"Oh, spring has sprung, the grass is riz, wonder where the flowers is?" This lovely rhyme reminds that winter stubbornly clings to northern climes amid fleeting hope for the first warmth of spring. No matter, fabric stores and online sellers let us know that spring is here with gorgeous fabrics.

Learning how to thread a sewing machine, thread a needle, fill a bobbin, and stitch a straight seam may seem common-sense and elementary to a novice sewer, however there is much for a sewing newcomer to learn about sewing, and seemingly all at once. Just where to begin can be daunting.

Will a sewer ever have enough sewing tips? All sewing tips that can save time, effort, cost or reveal some useable tidbit of sewing info are always welcome. Of course, only those that provide really practical workable results will have the expected value for the sewer.

When winter winds and chilly temperatures keep us inside, what better use of indoor time than to sew some warm cheery hearts for February's Valentine's Day.

Lace has a sentimental quality, evoking yesterday’s keepsakes while becoming tomorrow’s treasures. Small pieces of lace can accessorize antique buttons, aromatic sachets, padded satin hangers or jars of homemade jams and jellies for gifting.

With the application of a simple yet versatile running stitch, you can create beautiful hand worked embroidery that is both organic and pleasingly geometric in design. A basic running stitch creates a repeating patterned background that is artfully timeless.

From antique buttons of centuries past that possess now historical significant, to Victorian glass buttons giving a cultural perspective of that time and onto contemporary buttons of the day, the ordinary button that gives us little pause as we dress for the day holds much to think about.

Antique collectible sewing items are many and varied. Aside from early sewing machines that parallel the progression of the Industrial Revolution, there are unique buttons, sewing baskets, thimbles, ornate scissors, pin cushions and needle boxes that give us a nostalgic look into the past.

The days are growing shorter, the holidays are nearing, and there are many last minute things to do. Here are some quick-to-sew, last minute, got-to-have-gift-ideas that you can sit down to start and finish sewing or no-sew in just a few minutes. All make for thoughtful unique gifts.

Decorative, versatile and functional this overcast or edge stitch is often one of the first beginning embroidery stitches taught to children. Adding beads to each stitch further allows the stitch to add emphasis as an outline to the evenly spaced, even length stitches.