I still remember the first sewing machine I bought with a full compliment of decorative stitches. I was in seventh heaven. It felt like the same unbridled choice as when you open a fresh box of 64 crayons. Variety unleashed! But we often get so busy with the construction process, we forget about all those great stitches. Not today! It's Janome Week on Sew4Home, and all Janome machines have at least some decorative stitches, many of them have hundreds! Today's pillow project gives you three different decorative stitching options to try, and we've included three free template downloads to re-create our exact designs. There are random intersecting lines, which allow you to mix and match a variety of stitches. Our starburst showcases the option to program stitches, creating what appears to be individual dots. And finally, we give you the steps to stitch a spiral, using a padded satin stitch in variegated thread. It's all to encourage you to take advantage of your patiently-waiting decorative stitches... or maybe it's time to look for a new model with even more selection.
Janome Week: Out-Of-The-Box Basics: ID the Main Parts of a Sewing Machine
Sewing is an art. But is does rely on science and technology as well. And there's math with all those fractions and geometry. But most importantly... there's your machine. A good machine makes the difference – not only in the sewing experience but in the professional look of the finished project. Janome America is the exclusive sewing machine sponsor of Sew4Home and we love our studio Janomes. When you have a great machine, you can literally forget about it, and put your full concentration on the art of sewing. To borrow a line from Janome that explains this phenomenon: the easier the tools, the more creative you become. Janome machines are precise and reliable from the top of the line to the most basic entry level model. One of the very first articles we did on Sew4Home explained the parts of a basic sewing machine. We've decided to update that article today as the first day in Janome Week – for the benefit of all the new sewing enthusiasts out there. Plus, it never hurts for any of us to dust off our skills and knowledge.
Kids... Gotta Love 'em! The Tidy Up Collection
When my kids were young, we had a nightly ritual called The Basket Brigade. We would walk around the house, laundry basket in hand, picking up stray toys, socks, bottles, crackers... whatever had cascaded to the floor during the day. The hope was there would be a clear enough path in the morning to stumble to the coffee pot without impaling your foot on an army guy. This is best done at night because picking up during the day is kind of like raking leaves in a windstorm. But there is hope. If you have a few really cute things to help you organize, it makes it all seem much more manageable. Our Tidy Up Collection has four great ideas to try.
Kids... Gotta Love 'em! The Serve Up Collection
Do you live with a picky eater or a non-stop muncher? Meal times are a big part of every day. In fact, sometimes it can seem like kids are in need of a meal, a snack or a drink pretty much 24/7! We have five, fun projects to help you Serve Up the goodies in style. This week's compilation series of kid-friendly projects is our way to help you filter through the hundreds of great articles here on the Sew4Home site. We hope you find some old favorites you'd forgotten about or discover a new idea with make-it-now potential.
Kids... Gotta Love 'em! The Clean Up Collection
I believe it was WC Fields who once said, "Children are inherently sticky." It's true, babies and kids are messy. It's their job. It's our job to try to clean away the layers of dirt and smashed bananas so we can see just how adorable they are. We have four items in our Clean Up Collection. All with our signature easy, step-by-step instructions. Even if you're brand new to sewing, you can tackle these projects and have them turn out great.
Kids... Gotta Love 'em! The Cuddle Up Collection
Cuddle time is awesome time. There's just nothing better than snuggling up for a bedtime story, a special movie, or to sooth the latest boo-boo. We've picked eight cuddle-worthy projects, from super soft blankets and quilts to squeezable stuffed animals. There are hundreds of great articles on Sew4Home, and we know it can be hard to keep track of them all... especially if you're a brand new visitor. So, today we're shining the spotlight on some great kid-friendly classics. Take a new look at an old friend or discover something new. Make it today; snuggle tomorrow.
Kids... Gotta Love 'em! The Pack Up Collection
Sometimes the littlest things get the biggest attention. When we're posting a picture to Pinterest or Facebook or loading a new project on the main site, if it has anything to do with babies or kids, likes, re-pins and comments go through the roof! So we decided it was time to collect some of our favorite kid-friendly items and bring them to you in handy bite-size chunks. Today, we're going to "Pack Up." We have five wonderful ways to get up and go. Because whether you're headed on an extended vacation or just making a trip to the store, going somewhere with a baby or toddler can seem like assembling for an Arctic expedition. It helps if you have something functional, and more importantly, fabulous, to put it altogether.
Mother's Day with Fabric.com: Farmer's Market Laminated Tote
Once the crocuses and daffodils poke through winter's chill, it's official. Spring has her new sandals on, her toenails painted, and she's headin' our way. With Spring comes the opening of local Farmer's Markets. For the final project in our Mother's Day week with Fabric.com, we have a sturdy tote specially designed to hold all that farm fresh bounty. It features cotton laminate inside and out and is strengthened with a Therm O Web® interfacing that can take moisture without distorting. A gathered front pouch holds extra green bags for your produce purchases. The finished bag is approximately 16" tall, 15" wide and 6" deep, giving you plenty of room for everything from bouquets of spring tulips to sweet clover honey to farm fresh eggs. Long ribbon ties let you adjust the top closure to best fit your heavenly haul.
Mother's Day with Fabric.com: Two Chiffon Scarves - Serged & Sequined
A great scarf can elevate an outfit from drab to dynamic in an instant. However, really nice scarves don't come cheap at the department store or boutique. Here's a little fashion secret: scarves are SUPER easy to make, and this week's Mother's Day sponsor, Fabric.com has an amazing selection of perfect chiffons for under $4.00 a yard! We have two designs today for you to try. If you have a serger, cut on the bias and create a ripply "lettuce edge" all around. For your sewing machine, go long and lovely with a rolled hem and hand sewn sequins all around.
Mother's Day with Fabric.com: Notepad Folder To Go
My mother was the ultimate note taker. She recorded everything from gifts she'd received (in order to write a thank you note later) to the gas mileage on car trips (to make sure we were getting the most for our money). In today's plugged-in-turned-on-digital world, writing something down may seem old school. But jotting a note by hand is often still the fastest, easiest way to capture a thought or remember an important to-do. Plus, if you have a beautiful handmade fabric folder to keep your pad, pen and a few extras; low-tech becomes a very lovely option.
























