Hey, sewing friends! Beth Cooper here from Beth Said Sew, and today I’m diving into something a little different but oh-so-handy—technology! Now, if you’re anything like me, you probably love the tactile, hands-on nature of sewing and quilting. There’s something just so right about feeling fabric between your fingers, hearing the hum of your machine, and watching your project come to life. But let’s face it: while our hands are busy, our minds can be everywhere, juggling fabrics, patterns, notions, and ideas. That’s where technology steps in to make our creative lives easier. Who says quilters can’t also be tech-savvy? You can do this. I promise!
Here are some clever ways you can use technology to plan, execute, and even enhance your sewing and quilting projects.
1. Pinterest Boards for Project Planning
Oh, Pinterest—what would we do without it? It’s not just for getting inspired, though. You can actually use Pinterest as a project planning tool. Create boards specifically for your upcoming sewing or quilting projects. Pin fabric ideas, color palettes, and even notions. It’s like a digital mood board, but portable and shareable. I personally love to pin quilt patterns and layouts that catch my eye for future reference. You can also share your board with a sewing buddy or quilting group for feedback. Need someone to oooh and aaah over your fabric choices? Pinterest has got your back! Want to follow Nancy’s Notions on Pinterest and see all of inspiration and fun project ideas? Click here!
2. Sewing Apps to Keep You Organized
From fabric stashes to project lists, there are apps designed to streamline every aspect of your sewing journey. If you’re prone to collecting fabrics (like me!), a fabric inventory app can save you from buying that fifth yard of navy blue you didn’t realize you already had. Apps like Cora allow you to store details of all your fabrics and where you have it stored.
Missouri Star Quilt Co. also has a wonderful app that makes shopping for fabric and searching for tutorials so easy! Look for it in your app store!
There are many sewing apps out there. Just check the app store on your phone or tablet. Find the one that works for you!
3. Digital Pattern Libraries
Say goodbye to dog-eared pattern pages and misplacing your favorite instructions. Many companies now offer digital downloads of their patterns, which means you can store them all in one convenient place. The beauty of digital patterns? You can print them as many times as you need, or even zoom in for better clarity. Whether you’re working on a new apron, piecing a quilt, or embroidering a pair of shoes (my current obsession, by the way!), having your patterns digitally stored on your phone or tablet is a game-changer. I LOVE digital patterns and like to keep them all on a flash drive that I can easily plug into my laptop. I print them off when I begin sewing. If I lose it later, I’ll just print another copy. As long as I’m not sharing what I’ve printed, I am not breaking copyright. Digital patterns make the most sense for me.
4. YouTube for Tutorials and Inspiration
This one probably doesn’t come as a surprise, but YouTube is a goldmine for sewists and quilters. Stuck on a tricky technique? YouTube has countless tutorials that can walk you through each step. Plus, seeing something demonstrated visually often clears up any confusion a static pattern may cause. I’ve spent many an evening watching tutorials to learn new techniques or find clever hacks for tricky fabric situations. You can check out the Missouri Star YouTube page here and the Nancy’s Notions YouTube page here.
5. Social Media for Community and Challenges
Social media isn’t just for sharing your finished projects. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are full of sewing and quilting communities where you can participate in challenges, swap projects, and find inspiration. Instagram is especially great for photo-based challenges—many brands and influencers will host themed monthly challenges to help you stay motivated. Tag your progress, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly a community can rally around your project with encouragement and ideas. Plus, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of sharing a completed project with others who totally get it.
6. Sewing Machine Tech
Let’s not forget the technology that’s right under our noses—our sewing machines! Many modern machines come with features like USB ports for downloading new stitches, LCD screens for easier stitch selection, and even WiFi capabilities. Some machines, like Brother’s ScanNCut, even allow you to scan in designs and cut fabric shapes for applique automatically. Talk about cutting edge!
7. Project Management Tools
Yes, even quilters and sewists can use project management tools! If you’re balancing multiple projects or have a big event coming up, like a quilt show or guild day, apps like Trello or Todoist can help you keep everything organized. You can set deadlines, track tasks (cutting, piecing, quilting, binding), and even share progress with collaborators. Think of it as turning your sewing room into a well-oiled machine!
So, there you have it—some of my favorite ways to integrate technology into my sewing and quilting world. While nothing beats the joy of stitching by hand or hearing the whirr of a sewing machine, a little tech can go a long way in making our creative lives easier and more organized.
Have a tech tip of your own? Drop it in the comments below! Until next time, happy stitching—and tech-ing!
Beth
P.S. Want to read more Beth Said Sew? Click here!
Be sure to check out our Nancy’s Notions Homepage, where you can find links to over 60 different categories of sewing and quilting topics! That’s over 400 articles! Click here!
Looking for free patterns or more sewing project ideas? Click here!
