New Blog Site

I found this site recently and subscribed via email - I've been thoroughly enjoying the ideas and projects they post.  Have a look at their blog --

FaveCrafts

And their website -- FaveCrafts

And here's an example of one of their cute projects - a reusable coupon envelope!  I am what many would call an "extreme couponer," and I just made one of these for myself.  It's much handier than using endless paper envelopes to store receipts and a few coupons in my purse:

And here's the full tutorial if you'd like to make one:  Reusable Coupon Envelope

Fave Crafts doesn't just have endless craft and sewing tutorials, they also have e-books that are free!  They are definitely worth checking out.  You can also subscribe via email or RSS feed.  Enjoy!

xoxoxoxox

Sew Stylish Spring 2011

I picked up the new spring 2011 edition of "Sew Stylish" at my local Sam's Club.  It's published by Threads (Taunton Press) -- and they're dependably good when it comes to sewing magazines.  I've also checked out "Quick Stuff to Sew" but never been nearly as impressed as I have been with "Sew Stylish."

So here's what I loved --

1.  The new runway fashions they note in "Fabric Lab" on pg. 12.  I could watch runway shows all day long, but I can never remember what it was that I really liked.  This helps immensely.  No wonder I really like Anna Sui -- the denim jumper from her show is adorable!

2.  The article on Cath Kidston was great, particularly because I picked up a book by her recently called ""In Print."  She has a wonderful website!  Check it out here:  Cath Kidston

3.  Hide a Zipper Inside a Pocket.  Good to know, nice reference for later.

4.  Quilt-Fabric Fashion.  There were a few things in this that helped me, and I have to say that I love working with this kind of fabric -- because it's predictable!  The section on underlining was great.

5.  The twisted cowl tank is so pretty -- and I already have a Hot Patterns version of this.  What interested me here was the way the construction was done.  There is also a pattern in the back, in case I want to use that.

6.  "Snap to It" -- what a great idea!  I loved this!  So many ways to change up a dress, skirt, shirt, sleeves -- I am forever pulling things in to give them shape.  This was just wonderful, giving a new way to do just that with snaps.

7.  Remakes -- I love the flouncy tank.  So pretty, although I think I would do a different neckline.  And since I've made some scarf-necked cardigans lately, the one they showed was cute and easy.

8.  Although I probably will never get time to do it, the Leather and Chain bracelet is a very cute idea.  It looks easy enough for me - a non-jewelry crafty person -  to accomplish.

Lastly, I have to say that I have an infinite appreciation for the way these folks always give a little photo of the inspiration for the project.  This is usually straight off the runway, very now, very on trend.  I pay attention to what's in shops now, but this is so much more helpful when it comes to keeping up.

No matter what your level of sewing expertise, you'd do well to pick this one up.  Let me know if you do one of their projects!  I'd love to hear about it!

xoxoxoxoxo

Quickie Video on Sewing Machine Essentials

You can also find this on YouTube --

I'm also in the process of doing one for hand sewing -- 

Enjoy!

xoxoxox

p.s.  Be sure and enter the giveaway below . . . 

Easy Fix

Some of you may do this, but I thought I'd offer this tip anyway.

I have a work table, but I haven't had the room to use it. It's an old oak door that weighs about a bazillion tons. I've covered it with blue checked gingham, because it makes it easier to see a straight line.

It sits on sawhorses that a friend made for me, specifically to the height I wanted. So the table sits at just the right height for me. It saves my back.

HOWEVER . . . I'm currently working on the dining room table. I've had to stage my house to sell (it sold before it actually even went on the market -- a God thing), so I had to take the sewing room apart and make it a dining room again.

So today I was cutting the muslins for the prom dresses, and my back was starting to kill me from leaning over the table. It's just a regular dining height table.

Then I remembered.

So I went to the closet where everything is stored, and I got out the bed risers I bought awhile ago.

Problem solved! The table is now at a height that's perfect for me. No more aching back.

If you're working on a table that is just too low, this is a great fix. You can find bed risers just about anywhere. I've seen them at the linen stores and online, and I think I may have even gotten these at Wal-Mart.

Easy fix!

xoxox

Kitchen Meets Sewing Room

I have a great juicer that I got online; it's a Breville. I've been using it lately a lot -- trying to get on track to being healthy. This morning, I juiced up 3 pineapples.

The waste/pulp bin was about 3/4 full, and looked altogether too juicy to me. My solution? Find something to drain the juice out. I don't have cheesecloth readily available, and most of my dishtowels are terrycloth, so I went in search of something I could use.

I walked into the sewing room and spied netting that I have to put in a skirt for Barbie (dang! Still have to finish that!) Anyway -- I immediately thought 'netting! That will do the trick!"

I had some actual crinoline leftover from my days of making bridal gowns. So I cut a big square, dumped the pulp into it, and left it to drain for awhile.

I got another full cup of juice out, no kidding! In the end, I squeezed as much as I could out.

So if you're lacking something in the kitchen, try looking in your sewing stash. You just never know.

xoxox