What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

Join Vanessa LIVE to hear all about her latest pair of quilted sneakers and the next pair she’s working on. I love how customizable these quilted sneakers are!

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

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

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 ...

In this episode of WIP Wednesday Vanessa is cutting out the pattern pieces for a toddler sized Jalie Laurent pullover. Join her while she has a chat about garment sewing vs quilting.

• Jalie Laurent Course: https://craftygemini.com/shop/jalie-4131-laurent-t-shirt-pullover-and-hoodie-video-course/

• Order the sewing pattern: https://craftygemini.com/shop/jalie-4131-laurent-sewing-pattern-only/

• Jalie 4131 Laurent T-shirt, Pullover and Hoodie Video Course: https://craftygemini.com/shop/jalie-4131-laurent-t-shirt-pullover-and-hoodie-video-course/

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, and useful links:

• Fabric: https ...

On this live show Vanessa is answering all your questions about her NEW knit shorts/pants sewing course for beginners! Tune in and see if this class is for you. If you have a sewing machine that can sew straight and zig zag stitches this would be the perfect beginner sewing course for you!

You will be able to make your own pair of actually wearable wide-leg knit shorts, culottes or pants! Just follow along with Vanessa’s clear and concise step-by-step video instructions.

• Sign up for my NEW Jalie Sylvie Shorts/Pants Sewing Course: https://craftygemini.com/shop/jalie-4129-sylvie-knit-shorts-pants-video-course ...

Let’s chat about sewing pants!! In this episode Vanessa pulls out some of the pant sewing patterns and books she’s been checking out this week. Join the chat and follow along and see if you have any of these patterns in your stash or if you want to order them and make any of them yourself!

If you’ve been thinking of sewing your own clothes this year, tune in! You may feel inspired to give it a go after today’s episode.

• Clip & Slide Measuring Tape: https://craftygemini.com/shop/clipslidetape/

• Jalie 3887- CLARA High-Waisted Leggings: https ...

Let’s chat about sewing garments!! In this episode Vanessa pulls out some of her indy patterns and some BIG 4 name brand patterns to go through them and sort out which ones she may want to make to add to her me-made wardrobe!

Join the chat and follow along and see if you have any of these patterns in your stash or if you want to hunt them down and make them yourself!

If you’ve been thinking of sewing your own clothes this year, tune in! You may feel inspired to give it a go after today’s ...

This episode of WIP Wednesday got interrupted by a power outage from the storms. But we started brainstorming for a NEW closet of me-made clothes!

Let’s chat about sewing garments!! In this episode Vanessa pulls out some of her indy patterns and some BIG 4 name brand patterns to go through them and sort out which ones she may want to make to add to her me-made wardrobe!

Join the chat and follow along and see if you have any of these patterns in your stash or if you want to hunt them down and make them yourself!

If ...

Let’s chat about sewing stretch knit fabrics on a sewing machine! There are so many different stitches you could use and you may feel completely lost and overwhelmed with which one is best for you to use.

Tune in today and let’s test out several different stitches on a home sewing machine and chat about what the best option would be for those of us who don’t have a serger to sew our stretch knits with.

If you’ve been thinking of sewing your own clothes this year, tune in! Understanding more about your sewing machine’s ...

We are half way through the year already. Are you happy with your fabric usage to date?

I’m pleased with how much went out this year. I haven’t added fabric since August 2024. I’ve made an effort to buy less this year, and I feel a lot better about creating in general because of it. It may not work for everyone, but it works for me.

I finished the Laundry Day Tee last Sunday.

I’m happy with how it turned out. It fits well through the shoulders and bust, which is usually a problem area for ...

Let’s chat about sewing garments!! In this episode Vanessa chats about some garment sewing patterns and share some tips. We’ll chat about choosing your next make, hard copy patterns vs. PDF patterns, and so much more.

If you’ve been thinking of sewing your own clothes this year, tune in! You may feel inspired to give it a go after today’s episode.

• Jalie sewing patterns & courses in our shop: https://craftygemini.com/?s=jalie&post_type=product

• Clip & Slide Measuring Tape: https://craftygemini.com/shop/clipslidetape/

More about sewing clothes on the blog: https://craftygemini.com/category/clothing-tutorials ...

Make Your Own Custom Quilted Sneakers—Yes, You Can!

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No change in the numbers.

I’m close to finishing the Laundry Day Tee. I still need to hem everything and add the neck band. I expect to finish it this weekend.

The only other thing I worked on was Northern Bluebird by Crossed Wing Collection. It measures about 3 inches.

It’s coming along, likely a July finish.

Fabric In: 0

Fabric Out: 18.375 yards

Net Fabric Out: 18.375 yards

How did you do this week?

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 ...

Join Vanessa LIVE to hear all about her latest online sewing course for making your own custom pair of quilted sneakers! Imagine a quilt around your feet- they are comfy and one-of-a-kind and only use 3 fat quarters worth of your favorite quilting cotton fabric!

Download the course calendar so you know exactly when all the different video lessons will be posted to your student account. Once you sign up you get unlimited access to the course- it never expires!

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

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

• Join our email list ...

No change in the numbers.

I’d hoped to post a Short List this week, but that didn’t happen. Work continues to be all consuming, something I expect to last through the year.

I moved on to the next clothing project. I decided to sew a knit t-shirt, and then found I didn’t have a pattern. It was the first of what I’m sure will be many at a loss without Joann’s moments. I ended up catching a sale on the Love Notions site and bought the Laundry Day Tee and got the Classic T-shirt pattern ...

No fabric in this week.

I finished the shirt for fabric out.

The pattern is McCall’s M8042. I lengthened the sleeves and shortened the body.

It fits, but I won’t make it again. The construction is unusual, which made it very difficult to adjust while sewing.

McCall’s patterns tend to be out of proportion with my arms and shoulders. They just never sit quite right on me. I’ll chalk it up to experience and move on.

Fabric In: 0

Fabric Out: 18.375 yards

Net Fabric Out: 18.375 yards

How did you do this week ...

On this episode Vanessa is sharing her top tips for cutting through stretch knit fabrics. She’s working on a new pair of Jalie Clara shorts for her teenage daughter and will share her fabric cuttings tips for using a rotary cutter and/or a scissors. You’re sure to learn a few tips that will help you with your next sewing project!

• Sign up for Jalie Clara Leggings & Shorts course: https://craftygemini.com/shop/clara-leggings-video-course/

• Order the pattern: https://craftygemini.com/shop/jalie-3887-clara-high-waisted-leggings/

• Favorite fabric cutting scissors: https://craftygemini.com/shop/kai/

• Pattern tracing paper: https://craftygemini.com/shop ...

No fabric in this week, a miracle since my Guild had their annual fabric sale. The fabric just wasn’t speaking to me. I bought this stitching frame instead.

I’m not sure how that ended up in the sale, but I’m grateful to have it.

At the thrift store later, I found this Hinzeit pattern with the charms. DH is an avid fisherman, and the charms made it too cute to pass up.

In the sewing room, work on the shirt continues. I’d really like to finish it this month.

Fabric In: 0

Fabric Out: 17.25 ...

On this episode Vanessa is sharing her top tips for making buttonholes with your sewing machine. Sometimes we stay away from projects that feature buttonholes because we aren’t sure how to make them on our sewing machine.

Having to put on a specialty presser foot and adjust some settings may feel overwhelming but Vanessa will walk you through how easy it is to make buttonholes.

She’ll also share her top tips to ensure you get quality buttonholes every time!

• Sign up for Jalie Florence course: https://craftygemini.com/shop/jalie-4020-florence-shirt-shirtdress-video-course/

• Order the pattern: https://craftygemini.com/shop/jalie-4020-florence-shirt-and-shirtdress ...

Happy Mothers Day! I hope you do something nice for yourself today.

No change in the numbers.

I’m working on lots of projects. The afghan is close to a finish. Sorry about the weird sun spot in the photo.

Fairy Tales Live on Roofs is moving forward, slowly.

This shirt is in progress using this fabric.

And just because I wanted to, I started something new. Look at me stitching on 28 count lugana instead of aida.

All those projects and not a quilt in site. I may go back to a UFO once I finish the shirt. It ...