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
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
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
What is it? – It’s common knowledge that woven fabric is made on a loom with warp (vertical threads) and weft (horizontal threads). In either direction there is pretty much no stretch at all. That’s a good thing but it also makes it pretty hard to form binding fabric around corners or adapt it to curved shapes found… Read More Bias Makers
What is it? – Appliqué . As a noun it’s an amazing and beautiful fiber art form. As a verb, appliqué refers to the addition of subordinate decorative fabric motifs to a larger, supporting piece of fabric. It has applications to quilting, fashion, home décor and crafts. Appliqué can be elegant or simple and it can create real world, geometric or… Read More Wonder Fuse
What is it? – Scarves, shawls and wraps. Sometimes it seems as if you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all. But every now and then you see one that is somehow different. Really different. Seems to be made of endless flowing lace. It’s incredibly beautiful with a lacey, open design. And then we ask ourselves, is it knitting or crochet? Well, the easy… Read More Hairpin Lace Tool
What is it? – Crochet has been around for a long time. Just ask your friends at Wikipedia. Having said that, crochet is still very relevant, even considered cool and growing in popularity as evidenced by trending pieces all the way from grandmother to Dolce & Gabbana. Fashion and fashion accessories, home décor and amazing independent pieces abound. Patterns… Read More Amour Crochet Hooks
What is it? So what is this thing called punch embroidery? It’s actually one of those “mature” artforms that is pretty much old school, something our grandmothers may have loved. While traditional machine embroidery has its obvious applications, lately more and more of us have had our fiber-creative senses re-attuned to the amazing textures created… Read More Embroidery Stitching (Punch) Tool
What is it? Triangles and quilts. What do they have to do with each other. Plenty. Using half-square and quarter square triangle blocks in various arrangements of color and size have produced literally thousands of quilt patterns. Solid colors, prints, batiks, fabric styles and block orientations all contribute to an unending array of designs. And triangles… Read More No-Hassle Triangles Gauge
What is it? Okay, who has too much time on their hands? We find it’s a challenge every day for us to figure out what we’re going to do with ourselves. Plenty of time on our hands and nothing to do. Well that’s not much of a showing. How about this, who thinks that quilting… Read More Foot Note on the Ultimate Quilt ‘n Stitch Presser Foot
What is it? – If there was such a thing as a machine that could transport us back in time to review our history we’d no doubt see that one of the first sewing tools developed by our sewing ancestors was the hand sewing needle. Granted it was a very crude artifact compared to the precision needles… Read More Flexible Rubber Thimbles
What is it? – Whether we’re into fashion, quilting, heirloom, home decor or all of the above, there is one constant. Specific techniques apply to each. The more adept we are in that technique to more personal satisfaction we realize for our efforts. The more completely we can achieve our creative intent. It’s that simple and that’s… Read More New I Sew For Fun Items!
What is it? – We just left our favorite knitting shop with a very cool new sweater pattern and yarn so beautiful that it defies description. We weren’t planning on starting on a new project today, but when inspiration strikes what can you do? You tell yourself you have no choice but to start right away.… Read More Swatch Ruler & Needle Gauge
What is it? – A pom-pom is the very epitome of cute. And I’m not just talking about the bobble on the pointy end of a ski cap. It’s much more than an accent for funny hats sporting snowflake and dear head designs. Much more than that, these beautiful little gems become valued accents to any… Read More Pom-Pom Maker Set
What is it? – Ever wonder where we’d be without that GPS function on our phone? If we want to know where we are, our exact location is only a finger swipe away. And if we have a specific destination in mind that same finger swipe will give us a detailed route complete with options and estimated… Read More Pattern Chart Marker Set & Knitting Counters
What is it? – “A pincushion is a small, stuffed cushion, typically 3-5 cm across, which is used in sewing to store pins or needles with their heads protruding to take hold of them easily, collect them, and keep them organized. Pincushions are typically filled tightly with stuffing to hold pins rigidly in place.” Wikipedia. Really, is… Read More Create-a-Pincushion
What is it? – Think about what we do when we construct any sewn project. Most likely we take large pieces of fabric and cut them into small pieces of fabric and then we sew them back together into large pieces of fabric again. And it’s all done with some creative vision in mind. If we measure,… Read More Hot Hemmer & Hot Ruler
What is it? – When you think about it you’ll have to admit it’s true. Most of us have been weaving since childhood. Remember the square plastic looms we used as children to weave countless preformed cotton loops into all of those square hot pads using that funny looking long hook? It was great fun because… Read More Mini Weaving Loom
What is it? Here’s a question for you. What is the easiest way to make eye popping embellishments for everything from home decor projects to fashion accessories? Also throw in the ability to make stunning jewelry, elegant scarves, clever hats, attractive belts, beautiful throw rugs, cute coasters, decorative place mats with matching table runners and so… Read More French Knitter & Wonder Knitter
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
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
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?– “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