Shirred Skirt With Pockets Tutorial

Description: The Shirred Skirt With Pockets Tutorial, from Running With Scissors, will make a perfect little addition to your summer wardrobe.

Craft Link : Shirred Skirt With Pockets Tutorial

Source : Running With Scissors

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The Art Of Resin Jewelry

The Art Of Resin Jewelry, by Sherri Haab, is my favorite kind of craft book.

It’s rich with instructive text and photos, but most of the ”boring” stuff is mixed in with the projects. Yes, there are 34 pages of instructions before the first project begins, but there are many more pages of techniques and tutorials throughout the book. This way, instead of being overwhelmed by the amount of material there is to learn, I can digest a small bit at a time, as I actually do a project.

Why such an emphasis on instruction?

Because The Art Of Resin Jewelry is quite technical. Besides teaching us how to use resin, Ms. Haab also delves into jewelry making, making molds, and working with polymer clay. She covers quite a bit of information, in plenty of detail.

As far as the projects, most of them are lovely. The projects in which Ms. Haab allows the shape and colors of the resin to be the primary decorative element are both elegant and stylish. Perfect!

Is The Art Of Resin Jewelry flawless?

Close, but no cigar. I could have done without those (very) few jewelry items in which glitter is used as an embellishment.

However, glitter aside, The Art Of Resin Jewelry is one of most beloved items on my bookshelf. It can’t be beat for bright and attractive photography, clear how-to’s and imaginative designs. It’s a real winner!

The Art of Resin Jewelry (Dvd Edition): Layering, Casting, and Mixed Media Techniques for Creating Vintage to Contemporary Designs (affiliate link)

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4 Free Digital Art Tutorials

An informative download for computer crafting buffs is available from Cloth Paper Scissors.

4 Free Digital Art Tutorials includes…

a digital collage technique (pictured)
an article on enhancing your work with digital art
two photo collage techniqes.

Requires free membership to access the download.

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Carved Watermelons

Turtle

Celebrate

Description : Cold, wet watermelon is our favorite summer party treat. For an extra, fancy touch, serve Carved Watermelons overflowing with a variety of summer fruits.

Craft Link : Carved Watermelons

Source : National Watermelon Promotion Board

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Calendar Paper Model

Description : Calendar Paper Models for the entire year. Each month a different project!

Craft Link : Calendar Paper Model (via How About Orange)

Source : Curiosity Group

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Don’t Do That! 10 Big Sewing Mistakes

I love to improvise when I sew. I find it gratifying to change a hem length, design my own collar and/or embellish the pockets. However, in the process of experimenting, I’ve made virtually every sewing mistake possible.

Fortunately, I’ve learned from my blunders, and so can you. Do yourself a favor, and don’t repeat my poor choices.

Here is a list of 10 common sewing mistakes that absolutely must be avoided:

1) Skipping instructions. Unless you’ve made the project 1000 times, you must read the instructions.

2) Neglecting ironing. Ironing is incredibly boring, but poor ironing shows in a finished garment.

3. Sloppy marking. I hate marking, but some of the worst looking tops I made were due to incorrectly placed darts. Take your time and mark carefully.

4. Using incorrect fabric. I once made a dress out of some lovely batik-look cotton. Unfortunately, the dress was supposed to be made out of stretchy poly cotton and it ended up in the trash.

5. Chosing the wrong size pattern. You don’t want to spend 10 hours on a dress and then realize it should have been made a size smaller or larger. If your not sure of your size, grab a tape measure.

6. Choppy cutting. You might be able to get away with bad cutting on a large flowing skirt, but it can be a disaster for smaller items, like panties.

7. Laying out the pattern wrong. Remember, check twice (or three times), cut once.

8. Working with the wrong needle. There have been several times when I haven’t had the correct sewing machine needle in the house and thought I could fake my way through. I couldn’t.

9. Poor pinning. A couple of years ago I made a hat and skipped pinning the brim to the band. Big mistake. Big.

10. Rushing (and ruining) the finishing steps. The result is poor topstitching, uneven button holes and homemade looking clothing.

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