One of the things I love most about DIY is the opportunity for each maker to customize new projects in a way that incorporates her/his own personal style. And, since I’m a fabric and fiber crafter who’s pretty particular about shapes, color, and design, I always keep a special eye out for fun fabric and fiber customization tools and products while I’m walking the show floor. So, in my final CHA Summer 2013 post, I’ll give you a quick look at two very different, very inspiring booths that grabbed my attention.
My first stop was the iLoveToCreate booth, where fiber dyeing goodness was on full display:
Self-striping and self-patterning yarn is everywhere in knitting and crochet projects right now, and custom color schemes can really make items stand out. Pictured above, Kathy (a.k.a. The Crafty Chica) shows off a cute purse that she crocheted using her own hand-dyed yarn created with Tulip One Step Dyes.
Here’s a second look at the eye-catching pattern on Kathy’s purse.
After checking out the One-Step dyes, I was introduced to the Tulip One-Step Spray Dye kit, which seems like it’d be a fantastic option for dyeing with kids. Above is a skein of yarn that was dyed right in the iLoveToCreate booth during the show. Pretty great colors, right?
Now, lest you think that dying yarn before you start a project is the only option for customizing your fiber colors, this pretty ombre scarf project was dyed with Tulip Permanent Fabric Dye after the project was already complete.
Next up, I visited the Sizzix booth to check out the quilting and appliqué dies:
I was excited to see so many die options for both traditional and geometric quilt blocks and fabric projects, and even more excited still when they handed me an entire catalog devoted to the subject!
I regularly comment about the opportunities for crossover between fabric and paper crafting tools, so it warmed my heart to see a die cutting company reaching out to fabric crafters. I knew that Sizzix had quilting-related dies, but at a show that can sometimes skew heavily toward paper crafters and multimedia artists, I was especially thrilled to see such a lovely and prominent sewing-friendly display in their booth.
In addition to quilt block and appliqué examples, I loved that may of the display items were custom—and often three dimensional—projects that creatively combined multiple die shapes. This cute Dresden plate pear was one of my favorites.
And, because I’m just a tiny bit (okay, a lot) obsessed with hexagons, I can’t sign off without expressing my adoration for the Sizzix hexie dies. I never could resist a versatile die, and hexies are perfect for quilting, English paper piecing, multimedia projects, and beyond.
Well, that just about wraps up the mini tour of my two favorite fabric and fiber customization options from CHA Summer 2013. Hooray for new dyes and new dies, new methods, and shapes and colors that inspire creativity and bring more fun and excitement into the craft studio!
- Craft Tool Review: AccuQuilt GO! Baby Fabric Cutter - November 25, 2013
- Craft Tool Review: Clover Weaving Sticks - September 17, 2013
- CHA Summer 2013: Tools for Custom Fiber and Fabric Projects - August 14, 2013
- CHA Summer 2013 Booth Love – Haley’s Favorite: Bottle Cutting Inc. - August 3, 2013
- Craft Book Review: Crochet One-Skein Wonders - June 18, 2013
- Craft Tool Review: Clover USA Pin ‘n Stow - April 23, 2013
- Craft Tool Review: Nancy’s Hobo Tote Collection Trace ‘n Create Bag Templates from Clover USA - March 26, 2013
- Craft Product Review: Boye Artisan Tools CrochetMaster Plus Crochet Hook Set - February 18, 2013
- Craft Product Review: Christmas Woolens Ornament Kit from Rachel’s of Greenfield - December 13, 2012
- Craft Product Review: Self-Finishing Needlepoint Coaster Kit from Jenny Henry Designs - November 19, 2012
