What do a fork, a drinking straw, a butane torch, an empty mascara tube, and silicone caulk all have in common? They are all unusual sewing tools that I keep in my studio! Check out the full post to see 50 unusual sewing tools and how to use them.
Make Your Own Mock Cathedral Window Quilt!
Would you like to learn an easy way to make a very impressive quilt? Check out this article and learn how to perform a little sewing magic!
New Summer Headband Tutorial!
Hey everyone, let me tell you about the latest tutorial I wrote for We Like Sewing magazine! This headband is an easy summer fashion staple that can be made to match any outfit. The stylish twist knot on top adds a bit of sophisticated flair, and you can make the headband out of many different […]
12 Awesome Ways to Use Silicone Caulk in Your Sewing and Crafts
Here are a dozen offbeat ways that I use silicone caulk in my sewing and crafting. Check out some of my never-before-seen projects, and lots of helpful tips for using this awesome craft material!
New Upcycled Leather Coat-to-Handbag Tutorial (it’s on the cover of We Like Sewing Magazine!)
Check out my tutorial to see how you can sew a leather bag out of a secondhand coat, and vote on what my next post will be about!
DIY Resin Jewelry Tutorial (and 8 inspiring ideas!)
Recently I tried resin casting, and it was so much fun! Here are eight eye-catching new projects, and a resin casting tutorial that includes a few things I learned along the way.
Forest Fairy Costume Tutorial
This Forest Fairy costume is made with real leaves, vines, and sticks. I’ll show you step-by-step how I put it together, and give you lots of tips for working with natural materials that you can adapt to a cosplay design of your own!
How to Make Your Own Swiffer®* Mop Pad out of Old Blue Jeans (with FREE Printable PDF Sewing Pattern!)
This Swiffer Sweeper pad tutorial comes with a free printable PDF pattern! It’s a reusable, machine-washable, planet-friendly project that’s made out of old blue jeans.
How to Make a Lily Flower Out of Guitar Strings
This beautiful lily sculpture is made out of used guitar strings. Check out the tutorial, where I show you how to make one of your own!
How to Make a Jeans Waistband Bigger
Do you have a pair of jeans with a waistband that’s just a little too tight? Here are 7 easy ways to make a waistband larger!
How to Make Striped Tote Bag Handles, Belts, or Lanyards (it’s Super Easy!)
Does your tote bag need an extra pop of color? Try this easy technique to make striped tote bag handles! It also works very well on belts, pet leashes, lanyards, and any other kind of fabric strap.
A Maker’s Gift Guide for Creative Children and Teens
Are you looking for gift ideas for the creative child or young adult in your life? I’ve put together a list of items that I think would make fabulous presents for anyone with a free spirit and a creative heart.
Message in a Bottle Craft (with Free Printables!)
This message in a bottle craft is a great way to make a souvenir with sand and seashells from your last beach trip. I’ve included free printable scrolls so that it’s fast and easy to make your own!
How to Clean Suede Leather: Testing and Reviewing Different Methods
You’ve probably heard about home remedies and hacks for cleaning suede, but how well do they really work? I test 6 different methods of cleaning suede, in search of a way to rescue my favorite boots.
How to Replace the Button on a Pair of Jeans (with a New or Used Jeans Button!)
Replacing the all-metal button on a pair of jeans isn’t as difficult as it may seem. Here’s a tutorial that shows you several different methods, including a hack that lets you re-use the button from an old pair of jeans!
17 Handy Painter’s Tape Hacks for Sewing and Crafting
Here’s a list of some of my very favorite painter’s tape hacks that will make your sewing and crafting (and maybe even your life!) a little easier.
How to Sew a Pot Scrubber Out of Produce Bags
This plastic mesh scrubber works very well to clean a variety of surfaces, and you can easily add a sliver of bar soap to the center to make a self-soaping scrub pad. The best part is that it takes less than 5 minutes for me to make one! Here’s how to make your own.
How to Remove Tarnish Using Something So Safe, You Can Eat it!
Tarnish on buckles and D-rings is never a good look. So how do I remove it? And better yet, how do I do it without using any harsh, smelly, or dangerous chemical compounds?
How to Replace Worn-Out Cuffs and Neckband on a Sweatshirt
The cuffs on a sweatshirt, hoodie, or sweater often look worn out long before the rest of the garment does. How do you replace them quickly and easily? I’ll show you!
How to Make a Dragon Scale Arm Cuff (with free printable PDF pattern!)
This accessory makes a fun, elegant-yet-dangerous addition to a cosplay outfit or Halloween costume. Believe it or not, it’s made from a vinyl placemat, and I’ve uploaded a free printable PDF pattern so that you can make your own!
The “Flights of Fancy” Collection Hits the Runway!
Check out pictures and video from the runway, when my collection was shown at the Dominion Center for RVA Fashion Week!
Upcoming Fashion Show!
I auditioned for RVA Fashion Week a little while ago, and I’m so excited to announce that I got in! Read on for the lowdown on what I’m planning for the show, and a sneak peek of my upcoming collection.
DIY Fabric Flowers Tutorial (With Free Printable Template!)
Learn how to make these beautiful fabric flowers! They are a quick and easy project, and a great way to use fabric scraps. Use the finished flowers to decorate wreaths, tote bags, headbands, flip-flops, hats, purses, pillows, and more!
How to Fix a Bra Band That’s Too Tight
Do you have a bra with a band that’s too tight? Check out this quick and easy hack to fix a snug bra band and give yourself a little extra breathing room.
Goofy Monster Ballpoint Pen Topper
Looking for a fun back-to-school craft? Check out this ballpoint pen topper that I came up with as a craft for thread that was too old to use for sewing.
Make Your Own Sunhat out of Twisted Strips of Fabric
This DIY sunhat is made of scraps of fabric that I cut into strips, twisted, and sewed into a coiled hat with a moldable brim. Check out my tutorial if you’d like to make your own sunhat!
How to Evenly Space Flower Petals (or Other Items) in a Circle
If you do a lot of crafting, you might be looking for an easy way to space out flower petals (or other items) evenly in a circle. Here are a couple of ways to do that.
DIY Metallic Swimsuit Cover-Up Made With Strips of Fabric Woven Together
I wanted to see if I could use fabric strips to weave a tube that was large enough to fit around my whole body, kind of like a cross between a Chinese Finger Trap and a dress. Here’s how you can make one, too!
A Top Hat for a Giant Bunny Rabbit
What do you get the bunny who has everything? A top hat, of course!
Making a Belt for a Treadle Sewing Machine
I found an old sewing machine at a thrift store, and since the motor didn’t work, I hooked it up to work with a treadle table. Here’s how I made the belt to drive the machine.
How to Attach Any Pull to a Ceiling Fan Chain
It’s easy to swap out a ceiling fan pull, if the item you want to use was made to attach to a pull chain. But what if it wasn’t? Here’s an easy hack.
Lego Block Pillows (Free Sewing Pattern!)
I’m giving away the printable PDF sewing pattern to make these adorable Lego Block throw pillows ABSOLUTELY FREE to all of my email subscribers! They’re great for kids, or casual decor in a family room, playroom, or den.
How to Sew Perfect Circles
This is a fun hack that lets you sew perfect circles with no marking or tracing. It’s easy, and all you need is a thumbtack and some tape!
Covering Stains with Fabric Markers
Stains on your jeans? Grab some fabric markers and make them beautiful!
How to Make Your Own Sewing Thread Rack
Here’s a tutorial for a DIY thread rack that I came up with one day when I had nowhere to store my spools of thread.
How to Fix a Neckline That’s Too Low
Do you have a t-shirt with a neck that falls a little lower than you’d like? Or a sweater with a saggy, stretched-out neckline? Check out this quick fix.
Upcycled Swimdress Made From a Pair of Pants
Here’s how I turned a pair of thrift store pants into a classy swimdress.
Giant Upcycled Dragonfly Sculpture
So, funny story. I had to climb on a railing so that I could hand a giant insect’s butt to a total stranger.
Mermaid Dress and Fascinator
The tale of a mermaid dress I designed and created for a local fashion show, and all of the problems that needed to be worked out in order to make the dress come to life.
DIY Ironing Pad Made With a Mylar Emergency Blanket
I wanted to make a small ironing mat to use near my sewing machine. Here’s how you can make your own DIY pressing pad with cotton fabric, batting, and a Mylar emergency blanket.
An Easy Way to Space Buttonholes Evenly
Believe it or not, this sewing tip is courtesy of Tom Silva, from This Old House. He used this method to space porch pickets, but it also works great for spacing buttonholes.
How to Make Hair Gel out of Flax Seeds
This homemade hair gel made from flax seeds is one of my very favorite things. It does wonders for my naturally curly, frizzy hair.
Unconventional Maxi Dress
This dress has only one vertical seam, in the center front. It’s lined, but has no hem. In fact, it’s just one large piece of fabric, attached to a circular collar, with a separate belt.
DIY Morse Code Bracelet
These Morse Code bracelets are an easy craft, and great for kids. It’s a beautiful way to keep a favorite quote or Bible verse close to your heart, or a loved one’s name and birthday.
Make Your Own Monster-Shaped Ferret Sleeping Bag/Playhouse (With Free Sewing Pattern!)
When I had ferrets, I loved sewing for them. They were so enthusiastic about everything, they always made me feel like I’d made the coolest thing in the world. Granted, they could also spend hours playing with a toilet bolt cap, so the bar was not set particularly high. But still. You know.
How to Patch a Hole in a Pair of Jeans (and make it look good!)
Learn how to patch a hole in a pair of jeans, and end up with a style statement instead of a tear.
Fashion Show Beachwear Set
The tale of a swimsuit, sunhat, and beach bag that I made for a fashion show.
How to Sew a Dart Using Only the Bobbin Thread
I think this is the best way to sew a dart: Using only the bobbin thread.
Glowing Fire and Ice Fascinators
This tutorial shows you how to make your own fabulous, light-up fascinators!
Bolt + Magnet = DIY Magnetic Pincushion
This DIY pincushion uses a bolt and a magnet to work a little magic.
Shibori T-Shirt Using Bleach
This DIY shibori t-shirt tutorial shows you how to use bleach to transform an ordinary t-shirt into a work of art.
How to Sew a Bath Mat out of T-shirts
This fun bath mat is made out of repurposed t-shirts! I’ve created step-by-step instructions in case you’d like to make your own.
How to Organize Sewing Machine Needles
This simple trick helps you keep track of what size your sewing machine needles are, and stores them safely until you’re ready to use them.
Ironic Tote Bag
Learn how to make your own tote bag. This tote is covered in upcycled clothing labels, and is both a useful accessory, and a commentary on materialism.
How to Make an Asymmetrical Striped Top
This tutorial shows you how to upcycle t-shirts into a flattering asymmetrical top.
How to Make Your Own Gloves (It’s Easy, I Promise!)
This tutorial details how to make your own gloves with an easy method that even beginners can use.
“Beauty for Ashes”
The tree is made entirely out of ashes and glue, and it is meant to represent a time of sadness or mourning, out of which God will bring growth, joy, and peace. The tree is certainly not dead, and when springtime arrives, it will burst into bud, stronger and more beautiful than ever before.
On Breaking the Sewing Rules
It’s true; rules are often there for a reason. If you don’t want your seams to be obvious, then match your thread color to your garment color. Secure your stitching or else it’ll come undone. That’s just common sense. But there are lots of little “rules” floating around that are more like matters of opinion. […]
On Being Adventurous with Your Projects
For some people, the process of creating something can be a bit daunting. You don’t want to “waste” time, materials, etc. You might be afraid that it “won’t turn out very well” or something like that. But what if it does turn out very well? What if an epic outfit was never created because the […]
How to Keep Bra Straps from Slipping Off Your Shoulders
Here are 6 easy fixes for bra straps that are always sliding off your shoulders.
DIY Garden Hose Bobbin Holder
This easy-to-make DIY bobbin holder costs almost nothing, and it works great!
DIY Dress Made Out of 2 Circles of Fabric
This easy DIY dress is made from just two circles of fabric.
The Journey Begins
Thanks for joining me here on my blog! I am an artist and fashion designer who enjoys breaking the sewing “rules”. My goal with this blog is to help you find ways to bring your own designs and creations to life.
