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Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Pastel Hexagon Pinwheels Quilt

Pastel Hexagon Pinwheels Quilt


     This was a very frustrating quilt.  I bought the Grunge Pastel fat stack and pattern at Patched Works.  I also bought the special ruler that the pattern called for.  The white background fabric I had in my stash.  I spent a long time cutting the 288 background triangles that the pattern said I needed.  I lost count after a while. 

Block detail

     During quilt retreat in March of 2019, I pieced the color strips and cut the triangles.  So far, so good.  Then I started to put them together.  I did them like a spider web instead of pinwheels.  Fortunately my friend Kris caught it when I was about halfway through.  Everyone at retreat helped take them apart.  


Quilting detail
    
      There were no directions for pressing or adding the background pieces.  When I had all of the blocks done, I had a ton of background triangles left.  WHY?  When I started to put the blocks up on the design wall, I had only half of the number of hexagons that the pattern called for.  If you do the math, you can only get 36 blocks, not 72, when you have 12 fat quarters which is what the pattern called for.  How can someone whose job it is to write up quilt patterns be SO WRONG! They even had a store sample hanging that was 6 x 6 blocks but stated that the finished size was 70" x 89".  Come on, didn't they see the discrepancy either?  

Label 1


     I opted to make my quilt 5 x 7 blocks and I used the remaining block for my quilt label.  I used white flannel from JoAnn Fabrics for the backing and the left over strips of fabric pieced together for the binding.  Joni used the 'Broken Glass' pattern for the quilting.    

Label 2

     The quilt turned out cute enough but I will always see frustration when I look at it.  The pattern was definitely not worth the money, I have had better directions with free ones from the internet.  


Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Slumber Party Sewing Camp

Amanda, Isy, Julia and Claire with their camisole tops
 

     The last camp of the summer was Slumber Party.  If you can't decide between sleeping in or hanging out with friends, then a slumber party is the way to go.  Or course this camp description was written before COVID-19 but hopefully one day soon kids will be able to be together again.  The first thing the girls made was a camisole top.  They had an option of tie  straps or plain.  Amanda chose the tie option while the rest chose the pain strap option.


Amanda, Isy, Claire & Julia and their pj bottoms


     Next up was the pajama bottoms.  Amanda and Julia chose the long pants option while Isy and Claire chose the boxers option.  In the long pants option, you could add a tuck to make them shorter or leave them super long, kind of dragging on the ground version.  Amanda chose to add a tuck, and then we had to add another one because they were still WAY too long.  Julia chose to leave hers super long.  They learned how to make buttonholes because theses bottoms had a ribbon/elastic drawstring in the waist.


Duffel bags ready to go to a sleepover


     Next up was a combo duffel bag, pillow case.  There were four buttonholes in this project so they got lots more practice making buttonholes.  Oops I missed getting a photo of Julia with her duffel bag.


Almost finished masks
 

     Lastly we made their sleep masks.  Unfortunately we ran out of time to finish them, but they finish sewing them closed by hand at home.  It was fun to see the colors and fabrics the girls chose.  Isy also made a matching scrunch for each of the girls.  Thanks Isy!


Completed projects


     This has been a fun summer of lots of sewing camps even while having to be masked and socially distant.  After school weekly lessons will start after Labor Day.  This will give me a chance to work on some other projects and then be all ready for more sewing teaching. 

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

The Three Rs ReMake ReModel ReUse Sewing Camp 2020

 

Hailey and her skirt


Evie and her skirt

     The month of August started with Evie and Hailey taking Three Rs camp.  The first thing they made was a skirt from a man's dress shirt.  They both opted to make their belt loops from their contrast belt fabric instead of the leftover shirt fabric.  

Evie necklace

Hailey necklace


     Next up was making a necklace from a man's tie.  After a couple of hiccups getting started, they soon were working on them.  This involved some hand sewing also to put the buttons on.


Evie bag

Hailey bag


     Next we started on their bracelets but because of the drying time for the glue, we had to put that on pause and start on their tote bags.  They carefully cut off the sleeves and then I traced an opening at the neck edge with a dinner plate.  They sewed the bottom closed and added gussets to give it a bit more shape.

Evie bracelet

Hailey bracelet


     On the last day we finished up the bracelets which involved more hand sewing.  The directions called for gluing the final piece in place, but when I made mine it didn't hold together very well so hand sewing to the rescue.  The girls did a great job and I hope they had fun.  My last camp in currently in progress, then I take a couple of weeks off before starting after school lessons.


Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Beginning Sewing July 2020




     I added on a Beginning Sewing this summer due to increased demand and I had time since my family vacation was cancelled.  I welcomed Norah, Zakai and Victoria and her mom Veronica.


     They learned the basics of the sewing machine and then made their patchwork pillow.  I do enjoy watching them so carefully choosing the pieces they want to put together for their pillow.


     Next up was the drawstring bag followed by the book bag.


     It was quite an eclectic group but they all got along and did a great job.  I have now been using the Avery Lane sewing program for the past year.  I find it to be an easy program to follow, the students enjoy the projects and things move in a logical progression.  It is easy to use as either a summer camp or the hourly lessons after school.   I have two more camps and then take a break before starting after school sewing classes.