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

Featured Blog Posts – December 2009 Archive (29)

Do-it-yourself fashion: clothing label, classes teach teens sewing, design

Most emerging designers can only dream of having a built-in following before they unveil their first collection, but at an early age Emma Lewis was already crafting creations that resonated with fashion fans. So when the Toronto sewing studio

Sew Be It Girl decided to start a clothing label for teens, it didn't take long to settle on who would be the first designer.

"Emma was one of the reasons… Continue

Added by Susan on December 31, 2009 at 2:00pm — 5 Comments

It Begins (The Ring Pillow)

This blog post is taken from my regular blog

The LT Experience. Most of the readers of this blog have followed Team T (Terry and Tawny) through an almost 10 year journey. From two kids living in Speechly Hall at the University of Manitoba, through both our graduations, through a rough time when I went to Calgary, and when I came back to the place I belonged. Through the birth of our two children. Next year we invite old and… Continue

Added by Tawny B. on December 30, 2009 at 9:14pm — 1 Comment

Make Cloth Baby Shoes

Another scrap busting project! Just a few small pieces of fabric to make these cute little shoes, some

interfacing, …

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Added by Susan on December 30, 2009 at 3:30am — 11 Comments

Tips for Adjusting Tension on Your Sewing Machine

I think everyone has experienced a problem with sewing machine tension at some time. Finding the right tension can be quite tricky and frustrating. Tension is resistance or frictional pull on your thread as it passes through your tension guides. A certain amount of tension on the top thread, and the bobbin thread is necessary for correct machine stitching. Correct tension is dependent on the type of thread and fabric.

Here are some… Continue

Added by Susan on December 29, 2009 at 6:30am — 2 Comments

Window Flower Holder Pattern

A very unique way to display fresh or silk flowers in a window frame. I love the simplicity of this project and it's overall design. You could stencil or embroider images or letters between the pockets. This would definitely make a lovely Mother's Day gift. Bring "spring" inside early this year!

Download the PDF pattern and instructions here… Continue

Added by Susan on December 28, 2009 at 11:00am — 2 Comments

Wash Cloth Slippers Pattern

Washcloth slippers make a wonderful gift for those who do a lot of traveling, as they take up almost no space in a suitcase. In addition, they make great bazaar or flea market items. Check the stores for “bundles” of washcloths, which would be much cheaper to buy, or use old towels and cut to fit. Velour is also a very nice fabric for these pretty slippers. You could make a pair for every day of the week, just throw them into the washer.… Continue

Added by Susan on December 27, 2009 at 8:00am — 10 Comments

Kickin' it "Ugly" Style

"What??? I can't hear ya..". This one happened after my daughter saw

Ugly Dolls at Sam's Club. She wanted one, but didn't know that her daddy had already picked on up for her earlier in the day. Too bad the one she wanted wasn't the one he'd picked out - OOPS! She also wanted one of those

Domo… Continue

Added by Birdie on December 24, 2009 at 10:30am — 5 Comments

Happy Holidays

I would like to wish all of my sewing friends a very happy holiday.
Whether it is with family and friends or your sewing machine, have a good one!

Jane Doe!

Added by Jane Doe on December 23, 2009 at 6:35pm — 2 Comments

Ancient Techniques, Contemporary Application...

Hello everybody! I am new to this site and thought the best way to introduce myself is to show you some of my work and tell you a little more about my passion for textiles. I fell into dye quite by accident in the early 1990's and have been making hand made textiles in one form or another ever since. For me, it is an absolutely magical experience when you appraoch a piece of blank fabric and you know you can turn it into whatever you want to! I have… Continue

Added by Melanie Brummer on December 21, 2009 at 3:39pm — 14 Comments

Crayon Stained Quilt Art

Crayons are used to stain the fabric of a quilted wallhanging, accented with strips of fabric, free-motion embroidery and applique. Create a beautiful textile painting of your own. Carol Ingram prepares a small colored sketch of the design. You may get your inspiration from photographs, magazine pictures or cards. This helps you organize… Continue

Added by Susan on December 20, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Rag Quilting - The Easiest and Newest Method of Quilt Making Revealed

Need a break from the common customary styles of quilt making, then give rag quilting a go. Anybody can make a rag quilt if you can stitch in a straight line. They're patchwork blocks with a twist using different fabrics like flannel,…

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Added by Susan on December 18, 2009 at 5:30am — 6 Comments

Painting on Fabric With Inks - A Beginner's Guide

What is fabric ink?

Acrylic fabric inks consist of very fine colors suspended in a fluid that flows like children's watercolor paints and produces bold and vivid colors when painted on fabric. After they cure, inks are water resistant, light fast, and permanent.

There are many ways to paint inks on fabric. You can apply inks with: Paintbrush Air brush Dip pen Stamps Sponges Any absorbent applicator, like a Q-tip or rag. Ink can also be used to dip fabric in,… Continue

Added by Susan on December 17, 2009 at 6:00am — 2 Comments

Need Opinions Please

I'm recycling a dress into something wearable for Christmas. (It used to have a big leopard print collar and cuffs...yuck). I re-fashioned a vintage belt yesterday with some green satin to give a pop of color. Now I need to lengthen the dress (and coordinate with my choir colors) for church...can't be on stage with a dress over the knees! Don't want to show the entire church (we expect around 10,000 people for Christmas Eve services) all my business! LOL What do you think of adding a band of… Continue

Added by Larri on December 16, 2009 at 2:30pm — 7 Comments

How to make a hat and scarf from a sweater

This project would make a fantastic gift for any little boy, or girl. You could vary the eyes, ears, and nose to create any critter they might like. Penguins, teddy bears, rabbits, or stick to the owl that this easy and well written tutorial demonstrates. You would be able to also make matching mittens for the hat and scarf. Grab an old sweater… Continue

Added by Susan on December 16, 2009 at 6:00am — 6 Comments

Make a Bra

Making a bra is not as hard as you might think, and by no means out of the reach of someone with moderate sewing skills. If you're willing to put in a little time on adjusting your pattern, you can end up with a bra that fits you perfectly, which few commercial bras can do. Try to make your own and save some money on expensive boutique bras. This

step by step tutorial will… Continue

Added by Susan on December 15, 2009 at 6:46am — 13 Comments

Tutorial: How To Sew A Fagoted Seam

[ photo from Colette Patterns] Sarai of Colette Patterns shows how to add vintage detailing to your garments with a fagoted seam. This technique joins two fabric pieces with a litle gap showcasing a f**** stitch. A fagoted seam is a decorative seam that joins two pieces of fabric together with a space between them and a row of hand stitching. It’s a very pretty detail seen most often in vintage clothing. It’s easy to incorporate this kind of seam… Continue

Added by Susan on December 15, 2009 at 3:00am — 4 Comments

My Christmas Dog Bed

Made this at midnight last night for my dachshund "Sweetpee"

I was going to sew a Red Bone on the Green, but she claws around so much on her bed before curling up I didn't think it would last.

Added by Jodie Hickman on December 14, 2009 at 2:30pm — 1 Comment

Sew Your Own Winter Dog Boots

The DOMESTIK GODDESS shares her excellent pattern for making dog boots for the winter. She makes her boots out of polar fleece, elastic, velcro, and vinyl non-slip sole. You can size the pattern up or down on your printer, to fit the size of your dog’s paws. Polar fleece dries quickly to be ready for the next outing. I would think that recycling an old heavy wool sweater would be acceptable too. You could double layer your boots without too much trouble (If… Continue

Added by Susan on December 14, 2009 at 4:30am — 1 Comment

Use fabric bags for wrapping Christmas gifts rather than paper!! $2.00 fabric, one hour, and 18 bags later!!!

Several years ago my daughter came home for Christmas and had all her gifts wrapped in cloth bags! What a great idea: No mess, nothing to go to landfill, reusable, easy to store, etc. So after Christmas I went to the fabric store and bought fabric for almost nothing and made bags. Well, each year since then I add a few more as I need different sizes and to replenish my supply. This year I also attached ribbon to them so now don't even have to search for a tie for the bag. Tonight I… Continue

Added by Barbara Bateman on December 13, 2009 at 11:50pm — 3 Comments

Basic Sewing Supplies for Absolute Beginners

Everyone should have some basic sewing skills and own some basic sewing supplies. A tiny rip in a hem, or loose button, should never result in a discarded garment. Review some basic sewing tips if you forget how to sew on a button because minor issues are easy to fix, as long as you simply own a needle and some thread. To make a simple sewing and/or mending kit, start with a lidded container to hold everything in. You need a basic set of sewing …

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Added by Susan on December 12, 2009 at 12:00am — No Comments