• Session 11,  Sewing/Quilting

    Roll & Press

      What is it? – These are pressing issues.  Shakespeare might even ask, “To press or not to press, that is the question.”  Well, no matter who is asking the question, the answer is the same, a resounding yes to press.  Some very important things happen when we press each seam as we sew it and they make all the difference between something that looks “finished” and something that looks much more amateurish.  Pressing as you go allows your project to acquire the intended shape more quickly and allows you…

  • Knitting/Crochet,  Session 11

    Takumi Knitting Needles

    What is it?– In its most elemental form, knitting is simply a method by which we apply various technique to yarn with knitting needles and turn it into a unique fabric that mirrors our creative intent.  Using knitting needles we are able to manipulate yarn to create multiple loops in a line on the needle shaft or cord. As each of these rows progress, a newly created loop is pulled through one or more loops from the previous row, placing the new row on the gaining needle. The resulting knitted fabric consists…

  • Knitting/Crochet,  Session 11

    Darning Needles

      What is it?– In the history of mankind it is hard to find a tool that is more enduring, more useful than the hand sewing needle.  Initially they were basic to the production of everything we made from clothing to shelter.  And we still use them today.  Modern needles, however, have become much more specialized, adapting shape, length, diameter and eye to meet the unique requirements specific applications.  Darning needles are just one category of those specialized hand sewing needles that has been modified for specific techniques.  Basically, darning needles…

  • Session 10,  Sewing/Quilting

    Air Erasable & White Marking Pen

    What is it?– “The devil is in the detail”.  It’s a common enough phrase.  Perhaps some of us has even used it.  But what does it really mean, “the devil in the detail”?  How often do we start a project that looks like it’s going to be a snap, only to get bogged down in all of the details.  You know, all the little things that consume so much time, make us a little crazy and eventually affect the quality of our finished project or maybe even determine if it gets…

  • Session 10,  Sewing/Quilting

    Magnet Pin Caddy and Dome Threaded Needle Case

    What is it?– “I’m on pins and needles.”  We’ve all heard the phrase and we know what it means.  A sense of anxiety or suspense.  But how could that possibly apply to sewing?  Pins and needles of course.  We all use them but they’re all armed with wickedly sharp little points.  Hence the anxiety or suspense.  We’ve all been stuck more than once while we’ve had to sort through a pile of pins or needles looking for the one we need.  But it’s a hodge-podge of shafts and points all aimed…