It is important to keep the most important space of the house, the bedroom, clutter-free. Keeping it organized makes the room look cleaner and the created atmosphere feels positive. Also, your bedroom is a space where you spend most of your time. So, make sure it has good vibes and is easy to live in. If you have clothes thrown around in your bedroom, you will never feel like stepping in. This can then play with your mind, and you might end up having a dull mood, thanks to the mess. Here are a few quick ideas to maximize your room space, so that you can store more!

Start with the closet
Now, your wardrobe is a space which you use almost every morning and night. If you keep your wardrobe shelves messy, you will always end up wasting time fining your favorite clothing items. If you have a roomy space or a compact bedroom, your closet plays a big role. So, tackle this first. Separate the clothes according to occasions, and create more such categories. There can be categories like polo shirts, neckpieces, formal pants, ties, socks, nightwear, etc. Once this is done, set all the items you picked for a category in that space. When it comes to bedroom storage ideas, baskets can play a huge role. Get wicker basket to stuff any laundry or loose clothes you might have on hand.

Make ample use of bed storage
The next thing that you can arrange is your bed storage. Whatever clothes that you won’t be using in the given season can be kept inside this space. Quilts, extra furnishing items, winter clothing items, gadgets, etc. can be stuffed here. Basically, whatever is used occasionally can be kept here.

Create space for toys
If you’re doing a kids’ room, you need to have colorful products and creative ideas. If you do this one, and you will no longer fret seeing your little one’s toys. There are many awesome storage ideas available for the kid’s room as well to keep it clean. The main storage items include use of treasure chest or toy boxes to store toys of children in them. Storage boxes are available in different sizes and shapes and make the room of kids look neat and attractive.

Keep the drawers organized
Now, your bedside tables need to be organized from time to time. For this, you can basically get a tray with multiple compartments to storage tiny items like rubber bands, combs, skincare products, jewelry, etc. Smart bedroom storage ideas like this one, can save you a lot of time and effort. The drawers that are not easily reachable can have items like sanitary napkins, lingerie, sunglasses, travel essentials, extra chargers, etc.

Use the door well
Here’s something that is often ignored by most of us. The back of your doors can come really handy when it comes to storing shoes, accessories, make-up products, kids’ clothing items, etc. Bedroom storage ideas might be difficult to scout, but once you’re on it, organizing things can become really easy. Just get one of those canvas or fabric wall hangers that have small compartments in it, and hang it behind the bathroom door or the closet door.

Do you love needlework? Then you must obviously be in love with embroidery, which is one of the best forms of needlework. Embroidery is one of the best hobbies anyone can have and the best part is that it can be done by a person of any age. But first, you must get a proper insight into this famous embellishing art and its varied type of stitches.

• Surface embroidery stitches
  In surface embroidery stitches, your needlework will know no boundaries, but only that of your creativity. So let your imagination fly high. Several stitches are included in the surface embroidery stitches, some of which are chain stitch, back stitch, Cretan stitch, satin stitch, and fish-bone stitch. No matter what you want to stitch on your favorite handkerchief, you can do so with the surface embroidery stitches, which circumscribe most of the stitches in this form of needlework.

• Cross stitches
  If you have the spirit to learn something new and if you love embroidery, then you should definitely learn cross stitch. As its name suggests, it is exactly in the shape of an X. Whether you are on a train or bus or anywhere else, you can just take your needles and other equipment along with you and finish a project on your way.

• Knotted stitches
  Have you ever thought about which is your favorite stitch? If not, then a French knot must definitely be one. Whether it is a French knot or a Bullion knot or a four-legged knot, a knotted stitch is definitely different from the rest of the stitches. Although it is considered difficult by beginners in the art of needlework, once you have mastered the simpler ones, a knotted stitch should be a cakewalk.

• Straight stitches
  Straight stitch, as the name suggests, creates long straight stitches, which can be grouped together to form patterns. Straight stitches can be mostly seen in stitching leaves, geometric designs, or flowers. If you are confused on how to give a textured look to your piece of needlework, then straight stitches can work perfectly well. If there is any building block of stitching projects, then it is the straight stitches, which can be used to create almost any form.

• Pulled work
  Pulled work is a special form of needlework in embroidery, which requires drawing of the fabric threads in the desired way to create a lacy outcome. During this process, the thread is never cut. This is mostly done in mono-colored fabrics. They are an entirely different form of embroidery and are exquisitely beautiful.

• Hardanger stitches
  Hardangertitches are called so because they originated for the first time in Hardanger. They involve various forms ranging from cut work to blocks of satin stitch, geometric patterns, and even intricate designs. But they are mostly worked upon a fabric called two-thread Hardanger fabric.

So, now that you know the various types of needlework, you should certainly give it a try. Gift your loved ones embroidered materials made with your own hands.

In the good old days, you might have heard or seen images of knitwear and wondered how painstakingly the artisan has put it. You might even have seen your grandmother making one and marveled about the needlework. But did you know that there are 12 major types of it? Let us take a sneak peek into their types.

1. Applique: It is an ancient type of needlework, where the decorative pieces of one layer of fabric are applied to another base, or another textile or layer.

2. Bead embroidery: As the name suggests, it is simply the submission of beads to a fabric and weaving a pattern in them. The possibilities are endless with this.

3. Crocheting: This type of needlework is made by inter-looping yarn or thread with a hooked needle. It has been practiced for centuries and is one of the common types during medieval ages.

4. Cross stitch: This is a common type of needlework used in a regular pattern of stitching. It can be used on a wide variety of fabrics.

5. Hand embroidery: This is the type where a yarn is used to decorate a piece of fabric. This can be done with beads, jewelry, and even gold.

6. Knitting: This is a household needlework method. Usually done with 2 knitting needles, loops are created in the yarn and the loops are interchanged using the needles. This is a great stress buster.

7. Needle felting: This type of needlework is usually done using wool yarn. More professional artisans prefer this method over conventional means.

8. Needle lace making: Laces are an integral part of needlework. They throw the attention towards them in any fabric. They can be made with just a thread, pair of scissors, and a needle.

9. Needlepoint: This is a type of artwork where you will need to count the number of threads across your canvas. The stitches have to be laid over the surface area and depend on the size of your pattern. Many factors are taken into consideration while making a needlepoint.

10. Punch needle embroidery and rug making: This is a separate art in itself and a hollow needle is used to determine the type of thread to use. Usually, these types of work require a frame and have to be tight to the core.

11. Quilting: Most of us might have heard of quilting, but may not have realized that it is a type of needlework. In this type of needlework, a thread is used to join at least three layers of fabric and forms a padded quilt material. The fabric can be of multiple types.

12. Tatting: This is an art of lace making and a crochet hook is used for making the laces. Patterns are created through this and are looped into the spaces where the decorative richness can be exhibited.

Are you having trouble with your new-found habit of keeping scrapbooks? Or are you not having second thoughts on putting some beautiful and utterly creative add-ons to your project? It is time to stop worrying because now your creativity will be lent a helping hand. Have you heard of Cricut? If not, here is an insight into the equipment. Brought to you by Provo Craft & Novelty, Cricut is a wide range of die-cutting machines that can be used at your residence to help you out with all your exciting pursuits. You can make your creative endeavors more prominent with all the added help to have a colorful vibe.

Among the many items that Cricut can be used to cut through are paper, fabric, and felt. Though vinyl, fondant, and some other products can also be cut using Cricut. You can also avail yourself of some other die cutting machines in the market, but Cricut is by far one of the most popular and desired due to its ease of use.

How to use Cricut?
It is true that Cricut can help you to make your activities super easy, but before that, you would have to learn how to work with Cricut. At first, you need to take a look at the objects that you would need to get started with this endeavor. All you require are a Cricut Machine, Cricut Cartridges, Cutting Mats, and Cricut Card Stock or Paper. Once you have these, you can begin exploring your creativity with Cricut.

Step-by-step instructions to proceed

Step 1: First to install the cartridge. Put the cartridge into the slot. There are lots of available options, and soon you will get to know which ones work best for your activities. Now you would need to place the keyboard overlay (this comes with the cartridge) on the face of the Cricut machine.

Step 2: Now you would need to plug into your Cricut machine and have it turned on. You need it to place it securely on a plane solid surface for proper functioning.

Step 3: In the next step, you would need to insert the material that you want to cut, like paper or vinyl on to the Cricut cutting mat and make sure that it is firmly attached to the Cutting Mat. Now you need to load it into the die cutter of the machine. Make sure you hold it firmly and put it into the feeder. Next press “Load paper” on the machine. The paper would then be loaded.

Step 4: As part of the next step, you have to select the size of the die cuts.

Step 5: Now select a design using the keyboard. You can use the handbook to pick a design. You can even cut multiple designs at one time.

Step 6: After you have chosen the size and design, press the “Cut” button. Now sit back and wait for the result and be amazed by the wonders the machine can do.

Step 7: As soon as you are done with it, “Unload Paper” and you have the Cutting Mat with your expected design. If the material is not cut properly, redo it after adjusting the depth of the cutting blade.

Step 8: The last step is to take out the design from the Cutting Mat. For intricate designs, use a knife if need be.

Do you love to maintain your own scrapbook? Or are you too creative and always end up adding beautiful designs on your projects? All these are very lovely and welcome habits, and there are ways to make these cute habits of yours grow more potent. You do not need to bear a load of all the troublesome part on yourself anymore. Yeah, you heard that right. There are ways to make the messy part less hectic, and that is where Cricut comes to your aid. Brought to you by Provo Craft & Novelty, Cricut is a broad range of die-cutting machines usable at your residence that can help you out with all your interesting habits.

The Cricut machines are so designed that they can cut through paper, felt and vinyl. Among other products that can be cut are fabric and fondant and variousothers as well. There are also many die cutters available in the market, but the versatility and ease of use of Cricut make it a far more desired product than many others.

Cricut Models
Now let us walk through the various Cricut models and learn what each of the products is capable of achieving. You need to get accustomed to the various Cricut models and cartridges they use before you can choose the right one for yourself. The cutters operate based on the cutting parameters that you have fed into the machine and you can think of it as quite analogous to a desktop printer. The four well-known models are the Cricut (original), the Cricut Expression, and then there is the Cricut Expression 2 and the Cricut Mini for you.

Cricut Original – A 6″ x 12″ Cutting Mat is lodged in the original Cricut and can make images that are in the range of 1″ to about 5 1/2″ tall. The best part about the original Cricut is that it is compatible with all the available Cricut cartridges, though it is not as powerful as the new models. It lacks the ability to cut the various types of materials its other younger siblings can. This machine makes a Deep Cut Blade and Housing that will allow its’ owners to cut through material that is 1.55 mm thick and therefore,magnet, chipboard, and other stamp materials can be cut. Also, it supports the Cricut Design Craft Room software.

Cricut Expression – It has some advantages over the original. The first among which is that it allows to cut shapes in the range of 1/4″ to 23 1/2″ and has a 12″ x 12″ cutting mat, with adjustable slides. It can also cut a wider range of materials that would include vellum and thin foils. The lovely thing is that it features an LCD screen that allows seeing a preview of the work, and has features like Quantity and Auto-Fill. The machine has a paper saver mode and allows choosing between portrait and a landscape orientation. It includes two cartridges, the PlantinSchoolBook and the Accent Essentials.

Cricut Expression 2 – This version has an updated exterior compared to its predecessor. It has the same 12″ x 12″ cutting mat. The designers have made it lose the conventional keyboard and has a new touch LCD screen in its place. The keyboard is displayed on the screen and allows proper placement of the images. It has an added feature that allows you to perform independent sizing and rotation.

Cricut Mini – As the name suggests, it is a mini cutting machine and works only with a computer, with the help of the Cricut Craft Room Design software. Some 500 images are automatically available as soon as the software is installed. The machine allows usage of all available cartridges, except the Cricut Imagine cartridges. It cuts images in the range of 1/4″ to 11 1/2″.

Sewing machines have helped do away with the inconvenience of needles and thimbles and many other such frustrating tools that were used in conventional hand sewing. Thus, these machines have automated the process of stitching and saved loads of time. Since the time of its invention, the sewing machine has undergone ample changes for the better.

Sewing machines can be of different types depending on what fabric they will work on or their efficiency and environment. For instance, sewing machines that are designed for household purposes need to be handled by one person. These sewing machines would use a single stitch type to sew individual items. Industrial sewing machines are far more diversified. They can handle lots of different fabrics and are designed for varying tasks. Thus, they have different size, appearance, and cost and are also larger and faster in comparison to home sewing machines. Let us learn more about how to maintain sewing machines.

Sewing Machine Maintenance Tips
There are routine measures that you should undertake for the proper care of your machines. Also before starting, you need to make sure that you unplug your machine if they are electrical or computerized models.
Clean up – After finishing your projects, you must make sure to remove lint from the machines. Also, clean the fabric and thread from crevices and cracks and clean all the areas that can be opened. You can use a brush for such purposes.
Oil – You should use sewing machine oil that prevents rust and helps in smooth functioning. After application, use scrap fabric to soak up an excess of oil that runs out. Wait for some more time and repeat the process to make sure that there isn’t an excess of oil.
Check for wear and tear – You should take care of any loose or worn screws. Also, inspect the electrical wires for any signs of damage. Make sure that the connections are all firm and secure.
A lot of sewing machine problems can be avoided with simple adjustments. For instance, replacing a damaged or slightly bent needle or adjusting the tension can make a huge difference in your stitches.

Sewing Machine Repair Help Hiring Tips
While choosing a professional for hire to repair your sewing machine, you need to consider the following:
One with experience – You should choose a technician who has plenty of experience with dealing your model. Some professionals are better at working with the older mechanical models, while some would be experienced at handling the newer computerized models.
Estimated cost – Always make sure to ask for the cost so that there is no hassle at the end. A $100 should be enough if you do not need to change machine parts. The cost would generally depend on the problem and the availability of parts.
House calls – You should try to get a house call because some of the machines may be extremely difficult to move. And if you absolutely need to move the machine, try to get the original packaging materials or get it properly packaged before trying to move it.

Who could have not seen a sewing machine? Hardly anyone. It is a machine that can be used for stitching fabric and other materials together with the help of a thread. The first sewing machines are believed to have been invented during the first Industrial Revolution to reduce the amount of manual labor needed to do sewing work in the clothing companies. The sewing machines have greatly improved over the ages since its invention by Thomas Saint in 1790. The sewing machine can be considered to have been one of the huge pillars that have supported the clothing industry through increased productivity and efficiency.

The sewing machines available today are diverse in design depending on their purpose and environment. The ones for personal uses in households are designed to be handled by a single person to sew items and use a single stitch type. Industrial sewing machines are, however, more diversified in their size and appearance.

With every machine comes the problem of repairs and if you own a sewing machine you may also be experiencing problems with the sewing machine every now and then. Here is how you can deal with the sewing machine repairs.

Sewing Machine Problems
Let us look into more detail the various problems that can grasp your sewing machine:
– The needles may have been broken.
– The presser foot may be improperly attached or bent.
– The needle may be misaligned.
– There could be incorrect pressure on the presser foot
– There is also the possibility of an insecure needle foot.
– The tension disks could be worn out.
– The feed dogs may be clogged.
– The presser foot may need adjustments.
Though these problems are quite common, you might be in need of help from a professional.

Sewing Machine Types
You need to get appropriate help depending on the type of your sewing machine.
Mechanical – These models are older and could get quite difficult for repairing if there are specific parts that are no longer available in the market. These machines run with the help of mechanical power and there would be dials or knobs to change the settings. The models are quite basic in comparison to the more advanced systems available now. The stitches can also be less precise. You need to get in touch with a technician who is more prone to handling older models.

Computerized – The computerized models are believed to have a longer lifespan and are hence, more expensive. The most exciting things about these are that they can handle exquisite embroidery designs and can handle a variety of different stitches. Some of them can even be linked to the desktop. The professional you should be looking for in this case should have quite a lot of experience in handling such models. It would be better if he has some expertise in your particular model, thus giving him an edge with your machine.

Electric – These are sort of a hybrid between the older and newer models, sort of a transition model. These are capable of creating many varieties of stitches and buttonholes. They also have LCD screens that allow the user to use little effort in adjusting stitches. These machines are also quite reliable and have longer lifespans. Lots of professionals would be readily available for these machines.