Masculine Apparel Pattern Round Up

I think we can all agree on one thing; sewing and quilting are for everyone. For quilting, that’s easy to put into action. Big or little, masc or femme, a quilt is always a perfect fit. But when you jump into sewing clothes and garments, finding the perfect fit becomes a little more complicated. Bodies come in all different shapes and sizes, and the indie clothing pattern companies tend to focus on femme patterns and bodies. The industry is working to change that. We put together a round up of our go-to patterns for all

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The Best Threads for Your Domestic Sewing Machine

If you're a quilter, you know that the right thread can make all the difference in your project. Accurate points and intersections, lumpy seams, a dusty machine, all of these things are down to the thread you choose. That's why we've put together a list of our favorite threads for your sewing machine. The Solids Aurifil 50wt Solids: Description: Aurifil's 50wt/2ply thread is a favorite among quilters for good reason.This premium cotton thread boasts strength and durability while maintaining a remarkably thin profile. It produces flat and crisp seams, making it ideal for piecing. Uses: This thread

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Meet the Mayhem Makers: Kimberly

Quilting Mayhem is a big place; it’s 17,000 feet of fabric, sewing machines, and inspiration. And there’s a lot of hands behind the scenes making all of it work seamlessly (yes we said seamlessly!). For today’s post, we’re doing something a little different and sharing the people that make Quilting Mayhem the treasure it truly is. Let's meet the Mayhem makers! I'm Kimberly, and I work in Fabricland. Let’s start at the beginning. How did you get started quilting or sewing?   I started sewing when I started at Quilting Mayhem. The other staff are so enthusiastic and inspirational

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The B790 Pro is Made for You

Sometimes it's hard to get excited about a new gadget. You get the feeling that it wasn't actually made for quilters and their problems. Machine makers don't remember that sometimes threading the needle is fiddly. Or that a quarter inch seam can need a little guidance. Or the machine goes fast, but it sure goes loud, too. When we saw the new BERNINA 790 Pro, we knew it was different. The 790 Pro includes all the things a quilter needs to have the smoothest, most fulfilling sewing experience from their sewing machine. The 790 Pro is

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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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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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Temperature Quilt Along 2020

So, what is a temperature quilt? A temperature quilt is made up of either 365 or 366 blocks, one for every day of the year, using fabrics that correlate to the temperature in your area each day. You can start with the new year on January 1st or go back to a previous year and look up temperatures. Here are our top five tips for planning your temperature quilt.   Tip 1: Create a reference sheet for your fabrics.  Print out a chart to which you can add small fabric swatches to keep track of what colors to use

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cartoon render of a quilt shop

The Case for Quilt Shops: Why You Should Still Shop Locally

By Mindy Lennon, Founder of Quilting Mayhem If you are lucky enough to live near a locally-owned quilting or crafting store (like Quilting Mayhem in Snohomish, Washington), chances are, it has survived this long because it’s serving the needs of local creatives like yourself. Here are some of the many reasons you should shop local next time you run out of thread, fabric, notions, or project ideas: 1. Knowledgeable Staff Help You Find What You Need Quilting is a very specific form of art and creation and there’s always more to know. So why not shop where you might

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Guy looking at a large sewing machine on the horizon

How to Buy a Sewing Machine for a Quilter: The Ultimate Gift Buying Guide

Buying a sewing machine for a quilter is a wonderful act of love, but it can also be confusing (especially if you’re not someone who currently sews). Purchasing the top-of-the-line machine does not always mean it’s the right one, and buying a machine with the wrong features can cause confusion for the sewist trying to learn a new machine. On the plus side, buying a machine with extra features can give a person room to grow and expand their sewing knowledge. While there are many lists of “recommended machines,” it’s still hard to know what your

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a quilt tailor choosing fabric

We have a blog!…..Again

Yes, I am back at it again. It's been a couple of years since I worked on the last Quilting Mayhem blog, and a lot has happened since then. If you haven't come to visit us in the last year and a half, we have moved off of First Street and up to a much larger facility on Second Street in downtown Snohomish. This gave us the chance to expand everything, along with adding a larger Machine Service Center and retreat rooms that we rent. In light of a lot of brick-and-mortar quilt shops closing

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