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Two things are vital for my ongoing love affair with sewing--technical instruction and visual inspiration. Now both of these are available with one click of my mouse. The new Craft Daily site is up and running--with streaming videos for sewists who want to improve their skills and be inspired to expand...
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One of the best things about being handy with a sewing machine is being able to sew gifts for family and friends. And if you can throw in a little sentimentality with it, so much the better. Here's a little idea from something I made a few years ago for my mom and my sisters. Our piano bench cover...
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For the most part, projects for Stitch are created by the talented community of designers who contribute to the magazine. But every once in a while the editors at Stitch have to step up the plate and develop designs for the magazine. Take the Stitch Spring 2013 issue. Although we received some gorgeous...
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Believe it or not, "embellishment" is one of the most searched sewing terms online. So I guess that means that it's a sewing technique that is near and dear to our hearts. I would say that embellishment was among my first "successful" stabs at sewing. I had done a bit of sewing...
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Passementerie looks difficult, but it's not. The cord and braid are poked through the underlined muslin. Embellishment is not a sewing technique I naturally gravitate toward. I like my garments sleek and clean-lined. But in the process of getting a couture certificate, I had to take a summer course...
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I predicted a resurgence of hand smocking about a year ago---mostly to other members of the S titch team. I said, " You know smocking isn't just for little girls' dresses any more!" Smocked pillows by Tanya Mauler A twist on smocking by Tanya Mauler Figure 1 Figures 2 and 3 And I was...
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So often, sewing instructions will add this phrase to the end of a construction step: Pinking is a simple, effective seam finish. Keep both swings of the needle on the fabric so that the fabric doesn't bunch. Pressing before stitching saves time and aggravation. Make only a single fold. Finish the...
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I love discovering "secret" sewing tips--I could even be called a hoarder of them. When I find one, I savor it adoringly, like a treasured gem. But rather than scurrying off furtively to add to my stash, I want to tell everyone I know. You can train your shade to hang right! Let newly shaped...
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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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If it has anything to do with sewing I want to know about it, and if you feel the same way, the new Quilting Arts in Stitches , Volume 9, is full of interesting ideas and inspiration that will have you reaching for needle and fabric in no time. Create a reverse applique sketchbook with Carol Sloan. Divide...
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I am always looking for a new hand-embroidery stitch and recently the Fishbone Stitch has entranced me. I learned it as a child and then rediscovered it recently. It's a very simple stitch resembles a fish spine and creates beautiful leaves. Make several to make a foliage design. The trick to this...
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As part of a recent moccasin project, I had to gather suede with a basting stitch in order to apply the sole to the top of the slipper. Well, you can laugh at me, but I actually did try to do a machine basting stitch on the sole. It stitched just fine, but once I pulled up that bobbin thread, it popped...
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I am really excited to share our newest eBook: Sewing Gifts for Every Season: 4 Free Sewing Gift Ideas and Projects . It's just in time for the holiday season! Coming from a big family, I am always looking for great baby gifts and handmade gift wraps to make, especially during the holiday season...
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Much as I love suede, I have always been afraid of sewing it. It's probably because I have edited one too many articles on sewing suede and I've always felt that I had to have a phalanx of expensive tools to get me a satisfactory result. In fact, this fear would likely have kept me from ever...