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Tool School: Hand Sewing Needles
By Steve Butler What is it? No tools are more basic to sewing than needles are. They existed even before thread and fabric as our ancient ancestors used pointed objects to perforate hides so they could be laced together with leather cords.
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New Additions to I Sew For Fun
Clover and Nancy Zieman Productions bring you an expansion of our I Sew For Fun collection. This is a program designed to share a fun and creative experience with young enthusiastic sewists.
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Tool School Extra Credit: Scissors
By Shannon and Jason Mullett-Bowlsby Both of our mother’s and grandmother’s were sewers. It was never a question of “if” something was handmade, but “what” was being made today? Every afternoon would find Jason’s mom in her sewing room making clothes for the family or dolls and toys to sell. And often Shannon’s grandmother and great aunts worked on fine garments or quilts. Even as adults a favorite Christmas memory for both of us was getting to open a package containing new boxer shorts from Jason’s mom… really… those were some…
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Fall Mug Rug with Wonder Fuse
Designed by Debra Haney The Wonder Fuse is a paper backed fusible web useful for appliqué on apparel, quilts, embroidery, home decor and crafts. It keeps fabric soft and ready to sew, and recommended for your most delicate work and works perfectly when paired with the Wedge Iron. Project ideas are endless! Here’s one of our most recent projects using the Wonder Fuse.
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Tool School: Scissors and Shears
By Steve Butler What is it? Question, what is the one thing that we all do when we sew (any genre), when we knit or crochet (any genre) or craft (any genre)? Answer, we cut or otherwise shape some type of material so we can apply it to other materials so we can form our intended design. In each of these art forms we are engaged in cutting some type of textile based material into some predetermined shape or size.
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Tool School: Curve Ruler
By Steve Butler What is it? All right, we’ve decided to do a little fashion sewing. Cool. We’ve visited our local shop and poured over the pattern catalogs or perhaps searched favorite sites on the internet. In either case we’ve found a pattern that’s just what we’re looking for. We’ve reviewed the instructions on the back of the pattern envelope and acquired all of the required notions as well as the correct yardage of that killer fabric that will really make our project pop.
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A Look Back at Craftcation 2018
Craftcation, an annual celebration of the arts brought to you by Dear Handmade Life took place in Ventura, California from April 4-8th 2018. Clover was there. Read about our experience.
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Why Clover’s Bordeaux Ultimate Scissors by Nancy Zieman?
Are you familiar with Clover’s scissors? We have an array of quality scissors that will help enhance the fun you already have while sewing and quilting. Clover has a collection of Patchwork Scissors (available in four sizes) and Bordeaux Ultimate Scissors by Nancy Zieman which are the ones we will be breaking down here.
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Tool School: Macramé Plant Hanger Gauge
By Steve Butler What is it? When I ask anyone about macramé, no one ever mentions that it dates from the 13th century when it was an emerging art form produced by combining cords and knots to form intricate designs.
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Tool School: Bobbin Tatting Shuttles and Accessories
By Steve Butler What is it? The allure of tatting is undeniable. To confirm that just sit down in the presence of any large group, pull out your tatting shuttle and start putting rings and picots together.