About

I’m a busy visual learner without the time to take a class for all the things I want to learn and the patience to read one of those weighty tomes like Sewing 101. Instead I’m diving head first into sewing, quilting and crafting and bringing anyone else who is interested along for the ride. My goal is to master the basic skills that allow me (and you) to complete some of the most popular patterns and crafts on the market today. As I go through the patterns I will offer necessarly tutorials and links while documenting the steps with real life photos (for all the other visual learners like me).

FAQs:

What type of camera do you use?

I use a Canon Xti with a 580 EXII flash and a 50mm lense. The 50mm lens is a great lens that lets in a ton of light and helps make my not so professional pictures really shine.

What type of sewing machine do you use?

My first machine was a Brother CE 4000 that I bought used on Craiglist for $100. Now I’ve upgraded to a Janome 6600P that costs more than that…

How do you decide what patterns/projects to complete?

I try to complete patterns that seem to be popular, are easily found, and right now at the beginner level. But I’m open to suggestions, just email me at robbinsns@gmail.com.

Where do you buy fabric and do you buy fabric online?

I buy most of my fabric online here and a couple other Etsy shops but not consistently. You would think that living in Philadelphia I would have lots of local choices but that’s really not true for quilting fabric. I do love Spool and go there about once a month to scope out their selections. Every once in awhile I’ll end up witih a fabric that doesn’t really look like it did online because the colors are different but I do enough crafting for family and friends that I can still find a use for it.

Do you quilt your own quilts?

So far the largest quilt I’ve made was almost twin sized and I quilted it on my little Brother! I haven’t had the chance to try out the Janome but I will eventually. I’d love to learn to use a long arm and have more freedom in my designs but for now I can’t justify the expense of paying someone to do that.