Decorative, versatile and functional this overcast or edge stitch is often one of the first beginning embroidery stitches taught to children. Adding beads to each stitch further allows the stitch to add emphasis as an outline to the evenly spaced, even length stitches.

It happens to all machine sewers - you're sewing a seam and all of a sudden your machine seems to stop advancing and jam just at the machine's throat plate. You find your needle and bobbin threads in a knotted bunch under the fabric seam at the presser foot location. Probable cause and solutions!

Spot a fabric-lined sewing basket filled with sewing notions and it evokes a call to our inner sewing muse. Whether new or an endearingly inherited one with a jumble of well worn needles, fading threads, mixed buttons and perhaps a makeshift pin cushion is a sewer's delight to own and cherish.

Practical and eminently functional, roll up organizers can simplify our hectic lifestyles by keeping frequently used supplies conveniently corralled and easy to access. Hand-made fabric roll up organizers make for great gifts, easy beginner's projects and are extremely useful for travel as well.

Consider DIY fabric care and fiber content labels to include along with unique home-made identifying labels for home sewn garments or fabric craft items. Enhance the quality of your sewn creation, promote a budding brand, and lend a professionalism that will set home sewn items apart from others.

Pillowcase dresses are a quick and easy way to sew a charming sleeveless summer dress for a little girl. Delightfully nostalgic a pillowcase dress, especially if embroidered or printed with a lovely design or with a scalloped edge, can be a charming way to use a lovingly saved heirloom.

E-patterns or online sewing patterns are convenient for a home sewer, often offered free or low-cost. However, a small stack of standard size 8.5 by 11 inch computer printing paper, printing ink, a reliable home printer and much clear tape for assembling a printed e-pattern are cost considerations.

Sock monkeys, raggedy dolls, bunnies and bears, oh my! Sewing huggable stuffed toys for children for gift-giving or just-because is a delightful, surprisingly satisfying undertaking and serves as a message of love and caring to the recipient.

Sewers have often been instructed by pattern layout details to not use the fabric selvage edge, a word combined from self-edge, which was expected to be cut off and discarded. These factory loomed finished edges today no longer fill the waste basket or cutting room floor but have surprising uses.

The bandana has become an iconic summer fabric favorite. Like its Americana counterpart - blue jeans, it has withstood the test of time. Bandanas are thrift-store, dollar-store, discount-darlings readily available, inexpensive and able to add instant whimsical appeal to clothing and home décor.