When I first saw the Leese Design Neo Stitch Cross-Stitch iPhone Case, I was absolutely giddy with excitement. The idea of being able to cross-stitch a custom case for my phone was almost too much for my little embroidery-loving heart. But, before I got too excited, I knew that I would need to create a pattern that would put the case through its paces so I would know what I was working with. To test as many normal cross-stitch functions […]
Craft Product Review: Clover Wonder Clips
From the moment I saw the Clover Wonder Clips in action at CHA, I’ve been dying to get my hands on a set and try them out. And, as luck would have it, they arrived just in time for me to get started on a very large project with slippery fabric, and I’ve been using them for all of my sewing projects since! As my Twitter pals can attest, I have some pretty deep love for these little plastic tools. […]
Review: Fresh Vintage Butterfly ScoreBoards Die by Sizzix and Blog Hop
If you’ve ever been to CraftTestDummies before, you know that 70% of my posts are craft product reviews. When CHA designer and Sizzix die designer Eileen Hull invited me to join her “Fresh Vintage Blog Hop” and use her new butterfly die it was only natural, then, that I approach the die from a reviewer’s perspective first. (Don’t worry, though- there is a project coming up too. We’ll get there in a minute.) First, let’s talk about the die. It’s […]
Craft Product Review: Fabric Crafting with the Xyron Creatopia
Usually, when you hear “Xyron” you think of adhesives and paper crafting. However, for National Sewing Month I wanted to use my Xyron Creatopia in a different way- creating fabulous appliques using the Stickz Fabric Adhesive Cartridge and the Shapez Die-Cutting component. A while ago, I reviewed the Creatopia for Craft Critique, and found some issues with it. However, since then, they have tweaked the design, so I wanted to look at it with fresh eyes. So first, let’s see […]
Cutting Fabric with Spellbinders Grand Calibur
To wrap up National Sewing Month, I was really excited to try out the Spellbinders Grand Calibur and some of the new Edgeabilities and Shapeabilities dies, as well as some of the classic Nestabilities shapes for fabric-specific uses. (Keep in mind, this machine and these dies were designed with paper crafting in mind.) To be honest, after hearing about the difficulties that other people have had using die cutters with fabric, I came in with several expectations: First, I thought […]
Sewing/ Crafting Product: Peltex by Pellon
Recently I was talking with some of my crafty friends about the fabric postcards and tote bags I make, and I mentioned how Peltex is my stabilizer of choice. I got quizzical looks, so I thought I’d share this product with you and some of the fun crafty things you can do with it. Peltex is made by the company Pellon, and it’s an extra-firm stabilizing material that is about 1/8 inch or 2mm thick. Here’s how it’s described on […]
Craft Product Review: Overview of Westcott Scissors – Large Blades
While Jenny and I were at CHA this year, we stopped into the Westcott Brand booth, and I somehow managed to leave with just about every pair of scissors they had! This is the first of two reviews, and I will be covering only the Westcott Titanium Bonded Craft Scissors with larger blades in this one. (I will be reviewing the smaller detail scissors next week.) For this review, I tried each pair of scissors on a variety of fabrics […]
Comparison of Stamp Pad Inks on Fabric
Here’s another post inspired by the “which one is best?” question. I like to stamp images on fabric postcards, art quilts, and even ribbon for paper crafting. So I got to wondering which stamp pad would work best on fabric (providing a nice, clear image) and which, if any, would survive a washing. The contenders in this comparison are: A. Inkadinkado Dye Stamp Pad B. Archival Brilliance Dew Drop by Tsukineko C. VersaMagic Dew Drop D. India Ink […]
Cutting Fabric with Sizzix Framelits Dies
wp_ad_camp_4 I’ve had an electronic die-cutting machine for several years, and for the longest time, I couldn’t understand why people would need a manual cutting machine. A couple years ago, I gave in and got my Big Kick – and wow, have I ever been pleased with the variety of things I can cut with it that I cannot cut with my electronic cutter. When Sizzix recently released their new line of Framelits, I was excited to try using them […]
Comparison of Adhesives for Foil, Flocking, and Glitter on Fabric
One of the things I love about fabric is the ability to manipulate the look by dyeing, discharging, and painting. You can take your fabric crafts to “the next level” by adding foils, flocking and glitter- but for that, you need adhesives specially made for their ability to remain sticky when dry. So today I’m going to compare three types of “sticky” glues- ones that remain tacky when dried- to see which works best on fabric crafts. And to see […]
Craft Product Review: DecoArt So-Soft Fine Glitter Fabric Paints
I’m continuing my focus on all things fabric and sewing this month, so I felt the DecoArt So-Soft Fine Glitter Fabric Paints would work in well with the theme here. I mean, who doesn’t like to add a bit of glitter? The DecoArt So-Soft Fine Glitter Fabric Paints are described on the site: SoSoft Glitters are soft, acrylic fabric paint with very brilliant glitter specifically designed to be used on fabrics. They are ideal for adding sparkle and glamour to […]
Sharpie “Stained” Permanent Fabric Markers
I was so excited when I saw the Sharpie “Stained” fabric markers in my box ‘o stuff to review from Jenny! I’m a bit of a Sharpie addict, to say the least. I use them all of the time in my crafting and art journaling. My husband even knows that if he sees the giant pack of Sharpies in a thousand different colors on sale at Costco, he better get it for me. Sharpies are better than a dozen roses […]
Craft Product Review: Clover Kanzashi Flower Makers: Pointed Petal
When Jenny handed me these Clover Kanzashi Flower Makers at CHA, I knew that I’d be reviewing them during National Sewing Month, but I had no idea how great the timing would be! As it turns out, a few weeks later, my husband was nominated for an Emmy, and I suddenly found myself making my own evening gown. So, the kanzashi flowers I made during this review are actually the finishing decorative details for my dress and shoes, and I’ll […]
Craft Product Review: Hot-Fix Fibers & Stamping Tutorial
If you’ve never used Hot-Fix Fibers- usually sold under the name “Angelia Fibers” or “Fantasy Fibers”, let me be the one to introduce you to these wonderful, gossamer-like fibers! They look like cotton candy, sparkle like rainbows, and add punch to your sewing and mixed-media projects. Here’s how it’s described on one website (SoftExpressions.com) : Angelina Fiber is a new, very fine (sized as small as 10 denier), unique fiber. Light reflective, as well as light refractive, Angelina is incredibly […]
Craft Product Review: deColourant Plus by KandiCorp, (take two)
Last April, I reviewed the then-new product by KandiCorp, deColourant. It’s a paste that you paint or stencil onto fabric, apply heat, and then it discharges the color from the fabric. And depending on the version you have, it also may deposit a new color onto your fabric. (Make sure you read that review for comprehensive information.) During that review, I used a heat tool to discharge the samples and got some iffy results. Since then, the friendly folks from […]
Craft Product Review: Tintable Fabric Medium By Martha Stewart Paints by Plaid
When I opened my box of Martha Stewart decorative paints from Plaid, I was over the moon with the products they sent me. And one of them- the Tintable Fabric Medium– I knew I wanted to try out right away. Let me show you what my day’s worth of experimenting yielded. It’s so new, it’s not even on the Plaid website yet- but I did find a brief description on the Michael’s site: Martha Stewart Craftsâ„¢ Tintable Fabric Medium is […]
UK Week, part 5: Craft Product Review of Derwent Inktense Blocks
I’m continuing with art/craft product that are made in the UK, and today you’ll see a familiar name: Derwent! I’ve reviewed the Metallics, Coloursoft, and Inktense pencils– but now it’s time to try the Inktense Blocks. Let’s see how Derwent Inktense Blocks are described on the website: These chunky water-soluble ink blocks bring a new sense of freedom and colour to your drawing and painting! Dry Derwent Inktense delivers pure vibrant colour but when completely washed out it is transformed […]
Craft Product Review: Brother 1034D 3-4 Lay-in Thread Serger
I had never used a serger (overlock machine) before I got my Brother 1034D, but I knew that I needed one if I wanted to sew knits and stretch fabrics (among a million other things) well. So, after being deterred for months by stories of fashion students taking leave of their senses at the mere mention of threading one, I took the plunge and selected a color-coded 4-thread model. I am happy to report that, not only did I not […]
Craft Product Review: Brother CS-6000i Computerized Sewing Machine
I’ve been using my Brother CS-6000i regularly for about a year and a half, after my fabulous mother gave it to me as a birthday gift to replace the ancient avocado green Sears Kenmore that she inherited from my godmother, and I inherited from her. (Nobody freak out—I kept the old machine too!) Overall, I’ve been extremely pleased with the reliability and ease of use of the CS-6000i, and haven’t had any significant mechanical problems since I began using it. […]
Craft Product Review: Martha Stewart Crafts Embroidery Kits
When I was first given the opportunity to review the Martha Stewart Crafts Embroidery Kits, I was a bit nervous. While I’m certainly not an expert stitcher, I’m not new to embroidery, so I wasn’t sure that I would be able to objectively judge the quality of the directions and the ease of use of the kits. But, as it turned out, my previous knowledge was a good thing—it forced me to really slow down and follow each step just […]
