Aprons seem to have slipped back into the realms of the hip and trendy.
Don’t believe me?
Stampingon & Co has just released a brand-new magazine – exclusively devoted to aprons!
“The premiere issue of Apron•logy shows off accessorizing with a twist — or rather a tie. This new publication flirts with the many uses and looks of the apron. While you may notice your grandmother’s vintage linens, handkerchiefs or embroidery in these pages, your breath will also be taken away by looks with leather, bright colors, rhinestones and tulle. The contemporary apron is hot and can do more than keep you clean.”
Most …read more

I usually end up picking a couple of yards of fabric on sale after Christmas every year – why not buy it when it’s on sale?
Well, this year Fabric.com has decided to start the fun early – you can pick up Christmas fabric, on sale, right now!

Just click on the link, and enter the code “AC128″ to enjoy the savings.  It’s like a Christmas gift to yourself!
image: Fabric.com

 I have to admit, I’ve sewn a lot of different things – but I’ve never tried sewing my own shoes before!
I think this pattern for historical shoes from Butterick is too cool – check out those mediaeval slippers in the middle:

You still have time to make them before Halloween….
image: Butterick Patterns

 Before I announce the winner of the first Blogtoberfest contest on Tangled Thread, I’d like to thank our sponsor – Anita’s Arts!

Anita has graciously donated one of these utterly adorable Bucilla “Sugar Plum Fairy” felt stocking kits to one lucky reader:

And the recipient of such a charming kit?
Rachel!
Rachel left a comment on October 8 at 9:30am and has been contacted by email.
Thank you to everyone who entered and keep watching Tangled Thread for more Blogtoberfest goodies
images: Anita’s Arts

I recently bought a new style (at least, a new style to me) of seam ripper.  It’s the best one I’ve come across – and believe me, I’ve used a few seam rippers!  I’ve broken seam rippers, inserted seam rippers into my fingers and cursed at seam rippers
The “Pro Seam-Ripper” kit from Lee Valley Tools is a must-have (at least as far as I’m concerned

It’s got two styles of blades & holders (one for starting tricky seams, the other for ripping them out) as well as six replacement blades.  A dull seam ripper is as dangerous …read more

I just stumbled across this website and had to share it with you all!  It’s called “Missing Fabrics“, and has exactly just that
It’s a multi-part website – they’ve got an online gallery that you can post photos of the discontinued fabrics that you need.  So if you see a piece of fabric on there, you can help someone out.  Of course, if you have fabric that you need, you can post a photo and information and hopefully find the missing fabric.
There’s also a list of shops that specialize in older or discontinued prints -  loads of fun for …read more

Have you heard of Embellishment Village?
It’s a company dedicated to fiber art and all the fun things we can use to enhance & embellish!  They have free patterns, an inspiration gallery and a great link list

The talented crew at Sublime Stitching have just added another product to their catalog:

Clean, unfussy hoop frames.
They’re perfect for displaying embroidery without extra loops or hangers showing at the top.  I think they’d even work for displaying pieces of your favorite fabrics as well.
If you haven’t had a chance to read the Sublime Stitching blog – it’s definitely worth browsing through

Glam.com is looking for the best new fashion design talent to enter their “Design A Dress” contest.

From January 7 to January 31, readers can submit sketches of a dress they’d like to design. Once all entries are received, Glam’s editorial team will select 4 groups of 8 semifinalists that will be featured in a weekly slideshow with voting functionality. Readers will vote each week on their favorite dresses. The top two semifinalists each week move to the final round-for 8 total finalists.  These 8 finalists will be given 3 weeks to actually make the dress they sketched. Our panel of …read more

Have you ever tried bamboo fabric or yarn? It’s becoming more available lately, and I just found out about a new use for it:

Fairfield (the company that makes Poly-fil) is now producing a bamboo and organic cotton batting. Bamboo is a great enviromentally-friendly fiber – and it’s lovely to work with. It can grow as much as one yard per day and doesn’t require as many pesticides as cotton does, or the use of petrochemicals – like polyester batting does.
I haven’t personally had a chance to use the bamboo batting, but I’ve heard from several textile artists …read more