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There is danger lurking in your sewing room. (Insert dramatic dun, dun, DUN!!!) You may not notice at first, but it’s there. Tiny particles of dust, fluff, and even pet hair are floating in the air—and they’re headed straight for your sewing machine. Those little bits of “stuff” can clog and damage the inner workings of your machine. That’s why it’s so important to protect it with a custom sewing machine cover. Click HERE to learn how to make a sewing machine cover that looks awesome and fits like a glove. It’s a quick, easy way to keep that machine running smoothly for years toRead More →

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Men’s formal wear can be a bit of a snooze-fest, but it hasn’t always been that way. During the 1700s, fashion-forward dudes wore vivid colors, lots of embroidery, elaborate hair pieces, and even high heels. That’s a far cry from the basic black of the modern tailored suit. Now, I’m not lining up for lacy cuffs or powdered wigs any time soon, but I do like to add a little personality to my outfit with a custom bow tie. Click HERE to learn how it’ done!

Seasonal FMQ: Holly and Pumpkins

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Rev up those sewing machines and get ready to stitch, cuz I’ve got two new FMQ motifs that are going to rock your holiday socks off! Pumpkins and vines are perfect for all kinds of festive quilt projects. So crank up your favorite Halloween/ Thanksgiving/Christmas mix tape, and have a blast whipping up these cool little designs! Click HERE to watch the tutorial! 

Troubleshoot Drop in Bobbins with Rob

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A sewing machine is an amazing tool, but it needs regular maintenance to function at its best. If you’re worried about working on your own machine, don’t be! I have over 15 years experience as a sewing machine technician, and I can tell you, cleaning routines and basic fixes are a piece of cake! Today I’m demonstrating how to keep your drop-in bobbin in tip-top shape. Click HERE to watch the video. (Check out more sewing machine maintenance tutorials HERE!)

Create a Toolkit Journal with Rob

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If you’re like me, and always on the go, then packing your sewing supplies is a must! Having a highly portable sewing station on the road is exceptionally helpful for working on projects, and is especially handy for toting tools to and from workshops! That’s why I designed the Tool Kit Journal. This unique carrying case can be customized to fit a variety of supplies.  Fill it up with your most-used sewing tools, and you’ll have everything you need in one neat, portable package. Click HERE to watch the vid.

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Cutting down on waste is one of the best ways to take care of Mother Earth, so I love working on reusable projects. My Double-Pull Drawstring Bag is a great substitute for throw-away bags, and it’s a cinch to make. In the tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to create this highly customizable bag, with French seams and casings! Use it as a super-durable shopping bag, a gift bag, or a travel toiletry kit. Organize small toys, sewing supplies, or electronic accessories.  The possibilities are endless! Click HERE to watch the vid, and if you think of a clever use for this bag, let meRead More →

FMQ Skills and Drills: Basic Twist with Rob Appell

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Come on, baby! Let’s do the twist! It’s time for another Free Motion Quilting tutorial. This week, we’re working on a Basic Twist.  It’s a simple motif that packs a punch when you need to fill large areas. In this tutorial, I’ll show you two versions of this design, so pick your favorite and start stitching! Click HERE to watch the vid. (This is the 17th video in my FMQ series. I’ve gone over techniques, troubleshooting, and tons of cool motifs. Check out the entire collection HERE!)

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The Garden Quilt is a softer, more organic version of one of my favorite patterns, The Gears Quilt. I use miniature pinwheels as the background, layer on some killer floral applique, and finish it off with my signature free-motion quilting. This garden is bold and modern, and it’s a cinch to put together. Click HERE to watch the vid!

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Is your sewing studio being taken over by UFOs? (I’m talking unfinished projects, not extraterrestrials.)  Quilters love to start new quilts. Finishing a quilt, however, is another story. We race through quilt top after quilt top, excited to try out new patterns and fabric combos, but when it comes time to sandwich that baby and get it quilted and bound, some of us run out of steam, and that quilt top gets tossed on the stack of “waiting to be finished” projects. Today we’re going to show you how easy it is to bind your quilts on the sewing machine. You’ll be whipping out thoseRead More →

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I was out meandering in Sisters, Oregon last week and I happened upon a deer eating breakfast. I tried to get a photo without disturbing her, so this is the best I could do. 🙂 It was one of those moments where you just have to stop and appreciate life… and you can’t help but feel like it’s going to be a good day. That’s what Open Meandering in Free Motion Quilting is all about. It just makes you feel better about life! Okay, maybe that’s a little dramatic, but it definitely adds some major options and possibilities to your free motion quilting tool belt! ClickRead More →