I’m working on sewing a new summer wardrobe for myself at the moment.  I’ve got a busy busy busy summer and probably won’t have a lot of extra time for sewing until September.
I just discovered a pattern from Burda that’s turned into my new favorite shrug pattern.  I was able to cut it out of a small-ish piece of fabric, but didn’t have enough to make the ties.  I really didn’t want to have to leave my studio to go buy something, and didn’t have anything else that would match…
Until I looked in my yarn stash.
I found some sport-weight …read more

You all know that I love making fabric gift bags for Christmas – but they’re great wrapping almost any kind of present.  Fabric gift bags are a great way of using fabric that you love, bought and aren’t quite sure how to use up…  I’m not sure if I want to wear a shirt out of my very bold, red oriental fan fabric – but it would sure look pretty as a bag!
You can even coordinate the fabric to the recipient’s interests

These particular ones are for my Dad, who is a musician (I’ve been hoarding the fabric …read more

Okay, so I didn’t write this tutorial, but it’s really well done & worth checking out!
Click here to see how it’s done

I recently got a request from a reader about how to learn to sew if you don’t have anyone to help you.  I was one of the lucky people who’s mom is a fantastic seamtress… but there are lots of young women (and men) out there that don’t have expert help at hand.
There are a few resources that can really help in your quest to learn to sew:

First of all, libraries!  Most libraries do have a craft/sewing/home dec section.  Some libraries even have multi-library lending systems, which means you can borrow books from different locations, even cities.
Check out a local …read more