Sewing for Small Spaces

Small spaces pose a unique set of challenges when it comes to sewing, especially if you're living in a compact environment like a dorm room or an RV. However, don't let a lack of space hamper your creativity! Here are some clever tips for fitting a full-blown sewing area into whatever cozy corner you have handy.   Smart Organization is Key When space is limited, getting organized is essential. Use vertical storage solutions, like wall-mounted shelves or pegboards, to store your fabrics, threads, and tools. Clear, stackable containers like this Presser Foot Storage Box can help you see

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Things Every Beginner Quilter Should Remember

Picture this, it’s 11:30 at night, you’re eight episodes deep into a Dr. Who marathon and your stack of 387 half square triangles. Somehow your stack topples over and before you know it, you slice through a bunch with your rotary cutter. Ok, maybe it wasn’t exactly that, but we all run into problems at one time or another. Whether you’re a beginner or have been quilting for years, we’ve put together our list of questions to ask yourself when you’re in meltdown mode.   Can this mistake become an opportunity? Remember that every mistake you make can

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Teach Your Kids to Sew

In today's largely fast-paced digital world, teaching your kids to sew can be a fantastic break away from screen time as well as a way to foster creativity. Not to mention give them something to do when they inevitably walk up to you mid-July saying “I’m so bored.”  When you teach kids to sew, it engages their imagination and teaches them skills that they can use far beyond summer. First off, sewing enhances your creativity. The kids can choose their own fabrics, patterns (with guidance of course), and add their imagination to their projects stitch by

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How a Laurastar Ironing System Makes Better Quilts

We spend a lot of time thinking about our sewing machines - learning all the features, trying out the settings, and how to get the results we want for our quilts. But how much thought do you put into your other tools? What about your iron? It’s a key part of the quilting process, but so many people go with whatever they can pick up at a big box store and not a tool that is designed for quilting and sewing. Let’s talk about our Laurastar irons and how they can transform your quilts for

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Six Free Rainbow Quilt Patterns for Pride

LGBTQIA+ plus ROYGBIV equals a rainbow quilt roundup! We’ve put together six of our favorite free patterns full of vibrant colors to celebrate love, inclusivity, and diversity. What better way to embrace the spirit of Pride than by creating quilts in a rainbow palette? Highland Falls Quilt - Fabric from the Attic A rainbow of stars made with space age prints is arranged in an unusual diagonal setting. The stars wink in and out, some dark and bold, other softly muted. The fun comes with arranging the stars in rainbow order!   Going Up Use those big, beautiful, prints you’ve

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Build Your Stash with a Subscription Box

Picture this, you go to your door and find a box. You open the box and discover the most beautiful assortment of fabrics have arrived from your favorite quilt shop, aka Quilting Mayhem, and they’re just what you need to reignite your sewjo. You happily pet the fabric stack, adding some to your stash, some to the latest project you’ve been planning, and one goes with you to the shop to find the bolt. They’re perfect! It’s not a fantasy, it’s a Subscription Box from Quilting Mayhem!    My fabric subscription helps me instantly build variety in my

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Why Shopping Small At Quilting Mayhem is a Big Deal for Quilting, Sewing, and Crafting Enthusiasts

We love to quilt, to sew, and to make things. Call it a cherished pastime, or an obsession depending on the day, but making mayhem is a have-to activity, our creative outlet, and an escape from the daily stresses of life. Since we think so much about what to make, you can bet we put thought into where we shop. While big box retailers may seem convenient, shopping small and supporting local businesses, such as Quilting Mayhem, is the way to go. Supporting Your Local Small Businesses Small businesses are the lifeblood of local economies. By choosing

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Best Beginner Sewing Machines

Congratulations! You’re looking for the best beginner sewing machine, aka your new best friend, and we couldn’t be happier for you. But with so many different models of machines and features to learn about, it can be difficult to know where to start. When you’re a beginner, you should focus on ease of use, versatility, durability, price, and customer support.  Ease of Use The first thing to consider when looking for a beginner sewing machine is ease of use. You want a machine that is simple to set up and use, with clear instructions and intuitive controls.

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The Top 5 Reasons You Should Own A Longarm

There are some things we know for sure. We know that we definitely love fabric. Purple is obviously the best color for a logo. The quilt doesn’t have to match the couch. And we’re certain that you should own a longarm. Here’s our top five, of many, reasons why. 1. A longarm gives you the opportunity to have complete artistic control. You’ve worked hard to select the perfect fabric for the perfect pattern and then spent the time to make your beautiful quilt top, handing that off to someone else can be difficult. And once it’s handed

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Color Me Kaffe Challenge 2023

Last year we had the Quilted Coat Challenge that was so much fun. This year we have a new challenge for you; it’s the Color Me Kaffe Challenge! For this challenge, you can make any garment you want, but you can only use the Kaffe Fassett Collective fabric, a minimum of three  fabrics per garment. You might have noticed we have a little bit of Kaffe at Quilting Mayhem, so we can certainly help you find three or more to get you started! There are four categories in the Color Me Kaffe Challenge; quilted garment, pieced

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