Arts & Crafts Blog
Not sure what you need to get started on your sewing adventures? In the fourth video of my First Steps series, I review all the basic tools that I use any time I tackle a sewing project. Once you have the basics, from scissors to pin cushions, it’s all about buying different notions when a particular project calls for them or just when you want a neat and specialized tool that makes sewing easier.
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Last night was the first night I taught a Beginner Piecing class at my great friends’ quilt shop, Inspire! We started with this cute block design called Deck of Cards. The one above is mine and the beautiful ones below were completed by first-time quilters.
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Your machine should have a dial that adjusts the length of your stitches, which may lead you to wonder to yourself, “my goodness, self, there are so many stitch length options, how do I know which one to use?” Stitch length is going to depend on a few factors: weight of fabric, texture of fabric, and the kind of sewing you’re doing. In general, though, you’ll want to use shorter stitches for thinner, finer fabrics and longer stitches for thicker, heavier fabrics and for basting. However, should you wish to know more about stitch length, do read on.
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Whether you’re a new sewist or an old hand like me, there is never an end to learning more about the craft of sewing. I thought it would be a good exercise to take the time to write a series on all the small details of sewing that often get overlooked. To start off the series, let’s talk about machine needles.
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Today’s adventure is brought to you by Amy over at Positively Splendid. She designed a gorgeous ruffled crib skirt and made a great tutorial for it. My friend Lacey is having a baby girl and we decided to give this crib skirt a try because it just screams baby girl chic and we both instantly fell in love.
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My friend, Gwen, has invented these amazing reference cards that help you figure out how much fabric to buy when you’re at the store but don’t have your sewing patterns with you. They are also helpful if you are good at making your own clothing patterns – you’ll know how much fabric to buy if you want to design a dress or a skirt. In this video, Gwen explains how to read and use the reference cards.
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Just a couple of weeks ago, I finally finished my first e-book: Darling Beginnings. It’s a great addition to my First Steps series of video tutorials. Between the two, anyone who wants to learn to sew, should get all the knowledge they need to begin living the life of a sewing enthusiast.
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Several people have asked where I got the pincushion ring I’m wearing in my video tutorials (here, here, here, and here), so I thought I would make a quick post dedicated to it.
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Last week, I launched the first three videos (here, here, and here) in my First Steps series for beginning sewists. This week, I wanted to take a break from the basics and get into a sewing project that is fun and easy for any sewing skill level. In this video, I show you how to make a simple drawstring bag out of one piece of fabric and a few pieces of ribbon.
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The third video in my First Steps series covers everything a beginner needs to know about buying and cutting (or ripping) fabric. Next time you venture into a fabric shop, you’ll be able to step right up to the counter and say, “I’ll take 5/8 yards of this fabric, a fat quarter of that fabric, and a few of these fat eights, thanks,” and you’ll know what you’re talking about. Then, when you get back to your sewing room, you can cut everything up for your next project. Enjoy!
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From quilting to dressmaking and everything in between, Darling Adventures is dedicated to all things sewing. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced sewist, you'll find fun and easy-to-follow projects and tutorials to keep your sewing heart happy. [Read More …]