If you haven't already had the pleasure, let me introduce you to Clinton Modern Creative. It's more than an online fabric shop: in addition to fabric, you can find notions, interfacing, patterns, and thread. As the name suggests, Clinton Modern Creative carries a curated selection of modern fabrics. Even though sewing can be very traditional, there's a new community of modern creating, and you'll find the right mix of fabrics for that here! 
Let's take a look at some of the goodies to be found here...
(Keep reading for details on the giveaway)

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Bundles

Not only are there bundled collections, but there are also curated bundles and even "random choice bundles" - who doesn't love a surprise?! The bundles come in varying sizes from charm packs to half yards and there are so many to choose from. Bonus: you save 10% when you buy most bundles!

Modern Fabric
​Oh my goodness, where to start?! All of my fave designers in one place! Alison Glass, Libs Elliott, Cotton + Steel and more! 

I'm loving this new Confetti line, and more is coming to the shop soon.

Love me some Libs! ​

For Cotton + Steel, you'll see there are loads of Basics, which aren't basic at all, and plenty from collections too.

I could go on about all the pretty fabric, but you should go see for yourself.


Interfacing and Stabilizers
A variety of interfacing in stock means you can order everything from one place and and maybe even save on shipping, since you get free shipping with minimum order (see details here). There's even bag making interfacing, like woven fusible and foam!


Notions, Thread and Extras
Take some time to browse the categories to see all the goodies available. You can find spools and cones of Aurifil thread, coloured mesh, clips, rulers, and more. 

Do you suffer from FOMO?
I think we all occasionally have fear of missing out when we see beautiful fabric collections coming up. Well, fear not! Clinton Modern Creative has pages of preorders so you can make sure you never miss out on a collection again.

Win this stunning bundle of Tula Pink All Stars and coordinating Pom Poms and Stripes! To enter, take a gander at the Clinton Modern Creative site and tell me something about it that you liked. It could be something that surprises you, a favourite designer they carry, a notion you've been looking for...anything really! Leave a comment below and we'll pick a winner at random. For a bonus entry, follow Clinton Modern Creative on Instagram, and let me know by leaving a separate comment. While you're at it, check out the Facebook page and give it a like if you fancy. 
​Entries will be accepted until 11:59 PM PST, April 3, 2018. Open to Canadian and US residents.
Update: Giveaway closed; winner announced soon!

Thanks to everyone who joined and followed along with the Minikins Bag Swap! It was a lot of fun seeing all the different Minikins being made and swappers new and experienced being giddy with their happy mail. 

My partner said she likes animals and purple was among the colours she listed as her likes, so I made her this cotton candy pouch with Tula Pink's Fox Nap and some purple glitter vinyl. I also added some bling from Emmaline Bags, with the new iridescent rainbow finish of the zipper end and zipper pull.

I was so lucky to receive this Moto Pouch and my partner also made me this great card, it's so perfect! I really love the selvage on the handle.

There are so many more great Minikins to see; check out #MinikinsBagSwap on Instagram.

Now, for the moment you've all been waiting for...as mentioned in the swap announcement, Sara of Sew Sweetness is offering up 2 prizes of store credits for random winners from the swap participants. I used random.org to select 2 participants as winners.
The winner of the $50 shop credit is Heidedro
The winner of the $25 shop credit is Sinclairtc

​Congratulations! 

I hope everyone enjoyed the swap. I'm not sure when I'll host another one next, but stay tuned for more giveaways and other fun stuff!

There's something so therapeutic about the weaving process: creating and then repeating a pattern to make a larger, stronger piece - it's just plain fun! Kids love it too, so today's tutorial includes an invitation to the kids to join us. I used Kraft-tex to make Easter baskets and since it's a non-fraying, double sided, strong material, it's the perfect "fabric" for these baskets. 

Here's what you'll need:
roll of Kraft-tex - grab a couple different colours to mix it up, or you can colour on it to add variety to your basket
scissors/rotary blade
sewing machine
optional: rivets and setting tools  

You may be able to find Kraft-tex at your local sewing shop, or you can find it online at C&T Publishing. In Canada, Flare Fabrics has a great selection of beautiful colours.

Begin by cutting the main panel, you'll need a piece 9" x 24" 
Once your main panel is cut, mark a 1" border all the way around, you can use a pencil and erase it later (remember this is paper we're working with) or you can use any other removable fabric marker.

Now mark long lines every inch as cutting guides.

Now cut along those lines, making sure to stop 1" from the short edge previously marked out. For this step, I used the rotary blade for the middle of my cuts, and then used scissors close to the end for more precision.

Remove your marking lines, your panel should now look like this

Prepare the strips to weave in: you'll need about 20  9" x 1" strips. I added a few pieces of glitter vinyl because it reminded me of sparkly Easter eggs. Note: Math says we need 22 strips, but unless your weaving is extremely tight, you won't be able to fit 22 strips in there.

Here's where the kids come in! We just did a simple weaving pattern of "over one, under one" but feel free to experiment with other patterns.

All done!

Once the weaving is done, sew a basting stitch at each end of the panel to secure the strips in place. Then trim off any excess to bring the panel back to 9" x 24" 

Bring the short panel ends together and overlap one end 1" over the other, clip in place and sew together, forming a tube. This is the trickiest part. You may need to stop half way, and start again from the other end.

​Now cut a circle of Kraft-tex matching the size of the tube (I just traced around the tube).

Clip the circle to one end of the tube and sew in place with a 1/2" seam allowance.

(If you've only used Kraft-tex, then your tube doesn't have a right way or wrong way yet; if you've used one-sided materials - like glitter canvas - then you'll want to turn the tube inside out before attaching the circle)

Once the circle is sewn on, the basket will be inside out, so turn it right side out - this is easily done by folding the tops down and then pushing the bottom out. Once the basket is right side out, the bottom seam won't be visible from the outside.

We're almost done! To finish the top, fold over the top inch toward the inside and sew in place with a 1/4" - 1/2" seam allowance.

For the handle, cut a strip of Kraft-tex 1" x 17" and sew or attach with rivets from one side of the basket across to the other. I placed the rivet 1/2" from the top of the basket.

Now you're ready to go on your Easter Egg hunt! 

If you're looking for some new ideas to fill the Easter basket, how about a custom Easter Egg for the wall? Remove it and reuse it each year. Use code REECE to save 10%