XTRA Blogs | Craft Gossip


Gütermann Mara 70 vs. Coats and Clark: Which Thread Really Rules
Wed May 06 3:52 am

Let’s settle this once and for all.
For the past six months, I’ve been putting two of the most talked-about sergers — the Brother 1034D and the Juki MO654DE — through an absolute gauntlet of real-world tests. I’m talking raw Read More...

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The World Is Finally Catching Up: Craft Retreats Are The Burnout Cure We’ve Known About All Along
Tue May 05 11:14 pm

There is something rather satisfying about watching the rest of the world suddenly discover something crafters have quietly known for decades: making things with your hands is good for the soul.

The Wall Street Journal recently highlighted the rise of Read More...

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Easy Crafts to Make for Father’s Day
Tue May 05 11:49 am

Homemade gifts are the best for holidays like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, and these easy Father’s Day crafts are great for kids to help with and that make useful gifts for dad. 

I love a good picture frame craft … Read More...

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How to Prepare Raw Wool for Felting
Tue May 05 1:00 pm

There’s nothing more satisfying than taking raw fleece straight from the sheep and turning it into something beautiful — whether that’s a soft felted scarf, a warm pair of slippers, or a skein of handspun yarn.

Working with raw wool Read More...

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How To Start Jewelry Making: Beginner Tools, Supplies, Tips And Easy First Projects
Tue May 05 1:00 pm

Jewelry making is one of those crafts that looks tiny and tidy from the outside… until you suddenly own 47 packets of jump rings, three kinds of pliers, beads in every possible shade of blue, and absolutely no idea Read More...

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This Pickled Bums Project Is Exactly the Kind of Cheeky Craft We Love
Tue May 05 1:00 pm

Sometimes a craft project shows up that is polished, practical, and beautifully styled. And then sometimes a project shows up that is completely ridiculous, a little bit nostalgic, and guaranteed to make people laugh. That is exactly where Pickled BumsRead More...

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How To Clean A Fabric Shower Curtain
Tue May 05 10:00 am

Shower curtains are one of those things we all pretend not to notice until one day we really, really notice them. The bottom edge starts looking a little grey, the plastic liner has that suspicious pink-orange tinge, and suddenly the Read More...

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How to Make Marinara Sauce at Home
Tue May 05 10:00 am

If you have ever wanted to know how to make marinara sauce from scratch, this is one of those kitchen basics that is absolutely worth learning. A good homemade marinara sauce is rich, simple, and full of real tomato flavor Read More...

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10 Quick Weeknight Crochet Projects
Tue May 05 10:00 am

Quick weeknight crochet projects are my favorite kind of crochet, because sometimes you want the satisfaction of finishing something before bedtime instead of staring down a blanket that will still be there next month. The best ones are small, useful, Read More...

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12 Handmade Graduation Card Ideas using Stamps, Stencils and Dies
Tue May 05 9:09 am

Christina’s graduation card uses a cool layering cap stencil for the background. There’s a heat embossed sentiment and the rest of the images: frame, diploma, date, star and large cap are all die cut and it’s the perfect way to Read More...

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Patriotic Cross Stitch to Celebrate America 250
Mon May 04 3:47 pm

The United States has a pretty big birthday coming up, and lots of cross stitchers seem to be celebrating with commemorative patriotic cross stitch designs. If you want to stitch up something special for America 250, check out these patriotic … Read More...

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Knit Summer Tops with a Bit of Lace
Mon May 04 11:55 am

This time of year I annually try to convince everyone that you can still knit and wear knit garments in the summer. One way to do that is knitting short sleeved or sleeveless shirts. But you can make it even … Read More...

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