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

July 2009 Blog Posts (52)

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 incorporated the shirts into the design.

Rodgers, a former Lenawee County resident,… Continue

Added by Susan 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 Susan 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

Added by Ags 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… 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 its shape. These roses can be sewn from practically any fabric to embellish… Continue

Added by Susan on July 6, 2009 at 6:11am — 5 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 were made out of necessity or as a showcase of skill, skilled artists sometimes devised some very unique methods of creating quilts to enhance their stitch patterns. […

Continue

Added by Susan 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 own patterns from her business, called

Cross Cuts. The 46-year-old has struggled with clinical depression and an… Continue

Added by Susan on July 4, 2009 at 6:32am — 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

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 after many years in the business and a lifetime of experience, Derbekyan has it all under control.

Derbekyan… Continue

Added by Susan 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 artist who lectures at quilt shows nationwide and has appeared on the HGTV and DIY television networks... [… Continue

Added by Susan 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... [read… Continue

Added by Susan 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… Continue

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