Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Starting to think about summer camps!
I am starting to think about summer sewing camps. I know it seems early, but I like to have the schedule worked up by February and that is right around the corner. I am starting to look at my summer calendar and what weeks I am available. If you know your child would like to take a class then feel free to let me know which weeks you are not available and I will see if we can match up some schedules and put some classes together or you can just wait and see what weeks I pick to do classes!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
We are 2 days into summer camp and I think the girls are having a great time. Today they will finish the last step on their pajama shorts and will move onto the projects that they have chosen to do next. Here are a couple of cute pictures of the girls hard at work!
We have 2 more days of class. All of the girls will finish at least one more project before we are done! We will see everyone later today for another fun afternoon of sewing!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Doll Jeans
A while back I found this cute pattern for doll jeans. I have been wanting to make it ever since! Yesterday I finally decided to ignore the housework and sew these up for my daughters. I used jeans that my son had outgrown - so all it cost me was the thread and a little bit of elastic. I do want to see if I can adapt the pattern to do velcro up and around the inside seam. The jeans are a bit of a tight squeeze over the feet and I just know this is going to turn into a mom can you.... so velcro would make it easier for my little ones to do it themselves. Other than that I love how they turned out!!!! I think I am going to let my 10 year old try to make a pair and see how she does. There are some seams that are a bit tight, but I think with a few adaptations to the way it is put together I could make it a whole lot easier for a kid to do. I don't think it is a good 1st project, but after a while a kid could attempt this. If you are looking for the pattern then here is the link:
http://www.libertyjanepatterns.com/2011/05/2010-liberty-jane-jeans-pattern-for-your-american-girl-dolls.html
Happy Sewing!
Friday, May 4, 2012
Sewing Machines
I often get asked what sewing machines I like. My favorite for price, warranty and quality on a sewing machine are Janome machines. These are not dirt cheap, but they are reasonably priced and should hold up better than many of the dirt cheap machines that you see out there.
Remember to check both online and with your local dealer. I know that my dealer will match prices you find online most of the time and you get your 1st year of service for free from him. Sewing machines should get a cleaning and tune up every year or two depending on how often you use it and it is good to have someone local to do it.
I use Janome machines in my classes and I have been very happy with them. I have heard from a couple of dealers that the reason they sell this brand is because they have been fixing machines for years and it is the one that is reasonably priced and yet seems to have fewer problems than other brands in its price range. Remember that this is my opinion so you should go to various dealers both to try out machines and to check prices. If you would like the name of the local dealer that I use then send me an email or give me a call and I would be happy to share his information with you.
Remember to check both online and with your local dealer. I know that my dealer will match prices you find online most of the time and you get your 1st year of service for free from him. Sewing machines should get a cleaning and tune up every year or two depending on how often you use it and it is good to have someone local to do it.
I use Janome machines in my classes and I have been very happy with them. I have heard from a couple of dealers that the reason they sell this brand is because they have been fixing machines for years and it is the one that is reasonably priced and yet seems to have fewer problems than other brands in its price range. Remember that this is my opinion so you should go to various dealers both to try out machines and to check prices. If you would like the name of the local dealer that I use then send me an email or give me a call and I would be happy to share his information with you.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
A preview of the new sewing space and Lady Macbeth's dress!
There are a couple of posts that I have promised and here is one of
them. The dress that I made for my daughter's performance of Macbeth.
I am pretty happy with how it turned out and I think she is as well!
This one was a bit tricky as they did not have the pattern in her size
and I had to do some major adjusting.
As for my new classroom/ sewing room reveal... it is not quite done, but here is a small sneak peak. I love the saying below and it so fits me as evidenced by the picture next to it. That is just a small portion of my fabric collection! I love fabric! The closet is still under construction and is a bit messy. The sewing machine tables are in place and for the most part cleaned off! I just need to move the picture that you see upstairs and add my sewing decor to the walls!!!! The other half of the room is still too messy to show, but stay tuned for the final pictures which should be coming in the next few weeks!
If you are interested in a summer sewing camp then be sure to give me a call or send me an email to reserve your spot. Spaces are limited! If you need more information on the camps check out the camps tab above and/or give me a call or send me an email!
As for my new classroom/ sewing room reveal... it is not quite done, but here is a small sneak peak. I love the saying below and it so fits me as evidenced by the picture next to it. That is just a small portion of my fabric collection! I love fabric! The closet is still under construction and is a bit messy. The sewing machine tables are in place and for the most part cleaned off! I just need to move the picture that you see upstairs and add my sewing decor to the walls!!!! The other half of the room is still too messy to show, but stay tuned for the final pictures which should be coming in the next few weeks!
If you are interested in a summer sewing camp then be sure to give me a call or send me an email to reserve your spot. Spaces are limited! If you need more information on the camps check out the camps tab above and/or give me a call or send me an email!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Shaking things up!
Well, it always gets worse before it gets better... or so I keep telling myself! I decided to undertake a huge project and to rearrange my entire house. The biggest parts of the change are underway and there is a whole lot of chaos around here! How does this affect my sewing classes - well I am moving rooms! Prior to this I was in a small office/guest bedroom that we converted to my sewing room in the basement. I am turning that back into the guest room (my mom will be thrilled!) and moving the sewing classes out to the main room in the basement. It is a much bigger space and will be much more conducive to lessons! I am really excited about the extra space I am gaining and will be sure to post pictures when it is all done! It may take a few weeks to get it to the point where I feel it is picture ready - so be patient and keep checking back!
In the midst of all the chaos I am starting a new project. My oldest daughter is Lady Macbeth in a kids version of Shakespeare in the Park! She is really excited about it and is excited to help me make her costume. So, in the midst of the chaos caused by the move we will be getting a little sewing done around here. I will be sure to post some pictures when it is done!
Be sure to check the camps tab to see what classes we currently have scheduled for this summer! Remember that if you have a group of 4 kids who want to do a class together then you can contact me and we can either schedule you into an available class or I can add a special camp just for them as my time permits! This class can be scheduled the same way as the ones that are listed on the website under the camp tab or customized to a time frame that you are looking for!
In the midst of all the chaos I am starting a new project. My oldest daughter is Lady Macbeth in a kids version of Shakespeare in the Park! She is really excited about it and is excited to help me make her costume. So, in the midst of the chaos caused by the move we will be getting a little sewing done around here. I will be sure to post some pictures when it is done!
Be sure to check the camps tab to see what classes we currently have scheduled for this summer! Remember that if you have a group of 4 kids who want to do a class together then you can contact me and we can either schedule you into an available class or I can add a special camp just for them as my time permits! This class can be scheduled the same way as the ones that are listed on the website under the camp tab or customized to a time frame that you are looking for!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Patterns galore
I tend to have a bit of an addictive personality. When I love something I go all out. That includes patterns. If there is a sale I stock up. I love to look at them and dream of a day when I will have time to sew all of the wonderful possibilities! With 4 kids, a husband and a business I am not sure when that time will come, but someday. In the meantime I keep looking, buying and dreaming.
The whole buying a ton of patterns has led to a problem - forgetting what I already have and repurchasing the same patterns more than once. About a year ago I decided it was time to get organized so that I could easily see what I have. That way I could spend my dollars on new patterns and not repeats. After much thought I came up with a system that works great for me and I am hoping will inspire someone else who is addicted to patterns as well.
The major pattern companies all have their pattern books. You can go into the store and look at those glossy books and imagine the possibilities! Then if you find a great one that you just can't live without you find the pattern number and go find the corresponding pattern in the drawer of patterns. Well, that is where I found my inspiration. My own mini pattern book and pattern drawers.
I began by photocopying the front and back of the envelope for each of the patterns I own. You can take the envelope apart and lay it flat and only have to copy it once. The other option is to go to the website of the pattern maker, find your pattern and then print the same information from there. I have done both. Once I did this I started sorting my patterns into categories. I then triple hole punched each of those copies I had made and put them in a binder under the correct category. Within each category I group the digital patterns and the commercial patterns. I then put the commercial patterns in order by the number the pattern company assigned to them (just to make it easier to check if I have a pattern). I don't group my commercial patterns by company, just by the number. For my digital patterns I group them by designer to make it easier to check if I have already purchased a pattern.
Now here is where it gets really fun. I took each pattern and put it in a manila file folder. I then numbered each folder and then wrote the same number on my copy of the envelope in the binder. The actual patterns in their file folder were then filed in numerical order in a filing cabinet or two. Every time I get a new pattern I number it one higher than the last pattern in my drawer, make copies of the envelope and put the same number on that copy, file the numbered pattern in the file drawer and the copy in my binder under the right section.
I now am able to grab my pattern binder and look through what I have. If I want to make myself a skirt I go to the women's section. If I am looking to make something for my kiddos I open it to the kids section. I can take this binder with me to the store and check if I have a pattern so I do not repurchase one I already have. Since I copied both sides of the envelope I can also take the binder with me and have the supply list of what I need to make any pattern that I own.
This has been a spectacular system for me and I hope some other pattern addict out there also finds it helpful. Stay tuned for next week when I will share how I print and store all those cute digital patterns I find online. I use the same system above for cataloging them, but I have a special system for how they get printed and stored in the file folders.
The whole buying a ton of patterns has led to a problem - forgetting what I already have and repurchasing the same patterns more than once. About a year ago I decided it was time to get organized so that I could easily see what I have. That way I could spend my dollars on new patterns and not repeats. After much thought I came up with a system that works great for me and I am hoping will inspire someone else who is addicted to patterns as well.
The major pattern companies all have their pattern books. You can go into the store and look at those glossy books and imagine the possibilities! Then if you find a great one that you just can't live without you find the pattern number and go find the corresponding pattern in the drawer of patterns. Well, that is where I found my inspiration. My own mini pattern book and pattern drawers.
I began by photocopying the front and back of the envelope for each of the patterns I own. You can take the envelope apart and lay it flat and only have to copy it once. The other option is to go to the website of the pattern maker, find your pattern and then print the same information from there. I have done both. Once I did this I started sorting my patterns into categories. I then triple hole punched each of those copies I had made and put them in a binder under the correct category. Within each category I group the digital patterns and the commercial patterns. I then put the commercial patterns in order by the number the pattern company assigned to them (just to make it easier to check if I have a pattern). I don't group my commercial patterns by company, just by the number. For my digital patterns I group them by designer to make it easier to check if I have already purchased a pattern. 
Now here is where it gets really fun. I took each pattern and put it in a manila file folder. I then numbered each folder and then wrote the same number on my copy of the envelope in the binder. The actual patterns in their file folder were then filed in numerical order in a filing cabinet or two. Every time I get a new pattern I number it one higher than the last pattern in my drawer, make copies of the envelope and put the same number on that copy, file the numbered pattern in the file drawer and the copy in my binder under the right section.
I now am able to grab my pattern binder and look through what I have. If I want to make myself a skirt I go to the women's section. If I am looking to make something for my kiddos I open it to the kids section. I can take this binder with me to the store and check if I have a pattern so I do not repurchase one I already have. Since I copied both sides of the envelope I can also take the binder with me and have the supply list of what I need to make any pattern that I own.
This has been a spectacular system for me and I hope some other pattern addict out there also finds it helpful. Stay tuned for next week when I will share how I print and store all those cute digital patterns I find online. I use the same system above for cataloging them, but I have a special system for how they get printed and stored in the file folders.
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