What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

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 ...

I saw some progress on sewing projects this week. I finished the boro bag.

I used fusible fleece instead of interfacing because I wanted the bag to have enough structure to protect the project inside. It added a lot of bulk, the trade off for getting what I wanted.

I also cut out a shirt. I must have washed that fabric a couple months ago. Let’s hope the sewing goes faster.

I didn’t add any fabric, but did make a final trip to Joann’s. My usual store is one that got a truckload of yarn. That took ...

On this episode Vanessa is sharing her 3 favorite features of the JUKI LB5020 sewing machine. It’s back in stock today while supplies last and they are already going quickly. Order yours today before it’s too late!

This is the best bang for your buck sewing machine and the one Vanessa continues to recommend even after 5+ years using hers almost daily! It’s perfect for beginners and experienced sewists alike. Use it as your main sewing machine or as a backup, class/retreat sewing machine because it is lightweight enough to travel with but still allows you ...

On this episode Vanessa gives an update on the projects she’s been working on! Cranking out socks on a circular sock knitting machine, making wallets with student in the Mystery Mini Bag Club and what’s coming up next with garment sewing!

• Join the my Mystery Mini Bag Club #1: https://craftygemini.com/shop/mystery-mini-bag-club1/

• The Crafty Gemini Curvy ruler is back in stock here: https://craftygemini.com/shop/curvyruler/

• Our 5” x 10” ruler is back in stock here: https://craftygemini.com/shop/crafty-gemini-5-x-10-ruler/

• Curve Runner- Crafty Gemini Edition Rolling Ruler: https://craftygemini.com/shop/curverunner/

• My favorite ...

On this episode Vanessa looks at 3 different Jalie sewing patterns to determine which one she wants to teach next. If you are looking for a new garment sewing course to sign up for and want to have a say in the pattern, join us! She will review the different sizes, views of each and consider what fabrics may work well for each pattern. Let’s chat all about sewing clothes today!

• Snap Travel Wallet Course: https://craftygemini.com/shop/snap-travel-wallet-video-course/

• Jalie Elle pattern: https://craftygemini.com/shop/jalie-4015-elle-reversible-top/

• Jalie Sylvie pattern: https://jalie.com/products/4129-sylvie-knit-shorts-and-wide-leg-pants-sewing-pattern?_pos=1&_sid ...

No change in the numbers.

A lot of progress happened this week. I finished as much as I plan to do on the sewing room declutter.

I replaced the binding on a second blanket.

I finished a Craftsy class, 20 Things to Know Before You Sew. I’m taking a break on classes for now.

I turned the corner on the afghan. That puts me close to the halfway point.

I chose the next sewing project, washed the fabric, and made all the pattern choices.

I have a nice little rotation going with my three projects. We’ll see if ...

In this episode Vanessa is kicking off the January 2025 Sew Along with the Jalie Charlie Bomber Jacket! All the details for the sew along is inside the course. If you already own the course just login at https://craftygemini.com/my-account to access it (and all your Crafty Gemini Video Courses!).

Tune in for fabric selection tips and see the progress Vanessa has made on her most recent Charlie Bomber Jacket.

For those of you that already know how to sew we are kicking off a new Sew Along this month for the Jalie Charlie Bomber Jacket! Tune in ...

In this episode Vanessa chats about her new beginner sewing course called Sewing Made Simple: Clueless to Confident in 30 Days! Today is the last day to get in at the sale price. At midnight tonight the price goes up.

For those of you that already know how to sew we are kicking off a new Sew Along this month for the Jalie Charlie Bomber Jacket! Tune in to get all the details and make sure you’re on the email list so you don’t miss out on the fabric sale and the sew along details. If you are ...