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Hand Sewing Needles
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. Centuries of technology later we have highly advanced, modern hand sewing needles that do basically the same thing. But they do it so much better now. Few tools are more useful. This primordial sewing tool has evolved into virtually every genre of sewing specialty including general sewing, appliqué, embroidery, ribbon…
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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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Scissors & Shears
What is it? -Because of that they have enjoyed the natural evolution that comes with the application of developing technology. The scissors and shears we use today bear but a faint resemblance to those used by our ancestors. In high-quality scissors the blades are extremely sharp and are positioned to increase the cutting and shearing tension at the exact point where the blades meet and the fabric is cleanly cut. A true performance test of any scissor or shear necessarily focuses on how cleanly they cut both multiple layers…
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Curve Ruler
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. Keep in mind we’ll also want to make it…
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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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Macramé Plant Hanger Gauge
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. Nor does anyone ever mention that its popularity peaked in 19th Century Victorian England when it was the “to die for” art form for all of the ladies of the age. You never hear any of that. But when anyone sees actual macramé up close they immediately start talking about the 70’s. Yea…
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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.
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Bobbin Tatting Shuttles & Accessories
What is it? -To assist you in your pursuit of all things tatting, Clover has developed an actual system of tatting products. Improving on the traditional tatting shuttle, Clover’s new Bobbin Tatting Shuttle allows you to wind your thread on a separate bobbin and then just insert it into the shuttle when needed. No longer do we need to wind our thread onto the shuttle itself. We can pre-wind as many bobbins as necessary in as many colors as necessary and all well in advance of beginning our project. And…
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Tool School: I Sew For Fun by Nancy Zieman
By Steve Butler What is it? What would you do if you wanted to give someone the gift that is sewing? You know, to enable an individual to achieve their creative expression through sewing, whether that be fashion, quilting, home décor or crafting.
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I Sew For Fun
What is it? – What would you do if you wanted to give someone the gift that is sewing? You know, to enable an individual to achieve their creative expression through sewing, whether that be fashion, quilting, home décor or crafting. Or, for that matter, any variation or combination of all of the above. What’s important to have? What’s necessary? First of all for any project in any genre related to the use of fabric in sewing or crafts, the requirement for making accurate measurements is absolute. Being able to precisely…