Nani Iro’s Quilted Double Gauze has a lot going for it: the prints are stunning,…

"This throw blanket is so cozy, and is simple to knit! Using a series of knit and purl stitches, you'll create a fabric that's lofty and super warm. With little puffs that hold in warm air, this is the perfect winter blanket pattern. It uses a chunky yarn and large needles so it works up fairly quickly. Choose your favorite color of yarn and begin knitting this luxurious throw as a gift, or a gift to yourself!"

Have you ever heard of Big Stitch Quilting? Someone on instagram saw a quilt that I'm in the midst of working on and suggested I google "Big Stitch Quilting" and so I did! source It's a hand quilting technique that uses big stitches and there are lots of tutorials (and here) all over the internet. There are books, online classes, and entire websites dedicated to the topic. I have to say, I've done lots of Big Stitch Quilting before, but I didn't realize it had a name. I love the way the big stitches look: source source source source source...

Photo above © Marian Hooks This knitting pattern is available as a free download... Download Pattern: Grandma Birdie's Baby Blankie

Never make the mistake of forgetting these 4 important things to include when you gift a quilt! You'll be so glad that you did #4!!

This beginner friendly quilted postcard tutorial is so fun for the holidays! Sew and send handmade notes to your friends!

I told myself I'd never make another puff quilt. Yet, here I am.....sharing about my second puff quilt. (haha!) Don't get me wrong, I loved the process of making my first puff quilt, which you can read about here, but I honestly thought that we'd never have the need for another one. Well, over the last year, I slowly forgot how much work they are (haha) and I started getting the itch to do the process all over again! Peter uses my original puff quilt alllllll the time. He loves the weight of it, but his only complaint was that it wasn't long enough. I made the

The photo above © Amigurumi__bestAmigurumi is for those who like to crochet toys. You can reach other amigurumi toy patterns by clicking on the links I have given below. Full Post: Amigurumi Patterns

Liberty of London fabrics are certainly one of my favourites - so combine making a Liberty Quilt and Crochet and it is a quilt made in heaven. The pattern for the Crochet Trim blanket is available here. I firstly made a simple squares quilt using Liberty fabric. I cut large squares out of some of my favourites and then sew them together to make a quilt top. Because I wanted this quilt to be a light and soft quilt I chose "Quilt Lite" for the Batting as this is almost like a layer of flannel in the centre - rather than a regular Cotton Batting. On the back I had bought this amazing piece of Liberty Gallymoggers which has all the custest drawings of all the Alice in Wonderland characters - just perfect to keep in one piece and then can be completely reversed for this Crochet Trim Blanket. I used Aurifil 12wt #2021 to hand quilt the quilt outlining the squares and then finished off the binding just as normal. Once the quilt was finished then the crochet Border was sewn. Using Rowan - Siena 4ply (Mercerised Cotton) in an off white colour I started the trim using a Blanket stitch to have an anchor row for the crochet trim using a "Knitter's Needle". Using a 2.75mm Clover hook I then crocheted a scallop around the foundation Blanket stitch. You can get the pattern for the Crochet Trim Blanket Here I feel that there will be lots more of this type of quilt to be made in the future. I am so happy with how it looks and the drape is just so soft. Perfect for a new baby and such a portable quilt. Jemima x

Photos above © Creativa Atelier This knitting pattern / tutorial is available for free... Full Post: Kimono Jacket

Add texture and personality to your sewing projects with this surface cording tutorial from The Coletterie!

When quilting meets crocheting, beautiful things happen. I am so excited to be sharing these photos with you. My very talented and dear friend, Tiffany Behmer of www.FannyLuWho.blogpsot.com, made t…

Updated 4-25-12 with new and improved pictures! In honor of Sew, Mama, Sew’s quilting month I am finally getting around to posting this pictorial tutorial (say that 10 times fast!) on how to …

With this Billowy Quilted Throw Blanket Free Knitting Pattern, you can create a gorgeous, soft, timeless, quilted-look blanket.

This tutorial explains how to make clamshell quilt pattern easily

Disclaimer: Please let me remind you that I have been sewing just about a year and my methods leave a lot to be desired. I have so much to ...

First off thank you for your wonderful support to the cyber sale we had in our little shop. Those who said they didn’t mind waiting for the next shipment of our thread will not have to wait too long. I got word its already on its way. YAY! So hold tight its coming! I have […]

Stitching lace insertion to fabric is the first technique that we learn when I teach heirloom sewing by machine. This is not a strong application of lace and best used on collars, yokes, or sleeves. Lace insertion is the lace that is straight on both edges. If one side of the lace feels rougher than the other, this is the wrong side of the lace. I have used a contrasting color thread for the photos. Use a fine machine thread that matches the lace and a 60/8 size machine needle. Starch and press the lace and fabric. Using a wash-away marker, mark the lace placement lines on the fabric. Set the sewing machine on straight stitch length of 2.0 and stitch close to the edge of the lace down both sides. I prefer to stitch from top to bottom each time to prevent the fabric and lace from distorting. Turn the fabric to the wrong side, and carefully cut the fabric between the stitching lines, being careful not to cut the lace. Press the fabric away from the lace. On the right side of the fabric, using a zigzag stitch of 2.0 width and 0.7 length, stitch over the previous stitching line. The stitch should "zig" into the lace and "zag" into the fabric. On the wrong side of the fabric, using blunt scissors, trim away the excess fabric. Starch and press the fabric and lace before continuing with your garment. I first started doing heirloom sewing about 15 years ago while doing custom sewing for "Joy's of Smocking" in Decatur, AL. I still love working with lace and fabric!

Very Pretty Knitting Blanket This knitting pattern / tutorial is available for free... Full post: Very Pretty Blanket

The Evelyn Blanket has lots of texture and is a perfect way to learn different types of stitches.

Rag Quilt Play Letters and Numbers {Toys}Check out this great pattern and tutorial where you'll be able to create a set of quilted rag numbers and letters! Perfect for a toddler to learn their numbers and letters with or an older child to learn to spell with! A fun project for you to make and your child to play with!View This Tutorial

Hello Kitten PantsThis knitting pattern / tutorial is available for free... Full post: Hello Kitten Pants

Gratis haakpatroon deken - Kalevala CAL - Arteeni Kalevala is de Finse nationale epos en heeft een permanente status in de Finse cultuur. Deze mythologie, d ...

This all came about because of a large multi-colored stack of stripey tees I have had taking up space in my workshop for months. The t-shi...

Photos above © Kristen Clay This crochet pattern is available as a free download... Download Pattern: Popcorn Throw

Pattern Center

Lacy Baby HatThis knit pattern is available as a free download... Download Pattern: Lacy Baby Hat

When the Scheepjes Last Dance on the Beach Crochet-A-Long was announced, I knew I HAD to do it! And I'm so happy that I did. Not only was it a cathartic and healing experience for me, but it resulted in a beautiful blanket that I am now gifting to my dear friend. You see, she is the suicide prevention specialist in my state and a suicide survivor herself. When I learned of Wink's passing, she was...

I always have a project going. Quilting, scrapbooking, and many miscellaneous Christmas projects...quite a few have been completed, and many more are unfinished in the cupboard. I tried knitting once, but was never able to relax and find my groove. I ended up at the chiropractor to fix the consequences of stress knitting and that was the end of that. I also tried, for approximately five minutes, to learn to crochet a baby afghan. My sister makes the prettiest little blankets, and it looked like fun. I never took up my hook though. Yesterday, with the arrival of my Garnet Hill catalog, a new obsession was immediately born. I am in love with this (photo from Garnet Hill website) granny square (although I suppose it's hexagon) afghan. My love of all things granny started last year with this scarf. It was ridiculously priced at $68.00, so I simply admired it in the store. Apparently, everyone else thought it was over priced as well, and a full year later, it was on a killer clearance so I snatched it up. I have to admit, I never, ever, dreamed I would be into granny squares. Some things from the seventies should never be seen again, but with the right yarn and color combination, I feel sure granny is here to stay. Any other granny lovers out there? Will it be easy to learn? Crochet on.

The photo above © peterlinziThis knitting pattern / tutorial is available for free... Full post: Nevis Newborn

How to hem almost everything - different types of hems and when to use them.

Le tricot modulaire..... vous connaissez? Depuis longtemps je voulais me pencher sur cette technique et vraiment c'est facile comme tout. La technique consiste à tricoter des carrés (ou des triangles) avec une arête centrale et qui va vous permettre...

Get a Crocheting Friend to Help and Make One for Each of You! Soft yellow crochet is so pretty between fabric blocks in this lovely cover. Display it on a table or add another row of blocks for a lap throw. Five inch charm squares in vivid large scale prints are sown together, right sides …

Via Via A while ago, going through my "pile of probably not going to ever finish them" projects, I came upon a project I started eons ago. A cheat quilt as I used to refer to it - which today has a more sophisticated name- or so pinterest told me - and it's called quilted and crochet fusion blanket. Well, at the time, I as a very eager mother to make my firstborn a cheat quilt she was supposed to treasure forever, cut and sew laboriously pieces of her clothing she admired, of which there is a glimpse you can actually see here, and that was it. I put the pieces back into the "forgotten drawer". I didn't want to return to it - yet I might try this in the future using my vintage fabric scraps I've been jealously holding onto. So when the very first quilted / crochet blanket above appeared in my pinterest feed, it flushed back all the memories. And the desire which I hope will resist other whims my mind gets tackled with on daily basis. Until then, enjoy these beauties.  Via Via Via

It Can Be Used as a Blanket and Play Mat Too! What’s cuter than a tiny baby snuggled up in a quilted sleeping bag? The bags are practical too, especially when it’s cold outside. We’ve seen several versions of darling quilted baby sleeping bags for sale. The following version was originally found for sale on …

The Nuts About Squares CAL by Esther Dijkstra started yesterday and I am very pleased to tell you that the CAL starts with one of my squares.

Sofia Square VVCAL Pages 2020 VVCAL Main Page 2018 VVCAL Main Page 2016 VVCAL Main Page Pin Me! Related Links Vibrant Vintage main info page (2016) VVCAL Ravelry ebook – Neat photos of al…

Back in March I started a Clamshell quilt. See here and here. I Googled one day to see what was out there about the Clamshell - NOT MUCH.....but, I did come across Jossie's blog and discovered she was forming a CLAMSHELL CLUB.....YES, I joined!!! The last day of each month we post our progress. Today is the first post and I decided to give the tutorial everyone asked about in March when I first posted about it........SO......here goes! The above photo shows to pick your pattern. My Clamshell pattern measures 5 inches across it's very widest and is 6 inches long. If you clicked on the 2 here's above, you will find the history on where and when I got my pattern from. I made 2 patterns pieces just alike.....trimming the top seam allowance off of one. I use self laminating pages to help stabilize my pattern pieces. Using one of your patterns with all the seam allowances, trace onto your fabric, making sure you line up the grain of your fabric with the arrows on your pattern....very important! I use what they call a mechanical pencil...the kind you add your own lead to...for tracing my patterns. These pencils make very sharp thin lines. I also use a quilters Sandpaper Board to lay my fabric down for tracing. These are soooo great, your fabric stays put and doesn't pull or bunch up while you are trying to trace. Cut out using a small rotary cutter. The blade on this cutter of mine measures 1'' across. Now.....take your pattern that is minus the top seam allowance and line up the bottom edges. I simply used my left hand to hold down......... then I used my right hand index finger/fingernail to fold down the top edges to form a nice crease all along the rounded tops edge. You could also use a hard object like this small ruler to form you crease, but I found my fingers worked better and it was a lot faster. I usually started at the top/middle and worked my way all the way down. See the nice crease I made all along the top! You could then use a washable glue to tack it down......be careful......too much glue will make your fabric sooooo hard and stiff you won't be able to get a needle through it. There are some nice glue pens out there, but I am just using what I have on hand. Or your could hand baste it down like I've shown. I take one Clamshell and lightly fold in half at the top and bottom and line it up vertically using my creases as a guide to help line it up using the graph lines on my June Taylor mini ironing pad.....remember, at this point I am working from the backside. Take 2 other Clamshells and place as I've shown. Using the graphed lines and 'eye-balling' the 2 pieces, you can line them up fairly straight. I am not overly concerned with having pristine straight rows......after all, who is going to 'whoop' out a straight edge to see if you are all lined up. I am still 'mulling' over some other ideas to improve this step. I'll let you know if I work out something better. I then use small tiny sequin pins to attach my 3 pieces. I guess you could use glue here too....I've not tried! UPDATE: I ended up using dots of glue to piece the clam shells together instead of using the pinning method. You must be careful not to use too much glue or get the glue too close to the edges for it will make the fabric hard and you will not be able to get a needle into it. I liked the glue method. It made the pieces stay together a lot better and there was no slipping around with your placement. If you do get too much glue and it turns hard, I filled my washing machine with cold water and put my top in and just let it have a good soak to remove the glue. NO washing, just soak and then let your machine drain and spin at the end of the wash cycle. I then took it outside and laid it flat out on the grass in the sun and let it dry naturally. When it was dry I lightly pressed it to make it smooth so I could sandwich it with my batting and the back. Here is the side you will be hand stitching the pieces together. I simply try to match my applique threads with the printed Clamshell fabric and use a basic applique stitch. I start at the right hand side there and stitch down to the bottom middle and then back up again to the left hand side stitching the 2 muslin pieces to my vintage printed piece. Here is a view of how your back side will look after you've stitched them together. I usually work in groups of 3's and 5 Clamshells. I find it is more 'portable' this way and can be good handwork when I travel. My design wall here shows you the different size groups I work with. When I have a more extended period of time to work on them I sew all the groups together to start forming my rows. So far, this has proved to be a very fast and easy system for me. I hope this is clear and simple enough to follow. Please feel free to email with any questions you might have. OK.....I'm off to work on 'a few' before the day is over. Run over to Jossie's and check her sidebar and click on some of the gals who are also creating this little Clamshell project. HAPPY CLAMMING YA'LL!!!!

My portuguese grandmother was a master knitter. She never used pattern in her life, but just made her own designs and gorgeous creations. I unfortunately didn't inherit that skill at all, but what I did inherit was some of the...

Here is an up close and personal look at Bridging (Faggoting) along with a few tips. I first fell in love with this technique 32 years ago when I recieved a Feltman Brothers outfit as a baby gift for my oldest. (32 years ago......that actually hurt to write!) Anyway, it wasn't until I started working at our local Heirloom Sewing store that I found good instructions and could give it a try! It is a very old technique used to attach lace or a tiny bias band to fabric. I discovered that the biggest secret is basting the fabric and lace to piece of light weight interfacing. This keeps the two pieces the correct distance apart. Try not to stitch into the interfacing. My thread of choice at the moment is a polyester/cotton blend sewing machine thread. I find that the thread tangles less if I use Bee's Wax on the thread. This is not a complicated stitch. It just takes a little practice getting the spacing or the stitches correct and remembering to keep the thread under the needles for each stitch. The instructions for the Bridging (Faggoting) are included in many of my patterns and the "Heirloom Embroidery" book. I would love to hear if you are giving this technique a try! Michie'