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 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...

Welcome back to another Technique Tuesday! This week, we're diving into the world of weaving with a charming project: a woven lattice twill bookmark. It's a fantastic way to use up scrap yarn, learn a new skill, and create a beautiful and functional piece you can cherish in your favorite books. Tutorial Video In this tutorial, you'll be guided step-by-step through the process of creating this lovely bookmark. It covers the materials you'll need, the basic weaving techniques involved, and how to create the distinctive lattice twill pattern. Don't worry if you're a beginner – this project is perfect for those new to weaving! Why a Woven Bookmark? Bookmarks are more than just page holders; they're small treasures that accompany us on our literary journeys. A handmade bookmark adds a personal touch to your reading experience. Plus, this woven lattice twill design is not only beautiful but also surprisingly durable. What You'll Learn: Basic weaving techni...

Ok, so you've got your fabric, yarn, needles, and design that you want to tuft aka punch needle, but you're not sure how large your stitches should be. How far to space them apart, and which side of the design is the right side. This Technique Tuesday we will cover that. You'll learn how to properly space your stitches. How wide your rows should be and how changing stitch length changes the dynamic of your fabric art/rug. Video: Stitch Size & Row Spacing This video is from the Oxford Company. The Oxford Company has a great selection of blogs called # OxCoPALs and videos that walk you through the basics of Punch Needling as well as Rug Hooking. I recommend going over there to learn more.  Ready to start crafting your project? Please leave your comments below on what you plan on making .  This blog isn't sponsored If you enjoy reading my blog posts please consider supporting my creative endeavors by donating via  PayPal Me  or  Buying Me a Cup of...

This Technique Tuesday we will learn how to select the appropriate fabric to work best with our punch needling projects. I do needle felting with an embellisher machine and by hand. And I love that you can use various substrates and felt with them. It puts the MIX in mix media projects. However, when it comes to hand embroidery, the fabric you construct your project on is quite important. Consider the following fabric options: Monk Cloth : This is a tightly woven fabric that is made from 100% cotton. It is a good choice for punch needling because it is durable and has a nice texture. The Dorr Mill Monk's cloth is woven specifically for punch needle art. Try to find one that has 12-14 holes in it. It is a self healing fabric. Linen : This is a natural fiber fabric that is known for its strength and durability. Linen is a good choice for punch needling because it is easy to work with and has a nice drape. Boao Linen is a great choice for making heirloom projects. It is a self...

Last week we learned about the Punch Needling technique. This Technique Tuesday we will learn about the variety of punch needles on the market and determine which one will work best with our projects. Oxford Punch Needles Video: Which Punch Needle to Purchase This video purchasing guide is from Vera at Studio VerSie.   Oxford is the cadillac of Punching Needles, this video is a guide to their selection of needles. The Oxford Company has a great selection of blogs called # OxCoPALs and videos that walk you through the basics of Punch Needling as well as Rug Hooking. I recommend going over there to learn more. Especially how to transfer your pattern to the backing fabric . Ready to purchase some punch needles and work on a custom fabric art project? Please leave your comments below .  This blog isn't sponsored If you enjoy reading my blog posts please consider supporting my creative endeavors by donating via  PayPal Me  or  Buying Me a Cup of Tea/Co...

Hey Everybody, I am still leaning hard on the fabric art trends. This is my 2023 - creating art that inspires and elicits joy. Well, in mid July 2023 I discovered a new fabric art technique. It is new to me, but not new in general. It is a technique that is becoming quite popular as a relaxing way to get into creating fabric art, pillows, rugs, whatever your heart desires, and I am talking about Punch Needling! Images: Pllieay Punch Needle Embroidery Starter Kits Punch needling is a type of embroidery that uses a punch needle tool to create loops of yarn on a fabric. The punch needle tool has a hollow shaft that the yarn is threaded through, and a sharp point that is used to punch the yarn through the fabric. The yarn loops are then pulled tight, creating a fabric with a dense, textured surface. Punch needling can be used to create a variety of projects, including wall hangings, pillows, rugs, and coasters. It is a relatively easy techni...

I hope you enjoyed last week's technique and got started making your own loom. Today's technique will focus on how to get started with weaving and we will learn how to begin weaving on the cardboard loom.  Whether you are using the loom you created last week or working with a loom you purchased these tips should set you up for a successful start to weaving on a loom. Video: Weaving for Beginners This technique is by Fibers & Design Weaving , and it picks up from last week's blog on how to build your own cardboard loom. Recommend reading that blog and watching that video first. How's Your Confidence Level? Ready to get started on creating your own custom woven designs? Please leave your comments below.  This blog isn't sponsored If you enjoy reading my blog posts please consider supporting my creative endeavors by donating via  PayPal Me  or  Buying Me a Cup of Tea/Coffee .

Hi Everybody, hope you are doing well this fine August day. Today's Technique Tuesday we will continue to focus on fabric arts and construction. Let's jump into woven fabrics. Better yet, let's learn how to CREATE our own woven fabrics. To do that we need tools. And one of the best, yet ancient tools to create woven fabrics is the loom.  Today we will learn how to create our own weaving loom out of cardboard.  Video This technique is by Fibers & Design Weaving : What do you think about today's technique? Will you try it? Please leave your comments below.  This blog isn't sponsored If you enjoy reading my blog posts please consider supporting my creative endeavors by donating via  PayPal Me  or  Buying Me a Cup of Tea/Coffee .

The decorative stitches on the Singer Legacy 340 / 300 sewing & embroidery machine are beautiful. I finally stitched out all 250 of the stitches and placed them in a binder for future reference. I also created my own circular stitch tool so I can stitch out large circles using the decorative stitches. I think they came out beautifully. The circles on the white background are my first attempt, so you see that blue incomplete circle went wonky because I forgot to secure the pin tool. I used a mixture of polyester overlock and embroidery thread. The second set of circles I wanted to stitch out large circle. The largest in this group is 8 inches all the way to 2 inches. I am using Simthread polyester embroidery thread . When I used Madeira Rayon the thread kept breaking. But I have zero issues with Simthread. Thread Colors and Stitch Numbers 2" Circle Color #507 Emerald Green | Decorative Stitch # 124 3" Circle Color #800 Red | Decorative Stitch # 75 4" Circle Col...

How to Weave in Ends after completing a Knitting/Crochet Project You've finished your fabric project, but now you have all of these ends. Today's Technique Tuesday we are going to show you how to weave in your ends for a professional finished project.  Tools You'll need a tapestry/yarn needle with a large hole. You can purchase an excellent kit of a variety of  tapestry needles on Amazon .   Video: How to WEAVE IN ENDS Perfectly & Easily that Won't Come Undone! This technique is from Nichole @ Nicki's Homemade Crafts on a crochet project. How to Weave in Ends for Knitted Projects to Maintain Elasticity This technique is from Staci @ Very Pink. This blog isn't sponsored If you enjoy reading my blog posts please consider supporting my creative endeavors by donating via  PayPal Me  or  Buying Me a Cup of Tea/Coffee .