What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

 This little corgi is waving the flag for Great Britain.  I had stitched three of these, and made two into place mats for my corgi owning grand-daughter as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago.  Why I stitched the third one, I've got no idea.  But I found it hiding in a basket full of stuff recently and thought it was time  I did something with it.

So I decided to make myself a new apron and use the corgi stitchery as a pocket.  I've got lots of aprons, but some are getting rather tatty and should ...

The last post on our Christmas in July event brings a few more ideas for crafting and sewing fun. Read on for holiday inspiration you can start now.

Make adorable sewing ornaments by wrapping empty thread spools with glittery trim, and adding some cute embellishments to the top and bottom.

See the tutorial on the ornaments above along with the cookie cutter button ornaments below on my post Handmade Christmas Ornaments.

Use your embroidery machine to stitch out small motifs or holiday words. Then use a large covered button kit to mount the stitchery, adding trims and a ribbon hanger ...

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/

Sign up for ...

Learn how to sew a DIY smock apron with this simple sewing tutorial. This beginner-friendly apron pattern is perfect for quilting, cooking, crafting, or even working in the garden.

It slips right over your head, so there are no ties to fuss with, and the roomy fit makes it extra comfortable to wear.

With just a couple of yards of fabric and a little sewing time, you’ll have a handmade apron that’s not only practical but also a great scrap-buster project.

Whether you’re looking for a handmade gift idea, something to keep your clothes clean while you ...

 I've had quite a few folks ask how I accomplish so much. I guess it's all a matter of perspective because I don't feel like I get much done. All of us are busy in different ways and I think we all juggle our hobbies around the rest of the things that fill our days. When we have company, I don't sew a stitch and this month we had 3 different sets, totalling 8 nights. I love having

Autumn Jubilee is underway and the projects will keep coming all month. Clear the decks, and get ready to have some fun. Today we have a sewing project that will showcase one of the beautiful Benartex Harvest Festival fabrics.

When I unpacked the fabulous Benartex fabrics that they sent for Autumn Jubilee, I saw this fabric with the edge to edge border print design. The first thing I thought of was an apron to take advantage of the fabulous border print. It’s the perfect project to kick off a month of projects featuring Mason jars to wear in the ...

We went out exploring one afternoon, driving an oval shaped route from Gore and back through the countryside, a road we hadn’t previously traveled on.  And goodness me, on reaching Clinton we discovered this sign, we had just driven along the Presidential Highway!

This stretch of highway between Clinton and Gore acquired unexpected fame in the 1990s when Bill Clinton and Al Gore were respectively president and vice-president of the United States. When President Clinton visited New Zealand in 1999, a photograph of the road sign was presented to him by the United States ambassador, Josiah Beeman.

Hello, Mr ...

We have moved on to the tiny settlement of Barrytown and I had an hour or so sitting under the shady awning doing a little stitching. We are camped up on a hill and have a wonderful sea view.

Not only did I finish this tiny little dove from Noah's Ark stitchery, but worked a little longer to start the next design – two kangaroos waiting to hop onboard the ark.

Just a small finish

Sitting outside in the balmy evening with our camping neighbours, we were chatting away and waiting for the sun to go down into the horizon ...

I did a little sewing over the weekend, something that I’d wanted to stitch for a while.  With a good supply of donated children's fabric on hand, I wanted to make some little girls pinnies (aprons).  Sew Wot friend Heather lent me her delightful pattern a while ago, and I traced a copy off.  She used to make the dress and pinny for her own girls when they were little, she told me, all those years ago.

Such a cute pattern

Gemma wanted to help too, and showed interest as I was stitching away.  It’s nice that ...

Spring has sprung here in my part of Paradise, and last night was time to turn the clocks forward one hour for Daylight Saving time.  Our evenings will be  little longer, more time to enjoy the balmy early evenings.  It must be said that I love Summer.

I’ve been a bit preoccupied lately with several appointments in the lead up to Robin’s knee replacement, and his operation last Tuesday.  It went well, I’m pleased to say, and he was home within a few days.  He wasn't allowed home until he could get out of bed and ...

My slow stitching this week has been a little work on another apron.  Once again, I’m using a design from Stitcher’s Revolution “Cute Kitchen Sayings”.  This one is Be Grateful.

Another apron

I’ve also been working on another pair of socks.  These were the very first pair I ever knitted, but I’ve found them much too short, the pattern has them finishing just a couple of inches above the ankle.  I wasn't happy wearing them, so decided to unravel the rib down from the top and lengthen them.  That was easier said than done, I ...

It’s taken a while, with this project put in time out for a while, while I’ve worked on other things.  But at last I’ve finished the stitchery on my caravan apron.  The design is from Stitcher’s Revolution Camping Adventures patterns, and I certainly enjoyed working on it.

I remember purchasing two of these aprons while on a trip to Hamilton.  Just what I was looking for, the lighter coloured front bib would be the  perfect place to add an embroidery.

Camping apron now finished

This  was so enjoyable to do, I’ve now got the second ...

It’s winter here in my part of paradise, with wet, cold, windy weather most days.  But believe it or not, the sun came out, the wind dropped and I managed to spend an hour outside on the patio one afternoon this week.  Gemma joined me, and she sat on the wooden seat soaking up the sunshine, while I sat at the patio table.  My task was to do some more stitching on my latest pair of secret socks for one of the granddaughters.  I knit my socks on two needles, so have to finish them with a seam up ...

Learn along with Vanessa as you sew this super cute Hipster Apron! We’ll cover a TON of different techniques in the pre-recorded video lessons as she teaches you how to make this reversible apron.

You’ll learn:

• tips for making a buttonhole
• making & attaching slanted patch pockets for easy access
• sewing a V-neckline that lies flat
• slip knot adjustable closure for quick & easy putting on and taking off apron
• and so much more!

Get everything you need in the Hipster Apron Course & Kit Bundle.

With the Hipster Apron Course & Kit Bundle bundle you’ll get:

• Unlimited and indefinite access ...

Are you watching the Big Game soon? Chances are, you or someone you love is! Whether you love the game or not, you can’t deny that it’s a great chance to get together and be surrounded by friends and good snacks! 

In the Doan family, we take any chance we can get to get together and throw a party. We love a good theme and going all out! In that spirit, here are a few projects that you can whip up in no time and make extra special, with the addition of some fabric representing your favorite sports ...