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: Brianna Sipp, Crochet Fashion Designer
If you believe the old tale that creativity and good business are mutually exclusive, then you have not met crochet fashion designer Brianna Sipp! Perfectly meshing old and new, Brianna's…
Spotlight: Cathy Taylor, Mosaic Artist
Taking inspiration from the lakeside environment that surrounds her studio, mosaic artist Cathy Taylor creates realistic images that she pieces together from bits of colorful glass. Working from her own…
Spotlight: Rachaeldaisy Dodd, Quilt Designer
With blasts of color and pattern, award-winning Quilt Designer Rachaeldaisy Dodd makes her presence known through her art. Working with a variety of fabrics provides endless opportunities to combine color,…
Spotlight: Regina Marzlin, Fiber Artist
Unlike many fiber artists who learned to sew from their mothers and grandmothers, Regina Marzlin was surprised to find herself drawn to textiles as an art medium - she didn't…
Spotlight: Julie Burton, Quilter and Pattern Designer
Quilt designer Julie Burton admires traditional quilts, but discovered that when she made them, she took the blocks into her own design sensibilities and transformed them. The result is Julie's…
Spotlight: Jen Broemel, Fiber Artist
With training as an architect and the improvisational instincts of an artist, Jen Broemel creates fiber art that is both structured and free-flowing. The layers of hand stitch that float…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
Spotlight: Elizabeth DeCroos, Pojagi and Fiber Artist
Fiber artist Elizabeth DeCroos didn't plan to focus on pojagi patchwork, but her desire to learn local textile traditions during the time she lived in South Korea opened a new…
Spotlight: Jan Krentz, Quilter, Instructor, Designer and Author
Known for precision piecing, quilt designer and instructor Jan Krentz has developed techniques to break down a complex design into manageable components. Her stunning renditions of the beloved lone star…
Spotlight: Jamie Chalmers, aka Mr. X Stitch
As Mr X Stitch, embroidery artist Jamie Chalmers promotes cross stitch as a contemporary art form through his patterns, blog and social media channels, attracting attention wherever he goes as…
Spotlight: Rose Andreeva, Embroidery Artist
Capturing the natural world with impeccable detail, embroidery artist Rose Andreeva honors both her subject and her art with stunning realism. Her expressive stitches rise from the background, almost convincing…
Spotlight: Dong Kyu Kim, Fiber Artist
While still a preschooler, Dong Kyu Kim would draw on anything he could get his hands on, improvising art supplies from pens, pencils and the margins of books. When he…
Spotlight: Sarah Hibbert, Modern Quilter and Collage Artist
Taking a cue from the Bauhaus movement, modern quilter and collage artist Sarah Hibbert designs with bold colors and striking geometrics. Like many modern quilters, Sarah began quilting classic patterns,…Spotlight: Brianna Sipp, Crochet Fashion Designer
If you believe the old tale that creativity and good business are mutually exclusive, then you have not met crochet fashion designer Brianna Sipp! Perfectly meshing old and new, Brianna's…Spotlight: Cathy Taylor, Mosaic Artist
Taking inspiration from the lakeside environment that surrounds her studio, mosaic artist Cathy Taylor creates realistic images that she pieces together from bits of colorful glass. Working from her own…
Friendship Star Quilt Block
The friendship star quilt block is a quick and easy block that uses half square triangles and solid squares in a nine-patch layout! This is a classic quilt block that…
7 Ways to Make Half Square Triangles (HSTs)
Half square triangles are basic quilt blocks to use alone or combined with other quilt blocks to make complex designs. They are used in modern quilting, contemporary quilting and traditional…
Half Square Triangle (HST)
The half square triangle, also referred to as HST, is a common block in traditional, modern and contemporary quilting. Use it alone or combine it with other quilt blocks to…
Nine Patch Quilt Block
The nine patch quilt block is common in traditional, contemporary and modern quilts. Set off the nine patches with sashing, or sew them together to form patchwork. Plan the nine…
How to Make a Hanging Sleeve for a Quilt
Want to hang your quilt on a wall? Here is the best way to make a hanging sleeve for a quilt! Most quilts are hung using a rod or a…Spotlight: Rachaeldaisy Dodd, Quilt Designer
With blasts of color and pattern, award-winning Quilt Designer Rachaeldaisy Dodd makes her presence known through her art. Working with a variety of fabrics provides endless opportunities to combine color,…Spotlight: Regina Marzlin, Fiber Artist
Unlike many fiber artists who learned to sew from their mothers and grandmothers, Regina Marzlin was surprised to find herself drawn to textiles as an art medium - she didn't…Spotlight: Julie Burton, Quilter and Pattern Designer
Quilt designer Julie Burton admires traditional quilts, but discovered that when she made them, she took the blocks into her own design sensibilities and transformed them. The result is Julie's…Spotlight: Jen Broemel, Fiber Artist
With training as an architect and the improvisational instincts of an artist, Jen Broemel creates fiber art that is both structured and free-flowing. The layers of hand stitch that float…
Spotlight: Barbara Matthews, Fiber Artist
Balancing the precision of laser cutting with the serendipity of silk dyeing, fiber artist Barbara Matthews engages both left and right brain when creating her art. By adhering silk to…
Spotlight: Brigit Gail Dermott, Modern Quilter
With bold color choices and an eye for geometry, Brigit Gail Dermott is making her mark in the Modern Quilting universe. Many of her designs begin with colorful paper collages…