sewing hints

Perfect Pattern Weights free pattern! from Art and Quilting in Camden

These just-perfect sized pattern weights, 3″ on a side, are not only just the thing for YOUR sewing room, but they make quick and easy gifts for anyone you know who sews!

PerfectPatternWeights by SarahAnnSmith.com — Can you tell how much FUN I had? Lookit the doggie as a Halloween Ghost (top row) and the goofy Space Alien (center right) and those fantastic Garden Pindots (middle and lower rows)! See free PDF for pattern and Michael Miller Fabrics fabric details.

Early in my year as a Michael Miller Fabrics Brand Ambassador for 2020, I decided to use some Marbles (MMF Basic collection) for a ...

added by Sarah Ann Smith 1 month, 1 week ago. under #artistauthorquilterteacher , #janomeamerica @janomesewingmachines , #janomeartisan , #learnwithsarah , #makingitfun , #michaelmillerbrandambassador2020 , #michaelmillerfabrics , #sarahannsmith , @sarahannsmithq , crafty , fabric , favorite products , free tutorials and patterns , garment sewing , michael miller fabrics , patterns , sewing hints , tools of the trade (Comments)

Winding Ways: quilt and done! from Art and Quilting in Camden

Good tools (AccuQuiltGO!), good fabric (Michael Miller Fabrics), good thread (Aurifil), good machine (Janome Continental M7), and some experience, and you can do a lot! This return to my quilty roots just makes me happy!

Over the course of the year I’ve shared progress on this quilt:

First, there was learning to use the AccuQuiltGO! which I blogged about here. It was a different block, but the easy applies.
Then there is the PIECING of CURVES: see the blogpost here or go directly to the video on my YouTube Channel here.
Now there is the quilting video (that covers ...

added by Sarah Ann Smith 4 months, 2 weeks ago. under #accuquiltgo! , #artistauthorquilterteacher , #artquilts , #cottoncouture , #janomeamerica , #janomeartisan , #janomegirl , #maine , #makingitfun , #michaelmillerbrandambassador , #michaelmillerfabrics , #peekintobatiks , #sarahannsmith , #sarahannsmithphotographer , @aurifil , @janomeamerica , @janomesewingmachines , @michaelmillerfabrics , accuquiltgo! , edge finishes and bindings , fabric , favorite products , fresh quilting , janome , machine quilting , michael miller fabrics , modern , modern quilting , pandemic-at-home , piecing , sewing hints , techniques , thread , tools of the trade , traditional quilting , videos by sarah (Comments)

Piecing Curves…it is possible even for me from Art and Quilting in Camden

Whoo-eeeee! Lookit those perfect seams… this was my second block, and I think it looks pretty durn good for someone who doesn’t really piece a lot! There are a few MINOR things I can fuss at (like the seam allowance on the center top spike is a skosh wide and the upper left corner edge isn’t perfect, but still! Fabrics are batiks and Bright White Cotton Couture from Michael Miller Fabrics.

Precision piecing has never been my strong suit, but I am — like Michaelangelo at age 80 — still learning. One of the things I’ve learned is that ...

added by Sarah Ann Smith 5 months, 2 weeks ago. under #byanniepatterns , @kimberlyeinmo , color , fabric , favorite products , fresh quilting , in progress quilts , janome , michael miller fabrics , modern , modern quilting , piecing , sewing hints , techniques , tools of the trade , traditional quilting , videos by sarah (Comments)

Screen Printed Garments! from Art and Quilting in Camden

My new Queen Anne’s Lace top. I screen printed my custom designs onto Cotton Couture solids (courtesy of Michael Miller Fabrics), this color is “Luna.”

In the summer of 2020 I saw **Print Pattern Sew** by Jen Hewitt somewhere online and ordered it immediately. It’s FAB! is available many places including Amazon . DO check out Jen’s site, here. Of course it took until April to start playing and until now to post. For the workshop and this post I wanted to use a pattern currently available that is similar to two vintage (circa mid 1980s) patterns that ...

added by Sarah Ann Smith 6 months ago. under #artistauthorquilterteacher , #artquilts , #cottoncouture , #janomeamerica @janomesewingmachines , #janomeartisan , #janomegirl , #jenhewett , #maine , #makingitfun , #michaelmillerbrandambassador , #michaelmillerfabrics , #prochemicalanddye , #sarahannsmith , #sarahannsmithphotographer , #screenprinting , #surfacedesign , @janomeamerica , @jenhewett , @michaelmillerfabrics , @sarahannsmithq , art quilting , favorite products , fiber on a whim , garments , janome , michael miller fabrics , paint , sewing hints , surface design , techniques , thermofax (Comments)

Peek Into Batiks–June Block! from Art and Quilting in Camden

Earlier in the year I shared that Michael Miller Fabrics is doing a Block of the Month called Peek Into Batiks. It all began here. That post has links to each month as the new block goes live. Well, June is my turn! I’ve got still photos and (gasp) a video! And, drum roll here is the link to the JUNE Pattern and instructions.

Here’s the finished block! Read on for step by step instructions.

First, of course, you need to cut your fabrics. I used a hybrid method using the AccuQuiltGo! for everything except the large black ...

added by Sarah Ann Smith 6 months, 3 weeks ago. under #accuquiltgo! , #artistauthorquilterteacher , #cottoncouture , #janome , #janomeamerica @janomesewingmachines , #janomeartisan , #janomegirl , #janomem7continental , #makingitfun , #michaelmillerbrandambassador , #michaelmillerfabrics , #peekintobatiks , #sarahannsmith , @michaelmillerfabrics , accuquiltgo! , classes , fabric , favorite products , michael miller fabrics , sewing hints , teaching , videos by sarah (Comments)

Found in Paradise: a clam! from Art and Quilting in Camden

OK, that’s a bit punny…. I’ve used some of the fun Michael Miller Fabrics Lost in Paradise fabric to make a byAnnie.com pattern called Clam Up. Before COVID hit, I was thinking about my travel teaching, and I made the Running With Scissors tote and blogged about it, here. I wanted a companion bag for bulky stuff I needs to schlep with me. Both of these bags are good for use in your sewing space, retreats or a whole bunch of other things!

The Clam Up bag pattern allows you to select various sizes. I chose a ...

added by Sarah Ann Smith 7 months, 1 week ago. under #artistauthorquilterteacher , #artquilts , #gardenpindot , #janomeamerica @janomesewingmachines , #janomeartisan , #janomegirl , #maine , #makingitfun , #michaelmillerbrandambassador , #michaelmillerfabrics , #sarahannsmith , #sarahannsmithphotographer , @janomeamerica , @michaelmillerfabrics , @sarahannsmithq , crafty , fabric , favorite products , machine quilting , michael miller fabrics , patterns , sewing hints (Comments)

Dress Form: Unvarnished Truth and a Game Changer from Art and Quilting in Camden

Two years ago I made my DIL Ashley a linen jacket for job interviews. It was a revelation! Working on another body (not mine) was SO EASY–I could see what needed fitting, figure out how to make changes, assess fit and lines. So I vowed to get a dress form. KaCHING! What I wanted was over $400! Nope. So I cast about for something less expensive. A local quilty friend had a friend with one to sell…done for $75. And it still mostly adjusted and wasn’t musty!

For your listening pleasure (you’ll need to read to ...

added by Sarah Ann Smith 8 months ago. under #artistauthorquilterteacher , #artquilts , #dressform , #garmentmaking , #janomeamerica @janomesewingmachines , #janomeartisan , #janomegirl , #madeinmay , #maine , #michaelmillerbrandambassador , #michaelmillerfabrics , #sarahannsmith , #sarahannsmithphotographer , @janomeamerica , @michaelmillerfabrics , @sarahannsmithq , creativity , favorite products , garments , sewing hints , studio pics , techniques (Comments)

The Janome HP foot and throat plate, or…The not-so-little things from Art and Quilting in Camden

Sometimes it is the little things, that turn out to be not-so-little, that make the difference in life. In my life, watching the bubbles form and the water boil gives me joy…what can I say, I live a rural life LOL! Another one is tools that make my sewing life easier like the Janome M7’s HP Presser Foot and throat plate, which are available on select other Janome models. It also turns out, you can teach someone who has been sewing for about 57 years new tricks!

Yes, I like to watch water boil! No, I am not ...

added by Sarah Ann Smith 8 months, 2 weeks ago. under be happy! , favorite products , janome , machine quilting , piecing , sewing hints , techniques , videos by sarah (Comments)

Everyone’s a Kid Floor Cushions and Toss Pillows (part 2 of 2) from Art and Quilting in Camden

Today it’s time for part 2 of 2 in the “how to make cushions” tutorial! In this image, I’ve sewn the boxing strip–the bit on the edges/sides (black Galaxy fabric from Michael Miller Fabrics, Spring 2020) to one of the squares (top and bottom) to make sure I’ve got the fit right. Looks pretty good! The top on this one is the SuperFred fabric in gray (with this fun fox named Fred and a robot named Mike). Those glorious solids (SWOON) are part of the Cotton Couture collection. Colors are Acid (left), Yellow (top), Apricot ...

added by Sarah Ann Smith 10 months, 1 week ago. under #cottoncouture , #cottonfabric , #fabric , #handmade , #ilovesewing , #instasew , #janome , #janomeamerica @janomesewingmachines , #janomegirl , #janomem7continental , #janomesewing , #michaelmillerfabrics #makingitfun , #quilting , #sewersofinstagram , crafty , creativity , fabric , favorite products , home dec , janome , michael miller fabrics , patterns , pdfs , piecing , sewing , sewing hints , studio pics , techniques , tutorials (Comments)

Everyone’s a Kid Floor Cushions and Toss Pillows (part 1 of 2) from Art and Quilting in Camden

Today’s projects are floor cushions and toss pillows from Michael Miller’s adorable new fabric line, SuperFred and Space Pals. As soon as I saw them I knew I’d love to make some floor cushions for my daughter-in-law’s Kindergarten classroom! You can find part 2 here as of March 12, 2020.

Pigwidgeon was asleep in front of the wood stove but allowed me to move him to another comfy spot to be my model. I am a Michael Miller 2020 Brand Ambassador for 2020, for which this is a monthly project. I’m also a Janome Artisan ...

added by Sarah Ann Smith 10 months, 1 week ago. under #cottoncouture , #cottonfabric , #fabric , #handmade , #ilovesewing , #instasew , #janomegirl , #janomem7continental , #janomesewing , #makingitfun , #masteringtechnique , #michaelmillerbrandambassador2020 , #michaelmillerfabrics , #quilting , #sewersofinstagram , #sewingblogger , crafty , fabric , favorite products , home dec , janome , janomeamerica , michael miller fabrics , patterns , pdfs , piecing , sewing , sewing hints , tutorials , videos by sarah (Comments)

Rockin’ Retro Apron, Part 3 from Art and Quilting in Camden

Today we’ll wrap up the last steps in this fun apron. Get ready to make a Kitschy Cocktail wearing the cutest apron ever to cover a frock. Enjoy a nice sip, preferably with a little paper umbrella! Make mine a pina colada, please!
For the blogpost for Part 1 of this pattern, click here.
For the blogpost for Part 2 of this pattern, click here.
To download a Free-in-2020 PDF pattern with ALL the instructions and images, click here.

The Rockin’ Retro Apron in Kitschy Couture by #MichaelMiller Fabrics. The fabric was provided as part of the Michael Miller ...

added by Sarah Ann Smith 10 months, 4 weeks ago. under #artistauthorquilterteacher , #cottoncouture , #garmentmaking , #janomeamerica janome sewing machines , #janomegirl , #janomem7continental , #janomesewing , #kitschycocktails , #makingitfun , #michaelmillerfabrics , crafty , fabric , garments , michael miller fabrics , patterns , pdfs , sewing hints , techniques , tutorials (Comments)

When to pre-shrink! from Art and Quilting in Camden

Over the past week to two weeks, I have been working on ….sit down and prepare yourselves for this… a **pieced** quilt. Yes, me. A very simple pieced quilt, but nonetheless.

Eye-candy…my 214 colors, test-driving super wide borders with possible squares or rectangles. I’m going with nothing to distract from that glorious grid of color. Hopefully the quilting will make the wide borders look good. Want them that big so they will fit on a king size bed–we’ve got a queen but the pug takes up a ridiculous amount of room for such a small dog ...

added by Sarah Ann Smith 11 months, 4 weeks ago. under #accuquiltgo , #artistauthorquilterteacher , #artquilts , #cottoncouture , #janomeamerica janome sewing machines , #janomegirl , #maine , #makingitfun , #michaelmillerbrandambassador , #michaelmillerfabrics , #quiltinprogress , #sarahannsmith , #sarahannsmithphotographer , accuquiltgo! , fabric , favorite products , fresh quilting , in progress quilts , janomeamerica , janomeartisan , machine quilting , michael miller fabrics , modern , modern quilting , piecing , quilt design , sewing hints , techniques , traditional quilting , what not to do (Comments)

The BRILLIANT new Janome M7Continental produces A York Pinafore for Christmas from Art and Quilting in Camden

Sewing machine companies are always coming out with new models, most of which are incrementally different from before. But every 10-15 years, Janome re-thinks the machine from all angles and comes up with something that is a major leap–and worth considering adding to your studio. The Janome 6600 was such a machine (circa 2004/5), and the new M7 Continental may well go down as one of The Best Sewing Machines Ever (in any brand!), and given the quality of Janome’s machines that is a high standard.

The Janome M7 Continental is a quantum leap in a sewing ...

added by Sarah Ann Smith 1 year ago. under #artistauthorquilterteacher , #helensclosetpatterns , #m7continental , #reliabilitybydesign , #sarahannsmith , #yorkpinafore , crafty , edge finishes and bindings , favorite products , garments , holidays , janome , janomeamerica , janomeartisan , sewing hints , techniques , tutorials (Comments)

Christmas Bag tutorial and fine finishing tips from Art and Quilting in Camden

A quick Gift Bag Tutorial–took about half an hour even *with* being fussy! Used leftover flannel, and a trimmed off bit of fabric from a quilt back or edge as the ribbon! Read on….

Sometimes it is possible to whip up a quick something just before Christmas…I’ll have to back-to-back posts (I hope) about sewing for the holidays that include this tutorial on zipping up a quick gift bag and, next, the wonderful York Pinafore pattern from Helen’s Closet patterns.

Last year Shannon Fabrics sent me a number of different fabrics including Cuddle and Luxe, fleece ...

added by Sarah Ann Smith 1 year ago. under #artistauthorquilterteacher , #cozyhome , #janome , #m7continental , #reliabilitybydesign , #sarahannsmithartist , #shannoncuddle , #shannonfabrics , crafty , favorite products , fleece , holidays , home , janomeamerica , janomeartisan , sewing hints , shannon fabric , tutorials , winter (Comments)

sewing Saturdays sleeves and half square triangle blocks the easy way from Not Afraid of Color

Welcome to Sewing Saturdays... my weekly round-up of studio time. When I finished this year's Halloween quilt (the one with owls) I took a few pics of how I attach a sleeve in the binding process.

If it's to go to a competition I make sure the finished opening is 4" exactly. This time I just cut the sleeve fabric about two inches less than width of quilt, and 6" (not 9") wide.
Hem the two ends where the hanging rod will slide through.

machine baste the top edge to the quilt before binding goes on.

Then I ...

added by LA Paylor 1 year, 2 months ago. under sewing hints

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