Pattern Mess

I have found one of the greatest ways to store patterns is to put them in the sleeves of a large scrapbook. The sleeve acts as a static cling which keeps the folded pieces from sliding out. It is also a great way to organize them along with all the rest of your crafting ideas. Adding tabs is a great way to stay organized.

One Quilt Four Days

This is a quilt I made for a friend's birthday present. There is no greater joy than giving a quilt as a gift. There is so much thought put into every selection, stitch, and blood shed. This was one of the easiest quilts I have made because I bought about ten different black and white prints, laid them out in a stack, and cut through all the layers in one whack. I saw a quilt very similiar to this online and decided to make a better one.

I love my sewing machine. It has a top load bobbin and digital screen. I am also known as that girl with the sewing machine in her trunk.

I thought I would personalize it a little bit by embroidering happy birthday on the back. I'm one of those people who likes to remember years down the road who gave things to me, so I thought this would be a great addition.

My First Applique and Her First Tote

Simple totes are one of the most fun things to make, great gifts, inexpensive, and a great project for someone who is just learning how to sew. All you need is approximately 1/2 yard of your outer fabric, 1/2 yard of your inner fabric, 1" trim for straps, and anything else you want to add to "cutesie" it up. Add an applique, some cute buttons, or trim for fun. Make it reversible by using a different fabric for the inside and flip it for a new look.

This is the applique that is on the reversible side of this tote.

Heat&Bond is my new best friend. I have fallen in love once again with this wonderful product. I have found that stores that sell this product and don't specialize in fabric, such as your local convenience store, are a lot cheaper. If you would like to make two fabrics stick together and not have to sew around it, try using the heavy duty. I used it for a fabric collage in my 2D art class, and it worked great!

Teaching Someone to Sew is the Greatest Feeling

I am a frequent "sewer" you might say. One of the most wonderful feelings is when you do something new in the sewing world. Being a student and having a job I don't sew as much as I would like, but I make every effort at every opportunity. Tonight I got the opportunity to teach my best friend to sew. She is more like a sister. I noticed she was always amazed at every little thing I make which is quite often. While sewing one of my projects tonight, she says, "I wanna make a tote! Let's go buy some fabric!" Of course I jump right up, and we head off to the wonderful world of fabric. I showed her how my sewing machine operates. "Put your foot on the 'gas,' direct the fabric with your hands, and go ." Her eyes lit up, amazed. When it came to her turn, she came to the realization that it was the foot pedal that made it "go." It amazes me every day when I realize how little people these days know about sewing. Since I work in a fabric and crafts store, I hear things like this every day. I have got to say that she did really well on her first sewing project. It was a reversible tote with an applique on the front. I sewed the applique of course, but she did a very great job. Nothing makes me happier than to see someone learn how to sew.