Arlington Sew

04/06/2022

Here is our latest sewing business feature with Sarah Markos of Blue Susan Makes. If you're thinking about launching your own small business, side hustle or shop, check it out for some inspiration!

Thank you for taking the time to share your story with us Sarah. 💙 🧵

Here is the story of Sarah Markos of Blue Susan Makes. Sarah is a creative maker, author and Etsy shop owner. She tells us about her sewing journey and her business - you don't want to miss this.

03/02/2022

If you're thinking of launching a sewing business and need some inspiration, don't miss our interview with multi-talented June cCrary Jacobs.

June is an award-winning fiction author and a sewing designer with over one hundred fifty-five original designs published in magazines, books, and on sewing industry blogs. She's a wealth of insights and knowledge! Come on over and learn more about her journey. You'll leave feeling as inspired as I do!

02/07/2022

So take a class (or two or three)! We’ve got a big list (over 28 GREAT options) that includes everything from niche sewing schools to the broader educational websites. We’ll show you examples of how to find local in-person options as well as helpful YouTube resources. Check out the list and let us know what you choose. ✨✂️🧵

12/06/2021

So excited to feature my baby sis in this Sewing Spotlight! Meet Stephanie Haufsk of Chickiee Beans. Steph makes customized designs for one-of-a-kind garments. Check out this interview to see how you can use a Cricut to add a new dimension to your sewing creations.

07/29/2021

My 6 year old was mesmerized by the mermaid sequin fabric and convinced me to sew them into her jeans. Well, we LOVE them! I just may be working on a pair for myself.

This is a fun way to extend the life of jeans with some patch work....or simply embellish for the sake of sassiness. I put a step-by-step tutorial together in case anyone else wants to give it a try. You know, because, mermaid sequins. And everything is better with sparkles of course...🧜‍♀️✨👖

07/27/2021

Here is the story of Danielle and Kenzie, the mother-daughter creative team behind Pipevine Designs. Together, they design, make and sell scrunchies, headbands and scARFs (dog bandanas). Danielle has years of sewing experience and when her daughter Kenzie expressed an interest in sewing, and then launching a business, Danielle jumped right in and helped bring that vision to life.

We love the entrepreneurial fire of Miss Kenzie and how obvious it is that this business (and everything they make) is created with love. Swing by our blog and read more about this creative duo.

07/26/2021

In our Sewing Spotlight series, we chat with different sewists about their businesses and how they’ve found a way to blend sewing into work that they love. Learn about their inspirations, insights and more.

Today, it’s all about Bri, owner and creative mind behind The Lilac Needle. She’s a technology professional during the day and a sewist by all other accounts. Bri sews garments, tests patterns and writes about her sewing journey on The Lilac Needle Blog.

We love that she started with cotton fabric patterns but switched to knits as her love of garment sewing grew. (I feel super inspired by this as I’m in pretty much that position currently!) Stop by our blog for more on Bri!

07/22/2021

In our Sewing Inspiration Spotlight series, we chat with different sewists about their businesses and how they’ve found a way to blend sewing into work that they love. Learn about their inspirations, insights and more.

Today, all eyes are on Laura Jacquemond, an American artist living in France. Laura is the creative mind behind Blue Terracotta, where she designs, makes and sells uniquely beautiful fabric art. Her luxury textile accessories range from hair pieces, to fabric brooches to tiny embroideries. Laura specializes in mesmerizingly detailed fabric insects including bees, dragonflies and butterflies. Skim through her site and you’re instantly transported to a childhood memory filled with wonder and whimsy.

As an environmental sustainability advocate, I really l love that Blue Terracota uses “sumptuous upholstery leftovers” that may have otherwise been tossed in the landfill. This is my favorite kind of design – a fabulous use of “scraps” made into artwork with a purpose. In this case, the purpose is to elevate your look whether its an every day event or a special occasion. In short, Laura’s artwork is really cool.

07/21/2021

Ever think about starting your own sewing business?

In our Sewing Inspiration Spotlight series, we chat with different sewists about their businesses and how they’ve found a way to blend sewing into work that they love. Learn about their inspirations, insights and more.

Today, all eyes are on Maria Grain, the creative mind and maker behind Ephermerish, an online boutique where she sells small accessories like wristlets and sunglass cases.

07/21/2021

We just updated our review of the Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine. Looks like more machines are coming back in stock (finally) and this one scores high on user-friendliess and portability.

Here is our in-depth Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine review. We cover the pros, cons, user ratings and reviews and of course, share our own insights about it. It's a basic, economic option so learn about its capabilities and limitations to make sure it fits all your needs.

07/20/2021

If you need some sewing inspiration then you’ve come to the right place.

In our Sewing Spotlight series, we chat with different sewists about their businesses and how they’ve found a way to blend sewing into work that they love. Learn about their inspirations, insights and more.

Today, it’s all about Trissa Scott Bouwhuis, owner and creative mind behind Sewing and Things. Trissa is self taught and has a great sense of humor about the absolute struggle labor of love that it can be while learning. We love that her approach is all about getting the best custom fit for your body shape and encourages her readers to make it happen.

07/19/2021

" pattern maker doesn't seem to do justice for Amaia Arana of You Made My Day Patterns.

She designs, makes, and sells stylish garment patterns, among other items – we absolutely adore her mermaid tail blanket. Arana also teaches in-person classes and online through tutorials on her website. We love that she has an international flare (she’s lived all over the world and has the style to match) and offers patterns in multiple languages. All that AND she is a mama too.

Swing by our blog and read more about Amaia and other inspirational sewists in our Sewing Inspiration Spotlight series. 💗