With little time to sew and busy holidays approaching, searching for just the right gift to give to a sewing enthusiast, traveling friend, college student, charitable outreach or work colleague, among others, may be a challenge. Crafting a compact sewing kit may be just the right thoughtful gift.

It helps to stir up work place inspiration when there is a change in viewpoint. Change the workspace decor easily with fabrics that have a splash of seasonal colors, abstract designs or specific dedicated interests to soothe the mind to let the creative or routine process commence for the workday.

With rustic hospitality assembled into stunning folk art or unstructured design, unassuming strips of wool fabric, thin thread-worn bed linens, denim jeans and shirts made soft by much wearing, today’s modern t-shirts and more are economically transformed into humble and functional floor coverings.

Modern baby showers or parties have become traditional in welcoming the impending arrival of a new baby. They are equally a reason for family and friends to get together as they are an economic rescue for households needing various baby items to lessen the financial burden of new infant care.

Smocking in its simplest description is embroidery over even, tiny gathered pleats of fabric. It is a fine needle art form for garment decoration usually seen on sleeves, yokes, and bodice fronts with origins now obscure.

There are a few ways to square up or true up a piece of woven fabric, an often necessary part of sewing. This means that the warp and the weft threads are running as expected, perpendicular to each other.

Whether participating in equestrian, western pleasure or trail riding events, rodeo events, wagon train rides, or pioneer day events recreated from the old American West, sewing your own western apparel to wear can be a real cost-saver.

Pantone® Color Institute gives us 10 trendy colors for spring 2017 after having surveyed talented designers and found a preference for bright colors and those that surround us naturally in springtime. The colors provide us the fashion equivalent of a riot of spring blossoms.

The traditional season for weddings and prom festivities, late spring to early summer, brings great joy and new excitement as many bride-to-be’s and young lady prom goers search for a gown, often opting for the sheer elegance and sophistication of a revealing neckline and bare shoulder look.

It can be a daunting task trying to find ready-to-wear modest clothing in catalog or department stores. Home sewing modest apparel that is simple, classic, and elegant can be rewarding as well as affordable.