Years later my daughter asked if she could get her own sewing machine. My husband suggested we get her a cheap beginner model from a big box store. Why spend a lot of money when she’s just a beginner? That Easy Bake Oven came crashing back into my memory. She wants to sew whatever she wants, whenever she wants. I got it. But getting your first sewing machine is a balancing act…
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» 5 Ways to Cut Clutter in Your Sewing Room
We all have issues keeping our sewing rooms neat and tidy, especially when we’re in the middle of a project. But it’s nice to have a system to keep supplies and materials out of the way. Here are five ways you can keep that room organized. 1) Use a double duty sewing table. Whether you Read More… »
» Leather Applique Adds Beauty and Strength to Your Handmade Bags
Applique is a very simple technique where you cut out a design and stitch it onto your project. Quilters use it all the time for dramatic effects on wall hangings and coverlets. And you can use it very effectively for handbags as well. Most applique is done with fabric on fabric. But leather makes a Read More… »
» Conversations Over Lunch: Tips for Choosing Your First Sewing Machine
I had an interesting lunch with my friend Sue the other day. She told me she wanted to learn how to sew and was planning to buy a cheap machine at the store down the road. Stunned, I told her it was great she wanted to learn but asked if she had looked at any Read More… »
» My Search for a Dressmakers Dummy
For many years I struggled with trying to fit garments without having a dress form to use. Once I decided that it was finally time to get one, researching took a bit longer than I expected. There’s a lot to know about buying a dressmakers dummy, but here’s what I found out. There are basically Read More… »
» Back-to-School Means New Life For Empty Bedrooms
It’s that time of year again. The time when kids go off to college and leave an empty room behind. What a perfect time to claim a well-deserved sewing room. Whether it’s hobby quilting or sewing as a second income, when it’s finally time to move your sewing off the kitchen table and into a Read More… »
» What is Needle Felt?
Needle felt is a relatively new art form based on wet felting which dates back thousands of years. Fibers like wool and silk will mesh together when subjected to a combination of heat and friction. That used to mean rubbing the fibers together with very hot water and soap. But now we can make felt Read More… »
» Making the Right Sewing Machine Choice
There are so many different types of sewing machines. How do you pick the right one for you? Well, a good place to start is to figure out what you’re going to sew most often.
» When is a sewing machine not a sewing machine?
When it’s a needle felting machine, of course. These little babies look like sewing machines, sound like sewing machines and work just like sewing machines. But they use no thread, don’t have a bobbin and create a single piece of unique fabric from many layers of different materials.
» Miele Rotary Iron-Best for Small Rooms
Not all rotary irons are created equal. Originally designed for heavy users like hotels, hospitals, dry cleaners and tailors, home sewers have started buying them, too. Why? Because they make quick work of any ironing or pressing chore. Simply feed your fabric through the rollers, and perfectly pressed yardage is deposited in neat folds on a shelf beneath the machine. You can even sit down while you work. How civilized.