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Watching Project Runway every week gives me the itch to pull out my own sewing machine, no matter how dusty it is! I'm getting inspiration from the show and from the geeky crafts I'm constantly seeing. I've also noticed an influx lately of new sewing machines that are simpler, with big graphic buttons (dare I say more Apple-like?) — my own is a Singer, and I truly believe that I was as willing Read more
If you entertain dreams of sewing like a fashion designer, you're in luck! On November 1, the sewing machines used by all of the Project Runway contestants are going to be available at Amazon.com, with prices starting at $500. The computerized machines by Brother allow beginners and experienced seamstress alike to easily piece together one-of-a-kind clothes. Before you know it, you could be Read more
Heavy-duty camera bags are great for the bumps and bruises of traveling, but for everyday life we'd like something a little, well, softer. The latest DIY, a camera cozy from crafty blog A Beautiful Mess, takes care of our camera case need and what to do with the fabric from a tired vintage dress sitting in the closet. Made of upcycled material from old clothing, we love a DIY that saves money Read more
We're thrilled to present this smart Wise Bread story here on Savvy! Recycling fabric is a powerful green living and cost saving strategy. Denim is one of the coolest fabrics to do it with. It's sturdy, gains character with age and can be acquired very inexpensively at yard sales or in your own "old clothes" closet. Some of the coolest ideas I've found? RELATED: 16 Ways to Make Your Clothes Read more
Feeling crafty this weekend? Interested in adding some DIY elegance to your Thanksgiving table? Then you're in luck! I wanted to share this napkin tutorial I created a few years ago. These napkins are pretty easy to sew, even for beginner seamstresses. Impress your guests this holiday season with handmade napkins. Over the weekend, I made a slightly more complicated version of our DIY napkins, Read more
Dust off the sewing machine! For many mamas, Halloween memories include standing still as their own mothers draped and measured them for their homemade costume each year. With so many beautifully handmade items available on sites like Etsy, it's no wonder many moms are opting to buy their lil ones' costumes these days — but there's still a contingent that takes pride in crafting their own. Read more
Sometimes we need to step back from the wonders of prepackaged goods and tech overload to get back to our handcrafted, DIY roots, but finding the proper inspiration is daunting. Whether it's sitting down at a sewing machine, knitting a sci-fi hat, or creating hacks to make your computer easier to get along with, these books guide the reader to a life they can confidently make all on their own. Read more
We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy! Wendy Downs is the owner and founder of Moop, an online shop that sells stylish, utilitarian handmade bags for men, women and children. Is it successful? Just ask her devoted fans, who rave about the quality of both the bags and the customer service. Wendy’s success seems almost too easy. The four-year-old business turned Read more
I love Penhaligon's fragrances, but its new scent, Sartorial ($135), is enough to put a person in stitches. It's supposed to smell just like the interior of famed Savile Row tailor's shop Norton & Sons. Lest you think the notes must be something suitably Old Boys Club like tobacco smoke, leather, and cedar, though, the fragrance is said to "evoke the masculine scent of sewing machines, Read more
Abandoned houses become art in the Heidelberg project in Detroit. — Hooked on Houses Take a peek at a haute new hotel in New York City. — The Nest Learn how to keep tile surfaces spick-and-span daily. — ShelterPop Chalkboard contact paper labels will be your new BFF. — Shelterrific I love the quaint, nostalgic interior design by Solange van Dorssen. — Desire to Inspire Learn how Read more
