Are You a “Modern Quilter?”

Posted on March 12, 2010 by Luv2Sew
Find one or start a chapter in your neighborhood!

Find one or start a chapter in your neighborhood!

The Modern Quilt Guild is a relatively new guild that is growing rapidly throughout the US.  Both online and in local chapters, The Modern Quilt Guild promises a fresh approach to the more traditional guilds and organizations.  According to the website, “modern quilting” simply means “…quilting in a style that seems ‘urgent and meaningful to us now’.”

The guild has asked members to write about what “modern quilting” means to them and link to the website in the comments section.  Take a look at some of the personal responses to the question, “What does “modern quilting” mean to me?”  You may discover you’re a modern quilter.  If so, find a local chapter on the right hand navigation.  If there’s not one in your community, start one today!

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March is National Quilt Month!

Posted on March 3, 2010 by Luv2Sew
March is National Quilt Month!

March is National Quilt Month!

In honor of National Quilt Month and the upcoming National Quilt Day on March 20th, Havel’s Sewing would like to share a few quick links to some of our favorite quilt designers’ pattern shops.

Thimble Blossoms

Cherry House Quilts

The City Stitcher

Lazy Girl Designs

Quilt in a Day with Eleanor Burns

Java House Quilts

Larkspur Lane Designs

So find a design and get quilting! If you choose a Quilt in a Day pattern, you can make 28 quilts before the month’s end!

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Do You Want to Learn More About Fabric?

Posted on March 1, 2010 by Luv2Sew

trueupheader-600

One of our favorite resources here at Havel’s Sewing is the terrific blog dedicated to fabric called True Up. Filled with information on everything from types of fabrics to how to design fabrics to recognizing patterns and all the best store sales, True Up is an online treasure trove of all things fabric. If you want a base education in fabric, True Up is a great place to start.

Check it out.

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Fabric Mod Podge Will Make Your Decoupage Dreams Come True!

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Luv2Sew

If you’ve ever made a collage, then you’ve probably heard of that very popular decoupage product Mod Podge.  The matte and gloss types are very popular with mixed-media artists.  Here at Havel’s Sewing, we’ve even seen one of our very own make a very nice housewarming gift for friends using Gloss Mod Podge.

Project based on Anna Maria Horner's "Marriage Rules" in the June/July issue of Cloth Paper Scissors

Project based on Anna Maria Horner's "Marriage Rules" in the June/July issue of Cloth Paper Scissors

But now, we’re completely taken with Fabric Mod Podge.  We’ve tried using Matte Mod Podge to stick fabric to fabric, but it turned the fabric stiffer than we’d like.  That’s why we were thrilled to find out about Fabric Mod Podge.

Fabric Mod Podge for sticking fabric to fabric.

We’ve even found fantastic projects on the web that call specifically for Fabric Mod Podge.  And, when you need a little Mod Podge inspiration, check out the blog Mod Podge Rocks.

The best blog for Mod Podge news and projects.

The best blog for Mod Podge news and projects.

Mod Podge Rocks offers a great Mod Podge Formula Guide as well as a Fabric Embellishment Tutorial.

For more projects, check out a tutorial on embellishing plain sneakers with fabric scraps by clicking here.

Learn how to embellish a t-shirt using Fabric Mod Podge by clicking here.

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Keep Current on Inspiring Mixed Media Arts

Posted on February 18, 2010 by Luv2Sew

Do you love fabric but want to do more with it than make sewn goods?  Maybe you want to dye it or embellish it with beads or tin or wood.  Or maybe you love to place paper and fabric together in unusual ways.  Well, then, Interweave publishes the magazine that will continually inspire you!

cloth paper scissors febmarch issue

Cloth Paper Scissors is published six times a year and offers news on techniques, projects and mixed media artists.  Check out a back issue’s Table of Contents to get a feel for what they have to offer.

sew somerset winter 2010

Stampington & Company publishes a variety of mixed media titles, but Sew Somerset seems to be the magazine most focused on artists who combine paper and fabric in their creations.  Sew Somerset is a special yearly publication not listed under Stampington & Company’s “subscription” information.  Look for it at your local bookstore.

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