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Cool Tie: Beat The Heat With This Simple Sewing Project

Posted June 24, 2009 by Cynthia Townley Ewer

Beat summer's heat with an easy-to-sew cool tie! This bright cotton neckerchief has a summer secret: a filling of water-absorbing polymer granules from the garden center.

Soaked in water, the cool tie's polymer granules absorb more than 200% their weight in water. Tied around the neck or worn as a headband, a cool tie provides all-day cool relief through evaporation.

The cool tie is simple to sew, requiring only a straight-stitch sewing machine. It's lightweight and unbreakable--perfect for gifts or to include in care packages for our troops. This Marine Mom recommends it!



Sew Organized: Declutter The Sewing Room

Posted December 5, 2008 by Cynthia Townley Ewer

The verdict is in: a big house is not the answer to the clutter problem.

Biggest culprit: CEO's sewing area. One small room. Two large closets face one another in the hall outside with facing mirrors. Perfect for storing fabric and supplies, and just the thing for checking fit and marking hems!

Except that who can pin a hem in the middle of this? Check out this unretouched photo to see the bitter, bitter truth!

Time to kick some clutter butt! Experts like Michelle Passoff recommend beginning with your biggest clutter challenge. I'm game! Spring is here and the wardrobe is empty. Let's get started!

Set Up Clutter Central!

Choose a workspace and sweep the counter clean, if you must. I've assembled my Clutter Central essentials: notebook computer, Perry the teddy bear, 3-by-5s for notes, planner, pens, boxes, black garbage bags, and boxes for storage and give away items.



Sew Organized: Storage Solutions for Sewing and Crafts

Posted December 5, 2008 by Cynthia Townley Ewer

Sewing, quilting, stamping and crafts! Add them all together, and you've got the storage challenge of a lifetime!

The fabric stash reproduces stealthily, outside the light of day, until closets, containers and cupboards overflow. Craft supplies multiply like a population of rabbits. Add the tools and gizmos required by each activity, and it's enough to overwhelm even the most organized.

How do you manage the myriad tools and supplies required by sewing and crafts? Check out these pointers to maximize storage in your sewing area:

Climb the walls

Look up and down to find storage possibilities at the work area: climb the walls! Empty space above and below workstations can be tapped to store most-needed tools and equipment.

Wall-mounted organizers keep tools and equipment near this sewing workstation. Thread racks, pegboards, and a shallow shelf inserted in the kneehole area corral small items useful for machine sewing.



Sew Organized: Designing Sewing And Craft Areas

Posted December 5, 2008 by Cynthia Townley Ewer

Do you sew, quilt, stamp or craft? You know the problem! Seldom do so many create so much in such little space--and the stuff! Without proper design and organization, sewing and crafts areas quickly become clogged and unusable.

Save time, energy and frustration by designing an efficient sewing or crafts area for your special hobby. Whether it's a corner, a closet, or the luxury of a whole room, use these concepts to organize your favorite sewing spot:



Books to Organize Sewing and Crafts Rooms

Posted December 5, 2008 by Cynthia Townley Ewer

Planning your sewing and crafts space? These complementary print resources tell you everything you need to know to put it all back--and make it work!

Setting Up Your Sewing Space: From Small Areas to Complete Workshops by Myrna Giesbrecht

Design-oriented, hands-on and loaded with ideas, this book is a top-notch guide to setting up a sewing area or sewing room.

Giesbrecht guides your personal analysis of sewing needs and available space, culminating in a sewing space layout. The second half of the book is chock-full of specific ideas for storage and project organization for both fashion sewing and quilting.



It's a Puzzler: Sew A Jigsaw Puzzle Mat

Posted December 5, 2008 by Cynthia Townley Ewer

Every parent knows the story: jigsaw puzzles are fun to work, but tough to work around. What's the solution to tying up table tops or floor space with a puzzle work in progress?

Its a Puzzler! This one-seam easy-sew puzzle allows puzzles to be worked at will, then rolled up and stowed away between play sessions. It's crafted from a short length of craft felt and a recycled gift wrap roller.

Make them in multiples for the holidays. The Puzzler puzzle mat is perfect for teacher gifts. Paired with a new puzzle, the Puzzler makes a special family gift.