Profile for smcfarland - Threads
smcfarland
Sarah McFarland, CT, UScontributor
craft interests: crochet, embroidery, fashion, gifts, knitting, paper-crafts, restyle, sewing, origami, crewelwork
Gender: Female
Member Since: 01/05/2010
Designers Create Golden Cloth from Spider Silk
A British and an American artist collaborate to make the world's largest pieces of spider-silk fabric
There's More to See in this Great Sewing Studio
Additional images from Katrina Walker's sewing "cabin"
The Talk is Pleating with Designer Babette Pinsky
Babette Pinsky is in the Designer Spotlight in Threads no. 159. Learn more about the pleating she uses in her designs.
Enter the Dare To Make It! Holiday Contest
Our sister site, CraftStylish.com, is hosting a great competition for handmade gifts and decorations
Elvis' Fabulous Upholstered Pool Room
A famous room at Graceland is lined with more than 300 yards of fabric
Premiere Date Set for 'Project Runway All Stars'
13 designers get a second chance to compete; series starts January 5 on Lifetime
Sneak Peek at "It's Sew Easy" Season 2
The PBS sewing series resumes in December - here's what's coming up!
Meet the Fabrics of the Future
A new book explores the possibilities for textiles that save lives and look amazing
No Halstons Here: Project Runway Episode 10 is "Sew '70s"
Most of the designers missed the mark on a sophisticated '70s look
Project Runway Episode 7: "Can't We Just All Get Along?"
The short answer: No. Squabbling had a high cost for some designers in this dramatic, two-team challenge episode.
Project Runway 9: Come As You Are
The new season has finally arrived. Who is your favorite so far?
"Project Runway" Announces Season 9 Designers
20 have been chosen, but only one will win. Season 9 begins July 28.
More Sewing Misadventures
More tales of sewing disasters - and a call to share your own stories
Finally! Project Runway is Ready to Roll
Are you ready to watch? Lifetime announces Season 9 to premiere July 28
"Show Your Support" and Embellish a Bra
There's time to make a stunning entry for the annual bra contest at the American Sewing Expo
New Sewing Show, "It's Sew Easy," Starts June 30 on PBS
Find new projects and tutorials on this new national sewing show
'Project Accessory' Begins Casting Soon
Have you heard about the accessory-themed "Project Runway" spin-off?
What Makes a Sewing Space Great?
What would you like to learn about the sewing workspaces of authors, experts, and your fellow readers?
This IS Your Grandmother's Sewing Machine
In the exhibit "Tools of the Trade," the University of Alberta has assembled a fascinating collection of notions and more.
Create a Swirled Bias Sleeve
Here's how to piece and twist a bias sleeve
A Forgiving Bias-Cut Sleeve
In an online extra, Denise Severson shares a technique to make a pieced and bias-cut sleeve.
Are You In or Out? "Project Runway" is Casting Season 9
The deadline is April 15 to send in photos of your garments and a personal video.
Sew and Win: There's Time to Enter the ASG 2011 Creativity Contest
Seven Simplicity patterns are the starting point for this American Sewing Guild contest
Add Your Expertise to WikiProject: Textile Arts
Contribute your fiber arts knowledge to the online encyclopedia
Designer Charlotte Todd Auctions Kate Middleton's Catwalk Dress
British designer sells Kate Middleton's charity fashion show "dress."
The Blog for Men Who Sew (And the Women Who Sew For Them)
Meet Peter Lappin, creator of "Male Pattern Boldness" a men's sewing blog
Suggest a Designer for the Spotlight
Whom do you want to hear from in the Threads interview series?
What are Your Favorite Embroidery Software Features?
New embroidery software creates precision cuts as well as stitched designs.
A Few of Your Favorite Notions
Members of the Threads community posted pictures and details about these adorable sewing notions
The Lady and the Cocoon
A Chinese empress is credited with silk's discovery in a popular legend.
The Dresden Shepherdess: Create a Bridal Hat
Create a headpiece that's perfect for a not-too-traditional bride, or change the fabrics and make a special-occasion hat.
Make Faux Feathers from Fabric and Wire
Create realistic feathers by following designer John Koch's steps in this tutorial.
Make a Bow With Tails - To Trim a Hat or Embellish a Garment
Learn to make a fabric bow with tails in this post on John Koch's hat embellishment technique.
Try Your Hand at Hat Trimming: Bows Without Tails
Learn author John Koch's method for making structured fabric bows without tails, with more hat embellishments to come! Part one of a four-part series.
Share Your Sweetest Notions
Do you have a notion you prize because it's cute?
Pulling Teeth: Tips to Shorten Zippers
Sewing instructor Jacque Goldsmith shares quick solutions for trimming too-long zippers
Holiday Tips: Bake, Sew and Wrap Ideas from Threads Readers
Some holiday-type hints, drawn from Threads readers' tips
Do You Have a Soundtrack for Your Sewing?
Tell us what you like to listen to - music, books or movies - while you sew.
L.I.F.E. Bags Support Kenyan Women and Children
Bags handmade in Kenya offer women a means to support and improve the lives of their special-needs children
Look Online to Find Local Sewing Charity Projects
Feel like sewing for someone else this holiday season? Sites like VolunteerMatch.org will point you toward groups that need your help.
Take a Free Trial of PatternPal, an App for Sewing Supplies
Comment on this post to get one of six free-trial codes for PatternPal, a sewing app for your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad
Find Inspiration in Amazing Artisan Textiles
"1,000 Artisan Textiles" features works to spark new ideas for anyone who sews
Novi Report Part 2: Fashion Challenge at the American Sewing Expo
ASE Passion for Fashion design challenge focused on Motor City classics
Novi Report Part 1: Snapshots from the American Sewing Expo
A look back at workshops, fashion shows, and shopping at the 2010 American Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan.
Video: How to Sew a Three-Thread Rolled Serged Edge
Watch Kayla Kennington's online video tutorials to master a neat hemming or seaming technique.
Sewing Books Crop Up for the Kindle
Yes, there are sewing guides to read on the Kindle, and they're getting better
Enter the Simplicity Halloween Costume Contest
Make a costume from a current Simplicity pattern for a chance at prizes from Simplicity and Jo-Ann's Fabric and Craft stores
We Love Sewing all Year, but September is National Sewing Month
Celebrate with free projects, contests, and giveaways during sewing's month in the spotlight
Add Your Input to the Sewing Group and Gathering List
You can help build our list of sewing organizations and events
Design on the Half Scale
The Center for Pattern Design explains the advantages of working small
Fabric U Puts a World of Fabric at Your Fingertips
App for iPhones and iPads offers is an on-the-go guide to fabric
Test Drive a BERNINA to Win a BMW
Try out a new BERNINA 3 Series sewing machine and enter a sweepstakes to win a car or cash.
New Book Looks at Rare Luxury Bags
"Exotic Skin Handbags: Alligator & Crocodile" is an amazing look at beautiful bags from the past
ASG Names Shirley Adams 2010 Sewing Hall of Fame Inductee
The American Sewing Guild honors a sewing educator or team each year, adding their name to the Sewing Hall of Fame.
The Wackier Words of Sewing and Fashion
It's fun to trace the etymology of odd and amusing sewing terms.
Share Your Fabric Stash Busting Projects
How do you cope with the challenge of finding a purpose for every bit of fabric?
Simulators Let You Sew Virtually with Bernina's 8 Series
New programs let you experiment with advanced sewing machine features
Share What You've Been Sewing
Post your project photos in Threads' online Reader's Closet galleries
Playing with Pegboard
Clear sewing-table clutter with a wall-mounted organization system
Competition Puts the Spotlight on New Handbag Designs
See the chic and creative nominees for the 2010 Independent Handbag Designer Awards
See Sewing Rooms and Fabric Stashes on Flickr
Online photos offer a look at thousands of sewing projects, storage, and spaces
iPod App Tracks Your Fabric Stash
One little program offers a way to sort and search a mountain of material
A Call for Closures: Send Your Stories to Threads
We're looking for reader essays about sewing to end each issue on a personal note
10-Year-Old Designer Creates Her Own Fashions for Kids
Love of fashion inspires a very young designer to create and sew her own line.
Sewing Goodies (Ideas, Sales, and Projects) for Mother's Day
Buy Mom sewing supplies or stock up to make something for her yourself.
"Raster" Prints and Images to a Giant Scale
Play with a program that enlarges images in a big way
Why Wallpaper When You Can Use Fabric?
This quick, easy - and temporary! - home decor technique can enliven bare walls
I've Pieced It Together: Web Sites Offer Full-size Patterns
It's a breeze to download a PDF, print it, and assemble the papers into patterns as big as life.
Spring Sewing Projects - What Do You Plan to Sew?
Taking a different tack this year, I've planned exactly what I want to finish sewing before May.
A Time to Sew, A Time to Mend
Some reasons to appreciate the old-fashioned tools and skills of mending.
Starter Machines and Beginning Sewers
A super-cute sewing machine sparks memories of my early sewing experiences.
A Green Purpose for Your Denim Blues
Through Sunday, March 14, Gap will give you a discount for donating denim items to be recycled as home insulation.
Fresh Start for a Sewing Space
Taking advantage of the rare opportunity to have an organized sewing space.
Protect Your Handbag Investment
If you appreciate fine handbags, here's a quick project: Make a cotton cover to safeguard an expensive accessory.
Measuring with What's at Hand
Threads readers are ingenious when it comes to discovering measuring tools in everyday objects and body parts.
Fashion Films on Netflix
Need a glamour and sophistication fix? Netflix has a growing supply of films about designers and the fashion industry, many available for instant viewing.
Seeds of a Sewing Library
I'm seeking suggestions for indispensable references - electronic or print - on sewing and fashion.
Exotic to Everyday: Brazil's Passion for Fashion
Fashion Week in Sao Paulo, Brazil, featured plenty of fantasy and extreme looks. Check out some runway images and learn about the pulse of daily style in Brazil.
No Ruler, No Problem
An old toy saved the day when I tried to alter a pattern without my sewing tools.
A Super Bowl Sunday Sewing Retreat
Haberman Fabrics, a Detroit-area store, will host a 13th annual Super Bowl Sunday sewing retreat. The event benefits a breast cancer charity. Sew all afternoon, and if you're a football fan, you can be home in time to see the game too!







Re: Create a Swirled Bias Sleeve
Hi again - I was able to add more detail about planning and creating the spiral in the sleeve. Denise plans a few additional images to cover the confusing part - we'll add those soon. Thanks!
posted: 11:28 am on May 12thRe: Create a Swirled Bias Sleeve
Hello! I've contacted Denise, the author, to figure out how best to clarify the instructions. The steps are all there, but I can see now that more detail would make the technique easier to follow. I'll post another comment after the post is updated. - Sarah
posted: 10:38 am on May 12thRe: Make Faux Feathers from Fabric and Wire
Dear sarasew and everyone: I contacted John Koch about his fabric preferences and he sent me an update which I've added to the post. He also gave me a tip for adding "flaws" to your feathers to make them look more realistic. Check it out, the information is added to the post. Thanks for reading!
posted: 3:41 pm on February 1stRe: The Dresden Shepherdess: Create a Bridal Hat
Dear MMCM: KJRas' comment is correct - the pod (the convex hat base) is beneath the brim you see in the photo. The round area at the hat's peak is the pod's top. I don't have access to the hat today, but I'll take a few additional photos - including the underside of the hat - so that it is clearer. Thanks for reading!
posted: 3:25 pm on February 1stRe: Make a Bow With Tails - To Trim a Hat or Embellish a Garment
Dear PeechyMe and JB5 - It does mean "one and a half inches." I'll edit it to spell out the measurement. Thanks!
posted: 2:09 pm on January 20thRe: Pulling Teeth: Tips to Shorten Zippers
Dear kkkkaty, I'm sorry there's not an accompanying photo for this particular step, but step no. 3 in the first section (Shorten a closed-bottom or separating zipper) mentions adding new top stops with needle-nose pliers (and possibly coloring them with nail polish to match the zipper color). Thanks for asking; I want to make sure other readers know about that step too.
posted: 5:09 pm on December 30thRe: Take a Free Trial of PatternPal, an App for Sewing Supplies
Hi! Just wanted to say I just sent out all six codes I had to give away. Please e-mail me at smcfarland@taunton.com if you don't receive an e-mail with your code! Thanks everyone for reading :)
posted: 11:19 am on November 12thRe: Find Inspiration in Amazing Artisan Textiles
Hi Suzannity! If you see this - I wanted to let you and other readers know that Mesee showed me the "Alabama Stitch Book," but Jennifer Stern Hasemann covered it in a CraftStylish post - http://www.craftstylish.com/item/7846/the-alabama-stitch-book. Thanks for reading and the recommendation! - Sarah
posted: 1:41 pm on November 9thRe: Video: How to Sew a Three-Thread Rolled Serged Edge
Dear CathiTheWeaver - thank you for the catch on "needle" in the third paragraph! I fixed that slip - thanks again
posted: 8:38 am on October 7thRe: Share What You've Been Sewing
Hi Zeshuregi - I saw your comment and sent you an e-mail. I'm afraid the images are still small for print resolution. I sent all the details and I'll help you get something that will work - Sarah
posted: 5:13 pm on June 21stRe: iPod App Tracks Your Fabric Stash
Hello! I want to thank you all for reading my post about the FabricStash app - and to answer as many of your questions as I can. Here are some that have come up:
posted: 4:21 pm on May 25thSkyMom asked if the iPod Touch or the iPad have a camera. Currently, of the three devices (iPhone, Touch, and iPad), only the iPhone has a camera (there is speculation on the Internet that Steve Jobs has a unique iPad with a camera... but he's the head of Apple!). If you have an iPod Touch (as I do) or an iPad, you will have to take photos with a digital camera, save them in iTunes and in FabricStash, draw your stash images from the Photos app.
FabricStash allows you to have two photos for each fabric - Loscoz had an excellent suggestion, to take a photo of the end of the fabric bolt - nabbing the fiber content, width, etc., with a snapshot.
Lou19 said it would take her months to catalogue and photograph her stash. I hear you! I always think of organization as, well, a path of least resistance activity. It's wonderful to be organized as long as it doesn't cause more effort than looking for something! I'll tell you, I have gradually been cataloging my older fabric. FabricStash has been most useful as a tool when shopping - because it's all right there - so mine contains mostly recent purchases so far.
NancyinA2 asked if it were possible to input the data about your fabric on your desktop or laptop to avoid using the tiny iPod "keypad" (if you can call it that). No, unfortunately, not that I am aware of. I know others have mentioned Word documents with imbedded photos as a desktop solution for tracking a fabric stash. I am going to do some research and see if I can find a good desktop utility to track fabric. Please let me know if you have any to recommend!
Re: Protect Your Handbag Investment
Hi, I just wanted to respond to artcat's comment about using a serger for this project - artcat, you are absolutely right! I have a confession to make. My first serger machine is still in the box at my new apartment. I have been sewing for years with the most basic mechanical machine. It makes me feel good to be able to produce just about anything with a basic machine, but I am excited about catching up with the times and using more advanced tools. In the future you'll see serger projects from me, and in the meantime I hope any reader feels welcome to adapt my simple project to their equipment!
posted: 1:39 pm on March 3rdRe: Protect Your Handbag Investment
Thanks, Skymom, for the stuffing recommendation! I'm not satisfied with the density of tissue paper and I do worry about the acid content. T-shirts are a great alternative, so I appreciate your recommendation.
posted: 11:00 pm on February 25thI'm also an avid knitter and sometimes I store yarn for a future project in a larger handbag - it cuts down on the amount of storage space I need! I have to label everything, though, or else I have trouble finding that project material when I'm ready to use it.