Category: Teaching

Time to Sew! June 18-19th

Use your machine’s decorative stitches to create a background for your very own wall clock!  The first day will consist of embellishing the fabrics and appliqué the sun for the clock hands.  the second day will finish up the sewing and attaching the fabric and clock parts to the frame.  Everything will be included in the kit (frame, fabric, batting, buttons, gears, etc) except the thread.  Class + kit fee.  There will be a bunch of buttons to choose from and you are more than welcome to bring another fabric choice.

Call today to save your spot!

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Save Your Batting

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Saving pieces of batting that can be made into a larger piece is a great way to save some sewing $. (More for fabric!). The pics show how to layer the edges, cut the overlapped edges in a smooth, gradual curve, sew with a three step zig zag and you’re good to go!  A wonderful way to have pieces for wall hangings and small projects.
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Jean Daze – Remake your jeans

 

IMG_0015Bring your old jeans and make as many projects as you’re able in 3 days!  You can choose from an apron, circle pillow, 18″ doll dress with sandals, jean purse with buttons, pouch or pencil case with zipper and embellishments.  AND if you still love those jeans & they still fit in the waist but are too short..we have a couple answers for that too!  Put those old jeans to good use!  Call or email today to save your spot in class at the end of June

Who Says You Can Only Sew on FABRIC?!

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Who says sewing is just for material?  Join the Who Says? class. Bring your machine and see what it can do!  Wood??Metal??Paper??  Every machine is different but the basic stitches are the same.  The kit will have supplies to make a greeting card with paper, garland with paper, an ornament/picture frame with metal and a journal with wood.  This class gives you an opportunity to try out new ideas and see what mixed media is all about!  There is a kit fee for this class and all you’ll need to bring is colorful thread, your machine and basic sewing notions.  You will need a new needle after class though.  😉

Sew ‘n Go

Make 3 projects in 3 Days!  If you would like to just cut fabric and sew projects, this class is for you!  Projects include a beach towel with attached bag and Velcro compartment, a drawstring bag and zipper quilted pouch or boxy tote.  Fun things to make to use for a day at the beach or beach.  They make great gifts for others also.  Call or email to save your spot!IMG_0804 IMG_0803 IMG_0899

Marking your Seam Allowance

One of the best uses for blue painters tape is on the bed of my sewing machine.  It will mark your seam allowance.  If you add a dash mark across from your needle you will be set to sew curves also.  Line your fabric up to the blue tape without covering it up and guide your fabric while the machine sews so that it follows the tape.

Sometimes it hard not to look at the needle while the machine is running. But it’s very important to use the blue tape as your guide.  You can reposition it many times before it loses it’s stickiness. Most machines don’t have lines that are easy to see or extended far enough to use.  This solves both or either of those problems.

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New Pattern for Kids Sewing I Camp

A pillowcase, top and shorts in a week!

 

This class offers a great sense of accomplishment.  Kids get to learn their machines and finish 3 projects in 5 days!  Check out the calendar for upcoming classes.

We have a new pattern for the Kids Sewing I Camp!  McCalls discontinued the pattern we were using, so I picked the McCalls M6009.  It’s an Easy Stitch ‘n Save Pattern for only $2.99.  My only complaint is that the top is too short and very deceiving in the photo.  Purchase a 1/4 yard extraof fabric for the top, it will work out great!

 

Sewing Machine Manuals

This posting is a little late tonight, but I wanted to address the issue of sewing machine manuals!  It is sooo important to have a copy of the manual that goes with your machine.  Each sewing machine can have little differences between other machines, even the mechanical machines but especially the electronic ones.  How a bobbin is wound, or the machine is threaded and don’t get me started on buttonholes.  Sewing machine manufacturers can get very creative with your buttonhole makers.  So I’m adding a link for a website that lists the manufacturers websites.  A lot of manuals can be found online.  It’s really important to have that manual with you when you sew. In order to get the most benefit out of your machine you really need all the information your can find. The manual also addresses troubleshooting and cleaning, which goes a long way to keeping your machine in good working order. If your machine needs oil, make sure your oil is good.  No yellow oil, please!  I’ve also added a link from Craft Nectar with photos on how to clean a front loading machine.  Yours may be a little different, always follow your manual for where to oil and clean your machine, but these pictures may help.

Happy Sewing!

http://sewing.about.com/od/beginner1/ig/Sewing-Tools/Sewing-Machine-Manuals.htm  About.com Sewing

http://craftnectar.com/2009/03/09/spring-cleaning-for-your-sewing-machine/  Craft Nectar