Garment Sewing 101
When we opened Creations in 1978, it was the end of the polyester double-knit era. We opened as a fabric shop with natural fibers. We carried, wool, silk, cotton, and linen. We still carry all of those fabrics in our shop. It was in the early 80’s that quilting surged. Many of our customers who once stitched garments moved to quilting. Thru our 42 years, we have continued to carry fabrics for garments. There were lots of years that it was hard to find high quality garment fabric and easy patterns. We now have some great sources for clothing fabrics and patterns that are easy to construct with little fit — comfort clothing!
We thought it would be fun to show you some of our favorite garments and some of easiest patterns to stitch. In the 4th video in our series “If I Can You Can”, we have featured a group of handwoven cotton fabrics, digital linen prints, Bali rayons, and a textured cotton that looks like linen.
This video is to inspire you to sew, not to show you sewing techniques. There are loads of great videos on techniques, but few on fabric and pattern inspiration.
To check out the fabrics and patterns featured in our video, we have listed the appropriate sections below the video. You will be able to order fabrics and patterns featured.
We look forward to the time when you can again browse in our shop, but until then — enjoy our video!!
Crazy Curves Template
Some quilts you just love to make again and again because they look so different with different fabric choices. We have used the Crazy Curve Template over and over to create the Crazy Curve Quilt and some of its variations.
The quilt shown here is one we did about 7 years ago and we still love it. It currently hangs in the Lounge at The Main House, our retreat center across our parking lot.
We have completed our third video in a Series we have decided to call “If I can You Can”..
This latest video features the 7″ Crazy Curves Template. The Circle of Circles Crazy Curves quilt, pictured here, actually uses both the 7″ Template and the 3 1/2″ Template. Each of the blocks is constructed the same way.
If you purchase just the Crazy Curves Templates, you will find layout instructions inside the package. If you want clear pictures and great instructions, then you might want to purchase the book Crazy Curves Continues which includes the directions for the Circle of Circles as well as many other possible patterns.
If you prefer just the freedom of the Crazy Curves, all you need is the 7″ Template and 20 Fat Quarters. Hope you will enjoy watching our video on working with the template.
Log Cabin Trim Tool by Creative Grids
We are at it again!! Everyone has been very supportive for our first efforts so we decided to do another video. This time we will show one of our favorite Creative Grids “trim tools” for the Log Cabin quilt block.
We love “trim tools” because you get to trim to the correct size after stitching. The Log Cabin is one of our favorite quilts, but each block has lots of small pieces. To pre-cut the strips, it takes accurate cutting. Stitching with pre-cut strips also requires accurate sewing to keep all the blocks the same size. It can really take the fun out of making lots of blocks if they aren’t the same size when you are finished. Using the trim tool, you are practically guaranteed they will be the same size.
Another reason to use the trim tool is that multiple people can work on the same quilt as all the blocks will be same size when finished. It makes a fun “group quilt”.
The Creative Grids trim tool for the log cabin comes in sizes 8″ , 6″ and 4″. Even the tiny blocks will be the same size with the trim tool. Each tool tells you what size to cut the center block and the size to cut the strips.
Just a note: We are using the trim tool for the log cabin. They also make a trim tool for a “curvy” log cabin where strips are cut different widths to creative a curved appearance. They are simple to use, but our video is showing the original trim too.
Enjoy the video and be kind with your comments…..it’s intimidating to be in front of a camera!!
Once you’ve seen the video, click the links below to find these Log Cabin Trim Tools on our website. You can find both the Log Cabin Trim Tool and the Curvy Log Cabin Rulers there. Or use these specific links to the 4″ Log Cabin Trim Tool, the 6″ Log Cabin Trim Tool, and the 8″ Log Cabin Trim Tool.
This video below can be viewed at full screen size, just hover over the lower right of the video, then click the [ ] icon.
Let’s Keep in Touch
I never thought much about the lack of posting on this blog. I knew customers could just come into the shop and enjoy being there. Who would want to read about it when you could be there in person. We so enjoyed the conversation, coffee, and fabric hunting. Reality has struck and we live in a different world than a few months ago.
In order to cope with this new reality, we have spiffed up our Facebook page and are posting “new stuff” there daily to keep us all inspired or entertained.
After the experience of filming our 42nd Anniversary Quilt Show, we decided to give it another try. Armed with an Emmy winning broadcaster as our camera person and the best webmaster ever this reluctant spokesperson has made a 5 minute video on working with Ombre fabrics. We do know one thing, we won’t lose that spokesperson to the lights of a film career. Just get past the funny accent I never knew I had and enjoy the information.
You will love bringing ombre fabrics into your quilting world. The shading is done for you and it makes everything look amazing.
Once you’ve seen the video, click the links below the video to find these Ombre fabrics and patterns on our website
Find these fun fabrics, patterns and books on our website by clicking these links:
Products tagged with “Ombre”, including fabrics, patterns, books and quilt kits
Ombre Fabrics by Jennifer Sampou
Gelato Ombre Fabrics by EE Schenck