Many of you have been following our Clover Tool School Extra Credit series where we review Clover products and show you how to use those products in projects. Well, now there's even more to play along with in our STITCH ON! tutorial and projects series. To kick things off, we used the No-Hassle Triangles Gauge to create 3 Easy Projects. Even if you've never sewn or quilted before, this tool will have you looking like a pro in no time. And, with the three different projects, you can progress through the tutorials to up your skills as you go.

It's time for another Tool School Extra Credit with the Shibaguyz! This time, we used the Clover Quick Yo-Yo Maker to create a pillow top. As always, the video includes both a tutorial on how to use the product followed by a step-by-step project walk through.

We have to admit, we've not been big fans of the original method we were familiar with for making yo-yo projects. Between fussing to keep the fabric on the circular template and trying to make the stitches just so to make a perfect little yo-yo, we just couldn't bring ourselves to make more than a few. But, by locking the fabric in place and with guides for how to place the stitches, this little tool makes is so quick and easy… we got a little carried away making these while watching a movie one night. Yup… it's that simple with this clever little tool.

The time has finally come when we can tell you about a project we have been working on with the FAB folks at Aurifil. We can officially announce the launch of our NEW thread collection from Aurifil! The Shibaguyz FAB Sashiko Essential thread collection is now available for preorder RIGHT HERE on our website. Can you tell we’re more than a little excited about this? We have been fans of Aurifil threads for all of our hand and machine sewing and embellishing ever since we tried our first sampler pack. We because Aurifil Ambassadors in 2018 and have been using Aurifil on projects here in the studio and our students have been using Aurifil threads in the classroom thanks to Aurifil’s generous sponsorship of our classes. So… yeah… we’re big fans.
 
When we were approached with the opportunity to produce a thread collection of our favorite colors in our favorite thread weight, we were simultaneously excited and stressed. Excited because curating a custom collection of thread and colors is HUGE. Stressed because curating a custom collection of thread and colors is HUGE. But, of course, we did make decisions (with the help of our friends at Aurifil) and we were even able to design our own packaging! Check it out!

The Shibaguyz love to try new things... from sewing to cooking to biking and hiking, we are always excited to pick up some new technique to add to our repertoire. That being said, we don't spend a lot of time looking for the hard way to do something. We are firm believers in giving yourself an easy victory then moving on to the next step.  So when the FAB folks at Schacht Spindle Company reached out to us to try their Zoom Loom we, of course, said "Sure, we'd love to give it a shot". 

Shortly after our Zoom Loom arrived Jason picked it up and started playing with it. Even through he'd never used a pin loom before, within 30 minutes was making perfect squares for sewing/weaving together into larger pieces... Like we said, give yourself an easy victory, and this was easy.

Now he's now totally addicted! In just one evening of sitting in front of the television he can pop out 10-12 squares. He's already got a pile ready to piece together for a sampler afghan... all made of short scraps of yarn from left over projects that were just sitting in boxes waiting to be used. Jason says "It's like a quilter taking large pieces of fabric, cutting into small pieces to sew back together... only you get to create the pieces you want in whatever colors you like". 

This is SO easy and SO much fun we asked the Schacht Spindle Company if they would be willing to give away a Zoom Loom for National Craft Month 2016. They said YES!  WOOHOO! So our week 4 giveaway package for National Craft Month 2016 features the Zoom Loom.

Here is what Schacht has to say about their Zoom Loom:

Now is your chance for some instant gratification of your own.  You can enter to win our National Crafty Month prize package including your very own Zoom Loom, provided by the Schacht Spindle Company.  Along with the Zoom Loom, this week's winner will also receive a signed copy of Shannon's new book, Crochet Geometry, (woohoo!) and an assortment of our favorite products from Eucalan Gentle Wash.

Here's how to win
Click on the Rafflecopter button below and:

1. Visiting and Liking our Facebook Page
2. Visiting and Liking our Sponsors Facebook Page
3. Tweeting the following message: "I entered to win & so can you as part of @Shibaguyz #nationalcraftmonth celebration! Week 4 Zoom Loom". You can tweet the message daily for more chances to win!

UPDATE - Sunday, March 27 - Winner Announced
Congratulations "Craftyone"  you won this week's giveaway!

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What are you waiting for? Enter the giveaway today!
Even if you did not win any of the weekly prizes you can still enter to win the  Grand Prize Giveaway - now with new ways to enter!.  Read all about it HERE

What a great Craft Month we've been having! Weeks 1 and 2 of National Craft Month have been stellar and we've got something completely different in store for you for Week 3. We're branching out into other areas of crafting with the help of one of our good friends and fellow Craftsy teacher, Katrina Walker. Read on for all the details...

If you are anything like us (and most of you are) you have a sewing machine tucked away at the back of a closet that you pull out when a button comes off a shirt or you have a seam in need of mending. But there is so much more your machine can do... and it's time to learn a few tips from one of the best out there - for FREE!

Katrina Walker is a designer, educator and author known for her work in construction techniques, textile expertise and Modern American Pojagi piecework. Her work is featured in many magazines including Threads, SewStylish, Stitch, SewNews and Creative Machine Embroidery. She is a popular instructor both at national sewing shows and online, where her classes for Craftsy, Taunton Workshops, BurdaStyle, Craft University and Craft Daily have enrolled thousands of students worldwide. When she is not creating in her studio, Katrina is traveling nationwide spreading the love of sewing with Pfaff and Husqvarna Viking sewing machines.

For our Week 3 giveaway Katrina has graciously offered one enrollment into her Craftsy.com course: Decorative Seams: Techniques and Finishes.  We've used this class to brush up on our skills as well as learn some FAB new techniques from Katrina!

Yep, the FAB folks at Ottlite have also sponsored an item this week:
An LED Mini Flip Lite.

The Shibaguyz really love our LED Mini Flip Lites. Jason uses his most every day when he's sewing, weaving and even for throwing a little light onto a project he's photographing. It's the perfect size for carrying but throws a TON of light!

And Eucalan has provided us with a Gift Pack. 

We can't say enough good things about Eucalan. Their product is tailor-made for the crochet and knitting handcrafter... although quilters and sewers swear by this cleaning product as well.  This set of 5 bottles of Eucalan is neatly packaged in a clear re-usable zip bag in each of their scents: Natural, Grapefruit, Eucalyptus, Lavender, and Jasmine. 

Check out their Washing Basics page HERE for tips on using their product.

Entering could not be easier! Just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the directions to earn MULTIPLE entries! Enter once… or enter multiple times to increase your chances or winning this amazing prize pack!

But don't wait! This contest runs through Midnight PT on March 20, 2016.

Stitch On!
S&J