The Balanced Stitch

05/06/2026

My mentor and friend, Andi. Such a great award and recognition of her hard work.

I accepted an award from the Craft Industry Alliance this morning at the H+H International Trade Show. I'm so honored and proud of the work our community is...

04/24/2026

If you enjoy yarn and cross stitch, stop by The Square Knot Crafts tomorrow for Local Yarn Store day!

🧶 It’s Christmas for People Who Love String! 🧶
For the uninitiated, Local Yarn Store (LYS) Day is our annual appreciation day for the independent shops that keep your fiber habits fed. This year, the big day is Saturday, April 25th! Since LYS shops are becoming rarer than a project finished on time, we’re going all out for our second year of celebrating.

Here is what’s happening in-store:

🛍️ The Exclusives (You Know You Need Them)
Nothing says "I support local business" like a bag you didn't know you needed until 30 seconds ago. We’ve secured the goods:

Limited Edition Della Q Oh Snap Sacks: We have the large white design (a sibling to our UFO bag) and the multicolor sets that match your favorite sizes.

The Bling: Get your hands on 2026 TNNA Enamel Pins. We’ll have ways for you to snag these for FREE with your purchase!

🆘 The "Help Me" Workshops (Free Education!)
We’ve all stared at a project and whispered "Help me." On LYS Day, we’re actually answering. Stop frogging your life away and join us for these FREE mini-workshops:

11:30 – 12:00 | Knitters "HELP ME": Learn to fix dropped stitches and toggle between knits and purls without the panic.

1:00 – 1:30 | Crochet Pattern Reading: We’re finally breaking the code.

1:30 – 2:00 | Crochet Chart Reading: Decoding "hieroglyphics" for hookers.

Pro Tip: Bring your own hooks and needles and come learn something new!

We can’t wait to celebrate the fiber arts community with you. See you on the 25th! 🥂✨

04/19/2026

Your modern sewing machine manual may say you don't need to oil the machine but that doesn't mean it doesn't need oil. A professional servicing includes removing the covers and oiling parts you don't normally see.

The felt pad in this machine was in need of some oil, along with other moving parts under the covers.

Contact me to get your machine cleaned and oiled for maximum performance.

04/01/2026

Uh oh! Over 12 Tons of KitKats have gone missing in a suspected heist in Europe! We can't say that we know anything about it- but we are experts at hiding our candy stashes... for a friend...

12/29/2025

Now that holiday sewing is complete, it's a good time to get your sewing machine cleaned. Contact The Balanced Stitch for an appointment to have your machine professionally cleaned and oiled.

12/26/2025

Do you have quilts made from feedsacks?

12/23/2025

:D

12/23/2025

I think number 2 and 3 are super important. Also, take time to take care of your tools. Having your sewing machine professionally cleaned and serviced will help you have many hours of happiness.

Forget dollars and cents — the best investments are measured in joy. ✨ Fabric that sparks inspiration, tools that make the process easier, and time carved out to create… that’s the real budget for happiness. 💙

12/10/2025

Did you know you should match your sewing machine needle to the type of fabric you are sewing?

Cottons and other wovens can be sewn with a Universal Needle.
Knits and other stretchy fabrics need a ballpoint type needle -- Jersey or Stretch Needle.

To learn more about needles, check out the Schmetz Needles website. (I am not affiliate with them but find their needles to be high quality).

SCHMETZ Sewing Machine Needles are known around the world for the quality and precision. With sewing machine needles for crafters and industrial usage, SCHMETZ has a needle for every type of project.

12/08/2025

A small woolly dog - a miracle of breeding. This is a representation of an animal bred for thousands of years by the Coast Salish People of the Pacific North West just for its fibre. They used it to weave blankets and robes that were at the centre of their most important ceremonies - until the dogs disappeared in the late 19th and 20th century. Find out what happened in the new podcast from Haptic and Hue’s Tales out tomorrow. www.hapticandhue.com

12/08/2025

Still time to get your sewing machine cleaned before Christmas. Message me to set up an appointment.