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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 ...

If you’re looking for last minute gifts or need to keep your neck warm from frigid temps this is the project for you!

In this episode Vanessa will teach you how to make a quick and stylish neck warmer using just fleece fabric and thread. It’s so easy any beginner can make one and it’s a great scrap buster, too!

Want to get right to the project with a step-by-step tutorial? Watch this version: https://youtu.be/rJA8H4aWs28?si=NpW-fNUcf4t3ufaW

If you have a sewing machine with zigzag capabilities and you’ve never sewn with stretch knit ...

On today’s episode Vanessa is sharing more tips for sewing stretchy fabrics on a basic home sewing machine. You don’t NEED a serger or overlock machine to get started. She’ll even explain why for some projects she actually prefers to use a sewing machine zig zag stitch over a serger.

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

• Jalie #3887 Clara Leggings Sewing Pattern: https://craftygemini.com/shop/jalie-3887-clara-high-waisted-leggings/

• Techy Tote Online Course: https://craftygemini.com/shop/techytote/

• Signup for the FREE Westchester Dolman Top Course & Sew Along here: https://craftygemini.com/op/westchestersewalong ...

My July OMG was making a shirt from red fabric I bought several years ago. The pattern was Butterick 6170, one of my favorite patterns from the 1990s. I sewed a straight XS, no alterations.

It turned out fine, but I had a lot of trouble with the grown on sleeves. Machine hemming them trashes the drape and causes them to do unflattering things. I ended up hemming them by hand to work around it.

This pattern will go in time out for a while. I’d like to try some different styles.

For all the other OMG finishes, visit ...

I didn’t add any fabric this week, although I had many buying opportunities. I finished the shirt for almost a yard out. All the shirt details will be in a separate post.

We went to the Greater Ann Arbor Quilt Guild Quilt Show yesterday. Hundreds of great quilts, plus a gift shop and vendors. If you live in the area, the shows continues today from 11am – 5pm at Washtenaw Community College.

While we were out and about after the show, I found a screen printing screen at a thrift shop. That was a first. I’ve wanted to learn ...

No fabric in this week. I pulled another yard of fabric to donate.

When I was digging through a closet looking for something I found another bin of fabric. I couldn’t bring myself to look through it. I’ll sort it when I do the declutter challenge again in 2025. That has to be the last of it.

In addition to quilting Remember Me, I cut out the red shirt and started sewing it. I need to buy more thread this morning. I use neutral thread for piecing and either rayon or polyester thread for quilting. As I use ...