Curating sewing and quilting talent, techniques, and tutorials, since 1997.

May 2010 Blog Posts (14)

AAAAAGGHHHHH.... I'm a SEWING HOARDER !!!!!!!!!!

Hello fellow sewers,

About a week ago I was inspired by a new book I bought while in L.A. about pattern drafting. I thought "this book really simplifies the techniques. Lets give it a whirl". So I went down into my sewing 'Dungeon' all excited and motivated to get started...... until I looked around. The room was a disaster. There was not one inch of space that was free of clutter. There were notions, fabric, patterns, books, paper, etc. everywhere. There was barely a clear…

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Added by Melinda Sarpal on May 31, 2010 at 11:55am — 46 Comments

Men's shirt into a cute halter....

I posted a pic of a halter top that I made from a $2 Salvation Army men's long sleeve shirt. A couple of people have asked about ease of construction. I will try to explain it. There is a tutorial on you tube......I think I found it by putting in the you tube search box "a halter top from a men's shirt". It shows step by step. Anyway, I laid the shirt flat in my living room floor, all straightened out. I cut the shirt all the way across the chest area, about 1/2" under where the underarm seam… Continue

Added by Sherri on May 28, 2010 at 12:05am — 2 Comments

Picking Sewing Patterns that Flatter Your Figure

It's easy to look at a cute pattern picture and instantly visualize the outfit on yourself, but before you plunk down the coin for fabric, take some time to make sure that garment design will look good on you as you hope.

The illustrated pattern: Take a page from fashion designers and use a…

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Added by Susan on May 26, 2010 at 6:00am — No Comments

Tutorial: How to Sew a Peasant Top

The Prudent Baby bloggers developed this tutorial for a very simple (and cute!) peasant top. "You can use this tute a few different ways. You can make the top just like this, with the gathered waist, or just a straight top, or an A-line dress, or make one for yourself. If you haven't sewn sleeves before, this is a great top to start with, because the gathering makes the sizing forgiving."…

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Added by Susan on May 25, 2010 at 6:00am — 2 Comments

Sewing Machine Vocabulary and Rules

Added by Susan on May 16, 2010 at 7:03pm — No Comments

Elastic waistband instructions

How is an Elastic waistband sewed with a serger? <>/body>

Added by Judith on May 14, 2010 at 7:23am — 2 Comments

Pebbles Skirt Tutorial

Pebbles Skirt Tutorial… Continue

Added by Susan on May 14, 2010 at 5:30am — 1 Comment

Selvedge NeedleBook Tutorial

If you need a place to keep stray needles and have a few selvedges laying around, read on! This is an… Continue

Added by Susan on May 12, 2010 at 6:06am — 6 Comments

Paris, France

Hi, I will be in Paris this June. Are their great fabric stores in Paris, France? That could be my special gift to me. Let me know if their are any stores. Valerie Morris

Added by Valerie Morris on May 7, 2010 at 6:42pm — No Comments

Ribbon Embroidery

Would anyone know of where I'd find the ribbon to do embroidery at ?

Added by Jennifer Howell on May 6, 2010 at 10:43am — No Comments

Do The T-shirt Twist!

Take a cheap, bland t-shirt you already have, twist and turn it into a more feminine and interesting top! Jona Giammalva of "Stop Staring and Start Sewing" developed this great tutorial repurposing a t-shirt. I…

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Added by Susan on May 6, 2010 at 7:32am — 2 Comments

Windmill quilt

I love your quilt! I intend my next project to be one using the "wonky" method I just discovered online. I may prepare squares of diagonal strips to put w/ solid squares & them cut the blocks for the windmill pieces. So many possibilities, so little time! Quilt on!!

Added by Rosetta Nerem on May 4, 2010 at 2:24pm — No Comments

Watching Windmills

As I've been surfing thru the internet lately I've been noticing quite alot of Windmill quilts being created. I suddenly had a light bulb moment and realized: "I have one of those!"

I made this scrappy windmill about 8 years ago and I titled it "Persistence". Each block is 4" and there are a total of 400 blocks set 20 x 20. I did have some help from my freinds who donated 6" squares so I could keep it as scrappy as possible. I keep…

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Added by Lynne Demeter on May 4, 2010 at 6:00am — 11 Comments

Poppies anyone?

I am out to find some fabric that has poppies on it. I will need several yards. I want a cotton...cotton blend....really anything that is suitable for a summer dress or outfit that I can wear outside and not feel like my clothes are sticking to me! I am very hot natured. I want the old-timey looking poppies that are red, preferrably on a white background. If you know of any at any store, or some that someone has for sale, or that they might think of selling, please drop me a… Continue

Added by Sherri on May 2, 2010 at 3:22am — 3 Comments