Photoshop Elements Tutorial: Designing Repeat Patterns One of the most commonly used designs on fabric is a repeat pattern design. Repeat patterns are easy to make in Photoshop Elements using the Offset feature and simple copy and past. So let’s … Continue reading →
Do you ever use the decorative stitches on your machine? I know a lot of sewing machine owners – especially quilters – don’t use them. Your decorative stitches, with a little imagination and the right threads, offers great potential for interesting and innovative embellishment.
I love to use the decorative stitches on my sewing machine; they’re a wonderful source of decorative embellishment for all sorts of applications and you’ll see a lot of my quilts and samples have some sort of decorative stitching on them.
You can use decorative stitches in many ways:
… instead of straight stitch for stitch-in-the-ditch.
Dyeing your own fabric is fun, creative and provides you with endless opportunities for creating unique art. Plus it’s not as difficult as you might think.
Get Creative Show! is a vast website full of creative articles, ideas, and tutorials for quilters, needleworkers and crafters, including business tips and advice. You’re sure to find something of interest.
One of my favorite techniques is image transfer. Mostly I like to transfer images directly to fabric using various methods, however sometimes I also like to transfer images to “fabric paper”. “Fabric paper” can be made using many different methods, but it’s main features are that you can create unusual texture and of course, you can sew on it.
Making “fabric paper” using plain old tissue paper is one of my favorite types of “fabric paper”. I like the texture and the softness and it’s simple to do.
This video demonstrates one method of transferring an image to tissue paper and then turning it into “fabric paper”.
Be inspired by these beautiful photos. Look closely … what catches your eye? The colors? The shapes? A pattern, or perhaps a simple line? Inspiration can come from the unlikeliest of places.
I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the various messages we’ve received over the years and generally highly regard. Many success and self-help experts have told us that we need to “Seize the Day”. “Carpe diem” they tell us.
Well, what the heck does that mean? How does one “seize the day”?
“Men for the sake of getting a living forget to live.” ~Margaret Fuller
The dictionary defines the word seize as:
- take hold of; grab
- take or capture by force
- assume, seize and take control without authority and possibly with force
An inspirational article by my guest blogger – Christine Predd
If you enjoyed Christine’s article, please leave a comment and let her know!
Adding Arty Fun to that Traditional Quilt
Escape by Christine Predd
Maybe some readers make quilts from patterns and have a little bit of an itch to reach into the art quilt world at the same time. This can be done by thinking a little creatively as you work……..maybe adding a different technique, or just something out of the ordinary to that pattern and making it more your own creation.
Here’s some ways that may work for you to do just that! These are not original ideas by any means, just ideas I’ve gathered along the way.
Ever wondered what to do with all those old jeans? You know, the ones you’ve been saving because you WILL fit into them again one day. Give them up ladies; move on.
I'm Linda Matthews and welcome to my website. As a textile artist I love to experiment with all sorts of different textile and art quilting techniques; and as I teacher I love to share. I hope you enjoy my website. More ...
I'm Linda Matthews and welcome to my website. As a textile artist I love to experiment with all sorts of different textile and art quilting techniques; and as I teacher I love to share. I hope you enjoy my website. 
