How Sew?

If you're looking for a good resource on all things sewing, look no further!

Print available at BlockPartyPrints!

BurdaStyle is here to save the day!  Their mission is to "use the web to bring the craft of sewing to a new generation of designers, hobbyists, DIYers and anyone looking to sew".  They offer patterns for sale as well as free patterns!  Another cool feature is their "Technique of the Week"!  Sew, stop procrastinating... BurdaStyle is chock full of info, how to's, contests, and networking opportunities.

Sew in the Capital of Craft

I'm a Baltimore girl. But my mom's from DC. And a bunch of my fellow BEST mates are from the capital area, too. So, maybe in the sports world there's a little rivalry between the two cities, but in the craft world, it's all love, baby. Hello Craft. Crafty Bastards. Summit of Awesome. DC Threads. The district has it going on when it comes to bringing folks together in the name of good craft. So listen up, Baltimore! It's time to love your neighbor!


Make the Lesley Circle Skirt with DC Threads tomorrow, June 13 from 1-4pm at North Michigan Park Recreation Center. Sew something awesome. And when you wear your new skirt, say you made it in DC with love.

Indie-Pendant Business - Bear's Paw Fabrics

I found Bear's Paw Fabrics in a search for the biggest purchase I've made since buying my car. I walked into the shop excited, albeit a little nauseous, but Pat quickly calmed my rickety nerves.

I am not an impulse buyer and I can talk myself out of damn near anything (unless it has sugar on it). And I will admit to you, that I typically research a big purchase for weeks... first online, and then in person, before even considering laying out the money for it. My search for the perfect serger was no exception.

What led me into Bear's Paw Fabrics was their Bernina stock. The shop is a Bernina of America dealer and they carry it all.. sewing machines, embroidery machines, sergers, coverstitch machines. And while they must be a quilter's dream, what with their huge selection of printed fabrics and beautiful batiks, I bet the incredible wealth of knowledge that each of the shopkeepers hold is just as important to their customers.

I spent 1 1/2 hours at the shop on my first visit. I called my mom. "Mama, they're really nice here, it's a local shop, they'll give me classes and make sure I'll know how to use it and I think it's a really good price." And she agreed, it sounded good. "Berninas are good machines, too," she said.

So I bought two. Yeah, I did!

Favorite Shops: pinpinn

I love that pinpin's shop announcement says, "Pincushions should be another extension of who YOU are as a crafter, sewer, designer, and eco-savvy artist!" It just makes sense, doesn't it? That the place we seamstresses spend the most time (in front of our machines) should be unique, too? And I really love that if my husband were a seamstress, I'd find the perfect pincushion for him right here, too!


Rubix Cube Pincushion - OOAK -


Peacock of Many Colors Pincushion

The pincushions you'll find in this cute shop are crafted from upcycled wool and EcoFelt and filled with EcoCraft fiberfill (a sustainable fiberfill made from corn). Perfect for us environmentally aware seamstresses! Give your pins a happy home!

Have a Weekend? Sew Great Stuff!

Win Weekend Sewing, the new how-to book from from Fabric Designer Heather Ross!


The contest is being held through the Charm City Craft Mafia. Read their interview with Heather and leave a comment on the original blog post about the project you’d like to make using Heather’s fabric, or the part of the interview that you enjoyed the most. A winner will be drawn at random this Monday, March 23rd.

Meet Heather in person and get your cool new book signed:

March 21
Silver Spring, MD
Demo and signing at Honfleur Home – 1pm
More info: here

March 29
BALTIMORE, MD
Demo and signing at Atomic Books in Hampden 3pm-5pm
More info: here

I Sew Knits

And so can you. Of course you can!



I resisted buying Sew U: Home Stretch by Wendy Mullin and Eviana Hartman for a long time because I already know how to sew knits. Actually, I've never bought an instructional book on sewing before, ever. Until yesterday. I convinced myself that I could stand to use the included patterns to make myself something cool for a change.

Was it worth it? Sure. If you don't sew regularly, this would be a good place to start. Wendy assures you that sewing knits really isn't that tricky, and so will I. But it does take practice. Get this book and experiment, and don't even worry about completing a project until you've played scientist with your fabric and your machine. Make charts with fabric samples and thread tensions. Be stubborn and you will figure it out.

She recommends a serger, and I have to say, I really, really want a serger (Hello, Santa? Are you listening?) But I have sewed hundreds of tees and dresses and more with my conventional sewing machine with no problem. It takes a little more time and a lot more finesse to sew knits this way, but it's totally possible.

If you already know how to sew knits, you might appreciate the variation of patterns and ideas for garment reconstruction. Regardless of your level of experience, it's always helpful to explore other artists' styles and methods to help develop your own distinct style.