Create Whimsy

Create Whimsy

Inspring makers and sharing their stories

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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.

Green waistcoat in progress

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…
Close up of tan quilt

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…
Can Only Hope

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…
Gingham Quilt Pattern

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…
Smaller pieces from The Shadow Collection

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…
Old Feelings II, 40 x 40in, 2022

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…
Embroidery piece from Arounna's book

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…
Driving By art quilt by Deborah O'Hare

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…
Shakespeare in the Park quilt

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…

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Finished needlebook 2

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…
baby bandana finished

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…
Finished mending patch

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.
Sashiko Stitching Complete

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…
Embroidery Transfer with a Frixiron pen

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…
Finished wine coasters that double as mug rugs

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…
Finished jelly roll rug

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 -…
Variety of different Kumihimo samples

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.
Fabric Coil Baskets and Bowls

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…
Fabric bowl cover finished 2

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…
Oak leave dying samples

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…
Folded card wallet finished 4

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 finished

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…
French seam finished inside in blue and yellow

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,…
Wonky Star pillow cover finished 2

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…
Mug Cozy finished 9

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 finished shoe bag ready for shoes

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…
Green waistcoat in progress

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 finished layout

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…
Cord Keeper Finished 5

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…
Four patch finished block

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…
oven mitt finished 1

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 finished sampler

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…
Close up of tan quilt

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…
Can Only Hope

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…
Minions cake topper

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…
Mason Jar Pin Cushion finished-7

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…
Gingham Quilt Pattern

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…

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