Let me know if you have a sewing, crafting, home decorating, or how-to issue you would like answered or discussed. Post your idea or concern in the comments below or email it. If I use your idea, I'll send you a $25 gift certificate to jcaroline creative! I hope to handle two ideas a month, though if time allows, I'll do as many as I can as often as I can. Throw out your ideas big or small and if I don't know the answer, I'll do my best to research and find one. I'm not an expert on many topics, but I can usually find one!
If the same idea is posted multiple times, the first post or email gets the gift certificate. But please go ahead and post even if it is a duplicate idea. It will increase the chance of me picking that topic and there might be consolation prizes!
I need help with cording. I love they way it looks on furniture upholstery (and would love to get to that point some day!) but I'm struggling with adding it to a purse (Amy Butler Weekender bag). Maybe I didn't buy the right cotton cord, but it just smushes and doesn't keep a nice round shape. On top of that, when I try to sew it in using my zipper foot, because it gets flattened out, it's had to know if I'm sewing close enough...or too close!
Any advice would be much appreciated!
Thanks,
Alexandra
Posted by: Alexandra | March 28, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Ooh! Sorry, a little addition. I bought plain cord and cut fabric strip on the bias to cover it (that part was ok). It the part of actually adding it to the bag that I'm struggling with.
Alexandra
Posted by: Alexandra | March 28, 2008 at 12:33 PM
I would like to make a naproll for my girls. Any patterns or tutorials you know of? I thought of creating my own, but it might help to see what others did.
Posted by: Maggie | April 07, 2008 at 01:02 PM
I would like to know some techniques for making purse/bag handles. I can never seem to find what I am looking for and would like to use webbing or fabric for a matching handle.
Thanks.
Posted by: Maggie | April 08, 2008 at 09:57 AM
I'd like to know how to sew a cushion cover. Not just a pillow, but an actual cushion cover, where you have HxWxD and maybe even a zipper! I know you show a re-covered cushion in one of your chair tutorials, but it doesn't really tell ya how to do it!
: )
I have this basic IKEA couch... Simple frame with 3 seat cushions and 3 back cushions, and I would LOVE to cover it!
Posted by: Kimberley Carlson | May 30, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Thank you very much for your pattern of the Hobo Purse.I would like to make my second one larger and would like to know if I should enlarge all the pattern pieces? Also, I am not quite sure how to cut out the foam and how to attach it. I'm pretty new at this type of project, although I have sewn for many years. Thank you for your help.
P.S. Lovely pictures of your little girl!!
Posted by: Pat Bromer | June 08, 2008 at 08:00 PM
Hello! I'm wondering how to get wrinkles out of fabric with texture (specifically minky dot fabric). I made a pacifier holder with the minky dot on the back side and was ironing the front side. It didn't even occur to me that the heat and steam would flatten out the dots on the back! Thanks! I love your site!
Posted by: kati | July 05, 2008 at 07:59 PM
I was at a craft show today saw saw ribbon necklaces and would like to make them. The ribbon was 1/8" wide or smaller and many strands were on the necklace. They were beautiful and I thought for sure J Caroline would have the narrow ribbon and am so disappointed. Please let me know IF you will ever carry it.
Posted by: Leslie Watson | August 02, 2008 at 05:14 PM
I was wondering if anyone had any idea how to make a simple tutu for little girls. I bought one from an online store the other day and it looks pretty simple but I wanted to know if anyone had simple instructions before I started cutting and sewing. :-)
Posted by: Gina | September 06, 2008 at 08:45 PM
I'd love a tutorial or a step by step sequence of how to recover/reupholster a couch or large chair. A la what you did for Anna Maria. So gorgeous!
Posted by: Stephanie | October 10, 2008 at 06:14 PM
Happy Winter !
Last summer I bought a gorgeous 1960's chair at an auction. I want to reupholster it so badly for my daughters room. I've never done any of this before. Can you give some tips? Or possibly steer me in the right direction as to which book might be of the most help?
Thanks!
Posted by: Annie | January 26, 2009 at 09:15 PM
Hi JCaroline - I am starting on a curtain project. I think it would be helpful to new & revived seamstresses (like myself) to know the rule of thumb for how wide to make each panel. For instance, my window is 52" square. Do I need to double that or is there another width you'd suggest? Thanks for your help, Leslie
Posted by: Leslie Doughty | March 13, 2009 at 10:26 PM
I am having trouble sewing pants for my 3year old how should I measure accordingly to make sure the pants are going to fit. It is driving me crazy.
Thanks,
Kim
Posted by: Kim Walter | March 16, 2009 at 12:14 PM
I have a question about something other than sewing. I would like to know, since you deal with fabric manufacturers, which companies accept design submissions for fabrics? Any scoop on who is good to approach?
Posted by: min | March 21, 2009 at 04:36 AM
I would like to know where to buy neoprene and how to make (sew) a koozie holder. Thanks!
Posted by: Peggy Wilson | April 05, 2009 at 05:15 PM
As I have come to this site for many crafty how-to ideas..... any thoughts on how to make a "drum" pendant light with some of your fabulous fabrics? they are so expensive to buy and i would like to try and make one but i'm not sure quiet how to go about it- i thin it would be a great addition to the "how to" section of the site!
Thanks!
Posted by: Katie | July 04, 2009 at 12:46 PM
I would love to have the specs for the table your husband built (if they are available) because I am interested in having my husband build one for me. Please let me know. Thanks, Karen
Posted by: Karen Simons | August 14, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Tutorial on how to make a slipcover for basic furnature..couch/loveseat and chair/otoman?
Posted by: Johnnie | October 17, 2009 at 04:27 PM
What is the best way to hem drapes that are pleated and sewn 3 widths together? It sure makes for a lot of fabric to have to work with and to move around.
Posted by: peggy kee | May 01, 2012 at 11:35 AM