Have you heard about Slow Sewing? Taking the time to sew a little something by hand. Pausing with a needle & thread, taking time, and reflecting on a project.

Top 10 tips for slow stitching quilts.I love slow stitching it's very relaxing. I try to include a little in everything I do

Slow Stitching is a new term for an age-old practice of quiet gentle making, mending, repair and stitching. Here’s what slow stitching is and how to do it, as well as what you can make from all your beautiful stitched pieces.

Here’s a lovely idea for using up some of your scrap fabric! You can now create these beautiful fabric butterflies and moths. You can make anything from a magical brooch pin, or as ornaments for your cozy home, or just a fun little project for you to create good-looking fabric butterflies and moths. Use this […]

What is slow stitching? A lot of fun! Learn how to get started with slow stitching and enjoy this creative textile art.

Learn how to finish seams without a serger! A step by step tutorial of 6 different ways to finish seams, including how to sew a french seam

Five hand stitches that should be in every sewist’s repertoire, by Tasha Miller Griffith.

Earlier in the week, I started a new kawandi quilt project. I got the back all pressed up, inserted a layer of thin cotton batting and then trimmed, pressed and pinned down the pieces around my edge. I stitched maybe one row around ... and then didn't get any further. Life, generally, just got in the way of any sewing. This morning, up too early for a Sunday as I had to drop my daughter at work by 7am, I sat in my sewing room when I got back and thought I'd add a couple of rows to my kawandi... and then kept at it for a couple more hours. I turned on my audio book and enjoyed the process. I did eventually have to stop and get some jobs done around the house (blurgh) but looked into the room and saw the sun shining on my sewing table, so thought I'd sew a little bit more. I tried to film a little bit of the stitching and upload a short reel to TikTok. Anyone else on TikTok? I much prefer Instagram, but I thought I'd give it a go and try to be more active on the platform. Here's the link to the video if anyone wants to have a look. @sameliasmum Hand quilting on a sunny Sunday afternoon #quilt #quilting #kawandi #aurifilthread #sewingtiktok #quiltingtiktok #handmade #sameliasmum #bigstitchquilting #slowsewing #sewing ♬ Little Things - Tiqta In other exciting news, I've been selected as an Aurifil Artisan for 2023/2024. This will be my second year collaborating with Aurifil. I'm looking forward to seeing the upcoming list of challenges and working on the themes, in my own way. Fun!

Top US quilting blog, Diary of a Quilter, features an unexpected Quilting Gift they were given this holiday season. Click now for details!

Learn how to choose sewing machine needles to sew denim. Whether you're sewing jeans or upcycling denim, these tips will help you.

Slow stitching is becoming more popular as an art and craft form that takes bits of fabric and thread to create small pieces of art.

Learn what the Bible has to say about sewing related topics such as linens, embroidery, needles, and more!

The Modern Sewing Co. Worker Trousers are the ultimate everyday trouser and our best selling pattern. They are supremely practical with hundreds of you saying they're your comfiest trousers yet. Designed to stand the test of time, you'll be using high end finishing techniques to create a really long lasting pair of trousers. Sizing: UK Sizes 4 - 28 (with PDF Layers)  Skill level: Intermediate sewers

Learn all about Threading a needle ( hand and sewing machine needles) with these actionable tips to avoid strain and frustration

Kantha quilts are made by stitching together flattened layers of old saris or old discarded clothes together. They look kaleidoscopic with a collection of vivid colors and designs that make …

Quilts by Paula Fleischer, political and otherwise

I recently purchased this pattern with plans to sew the top. It was not really love at first sight but the more I studied the pattern,...

Blue. If the shoe fits, share it. (I am filling a bit blue because my baby sister, Melissa, started cancer treatments this week. Please say a prayer for her would you? Please?) I am trying to find the humor, fellowship, and peace in everyday life despite what is happening with my family and the

This last couple of weeks, I've been away with my family, enjoying a Carnival cruise around the south pacific. We had a lovely time away enjoying time on tropical islands and sea days filled up with ship activities. There is always a lot to do on a ship. I knew that I'd need something to sew when I had downtime, so brought a small bag of pink scraps to work on a Kawandi style project. It's very portable style of project to work on while away from the sewing room. The night before we left, I prepared the backing piece and pressed the edges with a decent 3/4" seam. I took along my bag of scrap fabric, a needle and small spool of variegated Aurifil 12 wt thread # 4651, thread, scissors, marker and small ruler to ensure that my lines weren't going too far out whack. I also took a little packet of applique pins to keep my pieces in place when I rolled up the project before heading out to the next trivia challenge or show in the theatre. I worked most of the project on the ship and finished it off last night. I think I might choose a different colour scrap tub and make some more. It's nice to have a slow-sewing project ready to work, without deadlines to worry about. Have you tried making a kawandi style of project? When I saw the beautiful Kawandi works by Linda over at Flourishing Palms, I was inspired to try this style myself. I'm so glad that I did. The stitches may not be straight or perfect, but they were very enjoyable.

Quilts by Paula Fleischer, political and otherwise

Prepare for your busiest nights with this simple, make-ahead dinner.

Simple Curtains Sewing Tutorial - an easy way to sew your own drapes! Also includes how to use the blind hem foot for your sewing machine!

Buy the Orchards Dress Sleeve and Top Expansion sewing pattern from Vivian Shao Chen. This add-on to the original Orchards Dress pattern includes three sleeve options. Sleeve A is a set-in short or elbow-length sleeve with optional contrast trim. Sleeve B is a mid-forearm length sleeve with a very slight shoulder puff. The cuff is finished with bias binding. Sleeve C is a puff sleeve with decorative pin tucks that add dramatic texture and shaping. The expansion also includes options for a back tie and loops, contrast trim on the skirt of any view, and a top! Note: This is not a complete pattern. You must already own the original Orchards Dress pattern to use this expansion. If you have not yet purchased the original pattern, you can do so here. This sewing pattern is available to buy in the following formats: – PDF (available to download immediately after purchase). What is a PDF? – PDF pattern + Printed A0 copy shop (We print out the A0 pattern sheets, but you’ll need to download the digital instructions, as we don’t print these. The PDF files will be emailed immediately after purchase, and the A0 pattern sheets will be dispatched next working day). What is Copy Shop? Suggested fabrics: Same as for the Orchards Dress. Fabric requirements: See image gallery. Sizing: US 00 – 22 (approx. UK 6 – 22, based on our standardised size chart). Please also check the designer’s size chart and finished garment measurements. The pattern is designed for a B cup bust, meaning there is a 2″ difference between the high bust and full bust. If your cup size is larger than B, you may need to do a full bust adjustment. A bust apex point is included on the front bodice pattern piece. Notions: Same as for the Orchards Dress. PDF pattern includes: Instructions; US letter/A4 print-at-home pattern (30 pages); US copy shop pattern (36" x 72"); A0 copy shop pattern (2 sheets) // Layers: Yes // Projector file: No. If you’re looking for more maker inspiration, check out the latest sewing pattern reviews from the sewing community. We also have a sewing blog to keep you up to date with all the news from the world of sewing.

Kawandi is a style of quilt created by the Siddi people of India, traditionally done by hand. It is truly scrappy and improvisational. While I like doing hand work, I was also intrigued by faster machine methods. I've listed some resources at the end of this tutorial if you are interested in creating Kawandi by hand, want to see another machine tutorial, want to see some footage of Siddi creating Kawandi by hand, and a discussion of creating Kawandi in your own style. This tutorial describes a new way of creating Kawandi by machine. These are NOT traditional Kawandi, but inspired by the joy and movement of Kawandi-style. I started with a background piece of fabric approximately 8x10", a piece of batting of the same size, and many scraps of batiks or quilting cottons. 1) Place the background over the batting, right side up (this is a quilt as you go technique, so the batting is incorporated from the beginning. 2) Place 4 scraps in the corners, right side DOWN - NOTE I'm using batiks in these examples, so its hard to tell that these pieces are upside down. In this image, you are looking at what will be the WRONG side of those scrap corners. 3) Begin UNDERLAPPING adjoining scraps into the corners. Fold approximately 1/4 inch on the side that will go UNDER the corner. Again, the scraps are placed upside down. Pin the piece in place along the edge. This will be machine sewn. 4) When you get to the next corner, fold the 1/4 inch on both sides of the scrap because it will go under 2 pieces of fabric. 5) Continue folding and underlapping scraps, pinning along the outer edge until you get the entire edge filled. Notice that it doesn't matter if you use short scraps, or long scraps. And again, its impossible to tell from this image because I'm using batiks, but you are looking at the right side of the background, and the WRONG side of the colorful scraps. 6) Sew 1/4 in seam all the way around the edge, removing pins as you come to them. 7) Clip the 4 corners close to the seam, being careful not to cut the thread. 8) Turn right side out by flipping each scrap over the seam. Use a tool to poke out or pull out the corners. There should be no raw edges of fabric along the edge of the piece because they are either in the seam OR they are folded under. 9) Carefully press the outer edge - taking care not to press the batting, as it might melt depending on fiber content. 10) The result is a piece with finished edges like this: 11) Top stitch close to the edge, This will secure all the folded under edges of each scrap. 12) When you are on the 4th side, approaching the beginning of your stitch line, turn the corner about 1/4" or 3/8" before you get there, to start the 'spiral' of stitching. The next steps are done just like Kawandi by hand, but you continue sewing on the machine. 13) To place the next piece, fold under 2 edges. Finger press or iron as necessary. Overlap the unfinished edges of previous scraps. 14) to place a color into a long strip, fold under 3 edges, staying aware of where you will place another scrap to overlap. 15) To keep a small scrap straight as you sew over the edge, it may be necessary to use long tweezers or stiletto. 16) Continue placing scraps and sewing in concentric rectangles, into the center. Note: this picture is from another project than the ones above. 17) Prepare the final scrap by folding under all 4 sides, and sewing the ever smaller rectangles/squares of stitching. 18) For the piece made of batiks, I decided the center "squares" looked better on the diagonal. Although not traditional at all, I've already broken so many 'rules', that I just decided to make this mine. Also, I'm aware that traditional Kawandi have 'folded flowers' in the 4 corners. Include them if you wish. Make it yours! Paula RESOURCES: How to make a Kawandi by hand by Kieren Dutcher https://youtu.be/yFd0xEfKeto How to make a Kawandi by machine (with binding) by Mel Beach https://pieceloveandhappiness.blogspot.com/2019/03/modern-kawandi-making.html Margaret Fabrizio travels to India to learn Kawandi from Siddi quilters: https://youtu.be/WqdIswL96q4 Margaret Fabrizio shows her own Kawandi quilts, and talks about making them in her own style. https://youtu.be/4NRxqOqp_UA

Visible mending is a simple method for repairing a garment. Maybe you’ve snagged your dress on something, and a hole has formed, or you have weakened, thread bare areas from friction rubbing...

This beef stew recipe combines tender chunks of beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich, savory broth for a comforting and delicious meal. Perfect for a chilly day, it's an easy-to-make dish that will warm you up from the inside out.

This week it is my turn on the Snail Paced Slow-along Sew-along….try saying that five times fast. I am not usually much of a joiner with Sew alongs but I loved the pattern for this quilt …

The ultimate guide on how to sew stretch jersey. Essential tips, equipment recommendations, sewing machine settings and more.

Find out how to use your Instant Pot slow cooker setting. Learn how to make slow cooker recipes the easy way!