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: Laura Hartrich, Quilt Artist
Have a seat because quilt artist Laura Hartrich may exhaust you! While raising her kids, working and pursuing a degree, Laura still finds time to create original, innovative quilt designs.…
Spotlight: Megan Brown, Garment Sewist and Entrepreneur
Finding her stitch mojo early on, garment sewist and entrepreneur Megan Brown had family role models to inspire her. Now she makes a business out of her sewing and embroidery…
Spotlight: Susan Lumsden, Fiber Artist
Fiber artist Susan Lumsden has downsized her studio space, but her creative output remains prolific, proving that it is the artist, not their surroundings, shaping the depth and breadth of…
Spotlight: Ron Isaacson, Artist, Sculptor and Wordsmith
Filling multiple roles in his creative life, artist, sculptor and wordsmith Ron Isaacson has most recently sculpted creatures that inhabit a world of his own making. An early adopter of the…
Spotlight: Irene Roderick, Textile Artist
Initially trained as a painter, textile artist Irene Roderick came to quilting when she was looking for ideas for a bed quilt (her first), and discovered the work of Denyse…
Spotlight: Julia Claire Weber, Ceramic Artist
With a clean, graphic look achieved with self-printed original decals that add a decorative layer, ceramic artist Julia Claire Weber has built a career in the art medium she loves.…
Spotlight: Kamala Murali, Textile Designer
Rethinking the definition of "waste" is central to textile designer Kamala Murali's work. Beginning with off cuts from factories in her native India, Kamala improvises her designs depending on what…
Spotlight: Melissa Marginet, Quilt Designer, Author and Teacher
An enthusiastic advocate for quilting with a walking foot, quilt designer, author and teacher Melissa Marginet makes quilting accessible by showing students how to use the basic sewing machine accessory.…
Spotlight: Amy Friend, Modern Quilt Designer
Challenging herself to bring floral designs to the world of modern quilting, quilt designer Amy Friend faced a challenge: how to render the curves of nature with the straight lines…Trending Now
Bead Organization and Storage Ideas
As Bead Love grows, so grows the beading stash - and the need for bead organization and storage ideas. Especially if, like me, you get excited to start a new…
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…
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…
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.
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
How to Make Swamp Angel Quilt Block
The Swamp Angel quilt block is a nine patch format made from half square triangles, quarter square triangles and a square center unit. This is a perfect block for beginners…
How to Make the Card Trick Quilt Pattern
The Card Trick Quilt Pattern is a nine patch quilt block format that uses half square triangles, split quarter square triangles, and a center quarter square triangle unit. It is…
Big Stitch Quilting
Add visual and textural interest to your quilt with big stitch quilting! No longer do you need perfect small and even stitches that can hardly be seen. Stitching now can…
Quilter’s Knot
Learn how to make the quilter's knot with our simple step-by-step directions. Once you start knotting your thread with this method, you'll knot all of your stitching threads this way!…Spotlight: Laura Hartrich, Quilt Artist
Have a seat because quilt artist Laura Hartrich may exhaust you! While raising her kids, working and pursuing a degree, Laura still finds time to create original, innovative quilt designs.…Spotlight: Megan Brown, Garment Sewist and Entrepreneur
Finding her stitch mojo early on, garment sewist and entrepreneur Megan Brown had family role models to inspire her. Now she makes a business out of her sewing and embroidery…
Spotlight: Julia Wachs, Modern Quilter and Designer
Modern quilter and designer Julia Wachs' engineering roots are evident in her precisely conceived modern quilts. Noted for crisp lines and sharp angles, Julia's quilts sing with color. Foundation paper…
How to Cut Bias Strips
Bias strips are used for making custom bias binding, as well as to finish the inside of a handmade fashion garments seams (and more!). Learn how to cut bias strips…
How to Make the Spool Quilt Pattern
The Spool Quilt Pattern is a nine patch layout made from square and half square triangle units. It's a perfect quilt block and pattern for beginners and popular with quilters…
How to Make the Virginia Worm Fence Quilt Block
The Virginia Worm Fence quilt block is a nine-patch format made from two fabrics. It is a perfect quilt block for beginners to learn how to strip piece and sew…
How to Make the Eccentric Star Quilt Block
The Eccentric Star quilt block is a nine patch format using only half square triangles and a center square unit. It is a great block for beginners to practice half…
Attic Window Quilt Pattern
The Attic Window quilt pattern is a great pattern to show off large designs, or even cut up a panel for the squares so that it looks like the viewer…
How to Make a Patchwork Heart Quilt Block
Hearts are very popular in quilting with hundreds of quilt blocks that include hearts, from pieced and patchworked to appliqué. This heart quilt block is a simple pattern using only…Spotlight: Susan Lumsden, Fiber Artist
Fiber artist Susan Lumsden has downsized her studio space, but her creative output remains prolific, proving that it is the artist, not their surroundings, shaping the depth and breadth of…Spotlight: Ron Isaacson, Artist, Sculptor and Wordsmith
Filling multiple roles in his creative life, artist, sculptor and wordsmith Ron Isaacson has most recently sculpted creatures that inhabit a world of his own making. An early adopter of the…Spotlight: Irene Roderick, Textile Artist
Initially trained as a painter, textile artist Irene Roderick came to quilting when she was looking for ideas for a bed quilt (her first), and discovered the work of Denyse…
How to Make the Shoo Fly Quilt Block
The Shoo Fly Quilt block is a nine-patch format made with square and half square triangle units. It is generally a two-fabric block, with the half square triangles in the…Spotlight: Julia Claire Weber, Ceramic Artist
With a clean, graphic look achieved with self-printed original decals that add a decorative layer, ceramic artist Julia Claire Weber has built a career in the art medium she loves.…
Churn Dash Quilt Pattern
The Churn Dash quilt pattern is a nine-patch layout using half square triangles and strip pieced units. Typically made with two fabrics, the block also can have a different fabric…