Sew Better, Faster & More Creatively!
One of the most important parts of a sewing machine is the presser foot. You can’t sew without one because it has several critical jobs to do as you stitch. The presser foot sits on the fabric, holding it to the feed teeth, which helps move the fabric under the needle. The foot also holds […] Read more…
It has happened to all of us at least once (or a hundred times). You are sewing along and clunk! – your needle breaks. Sometimes the reason is obvious and sometimes it’s a mystery, but it is always something that demands your attention. It’s more than just a nuisance. It stops you in your tracks […] Read more…
This tutorial features my latest MAQ (mini art quilt) and I loved sewing it for two reasons. One, I’m using fabric and materials that I really like and two, I challenged myself to make it without buying anything! Everything I used is from my stash of fabrics, buttons, trinkets, cardstock, etc. If I make about […] Read more…
Previous Post Last month I posted an Easy Tip for Beginning Free-Motion Stitching. It’s a scribble stitching exercise that teaches you how to move the fabric without having to worry about making specific shapes. The more you scribble, the more comfortable you get with the process. This Post The first post was about comfort and […] Read more…
Hi All! Today’s guest post is another one from creativefabrica.com and it’s all about free sewing patterns! Click here to see an earlier post about free machine embroidery designs. On their site, you’ll also find free fonts (great for art quilts and mixed media sewing), Cricut and Silhouette files, and more. In addition, you can […] Read more…
Hi All! This is the first in a monthly series of mini art quilts, also known as MAQs. If you’re looking for a way to make sewing fun again, mini art quilts may be just the thing! Combining art techniques and sewing applications with a bit of scrapbooking thrown in opens a world of creative […] Read more…
Take care of your sewing machine and it will give you years of creative pleasure. Here’s a list of sewing machine Dos and Don’ts (mostly Don’ts) that can lead to operating problems. These are things you already know but I’m writing this post to remind you how important they can be to the life of […] Read more…
I’ve told you before I like things in miniature. (Click here to see my Mini Coiled Containers.) If it’s tiny, it’s cute! That must be why most people love babies – they are tiny human beings! This post is about making a petite sewing book filled with bits of fabric, stitched with some of my […] Read more…
If you are into machine embroidery, here’s a fun website that has free designs. It’s called creativefabrica.com and it has more than embroidery designs. You’ll find free fonts (great for at quilts and mixed media sewing), Cricut and Silhouette files, plus sewing patterns. You can buy these things individually, sign up for a subscription, or […] Read more…
If you’ve tried free-motion stitching and gave up after one or two tries, I have a stitching exercise that may help you get started. I’ve talked to a lot of sewers about this type free-motion stitching, which is where you, and not the machine, move the fabric. Quite a few say something like, “Oh, I […] Read more…