Sewing, Survival, and Not Looking Away

Sewing, Survival, and Not Looking Away

A reflection on fear, creativity, and why continuing to make things matters — for mental health, for community, and for refusing to stay silent in hard times.
How I Accidentally Became a PFAFF Dealer (And Why I Still Sell Singer)

How I Accidentally Became a PFAFF Dealer (And Why I Still Sell Singer)

I know talking about machines can sound salesy right out of the gate, but this genuinely isn’t that. This is how I accidentally became a PFAFF dealer, which still makes...
Repairing a Quilt (Apparently, I Do Have Feelings)

Repairing a Quilt (Apparently, I Do Have Feelings)

I was asked to repair a well-loved family quilt that’s over 50 years old — and somehow ended up having feelings about it. This post is about repairing quilts in...
Have You Tried Changing Your Needle?

Have You Tried Changing Your Needle?

If your sewing machine is skipping stitches, shredding thread, or generally acting possessed, it’s probably not broken. This post clears up common needle myths, explains what really matters when choosing...
Turning the Page Without Pretending Everything’s Fixed

Turning the Page Without Pretending Everything’s Fixed

This NYE post isn’t about resolutions — it’s about wanting this year behind us and hoping the next one is softer. A little more gentleness, a little more authenticity, and...
On Going Home, Feeling Human, and the Magic of the Solstice

On Going Home, Feeling Human, and the Magic of the Solstice

A personal Christmas Eve story about going home after twenty years, navigating the dark season, and remembering to give ourselves some grace.
I Was Supposed to Decorate a Wreath… So I Built a Sewing Machine Instead

I Was Supposed to Decorate a Wreath… So I Built a Sewing Machine Instead

For the Capitol Theatre’s Festival of Lights and Trees, I built a wreath around a tiny light-up embroidered sewing machine and a burst of rainbow ribbon. It’s chaotic, joyful, and...
Why We Closed Embellish and How Sewing Machine Magic Was Born (This One Hurts)

Why We Closed Embellish and How Sewing Machine Magic Was Born (This One Hurts)

Shannon shares the real story behind closing Embellish — burnout, hard decisions, and rebuilding something intentional with Sewing Machine Magic. A candid look at small business life, sewing community roots,...
Meet Shannon: Sewist, Maker, and the Stitch Wizard Behind Sewing Machine Magic

Meet Shannon: Sewist, Maker, and the Stitch Wizard Behind Sewing Machine Magic

Get to know Shannon, co-owner of Sewing Machine Magic and lifelong maker. This first blog post shares what readers can expect from upcoming tips, rants, projects, and behind-the-scenes shop stories.