Whenever the seasons change, I make an effort to put together new hand sewing projects. Last winter I organized three portable projects and left them in my car, near my favorite chair, and by my desk. I find hand sewing so relaxing because it takes minimal physical effort and while I sew my mind can wander.

When you make a quilt, at some point you will have to consider the quilt binding. You may opt for an elaborate binding that makes an impact on the overall design, a simple and subtle binding, or no binding at all.

Dimensional flowers lend beauty and texture to a piece of fiber art, but they are not easily accomplished. When I saw Barb Forrister's demonstration of how to make realistic looking flowers with a combination of machine embroidery and surface design techniques, however, I was intrigued and wanted to share the process with you.

I'm a sucker for bag and purse patterns. If they feature appliqué hexagons or are made with a fun, contemporary fabric, so much the better.

As you read this, picture me curled up on a comfortable chair by the fire, hand sewing. Although that's probably not the case, it's certainly what I would like to be doing on a cold, snowy day, wouldn't you?

I enjoy raw-edge appliqué for many reasons. It's certainly a faster way of appliqué quilting than than hand appliqué and I like the extra texture it brings to my fiber art.

Our foremothers knew how to make a quilt using only what they had, from scraps of fabric to natural dyes. But, quilt making the frugal and eco-friendly way was easier for them: