Hello Darlene! I just recently found your channel and have been binge watching your videos and I can't tell you how much of an impact you have made on me. I was in a terrible accident at work in 2005, while working as a paramedic. In the accident I broke my neck, my back in several places and my hip and I was only 21 years old. Since then I have had 8 back surgeries and have lost most of the feeling in my hands and both legs. I have had some extremely dark days and I just wanted to tell you that you have inspired me to get back out into the world and made me realize that I still have something to offer. I have watched this tote tutorial several times and I'm in the process of making my own. My grandmother taught me to sew when I was a little girl and watching you gave me the confidence to pick it back up. I have watched several of your older videos that talk about anxiety and depression, these are issues that I developed after the accident when I became a shut in. After watching those videos it made me think that I can overcome these issues and work to get over them little by little. I have four little girls that depend on me and as a bonus it would really save me a ton of money if I could sew some of their clothes instead of buying them. They are 9, 7 and 4 year old twins. I also LOVE the videos with you and Skylar (also love her name!!!) Anyway, I'm really sorry for writing you this novel, I really just wanted to let you know that you have made a HUGE impact on me and brightened some of my darkest days! THANK YOU AND MUCH LOVE FROM INDIANA!!!
That's awful about your accident and all you've had to go through. Just awful! It's no wonder that you suffered depression. You must be super busy with your girls. I really want to start showing simply clothing that can be made for girls. They really are so easy to sew for! I'm very happy to have you with us! And it pleases me to know end to know that I might have helped you a little. I hope we get to know each other better!
I am a beginner quilter but wanted to use my old clothing and fabric scraps and have finally decided for my first quilt I am going with a crazy quilt and after looking at a ton of tutorials, yours made the most sense and was the easiest to follow! Thank you so much! Keep them coming!
You always say you can't explain how to do your projects, but you always do! I find you a very thorough and quite entertaining teacher...please don't ever stop!
Darlene, you are a great teacher! I am 75 I have made a crumb quilt and will be making the purses! I am so inspired because of your tutorials! You make it fun, not a chore. Life is to short to want perfect. Thank you!!!
I did excatly that, but with denim. All denim my boys had outgrown and it became my daughters HS bag and its still hangs in her room and she is in the military now. I fused and lined and double seemed and zigzagged it. She said it might be her diaper bag one day. Its very dear to her knowing it was all her brothers denim pants through there life not just teens . I even put there toddler overalls in there. Im so happy to see you appreciate those ild ways if reusing everything to make new things. Thanks Darlene.
I understand perfectly what you are explaining. You are a very good teacher Darlene but I said that with the first video I watched. I appreciate each one and I hope you don't ever stop.
Oh my gosh ! You are SO entertaining & genuine ! You have made my night. I cannot say how happy I am to find you. Like having coffee with a friend. I understand every word ! Now I shall quilt & smile ! And binge watch. ♥ Thank you SO much . Bless your sweet heart.
Thanks so much for this great tutorial!! I have been having a grand old time making the crazy blocks.just made my first bag in 25 plus years per your instructions. I also added a flap at the top because my bag was smaller and kept flopping open. I must say you have been the best sewing instructor ever. No pins! Yesssss!!:-)
I love the abandon and freedom with which you do your projects! Absolutely inspiring! Thank you for sharing your beautiful personality and talent with the world
I love your style of tutorial! It's like having a friend teaching how to do something the way it worked for them. Not a perfectly professional sterile lesson. I admit I had to laugh out loud on one video when your bobbin had run out! I hate when that happens! Your reaction was so real, so much like my own! I just found you today, so I'm now on a binge. Thank you!
Hi Darlene~I want to thank you again for this tutorial. I'm new to quilting, but since August I've made 9 quilts from baby size to twin for Christmas gifts. I had never tried or even knew where to start to make crazy blocks. After watching your video I made what I call a "candle rug" for my 28 year old daughter yesterday. (to go on her primitive coffee table) It's 17x17 and made from the Little House on the Prairie fabric collection from Andover Fabrics. (Amazing material). Anyway, I wouldn't have had the guts to try, but your video was SOOO easy to follow, and it was fun to make. Turned out beautiful! Thank you for being such a inspiration to all of us. Because of you I have a adorable gift to give!
Everyone who does these enjoys doing them. They all come out so different. It's hard to stop somewhere in the middle because your curiosity keeps you going to the end!
Hi Miss Darlene! I am so excited to have found your youtube video! I have been wanting to sew and the few people who have attempted to show me, my gosh it is so strict with the pinning, measuring etc. It would stress me out! Here I am "hoarding" all this fabric and had no idea what to do with it and if I would attempt anything. And you Miss Darlene have done that. You are a hoot!!! You are so free spirited and easy going which helps my anxiety and especially trying something new! You are an angel and I can't wait to try other videos. I got the first two panels done (so excited and they are so pretty). Please keep your videos coming, you do such beautiful work. Your uplifting attitude really helps people with anxiety disorder accomplish something they never thought they could do! God BLess you, Shawn
Hi Darlene, just loving all your techniques and videos! Who knew I didn't have care, which is the right and wrong way! Love you so much!!!! Thanks again.. I was such a perfectionist but since meet you, who cares; not me! You opened my mind and eyes. You are so awesome and beautiful. I have been watching your videos 24+ hours with no sleep but you make me so exciting. NO MORE RULES!!! I want to see more tutorials and videos before I get sewing. I have fibromyalgia and stress myself over every little thing! My mind and body take a bitting from overthinking . I AM SO PROUD OF YOU FOR STANDING YOUR OWN GROUND! Things don't have to be perfect! I will keep watching you! You are so humorous, sweet, joyful and etc. I want to be YOU! THANKS FOR COMING INTO MY LIFE!!!!! Keep up the outstanding work! Darlene you explain beautifully!
You are so wonderfully natural when sharing your projects, I enjoy that you design on the fly, and really enjoy the process of creating. You have a gift, thank you for sharing it with us in You Tube Land.
My mother loved totes. She passed away four years ago but I still cannot part with some of her clothes. I just started sewing two months ago and your video has inspired me to take cuttings of her favorite clothes and make a tote. She would LOVE that! Bless you, Darlene. You are amazing!
I think you are doing a great job explaining. I have watched other crazy quilt videos and I have been hesitant until now to actually try it. Thank you for making it so practical and easy to follow. I like that you are so easy going on your sewing.
your tutorials are great I am new to sewing and found other stuff very precise and difficult to follow but this is great I did laugh when I got to where you say be careful not to cut your backing fabric because I had just done that very thing lol thanks for taking the time to do these tutorials
I love everything you put together, I love easy!! AND I think your the best one on RU-vid! I love you Darlene because you help us to understand that mistakes happen to everyone and that it's OK. Thank you for what you do..💙❣
Thank you Darlene I love your videos you make things look so easy,I only found you yesterday,I am already a fan thanks again please keep them coming. Best wishes Kathy.
I am 83 and have done crazy squares but could never keep the 5 sides going! For the first time I see how to do it! What a great tutorial, you do have a way with making it easy and fun! Now on to #2. Hey I think I like the large pieces for a tote!
I totally enjoyed watching your video. I love how real and down to earth you are and funny too. You DO explain things very well. I wish it wasn't time for bed or I'd start one right now. I guess first thing tomorrow and I can't wait! Love ya Love ya
I love the colors you used, a nice contrast. You make it look so easy! I'd mess mine up for sure. I love your videos, I feel like your a friend, your so real. Thank you for sharing with us you tubers! By the way I sing when what I'm saying too sometimes.
You are amazing thank you so much for taking the time to create these videos!!! I am going to get started on my first one this afternoon will upload pictures when completed love you Darlene!!! keep up the great work
PlahLEEZ show me images when you are done!!! And what a great idea that would make for a montage! I could show off all the projects peanut gallery members make after watching my tutorials!!! Do love that idea!!!
Sounds like a great idea will definitely post pictures for sure!! I actually started last night going through all my fabric and picked out enough to make one for my daughter and one for my son
I'm thoroughly enjoying going through the videos and making the crazy quilt blocks for gifts. I'm loving watching and doing. Blessings and prayers .. hoping your procedure went well.
Thanks for video, Darlene. I love the way the bag turned out, and your instructions are really good. Very easy to follow, and i like the way you do close-ups in strategic places. I've been thinking of making a crazy quilt for my sister, now I'm really inspired.. Jan
Hi Darlene. I've recently discovered your channel and think you are fab! You have inspired me to have a go at this bag. I love that you don't fret about getting things just so. I have watched this video a few times and have completed this stage. On to the next step. I will keep you updated x
thanks so much for sharing that Darlene, I love it. it looks so easy to do, yet even though i have made bags i have never done crazy quilt ones, cos i didnt know how it was done. thanks so much xx
Love this sewing someone that understands me!!!!! and how I like to do stuff.... I'm not perfect by all means and I love how you do stuff you rock. I'm a fan....😀
quit apologizing! You're great at explaining. :) Just the constant apologizing is annoying. For sure I'm gonna try! You're the first person ever to make me feel like I can do a quilt style! And I'm a grama now. first time :) Thanks!
Hi Darlene from Australia, OMG I love you.........im a bag maker, and of course have sooooo many scraps, not anymore...LOL, you are fun to watch too.......thank you....xxxx
I am so bad at sewing but want too... thank you Darlene... you are so very good and helpful.... so excited to subscribe and learn..empty nester on the rise here! Thanks!!
I love, love, love your videos! I'm a very insecure newby and you are sooooo clear in your videos, I feel like I can do it!!! I love that I don't have to be exact. Starting today (if I can find enough fabric--no stash ;)
Slowly catching up with your earlier video's. Next up is part 2. I told my daughter you make me laugh with your humour and swearing and thought you might do that in this one, but you didn't, so I can't show her today haha. Hope your visit with Skylar is going well. As I write this, my Granddaughter is in the air, on the way to the USA for a 10 day visit, a 9 hour flight to JFK. I thought of her the other day while watching your latest flying trip. Happy Easter from a cold England :)
Darlene you are so amazing......I'm from India and I watch your video's they are so interesting......The way you teach everything seems so easy to make.....will soon try the pebble and nail polish rings soon
I just started watching your shows last night and you're crazy quail I'm so glad I seen it my grandmother used to make them and when she passed away I didn't get one of them quilts and I've always wanted to make one but I never could figure out how she started making it now I know and I really appreciate it you shown everybody how to make the crazy quilt. My grandmother was so beautiful and I hope now I can make one of my own &for both of my Sons. I thank you very much for showing me how to do it
I love your videos and relaxed attitude! Also curious to know what kind of Slant-omatic you have. When my 401a isn't giving me tension problems, she's my favorite to sew on.
I was looking for something sewing related and just let autoplay choose videos after that. Yours keep playing. The first was your mom's bday quilt. I haven't learned a damn thing but you're making me laugh (probably because you remind me of myself and I crack myself up) so you get a 'subscribe'.
Hi not sure you remembered me I doubted you have some many people but i love that bag and yes take your time thanks looking forward to the other videos and batting for the bag
Darlene, a friend put me on to your videos, and I love them! I hated home economics in high school because we had to pin and baste everything. My mother had already taught me to sew and was more your style. Do you have any tutorials on weekender bags? I've seen some that look pretty complicated. Was hoping you could simplify it.
