Join the Shibaguyz for some extra tips on the Clover Rotary Cutters. Purchase your rotary cutters here. 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… Read More Clover Extra Credit-Rotary Cutters with the Shibaguyz
What is it? Quilting, fashion, home decor and all of the accessories relating to each – all of us do some of it and some of us do all of it. At the end of the day, though, we’re all doing the same thing. We’re creating. Our pallet is an inexhaustible array of designer fabrics and… Read More Loop Pressing Bars
Did you miss the hand sewing needles Tool School? Or maybe you just want more! Watch Tool School Extra Credit for some additional tips with Clover’s Hand Sewing Needles by the Shibaguyz. To Watch Tool School an Overview of Hand Sewing Needles click here Shannon and Jason Mullett-Bowlsby are the dynamic DIY duo… Read More Hand Sewing Needles Extra Credit
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 into larger pieces of fabric fitting our creative design. Fashion, quilting, home decor and a whole host of accessories for all of them. It all starts with the cut. And… Read More Rotary Cutters
What is it? -No tools are more basic to sewing than needles are. They existed even before thread and fabric as our ancient ancestors used pointed objects to perforate hides so they could be laced together with leather cords. Centuries of technology later we have highly advanced, modern hand sewing needles that do basically… Read More Hand Sewing Needles
Extra credit with the Shibaguyz Scissors Both of our mother’s and grandmother’s were sewers. It was never a question of “if” something was handmade, but “what” was being made today? Every afternoon would find Jason’s mom in her sewing room making clothes for the family or dolls and toys to sell. And often… Read More Scissors Extra Credit
What is it? -Because of that they have enjoyed the natural evolution that comes with the application of developing technology. The scissors and shears we use today bear but a faint resemblance to those used by our ancestors. In high-quality scissors the blades are extremely sharp and are positioned to increase the cutting and… Read More Scissors & Shears
What is it? -All right, we’ve decided to do a little fashion sewing. Cool. We’ve visited our local shop and poured over the pattern catalogs or perhaps searched favorite sites on the internet. In either case we’ve found a pattern that’s just what we’re looking for. We’ve reviewed the instructions on the back of the… Read More Curve Ruler
What is it? -When I ask anyone about macramé, no one ever mentions that it dates from the 13th century when it was an emerging art form produced by combining cords and knots to form intricate designs. Nor does anyone ever mention that its popularity peaked in 19th Century Victorian England when it was the… Read More Macramé Plant Hanger Gauge
What is it? -To assist you in your pursuit of all things tatting, Clover has developed an actual system of tatting products. Improving on the traditional tatting shuttle, Clover’s new Bobbin Tatting Shuttle allows you to wind your thread on a separate bobbin and then just insert it into the shuttle when needed. No longer… Read More Bobbin Tatting Shuttles & Accessories
What is it? – What would you do if you wanted to give someone the gift that is sewing? You know, to enable an individual to achieve their creative expression through sewing, whether that be fashion, quilting, home décor or crafting. Or, for that matter, any variation or combination of all of the above. What’s important… Read More I Sew For Fun
What is it? – Knitting and crochet. If you look at all of the fibers, textures, sizes and colors of yarns available to accomplish either we find that the potential for creative expression is virtually unlimited. But wait, if it’s possible to go beyond unlimited we can certainly do so simply by adding multiple… Read More Knitting Bobbin Set
What is it? – Whether we’re into knitting or crochet we’re always making something, something made of individual pieces. And that something usually means putting those component pieces together. We all know there are several techniques for joining our knitted or crocheted pieces and that those techniques vary depending on our creative inspiration. Do… Read More Marking Pins
What is it? – Knitting is a method by which we manipulate a strand of yarn to create a textile or fabric of some sort. This is done by forming loops of yarn, our stitches, on a knitting needle. By transferring these active stitches between two or more knitting needles we form our fabric. … Read More Circular Stitch Holder
What is it? – Stranded colowork is the technique. Fair Isle knitting with its beautiful symmetrical geometric motifs in muted colors or Scandinavian knitting with its striking large asymmetrical motifs in bright contrasting colors or even your own dramatic multi-color creative invention is the result. Each a piece of art. Using two or more strands… Read More Yarn Guide
What is it? – Every now and then there is a tool that is so useful, so essential that we wonder how we ever got along without it. But let’s consider, what is the real value of a tool? The value in any tool is in what it accomplishes for us. And in the… Read More Pattern Chart Marker Set
What is it? – Tunisian crochet is a very cool niche of crochet. Actually you could also look at it as a very cool niche of knitting. That’s because Tunisian Crochet takes its DNA from both disciplines. Little bit from crochet, little bit from knitting. And what’s the result? A unique type of crochet… Read More Takumi Tunisian Interchangeable Crochet Hooks
What is it? – Welcome to the wonderful world of Wonder Fuse. What is it? It’s appliqué. Well, more accurately, it’s how you do appliqué. Why do we want to do appliqué? Unlimited creative potential. We can take any fabric, plain or with design, and cut it in any shape to represent pieces of… Read More Wonder Fuse
What is it? – Kudos! Well done! Grand Prize! First place! Honorable mention! Special achievement! Student of the month! Employee of the year! It’s all recognition, plain and simple, and we all like it. When we do something exceptional, remarkable or noteworthy, a little personal recognition makes it all the more rewarding. And tangible evidence… Read More Rosette Makers
What is it? – If you’re looking for something old that is really new again in the world of crochet then hairpin lace is just the ticket. Historically called “fork work” or more recently “hairpin crochet”, this is one of those truly unique art forms that comes and goes as each new generation… Read More Hair Pin Lace Tool
What is it? – These are pressing issues. Shakespeare might even ask, “To press or not to press, that is the question.” Well, no matter who is asking the question, the answer is the same, a resounding yes to press. Some very important things happen when we press each seam as we sew it… Read More Roll & Press
What is it? – For today’s active life styles a handy tote is a required accessory. Satisfying requirements of both form and function they are both fashionable and useful. Totes of one kind or another are available everywhere. So many styles, so many colors, so embellishments. But therein lies the problem. Which one? Choices,… Read More Nancy Zieman Hobo Tote
What is it?– In its most elemental form, knitting is simply a method by which we apply various technique to yarn with knitting needles and turn it into a unique fabric that mirrors our creative intent. Using knitting needles we are able to manipulate yarn to create multiple loops in a line on the needle shaft… Read More Takumi Knitting Needles
What is it?– In the history of mankind it is hard to find a tool that is more enduring, more useful than the hand sewing needle. Initially they were basic to the production of everything we made from clothing to shelter. And we still use them today. Modern needles, however, have become much more specialized,… Read More Darning Needles
What is it?– “The devil is in the detail”. It’s a common enough phrase. Perhaps some of us has even used it. But what does it really mean, “the devil in the detail”? How often do we start a project that looks like it’s going to be a snap, only to get bogged down in all… Read More Air Erasable & White Marking Pen
What is it?– Fashion, fashion accessories, heirloom sewing, quilting and home decor. All of these projects are often one time or another blank canvases that are truly enhanced with the addition of the appropriate decorative pattern. Some of these pattern designs are professionally developed while others are original work we’ve created all by ourselves. Beautiful, often… Read More Chacopy Tracing Paper
What is it?– “I’m on pins and needles.” We’ve all heard the phrase and we know what it means. A sense of anxiety or suspense. But how could that possibly apply to sewing? Pins and needles of course. We all use them but they’re all armed with wickedly sharp little points. Hence the anxiety or suspense. … Read More Magnet Pin Caddy and Dome Threaded Needle Case
What is it?– We’ve all been to our favorite purveyor of all things sewing and been amazed by the extraordinary selection of sewing machine needle styles. Lots of names like universal, denim, stretch, jersey, etc. It all sounds impressive but is it necessary? Can we do it all with just a universal sewing machine needle? Yep,… Read More Best Premium Assortments
What is it?– Every Tool School is packed with valuable, useful information. But if you use a sewing machine at any point in your creative process, this one may be one of the most important. So pay attention because there may be a test at the end of class. If I were to ask you… Read More Best Premium Needle Anatomy
What is it?-Clover is introducing some exciting new knitting and crochet notions this winter and, as Yogi Bear once said, “It’s deja vu all over again.” Well kind of. The products are new, but the realization that your friends at Clover have once again brought to market some great new tools that will support you… Read More New for Winter 2017
What is it?-To most of us “couture” means high fashion and rightly so. It’s something special, something elegant. Unfortunately it also often means something expensive and something unreachable for most of us. It’s custom made clothing and accessories made by the most exclusive designers. And often the feature that sets the couture garment apart from… Read More Bead Embroidery “Kantan Couture” Tool
What is it?-You’ve been making remarkable progress on your new knitting project. Amazingly so and in spite of all of those interruptions. Who knew? Smooth sailing and it’s working up fast. But then you see it. Something looks wrong. Long, uninterrupted horizontal cords of yarn. It looks like a ladder right in the middle… Read More Bamboo Repair Hooks
What does it do? – Tatting is a needle art that requires only a shuttle, some thread and a creative vision. Add a handy set of picot gauges and you have all the tools necessary to achieve that vision. Clover Tatting Shuttle – Clover tatting shuttles are considered “post shuttles” because the tatting thread is… Read More Tatting Shuttles & Picot Gauge Set
What does it do? – Using Clover tassel makers allows us to select from a variety of yarns, threads, cords or other fiber type materials to make the perfect size, shape and color tassel to compliment every project. The Clover Tassel Maker is available in two sizes. Additionally, Clover’s Handy Thread Twister allows us make… Read More Tassel Makers & Handy Thread Twister
What is it? – Knitting is fun, productive, cathartic, expressive and creative. But mostly it’s creative. In fact, when it comes to the selection of yarns available with all of the exciting colors, textures, and fibers that constitute them, your creative quotient is virtually unlimited. All you need is a creative idea, that yarn… Read More Standing Oval Knitting Loom
What is it? – Henry Beecher famously wrote, “Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made, and forgot to put a soul into.” Claude Monet felt that he owed his iconic professional career to flowers. And don’t even get started with poets. But how do we feel about flowers? They’re important to us… Read More Flower Frill Templates
What is it? – Sequels. We love them. We couldn’t wait for the next Star Wars, Twilight, Bourne Identity, or Captain America movie to come out. We were captivated by the first one and couldn’t wait to see what was next. As usual Clover has what’s next in the sewing notions category. And… Read More Supersize 5-in-1 Sliding Gauge by Nancy Zieman & Clover
What is it? – Lace crochet, it’s not just for doilies anymore. We all have them, doilies that grandma made. Dozens and dozens of doilies of every conceivable size, shape and color. The obvious benefits of “Textile Therapy” notwithstanding, what do you do with all of those perfect geometric progressions in thread? In the… Read More Amour Steel Crochet Hooks
What is it? – A quick trip to any purveyor of quality knitting products will provide ample evidence of the popularity of the new trend in chunky or bulky yarns. And for good reason. These luxurious, colorful and innovative yarns produce the most amazing results. Whether fashion, home decor or just clever accessories, these… Read More Jumbo Circulars and Point Protectors
What is it? – Bead weaving is Monet one pixel at a time. That legendary renaissance artist blended an exquisite pallet of pigments to create breathtaking landscapes. Now modern artists can align an exquisite pallet of bead shapes, sizes, colors and textures to create the perfect jeweled accessory for any occasion or application. The… Read More Beading Loom and Accessories
What is it? – You know them. You love them. And they’re everywhere. Few sewing, knitting or crafting tools have ever enjoyed a more widespread and enthusiastic reception. Years after their introduction they are still perhaps the most versatile and useful sewing tool ever devised. Often copied but never equaled, the Wonder Clip… Read More Mini Wonder Clips
What is it? – Have you ever had the desire to go head-to-head with Mother Nature in a flower making contest? Okay, maybe not. Perhaps you’re just in a creative mood and looking for some floral inspiration. In either case Clover’s Hana-Ami Flower Loom is just what you need to put those perfect petals… Read More “Hana-Ami” Flower Loom
What is it? – Think of the stereotypical ski hat and you’ll realize that it just wouldn’t be complete without a pom-pom on the pointy tip. Actually I think it’s a requirement. But pom-poms are much more than funny hats emblazoned with snowflakes and deer heads. Pom-poms are everywhere we look. Home decor, jewelry, fashion… Read More Pom-Pom Makers
What is it? – China, circa 3600 BC. That’s where it all started. A young Chinese empress expressed a desire for a luxurious new fiber and silk was the result. Threads of different types had been around for many years but this was different. In fact, silk was very different. It had a texture and… Read More Silk Threads
What is it? – Scissors. It’s hard to imagine doing anything in sewing, knitting or crafts without them. They are, in fact, one of the most common tools used universally by us humans. They were even carried by Apollo 12 astronauts on the surface of the moon. The earliest known scissors appeared in Mesopotamia 3,000… Read More Scissors
What is it? – As children, most of us can remember having an old wooden spool with four rounded metal pegs protruding from one end. By threading yarn up through the center and then wrapping the yarn around the pegs we could maneuver bottom loops over top loops. As a result we were able to… Read More Wonder Knitter
What is it? – When it comes to knitting and crochet it’s all about knitting needles and crochet hooks, right? Not so fast. Take a quick look in your knitting kits or visualize the process of completing any project. Something simple or even very complex. A quick inventory of what you will use will… Read More Top 5 Knitting Notions