It’s close to Halloween but you don’t have a candy collection bag for your favorite trick-or-treater! If you have 15 minutes and a couple of Halloween-themed placemat, you can solve that problem. Supplies for a Halloween Goody Bag Two Halloween-motif placemats – I used rectangular 1-layer burlap placemats but any shape will work. Scroll down […]
Topstitching is a great finishing touch for many projects, from garments to bags to tablecloths. A subtle decorative touch or a way to sharpen and flatten edges and seams, topstitching can be as simple as a straight stitch on the right side of the project. Here are a few tips (use the ones that suit […]
Presser foot pressure is exactly what it sounds like – the amount of pressure the foot puts on the fabric when it is lowered. This pressure affects the way the fabric feeds under the foot. If the pressure is too high, the foot “drags”, and the fabric does not feed well. If the pressure is […]
Edgestitching is often the most important part of a project. It adds a finishing touch on a neckline, the upper edge of a bag or the outer edge of a tablecloth. Edgestitching flattens and defines the fabric edge, giving it a polished, finished look. The trick is to stitch it perfectly parallel to the fabric […]
I’m always looking for good sewing books and I have an entire bookcase room full of them. I currently have two favorites, one that I’ve had for a while and one that is new. In the interest of full disclosure, I have to say that these are BERNINA books and as the editor of each […]
Sometimes I just want to sew something simple and fun for no reason. Not something useful, not because I need clothes to wear, not even because I’m making a gift. I just want to enjoy the process of sewing and playing with fabric, color and textures. Usually when I feel this way, I make a […]
Modern quilts have a unique look when compared with more traditional styles. They have clean lines and simple motifs. Both the piecing and the quilting are simple but have high impact. This post is going to feature one block that fits the description of modern quilting. This is my practice block for a larger quilt […]
Turn the foot over and look at the bottom of the sole of any presser foot. This often gives you clues as to what that foot is designed to do. The list below is a brief overview of what you might find when looking at the soles of your presser feet. Remember, the secret is […]
Are you new to sewing? Always wanted to learn but didn’t know where to start? I have a few tips to point you in the right direction to help you decide what to sew. Plus there’s two simple little projects that are easy for even the newest newbie! Start Small When learning to sew, don’t […]
This foot is a favorite of mine, even though I don’t use it frequently. The reason I like it so much is that when I need it, there’s nothing else that will work. Called a bi-level or “uneven” foot, the shape of the sole makes it useful in situations where the foot needs to ride […]
