Do you love your locally owned fabric shop? Project 95

Did you know that 95 percent of fabric shoppers make their purchases at chain stores? That’s right, only 5 percent shop independents. Let’s change that.

Lauren Venell of Sweet Meats recently turned me on to this great project called Project 95: Fabric Shoppers Unite—Shop Independents is a worldwide network of independent quilt and fabric shops, that have joined forces to promote shopping independents.

I occasionally shop at chain crafts stores like Joann’s and Michael’s but mostly prefer the smaller local shops, they have a higher quality of product, more knowledgeable staff and best of all it helps people in my community.

Project 95 and your local craft shops need your help!
The first thing you can do is to help Project 95 keep their database up to date. ( I have to say that the techie in me is cringing a bit at how they are going about this. But I’m not judging!) Email their tech person at [email protected] with a list of the name of all your local shops.
Second, tell all your crafty friends to do the same.
Third, check out their database to find a local shop! Shop local!

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If you’ve been crocheting for a while, you probably think you’ve picked up most of the tricks already. That’s what I thought too—until I dove into Nicki’s Homemade Crafts Crochet Tips & Tricks E-book. Let me tell you, I was pleasantly surprised.

This isn’t your average “how to hold a hook” beginner guide. It’s packed with actually useful, hands-on advice that even seasoned crocheters will appreciate. I found myself nodding along with so many of the pages, thinking, “Why didn’t I know this sooner?”

One thing I really liked? It’s written in a super down-to-earth tone, like a fellow crocheter just sharing what works. No fluff, no overly technical jargon. Just smart, practical solutions to common crochet problems. From fixing tension issues to dealing with split yarn, the tips are straightforward and easy to apply.

Another standout? The layout is clean, with step-by-step instructions and lots of visual cues that make it easy to follow. You can flip to a section you need or read it front to back—it works either way. And it’s digital, so it lives on my tablet now for quick reference whenever I need a refresher.

But what really makes this e-book feel like a gem is the “aha” moments scattered throughout. Things like invisible joins that actually look invisible, tips to stop your yarn from tangling (IYKYK), and clever ways to weave in ends without the bulky bump. Even after years of crocheting, I walked away with new techniques that made my projects look cleaner and more polished.

I’d definitely recommend this for anyone who crochets regularly—especially if you’re tired of wasting time Googling scattered tutorials and just want everything in one place.

You can check it out here.

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Have you read?