GeekSugar

Do You Have a Sewing Machine?

GeekSugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 07:30:21 -0700

Watching Project Runway every week gives me the itch to pull out my own sewing machine, no matter how dusty it is! I'm getting inspiration from the show and from the geeky crafts I'm constantly seeing.

I've also noticed an influx lately of new sewing machines that are simpler, with big graphic buttons (dare I say more Apple-like?) - my own is a Singer, and I truly believe that I was as willing to tackle learning how to use my sewing machine because of my tech-savviness. I'm no stranger to manuals and complicated inputs, and when something breaks, I don't fear opening up my machine and going to town.

My hope is that the predicted home sewing revolution (prediction: Mine) comes about partly because of Project Runway, and partly because a generation of geeky girls is not afraid to buy and learn a foreign piece of machinery.

So tell me, do you have your own sewing machine?

Photo courtesy of Bravo

How-To: Get Crafty!

GeekSugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:03:06 -0700

Not only am I a techie fiend, but I'm a crafty gal to boot! That means that I love making things with my hands, not just filling them with shiny gadgets. Gimmie some credit here; I've shown you lots of ways that you can be crafty, too, from repurposing old favorites to making new cases for your tiny new iPods. Check out my slideshow of my favorite ways to get crafty - so easy anyone can do it!

View Slideshow ›

How To Make A 'No Sew' Nintendo NES Wallet

GeekSugar — Thu, 03 May 2007 15:00:12 -0700

Want to make your own retro geek Nintendo controller wallet with no sewing at all? An ingenious designer on Instructables recently shared tips with the world so we can all follow suit and make our own. You'll need: One sacrificial NES controller, small Phillips screwdriver, wire snip pliers, UHU glue and a long zipper. For full instructions check out the guide.

To check out more pictures of the Nintendo NES Wallet, read more

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Source

How To Sew a Camera Case

GeekSugar — Wed, 09 May 2007 15:03:32 -0700

You readers found some great camera cases for PartySugar and myself last week, but if you didn't immediately order one of the Neiman Marcus Snapshot cases or of the Panda Digital Camera Case, you might consider making your own simple case until you find one you want to buy...or as a substitute for buying one.

Craftzine sparked my attention by sharing a great tutorial to make a simple fabric snap close camera case that can be modeled to any camera and would make a great Mother's Day gift for mom. Check out the full tutorial here.

Project Runway Here I Come: Fashion Idea Generator App

GeekSugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:00:13 -0700

Amateur designers, take note: if you're ever out of ideas for your next fabulous garment to make, download the 99 cent Fashion Idea Generator app for your iPhone.

The next time you're amid swaths of fabric and an idle sewing machine mocking you with its silence, bring this app up and shake: it'll randomly provide you with three fashion keywords, like color, fabric, and technique.

"Beige" + "Floral print" + "boat shoes"? Genius.

Get ready to be on that stage.

Daily Tech: Sony Ericsson Kicks Off MWC 2009 With the Idou

GeekSugar — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:02:53 -0800

This past weekend at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Sony Ericsson unveiled the Symbia-based Idou, which features a 12-megapixel camera, a 3.5-inch LCD screen, and a Xenon flash. - The Boy Genius Report
The black-and-white Pentax K2000 DSLR is now officially on sale for $680. - Engadget
Check out a roundup of all of the best sewing machines for beginners. - Unplggd
See how useful and user-friendly the Palm Pre's calendar is in this video demo. - MobileCrunch
For only $9, you can pick up a Mark My Time digital bookmark that could also double as a bracelet. - Boing Boing

Craft Geek: LED Embroidery

GeekSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:30:57 -0700

With Project Runway back in action, and Spoonflower finally available to fulfill my textile design fantasies, it's high time I pulled out my sewing machine. Geeky sewing crafts perk me up, and when you can fuse tech and textile, I'm fascinated. Check out this video from Hack a Day, which demonstrates a machine-embroidered LED matrix.

Sewing with conductive thread! What will they think of next?

Geek Tip: How to Make a Monitor Cozy

GeekSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:00:59 -0700

Martha Stewart has some directions for how to make a monitor cozy from an old issue of Blueprint, which reminded me of the monitor cozies I created for my boyfriend's two monitors last year. Lest you get discouraged by how nice and fancy Martha's version is, just check out the ones I made on my own, with just a bit of quick measuring and side-seam sewing. I also added a lining as well as a decorative fabric, since, like Martha says, it adds a little bit of color to the room.

Of course, hers are made much more carefully, where I'm more of a sew-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of gal. For instance, she adds gussets, and I don't even know what a gusset is.

What Is Your Favorite Geeky DIY Project of 2008?

GeekSugar — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 13:00:33 -0800

On we go with the Best of 2008 series! Being a geek and being crafty seem to go hand in hand; both take ingenuity. Even if you're a big-time techie but can't sew, glue, or cook to save your life, everyone still appreciates a rad geeky DIY project.

I've narrowed it down to my fave projects: the Mario Star Nano Case, my Halloween Rick-Roll costume, the papercraft phenomena of Cubeecrafts, frosted Tetris brownies, the embroidered motherboard dish towel, and lastly, the embroidered text message.

Which one was your fave?

Become an Armchair (er, Deskchair) Designer With Spoonflower

GeekSugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:46:46 -0700

Lord knows I have been Googling in vain for a couple years now for an online service that would convert my own designs into a fabric I could sew with. Ladies and gents, that day has come! New website Spoonflower is promising to do just that!

Though it's currently in beta, right now you can add your email to a list to receive an invitation (mine's in; fingers are crossed). Regardless, I am so psyched. Being something of a crafty geek, I can't wait to throw together some custom designs for home stuff as well as DIY laptop sleeves and monitor covers!

A yard is about $18, which if you sew, you know is a leetle pricey but not terrible (plus, it's custom, so hello!). Need more convincing? Check out the flickr pool of some awesome designs!