DNA Sewing Made Easy

One day in my Cellular Biology I class something funny happened.
As an avid sewer and lover of all things biology, I was quite tickled when
my professor said that we should think of think of RNA polymerase as a
sewing machine in today's lecture. When I got back to my dorm, I
googled "DNA sewing machine." To my delight [and surprise] I
stumbled upon an article that highlighted the creation of a DNA
sewing machine by Japanese scientists.

The goal of the device is to bond two DNA strands without breaking them. "Their micro-sized DNA sewing machine of Z-shaped microhooks controlled with an optical tweezer. The device can pick up a single DNA strand and manipulate it. In order to keep the long DNA chain from coiling around itself, the machine then winds up the thread around microbobbins also controlled by focused laser beams, by rotating one around the other so that the wound up DNA chain can then be moved to another location along with the microbobbins."

The DNA sewing machine greatly simplifies the diagnosis of genetic disorders, such as Down's syndrome. Bonding an individual DNA strand to another one similar to it is critical since similar genes become fluorescent in the process thus are easier to spot. The scientists can spot the problematic genes and the begin the complex process of fixing it.

I can barely fathom the concept of winding DNA around microbobbins as winding thread around macrobobbins [Insert raucous laughter here] is hard enough! Who would have guessed that my love of sewing would coincide with my love of biology?

♥ Efe ♥

'Alice's Sewing Basket': A Threadless Tee

In case you haven't noticed I love sewing and all things DIY. Another thing I love, is unique t-shirts. I'm not a fan of slogan tees or t-shirts with brand names plastered across them. With that said, one can imagine that it's hard for me to find t-shirts that I like{which is why I make them}. The few times when I do buy a ready-made t-shirt it's usually from a company called Threadless.

Threadless is a community-based online apparel store run, since 2000, by skinnyCorp of Chicago, Illinois. Members of the Threadless community submit t-shirt designs online; the designs are then put to a public vote. A small percentage of submitted designs are selected for printing and sold through an online store. Creators of the winning designs receive a prize of cash and store credit. Here are some pictures of a t-shirt called Alice's Sewing Basket designed by Jillian Nickel {who also has an Etsy shop}:

I love the illustration style and the artful way in which the artist melds various sewing paraphernalia into the heads and bodies of animals. The color scheme complements the whimsical nature of the illustration and the subject matter. I love the bright pops of color. I happen to have just bought a pair of yellow canvas sneakers that match the yellow in the t-shirt design quite nicely. I'm definitely going to get this shirt before it sells out. You should stop by Threadless sometime— I promise it'll be worth your while!

♥ Efe ♥

President Barack Obama's Crafty Mom and Her Amazing Fabric Collection

We all know that President Barack Obama’s Mother, Ann Dunham, was a huge influence on the President, and that she exposed him to many cultures around the world. But did you know she was also an art collector? During the family’s time in Indonesia in the 1960’s, Ann Dunham collected amazing hand dyed batik textiles.



Batik is a traditional technique in which hot wax is used to create designs on fabric during the dye the process. Craftster has tons of examples and discussions of batik and other dyeing techniques. Even more information can be found on the Fiber Arts Boards.If you are lucky enough to be in Washington DC this weekend, you can see Obama’s Mother’s collection at the Textile Museum until Aug 23.

I wish I could go to DC ans see the exhibit at the Textile Museum. I LOVE fabric so I'm definitely going to go there one day. As a crafty person, I love the fact that President Obama's Mom had an appreciation for the arts. Yet another reason to love President Obama and his family.

♥ Efe ♥

Mo Rocca + Ruffeo Hearts Little Snotty + Martha Stewart = DIY Awesomeness!

Mo Rocca [one of my favorite comedians] endeavors to sew a hoodie from scratch with the aid of Ruffeo Hearts Little Snotty [one of my favorite Etsy sellers] on his quest to discover the underground DIY revolution. After the adventure of a lifetime, Mo Rocca goes on the Martha Stewart Show to show off his handiwork.


I think it's awesome that this video shows the intersection of three different facets of the DIY movement— the "house wives", the hipster youth and the entrepreneurs. Although each group has different motivations as to "Why DIY?" they certainly are all undeserved demographics in mass consumerism culture. With that said, I think it's quite fitting that they've each found their niche, and each other, in the DIY world. This video is just a tantalizing sneak peak of what's yet to come.

♥ Efe ♥

Men Take on Female-Dominated Craft World

A recent article in the Denver Post highlights the rise in men taking up sewing and other crafty endeavors. As someone who loves sewing, crafting and all things DIY I can wholeheartedly say that guys crafting is a good thing. It takes a strong man to go against stereotypes that say: "Only women sew" or "Real men don't cook, clean, etc." Through crafting, these men gain independence from factories and mass produced goods AND have something to talk about with cute, crafty chicks. What's there to lose?

♥ Efe ♥

Geek Crafts: Domo-Kun Sewing Machine Cover

So...I'm seriously contemplating sewing this Domo-Kun sewing machine cover. I think would suit my sewing machine quite nicely. The site I found it on is called, Geek Crafts— aptly named as all of the arts and crafts posted on the site are of the geeky persuasion.


As a nerd who crafts I think we need more websites like Geek Crafts. No longer does being a nerd mean you lack appreciation for the arts— Viva la geek renaissance!

♥ Efe ♥