This is the one article you need to read when you're a Procreate beginner. Learn all about layers in just a few minutes! Trust me, layers couldn't be easier. You use layers in Procreate to keep your workflow mostly non-destructive. You can have a layer for your sketch, outlines, base colors, shadows, highlights and anything

Check out these fun activities from Award Winning Author/Illustrator Jarett Lerner to do at home or in the classsroom. Includes comics, drawing, and more.

Learn this Raised Stencil Texture Technique - it's fast and easy!

Download six cute (and FREE) printable Summer Olympics coloring pages for kids to include in your olympics celebration activities and parties!

The wonderful peppery flavour of Nasturtium leaves works really well in this simple and quick pesto recipe, which you could easily adapt for other leaves.

A reference guide on how to sew with knit fabrics. Tips for sewing with knits, along with resources and books about knit fabrics.

Roger Penrose — the English mathematical physicist who shared the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery that black hole formation is a robust prediction of the general theory of relativity — is also famous for something more terrestrial - Penrose Tiling. Here’s a look at the other side of the Nobel laureate:Tile High: Back in the 1970s, Roger Penrose created a set of tiles that could be used to cover an infinite plane in a pattern that never repeats. His work changed our basic understanding of design, showing how infinite variations could be created within a highly ordered environment. ​Patterns of Penrose

Invisible finish or in other words Invisible fasten off is a crochet technique to join stitches together and fasten off the yarn usually when crocheting in round. Traditional method to end the round is to join last stitch of the round with top of first stitch using slip stitch. Then to fasten off you cut the yarn,...

1. Research There are so many great sewing blogs out there and a lot of them share tips for specific patterns or dilemmas. Before I start any new project, I do research on what other people have to say about the pattern regarding fit and construction. It can save a lot of headaches to see

FREE! Check out the free art supplies gathered from the internet, along with creative ideas to find free craft supplies. Find free craft samples here as well!

Learn how to draft pattern blocks with Pattern Making Basics! A text course with one lesson per day you can start making your own pattern blocks or slopers!

3 Step Kimono: Make a simple kimono with only 3 stitches.....Super easy and a terrific look for all of your music festivals this summer!

Smooth out the resin learning curve with these TOP 10 RESIN TIPS. They cover everything that a resin beginner needs to know to get great results every time. Even the experts follow these resin tips to make sure that their resin projects work.

Learn how to sew a narrow hem (easy even on chiffon) using a ban roll tape. You will like this video sewing tutorial on how to sew a rolled hem on chiffon without a special rolled hem foot.

Looking for free options for Adobe Creative Cloud programs? Quze has compiled a list of free and cheaper (one-time purchase) alternatives to Adobe

I have to be honest, woven t-shirts are usually not my friend. I have a hard time fitting them and bias tape makes me cringe (but so do facings)….it’s so hard. But, before my trip to Utah I really wanted to sew up some new rayon tops and was so happy I did – there’s […]

Use the best kam snaps tutorial and see how to add kam snaps to nearly everything - so easy!

You'll be impressed with these creative painted dresser, coffee table, side tables and other furniture upcycle ideas here. Perfect for decorating your living room, bedroom, entryway and kitchen on a budget. #hometalk

Working with kids and young adults who are oppositional can be challenging. Being oppositional might mean refusing to do work, breaking rules, and engaging in other challenging behaviors. The truth is, many kids can be oppositional from time to time, so many of these strategies work with all learner

You don’t need a huge home in order to have a sewing or craft room. Check out these creative ways that others are carving out a little space for their sewing.

Learn how to make a square bubble that mimics tensile structures. This bubble cube can also be made in other geometric shapes!

Burst Block PDF Skateboard Appliqué PDF Pentagon Ball PDF BBQ Apron PDF Guitar/Camera Strap PDF Free Motion Basics PDF Action Figure Organizer PDF Sugar Skull PDF Needle Knowldge PDF Out of This World PDF 3 Dudes Quilt PDF Diamond Dreams PDF Bad Call Ball PDF Dog Bed PDF FMQ Straight Drill 2 PDF 60 Degree Ruler PDF FMQ Swoop Drill 3 PDF RAINBOW DRILL PDF Circle Drill PDF Coming Home PDF Superhero Cape PDF Drawstring Bag Toy Playmat PDF Beach Bag PDF Dancing Dots PDF Fabric Postcard PDF Gears Quilt PDF Trick or Treat Bag PDF Turkey Centerpiece PDF Coffee Kit PDF QuillowRead More →

In this detailed tutorial, we're sharing how to make busy boards for your toddlers, both for in the house and in the car! No power tools needed!

You know how it’s always about the details. When sewing with knits, the details really matter. Learn about those details and why they they make a difference.

Ruffles rock. (just like you.) This is a long post about lots of ways to gather ruffles for different effects. It's not difficult but there are a lot of variables. Because sometimes you need your

How to calculate your yardage.

Whether sewing for ourselves or others, we all struggle with making pattern adjustments to handle fitting challenges. I use a combination of several techniques when adjusting a pattern, especially for a fitted garment. {Are You Wearing The Right-Sized Bra?, Getting To The Perfect Dress} I love this article about figuring out what proportions look best on your body, especially because it focuses on full figures. DEFINING STYLE: HOW TO DRESS FOR YOUR SHAPE. I feel a good place to start is with Nancy Zieman. Her books and videos make adjusting patterns simple to understand and do. Sewing With Nancy - Fitting Finesse Yes, this series was made in 1994 so feel free to laugh at the fashion but the techniques never go out of style! It's All About The Shoulders One key point in Nancy's videos/books is that the shoulders are the most important area to fit because everything else is easily adjustable. If we cut a pattern based on our bust measurement and that measurement is different than the average B cup then the shoulders will not fit. I've bought tops that were an XL to accommodate my bust only to have the top drown me everywhere else because I have a small frame. Nancy's method uses a unique chart that helps you choose a pattern based on your shoulder width and then helps you make any adjustments needed everywhere else (bust, waist, hips, back...). Nancy then teaches easy-to-understand techniques on how to do that. Her pivot technique is great. Full Bust Adjustment (FBA) Unless I'm missing something (and I'll admit I haven't looked at it in depth in years and mostly skimmed it for this post), Nancy's technique adds or subtracts size adjustments to all of the seams equally. In my opinion, this does not make sense. If you're adjusting for a larger/smaller bust, the changes should be made in the bust area! Adding or subtracting these adjustments from all the seams including the back ones makes no sense. The same idea applies to people with a larger belly and/or backside. For example. The bust measurement for a pattern size 14 is 36". If your bust measurement is 40" then most of the 4" difference should be added to the front, right?! Custom Fit The pattern for this dress was customized using the base pattern created through the Fast-Track Fitting Technique. For more fitted clothing, you'll need detailed measurements and adjustments. Fast-Track Fitting by Joi Mahon I found a great measurement format through Craftsy. Called Fast-Track Fitting by Joi Mahon It offers a very detailed measuring system. I'll be honest, making the customized pattern is a lot of work, but when you're done you have a base pattern that fits perfectly and you'll know how and where to use those adjustments on any patterns you use in the future. Note: I used the muslin made using this system as a cover for my mannequin. I added padding where it needed filling out and when I was done it was much more accurate than my adjustable mannequin. This gave me a better form to drape on and cut down on the number of fittings needed. I made one for each of the people I sewed for often. The Beginners Guide: Full Bust Adjustment by curvysewingcollective.com Most Big 4 patterns are drafted using a B-cup bodice and it’s rare that Indies are drafted larger than C-cups. If your bra size falls outside this range, then an FBA is for you! Even if your measurements are exactly identical to those on the pattern envelope, chances are weird fitting issues will crop up with a large cup size. It’s astounding the number of these issues a good FBA can fix, from floppy shoulders to gaping button bands and armscyes. FBA with Knits How to do an FBA on a dartless knit bodice. See this awesome tutorial at https://blog.cashmerette.com/2020/10/how-to-do-a-knit-fba.html Create a muslin (sample garment) using fabric the same weight and stretch of the knit you plan to use for your garment. Put the muslin on and measure how much the muslin's hem rides up in front. This will be your Bust Adjustment amount. Draw a horizontal line across the front pattern piece across the bust apex. Cut along the horizontal line and separate the pattern pieces by the Bust Adjustment amount. keep the pattern lined up with the front edge of the pattern. At the side seam, add a slight curve—essentially, a "boob bubble." This helps create additional width for the bust. This bit is more of an estimate, but we recommend adding about 1/2″ to 3/4″. Trace a new pattern piece. Notch the fabric at the top and bottom of the Bust Adjustment gap. Sewing Instructions 1. Pin the Front piece to the Back piece starting at the hem and going up to the bottom notch. 2. Pin from the armhole to the top notch. 3. Stitch the Front to the Back starting at the hem and going to the bottom notch. When you get to the bottom notch, gently stretch the back piece until it lines up with the front piece, and continue to sew. When you get to the top notch, stop stretching and sew the rest of the seam as you would normally. FBA with Bras/Corsets/Fitted tops One thing I found super helpful was to make/draft a pattern from a bra that fits me {Are You Wearing The Right-Sized Bra?}. I often use the underwires from my old bras that are worn out or from cheap bras that have the right size cups even though the rest of the bra is too big for me Ex. I wear a 34H, which is impossible to find cheap, but I can use the underwire from a "sister-size" bra - 34H, 36G, 38F(aka38DDD), 40DD, 42D, 44C... one of those sizes should be much more common and therefore I can find it cheaper. You can also order underwires in all different shapes and sizes online. To make my own corsets, I've adapted patterns using the techniques listed above ^. {Corsets - Vogue 9273, Wonder Woman Costume} I've also learned a lot from the free tutorials at the Corset Academy (I've never purchased any courses because as far as I can tell, they wouldn't be very useful for someone with serious curves but the sewing techniques are great. They have a lot of free stuff on their YouTube channel as well. More good articles about FBAs Curvy Sewing Collective - The Beginners Guide to Full Bust Adjustment Good articles about making large FBAs Curvy Sewing Collective - Large FBA Issues - Dealing With The Big Honkin' Dart Sew Busty - Giant Full Bust Adjustments on a Woven Bodice Sew Busty - Giant Full Bust Adjustment on a Knit Bodice - AKA Adding A Dart When You Need One ***************** Pant Pattern Adjustment (Some Notes)

Use your own clothes to make more clothes!

If you have followed my blog any this summer, you know that I have become a drop cloth connoisseur and have found many uses for this splendid and inexpensive material. I showed you the drop cloth curtains I made for my kitchen. You can read more about them here. And then I promised you I...

Developing empathy in children has never been more fun than with this collection of 19 simple empathy activities for kids!

The moments after birth, no matter how the birth progressed, are sacred. From home births to c-sections, there is a certain feel to the air that comes with the emergence of new life. The smells, sounds, and sensations will be fresh in mama’s mind for years to come, even when all other details become blurry and begin to fade. The delivery of the placenta—the afterbirth—is often overlooked as a side note in birthing preparations. It might be considered a matter of course, another thing to tidy up after the baby is born, but not a significant moment. In countless births every day, it’s simply wrapped up and thrown away with the rest of the mess that comes with birth.

No need to fear sewing with lightweight, sheer fabrics when you learn these techniques for creating beautiful seams and hems.

Start creating personalized graphic art using our easy to use letter grid templates! We've added detailed lines within the grids for precision designing. Our package includes the following instant downloadable files: ★ 43 Procreate letter grid templates ★ A PDF installation guide on how to add the brush set to your Procreate app Please keep in mind that our templates are only suitable for the Procreate app. If you come across any issues, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'll do my best to resolve any issues! Digital downloads are nonrefundable. Our templates cannot be bought and resold. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Check out our other Procreate templates: 19 Letter Composition Grids https://etsy.me/3cicwry __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ FAQ: Where do I go to download the files after I've purchased it? Once you've purchased our template, go to your Purchases and Reviews located under your Account in Etsy to download. How do I download the templates onto my Procreate app? Once you've downloaded and saved the file onto your iPad, simply go to your downloads, select the file, and it will automatically upload into your Procreate. Please follow our instructional PDF guide for additional details. Why isn’t there a download option on my purchase (in purchases and review)? If you’re on your Etsy app, there are some restrictions that won’t allow you to download digital files. Instead, sign on to your Etsy through your browser, go to your purchases and reviews, and you should be able to download from there. Signing on your Etsy through a browser has no restrictions to downloading digital files.

Top STEM Materials To Keep on Hand There are hundreds of STEM challenges you can easily do with your kids (find many of them on this Pinterest board). After leading dozens of STEM activities, I found out that there are a handful of materials I needed for almost every challenge. These are all simple materials that are very easy and inexpensive to acquire. STEM materials you can't live without Each of these items has a slightly different use but these are the ones I always come back to. Disclaimer: I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you downloads of value and information about educational resources. The link below is an Amazon affiliate link. You can read my full disclosure here. aluminum foil: good for structures, impermeable, and far easier to work with then plastic/cling wrap. Twist it, fold it, make a solar oven with it, or shape it into a boat. This stuff has got you covered! index cards: smaller than card stock so final projects won't overwhelm your space, index cards can be rolled into tubes, folded into various shapes, made into accordions, paper airplanes, cones, or whatever your kids can imagine. Use either 3 x 5 cards or 4 x 6 - whatever you have on hand. cardboard tubes: any STEM teacher could write an ode to cardboard tubes! The versatility of these things makes them completely invaluable. While toilet paper tubes are by far the easiest to come across, paper towel tubes are better, and industrial tubes (ask at your hardware store) or tubes you find in plastic wrap or aluminum foil are pretty much the best ever. Use for structures, marble runs, and more. pennies: you can't beat the cost of this material! What you need to know about pennies: they weigh approximately 2.5 grams. They are also easy to store, count, and hold. They are my go-to material when testing for strength. They also work well to give stability to printable characters. The bonus is that if you lose some, you aren't out a whole lot of money. masking tape: I am partial to Blue Painters Tape. Not only is it vibrant, I find that it is a bit sturdier than regular masking tape. Fair warning: kids can sometimes go overboard with tape. The best way to get around this is to rip off 5-10 small pieces and stick them to the side of the desk/workspace. STEM materials that will make your life easier I have used every single one of these items in multiple challenges. Some of my favorites: pipe cleaners - not only are they great on their own, they are AWESOME to slide through straws and create better stability but also the ability to link together easily. craft sticks - opt for the jumbo ones! If you can get colored ones, they are always well-received (but not worth too much extra $). You can use these for kazoos, structures, splints, and more. rubber bands (one of the most useful items ever. It almost made the cut for the top 5. It was clearly #6!). Get a giant pack! You will use them all in time. string/twine - my personal favorite is this butcher's twine. It has a built in blade to cut that is very narrow, so you would have to try really hard to cut yourself on it. Bonus? When you finish, the cardboard cone it is wrapped around is amazing for STEM projects. pool noodles or pipe insulation - fun for a variety of challenges and one of the cheapest ways to purchase foam (otherwise foam can be crazy expensive). You can even make really fun sculptures with this material. Shopping list for STEM materials Maybe you are lucky and scored a STEM grant, or it's educator week at your favorite local craft store and you are ready to stock up on STEM supplies. Maybe you just have a soft spot for the local $1 spots and can't resist. I find that sometimes I just can't remember what would be useful when I find I have somehow autopiloted my way to Target. Keep the file on your phone or print it out - you can then restock as needed. There might even be a few you hadn't thought of trying before. Just join my list and get access to the free resource library: Even better than having to purchase materials is using what is already there. Don't forget to ask everyone for their recyclables like empty yogurt containers, plastic takeout containers, cardboard rolls, and newspapers. Every once in awhile you may even score something unusual and cool from your school cafeteria or custodian. What STEM material could you not live without? I'd love to know what you use most or find indispensable. Comment below! Clip art and fonts by KG Fonts, Digital Mojo, and Photo Clipz.

Learn the steps you need to take to start designing your own amigurumi. I also share some top tips I’ve learned on my own journey as an amigurumi crochet designer.