Notable Notions - everything you needed to know about basic sewing notions

July is going to be a slim pick'ns blog month for me. I've got a regular work load a few other special projects that have to be done this month, and it's the only month of the summer where I have zero child care and will be out of town for 10 days. Just writing that last sentence almost made me puke!
So for now, I'd like to pass on a little something fabulous from my best pal, Leslie. I've told you before how awesome the Stitch Lab weekly newsletter are, and that you should sign up for them even if you aren't local to Austin. Leslie and I have a blast putting them together each week. Aside from our awesome sewing class schedules, we put loads of great information in each newsletter. The last few newsletters have been especially informative, thanks to a new series Leslie has written about basic sewing notions.


The series is called, "Notable Notions" and so far she has covered basic sewing supplies, thread and presser feet. We've had fun setting up and taking pictures of the various notions (the piles of vintage spools of thread were my fave) and Leslie has included some awesome information. As always, she's able to present a lesson in an easy-to-understand, fun, practical way. She's magic like that.


Go sign up for the newsletter. Our latest one just went out this afternoon, so until the next one, you can enjoy the Notable Notions archive on the Stitch Lab website.

Handcrafted for the crafty

It's Saturday morning. The kids have watched their fill of cartoons and have headed outside before it gets too hot. That means my husband and I can geek out on our favorite Saturday morning show: The New Yankee Workshop.


I haven't ever done any woodworking myself, and - realistically - I don't see myself being able to have a big woodworking workshop any time before retirement, but that doesn't mean I can't live vicariously through those who do. Watching Norm Abram go through the incredibly detailed steps of a project with such care and perfection just makes me adore him.

I recently stumbled on a beautiful woodworking project online that spoke to my sewing-obsessed heart. Blake over on LumberJocks.com (an online community for woodworkers) spent almost three months building a beautiful sewing table for his mother's birthday gift. Inspired by a sewing table that his great-grandfather made for his grandmother, he designed a simple piece that would hold his mother's machine, notions and would give her plenty of workspace.

The result is stunning in its simplicity and ingenuous details (like smooth, rounded edges on the table so fabric can easily glide over). I can only imagine how proud his mom must have been when she saw the finished piece. I found the posting of the project when it was complete, but Blake had documented his progress through eight different posts, and fellow LumberJocks members cheered him along and offered advice - not just on woodworking issues, but also on ideas for creating the "perfect" sewing table. It looks like a very active, friendly community.

So until I'm able to convert my garage into a sewing studio/screen printing station/woodworking mecca, I'll have to get my my fix from great blogs and online communities like these. Enjoy!

Sometimes all you need is a little group motivation

Sew Alongs are a great way to tackle projects that may seem daunting, to finish up something that's been sitting there, nagging at you, or just a fun way to connect with other crafters. I've never participated in one before, but I'm very tempted to hop in on Stacy's Sophia Sew Along. The Amy Butler Sophia pattern is absolutely gorgeous, and ever since I saw Sarah's take on the bag, I've been interested in making one.

I've also been incredibly intimidated, though. Piping! Shaping! Aye!

I don't know that I have it in me - especially since I haven't even finished my dress from back in February, and I'm slightly overwhelmed with all other aspects of life right now - but I can't wait to see what Stacy and the others create. Stacy just revealed her fabric choice, and I think it's going to make a killer Sophia bag. You should totally join in on the fun.

Redefining "cool" - these guys know where it's at

I just read a great article in the Washington Post - it's all about teenage boys taking up sewing and discovering that their newfound skills bumps up their coolness factor among peers. Now that's some awesome news.

From the article:
"Far from being ridiculed, the boys find themselves being the toast of the playground."

and

"According to the winter issue of Sewing Today, a 1997 study of 100 grade-school children found that sewing not only increases creativity but also helps develop patience, perseverance and problem-solving skills. Watching TV, on the other hand, was found to decrease those abilities."

and

"I think sewing is a dying art, especially when it comes to young men," she (Janice Rankins) said. "I want boys to help keep it alive."

I can't wait to get my son on the sewing machine, and it's good to see that he may not have to fight so hard against negative stereotypes as he gets older.