Sewing Camps 2013

Out to Lunch  - Lunch bag

     This summer I will be once again having sewing camps.  Beginning Sewing Camp will be the week of June10th or July 8th.  Children will earn their sewing machine "driver's license" with this beginning sewing class.  Using the Carolyn Curtis Kids Can Sew and Craft program, they will make a sewing bag to hold their supplies and a belt to hold up their pants.  From there they will make themselves simple garments mastering the basics to move on to more complex items.  Come learn from a Trained Sewing Educator in a small size class that allows for personal attention.

     The week of June 24th is The Three Rs - ReMake ReModel ReUse.  Does your dad have a dress shirt and tie he no longer wears?  Does someone in your family have t-shirts they no longer need?  We are going to turn these items into a skirt, a necklace, bracelet and a bag.  So have some fun ‘shopping’ in your family’s closet or at a local thrift shop.  See how much fun the three Rs can be.

Out to Lunch - Sandwich wrapper

    The week of July 29th Is Summer Cotton Fun.  Cotton is the fabric for summer.  Cool and comfy in the heat.  We will make an ‘Easy Peasy Summer Skirt', a cloth headband and a reversible bag all from cotton fabrics.  Buy coordinating fabrics and you will have the basis of a new summer outfit.

     And last but not least is Out to Lunch the week of August 5th.  Everything you need to take your lunch in an eco-friendly way.  We'll stitch a colorful lunch bag, a sandwich wrapper that doubles as a placemat, a wrap to keep your soda can cool and a case to keep the change you need to buy a candy bar ;-)   Just the thing to do before heading back to school.

Out to Lunch - Can wrap

Out to Lunch - Coin purse

     To see photos of the other projects visit my Pinterest board Upcoming Camps and Kids Sewing

http://pinterest.com/runcelesterun/upcoming-camps-and-kids-sewing/     For more information about my classes see http://creationsbyceleste.biz/smf-calendar.php

     I always have fun planning the camps and then even more fun teaching them.  These camps are for both boys and girls so if you know of a child wanting to learn to sew just send them my way.  

     My after school girls are moving along nicely with their projects.  The two newest girls, Lauren and Christine have finished their sewing bags and belts and will start on their first clothing item next week.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

     Here in the Chicago area the temps have dropped significantly.  Wind chills below zero but still no real snow.   So what does this have to do with sewing?  It just means we are staying inside more and enjoying the time sewing.   I made a receiving blanket for grandson Colton with all his vital statistics embroidered on it.  These make great baby presents because not only are they very personalized but they are practical as well.

Colton's baby blanket

     These are really easy to make.  I buy 1 1/4 yards of two coordinating flannels.  Then I wash them in hot water and dry them in a hot dryer.  This shrinks up the flannel and also washes out some of the finishes and softens it up.  I then cut them so the two pieces are the same exact size and start pinning them together with right sides together.  I then round the corners.  Sew with a 1/2" seam allowance, leaving a small opening.  Then I press, turn and press again.  I use some Steam a Seam to close the opening and then topstitch 1/4" from the edge.  On Colton's blanket I used a decorative stitch instead of just a straight stitch.  The back of this one says "I Love Grandma"  I felt since I was making it I could do that :-)

     I decided then to read through my sewing and embroidery magazines that have been piling up.  I also downloaded the various freebies that went with the different articles and have organized it on the computer.  I think then I will get back to working on my Christmas quilt unless Colton needs something else.

     In class, Julia missed Monday.  Not sure why, maybe she was off somewhere because of the school holiday.  Bella cut out a square neck blouse using a polka dot fabric.  Meghan is almost done with her pillow and Katie's purse is coming along nicely.  The outside is finished and she is working on the lining.

      Tuesday's class Izzy finished her little notions bag and cut out a square neck blouse from a red checked fabric.  Lauren and Christine are almost done with their sewing bags and will most likely start on their first clothing items next week.

     Wednesday last week Cara is working on her back slit denim skirt while Hayley and Greta are working on pants.  Hayley's are from a fun polka dot print.

     I have finished planning my summer camps.  I will be teaching beginning sewing the weeks of June 10th or July 8th.  The week of June 24th is The Three Rs ReMake, ReModel, ReUse, the week of July 29th is Summer Cotton Fun and the week of August 5th is Out to Lunch.  I am just finishing up creating the supply lists for each camp.

     Starting to get in some longer runs on the weekends.  Need to get ready for my marathon in Nashville the end of April.  Also working on building my strength on the bike for our bike challenge.  Trying to push some higher watts.  It is tough but I am hanging in there.

I'm a Grandma

Me and Colton

Grandpa and Colton

     Some very exciting news since I last wrote, Colton Louis was born on Thursday morning.  It is our first grandchild and we are both so very excited.  Everything went well for mom, dad and baby.  This past Sunday he met his great grandma.  My mom was so thrilled to hold him.  It's been 13 years since there was a baby in our family.

     The after school classes are going well with only one opening left on Tuesday.  Julia is now working on the overlay for her skirt, Bella finished her pajama pants and was planning on wearing them that night.  Meghan remembered her pillow project and is assembling the multiple applique layers for the front while Katie's purse is starting to finally look like a purse.

     Izzy is almost done with her notions bag while Lauren and Christine have earned their 'Sewing Machine Driver's Licenses' and have started on their sewing bags.  The Wednesday group is all making pajama pants.  Ellen joined us on Tuesday this week because of something else she had to do on Wednesday.  She is almost done with her pants while Cara, Hayley and Greta are all at different stages in the construction of their pants.

     I finished sewing some pillows for a client and had fun playing with her striped fabric.

Striped pillows

     On the personal side of my sewing I had to stop work on the Christmas quilt to make this Cuddle Wrap for Colton.  The one my daughter had for him to use with the carseat was too big so I made him this newborn sized one.  Can't wait to see him in it.

Cuddle Wrap using Great Copy 1010

     I successfully met my weight challenge which was to lose 2 pounds between mid November and mid January.  I weighed in yesterday and made it.  Now that the holidays are over I hope to lose a few more pounds a little more quickly.  I am in the middle of a bike challenge also.  That started 6 weeks ago and the goal is to increase your watts by 3% in a ten mile time trial.  Yesterday I had a repeat time trial and had increased my watts by about 1.5% so hopefully I can do that again in another 6 weeks to meet that goal.  I have been taking advantage of the extra computrainer classes that are part of the challenge package and I am seeing it work.

    Time to also start training for the Country Music Marathon in Nashville the end of April.  I ran my first marathon last October and hope to get a little faster for this one.

Back to Sewing

     After a hectic holiday season it is time to get back on schedule.  My after school sewing classes are almost full.  On Monday I have Julia, Bella, Meghan and Katie.  Tuesday is Izzy, Lauren and Christine.  Wednesday will be Cara, Hayley, Ellen and Greta.

     Julia is working on a skirt, she just finished re-pinning the hem, Bella is almost done with her pajama pants, Meghan forgot her pillow project at home and had to work on sewing a pillowcase and Katie is working on her tote bag, a pattern with a lot of pieces.

     Izzy started on a small notions bag to keep her thread in so it doesn't get all tangled with her other supplies.  Lauren and Christine just started yesterday.  Lauren already has some experience sewing so she is quickly moving along.  Christine is a little slower since this is her first time using a sewing machine.  She is progressing nicely.

     This afternoon I will see the other four girls and what they are working on.  Hayley will be coming back after taking off the fall to be in a school play.

     Finished an embroidery on a banner for Adventure Princesses.  I had to take it apart some to be able to hoop it with stitching the front and back together.  Next up is a challenge to shorten some sleeves on a knit top for a client.  They have a fancy cuff so I can't just re-hem them.

     I did a Boppy cover for my daughter.  Replaced the dino print cotton cover with a turquoise Minky like fabric  on one side and a fun jungle animal print flannel on the other side.  Started cutting out a quilt  using some Christmas fabrics.

     Time to get some more work done, 'talk' with you next week.