Here is a great idea for Spring! You can get a new shirt or you can recycle a gently used shirt to make this adorable dress. The dress is super quick and easy to make and so comfortable for your Spring sweetie!

Here is a picture of a princess towel designed by one of Tazetta's most creative customers. Kelley purchased the Princess Crown Embroidery Design from Tazetta. She stitched out our original embroidery design and then attached just the bottom of the crown to a hooded bath towel she made. Look at her adorable little princess! What a fabulous idea! Thanks Kelley for sharing your creativity with us!

Here is a list of four basic sewing machine stitches. If you're new to sewing, practice these stitches on some fabric scraps to build your skills and confidence.

Straight Stitch
This stitch is used most often. You can adjust the length of the stitches, to suit your project, but a good standard is about 12 stitches per inch.

Reverse/Back Stitch
This is a stitch that sews backwards. It is usually a button or lever on your machine. You will use this for a few stitches at the beginning and end of your seams to keep them from coming undone.

Basting Stitch

There are many kinds of fabrics (we will discuss those in a future "Sewing 101" post). Patterns/instructions for projects on our site give fabric recommendations so that you can better choose a suitable fabric for that specific project. Whether it be searching through your stash of fabrics or picking out the perfect fabric at the fabric store, fabric is a fun part of the creative process.

Fabric is sold by the yard (smaller amounts, too). You may even use remnants for smaller projects. Most cotton fabrics should be washed before beginning your project and will also need to be pressed.

Tazetta is taking you back-to-the-basics. Whether you're new to sewing or trying to move on past beginner, you will find our Sewing 101 posts very informative. Please check back often, as we will be adding new Sewing 101 posts frequently.

This is a list of what I consider basic sewing supplies to keep in your "sewing basket". These are the supplies I keep handy in my sewing & design studio so that I can be prepared to start any project. Keep these on hand, and you'll be ready to start your projects, too.

*sewing machine (an embroidery machine & overlock machine are nice,too)
*thread in assorted colors (sewing & embroidery)
*bobbins (extra's wound in the basic colors or ones you use the most)
*scissors (embroidery scissors, shears, pinking shears, & paper scissors)
*tape measure & small slide ruler
*needles in assorted sizes (for sewing machine, serger, & hand sewing)
*pins & pincusion
*seam ripper
*marking pencils or pens (washable/air-soluble)
*iron & ironing board
*press cloth
*seam sealant (such as Fray Check)
*basic sewing machine feet (extra's are great, too)

Tazetta is always looking for creative and talented people to test their new patterns and eBooks before they offer them on the site. If you are interested in testing new designs, please email us for more details.