Sewing tips

Narrow Zipper Foot

Since becoming serious about my sewing, I have purchased a number of specialty presser feet. One of my more recent purchases has been a “narrow zipper foot”. That’s right… a “narrow zipper foot”. There is more than one kind of zipper foot for regular zipper applications (an “invisible zipper foot” is used when sewing invisible …

Project reviews

Scrappy Stocking Ornament Review

Christmas is just around the corner. Regardless of whether you plan ahead or need a last minute gift, Christmas ornaments are a popular option. Stumbles & Stitches Scrappy Stocking Christmas Ornament is  a quick and easy project. It’s also a great way to use up some of those small scraps of fabric that you can’t …

Business tips

Accounting Software

At it’s most basic accounting is about keeping track of the money going in and coming out. Knowing this information helps households and businesses plan for the future. Accounting software is a tool to make the process easier. The first accounting software I ever used was a spreadsheet for budgeting in my personal life. I …

Business tips

Year End Inventory

Does your home based business have inventory? Mine does. The first time I did small business taxes, it was an unpleasant surprise to discover that I needed to know the monetary value of my year end inventory. My only option was to count all my fabric, hardware, zippers, and other items. It took a considerable …

Project reviews

Yoga Mat Strap Wrap Review

Yoga and pilates are popular activities among my group of friends. Many of us have our own mat that we use when we are exercising. It’s rare for these mats to come with their own carrying system, so a yoga mat strap wrap makes a great, practical gift for minimalists. The online tutorial and PDF …

Project reviews

Small Backpack Review

So-Sew-Easy is another of my favorite pattern designers. While I’ve made technical packs (Alpine Rucksack, GVP Pack) and several cross body bags, the Small Backpack is my first fashion backpack. This fashion backpack is roughly 11” x 7” x 4” in size (308 cubic inches, 5 litres) and can be converted to a crossbody bag. …

Project reviews

Prairie Girl Bag review

When I found the Emmaline Bags website, I was impressed with the number of unique patterns available. In addition to the PDF patterns and tutorials, this website also sells paper patterns and hardware. The difficult part was deciding which patterns to buy. One of my favorites was the Prairie Girl bag. I purchased a hardware …

Project reviews

Coco Bag Review

When I found the Coco Bag tutorial by ChrisW Designs, I was excited. Here was one opportunity to learn 3 new techniques: rivets, grommets, and corded handles. I had just enough faux leather left over from sewing the Debbie Shore Faux Leather Handbag to make this project. The PDF tutorial for this free project is …

Project reviews

Faux Leather Handbag Review

When I found the “Faux Leather Handbag” tutorial by Debbie Shore, I was intrigued. I hadn’t sewn faux leather and wanted to try it. Image my surprise when my I found a piece of faux leather in the remnant bin at my local fabric store. I already had a remnant of floral canvas and some …