Beginning Sewing Camp June 2014

Lauren bag and belt

     Because of the 'Polar Vortex' we had this past winter, many of the schools were still in session for my first sewing camp.  I was lucky enough to get a set of sisters that were done with school that wanted to learn to sew.

Sarah bag and belt

     At the beginning they were pretty much keeping pace but then the older sister really got the hang of it and started taking off.

Lauren skirt

     In the four days of camp they both finished a sewing bag and belt.  Then Lauren made a cute sparkly denim skirt while Sarah worked on a pair of summery pajama pants.

Sarah pants

     When Lauren finished her skirt, she made a pair of pants also but decided she wanted them shorter.  We cut them so they were just below her knees.

Lauren shorter pants

     They both caught on very quickly and did a fantastic job with their garments.  I'm hoping they might join us for Purse-onality Fun 5 camp later this summer.  Don't you just love their fabric and ribbon choices?

End Of After School Lessons 2014

 

Cara and her grandma's tote

Ellen modeling her mom's dress

   Wow I can't believe after school classes are over.  Ellen and Cara finished up on May 19th as the next Monday was Memorial day and the following Monday Cara was already god on vacation.  Ellen finished the dress for her mom.  We decided on no zipper since it was a knit and her mom could put it on without the need for one.  The dress took a long time but it turned out great.  Cara finished the tote bag for her grandma.  She even embroidered 'Made by Cara' inside.

Kate and her square neck blouse

Nonie and her square neck blouse

Nonie working on a peasant nightgown for her sister

Christine and her sport shirt

Greta and her sheer blouse over her tank top

     In Tuesdays group, Kate finished her square neck blouse, Nonie was still working on a peasant nightgown for her sister while Christine finished her sport shirt.  Unfortunately Christine had a couple of mishaps with her blouse (like cutting a couple of holes at the neck edge and a melt mark) but we fixed them up and added a knit flower to cover one of the bigger holes.  Design opportunity!  Greta sewed some straps to a dress to make it acceptable for her graduation dance and then started on a tote bag after finishing a sheer blouse.

Lindesy and the notions bag for her mom

Natalie and her skirt

Natalie and her shorts

Nick and his sweatshirt

Nick working on his dog accessories

     In Wednesday's group, Lindsey finished her nightshirt and then made a notions bag for her mom and a quick scrunchie for herself.  Natalie finished her denim skirt and also a pair of shorts from a knit fabric.  Julia was working on a knit dress from See & Sew while Nick finished his sweatshirt on the serger and started a portable dog feeding bowl.

Najiyah and her nightshirt

Najiyah working on her peasant blouse

Bella working on her shorts

Aviva and her denim skirt

Button detail of skirt

Aviva and her denim shorts

Pocket on Aviva's shorts

Maddie and her peasant nightgown

Maddie and her denim skirt

Back of skirt showing the cute red buttons

     In Thursday's class, Najiyah finished her nightshirt and started on a peasant blouse.  Bella was making some denim shorts that she added a back pocket.  Aviva finished her denim skirt and then made a pair of denim shorts with a back pocket and frayed hems.  Maddie finished her peasant nightgown and then a denim skirt.

     The kids have had a very busy year.  I hope to see some of them this summer and again in the fall.

Pillows June 2014

Three new pillows for a client

     Pillows seem to be the thing right now.  Just did three for another client.  She bought the fabric online.  The prints are a cotton batik and the beige is a linen fabric.  Since these are going to go in her family room she wanted to be able to wash them.  She pre-washed the fabric and I pre-washed the interlining.

18 x 18 batik pillow

     Because it is a lighter weight cotton fabric I suggested that she have the pillows interlined.  I used the drapery interlining I have and cut off three pieces slightly larger than what I would need.  I put them in the laundry with a load of towels and pre-shrunk it that way.  I cut all the pieces and then serged the interlining to the face fabric.

Two 20 x 20 batik/linen pillows

     The pillows all have covered cord and zippers.  The smaller pillow is all one fabric while the two larger ones have the batik on the front and the cord, with the linen on the back side of the pillow.  Nice way to have the option of different looks.

Fun with pillows

     I think it is time for me to start making some pillows for my own family room.