What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

I feel like I’m getting better at figuring out what I actually want more of in my life… and what I could stand to live without. 

I’m slowly letting go of some of the things that feel heavy and forced and adding more of the things that make me happy.

Sometimes it’s something big. And sometimes it’s as simple as cleaning the house with the music BLASTING when nobody else is home. read more

Last week, my husband and the kids went to New Orleans to attend his grandmother’s funeral, and it’s one of those things that makes you stop and think about just how short this life really is. 

We’re all here for a little while and none of us get to know exactly how long that “little while” will be.

We might as well make the most of it.

The good days. The hard days. The ordinary Tuesday afternoons. The celebrations, the disappointments, the belly laughs, the tears, the mess, and all the stuff in between.

It’s all ...

Yup. I know. I missed last week’s newsletter. It was bound to happen. 

My husband left town for 5 days, life got a little extra busy around here, and by the time I came up for air, the week was over. Sigh. 

I could’ve spent a bunch of time feeling guilty about it, but instead I decided to just pick up where I left off… and feel just a little bit guilty about it. read more

Today we’re officially launching my brand new Sewing with Cotton Rope: Second Edition course! read more

Join Vanessa LIVE to hear all about her sneaker making supply kits and online video course. This is a great project to try! They are conversation starters and people will do a double take as you walk by with your one-of-a-kind sneakers!

• Quilted Sneakers Course details: https://craftygemini.com/shop/quilted-sneakers-video-course/

• Sneaker kit: https://craftygemini.com/shop/quilted-sneakers-supply-kit/

• Find out more about the class here: https://craftygemini.com/2025/06/learn-to-make-your-own-custom-quilted-sneakers-new-online-course.html

Join the CraftyGemini YouTube Channel Membership by clicking the join button here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCraftyGemini

Join our email list: https://craftygemini.com/newsletter/

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We have some bolts of fabric left to clear out of inventory so let’s see what’s left and I also need help choosing a craft item to make for this weekend’s craft swap. I’m thinking I may do a small zupper pouch or some rope bowls. Chat with us live and tell me what you think I should make.

All fabric on sale is on clearance while supplies last! If you have some projects coming up tune in today and see if any of these prints will help!

Join us for a laid back chat about ...

This week I’m chatting about my latest online video course and sharing some pocket sewing tips with you. I finally got around to filming and editing a whole step-by-step video course for the Crisscross Apron by Mary Mulari Designs!

We have sold hundreds of these patterns over the past several years and many of you asked me for a course. I made a few reversible aprons and filmed a whole course for you! So here it is:

• Get the video course: https://craftygemini.com/shop/crisscross-apron-video-course/

• Order the apron pattern only: https://craftygemini.com/shop/crisscross-reversible-apron-pattern/

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I have a crafty swap event coming up at the end of the month and I need to make 12 of something. I haven’t made my mind up yet but I’m considering making little rope bowls so I started making bowls with my scrap pieces of 3/16” cotton rope and the tiny bowl came out so cute I thought I would share it with you!

Tune in for tips and a how-to on making this tiny rope bowl. It’s perfect for holdings rings, crystals and other small objects.

I have a full 3-project online video course ...

Tune in today for a quick and easy sewing project demo! We’ve taught dozens of kids how to make these and they were a hit! Pick one or two cute fabrics and that’s it! Can easily be made in 5-10 minutes.

Surprisingly these even fit varying sizes of travel sized tissue packs. So, that’s even better! Tune in for a laid back chat and sewing session with Vanessa.

Sign up for email updates: https://craftygemini.com/newsletter/

Ask your own questions for a future WIP Wednesday here: https://forms.gle/6HuDFcuftYCp7nmk8

Other products, projects, and useful links ...

Today we’re officially launching my brand new Sewing with Cotton Rope: First Edition course! read more

Vanessa has been playing around with different ropes/clotheslines and making a few bowls. Join the livestream today and learn a few more rope bowl making tips that you can use on your next rope project!

Vanessa will also share the rope projects she’s been working on. If you rarely use your sewing machine’s zig zag stitch this is a super fun project to work on.

• How to make a coiled rope bowl tutorial: https://youtu.be/Bpz6VTFS0Zo?si=pQB02DBK7CVyoSMi

• Scout Mini Satchel Bag: https://craftygemini.com/shop/scout-mini-satchel-video-course/

Join our email list: https://craftygemini.com/newsletter/

Ask ...

Vanessa has been playing around with different ropes/clotheslines and making a few bowls. Join the livestream today and learn how to make a simple coiled bowl using a zig zag stitch! If you rarely use your sewing machine’s zig zag stitch this is a super fun project to work on.

• Slanted Zipper Pouch: https://craftygemini.com/shop/slanted-zipper-pouch-video-course/

• How to make a coiled rope bowl tutorial: https://youtu.be/Bpz6VTFS0Zo?si=pQB02DBK7CVyoSMi

• Gypsy Quilter cotton rope (100ft) (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/4mHrucy

• The Mountain Thread Company Cotton Rope: https://www.themountainthreadcompany.com/shop/p/316-100-cotton-rope-by-the-yard-made-in-america

Join our ...

Mystery Mini Bag Club #3 SIGN UP HERE: https://craftygemini.com/shop/mystery-mini-bag-club-3p/

Ready for a quick sewing win? Join Vanessa LIVE as she walks through how to make a standard-size pillowcase using just ONE fabric and one cut—no fancy skills required!

This is one of my favorite beginner projects (and perfect for kids, too!) because it’s fast, fun, and builds real confidence at the sewing machine.

Join our email list: https://craftygemini.com/newsletter/

Ask your own questions for a future WIP Wednesday here: https://forms.gle/6HuDFcuftYCp7nmk8

Other products, projects, and useful links:

• How to make ...

Let’s get ready for a new Mystery Mini Bag Club for the next 6 months! We heard from so many of you in the 2nd of Edition Club that we decided to add on another 6 months full of fun and beginner friendly projects to keep it going!

All the details will be shared. Bring your questions and join us!

Sign up for Mystery Mini Bag Club #3: https://craftygemini.com/shop/mystery-mini-bag-club-3p/

Join our email list: https://craftygemini.com/newsletter/

Ask your own questions for a future WIP Wednesday here: https://forms.gle/6HuDFcuftYCp7nmk8

Other products, projects, and ...

In this episode of WIP Wednesday Vanessa is chatting all about her latest Jalie garment sewing course: Jalie 3896 Emilie Top online video course.

If fears and doubts are holding you back from beginning (or restarting!) your garment sewing journey we can help! Tune in today and learn how Vanessa’s straight forward teaching approach has helped thousands of students over the years. You can sew clothes, too!

If you want to finally make a comfortable top that fits this is the course for you! Bring your questions as she will be answering questions LIVE as well!

• Sign up for ...

In today’s tutorial we are breaking down the easiest and fastest way to make a fleece hat with a fringe pom pom on top. This is a go-to project for when I’m teaching kids to sew because it’s so fast and easy to make that the kids LOVE walking out of class with a finished project. It holds their attention just long enough to do the few steps and complete it!

Yes, the way that I teach it results in have an exposed raw seam at the back but a more experience sewist can easily adapt the ...

In this episode of WIP Wednesday Vanessa is sharing info on pressing when we are working on our sewing/quilting projects. She’ll share her favorite iron, pressing mats, etc. Lots of tips & tricks will be shared so don’t miss it! These are all Vanessa’s favorite pressing tools and tips!

• Iron featured in video (1800 watts/ affiliate link): https://amzn.to/491uAkF

• Mini travel iron (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/4pctpWR

• 22” x 60” Wool Mat (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/47S8DER

• 13.5” x 17” Wool Mat (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/47S8DER

• HUGE SALE on Stroll ...

On today’s episode Vanessa is gather her supplies and materials to prep for her next pair of quilted sneakers. So, join her and chat about what materials you’ll need to make your own pair and what you want to do to get started on your sneaker making journey.

• Quilted Sneakers Course details: https://craftygemini.com/shop/quilted-sneakers-video-course/

• Get the Sneaker kit here: https://craftygemini.com/shop/quilted-sneakers-supply-kit/

Find out more about the class here: https://craftygemini.com/2025/06/learn-to-make-your-own-custom-quilted-sneakers-new-online-course.html

Join our email list: https://craftygemini.com/newsletter/

Ask your own questions for a future WIP Wednesday ...

In this episode Vanessa will share some tips for ensuring you sew an accurate seam allowance on your serger. This is especially important because if you have the blade engaged on your serge it will cut and sew at the same time.

• JUKI MO-114D serger I used (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/41WtRPC

• JUKI MO1000 Jet Air Looper Threader Serger I use (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/4fRNVIE

Get your FREE Beginner Garment Sewing Tips & Tricks PDF here: https://craftygemini.com/op/garment-sewing-freebie/

Ask your own questions for a future WIP Wednesday here: https://forms.gle/6HuDFcuftYCp7nmk8

Other products, projects ...

Since we are still working on our quilted sneakers this month I thought I would share some tips for making and attaching curved bias binding. So many people shy away from bias binding and sewing it on curves but it’s not as difficult as you may think. I’m sharing my tips with you on today’s episode. I hope that after watching this show you will give it a try!

If you want to learn how to make your own pair of quilted sneakers checkout our online video course here: https://craftygemini.com/shop/quilted-sneakers-video-course/

There’s still ...