Recently my eldest Son, Jarred, celebrated his 22nd birthday.   He and my Daughter, Chantelle, are sharing a flat (apartment) together in the big smoke - Melbourne (the capital city of Victoria in Australia).  They had recently bought some new furniture for the loungeroom but didn't have any soft furnishings.  So .... what do I do????? Sew of course and soooo it seemed logical to fix that little detail for him.  So quilted birthday cushions were born!…

It was exciting to receive these photos from my sister - this darling's granddaughter, Alyssa, in the romper I made her last July.  The booties for the outfit are too small...and I'm still awaiting pics of her in the bonnet.  Alas, this sweet family is moving to a new house - so the MaMa (niece Gretchen), says she'll try to find it and snap pics...

The how-to's were posted on my blog last July, 2011...…

Now that you have a sewing machine, we need to consider the needles that you may need to use. The manufacturers use a numbering system for their needles. They use a letter to categorize the needles, and fabrics, and are symbolized by the letter.

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Occasionally, as it comes to me, I do commission work.   Recently I was asked to complete a quilt that had been started but due to time constraints was constantly making its way to the bottom of the 'must do' list.  All the blocks (and there were lots of them!) had been completed as had some of the sashing.…

I just signed up for new craftsy class, Stupendous Stitching, can't wait to start my project!

Well I was quite impressed with Crafty Gemini's video tutorial on printing your own labels using freezer paper, but first I would have to buy some freezer paper, and then I am a bit worried it might come adrift somewhere inside my inkjet!  Then I came across this tutorial by Janelle, and found out about inkjet fabric sheets!…

I recently came across mention of a new interlining product.  I was reading Kat Southern's blog (www.studiokatdesigns.com) about her latest bag design and she mentioned using ByAnnies 'Soft & Stable'.  Then I found this video clip and met Annie and saw Soft & Stable for the first time;-…

Well it all started with this little sleeveless silk top I bought in a bargain basement in Boston, US a few years ago.  Its was a bargain except the button pulled over my bust - which is not ample!  So after languishing in the back of my wardrobe I dug it out and wore it last week.  It wasn't until I left the Butchers that I glanced down and saw it had come open and…

By LAURA M. HOLSON

 

Sewing-machine sales are booming, with sales in the United States expected to top three million in 2012 according to SVP Worldwide, the maker of Singer sewing machines, up from 1.5 million a year more than a decade ago.  While some of the craze can be chalked up to the popularity of reality television shows like “Project Runway,” sewing…

I really love to hear about "locals" doing their thing, excelling, following their passions etc...  especially when it comes to being creative with needle and thread.  This particular story below, is what I consider inspiring.  Wanda MacInnes of Annebelle Design Apparel will be opening a shop in Truro, Nova Scotia.  

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I apologize for not posting for a while; life has been hectic but fun. This project runway inspired design was on my to-do list for a while. I’m very glad I took the time to sit and make it. Here is my review :)