Craftside

Lisa Solomon author of Knot Thread Stitch event at Purl Soho

Today I have news about an event taking place at Purl Soho in New York City with Lisa Solomon, author of Knot Thread Stitch: Exploring Creativity through Embroidery and Mixed Media.

Join Lisa Solomon of Knot Thread Stitch: Exploring Creativity through Embroidery and Mixed Media to learn the art of selective stitching!

-Using embroidery as embellishment, you'll add a handmade touch to a gorgeously designed printed tea towel.

-Transform a simple tea towel with colors and textures into unique kitchen décor or a great hostess gift!

-You'll learn a variety of embroidery stitches, how to arrange the composition of your tea towel, and have fun stitching with Lisa!  

Selective Stitching Embroidery Workshop

• Sunday - March 10th, 2013 | 12-5pm with Lisa Solomon of Knot, Thread, Stitch (5 spots available as of 2/20/13) Sewing and Quilting classes are taught at: Purl Soho 459 Broome Street, NYC.

Please call Purl Soho at 212.420.8796 (12-6pm Sat-Sun & 12-7pm Mon-Fri) to sign up for this class, or send them an email for additional information.

And to get a taste of the cuteness inside check out this great idea for embroidering a pet portrait.

Last week I shared a tip from the book The Art of Urban Sketching that talked about only coloring in part of a sketch. That's part of this embroidery project. The doggie sweater is a dimensional print applique. Like this project and want the pattern and full tutorial? Grab yourself a copy of the Quarry book:

Knot Thread Stitch:
Exploring Creativity through Embroidery and Mixed Media

by

Lisa Solomon

Knot Thread Stitch presents a modern, experimental, and creative approach to thread and embroidery projects. You'll find fun and surprising project ideas, a unique artistic approach, and unconventional mixed-media materials such as stamps, paint, sequins, paper, and shrinky dinks. With easy-to-follow steps and project variations, this book also includes project contributions and embroidery patterns from a long and stellar list of renowned artists and bloggers, including Lisa Congdon, Camilla Engman, Heather Smith Jones, and Amy Karol, just to name a few.

Profoundly interested in the idea of hybridization (sparked from her hapa heritage), Lisa Solomon’s mixed media works revolve thematically around domesticity, craft, and masculine and feminine triggers. She is drawn to found objects altering them conceptually so that their meanings and original uses or intents are re-purposed. She often fuses “wrong” things together – recontextualizing their original purposes, and incorporating materials that question the line between art and craft. Visit her online at http://www.lisasolomon.com.

   

How to make a rolled fabric rosette and giveaway of a copy of Precut Patchwork Party

If you love fabric and making flower embellishments, then you will love today's tutorial on how to make fabric rolled rosettes from the book Precut Patchwork Party: Projects to Sew and Craft with Fabric Strips, Squares, and Fat Quarters. And if you like books on making things with fabric, you can get yourself in the running for a copy of Precut Patchwork Party by simply answering the question in today's comments:

What is your favorite fabric object or embellishment?

Leave your answer by midnight February 18th, 2013. And if you want to get yourself in the running for another copy of Precut Patchwork Party and see another tutorial from the book pop on over to Sew4Home.

Click on this page from Precut Patchwork Party: Projects to Sew and Craft with Fabric Strips, Squares, and Fat Quarters to enlarge and read how to make a rolled rosette fabric flower.

More about the CPi book:

Precut Patchwork Party:

Projects to Sew and Craft with Fabric Strips, Squares, and Fat Quarters

by

Elaine Schmidt

Precut Patchwork Party is full of soft craft and simple sewing projects that will appeal to both beginners and experienced crafters. While incorporating precut fabric patches and strips of all sizes, this extensive book includes instructions for using fabric die-cutting machines to cut patches of any dimension and shape. The fresh and colorful projects show many creative ways to use precuts beyond traditional quilt-making, ranging from home décor items to wearables, accessories, and gifts.

Elaine Schmidt is a designer, consultant, educator and spokesperson in the sewing, quilting, craft and hobby industries. Since she was a little girl, she has always been busy creating something. Her love of sewing and weaving led her to major in Textiles and Design at Carnegie Mellon University. She has worked in the education and design departments of a major sewing pattern company and is the former design director for a national chain of ribbon boutiques. As the owner of Elaine Schmidt Designs (http://www.elaineschmidt.com), she has developed award-winning products for many manufacturers. Her original designs are featured at trade and consumer shows and in books, magazines, project sheets, and TV segments. She lives in Long Valley, NJ.

Giveaway open to US and Canada residents only. By leaving a comment you are also joining the Craftside family email newsletter list.

 

How to make fabric covered pom-poms from the new book Precut Patchwork Party

I love pom-poms and the idea of covering them with fabric is positively brilliant... not to mention pretty! This tutorial on how to cover pom-poms is from the new book Precut Patchwork Party: Projects to Sew and Craft with Fabric Strips, Squares, and Fat Quarters.

Click on this page from Precut Patchwork Party: Projects to Sew and Craft with Fabric Strips, Squares, and Fat Quarters to enlarge and read how to cover pom-poms with fabric.

And if you are into ribbon and jewelry, pop on over to Elaine's blog Inspiration...Stitch by Stitch for a video tutorial on how to make an easy ribbon bracelet.

More about the CPi book:

Precut Patchwork Party:

Projects to Sew and Craft with Fabric Strips, Squares, and Fat Quarters

by

Elaine Schmidt

Precut Patchwork Party is full of soft craft and simple sewing projects that will appeal to both beginners and experienced crafters. While incorporating precut fabric patches and strips of all sizes, this extensive book includes instructions for using fabric die-cutting machines to cut patches of any dimension and shape. The fresh and colorful projects show many creative ways to use precuts beyond traditional quilt-making, ranging from home décor items to wearables, accessories, and gifts.

Elaine Schmidt is a designer, consultant, educator and spokesperson in the sewing, quilting, craft and hobby industries. Since she was a little girl, she has always been busy creating something. Her love of sewing and weaving led her to major in Textiles and Design at Carnegie Mellon University. She has worked in the education and design departments of a major sewing pattern company and is the former design director for a national chain of ribbon boutiques. As the owner of Elaine Schmidt Designs (http://www.elaineschmidt.com), she has developed award-winning products for many manufacturers. Her original designs are featured at trade and consumer shows and in books, magazines, project sheets, and TV segments. She lives in Long Valley, NJ.

 

Book launch, holiday sale and pom pom making party with Sian Keegan

First up, if you are in the Brooklyn area on Tuesday December 11th (2012) from 7-10PM pop on over to Beginnings for a book launch, holiday sale and pom pom making party with Sian Keegan author of How to Make Stuffed Animals: Modern, Simple Patterns and Instructions for 18 Projects (her book is so darned cute!)

More about the Quarry book How to Make Stuffed Animals:

Learn how to make 18 stuffed animal projects with original sewing patterns and illustrated instructions with this endearing new guide!

With a complete overview of techniques and materials, How to Make Stuffed Animals shows that making these cuddly creatures is fun, addictive, and much easier than one would think. Anyone who has completed the most basic of sewing projects can master the projects in this book, and these cute creations can be used as decorative objects for the home or as great handmade gifts.

Inside, you’ll find adorable animals like:

- A squirrel holding an acorn

- A grizzly bear

- A raccoon

- A horse

- A bird mobile

- Cute canines

- Furry felines

- And many more

Explore a comprehensive range of animals in a modern and simple style with How to Make Stuffed Animals!

Sian Keegan is a stuffed-animal maker and freelance designer based in New York City. Her work has been featured in Martha Stewart Living, Every Day with Rachael Ray, and Uppercase magazines. Visit http://www.siankeegan.com for more information on Sian’s stuffed animals, custom pet portraits, and wedding cake toppers.

And in more crafty goodness:

Quarry Spoon
A recipe for Vanilla Bean Body Scrub (A great gift idea!)

iPad Sleeve Sewing Pattern
Make a quick holiday gift for yourself or a loved one, with this free sewing tutorial at Craft Buds. Learn how to fit any size of e-Reader, from a Nook to Kindle or other tablet.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
How to make a Duck Tape Christmas tree shower curtain decoration.

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi starts a brand new quilt with some fabric printed out by Spoonflower!

L Thykeson's Uniques
A Wonderful life enjoyed...

Felt Ornament Houses
Cherie makes cute house ornaments out of felt and beads.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Make your Christmas tree sparkle with sequin faceted ornaments.

Rock Paper Ink
Philippe Stark video- Why design?

DIY Bridesmaid Gifts
CraftFoxes shares a round-up of elegant and unique bridesmaid gifts you can make yourself.

Crafty Princess Diaries
A shawlette is the perfect accessory when there is a little chill in the air.

ACreativeDream
An easy, and gorgeous, ornament to make!

    

Transfer dying with stencils featured in the book The Complete Photo Guide to Art Quilting

If you like printmaking and designing your own fabric, then today's techniques for using transfer dye, stencils, and copy paper just might get you into the craft room for a creative new adventure. 

Click on this page from The Complete Photo Guide to Art Quilting to enlarge and read how some simple folding and stencils can be all the tools you need to make your own fabric.

Like this technique and want more? Check out the CPi book:

 

The Complete Photo Guide to Art Quilting

by

Susan Stein

This comprehensive how-to book explores all the concepts and techniques involved in creating art quilts, including composition and design; making whole-cloth, pieced, and appliquéd art quilts; fabric manipulation and surface design; quilting/stitching; embellishing; and working in a series. Readers will find easy access to information with step-by-step directions and hundreds of full-color photos for clear understanding. Easy projects provide opportunities for the reader to try the techniques, and galleries of art quilts by various fabric artists offer beautiful examples and enticing inspiration.

Susan Stein is a nationally recognized leader in the quilt and fabric art industry, leading the way with her cutting edge store and classroom. She demonstrates fabric art techniques and exhibits her own art quilts at national quilt shows. She is the author of several books and resides in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Visit her online at http://www.colorfulquilts.com.