Look at what he surprised me with!

I’ve been lusting after a pair of Gingher scissors for years now – and he bought me a pair.
I think he’s a keeper

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 was just asked about how to use acrylic paints on fabric and whether or not you can wash them.  Most standard acrylic paints need to have a fabric paint medium added to them.  The medium makes the paints softer when they’re dried and allow you to wash the paint without worrying about washing it out.
You can also go with fabric paints, which have the fabric medium already added.  Commercial fabric paints have the added benefit of stronger colors.  Fabric medium can dilute the pigment, especially if you’re using an inexpensive craft paint.  Both commercial & hand-mixed fabric paints must …read more

I’ve got a question for all of my lovely readers.
What do you use as a cutting table for cutting out fabric?
I’m currently using a standard banquet-size folding table with a cardboard cutting mat on the top.  I also have heavy plastic mats with grids on them if I’m using a rotary cutter.
At this point, I’ve got quite a small studio and need to either use the living room (which isn’t always convienent) or go downstairs and use the basement.  I’ve got a lot more space in the basement – but the light isn’t good enough to cut out dark fabric …read more

I’m enjoying an afternoon in my studio and wanted to work on my backlog of projects   I’m trying to complete an overdue gift for my sister-in-law & thought I’d share it with you all.
I’m making a table runner out of a cotton-linen blend fabric.  I’m going to applique a celtic interlace on to the center of it, out of the same fabric.
I have one little problem…  The celtic interlace I want to use isn’t an iron-on pattern, it’s been printed off from my computer.  It’s from a Dover copyright free book of designs.  I started off by scanning …read more

I haven’t had much spare time lately to play around with my new/old treadle machine (pout, pout)  I’ve been trying to find a manual for it, but haven’t had any luck with tracking down any information for “Supremacy” machines.  My fiance even took up the search (hmm… I wonder if he hopes that he’ll get a shirt out of it if he’s the one to find a manual ) with no luck.
I did however find a fantastic site for treadle machines called “The Sewing Machine Shop“.  They have a ton of links to other treadle sites, instructions on …read more

Of course you do!  Find out after the jump….

I thought it would be fun to post a great site for hand-work & embroidery

Nordic Needle carries an amazing variety of supplies & tools for handwork. I believe they have something like 19,000 different products? Definitely worth exploring!

Do you use beeswax? If you don’t, consider it as a sewing accessory essential. It’s not only good for thread (wax not only strengthens thread but also stabilizes its twistability – hence no more tangled thread) but it’s also good for needles. I always stick my needle into beeswax before I start sewing. The needle glides easily through the fabric. These beeswax holders by Dritz are available just about everywhere sewing notions are sold. You can even get refills so you don’t have to buy holder after holder. But this will last a long time even if you use it …read more

This is the least expensive and perhaps the easiest way to store floss, again from Herrschners.

Here’s the winder from DMC®.

Here are plastic bobbins.

The bobbins can be stored in plastic sleeves, or a plastic case, or…

this lovely 3-Drawer Floss Cabinet!