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.
Maggie Hofmann, Cosplayer and Costume Maker
Cosplayer and costume maker Maggie Hofmann makes it work. When the pandemic shut down the entertainment industry and the need for theatrical costumes, Maggie branched out as a freelancer, building…
Spotlight: Amanda Nadig, Textile Artist
As an art teacher, Amanda Nadig inspires her young students to create in ways that are important to them. As a textile artist, Amanda is most at home in the…
Spotlight: Lisa Goddard, Mixed Media Artist
Mixed media artist Lisa Goddard is attracted to endless possibilities - the juxtaposition of color, texture, technique and materials that come together to tell a story. Lisa's vignettes evolve from…
Spotlight: Elizabeth Chappell, Quilt Designer
Quilt designer Elizabeth Chappell didn't set out to be a quilter, but when quilting found her, she was all in! She wanted to make quilts, but she wanted more. So…
Spotlight: Laura Fox-Wallis, Silk Artist
Silk artist Laura Fox-Wallis' work is all about flow: the flow of color, the flow of texture and the flow of creative elements. Laura translates her knowledge of the properties…
Spotlight: Teresita Leal, Textile Artist
Trained as a scientist, textile artist Teresita Leal began to nurture her creative side when she became a parent. There wasn't a big art quilting community in Argentina at the…
Spotlight: Arounna Khounnoraj, Textile Artist
Coming from a hands-on family, textile artist Arounna Khounnoraj learned both the intrinsic and extrinsic values of making. As she branched out from her art education focused on sculpture to…
Spotlight: Deborah O’Hare, Contemporary Textile Artist
Once she found fabric painting as a means of artistic expression, contemporary textile artist Deborah O'Hare never looked back. Combining this surface design technique with her love of patchwork and…
Spotlight: Judy Martin, Quilt Designer
Judy Martin's name is synonymous with quilts, and with good reason. Judy is the designer of more quilts than most of us can only dream of. With an eye toward…Trending Now
How to Make a Sashiko Stitched Needle Book
Collect all of your needles in a beautiful handmade Sashiko stitched needle book. This is a perfect project for someone looking for a beginner Sashiko project, or a quick project…
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.
How to Sashiko Stitch: A Step-by-Step Guide
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…
Charming Mug Rug and Wine Coaster
Quick and easy, make a mug rug from a charm pack for your cup of coffee or tea, as well as a wine coaster where everyone can keep track of…
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! A jelly roll rug is just that -…
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.
How to Make Fabric Baskets and Bowls
I've made and given many washable baskets and bowls as gifts. Choose fabric to match the recipient's home. Just wrap, coil and zigzag stitch to the right size.Latest Stories on Create Whimsy
Make a Patriotic Placemat
Be festive this Fourth of July with Patriotic Placemats for your party! Quick and easy quilting project using scraps of fabric - or buy a few fat quarters. This quilted…
How to Make Fabric Bowl Covers
Fabric bowl covers help keep pesky bugs and debris off of your food. An easy sewing project that makes it easy to get to the delicious food, but also makes…
Spotlight: Kathryn Davey, Natural Dyer
Ready to embrace the serendipity that happens when you extract color from nature and use it to transform cloth, natural dyer Kathryn Davey knows that even when she has a…
How to Make a Card Holder Wallet
Make your own card holder wallet to keep just a few cards handy in your pocket, backpack or purse. Perfect for slipping in your license and a credit card so…
Maple Leaf Quilt Block
The maple leaf quilt block is a simple nine patch quilt block made from solid squares, half square triangles and a square with a center stripe. This quilt block is…
How to Sew a French Seam
A French seam is an option for finishing seams, generally used when sewing garments. It is a good choice when sewing light weight, sheer or translucent fabrics, such as chiffons,…
How to Make a Wonky Star Pillow Cover
Pillow covers are perfect home dec projects that easily refresh your decor by season and for holidays. Learn how to make a Wonky Star Pillow Cover to celebrate the Fourth…
How to Make a Mug Cozy
Keep your hot beverage warm longer with a simple to make mug cozy. A perfect sewing project for beginners -- a quick and easy sewing project for a small gift.…
DIY Shoe Bag
Shoe bags are perfect for travel, keeping dirty shoes away from your clean clothes. DIY shoe bag is a simple sewing project, making a drawstring bag the size to fit… Maggie Hofmann, Cosplayer and Costume Maker
Cosplayer and costume maker Maggie Hofmann makes it work. When the pandemic shut down the entertainment industry and the need for theatrical costumes, Maggie branched out as a freelancer, building…
Endless Stairs Quilt Block
The Endless Stairs quilt block is a four-patch pattern perfect for beginner quilters. It can be made with 2, 3 or 4 fabrics. It is sometimes referred to as London…
DIY Cord Keeper
Do all of your electrical cords get tangles? Does your extra cord drawer look like a big pot of spaghetti? You need some cord keepers! This is a super easy…
How to Make a Four Patch Quilt Block
The four patch quilt block is one of the basic quilt blocks, along with the nine patch quilt block. These are the best blocks for beginners and the good news…
How to Make an Oven Mitt | Free Downloadable Pattern
Make your own oven mitt with this FREE downloadable pattern and step-by-step directions. Perfect gifts for moms, dads and grads - you can make oven mitts in any fabric design.…
Snowball Quilt Block
The snowball quilt block is super easy - you can make them any size! You start with a square of any size and add small squares of any size to… Spotlight: Amanda Nadig, Textile Artist
As an art teacher, Amanda Nadig inspires her young students to create in ways that are important to them. As a textile artist, Amanda is most at home in the… Spotlight: Lisa Goddard, Mixed Media Artist
Mixed media artist Lisa Goddard is attracted to endless possibilities - the juxtaposition of color, texture, technique and materials that come together to tell a story. Lisa's vignettes evolve from…
Polymer Clay Project Ideas
Working with polymer clay can be fun and rewarding. It comes in a variety of colors and is used in projects from sculpture to jewelry and accessories. Here are some…
How to Make a Mason Jar Pin Cushion
One of my favorite notions is a Mason Jar Pin Cushion. The pin cushion holds my pins and needles and the jar holds some of my threads, buttons that need…