Summer Sewing Camp Schedule 2014…

I hope your school year is wrapping up nicely!!  We are getting ready for recitals and starting to make our summer plans.  I have decided to teach two weeks of sewing camps this year!!

All camps are 5 days a week, and cost $125 per week. Space is limited so please contact me to reserve your spot if you are interested.  I will email a supply list by the end of May for all camps.

Here are the camps available and their dates:

American Girl “Match with Me” class

(June 16-20, 9am-noon)

Embellished pillow case, headbands and necklaces, ruffled bag, skirt, and sleeping bag.

Beginner girls—ages 11+

(June 16-20, 1-4pm)

Headbands and necklaces, Double strap tote bag,  zippered pouch and infinity scarf,  pajama pants,  and ruffle skirt.

 

Beginner girls—ages 7-11

(June 23-27, 9am-noon)

Necklace and headbands, tote bag, ruffle bag, zippered pouch, up-cycled denim skirt.

 

Beginner Boys—ages 8-13

(June 23-27, 1-4pm)

pillow case, wallet and fleece hat, ear bud case, pajama pants, and drawstring backpack.

Pleated Zipper Pouch Sewing class this Saturday…

One of my favorite classes to teach is this zippered pouch from Skip to My Lou…

They are easy, sweet, and functional—my favorite combination!!

Class will be Saturday, March 15th, 2014 from 9-11am, $15

Materials needed:

• A good pair of sewing scissors
• 9 inch zipper
• Two fat quarters or two 1/4 yards of coordinating 100% cotton fabric

Avenger Neckties for Boys and Toddlers and Boys Sewing Classes…

Just finished making these ties for Justin and my Little Man—they are really easy to make!!  I followed, mostly, the tutorial from here.

I had a request from a friend to start teaching sewing classes for boys.  We had our first class already and I LOVED IT!!

I can’t believe it was just a year ago that I happened upon bartering sewing lessons for eggs from a friend—I have had so much fun teaching and watching kids feel the joy of creating something on their own!!

My tie class is this Saturday, March 15th, 2014 from 2:30-4:30pm, for $15

Supplies needed:

• A good pair of sewing scissors
• 1/2 yard 100% cotton fabric
• 1 package of 1/2 inch elastic

Spring 2014 Sewing Class Schedule…

Here’s the list of all my sewing classes being taught through May 2014.

Quilted Table Runner-Beginning Quilting Class: 

 

This class if for beginners and will cover how to use a rotary cutter, strip piecing fabric, quilting with your sewing machine, and how to sew on a binding.  The cost of this class is $65 and will be taught in two classes and includes table runner kit with fabric and pattern, and beginner's quilting folder with written instructions for all steps.  (If you want to pick out your own fabrics, I can email you the amounts needed)  This is the perfect beginning quilting project that you could easily replicate on your own and make as gifts for Mother’s Day, Christmas, or other holidays!!

Part 1: Wednesday, February 19, 2014 7:00pm

Part 2:  Wednesday, March 19, 2014 7:00pm

 Materials needed for this class:  Sewing machine, Quilting thread, Rotary Mat, rotary cutter, rotary mat clear ruler, quilting pins, quilting adhesive spray, and water soluble quilting pen.

Zippered Owl purse

 

This is a great beginner class that incorporates some strip piecing techniques and also includes learning how to sew a zipper and sew on bias tape.  The class is $15.

Saturday, January 25, 2014 10:00am-noon

Materials needed: 6 coordinating fat quarters(or 6, 1/4 yards), 4 buttons for owl eyes(2 large, and two smaller coordinating), one sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 your choice of felt for nose, one package double fold bias tape to match fabrics and matching thread, 7 inch zipper.

 Reversible, double strap Jessica Market Bag

 

 This beginner bag is great for grabbing on the go—whether throwing in your gym clothes, or packing your groceries, or my daughter can use it for her ballet clothes—this stylish bag gives you luxury of choosing either fabric for the outside—depending on the day!!  This class is $15.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014 7:00pm

Saturday, March 1, 2014 10:00am-noon

Materials needed:  2/3 yard of 2 coordinating fabrics and matching thread.

Reversible Fabric Headbands

 

 These headbands are the perfect mix of beauty and practicality!  You will be able to finish 3 headbands during class time.  These make great presents!!

Wednesday, January 29, 2014 7:00pm

Saturday, February 22, 2014 9:00am-10:30am

Materials needed: 6 fat quarters(or 6, 1/4 yards) and 3, 6 inch coordinating fold over elastic.

A-Line Skirt—intermediate level

This pattern has darts and a hidden zipper closure and is super fun to make.  If you have used a sewing machine before or have taken one of my other classes, you can make this skirt!!  The pattern is $10 and will be included in the class fee of $30—you will be able to use the pattern over and over as it will be yours to keep!  SassyPants is the pattern designer for this Super Simple Skirt.  Sizes included in the pattern are from waist 24-32”, and hips 34-42”

Saturday, April 5, 2014 9:00am-11:30am

Wednesday, April 23, 2014 7:00pm

Materials needed: 1 1/2 yards of main fabric, one 9 inch zipper.

Zippered Pleated Pouch

 

I can’t tell you how much I love these pouches!!  Skip to My Lou has a free tutorial to make these here.  These make the perfect gifts and are a great way to teach how to sew a zipper.  This class is $15.

Saturday, March 15, 2014 9:00am-11:00am

Wednesday, April 2, 2014 7:00pm

Materials needed: 9 inch zipper, 2 fat quarters(or 2, 1/4 yards) of coordinating fabric.

My favorite Beginner Sewing Machine… Brother XR1300

At the suggestion of a friend in bartering for eggs this year, I ended up teaching sewing lessons—who would have thought I would love it so much!!  In the process of teaching, I had a student bring her Brother sewing machine and I noticed it had speed adjusted button with “turtle speed” (it literally has a picture of a turtle on one side!!) as an option.  My Little Miss tried out her machine on turtle speed and she was in love.  She had already used my sewing machine since she was 6, but using the Brother machine with the speed adjuster really helped her feel more comfortable and really enabled her to be more independent in sewing.  After that, and because of all the young students I was getting, I started looking to purchase a new machine.

On a recommendation from a quilt shop owner who I adore and who I took classes from in the past, I tried the Brother XR1300 from Costco.

I have had this for 6 months now and used it myself, and had several students use this machine…..and I love it.  It was about $169 and I bought it online.  The best thing is it has the speed adjuster button and so my daughter is in heaven.  She can sew independently and because it goes a consistent slow speed she also has the time needed to adjust the fabric and learn how to sew straight consistently.  I have had several adult student who like the slow speed as well to start, and then you can adjust it to a faster speed as soon as you get the hang of things.

Here are the other things I have tried, and like about the machine…

• Zipper foot—I have sewn a zipper once or twice in my life before this machine, but this one is very easy to use and I have made several of these adorable zippered pouches (pattern at www.skiptomylou.com).  

• Straight stitches and zig zag stitches are easily adjusted in length and width with the digital adjusting buttons.  I haven’t had problems sewing burlap and minky fabric on this machine either.
• I recently tried out the free motion quilting on this machine and I felt like it was comparable in ease to my mom’s Bernina machine that I have.  It also has a mini stippling stitch available to choose on the digital decorative panel—I thought it was a great option for smaller pieces or doll quilts.

(free motion example on left, decorative mini-stippling on right)

I went to a local Bernina shop and asked them to show me some of their basic models for beginners and they showed me a great little machine that was $800—that was their student/basic machine.  I am sure it was a good machine, but if you are looking for something more affordable to start a new hobby or teach children how to see—I love the Brother XR1300.  Enough that I bought another one for my sewing classroom so more students have the option to go “turtle speed!”  It is a great beginner sewing machine!!

My Sewing Room…

With our move to a new house, I was able to take claim of a room in the basement just for me—which became my sewing haven!!  It is my favorite room in the house, and is now set up as a sewing classroom so I can teach sewing lessons!!

It is my little get-away room where I can just be creative and sew without and distractions—it is so therapeutic.  I display my product on the walls as decorations and inspiration.

I have a bulletin board that has my patterns for sale, and my class schedule and of course, my Project Runway sign;)  I can pretend…it is my room!!

I love all the new friends I have made from teaching sewing!!  I heard one student say to another, “Isn’t it so therapeutic being in this room sewing??”  YAY!!!  That is the exact environment I was hoping for!!

I’d love to see your sewing spaces too, feel free to link to your blog in the comments!!

Sewing Class Schedule—Fall 2013…

I am posting my sewing class schedule so my local friends can easily check the calendar and see what new classes have been listed.

All classes are $15 and usually last about 2 hours.  The Anna Tote Bag is my first beginner class (for ages 8 and up) and is the only requisite for other classes.  If you have experience with sewing you may sign up for any class in any order.

I now have 2 Pre-beginner classes for ages 6-8.  They focus on a little bit of hand sewing, and sewing a straight line, and following a curve.

I teach sewing because I love it, not because I am an expert.  My goal is to help my students get excited about creating something independently and feel empowered to try something new—and hopefully continue sewing on their own and use their own creativity to make new things.  My classes are designed as project based so that you usually have something to go home with that is finished(excluding the Anna Tote Bag which is takes two class sessions to complete.)

All classes require the following supplies:

• a good pair of sewing scissors that will cut fabric 
• straight pins
• seam ripper
• Individual class material lists will be emailed to you when you contact me to sign up for the class.  The class materials are usually under $10 if shopping at Hobby Lobby or Walmart.

You are welcome to bring your own machine, but my classroom is equipped with machines that are perfect for beginners.

2013 Fall Class Schedule

PRE-BEGINNER CLASSES—Ages 6-8 years

(The Pre-Beginner classes are $15, but include all materials in the class fee)

Crayon Roll

Skills taught: straight lines, how to use a sewing machine(all class materials included with class fee)

Crayon Roll:

Saturday, September 14, 2013 9:30-11:30am

Saturday, November 16, 2013 9:30-11:30am

Bunny Hand Puppet

Skills taught: sewing curved lines, hand sewing, sewing on buttons, pinning(all materials included with class fee)

Bunny Hand Puppet:

Saturday, October 19, 2013 9:30-11:30am

BEGINNER CLASSES

All class are $15 per student and usually last 2 hours.

Tote Bag

(First beginner class and a pre-requisite for all other classes.  Taught in two, 2 hours class sessions)

Skills taught: cutting a pattern, pinning, sewing straight lines, pivot turns, sewing curved lines, backstitching, seam ripping, sewing boxed corners, finishing stitches

Anna Tote Bag

First Session($15):

Saturday, September 7, 2013 9-11am

Thursday, September 12, 2013 7-9pm

Saturday, October 19, 2013, 1-3pm

Second Section($15):

 Saturday, September 21, 2013 1-3

Thursday, September 19, 2013 7-9pm

Saturday, November 9, 2013 1-3pm 

Ruffle Embellished Canvas Bag

Skills taught: gathering, pinning ruffles, sewing ruffles, straight stitches

Ruffle Embellished Canvas Bag:

Saturday, September 14, 2013 1-3pm
Wednesday, September 18, 2013 11:30-1:30
Saturday, October 12, 2013 1-3pm

Thursday, October 17, 2013 7-9pm

Saturday, November 23, 2013 1-3pm

Up-cycled Ruffle Denim Skirt

Skills taught: pleating, pinning ruffles, sewing ruffles, straight stiches

Ruffle embellished denim skirt:

Saturday, October 26, 2013 1-3pm

Pleated Zipper Purse

Pattern by Skip to My Lou

Skills taught: pleating, basting, sewing zippers

Pleated Zipper Purse:

Wednesday, September 18, 2013 7-9pm

Wednesday, October 23, 2013 7-9pm
Wednesday, November 6, 2013 11:30-1:30

Saturday, November 16, 2013 11:30-1:30pm

Ruffle Embellished Pillow

(choose one design, either 12 x12 or 12x 16)

Skills taught: gathering, pleating, sewing ruffles, finishing stitches

Pillow:

Wednesday, October 16, 11:30-1:30

Saturday, November 9, 2013 9:30-11:30am

Lined Pencil Case or Sunglass Case

Skills taught: lining, button holes, sewing on a button

 

Lined Pencil Case or Sunglass Case

Saturday, September 7, 2013 1-3pm

Saturday, October 26, 2013 9:30-11:30
Saturday, November 23, 2013 9:30-11:30

Maisy Daisy Necklace

Skills taught: sewing tubes, knot tying, finished stitches, fabric yo-yo’s(hand gathering), sewing on a button

Maisy Daisy Necklace

Saturday, October 12, 2013 9:30-11:30am

Tuesday, October 29, 2013 7-9pm

Wednesday, November 6, 2013 7-9pm

Sharon Burlap Market Tote

Skills taught: Sewing burlap, sewing tubes, boxed corners, finishing lining

Sharon Burlap Market Tote:

Tuesday, September 24, 2013 7-9pm

Tuesday, October 22, 2013 7-9pm

Wednesday, November 13, 2013 7-9pm

And here is a list of classes by month, just in case that is easier…

September
Saturday, Sept 7--9-11 Tote Bag I
1-3 Pencil Case
Thursday, Sept 12--7-9 Tote Bag I
Saturday, Sept 14--9:30-11:30 Crayon
1-3 Ruffle Bag
*Wednesday, Sept 18--11:30-1:30 Ruffle Bag
7-9 Zipper pouch
Thursday, Sept 19--7-9 Tote Bag II
Saturday, Sept 21--1-3 Tote Bag II
Tuesday, September 24--7-9 Sharon Market Bag
October
Saturday, October 12--9:30-11:30 Maisy necklace
1-3 Ruffle bag
*Wednesday, October 16--11:30-1:30 Ruffle pillow
Thursday, October 17--7-9 Ruffle bag
Saturday, October 19--9:30-11:30 Bunny puppet
1-3 Tote Bag I
Tuesday, October 22--7-9 Sharon Market Bag
Wednesday, October 23--7-9 Zipper pouch
Saturday, October 26--9:30-11:30 Pencil pouch
1-3 Ruffle skirt
Tuesday, October 29 7-9 Maisy necklace
November
*Wednesday, November 6--11:30-1:30 Zipper pouch
7-9 Maisy necklace
Saturday, November 9--9:30-11:30 Pilllow
1-3 Tote Bag II
Wednesday, November 13--7-9 Sharon Market Bag
Saturday, November 16--9:30-11:30 Crayon Roll
1-3 Zipper pouch
Saturday, November 23--9:30-11:30 Pencil case
1-3 Ruffle Bag

Fall Sewing Class Schedule 2013…

I am posting my sewing class schedule so my local friends can easily check the calendar and see what new classes have been listed.

All classes are $15 and usually last about 2 hours.  The Anna Tote Bag is my first beginner class (for ages 8 and up) and is the only requisite for other classes.  If you have experience with sewing you may sign up for any class in any order.

I now have 2 Pre-beginner classes for ages 6-8.  They focus on a little bit of hand sewing, and sewing a straight line, and following a curve.

I teach sewing because I love it, not because I am an expert.  My goal is to help my students get excited about creating something independently and feel empowered to try something new—and hopefully continue sewing on their own and use their own creativity to make new things.  My classes are designed as project based so that you usually have something to go home with that is finished(excluding the Anna Tote Bag which is takes two class sessions to complete.)

All classes require the following supplies:

• a good pair of sewing scissors that will cut fabric 
• straight pins
• seam ripper
• Individual class material lists will be emailed to you when you contact me to sign up for the class.  The class materials are usually under $10 if shopping at Hobby Lobby or Walmart.

You are welcome to bring your own machine, but my classroom is equipped with machines that are perfect for beginners.

2013 Fall Class Schedule

PRE-BEGINNER CLASSES—Ages 6-8 years

(The Pre-Beginner classes are $15, but include all materials in the class fee)

Crayon Roll

Skills taught: straight lines, how to use a sewing machine(all class materials included with class fee)

Crayon Roll:

Saturday, September 14, 2013 9:30-11:30am

Saturday, November 16, 2013 9:30-11:30am

Bunny Hand Puppet

Skills taught: sewing curved lines, hand sewing, sewing on buttons, pinning(all materials included with class fee)

Bunny Hand Puppet:

Saturday, October 18, 2013 9:30-11:30am

BEGINNER CLASSES

All class are $15 per student and usually last 2 hours.

Anna Tote Bag

**First beginner class and a pre-requisite for all other classes.  Taught in two, 2 hours class sessions**

Skills taught: cutting a pattern, pinning, sewing straight lines, pivot turns, sewing curved lines, backstitching, seam ripping, sewing boxed corners, finishing stitches

Anna Tote Bag

First Session($15):

Saturday, September 7, 2013 9-11am

Thursday, September 12, 2013 7-9pm

Saturday, October 19, 2013, 1-3pm

Second Section($15):

 Saturday, September 21, 2013 9-11

Thursday, September 19, 2013 7-9pm

Saturday, November 9, 2013 1-3pm 

Ruffle Embellished Canvas Bag

Skills taught: gathering, pinning ruffles, sewing ruffles, straight stitches

Ruffle Embellished Canvas Bag:

Saturday, October 12, 2013 1-3pm

Thursday, October 17, 2013 7-9pm

Saturday, November 23, 2013 1-3pm

Up-cycled Ruffle Denim Skirt

Skills taught: pleating, pinning ruffles, sewing ruffles, straight stiches

Ruffle embellished denim skirt:

Saturday, October 26, 2013 1-3pm

Pleated Zipper Purse

Pattern by Skip to My Lou

Skills taught: pleating, basting, sewing zippers

Pleated Zipper Purse:

Wednesday, September 18, 2013 7-9pm

Wednesday, September 18, 2013 12-2pm 

Saturday, September 21, 1-3pm

Wednesday, October 23, 2013 7-9pm

Saturday, November 16, 2013 1-3pm

Ruffle Embellished Pillow

(choose one design, either 12 x12 or 12x 16)

Skills taught: gathering, pleating, sewing ruffles, finishing stitches

Pillow:

Saturday, October 26, 9:30-11:30am

Saturday, November 9, 2013 9:30-11:30am

Lined Pencil Case or Sunglass Case

Skills taught: lining, button holes, sewing on a button

 

Lined Pencil Case or Sunglass Case

Saturday, September 7, 2013 1-3pm

Saturday, November 23, 2013 9:30-11:30

Maisy Daisy Necklace

Skills taught: sewing tubes, knot tying, finished stitches, fabric yo-yo’s(hand gathering), sewing on a button

Maisy Daisy Necklace

Saturday, October 12, 2013 9:30-11:30am

Tuesday, October 29, 2013 7-9pm

Wednesday, November 6, 2013 7-9pm

Sharon Burlap Market Tote

Skills taught: Sewing burlap, sewing tubes, boxed corners, finishing lining

Sharon Burlap Market Tote:

Tuesday, September 24, 2013 7-9pm

Tuesday, October 22, 2013 7-9pm

Wednesday, November 13, 2013 7-9pm

And here is a list of classes by month, just in case that is easier…

September

Saturday, Sept 7--9-11 Tote Bag I

1-3 Pencil Case

Thursday, Sept 12--7-9 Tote Bag I

Saturday, Sept 14--9:30-11:30 Crayon Roll

1-3 Ruffle Bag

*Wednesday, Sept 18--11:30-1:30 Ruffle Bag

7-9 Zipper pouch

Thursday, Sept 19--7-9 Tote Bag II

Saturday, Sept 21-- 9-11 Tote Bag II

1-3 Zipper pouch

Tuesday, September 24--7-9 Sharon Market Bag

October

Saturday, October 12--9:30-11:30 Maisy necklace

1-3 Ruffle bag

*Wednesday, October 16--11:30-1:30 Ruffle pillow

Thursday, October 17--7-9 Ruffle bag

Saturday, October 19--9:30-11:30 Bunny puppet

1-3 Tote Bag I

Tuesday, October 22--7-9 Sharon Market Bag

Wednesday, October 23--7-9 Zipper pouch

Saturday, October 26--9:30-11:30 Pencil pouch

1-3 Ruffle skirt

Tuesday, October 29 7-9 Maisy necklace

November

*Wednesday, November 6--11:30-1:30 Zipper pouch

7-9 Maisy necklace

Saturday, November 9--9:30-11:30 Pilllow

1-3 Tote Bag II

Wednesday, November 13--7-9 Sharon Market Bag

Saturday, November 16--9:30-11:30 Crayon Roll

1-3 Zipper pouch

Saturday, November 23--9:30-11:30 Pencil case

1-3 Ruffle Bag