Square Neck Blouse!

Another project from the Girl's level 1 - classics book.  The square neck blouse.

There are 2 pattern pieces for this shirt.  You cut 2 pieces of fabric from each pattern piece.  The front and the back are the same and then the other 2 pieces are to use as facing at the neckline.  The facing is a piece that is cut the same as the neck opening and then is sewn to the neck opening with both fabrics right sides together and then you turn the facing through the neck opening to the inside of the garment.  This produces a finished edge at the neckline instead of the raw or unfinished edge that was there before.  Adding the facing, which means getting it all lined up and sewing it in correctly, is the hardest part of this project and a key new skill.  There are several projects that practice this skill. 
In the next few days I will be featuring another project from the Girl's Level 1 classics book.  Until then - Happy Sewing!

Project #2 and a preview of the rest

As promised here is a picture of the simple skirt that is project #2.

It is hard to see, but there is a small piece of fabric sewn at the top of the slit in the back.  This helps the skirt not to rip open at the top of the slit.  The main part of this skirt is made from 1 pattern piece.  There is a 2nd pattern piece for the piece that is sewn at the top of the slit.  This skirt reinforces the concepts of sewing a straight line and hemming.  It also shows how to make a casing for the elastic waistband and how to thread the elastic through that casing.  This skirt was made from a jean material, but this skirt can also be made from any woven cotton material that is not stretchy or slick.  Stretchy and slick materials are harder to work with and we want the kids to be successful on this project. 

You can also add 2 buttons to this skirt.  They are purely decorative and optional, but if you choose to use them then you put them on the tab that is sewn onto the skirt at the top of the slit.  I chose not to add them to this skirt.

For those of you who are wondering what is coming next I have copied some drawings of the different projects in the first book.  After the denim skirt the kids can choose which item they would like to tackle next.  I suggest the pants or shorts simply because I think they are a bit easier, but if they want to tackle one of the tops or night shirts then they are able to do that as their next project as well. 

Back Slit Denim Skirt		Square Neck Blouse		Nightshirt
Side Seam Pants		Round Neck Blouse		Peasant Blouse
Shorts		Sewing Bag
Peasant Nightgown		Notions Bag

If you are wondering about boys or teens then rest assured that there are separate books for these groups that tackles projects that would be of more interest to them.  I will post a picture of the projects in those books sometime soon.  I am willing to teach a class to either of these groups as long as we can find 4 students wanting to take the class.  So get your friends together and come have fun learning to sew together!  And until then happy sewing!!!

Project Time!!!

As we quickly approach my first class I have been busy working on samples of the various level 1 projects.  And as promised here is a picture of the 1st project the kids complete. 

The 1st project is a drawstring bag.  The kids can use this bag to carry their sewing supplies back and forth to class or for many other things.  This is a great first project for the kids to learn some basics on.  They learn how to make a basic hem, how to sew a straight line and they learn how to make a casing for the ribbon or cording that makes the handle.  It can be made in 2 sizes.  The bigger one is what we will start with and then if the kids want to they can make the smaller notions bag to go with it.  If they choose not to make the smaller bag then they can start project #2 after finishing the larger bag.

Look for me to post a picture of project #2, a simple skirt, in the next few days.   Until then feel free to check out the links above for information on upcoming classes.  And feel free to forward a link to this blog to anyone who you think might be interested in taking classes.

Things keep getting crazier around here!

You may have noticed that I have not posted in a couple of weeks.  Things around my house have been a bit crazy and unpredictable.  My husband has gotten a few inquiries about him possibly changing jobs.  Isn't that how it always works!  As soon as you get something big going something comes along to throw a wrench in it!  So, I have put my advertising on hold the last few weeks while we try and figure out if we are moving or not.  The problem is that the decision date keeps getting moved back for various reasons and I don't want to put things on hold indefinitely. 

So, in the next few weeks we should have a better idea about whether either of the opportunities that has come up is going to work for our family or not.  In the meantime I have decided to advertise a little and allow people to request to be put on the waiting list for the July/August camp if it happens.  I will not distribute or collect any further registrations or money until we know for sure, but feel free to get on the wait list and I will let you know if the class is going to take place or not as soon as I know.  I may still have a few spots in my June class which I am fairly certain will still happen regardless of if we move or not.  I will 1st allow those who have signed up for the July/Aug. class already a chance at those spots if we move, but feel free to email me with a request to go on the wait list for those classes as well. 

While we wait keep an eye on this blog.  Over the next few days I will start to post some samples of the projects from the level 1 sewing class!  Even though I have not been on here or advertising I have been hard at work trying to get the samples done!

Happy Sewing Everyone!!!!