Organize Your Sewing Room Camp

Bucket caddies

     The last sewing camp of the summer.  Can't believe how fast this summer is going.  I had three girls in camp last week. We started by making covers for paint cans that they can use to keep all their sewing tools in place.

Ellen and her bucket

Najiyah and her bucket

Cara and her bucket

     We opted not to do the handle cover.  I found it very difficult to stitch it on and didn't think it served much of a purpose since they weren't really going to be carrying it around a lot.  They all did a great job with the bias binding.

Memo boards

     Next we started work on the memo boards.  Because of all the glueing involved we had to do it over two days.  The hardest part they said was sewing through the foam board to tack down the ribbons and put on the buttons.

Najiyah and her organizer

Cara and her organizer

Ellen and her organizer

     Last we worked on their hanging organizers. They didn't get them quite finished but close enough that we could take some photos.  They will either finish them at home or when they come back for class in fall.  I did help by cutting out the rectangular pieces for them since it went so much faster with the rotary cutter and ruler.

Ellen hard at work

                                          

     Now time for me to start filling out the schedule for fall sewing classes.  Love to see so many kids interested in learning to sew.

Najiyah hard at work

Purse-onality Fun 5 Camp

     Last week was purse camp.  Every other year I have a purse camp and we make different purses each time.  This year the girls made a pleated tote, a pleated pouch and a wallet.  I found all the projects on Pinterest.

My sample tote with Greta's and Kelsey's totes

     When I made my sample I used some coordinating fat quarters for my tote so mine had multiple fabrics on the outside.  The original tote had just one fabric on the outside with a contrasting lining.  That is how Kelsey did her tote.  Greta was also going to do the same thing until I made a mistake cutting her fabric and we had to piece together the fabric.  We chose to put it on the inside so the seam would not show.  I think her purse turned out great looking also.

Kelsey and her tote

   

      The totes went together easily.  They both chose to put pockets inside.  The pleated pouch was a bit more difficult.  I had made a pattern piece based on the finished folding to make it easier to pleat.






     They both opted to stitch their pleats all the way across instead of leaving them loose.

Great and her tote

Kelsey and her pleated pouch

Greta and her pleated pouch

     Then we made the wallet.  It was a quick and easy project and by the end of day three I knew we needed to have something more for the final day of class.

     Kelsey opted to make a sunglass case she found on Pinterest.  She not only finished one for herself but started on another for her mom.

Kelsey and her sunglass case

     Greta had a more challenging project in mind.  She wanted to make a armband case for her phone so she could have it while she ran.  We covered some elastic with a fabric tube and then made two padded pieces.  The front one we put a window in with some vinyl Greta had.  I think we did a pretty good job.

Greta and her armband phone holder

     The girls had a great time and accomplished a lot in the four days.

Greta's projects

Kelsey's projects

Greta using the jumbo Wonder clips to hold the vinyl in place for sewing

Beginning Sewing July 2014

Elise with her bag and belt

     Last week was the second Beginning Sewing Camp of the summer.  This time camp was full.  I had 4 girls ranging from entering first grade to going into sixth grade.  Quite a diverse range of talent but all very excited to be sewing.

Charity with her bag and belt

     After learning how to use the machine properly by stitching first with just paper, the girls all earned their Sewing Machine 'Driver's License'.  Their first project was a drawstring sewing bag that they could use to keep their book and pattern pieces.

Kara with her bag and belt

     Then they made a belt using "D" rings and cotton webbing.

Pammie with her bag and belt

     The first day they had to go shopping after class to get the fabric and thread for their next project.  Pammie opted to make a shoulder tie purse from the new teen book.  She did a great job with all the top-stitching.  She also started a pair of shorts.

Pammie and her shoulder tie purse

     Charity chose to make the round neck blouse.  We added a bow from my stash of trims that was just the right color.

Charity and her round neck blouse

     Kara chose the square neck blouse and picked a bright pink and white chevron print for her project.  She didn't get the second hem of the sleeves done before camp ended but she can still wear it.  She did some really good pivoting to get nice corners on her neck line.

Kara and her square neck blouse

     Elise chose the round neck blouse also.  She chose a purple sparkly fabric for her project.  She didn't quite finish all the hemming either but no matter.  In all the 'chaos' at the end of camp with everyone cleaning up I forgot to get a picture of Elise and her blouse.  Her mom was kind enough to send me a photo of her wearing the blouse.

Elise and her round neck blouse

     Another four sewing enthusiasts are now on their way to enjoying a lifelong hobby I hope.

Busy with Summer Work

     Vacation was nice but now it is time to really get to work.  Last week I made a top for a client that has a skin condition.  It needs to be only pima cotton with no seams on the inside at the shoulder and neck.  We use two polo shirts from Lands End.  I deconstruct them and then use both backs and one set of sleeves to make the new shirt.  The shoulder and sleeve seams are on the outside as well as the neck hem is turned to the outside.  On this top I used a contrasting thread in the serger.  I think it added a nice decorative element.

     I also made pillows for another client.  She already had the forms as she was redoing them for her Florida home.  She asked for a looser fit so I cut them one inch bigger than I usually do.  One pillow had a contrasting back and had to be interlined.  The other three were from a heavier fabric so no interlining was necessary.  They all have covered cord and zipper openings.

     I am currently in the first week of three straight weeks of sewing camps.  Add to that I have (4) 8-9 foot long board mounted valances to make, a full set of patio cushions and some table covers to sew and I am busier than a one-armed paper hanger :-)

     Looking forward to our trip to Ireland, hopefully I can catch some sleep on the plane.

Branson Family Vacation 2014

Hiking in Branson

     We spent a week as a family in Branson.  We stayed at a Wyndham resort with a two bedroom and a three bedroom place.  We went hiking one day but it was really buggy.  Even with bug spray on we all got bitten up.  It was a pretty hike though.

Mom and Colton golfing

     Another day we went mini-golfing and go-karting.  Colton played a few holes and then he was just having fun dropping the ball into the cup.  He helped a few of us :-)  He tried the little ferris wheel but didn't like being away from mom.  He went around twice and we had to take him off.

#1 son, husband and daughter on go-karts

 

    We all did some go-karting, taking turns playing with Colton while the others drove.   Probably another year or two before he can ride with one of us.

What's in here?

    We spent a few days in the pool also.  Last year Colton hated the water and this year if we even mentioned swimming he was ready to go to the pool.

Me and Colton at the game

     We also went to a Springfield Cardinal's game where I caught a t-shirt.  It is only a little big on him.  The last day we were there, we took a ride on the Historic Branson Railway.  It was very pretty, especially after the rain cleared and the sun came out.

     I am hoping we can do many more of these trips with the children and grandchild(ren).