Wonder Clips Variety Pack with instructor Steve Butler Class 146 What is it? – Sequels, we all love them. We see a great movie or read a new novel by a favorite author and we’re hooked and already looking forward to what will be later described as “the eagerly anticipated” sequel. Then we wait. We wait for… Read More Wonder Clips Variety Pack
Bracelet Maker Visible Mended Woven Patch By the Shibaguyz Visible Mended Woven Patch Visible mending is one of the hottest trends in fashion today. By utilizing simple stitching on top of worn, distressed, or even new garments it’s easy to create a fashion statement that is singular to your style. As proponents of zero waste… Read More Extra Credit: Darning Needles
Darning Needles with instructor Steve Butler Class 145 What is it? – Darning needles, sometimes referred to as tapestry needles, are a no-nonsense, must-have tool for all fiber artists who work with yarns, flosses or heavy threads. In the needle world, these are the heavy lifters. Crochet, knitting, embroidery, counted cross stitch or sewing, they… Read More Darning Needles
Amour Steel Crochet Hook Set with instructor Steve Butler Class 144 What is it? – Every time I see lace crochet I am reminded of my grandmother. She truly was an artist with lace-weight threads and steel crochet hooks. As you might expect, most of her crochet projects centered around beautiful edges applied to handkerchiefs or table… Read More Amour Steel Crochet Hook Set
Felting Tools with instructor Steve Butler Class 143 What is it? – Question. What can you produce creatively with wool roving, a felting needle and a felting pad? Answer. Anything you want. Put your own special touch on art, jewelry, fashion, fashion accessories, quilting, home décor or even stand-alone projects. What you can fabricate is truly limited only by your desire… Read More Felting Tools
Bracelet Maker Jelly Bracelet By the Shibaguyz While we can’t say our generation created the friendship bracelet, it certainly did add its own twist to them. It does not seem that long ago when we were taping down thread to a table and trying to tie even knots together to make unique bracelets for our… Read More Extra Credit: Bracelet Maker
View Here! Bracelet Maker with instructor Steve Butler Class 142 What is it? – If you want to discuss useful fashion accessories you have to include bracelets in the conversation. Dressing up or dressing down, black tie or no tie, bracelets are perfect for every social occasion. Perhaps the most meaningful of these vaunted fashion accessories are the… Read More Bracelet Maker
Loop Pressing Bars with instructor Steve Butler Class 141 What is it? – Why do we willingly expend so much effort when we sew? Quilting, fashion, home decor and all of the accessories relating to each? Hours spent selecting just the right pattern (no easy task), the right fabric (no easy task) and the right threads (yes,… Read More Loop Pressing Bars
Bodkins with instructor Steve Butler Class 140 What is it? – The buzzer goes off telling you the drying cycle has finished. Finally. You go over to the dryer and pull out the new hoodie you were planning on wearing today. As you remove it, you notice that the cord that is supposed to go through the hood… Read More Bodkins (Art. No. 9581,9582,4001)
No-Hassle Triangle Gauge Komorebi Table Protector By the Shibaguyz Komorebi: Translation – Japanese: Sunlight filtering through the leaves of a tree. Sitting outside during summer on our patio is a special pleasure that we never take for granted. One of the things we love most about it is that, as the sun starts its descent… Read More Extra Credit: No-Hassle Triangle Gauge
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
Tunisian Crochet Mug Rug By the Shibaguyz It should come as no surprise to most of you that we like to play with a lot of different types of crafting. We knit, crochet, quilt, sew, spin… you get the idea. Our general philosophy for our making and art is that all forms of art and craft… Read More Extra Credit: Tunisian Crochet Mug Rug
Yarn Guide with instructor Steve Butler Class 133 What is it? A particularly enticing knitting technique is called stranded colorwork. Using two or more colors of yarn simultaneously allows us to create amazing designs in knitted fabric. With a full pallet of colors, a wide range of fibers and a limitless assortment of patterns available to… Read More Yarn Guide
Interchangeable Tunisian Crochet Hooks with instructor Steve Butler Class 132 What is it? Remember the old Donnie and Marie song “A Little Bit Country – A Little Bit Rock ‘N Roll”? The message of the song was that something special exists between the confluence these two musical genres that could not be enjoyed by either separately. Kind… Read More Interchangeable Tunisian Crochet Hooks
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
French Knitter & Wonder Knitter with instructor Steve Butler Class 131 What is it? Think back for a moment. You’ve been on the cutting edge of creative expression for most of your life. Everything from home décor to fashion accessories to all types of craft applications. But when and how did that creative fervor start? For many of us… Read More French Knitter & Wonder Knitter
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
Curved Tailor’s Awl Overview By the Shibaguyz Almost as old as the needle itself, the awl has a long history in the sewing world. Originally used for punching holes in leather and fabric, the simple tool has so many more uses that make it one of our close-at-hand tools for all of our sewing on… Read More Extra Credit: Curved Tailor’s Awl Overview
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
Kanzashi Flower Hair Comb By the Shibaguyz Kanzashi flowers have been used for centuries in Japanese culture as ornamentation for hair combs and picks. Originally, makers of Kanzashi would train for years to learn the intricate art of folding and sewing fabric into floret shapes, but thanks to the fab folks at Clover, you can… Read More Extra Credit: Kanzashi Flower Hair Comb
Fashion Accessories- Pom-Poms, Tassels & Kanzashi Flower Makers with instructor Steve Butler Class 123 What is it? – Hit Paris Fashion Week and grab a seat at one of the famous catwalk displays at the Carrousel du Louvre, or just cruise through your favorite haunts at the local shopping mall. What you’ll see is the creative… Read More Fashion Accessories: Pom-Poms, Tassels & Kanzashi Flower Makers
The Beading Studio with instructor Steve Butler Class 122 What is it? – There are no two ways about it, we simply love working with beads. Why? Whether we’re making stand-alone beaded jewelry, fashion embellishments or accessories, home décor projects or adding beads to our crochet or knitting projects, the end result will always be the arrival… Read More The Beading Studio
Swatch Ruler & Pattern Chart Marker Set with instructor Steve Butler Class 121 What is it? – What is so special about knitting and crochet? Why are we inextricably drawn to them? It’s the opiate of creative expression. It’s almost intoxicating what we can do with yarns, needles and hooks. We can find creative examples all the way from… Read More Swatch Ruler & Pattern Chart Marker Set
Knitting Must Haves with instructor Steve Butler Class 120 What is it? – Artists have them, sculptors have them and musicians have them. How about those who knit and crochet? Yes, they have them too. What is it that they all have you’re no doubt wondering. Specialty tools. Uncommon implements of assistance. You know, those relatively simple devices that perform a… Read More Knitting Must Haves
The Shibaguyz Sewing Must Haves Please join us to view the Shibaguyz sewing must haves straight from their sewing studio. Clover tools transcend the common requirements of all sewing techniques, and having them available is essential to any great creative endeavor. We hope Clover notions empower any and all who love to sew! Shannon and… 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
