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Charity Quilts: Sew a Little Love

February 25, 2014 by FaveQuilts Leave a Comment

Making a quilt for a family member or a friend is one of the most thoughtful gifts that you can give. So much care, thought, skill and love goes into every stitch. Not to mention all the planning and calculations required. (Luckily, FaveQuilts has tons of techniques and video tutorials to help you make those processes a snap! Whether you’re a beginner looking for insider secrets or an old pro who just needs help getting that fabric stash organized, we have you covered.)

Unfortunately, not everyone is lucky enough to have someone who can make them that sort of long-lasting gift, and when the weather gets rough, those people are often left out in the cold. With a long spring and summer coming up, consider putting aside a little time to make a quilt for those in need. Don’t know where to start? FaveQuilts has put together a list of amazing quilting charities that can help you get those blankets where they’ll do the most good. These are just some of the hundreds of great organizations out there, so be sure to take a look around your local community and see what people are doing in your own backyard!

Styled and Sashed Modern Garden Quilt

1. The AIDS Memorial Quilt Memorial & the NAMES Project Foundation

From their website: Established in 1987, The NAMES Project Foundation is the international NGO (non-governmental organization) that is the custodian of The AIDS Memorial Quilt, an official American treasure.

The mission of The NAMES Project Foundation is to preserve, care for and use The AIDS Memorial Quilt to foster healing, heighten awareness, and inspire action in the age of AIDS. Specifically, The NAMES Project works to display The Quilt in nearly 1,000 venues each year, to conserve and care for the aging 54-ton tapestry and it’s half a million piece archive, and to encourage and support the creation of new Quilt panels for this ever-evolving handmade memorial.

Log Cabin Baby Quilt2. Quilts for Kids

From their website: Our goal is simple: to provide comfort to children in need through the gift of a handmade patchwork quilt. With the help of volunteer quilters we are distributing our quilts to children’s hospitals and shelters across North America. Quilts for Kids, Inc. has now spread to over 100 chapters throughout North America. If we can lessen the suffering of children by showing them that they are loved, then we have reached our goal.

3. Project Linus

From their website: Our mission is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.” We also seek to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.

Fuss Free Rag Quilt4. Binky Patrol

From their website: We are an all volunteer, national, non-profit organization making and distributing homemade blankets to children born HIV+, drug-addicted, infected with AIDS or other chronic & terminal illnesses, those who are abused, in foster care or experiencing trauma of any kind. Our recipients are from 0-18.

5. Wrap Them in Love

From their website: Our mission is to collect donated quilts and distribute them to children around the world, so they can be wrapped in love and comfort. As we all know, a quilt is a very special thing. It isn’t just a blanket; it has been lovingly created by a real person. A quilter leaves a part of themselves in every quilt they make. The child who receives it will be able to snuggle up in all the love that comes in that quilt.

Easy Quilts for Beginners and Beyond: 14 Quilt Patterns from Quiltmaker MagazineWhile you’re at it…Sew a little love with Easy Quilts for Beginners and Beyond: 17 Quilt Patterns from Quiltmaker Magazine!

Need a pattern to make for that charity quilt? The best way to improve one’s quilting skills is by trying new techniques and ways to use the basics in creative ways the patterns in Easy Quilts for Beginners and Beyond: 14 Quilt Patterns from Quiltmaker Magazine can show you just how easy this is. Beginners and experienced quilters are in for a treat with this series of easy quilt patterns that the simple cuts and shapes quilters are familiar with, and skillfully turn them into impressive designs that are sure to impress with their intricate looks.

We are giving away this book absolutely free until February 25, 2014! Enter to win and get started on your next project, be it for charity or for yourself!

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Filed Under: Link Love Tagged With: Craft Charities, FaveQuilts, Free Quilt Patterns, Mollyhall Seeley, Newborn, sewing for charity

The Circus Is In Town! Animal Prints and More

February 23, 2014 by FaveQuilts 1 Comment

Who doesn’t love the circus? I know, I know–some of us have trouble with clowns. But doesn’t everybody have at least one great memory of the circus? Maybe it was the huge elephants, or the acrobats, or the lion trainer putting his head in the lion’s mouth. Or maybe you liked watching the trick horses. Whatever it was, there was that one, magical moment.

Well, now you can capture those memories in an easy quilt pattern! Recreate the magic for your kids in one of our gorgeous baby quilt patterns or snuggle up underneath a warm memory with one of these modern quilt blocks. And if neither of those tickles your fancy, why not try out one of our small quilt projects? There’s something for every animal lover!

Baby Quilt Patterns

Circus is in Town QuiltYou can lose with an animal pattern for easy baby quilts. Try out the Circus is in Town Quilt or the Off to the Zoo Baby Quilt for a fun adventure that will keep your little one warm and their imagination active.

1. Circus is in Town Quilt
2. Circus Baby Quilt Patterns using Hawaiian Applique
3. Off to the Zoo Baby Quilt
4. Zoo Racers Baby Quilt
5. Zoology Bubbles Baby Quilt

Modern Quilt Blocks

Giraffe Quilt BlockThese gorgeous, modern quilt blocks are great to mix and match! Use a combination of the Giraffe Quilt Block and the Swimming Sea Turtle Block to together a whole zoo or stick with just one herd. Either way, you’ll have a fun, festive quilt that will look good in every room.

1. Giraffe Quilt Block
2. Swimming Sea Turtle Block
3. Tiny Tabby Block
4. Grumpy Cat Block
5. Birds on a Wire Block

Small Quilted Projects

Jungle Safari Medallion QuiltPillows, wall quilts, and plushies, oh my! These adorable small quilted projects are perfect bits of home decor flair for your kitchen, living room, or bed room. Make the beautiful Stuffed Turtles for a nice twist on your guest room decor or hang the Jungle Safari Medallion Quilt on your living room wall.

1. Stuffed Turtles
2. Jungle Safari Medallion Quilt
3. Safari Applique Pillows
4. Patchwork Bunny Buddies
5. Elephant Applique Cushion

Want more adorable animal quilt patterns?

300X250 Baby Mine, Don’t You Cry: 20 Precious Baby QuiltsSpeaking of adorable animal quilts, win the Leo the Lion Applique Cuddle Kit, the Sweet Dreams Boy Wee One Cuddle Kit, or the Scottie Girl Ziggy Cuddle Kit from Shannon Fabrics! These kits will help you make the warmest, coziest, cuddliest baby and young child blankets you can imagine. What’s more, they’re absolutely adorable. The Shannon Fabrics Cuddle Kits combine cute patterns and designs with comfort to keep whoever’s nestled in them happy and warm, no matter how cold winter gets!

Get a closer look at the prizes…

Leo the Lion Applique Cuddle Kit
Sweet Dreams Boy Wee One Cuddle Kit
Scottie Girl Ziggy Cuddle Kit

What’s your favorite memory of the circus?

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Filed Under: Quilting Tagged With: crafts for baby, FaveQuilts, Free Quilt Patterns, home decor, Mollyhall Seeley, Quilting

Baby Mine, Don’t You Cry: 20 Precious Baby Quilts

February 17, 2014 by FaveQuilts 1 Comment

Baby Quilt Patterns for Boys and GirlsEverybody loves making baby quilts. They’re the perfect gift for new parents: pretty, practical, and not too overwhelming for the quilter. Plus, baby quilts have the added bonus of being incredibly versatile in terms of style, difficulty level, size, and materials. You really can’t go wrong.

So whether you’re in the mood to make a full bed-size quilt or something small and snuggly, baby quilt patterns are the way to go. If you have any baby showers, birthdays, or announcements coming up, why not sew a baby quilt as a homemade gift idea? Anyone can buy a baby quilt from Target or Crate & Barrel. Make yours with a little love and see it last a lifetime!

 

free-baby-quilt-patterns20 Precious Baby Quilts

  1. One Color Scrappy Baby Quilt
  2. Priscilla’s Pink Pinwheel Quilt
  3. Borders Baby Rag Quilt
  4. Bullseye Baby Quilt
  5. Baby Bricks Quilt
  6. Baby Bear Paw
  7. Sixteen Patch Baby Quilt
  8. Peter’s Pinwheels Baby Quilt
  9. Simple Stripes Beginner Quilt
  10. Easy Flannel Baby Quilt
  11. Classic Pink Hourglass Quilt
  12. Pinwheel Pizzazz Baby Quilt
  13. Magical Flannel Rag Baby Quilt
  14. A Hundred Hugs Baby Quilt Tutorial
  15. Quick Triangles Baby Quilt
  16. Floating Squares Baby Quilt
  17. Tetris Baby Quilt
  18. Dresden Burst Baby Quilt
  19. Jungle Path Baby Quilt
  20. Butterflies a Flutter Baby Quilt

And don’t forget to download your copy of our FREE eBook, 14 Easy Baby Quilt Patterns for Boys & Girls! Plus, check out our Pinterest board that’s full of lovely baby quilt patterns!
Follow FaveQuilts’s board Baby Quilt Patterns on Pinterest.


 

This giveaway is now over.

Enter to Win!PLUS: Win the Leo the Lion Applique Cuddle Kit, the Sweet Dreams Boy Wee One Cuddle Kit, or the Scottie Girl Ziggy Cuddle Kit from Shannon Fabrics! These kits will help you make the warmest, coziest, cuddliest baby and young child blankets you can imagine. What’s more, they’re absolutely adorable. The Shannon Fabrics Cuddle Kits combine cute patterns and designs with comfort to keep whoever’s nestled in them happy and warm, no matter how cold winter gets!

Get a closer look at the prizes …

Leo the Lion Applique Cuddle Kit
Sweet Dreams Boy Wee One Cuddle Kit
Scottie Girl Ziggy Cuddle Kit

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Filed Under: Quilting Tagged With: Baby Quilt Patterns, FaveQuilts, Free Quilt Patterns, giveaway, Mollyhall Seeley, Quilting, quilting 101

Let Me See That Jelly Roll! 10 Jelly Roll Quilt Patterns

January 31, 2014 by FaveQuilts 1 Comment

 I absolutely love jelly roll fabric. They’re so versatile and fun. You can make almost any project with a jelly roll, from home decor to clothes and accessories to full bed quilts. They’re great for any season and any skill level. Are you a beginner just learning piecework? A jelly roll race quilt is the pattern for you. Are you an experienced sewist looking for your next project? Jelly roll quilts are a great way to mix and match, use up scraps, and even create your own designs.

My favorite thing about a jelly roll is how much variation there is. From race quilts to patchwork to chevron, no two jelly roll quilts look the same. You can use jelly rolls to make improv quilts that challenge your skill level or stick with something simple that you can make quickly. Add free-motion or applique to make a simple quilt just a little more personal or detailed. There’s really no limit to what you can do with a jelly roll, which is why I’ve put together some of my favorite patterns—so what are you waiting for? Your next quilt is waiting in the wings!

10 Jelly Roll Quilt Patterns

10 Jelly Roll Quilt Patterns for Your Next Quilt

  1. Etchy Floral Bed Quilt
  2. Granny Square Quilt
  3. Hello Spring Strippy Pillow Cover
  4. Umbrella Friendly Patio Table Topper
  5. Race to the Finish Jelly Roll Quilt
  6. Chevron Strip Tube Block
  7. Twists and Turns Improv Quilt
  8. Circus is in Town Quilt
  9. Rolling Rail Fence Quilt
  10. Jelly Roll Race Quilt

BONUS! Like these patterns? Find more with our newly updated pattern collection, 34 Jelly Roll Patterns!

And  if that’s not enough, win big with our Henry Glass & Co. fabric bundle giveaway!

Henry Glass & Co Fabric Bundle

We’re giving away the Honey Bee Mine fabric bundle from Henry Glass & Co.! It may not be a jelly roll, but this adorable fabric bundle will be perfect for your spring quilts. Whether you use them all together for a cute baby quilt or spread them out across a couple of throws or lap quilts, these will be the perfect new addition to your stash.

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Filed Under: Quilting Tagged With: FaveQuilts, Free Quilt Patterns, How to Make a Quilt, jelly roll quilt, Mollyhall Seeley, quilting techniques, Simple Quilt Patterns

Star Light, Star Bright: 17 Star Quilt Patterns to Light Up a Room

January 19, 2014 by FaveQuilts 1 Comment


Star Quilts

When it comes to sewing a quilt, you don’t get any more classic than star quilt patterns. These are a staple design, perfect both for beginning and advanced quilters. Star quilt patterns are enormously variable and fun to sew; whether you stick to a traditional design or go for a more modern look, there is certainly a pattern out there for you. Star quilts are prefect for any season, shape, size, and type of quilt. Probably my favorite thing about the star block design is the range of emotions it can evoke–from cheery and carefree to the kind of quiet comfort you get from looking at the night sky. Humans have always had the impulse to reach up and touch the stars, and star quilts allow us to get just that much closer.

Tiny Wonky Star BlockTo Begin … Simple Star Quilt Blocks

Star blocks like the Tiny Wonky Star are easy to piece and quick to make! Perfect for a quick throw quilt or a gift you started late on.
1. Wonky Star
2. Tiny Wonky Star
3. Starflower Quilt Block
4. Aunt Eliza’s Star
5. Scrappy Rainbow Star Quilt Block

Whirling Star Quilt BlockPatchwork Constellations

These star quilt patterns, like the Whirling Star Block, draw heavily on the patchwork design, so that the form as well as fabric draws the eye.
1. Giant Vintage Starflower Quilt
2. Whirling Star
3. Arkansas Traveler
4. Bright Hopes Star
5.  Golden Hunter’s Star Quilt

Briar Rose Star QuiltFull Star Quilt Patterns

From six-pointed star designs to complicated masterpieces like the Briar Rose Star Quilt, these patterns will get you from your first stitch to your last.

1. Briar Rose Star Quilt
2. Adaptable Star Quilt
3. Bright Stretched Stars Throw
4. Smoky Mountain Stars Throw
5. Blazing Stars Quilt
6. Catch a Spinning Star
7. Adaptable Star Quilt

 

Do you have a favorite block design? Tell us what it is below!

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Filed Under: Quilting Tagged With: FaveQuilts, Free Quilt Patterns, home decor, Mollyhall Seeley, Quilt Block Patterns, Quilting

10 Small Quilting Projects to Keep Forever

January 12, 2014 by FaveQuilts Leave a Comment

If there is one thing that all quilters can agree on, it’s this: quilts take a long time to make. The finished product is almost certainly worth all those hours of sewing–all the cramped fingers, the pin pricks, and the dinners that come out burned because we lose track of time while chain piecing–but no one can deny that sometimes we just don’t have time to make all the beautiful creations we have planned.

Luckily, not everything that’s beautiful (and useful) has to cost a week of your life! I’m a big fan of staggering big projects and little projects to give myself a break between quilts. Have you just finished one of those colossal holiday quilts, and now you’re left with tons of scraps but no willpower to sew them into another big quilt? Give yourself a relaxing little project that you’ll use again and again, but won’t cause you any stress (and won’t cause you to burn the turkey).

To give you some ideas, here are a few of my personal favorite small, fast projects on FaveQuilts.

10 Small Quilting Projects to Keep Forever

10 Small Quilting Projects to Keep Forever

  1. Cute and Pretty Wrap Bookmarks
  2. Heavenly Hot and Cold Rice Bag
  3. Pin Cushion Jar
  4. Stylish Snap Wallet
  5. Cushy Catcher and Cushion
  6. Full of Goodies Sewing Kit
  7. Tiny Tiger Pouch
  8. Fabric Storage Bin
  9. Zip Up Sunnies Case
  10. Quick Quilted Card Holder

BONUS!! Like these tutorials? See tons more available as PRINTABLE patterns at 12 Awesome Free Quilt Patterns and Small Quilted Projects!

Don’t Miss Out!!

Coats & Clark General Purpose Sewing Thread GiveawayWin 50 spools of general purpose sewing thread from Coats & Clark! We’re giving away this awesome thread pack until January 14, 2014. Enter to win as often as once a day to increase your chances! This is one of our most exciting giveaways, so don’t miss your opportunity to win. Just head over to our giveaway page to enter.

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Filed Under: Quilting Tagged With: FaveQuilts, Free Quilt Patterns, free sewing patterns, Mollyhall Seeley, sewing crafts, Simple Quilt Patterns

Ready for Love: The Best Valentine’s Day Quilts to Make This Year

December 31, 2013 by FaveQuilts Leave a Comment

Heart Embers Quilt Block

Can you feel the love tonight? Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and it’s time to start on those romantic quilts and quilt projects for that special someone! Whether you’re sewing a new bed quilt or just a little something, these projects are a wonderful way to show you care. What everyone forgets about Valentine’s Day is that you don’t have to limit your gifts to a spouse or significant other. Give all your loved ones a token of your affection this February and bring a little warmth to the dreariest time of the year with projects like the Heart Embers Quilt Block.

Home Decor: Romance Your Man…tel

Be My Valentine GarlandThis collection of adorable table runners, garlands, wall quilts and more is perfect for quick, easy decorations. You don’t have to completely deck out our house to get into the holiday—just a little touch here and there will make all the difference. Make this gorgeous Be My Valentine Garland in no time flat and let it put a smile on that special someone’s face.

1. Hearts a Flutter Table Runner
2. Improv Valentine Wall Quilt
3. Checkered Heart Wall Quilt
4. Heart Strings Table Runner

Knotty Little Valentine's Day ApronCook Up Some Romance

They say the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, so get your kitchen in tip-top shape with these adorable quilted kitchen crafts! They’ll be sure to add a little extra warmth to any cup of cocoa, piece of chocolate, or dinner for two. Make the adorable Knotty Little Valentine’s Day Apron to keep you and anyone who’s cooking with you nice and tidy! Remember: love doesn’t have to be messy. (But just in case, wear the apron.)

1. Knotty Little Valentine’s Day Apron
2. Cross Your Hear Mug Rug
3. Ruffled Mug Rug Valentine
4. Valentine’s Day Table Topper

Quilted Valentine Hearts PillowLove Cushion

Soften the blow of lost love with one of these gorgeous Valentine’s Day pillows. You can keep these adorable pillows out all year long, but they’re especially relevant in February! This precious Quilted Valentine Hearts Pillow will make any couch look just a little more inviting. Some may say that love is a battlefield, but we here at FaveQuilts don’t see why it can’t be something a little bit softer.

1. Quilted Valentine Hearts Pillow
2. Beginner’s Patchwork Heart Pillow
3. Pocket Full of Love Pillow
4. Reverse Applique Gathered Heart Pillow
5. Cross My Heart Appliqued Pillow

What’s the most romantic Valentine’s Day you’ve ever had?

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Filed Under: Valentine's Day Tagged With: FaveQuilts, Free Quilt Patterns, How to Make a Quilt, Mollyhall Seeley, quilting tutorials, Simple Quilt Patterns, Valentine decor

How to Make a Quilt: Trivia Edition

December 14, 2013 by FaveQuilts Leave a Comment

Log Cabin Star Wall Hanging Quilt

Okay, quilters. The holiday season has started and we’re all beginning to plan out and piece together our Christmas quilts. But have you ever looked at a finished product and wondered where the techniques came from? Whether your mother, grandmother, or one of FaveQuilts‘ amazing YouTube tutorials taught you the difference between a quilt binding and a quilt border, you’re participating in a process that has been practiced and refined through centuries. Pretty cool, right?

Well, it’s time to put all that knowledge to the test! How much do you know about the art of quilting? Take our quiz, “How to Make a Quilt: Trivia Edition” to find out.

Q: In what country did archaeologists find the world’s oldest quilt?

Stars and Loops Pattern Tutorial A: Mongolia!

The oldest quilt in existence is currently housed at the Saint Petersburg Department of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The quilted linen carpet was discovered in a Mongolian cave. Other candidates for World’s Oldest Quilt are an Egyptian leather quilt discovered on a carved ivory statue (dating to about 980 B.C.) and the Tristan Quilt (1360-1400 C.A.) in Italy. The Tristan Quilt, like this Stars and Loops Pattern, is a free-form quilt pattern which uses artistic stitching as the primary design feature.

Sleeping on Squares QuiltQ: Should you wash your quilting fabric before you use it?

A: Yes!

It’s always a good idea to prewash your fabric before you begin to work with it, particularly if you’re working with cotton. This way you can be sure that you won’t find yourself facing any unpleasant surprises that might ruin your beautiful finished product, such as bleeding or uneven shrinking. If you want to be sure your quilts are going to come out as neat and tidy as this gorgeous Sleeping on Squares Quilt, be sure to give the fabric a run through the washer before you begin to quilt!

How to Add Scalloped Binding to Your QuiltQ: But wait! Prewashing fabric can lead to fraying. What’s the best way to prevent frayed edges?

A: Cut a little piece from the corners.

It’s true that prewashing can cause fabric to fray. But cutting a little piece from the corners can help prevent fraying. If you find that your quilt still looks a little rough around the edges, try adding a border or binding! This gives a quilt a professional, finished look like the Scalloped Binding that you see here.

Brick Pattern Fat Quarter Quilt

Q: True or False – Using fabric scraps for patchwork quilts comes from Colonial America.

A: False! 

Surprised? Not when you consider that while there were dressmakers and tailors in Colonial America, many women made their everyday clothes (and those of their husbands and children). Fabric at the time was costly, and scraps were more likely to be put to use than collect in a “stash.” Homemade quilts like this Brick Pattern Fat Quarter Quilt  were almost certainly deliberate projects which required fabric of their own to be purchased. It wasn’t until the 1850s, when the cost of fabric lowered drastically due to new commercial technology, that quilting began to become anything that resembled a “hobby.”

Fluffy Flannel Baby QuiltQ: Which is the best type of needle to use in hand quilting: sharps, milliners, crewels, or betweens?

A: Betweens.

Betweens are short and sharp, which make pushing through a quilt’s many layers much easier. They’re a bit tougher than some other needle options, which can help keep your hands from getting too sore! If you’ve never hand quilted before, the Fluffy Flannel Baby Quilt is the project to begin with. Go back to quilting’s roots by making this blanket the same way that your ancestors might have!

During the Crusades, women used to sew quilts as protective armor to be worn under their husbands’ and sons’ chain mail. You probably won’t need to pad anybody’s armor, but a cozy baby quilt will go a long way to fighting off the cold!

How’d you do? Tell us your score below!

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Filed Under: Quilting Tagged With: FaveQuilts, Free Quilt Patterns, How to Make a Quilt, Mollyhall Seeley, Quilt Patterns, Quilting, quilting 101, quilting techniques

Somewhere Over the Rainbow: 11 Rainbow Crafts to Sew

December 10, 2013 by AllFreeSewing 2 Comments

Rainbow Crafts to Sew

Dorothy had to go all the way to Oz to find out what was on the other side of the rainbow. Thanks to these awesome projects from AllFreeSewing, you don’t have to go nearly so far.

Rainbow crafts are wonderful year-round projects. They can bring a little bit of light into cold wintery days or send the clouds away during springtime rains. A rainbow is always a smart addition to any project, be it Baby’s First Book or some DIY girls clothes. These are free sewing tutorials (plus a few non-sewing crafts) that will give any project a happy, bright feel!

What’s waiting for you on the sunny side of that rain cloud?

Taste the Rainbow

Rainbow Cupcakes from runwithglitter.blogspot.comThere’s nothing tastier than a rainbow treat!  The great thing about rainbow foods is that they look impressively complicated, but are actually such a breeze to make.  These easy tutorials will show you how to bring a touch of color to your favorite desserts. For example, try this Rainbow Cake Tutorial for your next birthday party! It’s deceptively easy to make and the rainbow layers will be a lovely surprise when you cut out the first slice! Or, if you’d prefer something a little more bite-size, these Rainbow Cupcakes will be a hit at any party. They taste delicious and look so pretty!  And for the guests that aren’t cake-inclined, whip up some complementary Rainbow Jell-O to satisfy the sweet-tooth of every guest.

Dress it Up

Chromatic Scale Vintage Ribbon Skirt

Putting on an outfit with a rainbow theme is bound to improve even your darkest mood. Plus, a rainbow garment can go with anything! You can match this Chromatic Vintage Ribbon Skirt with just about anything and look great. Make your rainbow garment the focus of your outfit or just add a dash of color with this fun Rainbow Braided Headband Tutorial. Better yet, recycle old pillowcases to make a DIY dress! Just follow the steps laid out in the Rainbow Pillowcase Sundress, Part One and Two. Making your own clothes is easy when you know they’re going to bring a smile to your face every time you put them on.

 

House at the End of the Rainbow

Rainbow Scraps E-Reader Sleeve

There are tons of great rainbow projects for around the house. Adding a bit of rainbow flair to your DIY home decor is a fun, easy way to spice up any room or accessory! From this Rainbow Scraps E-Reader Sleeve to a fun Cross Stitch Cover for your iPhone, you can carry your rainbow around with you … or, leave this beautiful Rainbow Diamonds Mini Quilt over the back of a couch or chair.

Brighten up your bathroom with the Rainbow Bath Towel and your wrist with the Zippered Rainbow Wristlet. Whichever craft you decide to make, you can be sure your finished project will make your house the brightest one on the block.

Rubber Band Loom Crafts GiveawayPLUS! Can’t get enough rainbow crafts? Win a copy of Rubber Band Loom Crafts from Leisure Arts, Inc. to learn how to make the latest DIY jewelry craze: Rainbow Loom bracelets! Enter here to win once a day, every day until December 23rd!

What’s your favorite rainbow food?

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Filed Under: Link Love Tagged With: cake decorating ideas, cupcake crafts, free sewing patterns, Mollyhall Seeley, rainbow crafts, sewn clothes

How to Buy a Sewing Machine: Choosing Your New Best Friend

November 29, 2013 by AllFreeSewing 13 Comments

So you want to buy a sewing machine. The options are endless—so endless, in fact, that buying a sewing machine can be incredibly intimidating, especially for beginners. More experienced sewists may have a better idea of what they’re looking for, as previous sewing machines may have had features that they liked or would prefer to do without. But for beginning sewists, buying a sewing machine is totally overwhelming.

Well, have no fear! We at AllFreeSewing are here to help. If you’re a beginner sewist out to buy your first sewing machine, keep these simple tips in mind and the whole process will be fuss free.

Home Machine or Industrial?

Antique Home Sewing Machine

The first decision you’ll have to make as you set out to choose your new sewing machine is whether you want a home or heavy duty sewing machine. I know it can be tempting to fall for all the bells and whistles that industrial sewing machines offer, but be honest with yourself: are you going to need it? How often do you plan to sew? If this is a machine that you’ll be using almost every day, or if you’ll be making items to sell, it may be worth the price to buy an industrial machine, as they tend to deliver a bit of a neater stitch and are often much faster than home machines. Keep in mind, however, that industrial machines are exponentially more expensive than home machines—they can come with a price tag of up to $2000.

Oh, For the Good Old Days

To compare, good home machines generally cost between $200-$600, depending on how many features and extras the machine has. For a beginner sewist who plans to use her machine a few times a week, these machines are going to be a great fit. They are far more portable than industrial machines and tend to be a bit simpler to use.

Another thing you need to ask yourself is: What type of projects do you want to tackle? Home machines are built to handle a large variety of sewing tasks, from quilting to tailoring, whereas some industrial machines are a bit more specialized. This is, of course, not always the case, and you can certainly find industrial machines that are able to sew the kinds of projects you’re making. But it is something to keep in mind.

Sight, Sound, Touch

The very first thing you want to do when you’re looking at sewing machines is, well, sew something. Pay attention to the sights and sounds that the machine makes as you’re using it. Does the motor sputter or kick? Does it sound like there’s something grinding or bumping? You want your stitching to run as smoothly as possible, and one of the best ways to tell whether or not your motor has an issue is just to listen to it. A nice, single-tone hum usually indicates that all is well “under the hood.”

Straight and Zigzag StitchesNow, look at the stitches that you’ve made. Are they even? If your stitches vary in length (for example, if one stitch is twice as long as the next) then that means your machine is skipping a stitch, which will cause endless headaches and problems down the road. So be sure that each stitch is the same length. Turn the fabric over—do the stitches look the same on the back as they do in the front? Ideally, you don’t want to be able to tell which side of the fabric is meant to be the “visible” side (at least, not by the stitches).

Sewing machines are complex beasts, so be sure that you thoroughly understand the way that your potential new sewing machine works before you invest. Do you want a front-loading bobbin, which yields a bit of a smoother stitch, or a drop-in, which is a bit easier to load and manage? Is the machine easy to thread, or is the process so complicated that it will put you off your projects before you even begin?

One detail that a lot of people don’t take into consideration is the weight of the machine itself. Many companies are replacing the heavy metal parts with a lighter plastic, making machines more portable and cheaper. This is great for our wallets, but can become an issue if you’re working with particularly heavy fabric. Are you planning to sew any kind of drapery or heavily weighted fabric? If this is the case, be sure you get a machine with a bit of weight to it; after all, you want the fabric to move during the sewing process, not the machine!

Finally, check the pedal. Not only do you want to make sure that it’s comfortable and easy to use, but also that it’s an actual foot pedals. Some sewing machines, particularly antiques, use the knee to control the speed. If you’re a beginner sewist, I don’t recommend this particular feature. They can be a bit tricky to get used to, and you’re better off just sticking with the trusty foot pedal.

The 3 Keys

Whatever else you decide to do, there are three key features that you should double, triple, and quadruple check that your sewing machine has:

  1. A straight stitch. This is the stitch that you will use most often, on almost every project. I can’t imagine that you’d find a machine without it, but still, double check! The symbols for stitch patterns are universal across all machines, and the one for the straight stitch looks like this:straight
  2. A zigzag stitch. You’ll use this stitch often when quilting or sewing a bit heavier fabric. You can also use the zigzag stitch to sew button holes (I’ve often found it preferable to using the actual button-hole setting).  That symbol looks like this:

    zigzag

  3. Most importantly, because there are machines which don’t include this feature, make sure your machine can backstitch! Backwards stitching is so helpful, especially when you want to end a stitch with a really sturdy knot. Unfortunately, this symbol isn’t necessarily universal, and not all machines have it, so you’ll want to check with the company to make sure that the machine is capable of stitching backwards.

+ Bonus:

This symbol is the symbol for a stretch stitch:

stretch

This is a useful feature to have, but totally unnecessary; you can use a straight stitch and be totally fine. Don’t let it make or break your decision, but if it comes down to two machines and one has the feature while the other doesn’t, it can be a handy tool.

So there you go, sewists! You have all the information you need to buy a sewing machine. Good luck, and have fun!

CharmedLiebling Winner's Choice Pattern GiveawayPlus! After you’ve selected your sewing machine, don’t forget to enter the AllFreeSewing and charmedLiebling giveaway to win a free purse pattern! Enter here once a day, every day until December 9th!

 

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Filed Under: Advice, Tips, & Tricks Tagged With: Mollyhall Seeley, sewing machine, shopping, Tips

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