Fabric tassels

A couple of people have asked me about fraying on the fabric tassels, so I thought it would be good to show you here.  I have used my tassel daily, attached to my car key - shoving it in my pocket and hiking probably about 100 miles over the Summer and Fall with it. It gets fuzzy and curly but does not fray. I need to wash it now and see what happens, or I might need to move on the a new one. This is what it looks like now. They are fun to make. Maybe some last minute gifts to whip up with scraps? Here is the pattern: http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/other/fabric-tassels-how-to/147594

Sewing Bee round 4

This is my rough draft made from polo shirts left behind by my ex. A lot of the sewing gals got a kick out of my "revenge shirt."

This is the one I entered in the contest. Made from thrift store polos because I could not find cool knitted fabrics by the yard.

I just realized I never wrapped up the Sewing Bee here on the blog. I didn't win, but I am happy with what I made. The final challenge was to make something for the Olympics. I made a golf uniform, since golf will be a new sport this year and yoga is not an Olympic sport. Yoga clothes are what I would have most used. It was super fun to sew challenges along with so many talented women from all over the world. I want to do more with Pattern Review this coming year. See the winner, who made a spectacular ensemble, here. The shirt is on my list of patterns I want to write up and release for you. It is a monumental task to grade that many pattern pieces and get it all into PDF format though...

How to make 5 yards of bias binding from 18" of fabric

And the winner is

Rozy Rosly from my email newsletter list is the winner of the free Craftsy Upholstery class! Thank you to all of you who emailed me and messaged me to put your name in the hat. I think you will all love Cynthia's class. Here is my affiliate link again to the upholstery class.

Learn How to Upholster Win a Free Craftsy Class

Learn how to use the tools and materials that you need to professionally cover your own furniture.

See all the information you need in the best video format ever devised for learning. Access whenever you want, forever. Take notes and ask questions while you watch.

It is like being inside an expert's workshop and getting hands on with them. 

Cynthia Bleskachek

is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable teacher. Click on her name to read her bio. I think you will fall in love with her as I have. She has a real heart for her work and true talent. I can't think of anyone better to learn from. I won't lie, doing upholstery is hard work. But there is something so satisfying about being able to restore a well built piece of furniture to it's former glory and maybe even make it better than ever with fabric you love. To win her wonderful class, just post a comment here or email me. I will pick a winner on Wednesday the 21st and put you in touch with Cynthia to collect your free class. If you want to purchase her class, this is my affiliate link.  I think you'll also enjoy keeping up with her Facebook page, she posts lots of photos of the great furniture she is working on.

Pattern Review Sewing Bee Round 3

My entry to the sewing bee, round 3. This is my pattern review entry. The Moto jacket that Janet Pray teaches in her Craftsy class: Sew Better Sew Faster - Smart Construction. (affiliate link) I am really enthusiastic about the class. Sewing along with it was just like going to a live class and having the designer walk you through their pattern. There were just a couple of times where I didn't understand exactly what she said, but when I looked  at the pattern guide that came with it, I was back on track. I hadn't sewn a lined jacket since high school. Does anyone remember me going to school Junior year in my pastel yellow suit? I love my new jacket. It is perfectly cozy for the chill we are starting to feel about now. My version is a little different from the pattern that comes with the class. If you want to make my version, you can download my collar pattern and the lapel change at Google Drive. My jacket is a size medium, so keep that in mind as you work with the pattern changes, you may have to tweak it a little as you go.

This is the inside view of the jacket, lined in silk. Since the outside is a gorgeous italian wool, I wanted the inside to be equally luxurious.

How to Have a Yoga Body Part 5

This is Padangustasana, toe stand. I love it because it is all about having balance through focus. 

Drishti is a Sanskrit word that comes from yoga. The practice of Drishti is a gazing technique that develops concentration and teaches you to see the world as it really is. In yoga, drishti is a point of focus where the gaze rests during a posture and meditation practice--gazing outward while bringing awareness inward.

How to have a yoga body? Practice, practice, practice.