Watch Video Here! Visit Our Website Here! Welcome to Tool School! with Instructor Katrina Walker In this episode of Tool School, We will explore the Fabric Tube Maker. The Fabric Tube Maker makes it easy to create tubes for Jelly Roll® projects and other fun fabric crafts. The Fabric Tube Maker is made from 4… Read More Fabric Tube Maker
Watch Video Here! Visit Our Website Here! Welcome to Tool School! with Instructor Katrina Walker In this episode of Tool School, We will explore the Slash Cutter (Art. No. 499). The Slash Cutter is specially designed to be used for creating faux chenille. Faux chenille is a textured textile art technique that uses multiple layers of… Read More Slash Cutter
Watch Video Here! Pattern Cutting Guide Visit Our Website Here! Welcome to Tool School! with Instructor Katrina Walker In this episode of Tool School, We will explore the Pattern Cutting Guide. In this episode of Tool School, we will explore the Pattern Cutting Guide. The Pattern Cutting Guide is designed to cut around patterns while… Read More Pattern Cutting Guide
Visit Our Website Here! Welcome to Tool School! with Instructor Katrina Walker In this episode of Tool School, We will explore the Curve Ruler with Mini Ruler. This package of rulers features two different rulers made expressly for marking curves plus a handy ½ inch wide mini ruler. The Curve Ruler with Mini Ruler set… Read More Curve Ruler with Mini Ruler
Macaron By Shannon and Jason So, you’ve been bitten by the creativity bug and decided that hand sewing is going to be your next foray into the maker world… WELCOME! There are so many styles to choose from… embroidery, sashiko, needlepoint, crewel, kogin-zashi, or cross stitch. Whether sewing is your primary form of creative expression,… Read More Extra Credit: Sweet `n Sharp Macaron
Pins By Shannon and Jason A quick glance at Clover’s website will show a plethora of items made just for marking fabric and projects…literally dozens. GAH! Where to start? We understand how confusing it can be. We keep a healthy variety of these marking tools at our cutting table, sewing machines, and workspace… just in… Read More Extra Credit: Marking Tools
Straight Pins with Instructor Steve Butler Class 163 Visit Our Website Here! What is it? Let’s assume you’ve just found that perfect sewing project. Fashion, fashion accessories, heirloom, quilts, home décor, crafts, whatever. Fabric and pattern are identified and are on hand ready to go to work. What else do we need? Tools! We’ve got to measure, mark and… Read More Straight Pins
“Quick” Yo-Yo Maker with Instructor Steve Butler Class 162 View at our website What is it? Fabric yo-yo’s. What’s not to like? They’re fun, fast and a definite avenue for creative expression. What can you make with these little fabric gems? Who cares? For some it’s nothing more than a therapeutic journey to some level of nirvana. But… Read More “Quick” Yo-Yo Makers
Fabric Folding Pen with Instructor Steve Butler Class 161 View at our website What is it? We get it, no one likes to take the time to press fabric pieces when putting together that new creative inspiration. The sewing machine is ready, that fabulous fabric is ready, the complimenting thread is ready and, most importantly, we’re… Read More Fabric Folding Pen
Tracing Paper “Clover Chacopy” with Instructor Steve Butler Class 160 View at our website What is it? When it comes to sewing, and that’s what we do, tracing our pattern designs onto fabric is one of our least favorite activities. We find that perfect pattern, amazing fabric and complimenting thread and we just want to jump… Read More Tracing Paper “Clover Chacopy”
Hot Ruler Large and Hot Hemmer Square with Instructor Steve Butler Class 159 View at our website Visit our website What is it? If we were to make a list of essential actions required to achieve our most lofty creative aspirations when sewing, pressing would be near or even at the top of that list. Precise… Read More Hot Ruler & Hot Hemmer
Hot Hemmer Square & Hot Ruler Large By Shannon and Jason Well… Clover has done it again. Just when we were looking for a product, here they are with exactly what we need. They have expanded their line of pressing tools to include the Hot Ruler Large and Hot Hemmer Square. If you are a garment… Read More Extra Credit: Hot Hemmer Square & Hot Ruler Large
Tracing Wheels with Instructor Steve Butler Class 158 View at our website What is it? The genesis of almost everything we create when we sew begins with a pattern of some form. Fashion, fashion accessories, heirloom, purses and bags, quilts, home decor, they all use them. In our selection process we identify potential candidates from the perfectly… Read More Tracing Wheels
No-Sew, Iron-On Octopatch By Shannon and Jason Oney the Octopatch Here, in our part of the world, we are entering that time of year when the skies are clearer, the breeze is warmer, and the wind carries the unmistakable sound of screaming little folx who have looked forward to summer break for months but now… Read More Extra Credit: No-Sew, Iron-On Octopatch
Stitch Guide with Instructor Steve Butler Class 156 View at our website What is it? Ever watch an accomplished sewer lay down a line of stitches? It’s always perfectly straight or curved as desired. It looks easy, right? Well, easy until you drop the presser foot and the stitching begins. Then the skills of said sewist become glaringly evident. There’s… Read More Stitch Guide
Mini Iron II: The Adapter Set with Instructor Steve Butler Class 152 View at our website What is it? First of all, why do we call it a “mini iron”? Because of its diminutive size? Yeah, pretty much. But that name is a true misnomer. Even though labeled as “mini”, the small size really packs a punch and makes… Read More Mini Iron II: “The Adapter Set”
Fabric Tube Maker with Instructor Steve Butler Class 155 What is it? Jelly Roll™ projects of all types are more popular than ever. Home décor, fashion, fashion accessories, quilting, or any other application you can imagine. The three dimensional effect of the folded fabric tubes are particularly enticing. Add to that the unlimited selection of fabric colors, patterns… Read More Fabric Tube Maker
Tracing Wheels By Shannon and Jason Medieval torture devices? Baking for making those cool cuts in the top of your bread? What exactly are those strange looking wheelie-pokey-thing-a-ma-bob-tools that come in sewing tool kits and why should I learn to use them? If your first exposure to tracing wheels brought up these questions, you aren’t… Read More Extra Credit: Tracing Wheels
No Hassles Triangle Gauge with instructor Steve Butler What is it? – We’ve all been there, right? We’re in our favorite quilt shop and as usual, we see some amazing quilts. Flying Geese, Drunkard’s Path, School House, Log Cabin, Dresden Plate, Double Wedding Ring, Bear Paw, Half Square, Mariner’s Compass, it goes on and on. Talk about inspiration! Or maybe… Read More No-Hassle Triangle Gauge
“Quick Cut” Thread Cutter with instructor Steve Butler Class 138 What is it? – Is there anything more exciting than sitting down with a stack of gorgeous fabric in front of you and an image of the most incredible quilt solidly focused in your mind? Maybe we just found the ultimate Charm Pack at our favorite… Read More Quick Cut Thread Cutter
Snag Repair Needles By the Shibaguyz It’s happened to us all… you’re pulling your favorite sweater down from the closet and oops, it catches on a spot on the shelf—SNAG! Or maybe you’re the outdoorsy type and tend to walk a little too close to brambles or blackberry bushes—SNAG! Perhaps you’re like us… just walking… Read More Extra Credit: Snag Repair Needles
Needle Threaders with instructor Steve Butler Class 137 What is it? – Every notice how it’s never the old garments that fall victim to the dreaded snag? Those sweaters, coats, blouses or pants that never leave our home seem to never to snag. But something new, something we can’t wait to be seen in and snags plague… Read More Snag Repair Needles
Fork Pins By the Shibaguyz Pins are the ubiquitous tool of sewists, crafters, quilters, garment makers, crocheters, knitters… basically anyone who ever touches fabric will use pins, and use them often. Some pins tell you what they are designed for—like Silk Pins or Quilting Pins—others you must play with a while to find their best… Read More Extra Credit: Fork Pins
Needle Threaders with instructor Steve Butler What is it? – Few sewing tools are more useful and necessary than hand sewing needles. Specific needle styles have evolved into virtually every genre of sewing specialty including general sewing, appliqué, embroidery, ribbon embroidery, quilting, upholstery, tapestry, basting, beading, darning, tailoring, etc. Additionally, and regardless of style, each needle is… Read More Needle Threaders
Hera Markers and Finger Presser with instructor Steve Butler Class 135 What is it? – Hera Markers. Wow! Kind of a misnomer. Kind of not. Compared with other more traditional markers like pens and pencils that leave definitive lines, they’re not markers at all. If, however, you want a marker that leaves clear, easily identifiable lines to follow while… Read More Finger Presser / Hera Marker
Fork Pins with instructor Steve Butler Class 134 When we think about it, the pursuit of our creative sewing aspirations always seem to follow the same basic path regardless of genre. Quilting, fashion, home decor, heirloom or crafts. In each we cut large pieces of fabric into smaller pieces of fabric, reorganize them in some imagined… Read More Fork Pins
Stitch Dome Tutorial By the Shibaguyz Your favorite top. You know the one. It might be past it’s prime or maybe it’s brand new, but you love how it fits, you love how you look in it, and you look forward to wearing it again as soon as you take it off. Then, one day,… Read More Extra Credit: Stitch Dome Tutorial
Stitch Dome with instructor Steve Butler Class 130 What is it? Embroidery hoops are familiar to all of us who do hand embroidery, applique or cross stitch. They’ve been around forever, are made from any number of materials from wood, plastic or even PVC pipe. They are also available in a wide assortment of sizes, each fitted… Read More Stitch Dome
Sweet ‘n Sharp Macarons with instructor Steve Butler Class 129 What is it? When we think of sewing, two things come to mind first. Needles and threads. They are just basic to everything we do in sewing. Historically speaking, the demands of both existing and emerging sewing technique have resulted in the development of an amazing array of… Read More SWEET `N SHARP Macarons
Tailor’s Awls with instructor Steve Butler Class 128 What is it? Open any catalog of sewing notions and you’ll immediately be overwhelmed. There are so many specialty tools with each designed to assist us in an incredibly wide variety of specific sewing tasks. It’s often hard to keep track of them all. There are, however, some… Read More Tailor’s AWL
Custom Fit T-Shirt By the Shibaguyz Who doesn’t love a good T-shirt? They go with everything from jeans to modern business attire. We have them in various colors, with and without graphics. The one issue… the fit. T-shirts are made to fit a wide population, most of whom have unique sizing issues. Curvy? Broad chested… Read More Extra Credit: Custom Fit T-SHIRTS
Thimbles with instructor Steve Butler Class 127 What is it? You know what they say, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” In the case of thimbles it is certainly true. Thimbles in one form or another, have been around as long as needles have. Why? Well, whether you’re pushing a spike through animal hides in ancient times or a… Read More Thimbles
Curve Ruler with instructor Steve Butler Class 126 What is it? Is fashion important? Yes! Absolutely! Almost without exception, we feel better when we’re wearing something we consider fashionable. And what makes it fashionable? Style, fit, aesthetics and function. It looks good and we feel good in it. If it’s going to be something we make ourselves, it starts with an amazing… Read More Curve Ruler
Pillow Slipcover By the Shibaguyz It’s inevitable, especially at this time of the year when we are spending so much of our time inside with our possessions. You start to notice all the small things: The pulled threads, the small stains, that slightly worn edge on the sofa pillow. Or maybe you are just really… Read More Extra Credit: Pillow Slipcover By the Shibaguyz
Pressing Station with instructor Steve Butler Class 125 What is it? We’ve all seen it. Two friends make the same sewn project using the same pattern and similar fabrics and threads. Both friends are accomplished sewists so we’re kind of expecting the finished projects to look the same or, at least, similar. And yet somehow, they’re not. One is… Read More Pressing Station
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 again into larger pieces of fabric fitting our creative design. Fashion, quilting, heirloom, home décor and crafts, it all starts with the cut. And the more precise the cut, the more precise… Read More Shears & Cutters
The Shibaguyz Sewing Must Haves Shannon and Jason Mullett-Bowlsby are the dynamic DIY duo known as the Shibaguyz, and the creative geniuses behind Shibaguyz Designz Studio.Their award winning crochet & knit designs have been featured in and on the covers of both US and international publications. Their craft, portrait, and fashion photography has appeared in… Read More Extra Credit: Shibaguyz Sewing Must Haves
What is it? – Chances are if you’re into sewing, you’ve narrowed your focus and you’re into primarily one specific genre of sewing. Maybe couture fashion and accessories or perhaps heirloom sewing. Could be you love quilting or maybe home décor is your thing. Regardless, the sewing studio associated with each will be found to be replete with… Read More Sewing Studio Essentials
What is it? – Let’s just take a minute and think about the actual process of your last sewing project. You’ve measured, marked and cut your most treasured fabric into the required component pieces. With great care you’ve pinned those fabric sections together just like you wanted. All is well. Now you’re ready to put it all… Read More Seams Right
We try to take a little time for self-care each day. Try… Whether it be exercise, yoga, reading a book, listening to music, or just taking a moment to close our eyes, we all need a little pampering every now and again. Even if it’s just a small thing, a few moments of self-care go a… Read More Extra Credit: Soothing Eye Pillows
What is it? – Basting just may be one of the least enjoyable elements of the sewing process. So why do we do it? Well, we have to. Basting ensures greater stitching accuracy. It makes the difference between something we’re proud to show and something we quietly and secretly put in a bottom drawer somewhere and forget. Basting with either stitches… Read More Wonder Pins
What is it? – Did you ever wonder why we have all of these sewing notions? All of these tools that we use almost every time we sew? Quilting, fashion, heirloom, home décor or crafts, it doesn’t really matter. There are tools that apply to all of them while some notions are very specific to just one in… Read More 6-in-1 Stick ‘n Stitch Guide
We love books; cookbooks, novels, photo albums, and journals. Visitors to our home on more than one occasion have marveled and asked, “have your read all of these?” Yes, we have. Many times over… Because of that, we occasionally have to cover a favorite book with a homemade cover to keep it safe, just like we did… Read More Extra Credit: Sashiko Book Cover
What is it? – Open any catalog of sewing notions and you’ll immediately be overwhelmed. There are so many specialty tools with each designed to assist us in our various sewing tasks. But as the “specialty” moniker suggests, they often apply only to a specific niche (or even micro-niche) of a particular sewing operation. But what about the other sewing… Read More Tailoring Tools
What is it? – Let’s think about it. What do we do when we sew? What comes after the creative vision is set and after finding the perfect fabric and the perfect accessorizing thread? We cut that beautiful fabric into smaller pieces and then, well, and then we sew it all back together again into a larger piece of fabric. But… Read More Marking Tools
If you all have seen our previous blog posts and Tool School Extra Credit projects, you know by now that we love a good embellishment! For this project, we are going to be using the Mesh Transfer Canvas from Clover and let us tell you… it is so easy to work with. Also, because it is… Read More Extra Credit: Use the Mesh Transfer Canvas to make a Butterfly Shirt
What is it? – Fashion, fashion accessories, heirloom sewing, quilting or home decor. At one time or another all of these project genres present us with a blank canvas to which we can apply our own creative brilliance. Or maybe we can just plagiarize someone else’s brilliance just a little. In any case, we’ve found a really cool… Read More Mesh Transfer Canvas
What are they? – The devil is in the details. Isn’t that what they say? How can that possibly apply to us? Just think about what we do when we sew. We spend hours selecting a delicious design or the perfect pattern. The same amount of time is spent finding the most fabulous fabric (and no, it’s not in your stash)… Read More Straight Pins