Here are some links to sites I visit frequently – please let me know if you have any favorites I should check out!
Supplies
- Janome America – sewing machines, project ideas, and free templates for their embroidery machines
- Mundial Scissors – care information for those scissors that are so very important to our crafting.
Quilting
- Free Quilt.Com – free quilt patterns can be found on this site, but this link leads directly to their quilt appliqués. Includes traditional appliqué such as Sunbonnet Sue, but you can also find things like a tennis shoe and camera appliqué pattern!
- Free Quilt Patterns – Here it is, a treasure trove of sites that offer one or more quilt patterns, pictures or ideas. Skill levels vary from beginner to expert, and unfortunately the site designers haven’t been able to really break down those levels. But they have done a lot of the work for you, you can click on the type of quilt you would like (such as traditional), and then follow a link to the specific type of pattern (such as log cabin) which will lead you to several different websites that have patterns and pictures of the quilt project.
- Marti Michell Quilt Templates – this link leads to the tips & tricks section of Marti Michell’s website, “From Marti”. If you have purchased any of her rulers, this site is a must have on your favorite links. But I also suggest that you check out her free patterns – as stated on the site, “you could make them without the templates, but it wouldn’t be as easy!”
- Needle Notions – a link to their simple instructions on how to care for that new quilt you spent so much time making.
- Robert Kaufman – this link is to their quilt patterns and ideas section. Many of the quilts are designer quilts which you have to purchase from the designer (the site links to the designer’s personal website), but if you scroll to the bottom there are several lovely quilt patters that you can download for free. Check out the Zen Garden Quilt in the free selections.
Sewing
- ASG – a link to the American Sewing Guild’s official website. A great organization for those who want to ‘hang out’ with other sewing enthusiasts.
- Palmer/Pletsch – Sewing workshop information from Pati Palmer
- Singer Sewing – free patterns including embroidery designs for the embroidery machines, but also some great projects that can be created with almost any sewing machine.
- Springs Creative – Some free patterns from Springs Creative, a design house that creates some great quilting fabrics.
Crafting
- Bead Patterns.com – This links you to their free patterns, but this site also has some great patterns that can be purchased from the designers.
- Free Cloth Doll Patterns – sponsored by the Cloth Doll Connection group, this page has links to cloth doll patterns of all types. Just how many sites link to not only crocheted dolls, but also a cuddly dragon pattern AND a hobbit sock-doll?
- Lion Brand Yarn – Free patterns by one of the premier yarn companies.
- OLFA – Patterns and ideas for crafting, quilting, even some no-sew and paper craft projects! Olfa is a leader in creating quality rotary cutters.
- Free Scrapbooking Stuff – links to free graphics, fonts, layout designs and more.
Other
- Flikr Photos – check out some of the great project models I’ve seen during my travels
- St. Jude Children’s Research – a wonderful organization that seeks cures to children’s diseases. In the past several years, I have been privileged to be part of the judging process for the Hancock Fabrics Quilt of Dreams program which benefits St. Judes. The donated quilts are given to patients, as well as having some auctioned off to benefit the hospital.
- Stretch Now – yes, it seems odd to have stretching exercises on a blog like mine, but just think about how many repetitive tasks we do as crafters. I know we all want to be able to keep crafting for many years, so it’s worth it to consider strengthening the most important tool we have – our hands!
Sheila
