Mini-Camp 2013

Mini-camp 2013

     This week I am writing about the mini-camp I held over spring break.  Three girls joined me to make a mini-shoulder purse.

     We started by my drawing the rectangle sizes needed for the girls on their chosen outer fabrics.  They then cut them out and used them as a pattern to cut the batting and lining pieces.  After carefully pining all three layers together they then stitched around the edges.

     I then drew lines on the fabric for them and they quilted the pieces together.  Ellen and Greta chose to do a diamond pattern while Christine chose to do straight lines but using a decorative stitch.
 
     They then edge finished two edges, folded them under and using some Wonder Tape applied an exposed zipper.  They were quite excited to be able to do a zipper.

    Next was applying the cord in the right spot and sewing up around the edges.  Some trimming and edge finishing and they were done.  Of course things did not go totally smoothly.  We had a few broken needles, a zipper that didn't work after it was all sewn in and some very thick cord that was hard to sew.

     The girls worked through all the problems and we were only a few minutes late finishing class.  We also took a break for some delicious home-baked pecan sandy cookies that Ellen's mom made to celebrate her birthday which is tomorrow.

     We may not have had sun and sand on our spring break but I think they all had a good time.

Christine and her purse

Ellen and her purse

Greta and her purse

BRRR! First Day of Spring?

     Is this really the first day of spring?  The wind chill is below zero.  I am so tired of the cold and ice.  I just want to get out on my bike and do my running without multiple layers and worrying about the ice.  Oh well nothing I can do about it.

Bella and her square neck blouse

     The girls are finishing lots of items right now.  In Monday's class Julia is still working on her two layer skirt.  She has finally finished doing the narrow hems on the two layers.  Hopefully the rest of the skirt goes together more quickly.  Bella finished her fun polka dot square neck blouse while Meghan is almost done with her sport shorts.  Katie still is struggling with her purse but it is almost finished also.

Izzy and her square neck blouse

     Izzy finished her square neck blouse last week and cut out her sport shorts this week.  She chose a jersey knit that keeps curling up on her.  We tamed it some with some Best Press.  At least it lay flat for her to pin and cut out the pattern pieces.  Lauren just has the hems on her pajama pants.  She is hoping to wear them to school on Friday because it is pajama day.  We decided it would be fine to wear them one day without the hems.  Christine is starting on a nightshirt using a fun cat print.  She had to be sure to cut it out properly since the cats are directional.

Christine and her square neck blouse

     Cara is working on her square neck blouse in a pretty blue green fabric.  Hayley finished her polka dot pajama pants.  Ellen is working on some white shorts with the hopes that summer will soon be here.  Greta is working on her floral square neck blouse.

Hayley and her pajama pants

  

     Next week is spring break for all my students.  Many of them are going away but I am having a mini-camp for those that are staying home.  They will make a mini-shoulder purse.  These are quite fun and the girls get to work with a zipper.

Ellen and her square neck blouse

     I had a great time at my retreat this past weekend.  I will write more about it next week.  Keep warm.

Barcelona Jacket

Great Copy Barcelona Jacket

     This is the jacket I recently made.  It was supposed to be ready for me to wear in Dallas at the ETA Sewing Expo but I didn't get it finished in time.  This is a longer jacket that even without darts has a nice fitted shape.  I chose to make view B with the bound edges.

     I looked through my stash of fabrics and found a wool that I bought several years ago.  I also had many yards of a black linen like fabric that I bought when a store was closing.  I used that for the binding.

Button Detail

     This jacket practically begs for a special button.  I found the perfect one when I was at the show in Dallas, a black glass antique button.  Instead of making a buttonhole for this odd shaped button, I chose to just use a large snap.  I am super excited to know that Pattie is working on embroidery designs that will fit the front opening.  Can't wait to try them on another jacket.

Finished Barcelona Jacket

     I still had a large piece of the wool left when I was done.  I decided to wash it in hot water and dry in a hot dryer to see what would happen.  I did this twice, the first time with a batch of towels.  It did shrink some and got more textured.  I am thinking of using it to make a purse of some kind.

Washed Wool

   Next up is a quilt retreat this weekend.  I have two quilts that need their labels and binding and then I cut out two quilts from kits I had in my stash.  No need to make a wedding or graduation quilt this retreat.

   

Sammie and Anna

Sammie and her award

     I have had the pleasure of teaching Sammie and Anna how to sew.  Sammie started with me when she was 9 years old.  She quickly picked up the basics and moved through the first book of the program by Kids Can Sew.  She then began sewing other things such as a Halloween costume that included a zipper and matching dresses for her cousins.  But it was the stuffed animal that she made that caught her sister Anna's eye.

     Anna wanted to make a puppy for herself.  She started lessons three years after Sammie, at the age of 10.  She also picked up the basics quickly and moved through the first book.  Her first project then was the stuffed puppy.  She chose a curly fur fabric that was difficult to cut and sew but she preserved and made the cutest puppy.

     The girls became involved in making costumes for their school plays and would have to stop taking lessons at the end of the school year because of the time commitment.  They though would often join in a summer camp to continue with their love of sewing.

Anna and Sammie with their sewing bags from a summer camp

     Besides sewing for themselves they were often working on projects for their cousins and aunt.  As they got to high school things got too busy for them to continue taking lessons with me.  However they continue to sew.  

     I heard from their mom that Sammie is winning awards with her sewing.  As a freshman she was invited to a state competition which is highly unusual as usually only upperclassmen compete.   She recently was at Harper College for the FCCLA Competition.  She made a dress and placed first in her category.  She also won Most Outstanding.

Sammie's Dress

     I am so happy for her.  I am proud to have been her early teacher and hopefully instilled a life long love of sewing in her.  

Sammie and her coat

     I hear the girls are still involved in sewing costumes for school plays and making some great friends there also.  I just wanted to share their success with everyone else.  It puts a big smile on my face to know I helped inspire some new sewing enthusiasts.

Check out the lining fabric