TANYA OWENS DESIGNS

Welcome back to Technique Tuesday! Today, we're exploring the captivating world of circular stitching using your sewing machine's decorative stitches. I've always been fascinated by the beautiful effects you can achieve with this technique, as I discussed in two previous blog posts: Having Fun Sewing Decorative Stitches in a Circle Technique Tuesday: Stacking Stitches I'm excited to share my DIY approach, especially since my specific sewing machine didn't have a readily available accessory for this. Practice Pillow with Decorative Circular Stitches Why Circular Stitching? Circular stitching opens up a world of creative possibilities. It's perfect for adding unique embellishments to garments, creating stunning quilt designs, and enhancing fabric art projects. Imagine the intricate circular designs you can create using your machine's built-in decorative stitches! My Sewing Machine Challenge (and Solution!): I own the Singer Legacy 340, a fantastic machine w...

Welcome back to Technique Tuesday! This week, we're diving into the captivating world of weaving with a beautiful and versatile pattern: the diamond twill. This technique creates a textured, geometric design that's perfect for a variety of projects, from large-scale tapestries to delicate woven bracelets. I'm excited to share this tutorial from Spruce & Linen, along with a free downloadable pattern, and show you how I've adapted it for both tapestry and bracelet making! Why Diamond Twill? The diamond twill weave creates a visually appealing texture and adds a touch of sophistication to any project. It's a fantastic pattern to learn because it can be adapted for so many different applications. Video Tutorial This video provides a clear and concise demonstration of how to weave the diamond twill pattern, following a grid-style chart. Spruce & Linen's instructions are easy to follow, making this technique accessible even for beginners. What You'll ...

Welcome back to Technique Tuesday! This week, we're getting crafty with a fun and functional project: a woven wristlet keychain. These little accessories are not only stylish but also incredibly useful for keeping your keys organized and easily accessible. I love adding handmade touches to my everyday items, and this woven keychain is a perfect example. I'm excited to share this tutorial from Spruce & Linen, along with a free downloadable pattern to make your own! Why a Woven Wristlet Keychain? Wristlet keychains are a fantastic way to personalize your keys and add a touch of handmade charm to your everyday carry. They also make thoughtful gifts for friends and family. Plus, this weaving technique is a great way to use up scrap yarn or ribbon! What You'll Learn (from the video) This video provides a clear and concise demonstration of how to weave a beautiful and durable wristlet keychain. Spruce & Linen does a fantastic job of breaking down the process into e...

Welcome to Technique Tuesday! Today, we're diving into a treasure trove of sewing tips and tricks that will take your projects to the next level. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned seamstress, these tips can help you improve your skills, efficiency, and overall sewing experience. Video Tutorial Key Tips to Expect: Accurate Elastic Stitching (Joining Elastic Ends):  Demonstrates a neat trick for joining elastic ends seamlessly. Perfect Mitered Corners: Mitered corners can be tricky, but this method looks surprisingly straightforward. Combining & Finishing Elastic Ends With Fabric: This hack shows how to neatly encase elastic ends within a fabric casing, creating a clean and professional finish. Perfect Jeans Hem: Uses two pieces of cardboard to level the foot and make it easier to go over thick fabric - for instance to create an even hem on jeans, making it easier to sew through the thick layers of denim. The video demonstrates using a piece of 4x7 mm cardboard wit...

Welcome back to Technique Tuesday! This week, we're tackling a sewing essential: bias binding. While it can sometimes feel tedious, this clever hack for creating continuous bias binding, shared by SewCanShe , will revolutionize your projects. As someone who uses bias binding frequently in my fabric art, especially for finishing edges on wall hangings and adding a pop of color to fabric creations, I'm thrilled to share this time-saving technique. Why Bias Binding? Bias binding is essential for finishing raw edges, especially on curved or shaped projects. It adds a clean, polished look and can also be used to create decorative accents. In my fabric art, I use bias binding to frame my pieces, add contrasting borders, and create interesting design elements. Tutorial Video This video demonstrates a brilliant method for creating continuous bias binding from a single piece of fabric. No more piecing together short strips! This technique is not only faster but also results in a smo...

Welcome back to Technique Tuesday! Last week, we explored the basics of machine needle felting. This week, we're diving deeper into advanced techniques and project ideas, focusing on the incredible versatility of materials you can use. Machine needle felting is a core technique in my fabric art, and I'm always experimenting with different materials to achieve unique textures and effects. Tutorial Video In Part 1 , we learned about the basic principles of needle felting, the essential tools and materials, and some fundamental techniques like layering and creating texture. I recommend reading the blog post and watching the video if you are unfamiliar with this technique. This second video showcases advanced machine needle felting techniques, but what truly excites me about this craft is the freedom to use almost any material that can felt into a base fabric. Think beyond traditional wool – scraps of fabric, yarn, leftover threads from sewing projects, even bits of lace or rib...

Welcome back to Technique Tuesday! This week, we're exploring the fascinating world of machine needle felting. This technique has become a staple in my own fabric art creations, and I'm excited to share some curated knowledge with you. Machine needle felting allows you to create textured surfaces, blend colors, and even sculpt three-dimensional forms using specialized needles and a machine. It's a fantastic way to add depth and dimension to your textile projects. Why Machine Needle Felting? Machine needle felting offers several advantages over traditional hand needle felting. It's generally faster, especially for larger projects, and allows for more intricate detail and precision. It's also a great option for those who may find hand felting physically challenging. Tutorial Video This first video in a two-part series provides a great introduction to machine needle felting. It covers the basics of what needle felting is, the tools and materials you'll need, and...