Sew, Sew Me! Making My Own Clothes in 2013

This past Christmas, I was invited to several parties. I also kept seeing all my fabric I have piled up in my craft room. Suddenly it hit me, why not make my own clothes, and start with some Christmas outfits.

I pulled out some sewing patterns, and green sequined fabric. I even put myself to a time limit. I made a top in a couple of hours.

No one told me that sewing sequined fabric was difficult with a sewing machine. So I was left to sew the top BY HAND. Yes every stitch by hand, but I got it done in a few hours.

I was channeling my mother who could whip up a dress by just looking at it, and in a couple of hours. She always told me "no one will see the inside." She was right.

Just Sew or Re-Purpose in 2013

I have a room full of boxes of sewing patterns, fabric, and a sewing machine. I've decided and will do my best in 2013, to make ALL my own clothes. This does not include under garments. I don't think bras will be easy to put together. Leave that to the professionals.

I'm either going to make something new to wear or re- purpose clothing I already have or that I find at a thrift stores. I grew up shopping at thrift stores and garage sales, and let me just say---there is a lot to be found at these places.

So I'll keep you posted with my new projects.  I hope to inspire you to sew or at least try it.  I'm also allowing myself to buy fabric when it’s on sale. Here I come Jo-Ann Fabrics, Hancock Fabrics, Hobby Lobby. I am not a professional seamstress. I'm a journalist by profession.

Now what to do with all those gift cards I got for Kohl’s and JC Penny?

There's nothing better than someone saying "I love your top." Sew, sew me!

Craft Masters: Reality Show Competition for Crafters!

Move out of the way "Real Housewives of Orange County."  Step aside Donald Trump and "The Apprentice."  The crafters are taking over the competition thanks to "Craft Masters."

I recently got to be one of the competitors on this production by Michael's  craft store.  I wondered when a show like this would finally allow us crafters to show that we can compete and create some awesome crafts.

As I told the shows producers, I'm a reporter by day and a "Martha Stewart" by night.  Lights, cameras, action!  It was so much fun to create under pressure.  But if you're like me--you're most creative when you have limited time.  Did I win?  You'll have to watch...

Congrats to Darlene who won. Though I made her a bit nervous, she did give me kudos for giving her the glue tip for her eggs.  Darlene and Cathy were so much fun to get to know, and I love what they created.

Watch all the episodes and leave comments.  I'm hoping Michaels can sell this web series to HGTV or DIY channels.

Crafting is a great way to save money and make one of a kind gifts, and it lets you use your hands on something other than the computer.

Happy Crafting!
Rebecca Aguilar

Texas Woman Honors Our Fallen Heroes with a Needle and Thread

Sometimes it just takes something as simple as a needle, thread and fabric to make a difference.  Here's  a story about a Texas woman who uses her sewing talents to reach out to the families of our fallen heroes.

Diana Lopez Axthelm creates "Forget Me Not" pillows, and sends them to the parents of those who have lost their lives in wars past and present.   Here is the video that I produced as part of a longer news story for pegasusnews.com.

May this story inspire you to take on your own giving project.

The Best Crafters: One Stop Shopping for Inspiration

Be creative!

I have a passion for writing.  I guess that's why I am a journalist by profession.

I like surfing the web and discovering the best crafters.  I actually think that every crafter out there is an artist.  Whether you knit, crochet, sew, paint, scrapbook, rubber stamp; it's creative art.

To me the best crafters have a story behind their art.  I was inspired by my mother, Rebecca.   She could look at a dress int the store and then go home and just whip it together in hours.  It would usually come out looking better than the one at the store.

Mom in her cool shades

We didn't have much money when I was growing up; so my mother put her creativity to work.  Every two years she'd reupholster our furniture.  Every year we had new curtains.  Each of the five kids always had a new knitted scarf.

My mother made my dresses and jackets for school.  I guess I should have appreciated that they were all originals.  She would make clip on earrings from buttons, and string together her own flashy bracelets out of beads.

What my mother taught me is that being creative and taking chances is inspiring.  It's also just fun makings something that either you or someone else can enjoy.

Me--the reporter

The Best Crafters blog is the place where you can come and just enjoy.  I'll be sharing stories, blogs, websites of the best crafters and artists from around the world.

I'll also be sharing some how-to project ideas, and maybe some of my own crafts.

Let's have fun!
Rebecca Aguilar