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My guest on this episode is Atsushi Futatsuya, a Sashiko artisan and educator. Atsushi shares his Sashiko story, its cultural significance, and its evolution over time. He discusses the relationship between Sashiko and Boro, the importance of storytelling in preserving the craft, and the impact of Western trends on the perception of Sashiko. Atsushi emphasizes that Sashiko is not just about technique but also about the cultural context and the stories behind the stitches.

Show notes Links:

https://upcyclestitches.com

https://sashikostory.com/?srsltid=AfmBOory1Mory2UFPbLjEnMtVvN1FOUlboELAvp0tFudTbkLAFaSc6k1

https://www.instagram.com/sashikostory/

https://www.domestika.org/en/courses/4952-introduction-to-japanese-sashiko-stitching

https://www.youtube.com/@SashikoStory

Chapters:

Introduction to Sashiko and Boro

Atsushi's Journey with Sashiko

Storytelling in Sashiko

The History and Evolution of Sashiko

The Impact of Western Trends on Sashiko

Exploring Mingei: Art Without Heroes

Atsushi’s weekly live YouTube streaming of Sashiko Stories 

Cultural Appropriation: A Balanced Perspective

Acknowledgment in Cultural Practices

Upcoming Workshops and Sashiko Japan Retreat

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This is a solo episode with host, Stephanie Socha.  The two main topics are YarnCon 2025 and my final trip to JoAnn Fabrics. 

This was my first time attending YarnCon, a trade show type event for the knitting, crochet, hand dyers and yarn community. Vendor booths from IL and surrounding states show their beautiful product, much of it hand made, hand dyed and all of it stunning! Below is a list of the vendors from the 2025 show that just took place last weekend (4/5 and 4/6) in Chicago.

https://yarncon.com/pages/copy-of-vendors

The building that YarnCon was held is a historic beaux arts architecture and art deco design.  The link below is the resource I used in this episode.

Beaux Arts Architecture

Final Shopping at JoAnn Fabrics

The second part of this episode is a recap of my final trip to JoAnn Fabrics before they close forever.  A common issue with most shoppers I have heard from and chatted with is that the discounts are not really discounted.  The prices were raised to MSRP and then slightly discounted.  These prices are higher than a JoAnn shopper would have paid prior to the company closing announcement.  

If you plan to make one more trip to JoAnn’s, I share tips on what to look for and how to shop the discounts in your favor while enjoying the nostalgia  one last time.  

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 You can watch the video recording of this podcast on my YouTube Channel @makeanddecorate

In this episode of the Make and Decorate Podcast, host Stephanie interviews quilt designer and teacher Jenny Kay Parks. They discuss Jenny's journey into quilting, her experiences working at big box fabric stores and local quilt shops. Jenny shares her passion for teaching color theory to quilters and emphasizes the importance of finding joy in quilting projects.

Jenny Kae Parks shares her insights on the art of quilting, emphasizing the importance of nature as a source of inspiration for color and design. She discusses her journey in the quilting world, including her experiences with Cherrywood fabrics, teaching color theory, and building confidence among quilters. The discussion also covers practical aspects of quilting, such as machine binding, basting techniques, and the debate between ripping and cutting fabric. Jenny's passion for quilting shines through as she reflects on her recent appearance on The Quilt Show, where she taught binding techniques alongside quilting legends Alex Andersen and Ricky Tims.

Links:
https://jennykaequilts.com
https://www.etsy.com/shop/JennyKaeQuiltsCo
https://jennykaequilts.com/learn/  for Jenny Kae Quilts online Beautiful Machine Binding Course
Teaching Online at Virtual Quilt Fest Schoolhouse 11: https://www.quiltfest.com/register/quiltfest-virtual-schoolhouse-11/workshops-by-instructor/jenny-kae-parks-binding-color/

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This is the last episode of 2024! Happy Holidays to you and enjoy a very Happy and Healthy New start to 2025.

Check out my Patreon page for a few unlocked Bonus Episodes at patron.com/makeanddecorate

My guest on this episode is Deborah Fisher, a ceramic and textile artist with a background in fine art.  She has an online shop called Fish Museum and Circus where she sells the most beautiful ceramic pin cushions, sewing patterns, miscellany hand made items and also her line of quilting fabrics with Windham Fabrics. 

In this episode, we learn about Deborah's art and creative story.  We also talk about the nuance between fine art and craft.  This is an age old debate that maybe just needs more depth of perception to understand and appreciate more. 

We also chat about Deborah's art, ceramic pin cushions, fabrics and her newest product, the  Landscape Turtle Pin Cushion kit.  Links are below:
Fish Museum and Circus website

New fabric line out now: Night Rainbow

Ceramic Pin Cushions - sign up for Deborah's email list to be notified when she puts new ceramic pin cushions up for sale - they go super fast! I still haven't been fast enough to get one!

New product: Landscape Turtle Pin Cushion

@fishmuseum on IG  

Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
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On this episode, I chat with guest Gail Yellen from Gail Patrice Design.
Gail is a sewing educator, pattern designer and specialized in serger artistry.  We talk about her journey in sewing and her love for sergers. She loves exploring the full potential of sergers beyond just finishing seams. Gail shares tips on choosing the right serger, the benefits of air threading, and the versatility of decorative stitching.
Gail offers in-person and online workshops, where she teaches various serging techniques. She also provides free YouTube videos and sells patterns on her website. Gail encourages sewists to overcome their fear of sergers and cover stitch machines and to practice, be persistent, and have patience. She believes that mistakes are part of the learning process and can lead to creative solutions.

Links for Gail:
Website:  https://www.gailpatrice.com/
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@GailPatriceDesign
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/gailpatricedesign/
Pinterest: http://gailpatrice.com/
Video on How to finish overstitching in the round

Music: A Christmas Miracle by One Man Quartet
https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/XDcoSoHW8e/

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Katrina Walker, an industry sewing educator,  author, and designer, shares her journey into the home sewing industry. Katrina has worked with various brands, including Pfaff and Sulky, and has been featured in magazines and TV shows. She is known for her expertise in silk and wool sewing, as well as her innovative techniques. She also raises sheep that produce wool for her yarn brand, Spoiled Sheep.

Guest Segment Chapters: Note time stamps start at guest segment
00:00 Introduction and Meeting at the Sewing Booth
01:48 Growing Up on a Wheat Farm and Discovering Sewing
06:24 Transitioning from Investment Banking to Sewing
13:42 Winning the National Make It With Wool Contest
20:11 Becoming an Educator for Faf and Other Brands
39:53 Fostering Relationships and Being Genuine in Business
43:05 Finding the Right Sewing Machine for Individual Preferences
44:56 Don't Be Afraid to Use Sergers
01:10:35 Embracing Mistakes and the Learning Process in Sewing
01:14:25 The Joy and Satisfaction of Sewing for Oneself
01:19:53 The Meaningful Connection Between the Maker and the Materials
01:25:46 The Value of Quality Fabrics in Sewing

CHIT CHAT:
Stephanie chats about the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild retreat she went to recently. Creative weekend retreats are a perfect way to schedule sewing (or knitting) time for yourself and to enjoy the experience with like minded makers. 

Chit Chat LInks:

Elizabeth Hartman - Fancy Forest Pattern

Minky Kim - Pumpkins patern

Chicago Modern Quilt Guild

KraeO Yarn: Big Brother in Autumnal

Provisional Cast on

Picot edge hat pattern  at Purl Soho

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On this episode, my guest is Carina Gardner, a successful designer and entrepreneur, shares her journey and insights on how to make money as a designer. She emphasizes the importance of being a multifaceted designer and knowing when to pivot into different industries. Karina discusses her Design Suite program, which teaches designers how to make their design businesses profitable by offering a range of courses in various design areas. Carina highlights the misconceptions around building a brand and the importance of understanding distribution channels. Carina just launched her online University of Arts & Design. Online Courses for budding designers and artists that are flexible, fulfilling, and transformative.

Links: 

Carinagarnder.com

Carina Gardiner Shop

Design Bootcamp :  Intro to Design Suite

Design Suite

University of Arts & Design

Stephanie's Guest appearance on Carina's Make and Design Podcast

Chit Chat:

• Finishing an improv quilt project with my niece
• I bought the Addi FlexiFiips DPN w/cables from Amazon (note link is my affiliate Amazon link)
• I also bought the Addi Rocket2 Squared Circular Knitting Needles - 16 inch, US 7 (4.5mm) (note link is my affiliate Amazon link)
• My Patreon group patreon.com/makeanddecorate - I will unlock a paid level bonus episode for a limited time. Check it out!

Special Halloween Outro Music:  Trick or Treat  Written by Dean Palya, performed and produced by PALA

Support the show

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Guest Segment: Chris English Quilts
My guest is Chris English, a quilter and fabric/textile designer in the UK.  Chris is known for utilizing recycled fabrics in his one of a kind quilts.  The past several years his quilts have been shown at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, UK. 

We chat about Chris's creative background in textile design leading up to his love for finding previously loved and repurposed  fabrics to make gorgeous and unique quilts.  Chris often mixes florals, plaids, textures with touches of bold color in his quilts.  Find out what he finds and how he sources these unique fabrics and puts them together in a harmonious quilt. 

Chris also shares the story of his #teambearpaw24 initiative group quilt.

If you are interested in the subscription box project that Chris is working on, visit his website Chris English Quilts to be added to the waiting list. 

Below are more links to what we talked about:
IG: @afullenglish
Chris visits Kate at The Last Homely House - YouTube video
Festival of Quilts 2023 - The Last Homely House, Kate chats with Chris

Chit Chat Segment:

• Arne & Carlos: Mystery knit along - more info on 10/13 their yt channel. Plus 2024 Christmas Balls patterns are avail. in their website shop.
• Alice Caroline - the UK based Liberty fabric shop is hosting another online Sewing festival called the Alice Caroline Christmas Sew-Along. 
• Learn Sashiko online or in-person course with Atsushi Futatsuya at Upcycle Stiches and Domestica Introduction to Sashiko Stitching
• My review of the true cut quilting ruler and rotary cutter.  by Grace Company.  
• My review of a wool polyamide blend embroidery/mending thread Laine Saint-Pierre .  Ordered from Brooklyn Haberdashery. 

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Apologies for the extra music drowning out almost 4 minutes of our chat!  I forgot to remove that song from the music track last season!  

The old version of the episode is now taken down and a new and revised version of episode 116 is now up!

Thank you - Stephanie xxoo

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S7 Ep 116:

Welcome Back!  Season 7 of the Make and Decorate with Stephanie podcast is here!! 

If you are new to this podcast, you will hear any and everything about making, aka sewing, quilting crafting, knitting and interior decorating.  This first half of the season, I have a fabulous guest on almost every episode. 

There will be a Chit Chat segment on this episode after the guest segment.  For more episodes available only on my Patreon site, visit Patreon.com/makeanddecorate

My guest today is Kristin Oldach, owner of KraeO in Chicago.   Kristin is an indie hand dyer of yarn which is for sale on her website as well as local yarn shops.  We talk about her yarn, what fibers she chose to be in her yarn products. Mulberry silk and merino wool blends are a staple in her line of yarn as well as other fiber blends like wool and alpaca and more.  Kristin's yarn is so gorgeous and what I like to describe as very "painterly".  

We also chat about the different weights of yarn and how to use them in your projects, including using up those mini skeins you have been collecting and don't know what to make with them.

Links to what we talked about: 

Skacel - Addi FlexiFlips

FlexiFlips Amazon Link

FlexiFlips Amazon link

Yarn Guide for knit/crochet (ring)

• Nina Chicago
• Indie Untangled for Rhinebeck - Oct 18th

Bandana knit pattern

You can also listen to this episode on: https://makeanddecoratepodcast.buzzsprout.com

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Support the show

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Hello and welcome everyone!  If you are new, I am Stephanie and this podcast is a long conversational format with alternating solo and guest episodes.  There is a chit chat segment that is after the guest segment where I chit and chat about everything and nothing in my world of being a maker and interior designer.  This episode will probably be the last one for season 6, however, I may pop back in with an episode or two over the summer, so keep your notifications on for the Make and Decorate with Stephanie podcast.

Guest Segment:
Jenni Grover is a wellness coach for makers, an author and quilter. She cares deeply about the intersection of craft and health, coaching clients’ physical, mental, social, creative and spiritual concerns. 

Jenni is also a past president and current board member of the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild, and a passionate craft journalist, having written for Quiltfolk, Craft Industry Alliance, SuzyQuilts.com and Quiltmaker magazine.A lifelong writer, Jenni has more than 34 years of experience in print, broadcast and online media. She has been a professional speaker since 1996.Jenni has lived with multiple chronic illnesses and chronic pain since 1997 and has devoted much of her life to advocating for those like her. Her book ChronicBabe 101: How to Craft an Incredible Life Beyond Illness has helped countless folks feel better.

Follow Jenni online @coachjennigrover or visit her website: coachjennigrover.com

Music 

Music:  Dare to Live 

Written By

Adrian Dominic Walther, Amelia Joyce Kestner

Performed By

Scarlett Solo

Produced By

https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/671

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S6 Ep 114
Guests segment:  Aims, Indy Bindy Fabrics https://www.indybindy.com.au/shop
Aims is the owner of Indy Bindy Fabrics, an independent online fabric shop based in Australia.  She works with independent fabric artists and designers.  A lot of these fabric artists are in Japan and are small businesses and their fabrics are unique and amazing!  

The Indy Bindy Sewciety is a private sewing membership group for garment sewists.  Aims programs guest speakers, monthly live zooms along with group chats with members.  

The VIP waitlist for the Indy Bindy Sewciety (there will be a sneaky waitlist only doors open opportunity soon!): https://indybindy.lpages.co/sewciety-vip-list/

Music: https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/8057. Undeniable by Johanna Cranitch

Chit Chat:
I have finished three mini quilts with the epp flower and hand quilting, and have moved onto the new knitting project I talked about a couple episodes ago.  The Sag Harbor Wrap pattern - The wrap is a summer weight wrap make with Tahki osprey yarn, which is a lightweight cotton blend yarn.
Pattern for Sag Harbor Wrap:   https://www.yarn.com/products/tahki-yarns-sag-harbor-wrap-pdf

Osprey yarn by Tahki: https://www.yarn.com/products/tahki-yarns-osprey

MAKE AND DECORATE PATREON GROUP
Join free to sample a couple unlocked bonus episodes that paid members get every month, and to get to know other members in the group.  Paid memberships are also available starting at $5 per month.  patreon.com/makeanddecorate

Support the show

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The main topic for today’s episode is “Sewing Fashion and Quilting trends of 2024”.  It was fun to research this topic and to present my thoughts on them as well as resources for you to check out to make some trendy fashion including patterns, fabrics notions and more.

Stephanie's recommendations for sewing patterns on trend for 2024:

• https://megannielsen.com/collections/sewing-patterns/products/dawn-curve-jeans-4-in-1-sewing-pattern. Cufffed jeans are a trend right now too - like 4” cuffed.  also wide leg jeans are very in right now.  
• https://megannielsen.com/collections/sewing-patterns/products/sudley-dress-blouse-sewing-pattern
• Harrison Shirt Pattern by Cashmerette. Classic button down - thank chambray, stripes and polka dots
• Holyoke Dress Pattern by Cashmerette   Perfect for the polka dot and dress trend.
• Blackwood Cardigan pattern by Helen’s Closet. Layering piece - has a long length and hip length.
• Oversize Bag:  Sky Harbor Tote and Superbloom Tote Bag

Fabrics:  sheers, metallics, denim.  Light blues and white are dominant for spring summer.

• Metallic fabrics:  Online Fabric Store
• Sheer fabrics: Mood Fabrics
• Denim fabrics: Blackbird Fabrics
• Metallic Cork and bag supplies: Sew Sweetness link to Silver Splatter cork.  Sew Sweetness Notions
• Polka Dot Fabrics:  Polka dot apparel fabrics 
• Unique statement fabrics:  Indy Bindy Fabrics.  Independent made fabrics from Japan

Notion Trends
https://oliso.com/products/m3pro-tula
https://oliso.com/products/mimi-g-auto-lift-smart-iron
https://shopaurifil.com/products/hand-stitching-with-the-last-homely-house-by-kate-jackson
https://shop.christaquilts.com/category/collection-dazzle-dots
https://shop.modafabrics.com/search/?searchString=ombre%20confetti

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Christa Watson is back to chat with us about none other than machine quilting, her new Dazzle Dots fabrics with Benartex, Sewing table with Arrow,  quilting notions sold in quilt shops and her new book with C&T Publishing.
Links:
https://christaquilts.com/
Christa's Books
Dazzle Dots Fabric Collection
CT Publishing Creative Spark
Christa Cabinet Sewing Table
Christa's 2024 Teaching Events

Make and Decorate Podcast Links to Ep. 25, 32 and 81 with Christa Watson
https://stephaniesochadesign.com/search?q=christa+watson

Music: Frederick Chopin Nocturne Op.9 No. 2  https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/16175 artist Adrian Walther

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 Patreon.com/makeanddecorate  Patreon has recently added a free membership feature available where you can join in chats with me and everyone in the group.  Paid subscribers receive a new bonus podcast episode every month.

Guest Segment:  Belle Brunner with Seams Sew Me
Belle is a quilter, quilt pattern designer, quilt guild consultant and trainer.  Her popular quilt pattern, Winsome Windows, uses a technique where there is no curved piecing, but results in a cathedral window style quilt!  The links below are where you can find Belle:

https://www.instagram.com/seams_sew_me/

https://www.seamssewme.com

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVOCBni_WdGUYQn6YOIlTZQ

Quilt Guild Training

2024 Events for Seams Sew Me:

New Course: https://belle-s-site-1fac.thinkific.com/courses/quiltpatterntester101worksho

Retreat Center: coming in Spring 2024

Guild Training and Consulting 

Taught at Quilt Festival last fall: envelop method of cathedral window quilt - Winsome windows

Lovely Pinwheels  Quilt Pattern:  “I designed this pattern in recognition of April’s National Child Abuse Prevention month and for the hundreds of thousands of survivors around the world. ” Belle Brunner

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Welcome to the Make and Decorate Podcast, for makers who love to sew, quilt, knit and decorate....and do all the crafts!

Today's guest is Naomi Fata from Love Stitches by Naomi at naomifata.net. Naomi does bridal alterations and makes custom slip covers for upholstery furniture. She also does in person and virtual sewing classes.  You can get 25% off of pdf tutorials and sewing lessons with promo code MAKEANDDECORATE. 
Links to Naomi:
Website: Naomifata.com
YouTube: Sewing with Naomi Fata
IG: https://www.instagram.com/naomifata/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/naomifata/

The music between segments today is Silent Night by Cast of Characters begins at marker 12:34

The Guest segment begins at marker 16:15

Have comments or questions?  email Stephanie at info@ makeanddecorate.com

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Season 6 Ep. 109

Sara Lawson from Sew Sweetness is back to talk about making bags.  Sara is a bag pattern designer and sells bag making supplies and beautiful cork fabrics at https://sewsweetness.com

Sara also has a YouTube channel with tutorial videos on bag making techniques and her live Sewcial Sunday show where she gives information on new and upcoming patterns, book, fabric and notions reviews and answers viewer’s questions.

This is a link to the recent pattern bundle releases Minikins 4 and a link to the Sew Sweetness Facebook Group
IG link:  https://www.instagram.com/sewsweetness/

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S6 E108: Knitting with Willie Nillie Knits

Links: https://www.instagram.com/willienillieknits/

Link Tree - all the links to find Willie Nillie Knits

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S6 E107:  Quick and Easy Fall and Halloween Sewing, Crochet and Knitting Projects

Make and Decorate Patreon Group - Free membership option!!  Patreon finally added free memberships to their platform.   Head on over to Patreon.com/makeanddecorate and join free, and if at a later point you wish to upgrade to a paid tier you can easily do so.  For the month of October, I will unlock a few of the premium level posts for the free members to try out.

Halloween:

• Ghost coasters pattern by A spoonful of Sugar on Etsy
• Idea: candy corn coasters - sew three fabric strips together.  Make a triangle with rounded corners template coaster size ie 5” x 5” 
• Bat Coasters pattern on Etsy shop debsdaysdesigns

Fall Coasters:

• Pumpkin Coasters pattern by Minki KIm.  Also free pumpkin pot holder pattern and oven mitt pattern free.
• Purl Soho free pattern: Fall Leaves Coasters. Made from felt 

Halloween Panels:

• Shabby Fabrics: Glow -o- ween panel by Kanvas Studios. Don’t forget glow in the dark thread - any brand but I have an amazon link to wonderfil glow in the dark thread. This wonderfil is 40 wt which is a nice thick top stitch weight that will produce a nice visible glow.  There is even hand embroidery glow in the dark thread by DMC sold at JoAnn.  Note - the glow in the dark thread lasts about 15 minutes and will reactivate when exposed to light.  It will last a lot longer under black light.  Or - use wearable rope light that can be stitched or glued onto fabric items and costumes. These lights will last a long time with the AA batteries.
• Missouri Star:  Wicked eve haunted house - Timeless Treasures
• Fat Quarter Shop: Witchy and Spooky fabrics to make your own panel
• Northcott Fabrics: Black Cat Capers Panel and quilt patterns. Also like the matching kitchen apron and oven mitts. insert photo

Thanksgiving Panels:

• Moda:  Harvest Wishes Panel by Deb Strain. Seams Sew

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Season 6 is here!!! 
Consider joining my Make and DecoratePatreon group for a new bonus episode every month.

I did record a great interview with Karla Gerome from the Grace Company, unfortunately you will not be able to listen to that conversation due to technical issues.  I do, however have our recording notes that I share with you on this episode.  Grace Company has a few new products coming out in late fall, and currently is running  amazing promo pre-order deals that will end after September 30, 2023.  This is the link to Grace Company so you can check out the Little Rebel machine and the new Cutie Breeze tabletop fabric frame.
Also, Karla hosts a weekly video series called “Tuesdays with Grace”.  You can find it on the Grace YouTube Channel.

Chit Chat:  The usual ramblings of gardening, quilting, knitting, sewing, paper crafting.  Here are links to things I chat about:
Swaddle Blanket tutorial on my YouTube Channel
Amazon Jumbo Crayons 2 pack of 24 crayons
Introduction to Sashiko Stitching by Atsushi Futatsuya - Domestika
Purl Soho Prism Blanket Free Pattern
JoAnn decorative Halloween skeleton sewing machines

Books:
Nora Roberts:  Identity,  Awakenings

Ryder Creed Books in Order:  I read Breaking Creed and currently reading Silent Creed
The publication order is the same as the chronological order for this series

1. Breaking Creed (#1), 2015
2. Silent Creed (#2), 2015
3. Reckless Creed (#3), 2016
4. Lost Creed (#4), 2018
5. Desperate Creed (#5), 2019
6. Hidden Creed (#6), 2020
7. Fallen Creed (#7), 2022

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I am surprising you with a new episode in the middle of summer...yay!  The main reason for this episode is to share a couple of chats I had with a couple of quilting companies I met with at the H+H Americas show in June.

*Affiliate Link to Sew Tites:  STEPHANIESOCHA  to receive 15% off any SewTites purchase via the "STEPHANIESOCHA" promo code link.

Jessica and Jamie are sisters and the owners of SewTites the makers of the famous magnetic sewing pins.  Coming out at the end of September 2023, is their new product, Sew Magnetic Cutting System.  Pre-orders are open now. 

Julie Luoma and her husband are the owners of Off the Wall Quilt.  This is an online (and traveling in person) quilt store that specializes in custom laser cut acrylic rulers and templates for just about anything, appliqué, longer quilting and more.  They also developed EziGrip rulers for quilters.  The backs of the rulers have a non-skid backing that keeps fabric and the ruler from moving.  
Also, check out their portable quilt wall that can easily break down, fit into a small bag and travel with you.  

Season 6 is just around the corner.  Until then, keep making and decorating! 

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This episode is a replay of Season 4, Episode 84.

In this episode I present a history of Liberty Fabrics.  Find out how the fabrics are designed, and what makes Tana Lawn so special.  I also give ideas and tips on sewing and quilting with Tana Lawn and Lasenby Cotton.

Show notes are here

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Simple Summer Decor

Below are the links to resources I talk about in this episode:

Home Dec fabrics: Onlinefabricstore.com :  Look for fabric lines like Premier Prints,  P.Kaufman, Kravet, etc.

Quality scented candles.  My summer favorite is Aloha Orchid. Volcano is also a year round favorite.  Capri Blue

Classic Belgian Linen Drapery panels from Pottery Barn:  https://www.potterybarn.com/products/spo-classic-belgian-linen-drape-dark-flax/  

Sheer drapery panels with Pom pom trim: I have not tried these yet, but have seen them on YouTube.  They are super inexpensive, and worth a try for the bedroom or anywhere. https://a.co/d/h5ZCLyM

Print your own artwork on this canvas art paper and frame it for unique wall decor. PPD Inkjet Canvas 100% Real Printable Cotton LTR 8.5 x 11 125lbs. 340gsm 17mil x 20 sheets (PPD083-20) https://a.co/d/akTijdi

Try painting picture frames with a beautiful metallic color from Michaels.  https://www.michaels.com/product/americana-decor-metallics-paint-10487602

Terrain is a source of fresh houseplants, flowers and faux flowers, wreaths etc. https://www.shopterrain.com/categories/fresh-foliage-and-succulents

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My guest on this episode is Minki Kim from Sewingillustration.com.  In our chat, we learn about Minki’s passion for sewing, designing her patterns and her fabrics with Riley Blake Designs.   Along with her sewing patterns, Minki shows how to make them with tutorial videos on her YouTube Channel, Minki Kim

In the Chit Chat segment: I share updates on quilting, knitting, gardening and new YouTube video recommendations.

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Artificial Intelligence, what exactly is it and how we can utilize generative ai in our maker lives? I will answer those questions and more in this episode.
I will present two types of GAI (generative intelligence) programs; ChatGPT and DALL-E.

Also, I address the “sew-bot” addition to the apparel manufacturing industry. Who is using sew-bots, how it impacts the industry and how we can avoid this fast fashion craze.

Chit Chat:

Sew Sweetness new Minikins 4 releases April 16th. See some of the patterns revealed on the Sew Sweetness you tube channel https://www.youtube.com/live/jytpU26ef14?feature=share
https://www.youtube.com/live/39_ZUN4FTFU?feature=share

My new small rolling cart with wood top! From Amazon 3-Tier Metal Utility Rolling Cart...

Arne & Carlos Easter Egg patterns

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