do some reviewing of craft books to give you at least one book junkie's insight into whether or not a…

Abi Ferrin Designs Grows 400% Last Year, Offers Fun, Versatile Styles that Help Women Look and Feel Fabulous No Matter What the Day Brings

DALLAS, Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- When Dallas native Abi Ferrin launched her fashion design business in 2006 with $500, a single sewing machine and a mission--to help women overcome the notion they must suffer in uncomfortable clothes in the name of…

Quilted Cushion Top

The objective of this tutorial is to provide an introduction to quilting for beginning quilters, equipping them…

I have collected scarves for a long time and have my mother's large collection also. They are "silky" type of all sizes and colors. Anyone have a craft idea to keep them but in another form? I only wear a few and the rest hang and are cluttering my wall. Ideas please.

Vicki

Last year I bought a craft pattern "Mug Bucket" from Nancy's Notions. I tried and tried to understand the construction method but I just can't figure it out. I emailed the creator and received no help. I have been a sewer all my life and can read patterns but this has me stumped. Anyone ever make one and would share the trick? Thanks.

Vicki

I mentioned in my previous blog post that I was working on an addition to the Expandable Bag.

DRUM ROLL…

Hi all!  I am new to this sew-whats-new and to blogging.  I began sewing Barbie clothes for my grandaughter yesterday!  I had been planning it for awhile.

Gathering supplies was interesting.  I went to many different websites to find them.  The most fascinating was thin velcro so it will not thicken the garment for fitting Barbie. Exacting the seams and darts is important also, so the fit will be exact. 

Smaller pins was a good idea, because of the smaller pattern…

Yesterday I caught up with my knitting buddy, Julie, for our regular (although not regular enough for either of us) Knit, Sit and Chat. Both of us have been knitting for many years and it is a passion we both share. Knitting is a wonderfully portable craft, easily packed into a favourite bag (in my case a bag lovingly made for me by another good friend), thrown in the car and just as easily unpacked at your destination, all ready to go. Julie has the remarkable ability to be able to knit and…

 Take two old belts, a pair of old jeans and some scrap material, and make yourself a reversible jean bag.

More photos at Green Issues.…

I had way too many really nice fleece sleepers left, following my daughter's recent growth spurt. All of them were almost new and would fit her really well except for one problem. They were a couple of inches too short. After looking at them ruefully for many days I finally had this idea of turning them into fleece…

I was given the challenge to make an expandable zippered handbag and have to admit I was a little intimidated to attempt it. I was going to just take a…

I saw this excellent sewing tip and had to share it with you!  Try cutting pieces of 7⁄8-inch transparent plastic tubing just wide enough to fit over your bobbin thread, but in between the casing sides.  You can get it at the building supply or hardware stores. The tubing is inexpensive, is available by the foot or in 6-foot lengths which can be cut easily with scissors or a craft knife.  Cut a slit for a flexible opening on each piece…

Runway Repurposed competitors Karen Rex, right, and 13-year-old daughter Emily Rex work on Emily's dress, which as required is coming together from parts of three existing dresses. The fashion show will be held Feb. 12 at…

Sloper:

A sloper is a trial pattern, a custom-fitted muslin or paper pattern which has been altered for the individual. Slopers are created through trial and error, using pattern making software, and other methods.  

More about…

Sometimes being a writer means almost no time for sewing and crafts.  But sometimes it forces me to be creative and devote time to these activities.  Never enough time, but a little is better than none!  Right now I'm learning to felt!  I love it because it's quick and rewarding and just look at this ornament and…

Made these skirt leggings for my preschooler. These are very comfortable for her to wear and a nice change from plain leggings. I always want her legs to be covered so she can play in sun for however long they allow her, having a skirt legging together means I don't have to make her wear another…

I recently made this ruffled scarf for myself for an upcoming trip. I absolutely love how soft it feels against my skin, and it has a lovely drape. It was also very quick and simple to make.

Here's a writeup of…

Stitch-Bonded Fabric - A composite non-woven fabric formed by various methods of stitching through unconnected fibers, using techniques such as quilting or…