Cat & Dog Candles – Craft Gossip

At Pet Wicks Memorial they make custom candles with a picture of your cat or dog embedded onto the candle. It’s surrounded by pressed dried flowers for a beautiful effect.

You don’t necessarily have to wait until your pet is gone to get one either. If you want to add personalized details to the candle such as their name, date of birth or a poem, they will do that too.

At Colorful Critters they also have some whimsical animal items including this cat and dog tealight candle gift set.

Looking for more things to hand-make and DIY for your dog? Check out some of our favorite things to make for dogs. Owning a dog can be very expensive and not only does making your own dog beds, coats and toys seem like fun, it is also a great way to save money on pet supplies too. One of our puppy’s favorite homemade dog toy is a soda bottle ½ filled with rice. It is noisy, it flips and spins and has a spout for him to grab.

Looking for more sewing patterns for your fur baby doggies? Check out these sewing patterns over on Etsy.

No Sew Easy Dog Bed – Quick and easy to make, you will want this soft and fluffy dog bed for every room, if you are looking for more DIY dog beds check out these articles for making your own dog beds.

DIY Dog Shampoo for sensitive skin – Even doggies have allergies and this recipe is for dogs with sensitive skin.

Recycled TShirt – Dogs Tugga Toy This project was featured in Moderndog magazine and was so fun to make, the best part was ripping up all the old t-shirts. Such a great way to recycle.

Recycled Dog Collar – Pickup old shirts from thrift stores and make fun collars in different colors and sizes. Make sure to measure your dog’s neck before heading out so you know what size to shirt to buy.

No Sew Dog Wrap – Made from old human track pants, very affordable to make.

Peppermint Dog Soap – Stinky dogs are gone, peppermint is soothing and antibacterial too.

Dry Pet Shampoo – Sometimes they haven’t even dried from their bath before they are dirty again, this shampoo helps to brush out the grime.

Dog Cakes – Perfect for dog parties and doggie friend playdates

Dog Biscuits– 16 yummy dog treats you can make yourself at home in the kitchen.

Looking for pet supplies, toys, food, or gift ideas? Check these out.

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I’ll admit it — I used to hate topstitching. Every time I tried, it looked like a toddler had gone wild with a crayon. My lines were crooked, my thread kept fraying or snapping mid-stitch, and I spent more time hunched over with a seam ripper than actually sewing anything. It was frustrating, messy, and honestly, it made me avoid finishing details altogether.

Then one weekend, while visiting my grandmother — a retired tailor with decades of wisdom stitched into every piece of clothing she’s ever made — I casually mentioned my topstitching disaster. She gave me that knowing smile (the kind that says, “Ah yes, I remember being there too”), and invited me to her sewing room.

That afternoon changed everything.

She showed me how to slow down, how to stabilize my fabric properly, and which threads actually hold up under pressure. She introduced me to her favorite topstitching needle, adjusted my tension, and even shared the trick of using a walking foot for those pesky layers. Watching her sew was like witnessing magic in motion. The stitches glided effortlessly, straight and even, and suddenly I realized — this wasn’t about perfection. It was about preparation, patience, and practice.

Now? Topstitching is one of my favorite finishing touches. It’s no longer a source of stress — it’s a moment of pride. And every time I finish a piece with a crisp, clean line, I think of my grandmother and smile.

Why Your Topstitching Sucks (And How to Fix It)

1. You’re Using the Wrong Thread

That all-purpose thread? It’s like trying to paint a masterpiece with sidewalk chalk. For topstitching that pops:

Aurifil 40wt – My go-to for invisible yet strong stitching
Gütermann topstitching thread – That beautiful sheen makes my jeans look store-bought
Coats Machine Quilting thread – When I want bold, noticeable stitches

Pro tip: I keep all three in my topstitching kit and match the thread to the project’s personality.

2. Your Needle is Sabotaging You

After ruining countless projects, I learned:

Topstitching needles have a bigger eye so the thread doesn’t fray
Size 90/14 is my sweet spot for most fabrics
I change needles every two major projects (cheap insurance!)

Fun experiment: Try sewing with a fresh needle vs. one you’ve used for 10 hours. The difference will shock you.

3. You’re Ignoring the Little Things

Here’s my pre-topstitching ritual:

Thread conditioner – I rub my thread through beeswax for tough fabrics
Tension test strip – I always sew on scraps first (saves so much frustration)
Guide tape – Painter’s tape is my secret for perfectly straight lines

True confession: I used to skip these steps thinking they wasted time. Now I know they actually save hours of rework.

When Disaster Strikes (Quick Fixes)

Frayed thread?

Try a thread net or conditioner
Shorten your stitch length slightly
Switch to a topstitching needle

Uneven stitches?

Clean your feed dogs (lint is the silent killer)
Use consistent foot pressure
Try a walking foot for tricky fabrics

My favorite trick: When topstitching denim, I put tracing paper underneath. It stabilizes the fabric and just tears away afterward – total game changer!

The Real Secret

After years of trial and error, here’s what I’ve learned: perfect topstitching isn’t about having the steadiest hand. It’s about setting up your machine properly before you even start. These days, I actually enjoy topstitching (crazy, right?). What used to be my nemesis is now one of my favorite techniques.