Blisstree » how-tos http://www.blisstree.com Family, Health, Home and Lifestyles Thu, 24 Dec 2009 08:22:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 crocheted ties http://www.blisstree.com/articles/crocheted-ties-114/ http://www.blisstree.com/articles/crocheted-ties-114/#comments Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:45:51 +0000 Chloe Findlay-Harder http://www.tangledthread.com/crocheted-ties/ Post from: Blisstree

crocheted ties

]]> 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 cotton yarn in the right shade of turquoise.  Time to pull out my trusty crochet hook!  I crocheted two looooong strands of single crochet – but they were awfully thin.  I was concerned that they might dig into my skin or break.  What’s a creative person to do?

Pull out a bigger crochet hook!

I crocheted the strand again, which made a soft, stretchy cord – perfect for doing this with:

crocheted ties on a stretch wrap top

The cord works beautifully, and better yet – I didn’t need to buy anything extra to complete the top :-)

image: C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

crocheted ties

]]> http://www.blisstree.com/articles/crocheted-ties-114/feed/ 2 fabric gift bags for birthdays? http://www.blisstree.com/articles/fabric-gift-bags-for-birthdays-114/ http://www.blisstree.com/articles/fabric-gift-bags-for-birthdays-114/#comments Sun, 10 Feb 2008 19:09:31 +0000 Chloe Findlay-Harder http://www.tangledthread.com/fabric-gift-bags-for-birthdays/ Post from: Blisstree

fabric gift bags for birthdays?

]]> 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 :-)

fabric gift bags for birthdays and holidays

These particular ones are for my Dad, who is a musician (I’ve been hoarding the fabric for years now, and finally decided it was time to use it!)

Post from: Blisstree

fabric gift bags for birthdays?

]]> http://www.blisstree.com/articles/fabric-gift-bags-for-birthdays-114/feed/ 2 how-to of the day: using bleach to stencil fabric http://www.blisstree.com/articles/how-to-of-the-day-using-bleach-to-stencil-fabric-114/ http://www.blisstree.com/articles/how-to-of-the-day-using-bleach-to-stencil-fabric-114/#comments Sat, 22 Sep 2007 22:16:52 +0000 Chloe Findlay-Harder http://www.tangledthread.com/how-to-of-the-day-using-bleach-to-stencil-fabric/ Post from: Blisstree

how-to of the day: using bleach to stencil fabric

]]> 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 :-)

Post from: Blisstree

how-to of the day: using bleach to stencil fabric

]]> http://www.blisstree.com/articles/how-to-of-the-day-using-bleach-to-stencil-fabric-114/feed/ 2 online help for learning to sew http://www.blisstree.com/articles/online-help-for-learning-to-sew-114/ http://www.blisstree.com/articles/online-help-for-learning-to-sew-114/#comments Fri, 29 Jun 2007 23:40:58 +0000 Chloe Findlay-Harder http://www.tangledthread.com/online-help-for-learning-to-sew/ Post from: Blisstree

online help for learning to sew

]]> 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 fabric store.  Some stores run classes, and most staff can offer advice on choosing a pattern, fabric & notions.  Ask nicely and avoid going in during big sales :-)
  • Do you have cable tv?  PBS & HGTV both run fantastic sewing shows – definitely worthwhile!
  • Nancy’s Notions, of tv’s “Sewing with Nancy” has a great website, with how-tos & easy beginner projects.
  • Sewing.org is the website of the Home Sewing Association & they have an excellent free tutorial on learning how to sew.    They also have an in-depth guideline to sewing, with everything from how to choose your tools to different types of seams.
  • Crafts & Fabrics Links is running an ongoing free learn-to-sew lesson online, by Christina Sherrod.  There are 10 lessons already posted with tons of quick links to other how-tos.

There you go, lots of resources & help for the new sewer!  It’s a fantastic skill to have and is useful to learn, not matter what your age :-)

Post from: Blisstree

online help for learning to sew

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