Hi - it's Jen here again. While surfing for fabric, I've noticed that yo-yo makers are becoming very widely available. I wasn't sure whether I like the look of yo-yos at first - kinda fussy and flouncy looking. But I have to say that I'm getting increasingly fond of them, and fancy making a few from my ever increasing scrap bag.
Like I said, you can buy yo-yo makers for all kinds of shapes - circles, hearts, flowers etc. from brands including Clover, and they make cute embellishments. See the lazygirl website for a super-clear tutorial on how to use them. If you don't want to buy the makers (they're really cheap, but that's still fabric pennies used up!) then check out the fabulous Heather Bailey's website - her DIY class is quick and clear, and her fabrics and photos inspiring as always.
So I think I'll make a few and see what I'm inspired to do with them - if anyone else has any ideas or piccies, that would really help!
Hi, it’s me, Christine. I have a new obsession. It’s window treatments. I’m thinking about moving, and with moving comes redecorating, and with redecorating comes painting, and with painting comes new window treatments. Thus the new obsession.
I’ve made a few curtains in my day—just simple hemmed pieces of fabric that I inserted on the curtain rod and scrunched up artfully. Mainly just using regular cotton fabric from the sale area of my favorite local quilt shop. But I’m thinking I’m ready to step up my game. New patterns! New fabrics! So, I’m coming to you, dear reader, for some inspiration. What kind of window treatments have you made? What worked and what didn’t? Share your photos in the gallery—I’d love to see what you’ve made!
Hi - Jen here! As a book editor, I'm lucky enough to be able to attend book fairs every year, and tomorrow I'm off to the London International Book Fair (LIBF). I'm familiar with the US and UK sewing publications, and the Fair is a fantastic chance to get up to date with what everyone's doing in the coming year.
However it's also a wonderful way to get up close and personal to what the rest of the world is up to. For example, the Norwegians produce the delectable Tilda series of books, and David & Charles are lucky enough to publish the English language edition - just look at Sew Pretty Homestyle (US shop / UK shop) to see how this Norwegian influence has irresistible global appeal. Another of my recent favourites is Fabulous Felt (US shop / UK shop). Originally published in French, we have also benefited from our own translation of these gorgeous designs that have a certain 'je ne sais quoi'!
So I'll be keeping my eyes peeled tomorrow for the latest in sewing and fashion publishing from around the world, and hopefully soon we see more of these wonderful global sewing designers filling our bookshelves.
Mycraftivity.com now has over 1,000 members worldwide and is still growing fast! For us sewing guys it's even more exciting, as nearly 10% of those members are part of our very own group.
So keep blogging and chatting, and sharing photos and advice - the next 1,000 members are sure to find the Sewing + Fashion group irresistible to join!!!
Check out this free sewing project from the book Baby Couture (click here for US and here for UK). It's in pdf form, so download it now, as it will be up for only one week, when a new free project will be posted.
