Sewing, blogging, and creative business.
I’m very excited to have finished this patchwork Progress Pride Flag quilt. The pattern is by Bobbie Gentili from Geeky Bobbin. All of the fabrics are scraps from my stash.
This was a fun project and the finished quilt is really bright and colorful. As part of this process, I also enjoyed learning more about how the design of the Progress Pride flag came to be.
Thank you! I've gotten many, many responses and I'm really excited to speak to you all! I'm afraid I'm going to close out the form now so that I don't get too overwhelmed. Thank you so much, everyone! Best, Abby —- I'm doing some research and I need to talk to you. If you readRead More →
Today I’m taking a moment to look back at what I’ve accomplished in 2012. Overall this has been a busy, productive and positive year and for that I’m very grateful. In 2012 I did a bunch of writing and a whole lot of designing, made connections with new people in the industry, taught classes, madeRead More →
If you’re writing a craft blog you’re hoping to build an audience. You hit “publish” on a new post with the goal of having people to read it. Hopefully lots of people. As craft bloggers, building a large audience can bring a lot of great things, including potential revenue sources, whether they come from sellingRead More →
The post is part of an occasional series called "Awesome Handmade Toys." These posts feature toy makers whose work I think is particularly fresh and inventive. You can see previous posts in the series here. I also pin toys to my Inspiring Softies pinboard on a regular basis if you're looking for more inspiration. InRead More →
This post is part of “Animal Hospital: Intensive Care for the Intensely Loved,” an occasional series in which I show you how to make common repairs on your child’s favorite stuffed animal. See the first post here. From straightforward fixes, like sewing up a burst seam, to more complex repairs, like replacing paw pads andRead More →
Today I I have two great little tips for you that will make sewing softies from plush fabrics easier. Have you ever sat down at the sewing machine with a softie piece pinned and ready to sew only to find that you can hardly fit it under the presser foot? I love to use fauxRead More →
Here's what I've been working on this week: a giraffe! I love giraffes and there aren't very many sewing patterns for them so I thought I'd jump in and make one. This guy is of the "sit up and have tea at your tea party" variety. He's got a bag of polly pellets in hisRead More →
Got a sofite maker, or an aspiring softie maker, on your gift list this year? Here are my top picks of awesome things anyone who sews toys would love. These are the books, fabrics, tools, and supplies that I've handpicked this year because I know they're high-quality and will ignite creativity. And you know what?Read More →
This week I'm talking about how to turn your craft projects into pattern instructions that you can package, market, and sell online. Whether you sew softies or do another type of craft, creating patterns is a great way to add an income stream to your handmade business. Pattern sales produce small bits of income thatRead More →
This week I'm talking about how to turn your craft projects into pattern instructions that you can package, market, and sell online. Whether you sew softies or do another type of craft, creating patterns is a great way to add an income stream to your handmade business. Pattern sales produce small bits of income thatRead More →