CategoriesBernina, Inspiration and Projects, Janome by

Why Sewing Machines Make a Great Christmas Gift

This Christmas, consider a gift that goes beyond the ordinary – a quality sewing machine from Kimz Sewing on the Sunshine Coast. More than just a present, it’s an investment in creativity, personal expression, and the joy of crafting. Here’s why a sewing machine makes the perfect Christmas gift.

Unleash Creativity: A quality sewing machine opens the door to a world of creativity. Whether the recipient is a seasoned seamstress or a novice eager to learn, a sewing machine allows for the creation of personalised, handmade items, from clothing and accessories to home décor.

Empowerment Through Skill-Building: Learning to sew is a valuable skill that promotes self-reliance. A sewing machine gift on the Sunshine Coast provides an opportunity for individuals to develop and enhance their sewing skills, fostering a sense of empowerment and accomplishment.

Customisation and Personalisation: With a sewing machine, the possibilities for customization are endless. From tailoring clothes to creating one-of-a-kind gifts, the recipient can add a personal touch to their creations, making each piece uniquely theirs.

Therapeutic and Relaxing: Sewing has therapeutic benefits, offering a relaxing and meditative outlet for stress relief. The rhythmic hum of a quality sewing machine can provide a calming escape, making it an ideal hobby for unwinding after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly: In an era of heightened environmental consciousness, a sewing machine promotes sustainability. The ability to mend, repurpose, and create, reduces reliance on fast fashion and contributes to a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

This Christmas, our quality sewing machines on the Sunshine Coast help you give the gift the joy of creativity and self-expression. Whether for a seasoned enthusiast or a budding beginner, it’s a present that keeps on giving, inspiring a world of imaginative possibilities.

Contact the Kimz Sewing team to learn more about all the quality sewing machines and accessories we stock on the Sunshine Coast. Our professional and friendly staff are always happy to help you with any questions you may have. Send us an email at kimzsewing@bigpond.com or pick up the phone and call (07) 5493 4977.

Quality Sewing Machines Sunshine Coast
CategoriesInspiration and Projects by

How to Choose Fabrics for Your Next Patchwork Project

Choosing fabrics for a patchwork project can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available here at Kimz Sewing, our fabric store on the Sunshine Coast. Here are some tips to help you choose the best fabrics for your next patchwork project.

Consider the pattern: The pattern you choose will play a big role in determining which fabrics you need. Look for patterns that specify the type of fabric required, such as cotton or flannel, and take note of any pattern repeat or directional prints that may affect fabric placement.

Clothing Patterns by Sew To Grow

Consider colour and contrast: Think about the overall colour scheme you want to achieve in your project. Consider using a colour wheel to choose complementary or contrasting colours that will make your project pop. You can also use neutrals, such as white or grey, to provide balance and contrast.

Dresden Plate featuring Alison Glass fabric and using Susan Cleveland’s Prairie Pointer

Consider the fabric weight: Different fabrics have different weights, which can affect the drape and overall look of your project. Choose lighter weight fabrics for a more delicate look, and heavier weight fabrics for a more substantial and durable project.

Tilda Pie in the Sky range

Consider texture: Mixing different textures can add visual interest and depth to your project. Consider using fabrics with different finishes, such as matte, shiny, or textured, to create a dynamic and engaging final product.

Sallie Tomato Dorothy Clutch made with glitter vinyl and woven fabric

Consider the washability: If your patchwork project will be frequently used or handled, consider using fabrics that are easy to clean and maintain. Look for fabrics that are machine washable and dryable, or that can be spot cleaned with ease.

Hexie Blossom Necklace – English Paper Piecing Project

By considering these factors, you can make informed choices when selecting fabrics for your next patchwork project. Visit our fabric store on the Sunshine Coast to browse our selection and find the perfect fabrics for your project.

Tula Pink Tiny Stripes

Contact us today at Kimz Sewing to learn more about how to choose which fabrics to use for your next patchwork project, and to sign up for our sewing and patchwork classes. Our professional and friendly staff are always happy to help you with any questions you may have. Shoot us an email at kimzsewing@bigpond.com or pick up the phone and call (07) 5493 4977.

CategoriesInspiration and Projects by

Top 3 Sewing Trends

As the world continues to change, so do the trends in sewing. What was once popular may not be anymore, and vice versa. Here are the top three sewing trends that are happening right now.

1. Focus on Comfort

Comfort is key for many people, especially as we spend more time at home. Cozy fabrics and loungewear inspired silhouettes are very popular right now. Look for machine washable fabrics that are soft and comfortable to wear like these flowy rayon prints by Lindsey of Sew to Grow.

Seoul Blossom Blouse
Sycamore Lane Dress
Bondi Top

2. Incorporate Fun Prints

Fun prints are also quite popular, as they can add some personality to your wardrobe. Florals, polka dots, and plaid are all popular choices. If you want to go for a more unique print, you can always find one that speaks to your personal style. You can also experiment with different colour blocking techniques to create a more interesting look.

Whole Lotta Love Rayon
Dazed & Confused Rayon
Rumours Rayon

3. Experiment with Different Textures

One popular sewing trend right now is to experiment with different textures. This can be done by using different fabric types, adding embellishments like beads or crystals, or even using different stitches from your sewing machine like Maddie’s dress below. This is a great way to add interest to your sewing projects, and it can really help you to stand out from the crowd.

Lanti Swing Dress made from Kaffe Fassett fabric
Close up of decorative stitches on the bodice

Contact us today at Kimz Sewing to learn more about sewing trends in Caloundra and to sign up for our sewing classes. Our professional and friendly staff are always happy to help you with any questions you may have. Shoot us an email at kimzsewing@bigpond.com or pick up the phone and call (07) 5493 4977.

Happy Stitching! Kimz Team x

CategoriesInspiration and Projects by

Pauline’s Quilters World Visit

We had the pleasure of hosting Pauline and her daughter Joey from Pauline’s Quilters World this month. They came to demonstrate some of their fabulous tools as well as quilt as you go and free motion quilting techniques. Pauline’s Quilters World is an online store selling patterns, tools & notions for quilters worldwide. They have many and varied youtube videos showing their great products and unique techniques and is definitely worth a look.

Pauline is the inventor of the original Sasher Tool which helps make stunning sashings for Quilt As You Go quilts and so much more such as:

  • very fine bias strips for applique and Celtic designs
  • peepers to highlight sashings
  • sashings with corner stones
  • bias strips for stems
  • double fold binding to bind quilts

You can see more of how to use the Sasher Tools here with Pauline.

We also have these great tools available here as a set of 10. Including sizes: 1/8″, 1/4″, 1/2″, 3/4″, 1″, 1 1/8″, 1 1/4″, 1 1/2″, 2″ and 2 1/2″ wide.

Pauline is famous for her Quilt As You Go methods and she brought along some of her quilts and talked about her techniques. Patterns are available for some of the quilts shown below (click on the image to go directly to the pattern available).

Animal Playground
Robot Family

Pauline demonstrated her method of free motion quilting using her templates and sewing with the feed dogs in the up position and regular sewing foot attached instead of a free motion quilting foot, making it a simpler technique for those who struggle with traditional free motion quilting.

It was absolutely lovely having both Pauline and Joey here at Kimz, bringing along their products and demonstrating just how many different ways there are to quilt as you go.

We know our ladies that came along for the demonstration got so much out of the morning. There has been many comments about how fantastic the event was and lots of questions about when Pauline is coming back. As soon as we can lock in a date for a workshop with Pauline we will announce it through our newsletter.

We have an amazing range of their products available including the very popular Quilt As You Go Handbook. There are so many fresh ideas in the book including layered and pinked sashing, sewing machine tension plus plenty of tips to help you along your quilt as you go projects.

Special thanks to Pauline and Joey for their time coming to Kimz and we look forward to seeing them both back again soon.

Happy Sewing!

CategoriesInspiration and Projects, Show & Tell by

Show and Tell 2021

Our annual Christmas Party was so much fun with a lovely group of our beloved customers. We announced our upcoming classes for next year including 3 block of the month programs including Spice Market, Twilight Time and Stitchers Garden. We had some great laughs, caught up with friends and enjoyed some drinks and nibblies.

As always the Show and Tell portion of the party was inspiring with lots of By Annie bags, quilts and machine embroidered projects. The image gallery below shows what our clever ladies have been up to throughout 2021. We think you’ll be just as impressed as we were by these fabulous makes!

Wendy, the winner of our lucky door prize pictured with Maddie

We would like to thank everyone who came along for a fun filled morning. Our annual Christmas Party is on the second Wednesday of December so mark your calendars for 2022.

Kim, Christine, Maddie and Melissa would like to wish all of our wonderful customers and friends a wonderful Christmas and safe and happy New Year. We hope to see you all for another awesome year of fun, friendship and of course…. SEWING!!!

Happy Sewing

Tula Pink Fabric Collection Patchwork Projects
CategoriesInspiration and Projects, Tula Pink by

Inspiration with Curiouser and Curiouser

I don’t think there is anyone in the sewing community that has not heard of the name Tula Pink. Not only is Tula an illustrator, fabric designer, quilter, author, and maker, she is also a Bernina Ambassador who has transformed the sewing world with her quirkiness and love of design. Tula’s unique artistic flair has been featured on fabrics, sewing machines, ribbons, hardware and so much more. To say we are big fans of Tula’s work is truly an understatement.

Tula’s latest range of fabric aptly named Curiouser and Curiouser, features elements from the English fairy tale by Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (commonly Alice in Wonderland). We are obsessed with this range of fabric and have made some projects using these fabrics to inspire and delight.

Firstly we have Patch the Pussycat in our inspiration gallery . This lovely fellow is designed by Pauline of Funky Friends Factory fame. Pattern includes easy step by step instructions and templates but is not recommended for beginner sewers.

As you can see from our sample above, the Cheshire cat fabric in Daydream by Tula was the purrrfect choice, as well as her co-ordinating fabrics for that patchwork look.

Next up we have the fun Zip It Up designed by Annie Unrein of ByAnnie patterns. This handy zippered organiser features pockets made from both mesh and vinyl for easy visibility of your contents.

Again we’ve chosen the Cheshire cat fabric this time in the Wonder colour with Tula’s co-ordinating fabrics. The bright pink zip we paired matched beautifully with the the rich colours of the fabrics.

Bag patchwork project
Tula Pink Prints and Sewing projects

Lastly in our inspiration gallery, we have one of our wonderful customers quilt block. Deb has made this in the very popular “Oh My Block” class we have each month. This particular block is called Columbian Star and is available to download here from the Art Gallery Fabrics.

Fat quarter bundles are available including Daydream and Wonder colour ways. These bundles really make it easy to co-ordinate your fabrics for projects.

Renaissance Ribbons in the Curiouser and Curiouser range have become a best seller and add a touch of luxury to any project. Use these ribbons to embellish your bag projects, pet collars, lanyards and more for that perfect finishing touch.

If you’re lucky enough to snag one of the Mad Hatter Quilt kits than you are in for a real treat! This gorgeous quilt features fabric ranges Curiouser and Curiouser, True Colors and Cotton Solids by Tula Pink. We love the whimsical tea pots, cups, hats and animals along with the vibrant coloured fabrics.

Tula Pink Quilted Blanket
FreeSpirit Mad Hatters Tea Party Quilt featuring Curiouser and Curiouser by Tula Pink

Pair your quilt with the perfect backing using Tula Pinks Big Buds sateen fabric from the Curiouser range. This is a stunning, large scale print wide back featuring Tula’s big rosebuds along with tossed playing card suit symbols.  Perfectly seamless for the BackSide of your Tula Pink Curiouser & Curiouser quilts and other projects!

Big Buds Wonder
Big Buds Daydream

I hope this inspires you to create something truly wondrous from the Curiouser and Curiouser range of fabrics and if you do, please send us a pick…. we would loooove to see it. Tula Pinks next fabric range DAYDREAMER will be in store before the end of the year and we’re very excited! Need a preview of the new range? Click here to see them in all their glory from FreeSpirit Fabrics and we’ll keep you posted on when they will be arriving.

Happy Sewing!

CategoriesInspiration and Projects by

3 Ways to Create Quilt Labels

Including a Quilt Label to our finished quilts is something I’ve noticed many quilters tend to leave off. Why do we do this after we have laboured days, months even years to create an original work of art? Creating quilt labels may sound like a daunting task but really what you are doing is preserving valued information for future generations to enjoy.

So what information could you include on your quilt label?

  • Your name (you’ve done the hard yards, put your name on it and be proud!)
  • The date or place the quilt was made
  • The name of the recipient
  • If there was a specific event for which the quilt was made eg. wedding, birthday, graduation
  • Special care instructions to increase the longevity of the quilt
Quilt Labels Maroochydore
Example of Machine Embroidered Quilt label with detachable care instructions

1. Write on Pre-printed quilt labels or Fabric

For this technique ensure you are using a Permanent Ink Fabric Marker like the Sewline Stayer Pen to ensure the ink does not bleed, smudge or wash out. If you are worried your handwriting isn’t the best, use a computer to create your label and print onto paper, dark enough to see through the fabric. Lay your label fabric piece over the top of the printout and trace slowly using your fabric marker. Pre-printed Quilt labels usually include a light printed frame and sometimes a cute image like the Bronwyn Hayes Quilt Labels pictured below.

Quilt labels warana quilting pre printed fabric labels
Bronwyn Hayes of Red Brolly – Pre-printed Quilt Labels

There are also many downloadable blank quilt labels that you can use to add your information to. Here is one we have created for you as a free download.

Kimz-Blank-Quilt-LabelsDownload

2. Print your label onto Printable Fabric or use Transfer Artist Paper

Design a quilt label using your computer. Follow the directions included in the packaging and print onto Inkjet Printable Fabric. To use the Transfer Artist Paper, reverse your quilt label before printing. You can then iron to transfer directly to the back of your quilt or onto a separate fabric piece to then be stitched onto the quilt.

  • Inkjet Printable Fabric
  • Transfer Artist Paper

3. Machine Embroidery or Alphabet Stitches

Using computer software that digitizes embroidery designs (like Janome Artistic Digitizer or Bernina Embroidery Software), create your label and save as a file your machine will recognize eg. Janome = jef, Bernina = exp. Upload the file to the embroidery machine and stitch out onto hooped fabric. You will need to have an embroidery machine to make this type of quilt label, like the samples below. Alternately if your sewing machine can stitch letters, you can also use these for a similar type of quilt label.

Whichever method you choose to create your quilt label, I highly encourage you to add this personal touch to your finished quilt, as it lives on through the decades and is cherished for the warmth and comfort it brings.

Happy Sewing!

CategoriesBernina, Inspiration and Projects by

Trends In Sewing!

This cold weather makes for the perfect atmosphere to stay inside, enjoy a warm drink and start a new sewing project. Let’s have a look at some of our favourite latest trends in sewing to test our skills with over the colder months.

Full Tulle skirts
Tulle is always an interesting fabric to work with, it is known to be one of the trickier fabrics to sew, however the many possibilities for volume and shape in your design make it a challenge well worth taking.

Trends In sewing Needles

Kimz tips for sewing with Tulle; Use needles Universal 70/10 or 80/12, select a straight stitch with a length of 1.5mm and press using a low-temperature dry iron.

Huge Puffed Sleeves
Puffed sleeves are everywhere at the moment. Spice up your favourite dress or top pattern with a pair of puffy sleeves for a very in season touch.

Trends in sewing sewing machines needles sewing tools Sunshine Coast

Kimz tips for sewing gathers for Puffed Sleeves; Use a Gathering presser Foot, select a stitch length of 4.0mm and use a different colour thread in your bobbin to make it easier to see which one to pull.

Feel good patterns and prints
With early 2000’s fashion making a comeback, now is the perfect time to spice up a garment design with a bold, feel good pattern or print. Especially anything in pink, orange, light purple and sage is sure to be on trend this season.

Basics with a twist
Layering is a staple in these colder months, so basics with a twist are always fun to spice up a look. This usually means constructing a look predominantly with basics but including one or two staple items to be an eye catcher. This is your chance to try your hand at upcycling those second hand finds to turn a bland item into a staple; whether it means embroidering, tailoring or decorating however you see fit.

sewing machines Sunshine Coast trends in sewing 2021

Check out these embroidery machines, which are perfect for adding those extra special touches to garments for a one of kind look.

Patchwork & exposed seams
Patchwork fabrics are also getting a moment in the spotlight this season. Pick up a few fun fabrics with your favourite colours or designs, try your hand in patchworking and make a super fun new winter garment. Bonus points if the seams are exposed (let’s see how neat your seams truly are).

Craft and sewing patchwork store Sunshine Coast

These new cotton fabrics designed by Anna Maria Horner from her “Bright Eyes” range, would be perfect for snazzing up your winter wardrobe.

Getting ideas but not sure where to start? Our timetable includes popular workshops in Dressmaking, Quilting, Patchwork and Bag Making. We have many options including sit and sew groups and classes with tuition from our experienced teachers helping you get the most out of your sewing journey. Check out our latest classes below and book in via our website, email, phone or drop in to book.

Happy sewing!

CategoriesInspiration and Projects by

Room With A View

Room With A View is another fabulous By Annie pattern which focuses on storage. These handy storage cases can be made in small, medium and large sizes and with the clear vinyl window you can see at a glance just what's packed inside.

The great structure is from the By Annie's Soft and Stable which is easy to sew and creates soft cushioning for your items tucked inside.

Our Room With A View samples have been made in the stunning Libs Elliott "Stealth" range of fabrics available here. Don't they both look amazing?

Pattern is available now on our website

We have upcoming classes so you can make your very own Room With A View. You can contact our store for all the details and to book in. You must own an original Room With A View pattern to attend this class. All supplies are available in store and online.

Happy Stitching! Kimz Team x

CategoriesInspiration and Projects, Show & Tell by

Show & Tell 2020

Wow... what a year 2020 was! Here at Kimz we ended the year with our annual Christmas Party.

As always we encouraged our ladies to bring along some of their amazing makes from throughout the year and we were inspired by their creations.

Tina completed her quilt. This was our Block of the Month through 2020. The original pattern by Wendy Williams was modified for our classes.

Tina completed her "Over The Hill" quilt. This was our Block of the Month through 2020. The original pattern by Wendy Williams was modified for our classes.

Tina finished this stunning foundation paper pieced quilt "La Vie Est Belle". Pattern by Jacqueline de Jongue of BeColourful Quilts. Quilted by our very own Pamela Jones.

Judith made her "Foxley Village" which was our 2019 block of the month quilt. This pattern is by Natalie Bird of The Birdhouse Designs and combines both applique and piecing. Quilted by Lisa Reynolds.

Liz has been making a few ByAnnie bags. Here pictured is the "Bon Voyage" tote bag and the "Running with Scissors" she made here in class.