Ribbon Labels

Cheaper alternative to purchasing large amounts of woven labels, make them at home!! Check out Silly Gilly for the complete tutorial.

Sponge Balls

Better than water balloons ... you never have to fiddle with trying to fill them up ... or pick up the tiny broken rubber pieces, plus you'll never run out. Check out the complete tutorial at Betz White.

Super Foam-erator

Here is an excellent easy craft to keep your kids busy during the summer. Check out the complete tutorial at Betz White.

Beginning Quilting - Basics

Preparing and Cutting - including how to use a rotary cutter
Quarter Inch Seam and Pressing Techniques

Matching Seams and Quick Piecing Techniques - strip piecing, chain piecing

Maintaining Your Momentum
All About Fabric - Building a stash, chooseing fabrics, storing fabrics

Batting Guide

Binding and Quilting Resource Links

Scrap Management

Binding Tutorial -crosswise binding (not bias)

Grid Quilting Tutorial

Free Motion Quilting - video ... and I've heard a tip to turn your machine at a 45 degree angle to free your mind from straigh lines ... just a thought.

How to Calculate Quilt Measurements

How to Baste Quilts

Quilt Labeling

How to Make Your Own Spray Starch
why would you want to use spray starch?! i was wondering the same thing ... p.s. the lavender is in the recipe is an antiseptic and acts as a preservative (plus it smells super great while you are pressing). and p.s. starching clothing makes them last longer as the perspiration and dirt sticks to the starch instead of the fibers.
here are some tips on using starch and quilting ...
Generation Quilt Patterns
Tips Page 1 and Tips Page 2

Beginning Sewing Basics

Patterns Demystified!

Tips for Working With Patterns

How to Take Measurements

How to Alter Pants Patterns

Modifying Pants Patterns for Babies and Kids

Interfacing Guide

How to Set in a Sleeve -- alothough personally I don't sew the side seams and the underarm seams first ... I set the sleeve, then sew the underarm and side seam in one long seam!

Buttonholes - basic and corded

Centered Zipper - using GLUE .... what an interesting idea!

Sewing on Oilcloth (and Vinyl)


How to Spring Clean your Sewing Machine


Spring Clean Your Sewing Room -- which is full of tips and organization ideas

Favorite Sewing Tips, Part One, Two and Three.

How to Make Your Own Spray Starch
why would you want to use spray starch?! i was wondering the same thing ... p.s. the lavender is in the recipe is an antiseptic and acts as a preservative (plus it smells super great while you are pressing). and p.s. starching clothing makes them last longer as the perspiration and dirt sticks to the starch instead of the fibers.
here are some tips on using starch and quilting ... but the same priciples apply to sewing ...
Use spray starch to stabilize slinky fabrics as you cut and sew. Most of the starch will be removed as you handle and sew the fabric, the remainder can be washed out before you wear the garment.
Generation Quilt Patterns
Tips Page 1 and Tips Page 2

Baby Sunsuit

Instructions, and measurements for a 6-12 month old. Check out the complete tutorial at Made-By-Rae.

Fabric Folding

Fabric folding method that is awesome and will keep your organized. Check out the complete tutorial at Happy Zombie.

Sewing Machine Needles

Sew, Mama, Sew explains the difference between different needles and what needle you should use for your project. Or Threads has a great explanation of needles.

Simple Machine Applique

Sew, Mama, Sew has a great how to. Covering supplies and materials, machine settings and more. After you've covered the basics they have another post about layering and more complex designs. With PDF templates.

Techniques: Seam Finishes

Sew, Mama, Sew shows us how to do seam finishes with your sewing machine (no special machine needed for these) ... including: straight stitch, zig zag edge, clean finish, french seam, mock french seam (used on curves), flat fell, bound seam, double-fold bias tape, pinking, stitch and pink, or overlock on your serger.

Continuous Piping

Check out the complete tutorial at Southern Matriarch.

Presser Feet

Information on Essential Presser Feet. Check out My Measuring Tape and ikatbag, or Sew, Mama, Sew which is loaded with information.

Make Your Own Ham (or Seam Roll)

Check out the complete tutorial at My Measuring Tape. Generally they are made with one side flannel and one side canvas (or twill).

How to Mark Points From Patterns

How to transfer important points on the pattern to your fabric. Check out the complete tutorial at ikatbag. Instead of using a marker, pencil or chalk on the mark, I generally just stick a pin in that spot ... that's the lazy method.

Applying Picot Elastic

How to apply picot edge elastic. The example shows underwear, but I LOVE it for necklines and super simple elastic waists on skirts. Check out Stitches and Seams for complete tutorial. Do the topstitching with a double needle for a mock-coverstitch (shown in the above picture).

Sewing Tip: Trash Bowl

The Cozy Apartment shares the idea of using Rachel Ray's trash bowl idea in the sewing room. I totally do this too, so I figured I should share. I bought a cheap slender trash bin at the dollar store. I used to keep those loose threads on the end of the sewing table and inevitably they would get all over EVERYTHING. Now when I'm sewing I throw loose threads, serger chains, and small fabric scraps in the bowl. When I'm done (or when it gets full) the whole thing gets dumped into the trash can.

How to Estimate Yardage

This takes some of the guesswork out of the age old question, "How much fabric should I purchase?!" Check out the complete tutorial at ikatbag.

Faux Cami or Modesty Panel

How to add a faux camisole or modesty panel into a too low neckline. Check out the complete tutorial at Stitches and Seams.

Little Girl Leggings

Check out Sparkle Power for the complete tutorial.

Super Easy Removable Pillow Cover

Super easy and they make washing a breeze. Or simply make a new cover when you're ready for a new look. Check out the complete tutorial at Sparkle Power.

Ruffle Sleeve Top

Easy ruffle sleeve top, starting with rectangles and elastic! Check out the complete tutorial at Sparkle Power.