Experts may differ on the exact number of steps you should aim for each day, but they unanimously agree walking is one of the best activities for a healthy lifestyle. Whether you hit thousands of steps on your FitBit or Apple Watch or simply take a lap around the block, getting out and about is
Pets are family. They are important companions who are always ready to offer a wagging tail or a comforting purr. Celebrate your love for a special dog or cat with our colorful custom embroidered faces. As a gorgeous faceted design, they have the look of stained glass. The unique angles and color placement give them
Available in our Etsy Shop in 8 major machine embroidery formats, this custom design features a vintage VW Bus on its way to adventures near and far. Stitch it as a patch or directly onto a finished, off-the-rack item.
If you are happiest when digging in the dirt, this embroidery design is for you. Or, perhaps there’s a Happy Gardener on your gift list. Our design would be delightful stitched directly onto the bib of a work apron or coveralls. Or use it as a patch to apply to a tote, duffle or even
Where will your adventures take you?! This striking design can be stitched as a stand-alone patch or embroidered directly onto the base fabric or project of your choice. Available in our S4H Etsy shop in 8 machine formats.
It’s what we do. When we aren’t actually sewing, we’re thinking about sewing, planning a project, shopping for fabric, dreaming about a new machine… and “sew” much more! This embroidery design cleverly sums it up. Available exclusively in our S4H Etsy Shop, our Eat-Sew-Sleep custom design is a single embroidery file provided in your choice
This year, the month of May doesn’t just bring flowers… it brings Flower Power! We’re excited to debut our newest machine embroidery design set. Thanks to a sponsorship from our friends at Janome America, it’s FREE to you in six major embroidery formats. There are four bold florals along with a companion single element for
You’ve all seen puffer jackets. The look has now shown up on high-end bags! S4H leads the pack, bringing you a DIY version. We combine ripstop nylon and high loft batting, creating the texture with straight line quilting + ruler work.
Ragging – letting your seam allowances show and fray on the outside – is traditionally found on blankets, pillows + quilts. We stepped outside that box to use the technique on a pair of trendy canvas + flannel totes.
Add a graceful floral touch to pillow covers, linens, garments, and more. This free embroidery collection includes six different designs, each in two size formats. Cross stitch cloth was a perfect base fabric for the delicate designs.
Learn how to create this unique edge finish with a padded satin stitch. It’s an easy technique that works especially well on the bias edges of scallops. The result is smooth, stable, and beautiful. We show it on both napkins + placemats.
If the mention of “scallops” has you dreaming of a tasty seafood dinner, you’re in for another type of treat. Our scallops run around the perimeter of a placemat and are finished with a padded satin stitch. There’s also a companion project available to create matching napkins. Make one or make both. The
In cooking, sometimes it takes just a pinch of this and a dash of that to bring a dish to its full flavor. It’s similar in sewing, where a splash of embellishment can be the finishing touch to make your project shine. For this classic single-layer apron, we used the Janome 3-Way Cording foot to
Make our scaled-down stocking as table décor, use several to hold flatware, create an elegant place card or adorn a gift box. It’s made”in the hoop” with just a single line of stitching to finish. Free embroidery download too.
Applying initials to something to identify it as undeniably yours dates back as far as the signet rings of the ancient Romans. Today, machine monogramming makes it easy. Janome expert, Anne Hein reviews a variety of options.
What’s the difference between pressing and ironing? What are the best practices of each? Why is it so important to “press as you go”? When do you need a pressing cloth? So many questions, and we have some answers.
Bright and fanciful designs can add a splash of freshness to linens, garments, and more. Pick a Grapefruit, Papaya, Pineapple, Watermelon or Grapes. Use one or collect them all as a set. Free downloads in 8 formats.
We took a classic, box-style zippered case and embellished it with a blend of Sashiko style straight stitching and Sashiko style machine embroidery. Learn the techniques to simulate this beautiful handwork tradition with your machine.
Sashiko means “little stabs” and references the running stitch that is a defining feature of this traditional handwork. The style can be created by machine using a Triple Stitch, often found in your machine’s utility stitch collection.
We took at peek at some favorite cross stitch options from the experts at FQS this past Spring. The good news is: patterns are still in stock and many of the Stitch Alongs are available in their YouTube channel archives.
Covered buttons are cool! They add the special touch that says, “Stand back… I’m a home décor professional.” Making them with a kit is easy and inexpensive. We like working with the Dritz kits – available in lots of sizes.
We all love little cheats and hacks! Our popular Cheat Cards cover important, need-to-know sewing tips and/or techniques in a handy business card size: 2” wide x 3½” high. Get the six card set for just $1.99 in our Etsy Shop.
Our beautiful abstract flower design is full of flourishes – perfect to render in the soft texture of a quality wool blend felt. When done in striking solids, this appliquéd pillow makes a stunning statement.
Create a square pillow with an embroidered peace symbol and a coordinating rectangular pillow with the word PEACE embroidered in a gorgeous floral flourish. Our custom embroidery designs are offered as free file downloads.
Sometimes the perfect webbing or strapping you’ve selected for a project is simply too darn wide for the D-ring or Swivel Hook you really want/need to use. Try this quick trick to bring your wide webbing down to size.
Ah – decorative stitching… as long as you’re going straight, all is well. Then the corner approaches. If making a turn with a decorative stitch has you puzzled, we’re here to help with several ways to make a turn for the better.
Making adjustable straps can seem like a magic rope trick with all the threading this way and that. But, it’s really quite easy and makes the strap much more flexible. Lengthen to wear crossbody, shorten for a shoulder strap.
It’s a classic way to secure all types of straps and narrow panels: a stitched box with an “X” through the middle. The pattern provides strength and stability, and when done with precision, also adds a pretty detail.
A blind hem is exactly what it sounds like: a machine-done hem with stitches you can barely see. It’s perfect anywhere you want a clean finished edge. Good news: the specialty Blind Hem presser foot is standard on most machines.
Double the precision in half the time. A twin needle is basically two needles attached to a single shank. One is slightly shorter than the other so your bobbin can catch the thread from both needles. So clever that bobbin!
Rick rack has been at the top of the trim list for nearly 200 years. From elegant lace gowns to prairie pinafores, it’s a trim that’s weathered the test of time, and we have the best tips for adding it to today’s projects.
Start with a simple yet bold fabric, add some distinctive decorative stitching, and you can have a stunning table runner perfect for any holiday gathering or special occasion. Remember, “Life is short; use the good china!”
A straight line seems like the most basic sewing technique. But we’re amazed by the number of comments and questions we get about how to do it better, easier, and more consistently. Using the right foot for the job is the real secret.
For our Featured section, we’ve been focusing on projects that can use smaller pieces from your fabric stash. This lumbar pillow uses skinny cuts to create pretty strip patchwork. Wavy line free-motion quilting finishes the front.
When you want a pocket’s motif to precisely blend with the panel on which it sits, all you need is a little extra fabric, some tissue paper, and those tracing skills you learned back in kindergarten. We show you how.
Layer upon layer upon layer?! With the right presser feet and accessories, an understanding of seam grading, and the patience to go slowly and carefully, you can sew like a pro through thick and thin.
Keep a stark white pillow from showing along the end of a pretty pillowcase. This envelope style closure also helps keep the pillow from slipping out of an open end. Make it stay – and hide it away! The steps are fast and easy.
Learn contortion pleating, which involves twisting the gauze into a bound bundle then drying it in a conventional dryer or a microwave prior to final air drying. Learn to crinkle, then learn to make this gorgeous tasseled scarf.
We’re here help with the steps you’ve forgotten since high school geometry: parts of a circle, how wide to cut fabric to fit a circle, how to draw a circle without a pattern, and how to convert decimals to inches to work with Pi.
If the idea of sewing a 2D item (a flat circle) into a 3D item (a tube) sounds like something from another dimension altogether, read on. We break it down into a simple step-by-step process and even show you two different methods.
Magnetic snaps are indispensable to the construction of bags and more. The secrets to success are: having the time and patience to work in the correct order, and using extra precision in marking and measuring.