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Hello Everyone!
As you can see it has been WAY TOO LONG since I last posted! I am happy to say I am back and ready to get back to it. Just had some life issues that tend to appear once in a while and take over for a short period of time. Never think though I stayed completely away! There have been many changes and ideas going on in the background even though I have been quiet. Here a just a few that either have already been put in place or will be coming out in the near future -
So as you can see there is still much going on and SOOOOOO much more to come! Hope to see you all around! ~Desiree
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Hi Everyone! This was a fun tutorial to put together and I have even included a video (just in case you did not want to read this whole article! And yes I have created a YouTube Channel... very nervous about that! So be kind just in case you leave a comment and critique, LOL! Yo-Yo's can be used for a lot of projects! Embellishments, backdrops on quilts, and even a full quilt, the possibilities are endless. I love to make them for my garlands that are sold in my shop.
I hope everyone enjoys this tutorial, I had a lot of fun putting it together! Now that I made you all read this post, below is a video with the same information! First video made EVER, so I apologize for the background sound! Let me know what you think! ENJOY! ~ Desiree
No matter if you consider yourself a sewer or a quilter, the best item we have to work with are our fabric choices! The availability and types have grown SOOOOO much over time it cannot even be explained in words. For a time it was the sewers used the different or exotic type of fabrics where quilters ONLY ever touched the cotton variations. There was no crossing over to the other side of the spectrum. However today there is no difference between the two groups now and it is awesome! We talk with each other now and have learned much. We have even figured out that if we understand how the fabric functions we can use it for anything! So lets start looking at the types of fabrics that are out there and available to give our creations life and personality.
These are just my top choices that are available whether you are a sewer or a quilter. For me it is very dangerous to go into a fabric store, and my husband gets scared I will never come back out! Hey everyone has their vices and yes this one is mine.
When I look back on the items I have made and designed over the years, you can definitely see the change over to more exotic prints and the ways I fit them into my products. I encourage EVERYONE to take the time to slowly walk around a fabric shop and see what comes to mind when you look over a fabric you would never think to purchase, TAKE THAT CHANCE!!! I hope this list helps in your next projects and the fabrics you choose. And if you do take hat slow walk through a fabric shop, take a picture and let me see what you bought and what you are going to create! Cover your World in Fabric Everyone!!! ~ Desiree As a business owner, there is really NEVER enough time in the day to get all our tasks completed on a daily basis... However we also add to our own frustration because we are always finding new techniques to complete our products or even add to our product lines! And now of course this is what I have done! You Tube has become my obsession lately and from there I have gotten some really great techniques to try when creating my products... and while watching one of my favorite crafters, I saw it... Derwent Inktense Watercolor Pencils on FABRIC!!! Woo Whooo!!!! As a designer I love creating an item that is both functional and also a different style that expresses the owner, but i am loving the idea that I can now incorporate my ideas into my fabric... I am pressing myself to stay small and keep it specific to certain items to test it out first... 
I started playing with the different fabric mediums that can be used. These help the color to not bleed across your fabric. I have chosen to use a 100% Ivory/White Muslin for the testing process, but I am really liking the look so I think the fabric is a keeper to use within the final designs! There are also MANY fabric mediums to choose from, i.e. Liquitex, Americana, Martha Stewart, Golden, just to name a few. I am even going to try to aloe vera gel technique. I purchase three types just to see how they react on the fabric, I do not want the fabric to get very stiff, and so far with these purchase I am not seeing that happening. I am in no way an artist, but I know I can get through the basics and loving the colors these produce when blending on the fabric... Again totally addicted to YouTube, so I have also provided the link to the video that COMPLETELY hooked me in with the possibility this technique can provide. Now she used the Derwent Inktense Blocks (YES will be my next purchase!!!) but wait until you see the item she made, ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!! This video demonstration was recorded during the West Michigan Quilter's Guild's show in October 2014. The instructor is Nancy Roelfsema and she is the President of this Guild Show.
I encourage everyone to check all these videos out, they are amazing at some of the techniques other crafters use and the designs they have created - very INSPIRING for everyone! Be on the look out for our future designs capturing this technique. until next time everyone, ENJOY!!! And please if you should try this technique or even if you just feel like sharing, leave a comment! I love to see what inspires everyone out there! Remember - Cover Your World in Fabric!!! ~ Desiree Made at Home Quilts ...and then some!!!
But it was funny, one day I was reading all the posts and just trying to catch up. What is great within these groups is we help out each other. There is always someone who does I craft that I do not know about and visa versa.. In this post there was a crafter who just could not understand why her metallic thread was breaking! Her posts were just hysterical with what she was saying and then it dawned on me, was she using a metallic thread needle... I had made the suggestion to her and she since came back on the posts and thanked everyone for their help and it was the needle that was causing her the problem... Now I have to admit I am really not that type of person who remembers these things and really what was making me laugh was I knew her pain!!! I learned the hard way... When I started sewing, MANY, MANY years ago. I used one needle and I mean that literally. I NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER NEEDLE!!! As I got further into my craft and got involved in my local quilt shop, yes I was taught the proper use of sewing needles. Can I tell you I had people rolling on the floor with some of the stories I was telling them and my thoughts... and here I thought I knew it ALL! I learn everyday that I do not and nor does anyone else, but together we continue to LEARN even more!!!
For those of us that sew, quilt or craft with any type of fabric, we ALL have those little pieces of fabric that start taking over our work area!!! When we add into the mix an individual that cannot throw ANYTHING away (yes, I am talking about me!) those piles start taking on a life of their own... It was time I either got therapy to let them go or figure out a way to implement them into some great products! Of course I chose the latter, again CANNOT throw ANYTHING away!  The first thing that had to happen was an organization system that would be able to handle the mass of cotton growing at an astronomical rate... Dollar Store here I come!!! I found plastic show box containers that were perfect for the job, and yes we needed ALOT of them... They were then sorted by the primary color grid and they now sit perfectly within my shelves for easy access!!!
It is a very strange process, when I get organized, I get designing... and then once the sewing starts, I get unorganized all over again... I believe that if I cleaned my house the number of times I clean my craft room, dust would NEVER have a chance for survival!!! OK back to the topic at hand... once I get organized I get designing.... I have seen some great ideas for scrap fabrics and I have come up with a few of my own!...  Quilted Key Chains  Coin Purses, Eye/Sun Glass Cases, Checkbook Covers, and Coffee Cup Cozies  Christmas Fabric Yo-Yo Garland Once we can sit back and see what we have sitting around, the possibilities are endless! So take the time to just stand in your crafting area and be INSPIRED and start sewing and share them below... Remember our goal...
COVER YOUR WORLD IN FABRIC!!! ~ Desiree Made at Home Quilts ...and then some!!!  There has always been a debate as to whether to prewash or not to prewash your fabrics prior to sewing or quilting. Just with anything there is an agreement and disagreement with prewashing. After some hours of research on this topic, this is what I have found. YES, I DO:
NO, I DO NOT:
 I am one of those that DO NOT prewash my fabrics prior to sewing/quilting, with minor exceptions. Time is a huge issue for me. I love running my personal business, but I also have to work full time. So my time is VERY limited and I do not want to take away ANY time for washing - that is best for the family and there is enough of that!
Now even though I am on the side of 'I DO NOT' there are some fabrics I will. When designing a quilt from a wall hanging to king size, I will prewash my reds, blues, and purples, just to be safe from dye transfer. For the larger size quilts of course that is an easier process due to the size of the fabrics being washed are by the yard. However for wall hangings, we may be dealing with fabric the size of a scrap, fat quarter or pre-cut. I will also prewash fabrics used in anything Baby I make. There skin is very different from an adult. Well during my research I have found the perfect solution for that! CLICK HERE to watch a video from Laura Coia on her sewing channel called Sew Very Easy. Material shrinking is only an issue on some fabrics, and these fabrics I tend to not work with. These fabrics are those novelty type, i.e. terry cloth or chenille). And I have to be honest, I have sewn with them and I now stay AWAY from them... Finally the chemical debate! Yes I agree they are there in the fabric, but I like the texture and control those chemicals give me. I get a crisper cutting line and I have GREAT control when manipulating the fabric to do what I want it to do! Our industry has changed SO MUCH over the years, that from the bleeding, to shrinkage and the chemicals, it is different now. Manufacturers are conscious of the fact that we are out there and do not wash our fabrics. So they take the necessary steps to prevent these concerns from happening. And let's face it, they make a better product, then we will buy it more!!! If you are still on the fence of what to do, my best advise is use your best judgement. While I consider myself on one side, I will take the time to check and ensure there will be no issues for my products designed for my customers. Thanks for stopping by and let me know what side you are on! ~ Desiree For those of us that run our own business we are always researching ways to research and market our products... We are after that one chance to get noticed and make the sale. Here, in this post, I am going to focus on how to keep my business in the buyers mind. I do not want them to forget me and the services and products I can offer for their next purchase. I have tried a couple techniques:
While sitting in my craft room, I came up with a promotional item that be part of every purchase made from my shop...so this is not an item that will be sold, but rather my gift to say 'Thank You' and another reminder for them! Introducing the Cord 'Minder', below is how I have created my item and hopefully will inspire you to come up with a promotion that will work for your business!  The Cord 'Minder'...Below are the materials I used to make this product, you can adapt any way you see fit.
Optional (Stamping)
To begin you want to cut your pieces and iron your interfacing to the wrong side of one piece of the fabric.
Once the interfacing is secured,you will pin your fabric pieces together with right sides facing each other and sew around your pieces with a 1/4" seam line. Here you want to make sure that you leave an opening so you can turn your piece.
Prior to turning your piece you want to clip the corners close to the seam line, but you do not want to cut into the seam line. By doing this you are able to create crisp corners. To help with turning you can use a chopstick to help push out the corners. My husband just loves it when we go to one of our favorite restaurants, their chopsticks are perfect for this, I always stock up! After turning you want to press. This helps to lock in the stitches and also gives your piece a nice crisp finish.
Next you want to sew a seam line to accent your piece. I always choose to use a scant 1/8" around the edge, just to finish it off...
If you are using a specific fabric created just for your business you can skip this next step and scroll down to the snap installation... The next steps will show how to stamp on fabric! Create your own stamp with your Logo or just simply say THANK YOU!!! You want to use a pigment ink stamp pad, a rubber or clear stamp, and your iron. If you are a stamper then you already know the process of stamping. For myself I had a lot to learn and yes I am still learning and I hope I do not pick up yet ANOTHER craft, LOL! You will Stamp your logo or statement on your piece in the center. And set aside to let dry. I like to wait for at least 2 hours and then press with an iron. This will set the pigment ink onto the fabric. Since I already know the fabric I will be using, I plan to set up a sheet of fabric with my Logo and then set them aside. This way they will be ready for when ever I need them...
And now for another tool, and this one was a gold mine when I found it and so easy to use! There are plenty of videos available to watch to learn more about this product. (Plastic Snap Pliers-KAM Snaps) I bought mine from www.ilikebigbuttons.com. When placing your snaps you want to make sure they are positioned correctly based on how you are closing your product.
 There are soooo many options to choose from. For me I am waiting on my logo stamp to be sent to me, and yes cannot wait! You could also use a 'Thank You' stamp like I did here in this tutorial, use another saying, create your tag line or motif, or use that special fabric the represents your brand... Whatever you choose it will represent you and be that special item to make people remember you and your business and come back for more!!!
I hope you ENJOY this tutorial and it inspires you to bring your business to the forefront!!! Please show me how you are going to create your promotion item for your business below... Have a Great Day! ~ Desiree Made at Home Quilts ...and then some!!! As a crafter I am always trying something new! Recently I was trying to figure out a way to use my scraps of fabric, because I cannot get rid of anything... (really I am soooo running out of space in my quilt room!). While I was getting my google on with this topic, I came across paper beads! Who knew this was as popular as it was! I have realized I live in a shelter and do not get out much... So I bought my tools, glue, paper and storage cases to stay organized and off I went... I am now completely and totally addicted to paper beads! (and yes I did also find great ways to use my fabric scraps creating fabric beads as well!... that to be shown another time...). They even have their own section within my tons of fabrics and they are bonding very well... While creating these thousands of paper beads, I did the whole give them away (because of course I made the 'Pandora' style beads)!!! But I realized they could be a part of my products for my business, and boy did the ideas flood in... The most recent are zipper pulls and embellishments for my coffee cozies!!! Below are just a couple of photos of some of the zipper pulls I have created so far, and through all this I have found a very strong respect for all those jewelry artisans out there!!! I may manipulate fabric to bend at my will... but the bending of the wire is at another level!!! Check the photos out and YES I you will see our version of the Coffee Cozy... SORRY for the fuzzies - been cutting ALOT of batting for upcoming clutches we have designed!!!!
  ...and here is how we embellished our Coffee Cozies - they will be available for purchase soon here at our store!!! 
Hope you all enjoyed this... and remember COVER YOUR WORLD IN FABRIC!!!
~ Desiree Made at Home Quilts ...and then some!!!
This video really shows how great these pens from Pilot are for marking and making your templates right onto your fabric!!! And it only takes heat to remove the markings...
I was always a die hard user of the air erase pens, but I am finding I am using these just as much!
If the video is not appearing please make sure you contact me...
Have a Great Week Everyone!!! Desiree ~MAHQs |
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