There have been posts that people have loved, some that got a way bigger reaction that I ever expected and those posts that people have said “thank you for writing, that’s helped me”.

In no particular order, here are some of my favorites…

• My post about a free pattern for a Snuggie has gotten more popular than I ever imagined – apparently people want to make these… lots and lots of people!
• You can’t get much easier than these ribbon roses – I’ve made literally hundreds over the years.
• My fabric-covered journal tutorial turned into a much bigger how-to than I originally planned – it’s split into five separate posts, in fact.  Here they all are, so you don’t need to go searching for them: part one, two, three, four and five.
• Dyeing fabric doesn’t have to be a big, scary project – it can be a fun experiment too.
• And of course, anything I could embroider, I would!  I’ve made felt sweethearts for Valentine’s Day, a mini bag for Halloween and monogrammed napkins as a wedding gift – I’ve even embroidered on origami paper.

You can still find me on the web at Splendicity or my own personal craft blog

image: Stock.xchg

Post from: Blisstree

My All-Time Favorite Tutorials

Instead of working with a dizzying view of camouflage, my “to-do” pile is a very serene, zen white.

Instead of working with industrial zippers, quilted nylon and heavy-duty elastic, I’ve switched to soft, fluffy fabrics and lots of different kinds of cotton.

That change got me thinking – how does your attitude change when your project changes?

Even little things like my music preference will change depending on what I’m sewing.  During my last project, I liked upbeat music with a good beat and lots of energy.  At the moment however, I’m enjoying a more relaxed playlist… or even just quiet.

Do some projects make you feel like scrunching up your shoulders and make you tense?  Or are some projects just too much fun to take seriously?  How about those projects that make you bored… remember to not fall asleep at the sewing machine

Next time you’re sewing, ask yourself – “how do I feel?” – and pay attention to it…

image: C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

Wordy Wednesdays

• Instructables show you how to weave your own spider web.  You can make any size from teensy-tiny to gigantic – and how amazing would this look made from glow-in-the-dark yarn or thread?
• I love to make my own pom-poms and this Jack-0-Lantern from Craft Passion is a particularly cute way to use them.  There are lots of different pom-pom makers on the market these days too.
• Candy corn is a classic part of Halloween, but is it a little too sweet for you now?  How about making these candy corn earrings from Craft Magazine instead?
• Are using black lights this Halloween?  Why not make a glow-in-the-dark spider web table cloth?  Martha Stewart has the how-to using black-light reactive markers.

Happy Halloween Crafting!

image: C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

Crafting Around the Web

If so, then you’re definitely going to want to put your application in for the BUST Magazine’s annual Holiday Craftacular craft sales!

These are not your grandma’s craft sales…  They feature live music by DJs, tasty “adult” beverages, delicious nibbles and almost anything handmade and indie.  You can find one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories and jewelry.  There are sellers with everything from organic skin-care to holiday decor, gifts and cards.

The booth fees are extremely reasonable for such a big event ($225 or $250) but you’ve got to be juried in, so don’t wait too long to apply!

You can apply for the New York Craftacular online here, or the Los Angeles event here.

The NYC Craftacular takes place on December 6th, from 10am to 7:30pm at the The Metropolitan Pavilion, located at 125 West 18th Street.  The LA event happens on December 12th, from 10am until 6pm at The Echo & The Echoplex 1822 W Sunset Blvd.

image: BUST Magazine

Post from: Blisstree

Call for Crafters for The Bust Craftaculars

But it doesn’t have to be all that bad – there are a few things you can do to make handling foam a whole lot easier!

So if foam is challenging, why even use it?

First of all, it’s a must if you’re re-upholstering almost anything.  Foam will give you cushioning and support that batting just can’t match.  And let’s face it – it’s so much cheaper to re-upholster something yourself, rather than having it custom made.

• Put down the scissors!  Unless you’re working with half-inch thick foam, scissors are pretty much useless.  The best tool I’ve come across for working with foam is a brand-new, very sharp razor blade.  I like to use an Xacto-style knife so I can have the blade extended as much as possible.  Some people like to use an electric knife to cut foam, but I have to admit, I’ve never tried it.  Serrated blades tend to make a mess, with little foam crumbles everywhere.
• Using a straight edge, mark your line with a permanent marker and then cut it.
• Don’t press the ruler into the foam, just hold it lightly enough so it won’t slide around.  This is another great use for a gridded quilting ruler.  That way you can ensure that you’re making a nice, even cut.
• If the foam has been freshly unwrapped and smells, just air it out for a couple of days first.  I find that the smell dissipates quickly.

image: Stock.xchg

Post from: Blisstree

Tips & Tricks for Working With Foam

Instead of having to meticulously plan every seam, paper piecing gives you a little more freedom and it’s a lot less intimidating to begin.

One of my favorite books on the subject is “Paper Piece a Flower Garden” by Jodie Davis.

The book is filled with patterns for leaves, flowers, bugs, birds and animals – in short, anything that you could find living in a flower garden!  It doesn’t give you a set pattern for putting the blocks together, instead the book encourages you to be creative by making your own design.

I’ve made quite a few motifs from the book and have had excellent results with the finished blocks.  You have to be careful with paying attention to the numbered seams, but I highly recommend this book – it’s a great way to get an intricate quilt.

image: Amazon

disclaimer: This is not an affiliate link, nor do I receive any benefit from posting this review

Post from: Blisstree

Book Review: Paper Piece a Flower Garden

The folks at Martha Stewart have obviously been having a lot of fun with Halloween ideas this year, because they’ve come up with some great ideas.  These crafts provide more “thrills” than “chills” if you prefer Halloween to be fun… not bone-chilling!

This ribbon snake is easy enough for kids to make along with you.  Use wired ribbon, masking tape and a pen to create this creepy-crawler… and see if it will protect the Halloween goodies

These cute little felt pumpkin people are hand-stitched around a wood shavings body – perfect for decorating your table or just adding a little holiday flair to a bookshelf.

This soft skeleton gets it’s bones from athletic socks!  All you need is a new pair of white socks, stuffing and thread to make this cheery fellow.

images: Martha Stewart

Post from: Blisstree

Fun Fabric Halloween Decor to Sew & Craft

There are two months left until Christmas.

That means that as of today, there are two months less a day until Christmas!

Eeek!

I’ve got so many plans, ideas and hopes for Christmas gifts and crafts swimming around in my head right now that it’s a little intimidating.

Before I get myself all worked up, I’ve got a few solutions that have helped me to manage my holiday crafting before.  And hopefully they’ll help you too

• First of all, write down everything you’d like to do – don’t worry about the order or if it’s realistic, just make a list.
• Okay, now it’s time to prioritize.  What’s more important to finish?
• What do you need to make those projects?  Do you have the pattern already?  Take a look through your stash and see if you already have the fabric you need.  How about what notions you need?  Why not use your stash if you can – saving money during the holidays is always a good thing…
• I like to make more detailed lists for the “top priority” projects.  For example, if I’m making a stocking as a special gift for someone, I’ll write down the pattern number or make a quick sketch of it.  I’ll attach swatches of fabric and trim to the note.  It can even work to put everything into one bag or bin – that way you know you’ve got everything together to complete the project.

image: Stock.xchg

Post from: Blisstree

How Many Days Left Until Christmas??

I’ve shared a few different glimpses into the process over the past couple of weeks (here’s the first one, second, third and fourth) and now that it’s actually finished, you can see how it came together:

I added a few extra details to the original pattern.  The pattern came with two inset pockets in the front seams and an extra cell phone or MP3 pocket on the chest.  Of course, that wasn’t enough pockets!

I added two cargo patch pockets, with flaps that velcro close, that sit over the hips.  I also inserted a zipper into the cell phone pocket – let’s face it, who wants to lose their expensive cell phone because it’s slipped out of a pocket!

The collar can be worn up or down and I added some extra insulation but layering fleece between the two layers of outer fabric:

The jacket also got modified by adding a placket over the zipper:

It keeps those chilly winter winds from coming in through the zipper.  The placket closes with velcro, for an extra layer of security.  You can also see the lining, which is actually a re-purposed nylon and Thinsulate blanket.

Overall, the jacket took longer than I was expecting (this pattern normally takes me less than 4 hours to sew) but I think it was a successful project – now to test it when the snow flies…

images: © C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

The Completed Altered Winter Jacket

It may be because they’re so technically complex…

It could be that the fabric is just not cooperating…

Or it could just be that you’re not enjoying the process…

In short – it’s a sewing project that makes you feel like you deserve a medal after it’s done!

But where to get a medal for sewing…

I’ve found one!

Okay, so actually Leviticus Jewelry has found a medal for dressmaking.  It’s a little vintage medal and they’ve made it into a great necklace:

They’ve used brass, silver and gunmetal-toned chains to create the necklace, and added a little dollhouse iron to add to the seamstress-y fun.

Unfortunately, I don’t know where the medal for dressmaking comes from, or how it was awarded.  What a charming way to commemorate a significant project though.

Maybe we need to bring back our own “medal for dressmaking”…

image: Leviticus Jewelry

Post from: Blisstree

Do You Need a Medal for Dressmaking?