iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

You coming to the October 11 Concert for Democracy, www.chicagomusicfordemocracy.com ?Come at noon for the Democracy Fair and snag a Singing Resistance flip book to help you sing along at the concert and at your next protest! Props to Singing Resistance Oak Park for creating these fab flipbooks.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Sold in the first place I’ve been since last spring, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I needed the reminder that every little bit of us has a purpose.

Four colorful bookmarks made of silk scraps sewn together and
cut with pinking shears sit on a white gridded mat. One of the bookmarks reads “remains. Every Scrap Had a Purpose”

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

See you, friends. We get there together or never get there at all.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Finally made something again, this time for someone who put up an ISO for beanbags. I have to add the beans and stitch them up but it felt good to work to help someone in my community.

Square fabric shapes make a rainbow across a grey ironing board.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Hope your costume, sewn, made, collected, thrifted or bought, brings you happiness today. #SewSky #costume #craftiverse #sewist #halloween #StrawberryShortcake

A Strawberry Shortcake costume lies on a floor. There is a slouchy newsboy cap made in pink plaid and strawberry ditsy fabric (sewn), a white t-shirt with a strawberry basket printed on it (thrifted), a candy bag the looks like a paper sack with a green gingham lining and a strawberry pocket (sewn), a plaid skirt with large strawberry pockets (sewn), and green and white striped tights (bought new).

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Strawberry Shortcake hat, finished just under the wire for the start of a week’s worth of Halloween festivities.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Candy bag nearly complete. The chosen strap is a former belt but I expect to make some short handles as well, so I added 4 D-rings. Everything used this time was thrifted except the thread from Wawak. I may have to hit the hardware store for a post to make the strap adjustable. #sewsky #halloween

A candy sack in grocery bag brown fabric (former tablecloth) with strawberry shaped pocket in dark pink (former wool dress), white strawberry ditsy fabric (thrift shop), and green and white gingham (garage sale.) the top of the bag features red polka dot ribbon (thrift shop), and more of the gingham and strawberry fabric peek out as a folded lining. There are antiqued brass D-rings (thrift shop) and clips (thrift shop) holding on a strap made of a pink belt with pie-like cutouts (thrift shop.) in the background is the completed Stawberry skirt and you can see the strawberry pockets.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

Strawberry Shortcake clearly needs a basket-y candy bag, no? There is a phone pocket inside and outside, it needs its boxed corner ears pressed down and a strap but I think it’s pretty fabulous. #sewsky

A bag made of fabric sits on a table of fabric offcuts. The bag is brown with a green and white gingham edge, with tiny strawberries on white trim, and a red polka dot ribbon run through some edging. There is a strawberry-shaped pocket topped with a bright pink strip and a green gingham strawberry leaf on the front.

The inside of the strawberry bag shows a green and white gingham lining and a white-with-tiny-red-strawberries pocket edged in bright pink. You can see that the bag is unfinished with two points poking up in the middle.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Halloween accomplishment! Lots of trial and error for the costume this year, but although it’s not the original vision I think strawberry skirt turned out well so far. It’s hanging out the hem today. On to the candy bag construction! #sewistsofbluesky #sewing #artistsofbluesky

A pink plaid 3/4 circle skirt with an unfinished hem hangs in front of a china cabinet. The skirt has bright pink strawberry shaped pockets with floral “seeds”, green edging at the top, and green gingham leaves. In the background you can see a vintage ticket marked “NASA Tours” on the upper left and bits of china within the cabinet.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

Link it if you find it, my chihuahua is not monstery enough.

A black and tan Chihuahua with very large ear stares at the camera in annoyance from her couch kingdom.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

Did you march? We watched incredible speakers as we walked from Haymarket to Fulton Market to Target, to Tesla, with thousands of workers in solidarity. Which side are you on?

A sign reads “Your Kids Will Know Which Side You Chose / Solidarity” in rainbow letters.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

I haven’t been sewing for a while due to a combination of construction and mental health so here’s a repeat! Love your Neighbors, friends.

A small banner reads “Love” in floral prints.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

We went to Michigan and found this fairy castle in the woods.

A stump that looks like a fairy castle, with pointy bits of leftover tree like towers, moss, mushrooms, and plants adding to the illusion.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

I’ve been grieving daily for what is happening in our country. But every day I remind myself to be sand in the gears of fascism. Time to be Brave, Everybody.

A poster reads “Time to be Brave” in rainbow and red, white, and blue stripes. A small clock drawn in the upper right corner reads “Fascism Alarm.”

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

You are Needed. Yesterday’s #onemillionrising zoom was uplifting and practical, letting us know how we can use noncompliance and building community to fight authoritarianism and win. I took down my dining room table to fit 10 ppl in my bungalow yesterday. How will you make room for the fight?

A kid removes hardware from an old rectangular wooden dining table. The table is upside down with two three-footed pedestal legs sticking up. There are screws scattered on the brown wood of the table top. The table and the kid sit on a floral rug. In the background, you can see a curtain and a peacock-colored wall.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

Accomplishment of the week: dog step. It’s cutest with little dog footprints on it. This started out as a discounted as-is cushion and I was startled to discover, when cutting it down, that it was half springs, half foam. The upholstery fabric was new and the zip a leftover from a 2018 project.

A rectangular cushion covered in aqua velveteen sits on a green and aqua rug.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

I haven’t been making things, I’ve been trying to organize things. This is my impulse in times of stress, to make order, one step above sleeping through all of it. But I hope I shall make something soon. Until then, love to you. May we make things better today. #sewistsofbluesky #art #textileart

A small banner on a white table reads “Love” in blue floral striped letters on a floral background. You can see roses and sunflowers and lilies peeking out from behind the words.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

There are two dogs here today and all I can say is that two dogs are the right number for one person this news week.

A messy living room scene in closeup. The letters to the editor page of the Chicago Sun-Times is open in the foreground with a photo of fireworks and a headline “Divided States of America.” A small red dog naps on the end of a cream colored chair with a red quilt to the right. To the left, a small black dog naps in a pink leopard bed on a navy blue couch. There is another dog bed and dog toys in the fuzzy background.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

My G-G-Grandparents came here from Europe. They fled war and military service. They sought work and hope. Today’s immigrants are here for the same. As their descendants, as people who are not in danger, it is our job to keep immigrants safe now. They are our sisters and brothers. #fuckice #resist

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

I thought about deleting potentially dangerous posts from my social media accounts but no one sees them anyway so here is your reminder to #Resist #art #artistsofbluesky #sewistsofbluesky #textileart

A psychedelically colored banner sits on a white table with a tape measure, buttons, and crocheted tablecloths in the background.

The banner reads “Resist”, in green letters appliquéd on a circle of daisy fabric with a background of 1970s style print flowers in hot pink, lime, yellow, and day-glo orange. There is a bright pink ribbon at the top.

Interested in your own banner? DM me here. Ships from the Chicago area.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

Watch Sokols from the US and then from the Czech Republic perform in the quadrennial Slet. Remember all Americans who are not Native Americans came here from somewhere else. We were immigrants and the US welcomed us. We maintain our traditions, and we share our strength. All are welcome here.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Have a photo of this lobster-shaped ginger from my local grocery store that knows what I needed in my life. (Dusty work being done in my basement troll dungeon today so I can’t sew anything.)

A ginger root that looks a bit like a lobster with no tail and enormous ginger claws sits in the small area of a shopping cart on top of a container of sliced mushrooms and next to a red bell pepper. A linoleum tile floor is visible in the background through the cart and a bin of hot peppers are visible to the right side.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

I use reclaimed fabrics in my work: t-shirts, sheets, samples, thrifted fabrics. The book/tech sleeve in the front here is a shirt I got in 2018. I was sure I could find a place for (Bible) Thumpers but waited for the perfect idea. Last week I made it a rainbow Pride Month item. Love is Love.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Hoping to make a backpack for tomorrow. Thanks to @govpritzker.illinois.gov for the words that motivate me and all of Illinois to march.

A floral letter appliqués rests on white fabric. The letters read “Democracy Requires Your Courage.”

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

Love to Twirl? See you at the Riverside Farmers Market, Wednesday 6/11, 2:30-7. #sewsky #riversideillinois

A child’s dress hangs in front of an orangey wooden door. The dress has a purple bodice with the word “love” appliquéd on it and a skirt made up of rainbow tiers, pink flames, orange polka dots, solid yellow, solid green, blue stars, and purple bubbles. The hanger is yellow and there is a small macrame unicorn peeking over the hook.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Rainbow Twirly Dresses underway for the Riverside Farmers Market Wednesday June 11, 2:30-7 just off the BNSF tracks, Riverside stop. Look for me & fresh fruit & veggies by the tower, and pick up dinner from local vendors while you are at it. #handmadechicago #artistsofbluesky #sewistsofbluesky

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Sometimes neighbors give me damaged or worn items so I can make something new. Here’s a shirt that had some staining at the bottom that is now a cool twirly dress with a patched flower covering some beloved shirt history. The skirt is made of a few thrifted fabrics. #sustainablesewing is fun!

A kids’ dress hangs from a basement ceiling in front of sewing supplies. The white dress top features a neon sequined sea turtle in hot pink and aqua with large flower motifs. The tiered skirt is printed with hot pink polka dots and ruffly neon fish.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Rainbows for everyone! See you in Riverside,IL on Wednesday, June 11, 2:30-7, just off the BNSF Metra Riverside stop! #riversideillinois #farmersmarketart #artsky #artistsofbluesky

Two small banners sit on a pastel rainbow tweed background. “Love” is appliquéd on them. The top banner is in rainbow bright colors with swirls and white lettering on a dark blue circle. The bottom banner is in Trans Pride flag colors with pink lettering on a light blue circle.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

Have you been wanting a little Love (banner) for Pride Month? I’ll have them at the Riverside Farmer’s Market on June 11. #artsky #sustainablesewing #loveistheanswer

A small banner reading “Love” sits on a brown table . The banner is made of rainbow cats fabric with the word Love appliquéd in polka dot letters on a white circle surrounded by a rainbow rickrack border. A gold ribbon is at the top for a hanger.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

I have so much to say that 300 characters doesn’t allow for. But I’m glad you’re here and I’m glad for art. Remember what is worth fighting for. #artistsofbluesky #artsky #loveistheanswer #textileart

A banner reading “Love” sits on a table. The appliquéd letters are sewn with psychedelic florals on a white circle surrounded by orange and olive green bias tape. The background of the banner is made of colorful large poppies fabric I initially bought to make baby gifts for a Wizard of Oz fan. The poppies are dark pink, light pink, orange, orangey red, and turquoise blue. There is a gold ribbon to serve as a hanger at the top. In the top left corner you can see a bit of the safety pin that holds the price tag on the back.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

Your daily reminder that choosing Love for your neighbor will keep us all healthier. (Yes, I did make too many of these and I’ll keep making more.)

A handmade banner that reads “Love” in white appliquéd letters on a black-backgrounded floral-patterned circle surrounded by a black bias tape edge, on top of a large floral print with a cream background. A gold ribbon is attached to hang the banner. The pentagonal banner is about 11” x 18” and comes to a point. It sits atop a brown table but is meant to hang on a door.

The flowers on the black-backgrounded floral fabric are purply pink stylized hydrangeas. The flowers on the cream background are red-trending-maroon single (wild) roses on long twining stems.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Every day, you can speak for the voiceless and rise up for our Constitutional rights.

A small fabric banner with psychedelic neon orange, pink, and green flowers in the background, daisies on a cream background inside a circle surrounded by bright orange, and the word “Resist” appliquéd on the circle in green lettering surrounded by black stitching. The banner sits on a brown table with crackled finish.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

Thanks to @indivisiblewsc.bsky.social for arranging @handsacrosschi.bsky.social ! It was great to stand with our neighbors for Democracy.

A line of protestors stretches along Ogden Avenue in Brookfield.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

It’s beginning to look a lot like Trashy Mother Earth Market Time! www.eventbrite.com/e/the-trashy...

Baskets and bins full of napkins, sandwich wraps, unpaper towels, pretty mats for coffee cups and more, all in rainbow colors.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

Planning your Saturday? Check out the #remade wonders at the #nowherecollective Trashy Mother Earth Market 11-4 5/9 just outside Wrigley Field. #Remakers use discarded materials to make art you can feel good about. Check the website for materials being reclaimed at the event.

A rainbow of reusable sandwich wraps made of cereal box liners, secondhand flannel, and bright patterned cotton fabrics.

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

Best part of using reclaimed materials: totally weird options like glow-in-the-dark rickrack are waiting for you for 25¢. (Banners available at Trashy Market 5/9!) #artistsofbluesky #love #fabricart

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

I didn’t make a new sign for today but I did catch myself on the news again.

Many hands hold up signs; one sign reads “Love Your Neighbor” with a Pride flag behind “Love Your” and the words Immigrant, Gay, Trans, Black, Brown, Poor, Muslim, Jewish, Elderly, Disabled within the word “Neighbor.”

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Tired feet, warm heart. Keep fighting for workers & immigrants, Chicago!

Protest signs surround the Sears Tower (Willis Tower) in the distance during the May Day march in Chicago

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Bright Practical Fabric Art @brightpractical.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

All You Need Is #love #artsky #sewsky #artistsky Catch ‘em at the Nowhere Collective’s Trashy Mother Earth Market 4/10/25 at Gallagher Way (outside Wrigley Field) where all the wares are made of reclaimed materials! www.nowhere-collective.com/events/the-t...

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