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Create-a-Pincushion
What is it? – “A pincushion is a small, stuffed cushion, typically 3-5 cm across, which is used in sewing to store pins or needles with their heads protruding to take hold of them easily, collect them, and keep them organized. Pincushions are typically filled tightly with stuffing to hold pins rigidly in place.” Wikipedia. Really, is that all there is to it? Pretty black and white description but yes, it’s a clever tool that is truly necessary for every sewing studio. Keeps all of our pins and needles organized and safe from…
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Hot Hemmer & Hot Ruler
What is it? – Think about what we do when we construct any sewn project. Most likely we take large pieces of fabric and cut them into small pieces of fabric and then we sew them back together into large pieces of fabric again. And it’s all done with some creative vision in mind. If we measure, mark, cut, pin, press and sew accurately the result is something that is pleasing to us. If we don’t . . . ah well, then not so much. But there’s more to consider. More effort…
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Mini Weaving Loom
What is it? – When you think about it you’ll have to admit it’s true. Most of us have been weaving since childhood. Remember the square plastic looms we used as children to weave countless preformed cotton loops into all of those square hot pads using that funny looking long hook? It was great fun because we could select the color patterns for our own personal designs and we were really making something. Regardless of how far in the past our childhood was, the history of loom weaving predates us all…
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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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Tool School: Straight Pins
By Steve Butler 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.
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Loop Pressing Bars
What is it? Quilting, fashion, home decor and all of the accessories relating to each – all of us do some of it and some of us do all of it. At the end of the day, though, we’re all doing the same thing. We’re creating. Our pallet is an inexhaustible array of designer fabrics and our canvas is an equally extensive selection of patterns. But how about the accents? You know, those things that add the personality to our project. They may provide either color or form or function or…
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Tool School: Loop Pressing Bars
By Steve Butler What is it? Quilting, fashion, home decor and all of the accessories relating to each – all of us do some of it and some of us do all of it. At the end of the day, though, we’re all doing the same thing. We’re creating. Our pallet is an inexhaustible array of designer fabrics and our canvas is an equally extensive selection of patterns. But how about the accents?
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Tool School: Rotary Cutters
By Steve Butler 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 into larger pieces of fabric fitting our creative design. Fashion, quilting, home decor and a whole host of accessories for all of them.
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Rotary 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 into larger pieces of fabric fitting our creative design. Fashion, quilting, home decor and a whole host of accessories for all of them. It all starts with the cut. And it makes sense then that the more precise that cut, the more precise our finished project will be and the happier we are with what we’ve accomplished. So what do we use to make these…
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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.