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: 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…
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…
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: Cheryl Brickey, Classic and Modern Quilter
With the planning and precision of an engineer, classic and modern quilter Cheryl Brickey designs beginner-friendly patterns that appear complex. She enjoys the challenge of designing for those pre-cut packets,…
Spotlight: Miki Rodriguez, Integrated Materials Artist
Integrating found materials into her work, fiber artist Miki Rodriguez draws on the rich history and traditions of growing up in a south Texas border town where the cultural influences…
Spotlight: Maria Shell, Modern Quilter
Modern quilter Maria Shell is known for improvisation, but thorough planning and adherence to design principles are the foundation of each piece of fiber art she creates. Improv based on…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: 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…
Make an English Paper Pieced Mug Rug
English Paper Piecing (EPP) is gaining traction as part of the slow stitch movement, but making a full-size EPP quilt is a long-term commitment. Thinking of an introduction to EPP,…
How to Make a Pojagi Curtain
Make a window hanging that looks like stained glass with the modern pojagi patchwork technique. This modern technique has thousands of years of history. Pojagi is a traditional Korean sewing…Spotlight: Cheryl Brickey, Classic and Modern Quilter
With the planning and precision of an engineer, classic and modern quilter Cheryl Brickey designs beginner-friendly patterns that appear complex. She enjoys the challenge of designing for those pre-cut packets,…Spotlight: Miki Rodriguez, Integrated Materials Artist
Integrating found materials into her work, fiber artist Miki Rodriguez draws on the rich history and traditions of growing up in a south Texas border town where the cultural influences…
Spotlight: Kristin Shields, Fiber Artist
As a child, Fiber Artist Kristin Shields dabbled in just about every craft imaginable. She tried them all, but always returned to creating with fabric, needle and thread. When she…
Spotlight: Bryanne Rajamannar, Felt Artist
Surrounding herself with color, felt artist Bryanne Rajamannar mimics natural forms, creating floral art that never wilts. Her designs look complex, but Bryanne has broken them down into simple steps…
Spotlight: Moy Mackay, Fiber Artist
Determined to widen fine art circles to accept felted paintings in gallery and exhibition settings, fiber artist Moy Mackay blended her training as an artist with her love of creating…Spotlight: Maria Shell, Modern Quilter
Modern quilter Maria Shell is known for improvisation, but thorough planning and adherence to design principles are the foundation of each piece of fiber art she creates. Improv based on…