Quite often a store like Joann's will put patterns on sale for a$1.00 or some very low price, compared to the envelope price. That is when you buy patterns, because otherwise they are horribly expensive. Like was mentioned, find some very easy basic styles and then use your imagination to make those...

Welcome! Some quick tips: Dilute shampoos, conditioners with 2 or 3 times the amount of water. They are more effective this way anyhow. Use half as much of laundry detergent as you normally do. Make your own cleaners using vinegar, baking soda and dish soap. Lots of recipes around for doing that. Gather...

I have made cloth napkins for my family. The best material and my favorite material for cloth napkins, dish rags, and dish towels is homespun. Homespun fabric can be purchased at Wal-Mart for $2.00 a yard, sometimes $1.00 a yard if on the sale table. Most of the homepsun fabric is dark colored plaid...

I'm so jumpy today ! Last week, Beloved Hubby had a windfall, and we took care of a lot of stuff. And we still had funds left over for fun ! I sew doll clothes for a hobby, and go to yard sales and thrift stores for thrills, and as a result, my 'Lab' (combined doll studio and sewing room...

I found these at Joann's. They are laser-cut thick acrylic templates for making quilt pieces, either for rotary cutting or to draw around with a pencil or marker. They already have a 1/4 inch seam allowance added and cutout holes for marking the stitching line. There are several different sets for...

I have a large recliner and a padded chair on wheels like an office chair. One thing I learned: you can't use a treadle sewing machine while sitting on a chair with wheels. Try to push on the treadle and you roll back away from the machine. There is a mechanical principle in there somewhere. Edey

Great Way to Recycle Those Unused Buttons! Ever wonder what to do with the "stuff" that is left-over when you finish an art project. Stuff like yarn, felt, colorful buttons , beads, colored pencils, paper scraps with interesting designs, fabric - those things just a bit too small to use. Well...

I ran across this website tonight. I was looking for patterns to use up some fabrics. Under the Pattern section you can find 150+ patterns that are mostly free, some limited sizes. I would be sure to read the notes for the pattern. Some of the patterns even have downloads that you can bring to the copyshop...

String quilts are real easy to make. The "strings" are long strips of fabric, not cord type string. Usually it's left over strips of fabric that are too narrow for other purposes; this is a good way to not waste those scraps. Basics for making a block: Cut a large square of a backing fabric...

Hi friends, I found a set of used quilting frames for $10 at the local flea market yesterday. Perfect timing as my DD has just about finished up her quilt top. They are unusual as they have nails sticking up on the stand parts and the boards have holes in them that slip over the nails. I have two concerns...