In The Spotlight!
At Create Whimsy, we share the stories of makers. Learn about their creative journeys, inspirations and more! Browse all of our Spotlight Stories.
Spotlight: Mel Beach, Quilt Artist, Teacher and Lecturer
Mel Beach's next quilt could emerge from a simple roll of the dice. But not just any dice. The quilt artist, teacher and lecturer applies creative instructions to the sides…
Spotlight: Jo Avery, Fiber Artist
Fiber artist Jo Avery began creating with needle and thread as a child when she sewed alongside her big sister. That lit the spark for Jo, and she takes a…
Spotlight: Lindsay Swearingen, Embroidery Artist and Designer
Describing her work as whimsical dark humor, embroidery artist and designer Lindsay Swearingen takes cross stitch to a level beyond traditional schoolchild samplers. Designed and stitched with as much precision…
Spotlight: Ellen Rubin, Knitter and Creative Director
Knitting isn’t just fun, it develops neural pathways that lead to physical and mental benefits. That’s what knitter and immunologist Ellen B. Rubin, Luv2Knit & More shop creative director, intuited.…
Spotlight: Sharon Riley, Mixed Media Artist
As a fiber and mixed media artist, Sharon Riley calls on her relationship with Mother Earth to inspire her art. Walking on the beach, meditating in less-traveled environs and listening…
Spotlight: Andrea Lewicki, Sewing Collage Artist
Using painted elements from previous work, sewing collage artist Andrea Lewicki unites the bits into a cohesive whole with stitch. The visual balance in her work fulfills a balance that…
Spotlight: Frances Dowell, Quilter, Author and Podcaster
Some say that every quilt tells a story. That may explain Frances Dowell. As a quilter, author and podcaster, Frances is a storyteller at heart. Whether crafting a storyline to…
Spotlight: Lee Chappell Monroe, Quilt Designer, Author and Teacher
With a long family heritage of sewing, becoming a quilt designer, author and teacher was a natural progression for Lee Chappell Monroe. Her designs begin with and honor the traditional,…
Spotlight: Lesley Riley, Mixed Media Artist
With an artist inside waiting for release, Lesley Riley's imagination collects and combines words and images. Then she sets them free. From fiber to collage to painting to cyanotype to…Trending Now
Best Pattern for Making a Baby Bandana Bib
Bandana bibs for babies are popular, and some fit better than others. I took two favorites to design this baby bandana bib pattern, that combines the popular bandana style with…
The Art of Mending: Boro Stitching and Visible Mending
There is a resurgence in popularity in the art of mending. Before the age of disposable fashion, our grandmother's bought good clothes and mended them.
Step-by-Step Guide to Sashiko Stitching
Sometimes I want to get a project done really fast, but lately I have picked up a hand stitching project when I want to unwind. The slow, meditative process of…
6 Ways to Transfer your Embroidery Design to Fabric
There are a variety of techniques to transfer an embroidery or needlepoint design to fabric. Select the one that will work the best for the complexity of your design and…
How to Make a Jelly Roll Rug
I had seen and admired the beautiful and colorful pictures and wanted to try to make a jelly roll rug for myself! I picked a bright jelly roll of Jen…
How to Dye Fabric with Tea
Dying fabric with tea makes a lovely patina for an aged look to a basic fabric. Tea dying does not create a major change in the color of the textile,…
Organize Your Threads – 10 Great Ideas!
Here are 10 great ideas for organizing your threads! Includes systems for sewing thread, embroidery floss and sewing machine bobbins.
10 Best Fabric Storage Ideas
Ready for your MSM (Master of Stash Management) degree? Check out this collection of fabric storage ideas to make the best use of your studio space.
Best Threads for Hand Embroidery
The thread you choose for hand embroidery can change the look of your project. Matte or shiny? Thick or thin? smooth or nubby? Cotton, silk, wool or metallic?
What Is Kumihimo?
Kumihimo is a popular craft for jewelry makers and fiber artists. The ancient braid is easy to learn with modern tools that make the projects very portable.Latest Stories on Create Whimsy
Embroidery Gift Guide
Stitchers love to stitch, and they love to receive handmade gifts. We have put together an embroidery gift guide with projects, tools and supplies that are good for the embroiderers…
Spotlight: Michelle Staub, Pet Embroidery Artist
Pet embroidery artist Michelle Staub starts with photos of much-loved pets and creates realistic embroidered portraits with needle and thread. With her attention to detail and and an eye for…Spotlight: Mel Beach, Quilt Artist, Teacher and Lecturer
Mel Beach's next quilt could emerge from a simple roll of the dice. But not just any dice. The quilt artist, teacher and lecturer applies creative instructions to the sides…Spotlight: Jo Avery, Fiber Artist
Fiber artist Jo Avery began creating with needle and thread as a child when she sewed alongside her big sister. That lit the spark for Jo, and she takes a…Spotlight: Lindsay Swearingen, Embroidery Artist and Designer
Describing her work as whimsical dark humor, embroidery artist and designer Lindsay Swearingen takes cross stitch to a level beyond traditional schoolchild samplers. Designed and stitched with as much precision…Spotlight: Ellen Rubin, Knitter and Creative Director
Knitting isn’t just fun, it develops neural pathways that lead to physical and mental benefits. That’s what knitter and immunologist Ellen B. Rubin, Luv2Knit & More shop creative director, intuited.…
Make the Looking Glass Bracelet
Always ready for a pretty beading project, but short on time to design and gather materials, the chance to make the Looking Glass Bracelet landed at just the right time!…Spotlight: Sharon Riley, Mixed Media Artist
As a fiber and mixed media artist, Sharon Riley calls on her relationship with Mother Earth to inspire her art. Walking on the beach, meditating in less-traveled environs and listening…Spotlight: Andrea Lewicki, Sewing Collage Artist
Using painted elements from previous work, sewing collage artist Andrea Lewicki unites the bits into a cohesive whole with stitch. The visual balance in her work fulfills a balance that…Spotlight: Frances Dowell, Quilter, Author and Podcaster
Some say that every quilt tells a story. That may explain Frances Dowell. As a quilter, author and podcaster, Frances is a storyteller at heart. Whether crafting a storyline to…Spotlight: Lee Chappell Monroe, Quilt Designer, Author and Teacher
With a long family heritage of sewing, becoming a quilt designer, author and teacher was a natural progression for Lee Chappell Monroe. Her designs begin with and honor the traditional,…
Spotlight: Christine Boggis, Knitter, Designer and Author
Finding joy in slowing down while creating with her hands, knitter, designer and author Christine Boggis credits knitting with bringing calm and focus to stressful times. With more research showing…
Spotlight: Cheryl Chapman, Glass Enamel Artist
Developing her own techniques to match her style, glass enamel artist Cheryl Chapman take glass art to a whimsical world of her own imagining. It's not surprising that Cheryl's work…
Make a Kumihimo Bracelet
Accent your modern wardrobe with a new twist on an ancient craft when you make a beaded Kumihimo bracelet. With this tutorial, we will take you through the finishing steps…
Spotlight: Sarah Ashford, Quilter and Author
To find an enthusiastic quilting ambassador, look no further than quilt pattern designer and author, Sarah Ashford. Sarah fell in love with quilting when she made her first quilt and…
The Lost Goslin’ Quilt Block
The Lost Goslin' Quilt Block is a nine patch block using four-patch blocks and half square triangles in a star format, a variation of the friendship star block. This is…
Simplex Star Quilt Block
The simplex star quilt block is a simple star pattern in a nine patch format. It consists of easy half square triangles and squares. In this sample, I used three…
Spotlight: Cindy Grisdela, Improv Quilt Artist, Teacher and Author
With a commitment to creativity as an attribute that develops best when nurtured and encouraged, improv quilt artist, teacher and author Cindy Grisdela works on improving her art quilting skills…
Spotlight: Chantel Conlon, Mixed Fiber Macramé Artist
Mixed fiber macramé artist Chantel Conlon is most prolific when her creativity is tied up in knots. Using traditional techniques combined with patterns of her own design along with unconventional…