Fiber Arts Monday – How to Tie a Knot for Hand Stiching, video

  Fiber art is anything that includes stitching, weaving, quilting, sewing, rug making, crocheting, knitting, spinning, etc… Each Monday we can share ideas, patterns, finished projects and ask questions about fiber arts in the comment section. You can also link up to your blog po

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Fiber Arts Monday - Cleaning Your Sewing Machine

Fiber Arts Monday – Cleaning Your Sewing Machine

Taking good care of your machine at home will save you a lot of frustration and money for repairs. Here is a great post about how and when to clean your sewing machine. Fiber art is anything that includes stitching, weaving, quilting, sewing, rug making, crocheting, knitting, spinning, etcâ€

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Fiber Arts Monday - Double Sided Headbands

Fiber Arts Monday – Double Sided Headbands

Jessica, over at Happy Together, has this GREAT tutorial for double sided head bands. Aren't they just the cutest?  These would be great for any age. They would also be a great item to give as gifts or even sell.  ~~~ I bought some bright, spring-like colored cotton yarn for more dishcloths. I

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Hand Sewing – Basic Stitches Video Tutorial

  Fiber art is anything that includes stitching, weaving, quilting, sewing, rug making, crocheting, knitting, spinning, etc… Each Monday we can share ideas, patterns, finished projects and ask questions about fiber arts in the comment section. You can also link up to your blog po

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Giving Generously- Unique Stockings (videos)

Giving Generously- Unique Stockings (videos)

I love unique stockings, they are a great way to package gifts (think homemade candies, cookies, fudge)  to give and they can be made very frugally. I've crocheted each of our children a stocking that have been used every year.  I love these that have been made from sweaters!    Â

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Fiber Arts Monday- Choose Fabric (video)

Here is a video clip explaining how to choose the right fabric for your project: Fiber art is anything that includes stitching, weaving, quilting, sewing, rug making, crocheting, knitting, spinning, etc… Each Monday we can share ideas, patterns, finished projects and ask questions about

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Fiber Arts Monday- How to Hem a Skirt/Pants with a Blind Stitch -video

Fiber art is anything that includes stitching, weaving, quilting, sewing, rug making, crocheting, knitting, spinning, etc… Each Monday we can share ideas, patterns, finished projects and ask questions about fiber arts in the comment section. You can also link up to your blog post or phot

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Fiber Arts Monday- Sewing Machine Maintenence (video)

I love this lady's tutorials!!! I have learned a lot about maintenance that I did not know. These are a must watch for anyone that uses a sewing machine. There are 5 segments, but it's worth the time! Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Sewing machine basics - videos. C

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Fiber Arts Monday - Sewing Machine Basics- Video

Fiber Arts Monday – Sewing Machine Basics- Video

Nothing discourages sewing like having issues with your machine. Do yourself and children a favor and learn how your machine works and make adjustments. Know how to use the different stitches. Here is a good site to help you learn the parts, and here is an excellent glossary of terms. What to

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Fiber Arts Monday – Receiving Blankets

These receiving blankets are easy to do, and can be really cute! You could make several in a day or two to have on hand for gifts. Always look in the clearance section for suitable fabrics and creative trims. Breast feeding moms appreciate light weight fabric, 100% cotton for nursing. After washi

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Up-cycled T-Shirts into a Skirt

Up-cycled T-Shirts into a Skirt

  I am so fascinated with up-cycled t-shirts. It makes me want to go to the thrift store and buy a bunch! I love this skirt!!! Wouldn't it be cute with different colors?! Check out the tutorial at Analog Me!

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Fiber Arts Monday- How to Make Rice Packs Video Tutorial

Fiber art is anything that includes stitching, weaving, quilting, sewing, rug making, crocheting, knitting, spinning, etc… Each Monday we can share ideas, patterns, finished projects and ask questions about fiber arts in the comment section. You can also link up to your blog post or ph

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Fiber Arts Monday - Cloth Napkin Video Tutorial

Fiber Arts Monday – Cloth Napkin Video Tutorial

Here is a bright and happy bunch of napkins Melissa made, I'll bet she is a fun mom!   Here is a video tutorial I made on how to make a reversible cloth napin:   *** Fiber art is anything that includes stitching, weaving, quilting, sewing, rug making, crocheting, knitting, spinning, e

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Why Use a Walking Foot

Why Use a Walking Foot

A walking foot has built-in feed dogs that grip and move the upper layer of fabric that travels through the sewing machine together with the machine's feed dogs, which grip the underside of the fabric. The foot helps keep the layers from shifting as they move through the machine. A walking foot i

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Fiber Arts Monday- Tutorial for Lined Cloth Napkins

Fiber Arts Monday- Tutorial for Lined Cloth Napkins

Cut a square, 12, 14, 18 or 20 inches, I like 12" for everyday napkins. Cut a second fabric the same size for the lining or reversible side. I use a good quality cotton. If you do not have a rotary cutter and board, just use scissors, they do not have to be cut perfectly straight. Place rig

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Sewing Party -Pillowcase Dresses for Africa

Sewing Party -Pillowcase Dresses for Africa

This is a re-post from my old blog, I thought it might give some of you an idea or two. Back in 2007, I can't believe it has been that long, our dear, dear friends adopted the most precious little African boy who was in great need of heart surgery. Not only did God heal his heart through surge

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Sharpening Scissors - A Money Making Skill

Sharpening Scissors – A Money Making Skill

Once you have invested in a good pair of scissors you'll want to take good care of them. With use and time they will need to be sharpened. Being able to sharpen your own scissors (and knives) is a valuable skill to have. Blade sharpening can be a profitable  skill for boys, how many homemakers g

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Types of Scissors

Types of Scissors

If you have ever taken one of my sewing classes you've heard me stress the rule of NOT cutting paper (or anything else) with fabric scissors. Fabric scissors should be saved (hidden away from children and men who want to cut EVERYTHING but fabric) in a safe place and only used for fabric. Have yo

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Pinking Shears

Pinking Shears

Pinking shears are important to anyone who is serious about sewing.  They are used for cutting/finishing the edge of fabric that has been sewn.  Use pinking shears to trim approximately 1/8 inch off fabric edge. The shears will give the fabric a zigzag look that is  fray-resistant. This is es

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Skirt Sewing Class

I have a friend that will be teaching a 4 week sewing class one day a week; she is an excellent seamstress! Emma will be taking her class. This class will also include how to make a buttonhole and putting in a zipper. The cost is only $40. If you live near Ashville, AL and would like to take the cla

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Upcycled Kids Hats - Use Up Those Scraps!

Upcycled Kids Hats – Use Up Those Scraps!

What a neat sewing tutorial!!! - Thank you Lori!

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See How a Sewing Machine Works – Video

The most frustrating thing about learning to sew is dealing with a sewing machine. Beginners will start out all excited about making something and then before they get very far their machine starts to have issues. The best way to tackle this is to understand how your machine works. All machines are

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How to Sew a Straight Line

How to Sew a Straight Line

Learning to sew a straight line is important whether you want to sew clothing, quilts or craft items. This comes with lots of practice. Here is a great tutorial!

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Sewing Skirts Without a Pattern

Sewing Skirts Without a Pattern

One of my goals this year is to do more clothes sewing. Quilts and crafty projects come easy for me, but when it comes to clothing that is another story. I do so much better looking at something and figuring it out than trying to understand a pattern. Where we live there are many good thrift stor

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Meet My Youngest Sewing Class

Meet My Youngest Sewing Class

Today was the kick off of our summer Domestic Classes. Today's class was a sewing class where the students made a pillowcase with french seams and a throw pillow slipcover; these are both great beginner projects. This was one of Alexa's first times to use the machine and she took off with it!

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Tank Top Totes

Tank Top Totes

Watch the thrift stores and yard sales for tank tops that are in the color/style you want. Great Idea! Instructions HERE!

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Tea Towels

Tea Towels

This is a great project for beginners to learn how to sew a consistent straight line. These would also make great shower gifts. Instructions HERE!

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Sewing Kits for Kids

Sewing Kits for Kids Two of my favorite girls!

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Some Simple Sewing Projects

  Thank you Angie for passing these along!   Throw Pillows made from cloth napkins.   Here is a great list with a BUNCH of easy to sew patterns. Be thinking Christmas gifts!   Another favorite site of mine to find ideas and tutorials is Sew Mama Sew!  

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Encouraging Young Entrepreneurs – Sewing Kits 4 Kids!

Here are a couple of young girls, who together with their parents, are meeting the need for kids to learn basic sewing skills, with a simple project; while at the same time they are creating a business for themselves. Here is my interview with them and be sure to check out the product review

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Our Sewing for the Home Class

  Last Friday was our Sewing for the Home Class. These girls learned how to make slipcovers for throw pillows, fabric linings for baskets and pillowcases with French seams.  There is nothing like a good attitude from a student to make the day go smoothly!!! These sisters are alread

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Sew Some Hair Scrunchies

  Here is a real neat sewing project hair scrunchies! She also has a couple cute skirt tutorials HERE and HERE!      

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Quilted Pillow Slipcover

    Choose a pillow front. Here I have chosen 2 Nine Patch blocks to match THIS quilt. If you are going to quilt a top you will need to layer it, top, batting and backing, (note that the batting and backing are slightly larger than the top) then stitch as desired. Here I am

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Making Bibs and Burpcloths

      At our church we LOVE families and we LOVE BABIES! Babies are viewed as blessings, not burdens. So very rarely do we have times with no new babies being born, Praise the Lord! I wish I could make a quilt or crochet a blanket for every baby born at our church and circle

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A Serious Ironing Board

Jeff helped me make this ironing board for my quilting. When you are pressing yards of fabric at a time a regular ironing board just doesn't do the job. It's really pretty simple to make one. Cut and screw a piece of plywood to an ironing board, be sure to center it. You can get the olde

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EASY Hanging Towel

      Cut a piece of fabric about 16 inches wide. Fold it in half, right sides together.   If you fold it as shown into thirds you can get three toppers made.   Cut your towel in half, across the width.   Fold each half into thirds at th

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From Dust Ruffle to Apron

            We spotted a beautiful crib size dust ruffle at the thrift store! Olivia and I immediately thought APRON! All I really had to do was add the bib, straps and a pocket. I used the surger which saves a lot of time.   When you see a

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Sewing Tutorials- Little Girl’s Dresses

  Here are a few easy tutorials for little girl dresses/skirt. Twirly Skirt   Sunny Day Dresses   The Shirt Dress (Made from a man's dress shirt) Button Shirt Toddler Dress (Also made from a man's shirt.)   Pick up some dress shirts from a yard sale or the t

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Sewing Cloth Napkins

Today we got together with another family to work on some homemaking skills. We got started with some cloth napkins. I love cloth napkins!!! They really add a touch of class to any table and they save money. This is my sweet friend Robin working on her napkins. My other friend Trish gave me a ser

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Make It, Give It or Sell It - Rice Packs

Make It, Give It or Sell It – Rice Packs

You know those cold winter nights that you just can not get warm? Rice packs are the answer!All you have to do is pop them in a microwave for 3 minutes, flip them over and heat for another 3 minutes ( do not over heat). They stay warm a long time. I love to use mine when my legs ache or if I have a

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Make It, Give It, or Sell It – Receiving Blankets

We are blessed to have LOTS of babies in our circle of friends. I am always looking for ideas for gifts to make and give that are nice, yet not extremely time consuming. These receiving blankets are easy to do, and can be really cute! You could make several in a day or two to have on hand for gift

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Make It, Give It or Sell It – Bottle Cap Pin Cushions

Bottle Cap Pin Cushions These are easy to make, pretty and useful too! They also make good little gifts for aspiring needlecrafters! Because we do alot of quilting around here, and hopefully we'll attempt apparel sewing this year, these are handy to have on hand...lol!!! I made several of the

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Pumpkin Tutorials, Make Your Own Pumpkin Spice

MyFrugal Friday tip is the whole week of PUMPKIN RELATED information this week! Look back over the post from this week and read the comments,there are some neat ideas in there!           TODAY IS THE LAST DAY for our Pumpkin Potholder giveaway! Leave a comment

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