Author Archives: lizafrica

About lizafrica

I am the National Education Manager for Janome & Elna Canada (including Artistic Creative products) and I LOVE to sew! I have been employed full time in the sewing and quilting industry for almost 30 years so I bring a wealth of sewing knowledge & expertise to this blog. I enjoy all forms of sewing from quilting to sewing garments to machine embroidery and software. Pretty much everything in my life is seen through the eyes of a passionate sewer! I am constantly on the look out for fun, innovative and inspiring ideas to share with you all on this blog. I also love to read, knit , travel and spend time with my family and friends.

JANOME HAND LOOK QUILTING

Posted on October 15, 2018

Did you know you can do “hand quilting” by machine? Yes, you can……in a fraction of the time it takes to put your thimble on your finger, run your thread through bees wax and then try to do that rocking … Continue reading →

Posted in Janome hand look quilting stitch | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Glad you asked that……What is tapered stitching?

Posted on October 9, 2018

The question is: What is Tapered stitching? How can I automatically taper my stitches at an angle at the beginning and/or the end of rows of stitching?  Think in terms of lovely satin stitching with 45 degree mitered corners on a … Continue reading →

Posted in Janome tapered stitching | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

It’s time for the Creativ Festival in Mississauga, Ontario

Posted on October 8, 2018

YES…….it has rolled around again: one of the largest sewing and craft shows in Canada is happening this week at International Centre, Hall 5, Airport Road, Mississauga. Check out this link for more info. As usual, Janome and Elna will … Continue reading →

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NEW Sewing tool: the Janome TAPE STAND

Posted on October 3, 2018

Here is another great NEW sewing tool brought to you from Janome!   Do you have a tape binder for your Janome Coverpro or a Janome Quilt Binder set for your quilt binding? Did you wonder what to do with … Continue reading →

Posted in Janome Accessories, Quilt Binder | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Educator Pick of the month – Let’s review sewing and embroidery stabilizers

Posted on September 25, 2018

My pick of the month is Stabilizers: I could not manage to sew successfully without them. They are products that we use  with many of our sewing, embroidery and other projects. I thought we’d do a review of some of … Continue reading →

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ARTISTIC DIGITIZER PART 6: Dealing with Overlap

Posted on September 21, 2018

An embroidery design is created from many elements.  Those elements look best when the under laying stitches do not bleed through or create a bump in the top layer of stitches.  To accomplish this we need to remove over-lap elements.  … Continue reading →

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GLAD YOU ASKED THAT: How should I take care of my serger?

Posted on September 11, 2018

  I wonder if you might be as guilty as me when it comes to the proper care & cleaning of your serger? I wondered quite a few months back why my serger was no longer such a happy camper … Continue reading →

Posted in JANOME SERGERS | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

BACK TO SEWING Part 2

Posted on September 7, 2018

Did you see our Janomelife post on Wednesday this week –  5th September? If not check it out. Here is the photo tutorial of how to make this baggie: Cut your baggie fabric and batting to your desired size. I … Continue reading →

Posted in JANOME PROJECT IDEA | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Summer and the CNE and PNE are over……now it is time for our Fall Sewing shows

Posted on September 6, 2018

Yes, the kids are back at school, summer is almost over and our Fall shows are upon us again……the first one THIS week in Edmonton/Sherwood Park, Alberta. Then 2 weeks later we have the Calgary Show and then 3 weeks … Continue reading →

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BACK TO SEWING Part 1 …….project idea to kick start your Fall sewing.

Posted on September 5, 2018

  Not sure about you, but I have long been a fan of making little baggies. (and some bigger baggies too as you will have seen in a recent post). I find they really don’t take up a lot of … Continue reading →

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