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French Knitter & Wonder Knitter
What is it? Here’s a question for you. What is the easiest way to make eye popping embellishments for everything from home decor projects to fashion accessories? Also throw in the ability to make stunning jewelry, elegant scarves, clever hats, attractive belts, beautiful throw rugs, cute coasters, decorative place mats with matching table runners and so much more. Oh, one more thing, make sure the process is incredibly simple and has unlimited creative potential. The answer? I-cords of course. That’s right, those woven cords of yarn we made as children. Remember…
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Hold it Precision Stiletto Extra Credit
Art No. 7807 Shannon and Jason Mullett-Bowlsby are the dynamic DIY duo known as the Shibaguyz, and the creative geniuses behind Shibaguyz Designz Studio.Their award winning crochet & knit designs have been featured in and on the covers of both US and international publications. Their craft, portrait, and fashion photography has appeared in six books and numerous magazines around the globe. Together, the Shibaguyz team currently has over 300 published patterns and 10 books credited to their names. Shannon and Jason live in Seattle, Washington with…
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Hold It Precision Stiletto
What is it? So much of what we do in sewing involves detail work. Quilting, fashion, home decor or accessories all are made better when we pay attention to even the most obscure details in the construction process. But this requires more than just paying attention. It means all of those little points, folds, creases or seams have to be perfect. Unfortunately when we’re sewing or pressing these details into place our fingers often go into harm’s way. Proximity to sharp needles and hot irons can be a real creative…
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I Sew For Fun
What is it? Chances are if you’re into sewing it’s because you were introduced to it by someone. Maybe a friend or your mom or dad or even a grandmother or grandfather or other relative. The point remains, however, that most often someone close to you inspired you, encouraged you and taught you. And because of them you grew to understand and appreciate the rewards of the creative art of sewing. Whether fashion, quilting, heirloom or home decor, it matters not. To be able to sit down with needle and…
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Snag Repair Needles
What is it? It’s always your new sweater, coat, blouse or pants. The dreaded snag. An unruly thread pulled free and right there for everyone to see. You can pat it down but you know it’ll come back. Cut it off and you leave a hole in its place. That’s no answer either. How can we make it better? Come to think of it, are there other occasions when we face the same dilemma? A loose thread that doesn’t belong? Yup, sewing in general. Sewing is full of circumstances where…
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Bias Tape Makers
What does it do? Bias binding tape has been called “the duct tape of sewing.” Why? Because, like the actual duct tape, it’s just so handy. We can use it to join raw edges of fabric in any fashion that suits our creative vision. Bold fashion accents, button hole loops, draw strings, bag straps, elastic casings, edges of hot pads, placemats, bibs, quilts, blankets, pillows, necklines, arm holes or for just decorative appliqué embellishment. The list of bias tape applications is truly endless. Well, those are some ideas of what…
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Straight Pins
What is it? What do we think of when the topic of straight pins comes to the fore? Usually we think of those sharp little devils that find us when we’re not looking for them. You know, the one that’s hidden in that quilt top that we’re folding (but is now in our finger) or perhaps the one that we dropped earlier in the day and is now lodged in our favorite pair of socks (that we’re still wearing) or maybe the one we forget to remove and hit with…