-
SWEET `N SHARP Macarons
Sweet ‘n Sharp Macarons with instructor Steve Butler Class 129 What is it? When we think of sewing, two things come to mind first. Needles and threads. They are just basic to everything we do in sewing. Historically speaking, the demands of both existing and emerging sewing technique have resulted in the development of an amazing array of modern, technologically advanced hand sewing needle styles. This basic sewing tool has evolved over the years to compliment virtually every genre of sewing specialty including general sewing, appliqué, embroidery, ribbon embroidery, quilting, upholstery, tapestry, basting, beading,…
-
Tailor’s AWL
Tailor’s Awls with instructor Steve Butler Class 128 What is it? Open any catalog of sewing notions and you’ll immediately be overwhelmed. There are so many specialty tools with each designed to assist us in an incredibly wide variety of specific sewing tasks. It’s often hard to keep track of them all. There are, however, some sewing tools found within those pages that are common, even necessary, to almost everything we do in sewing. And as expected, many of those tasks involve detail work. Quilting, fashion, home décor or crafts, all are made…
-
Extra Credit: Custom Fit T-SHIRTS
Custom Fit T-Shirt By the Shibaguyz Who doesn’t love a good T-shirt? They go with everything from jeans to modern business attire. We have them in various colors, with and without graphics. The one issue… the fit. T-shirts are made to fit a wide population, most of whom have unique sizing issues. Curvy? Broad chested and narrow waisted? Your new T right out of the package is going to hang awkwardly rather than compliment you. And buying “athletic fit” or “shaped” T’s can be quite expensive. What’s the solution? Custom…
-
Thimbles
Thimbles with instructor Steve Butler Class 127 What is it? You know what they say, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” In the case of thimbles it is certainly true. Thimbles in one form or another, have been around as long as needles have. Why? Well, whether you’re pushing a spike through animal hides in ancient times or a shiny new hand sewing needle through an expensive high thread count cotton fabric today, it still hurts your fingers. The other reason might even be more important, precision. Being able to position and insert the needle in…
-
Curve Ruler
Curve Ruler with instructor Steve Butler Class 126 What is it? Is fashion important? Yes! Absolutely! Almost without exception, we feel better when we’re wearing something we consider fashionable. And what makes it fashionable? Style, fit, aesthetics and function. It looks good and we feel good in it. If it’s going to be something we make ourselves, it starts with an amazing pattern that we find. It’s important to realize though, that these patterns often indicate only general sizes that fit the average proportions for each size. But truth be told, no one is average. What that means to us…
-
Extra Credit: Pillow Slipcover By the Shibaguyz
Pillow Slipcover By the Shibaguyz It’s inevitable, especially at this time of the year when we are spending so much of our time inside with our possessions. You start to notice all the small things: The pulled threads, the small stains, that slightly worn edge on the sofa pillow. Or maybe you are just really tired of looking at the same elephant staring at you from the pillow print. New Years is just around the corner, it’s time for an easy makeover. We suggest the humble Pillow Slipcover. The pillow…
-
Pressing Station
Pressing Station with instructor Steve Butler Class 125 What is it? We’ve all seen it. Two friends make the same sewn project using the same pattern and similar fabrics and threads. Both friends are accomplished sewists so we’re kind of expecting the finished projects to look the same or, at least, similar. And yet somehow, they’re not. One is a little more rumpled and uneven. The intersecting seams don’t lie flat and the stitch-work stands out so far as to be obvious when it shouldn’t be. And there’s something about the darts that just isn’t right. But…
-
Shears & Cutters
What is it? Everything we do in sewing starts with cutting larger pieces of fabric into smaller pieces of fabric, before we can reassemble them again into larger pieces of fabric fitting our creative design. Fashion, quilting, heirloom, home décor and crafts, it all starts with the cut. And the more precise the cut, the more precise our finished project will be and by extension, the happier we are with what we’ve accomplished. So what do we use to make these all important cuts? Scissors and rotary cutters of course. Two entirely…
-
Extra Credit: Kanzashi Flower Hair Comb
Kanzashi Flower Hair Comb By the Shibaguyz Kanzashi flowers have been used for centuries in Japanese culture as ornamentation for hair combs and picks. Originally, makers of Kanzashi would train for years to learn the intricate art of folding and sewing fabric into floret shapes, but thanks to the fab folks at Clover, you can make your own Kanzashi Hair Comb using their templates that make quick work of these intricate shapes. In only a few minutes with a minimum of effort you can have a beautiful accessory for your…
-
Fashion Accessories: Pom-Poms, Tassels & Kanzashi Flower Makers
Fashion Accessories- Pom-Poms, Tassels & Kanzashi Flower Makers with instructor Steve Butler Class 123 What is it? – Hit Paris Fashion Week and grab a seat at one of the famous catwalk displays at the Carrousel du Louvre, or just cruise through your favorite haunts at the local shopping mall. What you’ll see is the creative result of the creative efforts of some of the most creative people on earth. And there are no holds barred when it comes to fashion, form or fit. So, what do these creators do to add that…