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Walk into any sewing shop and you will see walls of sewing notions and accessories. And every year, more and more gadgets hit the market. Expand this simple metallic gauge to get perfectly spaced buttonholes. It takes up so little room! Buttons right where you want them-- not where the pattern dictates...
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When I was a beginning sewist, I avoided handsewing at all costs. If the fabric could be coerced under my machine's foot, that's where it went. Just recently, I began to change my ways. Why? Because sometimes, it is so much easier to handsew. So, so, so much easier. Handstitching the binding...
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I am so pleased to introduce the new Sew Daily eBook: 5 FREE Artistic Pillow Cover and Pillow Patterns. Art of Bleach Pillow by Carol Zentgraf Fabulous Floor Pillow by Kay Whitt Chrysanthemum Pillow by Tricia Waddell We know how much you love pillow projects, and this free eBook offers you five gorgeous...
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I was sewing for many years before I discovered beeswax. I knew about it and I scoffed at it. What was the use of adding one more step to the sewing process? I wanted to have my project finished already! From all the notches in my beeswax, you can see I have waxed many a thread. It wasn't until I...
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I love to add an extra touch to a garment, after it's technically "DONE." Whether it's my own design or a store-bought pattern that I want to make more distinctive, I usually can't stop myself from taking that last step to make it really mine. The Arty Insert Skirt from Stitch Spring...
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My favorite book from 2012. H exagons never looked so good-- one of lovely projects to enjoy. Sometimes the books that most catch my eye are not necessarily the ones that have patterns that I immediately want to create. My favorite book of 2012 falls into this category. When Japanese Quilting: Piece...
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When my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, her treatment began with a difficult regimen of chemotherapy. Normally a take-charge woman, at a family picnic that spring my sister was too tired to join in any activities and spent the afternoon sitting in a lawn chair browsing through a knitting magazine...
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According to a quick Google check, my current sewing machine will stitch over 750 stitches per minute. Some things can only be done by handstitching-- and some designs are worth every stitch. Shown above is a close-up of the Hexagon Bag from Japanese Quilting by Yoko Saito. All photography by Yasuo Naguno...
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I love sewing bags and totes. And here's why: The leather handles make this bag a workhorse--and they're comfortable, too. With the pre-punched holes, it was easy to handstitched these on. I used six-stranded embroidery floss in the same color as the leather. These leather handles will give this...
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Looking for a handsewing stitch that you'll find yourself returning to time and time again? Look no further than the humble backstitch. Thread the needle and knot the end. Bring the needle up from back to front. Take the first stitch 1/4" to the right of where the needle came up. Bring the needle...
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A Note from Rose: Today we welcome a guest post from Jeane Hutchins, editor of PieceWork magazine. She introduces us to Cynthia LeCount Samaké's recent article on the history of the exquisite indigo dyeing process. With a little folding, hand sewing, and an indigo dye kit, you can make your...
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Pretty Cat, Baby Bear + Mini Mouse Stepping Stones Pot Holder One of the most wonderful things about embellishments is that they can be applied to a project you have created or a store-bought item. Embellishment techniques let you to be as creative as you want to be, and they add a personalized, handmade...
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Note from Amber: Embellishment is one of the most fascinating and beautiful sewing techniques . Below, Kristine Lundblad, Assistant Editor at Quilting Arts Mag a zine introduces the newest segment of " Quilting Arts TV," Series 1000, and tells how you can learn more about embellishing: Find...
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Top: Calendar Patchwork Tote, designed by Susan Wasinger. Bottom: Mudcloth Tote, designed by Zelda Grant. I love sewing a pretty tote for the summer. A basic tote pattern is so quick and simple to make, and the embellishment becomes part of the fun. I went back into the Sew Daily archives to dig out...
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Just because you are a beginner sewist doesn't mean that you have to settle for amateurish garments. As a beginner, I found that it's the little touches that make all the difference in how polished and expensive a handmade garment looks I made this purple satin blouse not long after I had returned...