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  • Published on

    4 Helpful Sewing Tips

    Ideas

    Whether you are new to the art of sewing, or if you have been stitching for years, these four simple tips are designed to help you master your sewing projects so they turn out with professional quality results. 


    In the images below you will:

    • Learn the value of preparation for your sewing projects. 
    • Discover the importance of pressing every seam. 
    • Find out why you should respect the grainline of your fabric. 
    • Keep in mind how often you should replace the needle of your sewing machine. 


    With implementation of these four helpful tips, you will advance in your efforts to master the quality factor of your sewn pieces

    An image of a basket of sewing essentials with a sewing tip.
    An image of a hand-drawn dress design with sewing advice.
    An image of a black background with words about sewing advice.
    An image of a sewing pressure foot with sewing advice for replacing a needle in your sewing machine.
  • Published on

    Sewing Machine Care Guide

    Tutorials
    An image of a sewing machine with a list of supplies needed for sewing machine care.

    If you love to sew and want to keep up with the maintenance of your sewing machine, we have tips for cleaning and maintaining it. With just a few supplies, you can keep your sewing machine clean and well-tuned for regular use. 


    Gather your supplies:

    • Sewing machine oil 
    • A small machine brush 
    • A lint brush or small paint brush 
    • A screwdriver 
    • A soft cloth 


    Follow the instructions in the images below to:

    1. Prepare your sewing machine for cleaning
    2. Clean your sewing machine 
    3. Oil your sewing machine 
    4. Put your sewing machine back together 
    5. Wipe down your sewing machine 
    6. Test your sewing machine
    7. Helpful tips for sewing machine care
    8. When to seek professional sewing machine servicing 
    An image of a pressure foot on a sewing machine with instructions for cleaning it.
    An image of machine oil in a container, with instructions for oiling a sewing machine for maintenance.
    An image of a needle and pressure foot on a sewing machine, with directions on how to reassemble parts after maintenance.
    An image of a hand pressing a button on a white sewing machine, with instructions for cleaning and testing the machine.
    An image of a needle and pressure foot on a sewing machine with instructions for standard sewing machine maintenance tips.
  • Published on

    Creative Drawing Printables for Kids

    Coloring Homeschool

    We have another set of free printable pages for you! These creative pages are great for keeping your kids busy while using their creative art skills. 

    An ad for free creative printables for kids to have fun drawing.

    The fun part of these activity pages is that children may "complete the drawings" by adding their own artistic ideas to the printed images.

    My Creative Book coloring page - complete the drawings.

    Below you will see how the printable pages have rectangular sections with doodles. The activity is to turn the doodles into "something" using your own creative ideas. Click on the image below to access the free printable pages!

  • Published on

    How to Make Paper Plate Animals

    Homeschool Ideas

    Here is an easy craft project to make with your kids! Together you can create cute paper plate animals. Family craft time is bonding time, which means you have the opportunity to create memories while you complete this craft activity. This project is simple and fun, and the end result will be adorable. We hope you get photos of your family with the finished paper plate animals. But most of all, we hope you enjoy your time creating together. 


    For this project you will need: 

    • Paper Plates
    • Construction Paper
    • Non-Toxic Markers, Crayons, or Paint
    • Kid-Safe Scissors 
    • Glue Stick or School Glue
    • Googly Eyes (optional)
    • Cotton Balls, Pipe Cleaners, or Buttons (for added decoration)


    Below you will find the image with specific instructions for these six project steps: 

    1. Choose your animal.
    2. Make the base design. 
    3. Add special details. 
    4. Attach the eyes. 
    5. Decorate in your own fun way. 
    6. Finish and show it off!
    A list of materials needed to make paper plate animals.
    Craft project directions to make paper plate animals with kids.
  • Published on

    Five Simple Kitchen Tips for Food Prep and Storage

    Recipes

    Today we are sharing some simple kitchen tips with you that will help you prepare food easier and give you great suggestions for ideal food storage.


    Learn how to:

    • Keep Cookies Soft
    • Pit Cherries Without a Pitter
    • Prevent Ice Cream from Melting Quickly
    • Keep Brown Sugar Soft
    • Peel Garlic Easily


    Below you will see our five simple food prep and storage tips that you may wish you knew sooner!

    Use bread to keep your cookies soft...

    A kitchen tip for keeping cookies soft.

    Use a chopstick to pit cherries...

    A kitchen tip for pitting cherries without a pitter.

    Use bubble wrap to slow ice cream melting...

    A kitchen tip to prevent ice cream from melting quickly.

    Use marshmallows to keep brown sugar soft...

    A kitchen tip for keeping brown sugar soft.

    Use a microwave for easier garlic peeling...

    A kitchen tip for peeling garlic easily.
  • Published on

    How to Make DIY Pressed Flower Candles

    Tutorials

    With only five supplies needed, you can make your own DIY pressed flower candles. Here we provide the simple directions for this easy craft project.


    First, you will need to gather your supplies:

    • Plain Pillar Candles
    • Pressed Flowers
    • A Small Paintbrush
    • A Tea Light Candle
    • Tweezers


    You will use melted wax from a tea light candle to attach your flowers to the pillar candle. It is really easy to do!


    You may make these beautiful candles for gifts or to use around your own home. They provide a handmade element combined with the beauty of nature. The flowers are naturally pretty, and they perfectly accentuate the warm glow of a candle.


    Follow the instructions in the image below to decorate your pillar candles with pressed flowers.

    Directions for DIY Pressed Flower Candles

    Tip: If you are looking for directions to dry and flatten your flowers, check out the instructions in our "Pressed Flower Bookmark" tutorial on our Secret Sister Blog.