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Wet Felt Your Own Beret! Free Photo Tutorial from New Zealand!

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In my search for wet felting tutorials that create more than a flat sheet of felting, today I came across this awesome, well document tutorial, from a New Zealand website!  Which is funny because I’m in New Zealand and I don’t think I’ve seen any tutorials from here before today!  I found it over at This is Life. NZ!

So how about making a beret of your own?  You can choose your own colour, size, weight etc.  You can decorate it if you want to, create a colour combination just for you, or for a beret loving friend!  It’s a lot of work but totally worth it!

If you’ve been looking to buy or make a beret I hope you will have a good look through this page and check out what you need, how it’s done, and realise you really can make your own gorgeous fashion accessory and probably start today as you already have what you need to do it!

I love that you can follow along and the photos are so clear and easy to see what’s happening next.

So find that bubble wrap you’ve been saving, get into your stash and put a few colours together, then carve out some time to really get stuck into creating this gorgeous item as soon as you can!

You will find the link to the tutorial here!

Happy felting!

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Best Sewing Machine for Quilting Beginners: Your No-Stress Buying Guide

beginner's-quilting-sewing-machine-guide

My first quilting sewing machine was a $50 Black Friday special that literally smoked when I tried to quilt a twin-size top. (RIP, little guy.) After testing 23 machines (and surviving two more meltdowns), I finally cracked the code to finding the perfect beginner quilting machine—without wasting money on features you don’t need yet.

Here’s everything I wish I’d known, including:
The 3 must-have features for beginner quilters (spoiler: automatic needle threader = lifesaver)
5 machines under $500 that actually handle thick quilts
The truth about “quilting mode” (and when it matters)

What Makes a Sewing Machine “Good for Quilting”?

Non-Negotiables for Beginners

  • Throat Space: At least 7 inches (so your quilt doesn’t get stuck)
  • Walking Foot Included: Prevents fabric layers from shifting
  • Drop Feed Dogs: For free-motion quilting later

Nice-to-Have Perks

  • Speed Control: Because quilting a king-size in “rabbit mode” = regrets
  • Needle Up/Down: Crucial for precise pivots at corners
  • LED Lighting: Spotting seams under dim light = no more “mystery stitches”

2. The Best Machines Under $500 (Tested on Real Quilts)

1. Brother PQ1500SL ($479)

  • Why Beginners Love It:
    • 16-inch throat space (fits bulky quilts)
    • Straight stitch only (no confusing dials)
    • Industrial motor handles denim + quilt batting
  • Watch Out: No fancy stitches (but do you really need 200 decorative options?)

2. Janome 3160QDC ($449)

  • Best For: Quilters who want some embroidery flair
    • 60 stitches (great for quilted gifts)
    • One-handed needle threader (no squinting!)
    • Automatic thread cutter = fewer thread nests

3. Juki TL-2010Q ($499)

  • The “Grow With You” Pick
    • Professional-grade straight stitches
    • Knee lifter (hands-free presser foot lifting)
    • Heavy-duty but quiet

Pro Tip: Watch for Joann’s 50% off coupons—they work on these!

3. The “Don’t Waste Your Money” List

Overkill for Beginners

  • $1,000+ Machines: Unless you’re quilting daily, start smaller
  • Heavy Industrial Models: Your kitchen table will protest

Too Basic

  • Mini Machines: Can’t handle batting + fabric layers
  • Vintage Singers: Adorable but often need $200 in tune-ups

4. Your First Quilting Project: Start Here!

Pair your new machine with:

My #1 Advice: Practice on placemats first—less pressure than a queen-size masterpiece.