By David Urmann
Sewing is a well-known craft that dates back to olden times. Its beginning stemmed from as
early as the Paleolithic age. The advancement of sewing machines had made sewing procedures much quicker and simpler. There are various stitches and methods used.
Patterns are graphical sketches in a paper that will be basis for a sewing project. Sewing patterns are normally comprised of two elements:
1. The individual parts that make up the item
2. The instructions for fitting together the item.
Use a dressmaker chalk to transfer patterns onto cloth/fabric, or trace the pattern with a tracing wheel.
Three Methods of Making Patterns:
• The drafting pattern method entails sketching or outlining a pattern straight onto paper pattern with the use of lines and curves. This is common in sewing apparels.
• The draping pattern method is three dimensional. A fabric is actually draped onto a subject to see the actual flowing effect. This method is best for more decorative and intricate designs that a sketch can not capture.
• The flat pattern method starts with the crafting of a sloper. A sloper is a pattern for a tight skirt or fitted corsage or bodice customized to the measurements of the user. Slopers are often made of cardboards with no specified styles or seam allowances.
Here is an easy project to hone your sewing skills:
TROUBLE-FREE TOTE BAGS
Tote bags can are functional small bags fit for traveling. Here's how to make one:
Materials:
(Feel free to alter materials to your taste)
a. Nylon fabric
b. 20 pieces of 1-inch thick nylon webbing. You can decide for the length of the straps that can go well with your needs. With the use of a candle or lighter, melt and unify the nylon webbing's raw edges to thwart it from disentanglement.
c. Thread. (Choose one that fits your fabric material)
Procedure:
• Fold the fabric in half.
• Sew the two side seams with a ½ inch margin
• Turn the raw edges by ¼ inch and sew.
• Turn under 1 inch of the upper border to the inside portion of the bag.
• Pin in position and stitch edges.
• With the wrong sides of the bag out, fold the sides such that they only on top of the underside fold of the bag.
Strap Placement and Finishing:
• Cut bag strap to desired length.
• Position the straps at an even gap from the side seams.
• Sew a square shape to the strap ends connecting the side seams.
• Accentuate your new bag with laces or beads.
For more information on Make your own sewing patterns and Sewing Pattern Reviews please visit our website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Urmann
Scrapbooking Supplies and Essentials
By Rebecca Garnett
Scrap booking albums
There is a huge variety of scrapbook albums on the market today. Some of the more common sizes are 6 x 6, 8.5 x 11 and 12 x 12. The great thing about scrapbook albums is that you can add and subtract pages from them whenever you want. There is an opening t the back where you can take the protective pages in and out. You will be able to update your album or make changes easily.
They come in a variety of colors and patterns so you can specialize for whatever occasion you're looking for.
Paper
Paper is like the albums, it is available in many colors and designs. There is also a huge selection of theme paper. If you want paper for weddings, birthdays, Christmas, etc...you'll have many options to choose from. Paper made specifically for scrap booking is acid-free, lignin-free and archival quality. Try and carry a large variety of paper sizes and colors. You never know what you're going to work on next and you don't want to be limited. Think outside the box! Buy patterned paper and colors something that you wouldn't normally use and try to incorporate them. You would be surprised what you can create.
Embellishments
Embellishments can be a huge range of different items. Some of the more common ones used are:
Stamps, Glitter, Ribbon, Buttons, Stencils, Words etc...
You can also use different shaped punches for a design.
Journaling
Journaling is one of the keys to scrap booking. People always love stories, so it's good to write a story to go along with your photos. You can either hand write them, use rub on letters or the computer.
Using the computer gives you a variety of fonts and colors them print and attach your story to your layout.
Besides journaling using just one word can tell a whole story. Sometimes I will design an entire layout with just one word!
There is a variety of magazines and books on scrap booking. Looking through these will spark creativity in you and will help give you some ideas you wouldn't have thought of before.
Plus they have all the latest creations and contests!
Show your layouts off and have some fun!
Rebecca
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rebecca_Garnett
Scrap booking albums
There is a huge variety of scrapbook albums on the market today. Some of the more common sizes are 6 x 6, 8.5 x 11 and 12 x 12. The great thing about scrapbook albums is that you can add and subtract pages from them whenever you want. There is an opening t the back where you can take the protective pages in and out. You will be able to update your album or make changes easily.
They come in a variety of colors and patterns so you can specialize for whatever occasion you're looking for.
Paper
Paper is like the albums, it is available in many colors and designs. There is also a huge selection of theme paper. If you want paper for weddings, birthdays, Christmas, etc...you'll have many options to choose from. Paper made specifically for scrap booking is acid-free, lignin-free and archival quality. Try and carry a large variety of paper sizes and colors. You never know what you're going to work on next and you don't want to be limited. Think outside the box! Buy patterned paper and colors something that you wouldn't normally use and try to incorporate them. You would be surprised what you can create.
Embellishments
Embellishments can be a huge range of different items. Some of the more common ones used are:
Stamps, Glitter, Ribbon, Buttons, Stencils, Words etc...
You can also use different shaped punches for a design.
Journaling
Journaling is one of the keys to scrap booking. People always love stories, so it's good to write a story to go along with your photos. You can either hand write them, use rub on letters or the computer.
Using the computer gives you a variety of fonts and colors them print and attach your story to your layout.
Besides journaling using just one word can tell a whole story. Sometimes I will design an entire layout with just one word!
There is a variety of magazines and books on scrap booking. Looking through these will spark creativity in you and will help give you some ideas you wouldn't have thought of before.
Plus they have all the latest creations and contests!
Show your layouts off and have some fun!
Rebecca
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rebecca_Garnett
Collectibles Can Make an Exciting Hobby Or Business
By Daniel Wright
Everyone has a little bit of a collector somewhere inside them, even if they don't recognize it. Some people pick up shells on the beach, others collect interesting looking rocks while hiking, and some of us just can't resist keeping newly minted coins. Collections don't have be expensive. What makes each collection worthwhile is its importance to the individual who compiled it.
Any physical object centering on an interesting theme can become a collectible item. With the right theme, you'll find that almost anything can be extremely valuable. You'd be amazed what some collectors are willing to pay for ordinary objects, as long as they relate to the theme of their prized collection at home.
If you want to become a collector, just look around and you will see an infinite number of objects to start collecting. For example, you could collect postage stamps, teapots, antique photographs, or any number of other objects. Whatever your chosen collectible, you will find that you will put much energy and love into building your collection.
They will have their favorite pieces within their particular collections. They gather these things with lot of passion. For instance, some put all their focus on the collection of jewelry. Their assortment may include necklaces, rings, earrings or bracelets. You can find these items at flea markets or antique stores which store jewelry. You may also find them at garage sales depending on the type of jewelry the person is accumulating.
There are even collectors who search extensively for rare collectibles. Once he or she locates the particular item, they will get a wonderful feeling of achievement. Some people start collecting at a very small age and the passion continues throughout their life.
Rare coins, old coins, stamps of different countries, paintings of famous painters, antique jewelry and unique items all represent precious collectibles as far as those who like to amass these items is concerned, whether they are a beginner or have been in this hobby for years.
If you are a person who is an ardent collector and who has a particular knack for amassing rare items, then you will certainly like to get older memorabilia from the different soda companies. Fans of Coca-Cola throughout the world have spent many hours hours accumulating things to their collections which bears the company's famous logo. Many prefer Coca Cola cans and Coca-Cola memorabilia as collectibles over other Coke merchandise which is available in the market.
Soda-Pop-Collectibles.com features Coca-Cola collectibles as well as vintage Coca-Cola cans, and soda pop memorabilia of every size, shape, and type. Also, check out our videos of soda pop collections, classic ads, and more!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Wright
Everyone has a little bit of a collector somewhere inside them, even if they don't recognize it. Some people pick up shells on the beach, others collect interesting looking rocks while hiking, and some of us just can't resist keeping newly minted coins. Collections don't have be expensive. What makes each collection worthwhile is its importance to the individual who compiled it.
Any physical object centering on an interesting theme can become a collectible item. With the right theme, you'll find that almost anything can be extremely valuable. You'd be amazed what some collectors are willing to pay for ordinary objects, as long as they relate to the theme of their prized collection at home.
If you want to become a collector, just look around and you will see an infinite number of objects to start collecting. For example, you could collect postage stamps, teapots, antique photographs, or any number of other objects. Whatever your chosen collectible, you will find that you will put much energy and love into building your collection.
They will have their favorite pieces within their particular collections. They gather these things with lot of passion. For instance, some put all their focus on the collection of jewelry. Their assortment may include necklaces, rings, earrings or bracelets. You can find these items at flea markets or antique stores which store jewelry. You may also find them at garage sales depending on the type of jewelry the person is accumulating.
There are even collectors who search extensively for rare collectibles. Once he or she locates the particular item, they will get a wonderful feeling of achievement. Some people start collecting at a very small age and the passion continues throughout their life.
Rare coins, old coins, stamps of different countries, paintings of famous painters, antique jewelry and unique items all represent precious collectibles as far as those who like to amass these items is concerned, whether they are a beginner or have been in this hobby for years.
If you are a person who is an ardent collector and who has a particular knack for amassing rare items, then you will certainly like to get older memorabilia from the different soda companies. Fans of Coca-Cola throughout the world have spent many hours hours accumulating things to their collections which bears the company's famous logo. Many prefer Coca Cola cans and Coca-Cola memorabilia as collectibles over other Coke merchandise which is available in the market.
Soda-Pop-Collectibles.com features Coca-Cola collectibles as well as vintage Coca-Cola cans, and soda pop memorabilia of every size, shape, and type. Also, check out our videos of soda pop collections, classic ads, and more!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Wright
A Ventured Hobby - How to Turn a Hobby Into a Joint Venture Money-Making Strategy
The best businesses are out of personal interests and hobbies. A classic passion-turned-profit story is Microsoft. Bill Gates became one of the wealthiest when he developed the writing language or software of personal computers. Computers were his sole interests then.
Like Bill Gates, small and home businesses can also have the same fate. ChocolateFarm.com is one of them. The Colorado company sells chocolate online. The chocolate business was out of the joint hobbies of making chocolates and internet. What is more surprising is the joint venture was started and owned by 2 young entrepreneurs-Elise MacMillan, 10, then, and Evan MacMillan at 13. Elise cooked the chocolate while Evan managed the Web.
How do you get your hobby turn to money?
First is research. You may know everything about your hobby, but making business out of it is not a well-explained territory to most hobbyists. Conduct a market and competitive analysis. To most, such study is the market feasibility study. Know the size of the market you are entering. Are there buyers of the hobby-turned-product or service? Are there other sellers or similar business in the area you are proposing to establish your new business?
Second, know the future market of your hobby business. Knowing your market and competitiveness is not enough. You must also know long-term condition of your market and competitiveness. You must know whether your market will stay longer or not. Check if your hobby is just a passing fad that will often instantly disappear. Also check if the market you are developing out of hobby will encourage more similar businesses in the future. Thus, your future competitiveness will slowly be marginalized.
Lastly, find your business partner or just mentor to complete your joint venture. He/She can be your friend who has a business management degree or experience. Having a business partner or mentor will guide you in successfully turning your hobby to earning business. With the joint venture, you can focus on developing your hobby into a marketable product or service while your partner manages your business. Of course, general business direction will jointly be planned.
Joint Venture Specialist. Rivers Corbett is a six figure income earner in the MLM industry, Award Winning Entrepreneur and Expert in training people how to build a massive organization using the power of the internet. Sign up for his FREE 7 Day Boot Camp. Click Here http://www.mlmoutlaws.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rivers_Corbett
Discover Yourself With an Online Photo Journal
By MJ Johnston
Each of us has come to earth to experience a journey through a thing called life. While we are here we have many things to learn in order to help us progress into happy, successful productive people.
Creating an online photo journal through online photo sharing stories is a way to find out who you are and sort through the lessons you are learning. Journals have long been used for this purpose and putting them online and adding photos makes them all the more compelling and creates more vivid memories.
Online photo sharing stories help people to journal their lives and experiences which they can choose to keep private or share with others. Sharing your journal with others can help them develop a greater understanding of what your life is like and what their own lives were about.
Some journals even help chronicle history. Anne Frank's father had her journal published because he believed the honesty in the way the story was told, she never expected anyone else to read it, would really give people an idea of what it was like to experience the holocaust. A deliberate writing of the story would lose so much of the purity that Anne's writing had. Helping people understand each other creates a greater sense of community throughout the world and makes people want to help each other.
Even though most of us are not living under constant threat of our families and lives being taken by Nazis, each us face our own trials and difficulties. We also each have our own joys and triumphs. Even Anne in her cramped quarters with seemingly so little to look forward to managed to find joy in the everyday experiences of life. When we better understand ourselves and how to find joy we can give our lives more meaning and purpose. Online photo sharing stories can be the tool to help us on the path to self discovery by helping us keep detailed photo journals of our lives.
Keeping a journal is not only a great way to discover yourself, but it is a great way to chronicle a moment in history. Each of our lives have meaning and purpose, a purpose that goes beyond the mundane tasks of daily living, and sharing with one another gives us greater understanding and strength for our own journeys. Creating online photo sharing stories makes our journals so much richer and more meaningful and could even give us an opportunity to affect the world in a positive way. Your pictures provide a glimpse into your world and the events that make it special and your words help to sort through the emotions and put the events in context. It is never too late or too early to start journaling with online photo sharing stories.
MJ Johnston writes for a variety of websites, including Hoorray, a photo sharing site that offers the quickest and easiest way to enjoy online photo printing.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=MJ_Johnston
Sell Handmade Crafts - It's Your Ticket to Freedom
By Steve Jardine
Do you have a hobby you love that involves making crafts? Do you wish you could just make and sell handmade crafts and leave your 9-5 job behind? It's not fantasy, it can be done. It's not easy, no it's not, living a dream never is! But it really can be done.
There are three things you need to think about before you can begin to live your dream.
1. What hand made crafts sell?
It's all very well having a hobby that you love to do, perhaps it's card making or pottery, but will it sell? The worst thing you can do is put time and money into starting a crafting business just because you enjoy making crafts and your family and friends tell you your crafts are lovely. This is not enough market information to make a start. So do some research. The best place to do this is online, look at popular craft websites, ebay, crafts forums etc.. You will soon get a idea of what is popular and sells.
2. Test your selling and marketing ability using ebay.
In order to sell handmade crafts you need to not only find the right product but you also need to learn a little about effective marketing and sales. Set up an ebay account and start selling your crafts. Your aim here is to test your sales abilities such as product headlines, descriptions, image creation, pricing and so on... At this stage you are not looking to get rich but to see if you can create good sales 'copy' that works for your products. Try out lots of different styles and approaches to see which works best. This 'testing' process is very important.
3. Choose an online or offline sales strategy, or both.
Once you have done some testing on ebay you can progress onto the next stage. Choose the sales routes you will use in order to sell your handmade crafts. Popular offline sales routes are craft fairs and shows, shop consignment, community and school fairs, craft parties and so on. These are great ways to sell your crafts. The downside is they are time consuming and you would need to have a good amount of stock. However the biggest drawback is that you can only sell to a small number of people, such as those attending a craft fair. The big benefit of online sales through a website or auction site is that you can sell to the whole world! Your market is truly massive. This is where the biggest potential lies for leaving your 9-5 job behind and becoming a full time crafter.
If you are seriously considering how to sell handmade crafts a good starting place is to think about what crafts sell, then test the market then go for it using the sales method you prefer. But remember your biggest potential market will be through online sales so put that at the top of your business strategy.
If you want to know how to sell your crafts online and increase your income go to http://www.howtosellcrafts.com/
Steve Jardine is a well known online crafting entrepreneur. He runs the popular crafting and internet marketing blog http://www.craftsblog.co.uk/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Jardine
Do you have a hobby you love that involves making crafts? Do you wish you could just make and sell handmade crafts and leave your 9-5 job behind? It's not fantasy, it can be done. It's not easy, no it's not, living a dream never is! But it really can be done.
There are three things you need to think about before you can begin to live your dream.
1. What hand made crafts sell?
It's all very well having a hobby that you love to do, perhaps it's card making or pottery, but will it sell? The worst thing you can do is put time and money into starting a crafting business just because you enjoy making crafts and your family and friends tell you your crafts are lovely. This is not enough market information to make a start. So do some research. The best place to do this is online, look at popular craft websites, ebay, crafts forums etc.. You will soon get a idea of what is popular and sells.
2. Test your selling and marketing ability using ebay.
In order to sell handmade crafts you need to not only find the right product but you also need to learn a little about effective marketing and sales. Set up an ebay account and start selling your crafts. Your aim here is to test your sales abilities such as product headlines, descriptions, image creation, pricing and so on... At this stage you are not looking to get rich but to see if you can create good sales 'copy' that works for your products. Try out lots of different styles and approaches to see which works best. This 'testing' process is very important.
3. Choose an online or offline sales strategy, or both.
Once you have done some testing on ebay you can progress onto the next stage. Choose the sales routes you will use in order to sell your handmade crafts. Popular offline sales routes are craft fairs and shows, shop consignment, community and school fairs, craft parties and so on. These are great ways to sell your crafts. The downside is they are time consuming and you would need to have a good amount of stock. However the biggest drawback is that you can only sell to a small number of people, such as those attending a craft fair. The big benefit of online sales through a website or auction site is that you can sell to the whole world! Your market is truly massive. This is where the biggest potential lies for leaving your 9-5 job behind and becoming a full time crafter.
If you are seriously considering how to sell handmade crafts a good starting place is to think about what crafts sell, then test the market then go for it using the sales method you prefer. But remember your biggest potential market will be through online sales so put that at the top of your business strategy.
If you want to know how to sell your crafts online and increase your income go to http://www.howtosellcrafts.com/
Steve Jardine is a well known online crafting entrepreneur. He runs the popular crafting and internet marketing blog http://www.craftsblog.co.uk/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Jardine
Go Shopping the Green Way by Making Your Own Grocery Bag
By Otto Kreistler
One of the things that this consumerist society calls for is an item that can store all your needs, buys and purchases when you need to take them home. And the best thing that has been developed thus far to cater to this need would definitely be the grocery bag. But because of environmental concerns, even the grocery bag has been met with much controversy because of the sheer number of it that has to be disposed every year, especially plastic bags.
But should this bother or hamper your shopping experience? Of course not! Because with a little ingenuity you can create your very own homemade grocery bag. Making a grocery bag isn't all that difficult especially if you know what you're doing. And of all kinds of paper bags it is perhaps the paper grocery bag that would be most desirable among all of them.
Not only is it the most environmentally friendly grocery bag of all of them, because of its biodegradability, it is also the most attractive looking grocery bag that can be readily made at home. So if you want a sense of style combined with your eco-warrior stance, then this is definitely the way to go.
All you need to create your very own paper bag would be 2 meters of Kraft paper, a needle and some sturdy thread, and a pair of scissors. You can begin by cutting out a 42 in x 16 in sheet and an 8 x 5 in piece from your paper. After you do this, fold the larger piece to the standard paper bag 8 x 5 x 16 inch dimensions, and connect the edges using your sewing equipment. And taking your smaller piece, attach it to one side of your bag, and voila! You have your paper bag! Feel free to customize and accesorize after this. Be sure to use strong thread however, lest your bag fall apart when carrying a substantial amount.
The paper bag is one of the best friends you can bring along with you in any shopping experience. But sometimes the versatility of a plastic bag is needed. To find out how to make this one, visit: http://howtomakestuff.com/2008/04/01/clothing-and-accessories-26/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Otto_Kreistler
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