Category Archives: Sewing basics

The Video is Ready

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Fun, Quick & Easy Window Coverings 

A Four Part Video series

Finally!  After two years in the making the video series (along with companion instruction book) is finished. You can learn how to make 3 of my favorite window coverings.

Each in 10 steps or less!

In this 4 part series you’ll learn

The Basics:

  • How to measure your window
  • How to select a window covering
  • How to calculate your fabric needs
  • What different types of Rods are available
  • How to cut out your window covering

The Shade:

  • How to cut out the Shade
  • How to Sew the Shade
  • How to assemble the Shade Roller
  • How to install the Shade Roller
  • How to install the Shade

The Valance:

  • How to cut out the Ruffled Rod Pocket Valance
  • How to sew the Valance
  • How to Hem the Valance using a double rolled hem
  • How to sew the Ruffled Rod Pocket
  • How to put the Valance on the Rod

The Pencil Pleat Drape:

  • How to sew the Unlined Drape
  • How to Hem the Drape with the doubled rolled hem
  • How to sew in the Pencil Pleat Header Tape
  • How to install the Drape pins
  • How to hang the Drape

It’s Fun, Quick and Easy.

Make them coordinating for one room, or separate for several rooms!

Be one of the first to get it.  Send a note on the Contact Us page and I’ll email you with instructions on how to get it TODAY

 

May Petals make May Flowers … Another Free Applique

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April brought shows and finally when the snow and rain showers cleared, small green growth is bringing wonderful spring flowers.  Flowers come in lots of colors, shapes and sizes.  The one thing that is consistent is that they all seem to have petals.  So I have designed a petal, mix them in sizes for leaves and larger for flower of all kinds. Get it the may petal applique here

Check back next month and see what I have made with them!

Happy Sewing!

Crystal

What is an appliqué?

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An appliqué is a method of placing one piece of fabric onto another piece of fabric. 

An appliqué can be purely decorative or functional.  (From my perspective a pocket is a type of appliqué, so is a knee patch.)  There are many ways to apply an appliqué, some are quick and EZ, others are difficult and take more time.  Over the next couple weeks I will show my favorite methods of apply appliqués.

Basically an appliqué is a piece of material cut out into a ‘shape’.  (Like the Snowman Applique here.) This ‘shape’ is then fastened to another piece of fabric.  The ‘shape’ can quickly be fastened using the fusible technique, embroidery, using fabric glue, machine sewing, or hand sewing.

An appliqué can consist of one piece of fabric, or many making up a complex picture.  You will find a free appliqué from me each month, so check them out and use the methods I show you to make something fun!

Happy Sewing!

Crystal

Quick and Easy Pillowcases, An easy holiday gift

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Quick and Easy Pillowcases. An easy gift that is sure to please all.
The holiday season is almost over, and there is still too little time and too much to do. I always seem to over commit on how much I am going to sew, but every minute I get to spend in my studio is relished and feeds my passion.
I was blessed to have both of my boys home with their girl friends over Christmas. As each year goes by I know that there will be years to come when they won’t get to spend the holidays with me, so I turely value the time I get with them.
I was able to complete one project for each of them and even one for each of their girlfriends. I bought them pillows and made pillowcases for each of them. As with all of my sewing projects a little bit of magic and a lot of Love goes into each one.
Each of the pillowcases followed the same instructions, but was customized. Here is the PDF link for this instructions in case you want to make one or many too in the next couple days.
These are quick and easy. I decorated each one for each recipient so that they match their personality. Click here for Quick and EZ Pillowcases for the free pattern and instructions, download it and make some for yourself and others.
Happy sewing!
Crystal