Fall Sewing classes for Kids

The kids sewing classes are going very well. The four girls completed their first project. Each of them made a skirt. They learned how to interface the front waistband and insert elastic in the back casing. They also learned how to gather using dental floss (that was a challenge). Then they learned how to attach the gathered flounce to the skirt. (another challenge). One of the girls choose a pattern with three tiers. This eight year old did a lot of gathering.

They had lots of fun making the skirts. Each week they'd ask "Are we going to finish today?" It took four Saturdays . The sessions only last l1/2 hours.

I'm really proud of the work they did. The next project will be a purse. They are all excited about making their own purse.

Sewing my dress for my son's wedding

Now that the sewing camps are over; I give private lessons to an 11yrs old girl. She is a natural. In nine hours she's made a couple of pillowcases, and two dresses. The dresses are two separate views from the same pattern. She has learned how to make an elastic casing and how to sew in a zipper.

I've been making the dress for my son's wedding. I want to be a stylish mother of the groom. I'm making Simplicity 4070. This picture is dress in progress. I'll post pictures of the finished dress when I return from the wedding,

Summer Sewing Camps a BIG hit

The three summer camps were very successful. Each camp lasted for five days. The students ages range from 7-11yrs and 12-15yrs. The younger group made a pillowcase and pajama bottoms. The teen group made a peasant blouse. They learned how to operate their own sewing machines. They also learned how to measure, layout, pin and cut out a pattern. It was lots of fun.

I think the biggest challenge for most of the girls was the sewing machine. They start out thinking that they can learn it all in one day. I had to show them that even after 40 years of sewing; some days the machine still doesn't do what I want it to do.

Kids/Teens Summer Sewing Camp

I spent the last five days teaching kids to sew. It was a blast. The classes were held at the local Hancock fabric store for four days with five girls. Their ages range from 7-12yrs old. The first day I helped them learn the sewing machine while demonstrating different types of stitching and seam allowances like 5/8", 3/8", 1/2". and 1". They made a pillowcase, a pair of pajama bottoms and appliqued their initials on a tote bag.
One of my days was spent at the local library conducting a sewing craft session for over 35 kids and their moms. The ages there were from 3-12yrs old. They had loads of fun cutting out shapes, hand sewing and sewing on the machine. The moms were a big help with the younger children.
It was a great experience for me to work with such a variety of ages. When given the opportunity; I will take the time to teach sewing to anyone.

From Weddings to Quilts

See the hole in the center.

Ripped in the center

Frayed band
All fixed up
Beautiful!

This week I spent most of my time restoring quilts. I'm not sure how old they are, but they are beautiful. They have obviously seen some wear and tear. However, when I'm done with them; they'll be as good as new. There are several holes and tears in the quilts. The owner asked me to just machine stitch whatever fabric I had to patch up the holes.

These are handmade quilts so I am stitching each piece of replacement fabric by hand to keep the original as much as I can. Also I had to wash the fabric before I stitched them on. It's like putting new wine into an old bottle. It wouldn't last too long. It's the same with the quilt. The patches would stretch and tear after a while.
This quilt is almost completed. It will need cleaning after the sewing to bring out it's beauty. Someone put a lot of love and work into it.

More weddings

This wedding was in Atlanta, Ga on May 17th. I did the alterations on the gown. Took 2" off the bottom including the train and took in the side seams and added a loop carrier. She did not want me to bustle it. I'm very proud of my work.

Weddings

April was a busy month for me. I helped my friend with her daughter's wedding. It turned out to be very nice. The chair covers gave the reception hall a festive atmosphere. We received numerous positive comments.

Teaching Kids to Sew

What I like to do best of all is to teach kids how to sew. They are like sponges. The soak up the information really quickly. They are always eager to try new ways of doing things. They are not afraid of handling the sewing machine. Most kids are ready to jump right in and start sewing. Often I have to settle them down and teach them that they must first learn the basics. I love the creativity and willingness to try new things.
Some people still think that kids can't learn how to sew because they are too young to understand it all. I learned to sew when I was 10 years old and I loved it. Now some of my students are 8 years old. When I taught sewing at Joann's in Fayetteville, Georgia, I had a student who was 7 years old. She couldn't reach the foot pedal. We had to put a phone book under the pedal.

Teaching

Teaching others to sew is very rewarding. I have been teaching sewing for over twenty years. I teach mostly kids. They are always eager to learn and they have fun learning about fashion and the numerous techniques. Kids like to see finished projects. When I first introduce them to sewing; I have them make some thing small like a stuffed animal. Beginners always start by learning hand sewing techniques. Then they move to the sewing machine.
The reason why I start them out with hand sewing is because they will at some time in their sewing adventures have to sew something with needle and thread. Some of the kids are anxious to get on the sewing machine. However, there is so much to learn to operate the sewing machine it takes a lot of time to learn.
Kids love to learn and create. Starting them off with hand sewing gives them a good sense of accomplishment.

Summer Sewing Classes

I am now getting ready for my sewing classes for June and July. I will be teaching kids classes and doing a couple of week long sewing camps. I plan to teach classes at Hancock in Montgomery, Al. The classes will be posted on the Hancock website as soon as I can complete the schedule.
I am also scheduled to teach a kids sewing camp at H. Councill Trenholm State Technical College Continuing Education on July 21-25.
As more and more young people become interested in sewing; I am excited to be involved in teaching classes. I love to teach others to sew.
www.hancockfabrics.com
www.trenholmtech.cc.al.us

The Easter dresses are completed

I completed the dresses for Easter Sunday. They are beautiful ; if I should say so. I also made a small bag to match each of the dresses. I hope they like them.

Easter Dresses

Today I started to make Easter dresses for the girls in the family that I mentor through my church, The Assembly Worship Center. They are ages 10, 4, and 2 years old. I completed one of the dresses today and will sew another one tomorrow. I have to complete them by Friday. I'll post pictures later.

Chair covers

Today I sewed chair covers for my friend's daughter. She is getting married in April. I am helping her make some of the chair covers. They are made from drapery linning with chiffon as the tie & bow. I think they came out really good. They fit the standard chair that are used at wedding receptions and the like.

Sewing Educator

In addition to making wedding gowns, I love to teach sewing. I've been teaching children sewing classes for over 20 years. Although most of the students I've taught were girls, I have also taught boys how to sew. I just love to see their creativity expressed in the finished projects.

Bridal Informals

This is the time of year when I get really busy. I just completed a gown form a Butterick Pattern. It's not your typical gown; but these are the ones I love to make. They're called informals because they are simple in the style and the creation of the gown. These gowns are more likely to be worn by ladies who were married before. In addition, some brides prefer not to have the traditional type gowns.

This is made from Butterick B4605