Kid’s project: BBQ Aprons for Father’s Day

June 19, 2026

In CraftLAB, we made aprons using the free pattern and video instructions from Made Everyday. (Thank you for a well-fitting, easy to follow project.)

Note that it will probably take you longer than 30 minutes to make the apron on your first try. Allow a couple of hours if you are sewing with kids or are a beginning sewist.

The fabric shown is a heavier-weight denim with minimal stretch I found at Hobby Lobby. The girls chose to add a contrasting cotton fabric for the pocket lining. Thread used exactly matches the denim to help hide topstitching variations.

Three suggestions:

(1) Two ironing stations will make the process flow much more smoothly when sewing with friends.

(2) Use a tube turner to make the ties and neck band. Cut the fabrics as indicated on the pattern, but fold fabric in half RST lengthwise and stitch along one side and across the bottom of one end of the tube. Clip the corners before turning. Love how this video explains things.

(3) If sewing with kids, consider lining the apron. This will eliminate all of the folding and pressing required to finish the raw edges. Shorten the main pattern piece by 2″ before cutting out. Omit the facing piece. Add front pocket as directed. Create ties and neck band as desired. Attach ties and neck band in positions as indicated in video instructions. Place front and lining RST and sew around using a 3/8″ to 1/2″ (or edge of presser foot) seam allowance. Leave a 6″ opening along the bottom to facilitate turning the project right side out. Press and topstitch around the entire apron using 1/4″ seam allowance (or whatever you prefer).

I’ll be making one for me with some personalized touches: contrast pocket lining and matching flower applique on the bib. I’ll also shorten the neck strap by 2 inches because I want a little more coverage.

The value conscious quilter shops for thread

June 15, 2026

Thread. It’s kind of required to piece blocks and make a quilt. Like everything else, the price of thread has risen 25% or more over the past couple of years. It doesn’t seem to matter if it’s Aurifil, Mettler or Coats & Clark.

A recent financial news segment reported that shoppers across all economic levels are now seeking value when they go to spend their hard-earned money. It’s one of the reasons Wal-mart is still doing reasonably well in the current economy. I get it – especially when it comes to groceries and household items. Previously, I did most of my weekly shopping at the local Publix. More of my grocery dollars now go to Lidl, Aldi & Wal-mart because the same brand name product is cheaper and/or the store’s private label brand is equal to the national brand. This is what a value shopper does – seeks the best quality product for the most reasonable price – not necessarily the cheapest price. Those savings add up.

You probably have a favorite brand of thread that you prefer to use – just like I do. And chances are, it’s not available at your local Wal-mart store. Here are three strategies to help you get the most value for your thread purchases:

(1) Stick to basic colors: off-white/natural, light beige, light gray and a medium/dark gray.
Jenny Doan shared during a class I took at the Garden of Quilts that she only keeps neutral colors on hand for piecing and quilting. This, coming from someone who has easy access to every color spool of thread imaginable! No need to collect carefully curated thread collections (that can require a substantial investment on your part) unless that’s your thing.

(2) Comparison price shop before you buy. A single 1422 yard spool of Aurifil thread is almost $17.00 at an area LQS, $16.00 on Amazon and $15.00 at Missouri Star Quilt Company. However, if you buy a 3 spool pack on Amazon (with several curated neutral assortments available), the price drops to less than $13.00 per spool, with free shipping because the order amount is over $35.00. That’s a $12 savings (for 3 spools of thread) versus the local quilt shop. I also don’t have to spend time and gas driving to the shop and back home. (With gas at $4.49/gallon right now, I prefer to utilize free shipping whenever possible.)

(3) Substitute another brand of thread. Wonderfil (Efina & Konfetti) and Superior Threads (PIMA) offer products that are similar to Aurifil. The unit price per yard of thread is about the same for all three companies. Try a small spool of the competitor’s product and see how well it performs in your machine. Good? You now have an option, that might be on sale at some point.

My thread “value” shopping secret? Hobby Lobby’s Egyptian cotton 50/2 thread in 1200 yard cross-wound spools. (Compared with the Superior PIMA product, it makes me wonder if both products are actually made by the same company.) Anyway, you won’t find it in the thread display cabinet on the end cap at Hobby Lobby. It’s sold near the presser feet and sewing machine accessories on the peg board notions wall.

To me, this thread sews just as nicely as the “national” brands. The only drawback is the very limited range of colors. However, the $4.99 price point is super budget friendly – especially if you sew a lot of projects for different charitable organizations.

Photo by Arturo Au00f1ez. on Pexels.com

Starting summer off with a bang

June 10, 2026

Well, sort of. Ruby Mae experienced a “boo-boo” on our way home from a therapy dog visit today. We were minding our own business on I-285 west near the New Northside Drive exit/I-75 split when I heard a loud thunk and watched a bullseye appear on my windshield. No dump trucks around. The offending rock must’ve been thrown up by a box truck or semi near me. Anyway, the windshield replacement is scheduled for tomorrow at a reputable local automotive glass company – not the dealership where I purchased the vehicle.