Crafts and hobbies articles & Resources

We all know the virtual happy hour.   An increasingly universal remote work life has exposed all of us at some point to an online gathering or two – even families succumb to virtual quality time together. So many faces in one screen – isn’t it sweet?  But are there ugly Christmas sweaters involved? Mixology lessons? A singalong? TakeLessons is here to bring your virtual holiday gatherings up a notch or two.  Maybe there’ll be costumes?   If you’re planning a work pa

Nearly 15 years ago, TakeLessons began as a platform for musicians to teach their craft. But it has since welcomed such an impressive menagerie of talent that students can now also meet an astrologist, dancer, painter or nutritionist on any given Tuesday afternoon.   Every day, thousands of specialized instructors log on for one-on-one mentorships or lively group discussions around infinite passions that bring like-minded people together. Within TakeLessons is such a surprising marketp

These past couple of years have manifested such a resiliency within all of us. Somewhere among the unexpected turns, delays, and adaptations, it seems we’ve proven to ourselves that our limits and potential can far exceed any expectation we used to set upon ourselves. Of course, we are far more competent than we think. With this newfound vigor inside of us – and amid an omnipresent desire to invest more deeply in ourselves these days – it makes sense this holiday season to invest

Want to improve your sewing skills? In this guest post, Yesterday's Thimble blogger Lisha Vidler shares 15 sewing tips to help you take your seamstress skills to the next level... Are you looking to improve your sewing skills? If so, you're in luck! Today, we'll be learning about some sewing tips from a sewing expert. These tips can help beginners and experienced sewers alike.  So, whether you're just starting out or you've been sewing for years, read on for some helpful advice. What

Interested in trying your hand at jewelry design? Before you begin, consider the following 5 questions, as outlined by Nashville jewelry designer and teacher Warren F... No matter what stage you're at in your jewelry design career, it's always helpful to have a good understanding of the basics. There are certain questions that every jewelry designer should be able to answer, and today we're going to go over five of them. Whether you're just starting out or you've been designing for years, mak

Do you get pins and needles just thinking of all of the different sewing tools? With so many different sewing supplies, it can be a bit overwhelming for a beginner. While some sewing tools are essential, others are fun, optional materials you can acquire later. To help you navigate the world of sewing tools and understand what these items do, we've put together this beginner's guide to check out before you head to your local craft store. If you have ever been to a sewing or crafts store an

Have you found a great pair of jeans, but the length isn’t what you need? If so, you’re in the right place! We’re going to teach you how to shorten jeans by hemming them at home so you can get your perfect fit. Because who likes to pay alteration fees? Whether you’re looking to hem your jeans with a sewing machine or by hand, we’re going to give you easy-to-follow steps for both. We'll also share how to do original hems and hem skinny jeans with you. And, if you need extra help

Just as with learning any new skill or hobby, when it comes to sewing, you’re going to be faced with a ton of sewing terms. Before threading your needle and diving right into your sewing projects, it’s a good idea to learn some of the most popular sewing words and phrases. Whether you’re focusing on certain sewing tools or discovering different techniques, understanding sewing terminology can give you a strong foundation, making it easier for you to progress. Maybe you’ve heard th

When it comes to sewing, if you’ve only familiarized yourself with the basic running stitch, then it’s time to broaden your horizons. There are many different types of sewing stitches that allow you to achieve certain goals. For example, if you want to sew an eyelet, you’ll want to master the blanket stitch, but if you’re looking to add a clean finish to a raw edge, go for a zigzag stitch using a sewing machine.  In our hand sewing and sewing machine stitch guide, we’ll review

I will admit to you, the reader, that most of the articles I have written thus far assume that the reader is already a fairly avid chess player, who is aware of the basic chess game rules and thus is interested in learning more advanced strategies, traps, and tricks with the goal of decisively defeating the opponent. But, of course, not everybody is born knowing all the rules of chess---there are, in fact, many out there who are unfamiliar with the game, and need an introduction to learn