Beginning Sewing Camp June 2022

 

Beginning Sewing Camp Classroom

    Last week I had four new sewing students, Ximena, Emma, Lauren and Katie.  They started by sewing on paper after I went over the basics of the sewing machine.  The rest of the first day was spent practicing on fabric and making samples for their workbook.

Ximena and her patchwork pillow

Emma and her patchwork pillow

Lauren and her patchwork pillow

Katie and her patchwork pillow

     On day two they made a patchwork pillow, utilizing the skills they learned like sewing a straight even seam and pivoting at corners.  They had fun choosing their fabrics, I always love to see what they put together.

Ximena and her drawstring bag

Emma and her drawstring bag

Lauren and her drawstring bag

Katie and her drawstring bag

     On day three they learned about edge finishes and practiced using the zigzag stitch.  Then they made a drawstring bag utilizing those skills plus they learned how to use a safety pin to put ribbon through a casing.

Ximena and her book bag

Emma and her book bag

Lauren and her book bag

Katie and her book bag

     On our last day they learned how to sew curves and how to shorten the stitch length to give you a nice smooth curve.  They also learned how to turn a fabric tube.  Katie caught on quickly and taught the others her method.  Lots of work and sewing done in four short days.

Unlined Back Tab Draperies

 

Sewn tube of fabric

      I had a local yoga studio reach out to me to sew some new draperies for their interior window.  They did not need to be lined because the other side of the window had been boarded over, they were just looking to hide the backside of the boards.

Turning the tube

     They wanted back tab draperies because they were just using utility rods and wanted to hide them.  Function was not a problem as they were never going to be opened.

Pinning the tabs in place

     To make things go faster, I made long tubes of fabric and then cut then to size after turning the fabric.  I used a wooden pressing stick inside the tube to press the seam open.  Then I used my big blue tube turner and turned them right side out and pressed with the seam in the center back.

Sewing band and tabs down

     I pinned them in place on the right side of the drapery panel top, placing them at every other circle so there would be a nice consistent pattern on the front folds.  I then placed a band of fabric on top and sewed it together.  Then I pressed under the other edge of the band and turned it all the to wrong side of the panel and topstitched it in place.

After School Sewing June 2022

 

Roisin and her coin purse

Roisin and her apron

Nalanii and her book bag

Ky'Leigh and her pincushion

Armani and her pincushion

Amaia and her book bag

     It's hard to believe that another school year has ended.  In this last half of the year, I had people join, I opened up another day of lessons, I had people drop out and some get sick.  It has been slightly crazy but always fun.  The kids have been working their way through the projects in the Avery Lane system I am using to teach and a few have graduated into their own projects.

Amaia and her hot chocolate cozy

Amaia and her pincushion

Anna Catherine and her stuffed bunny

Armani and her hot chocolate cozy

Armani and her pillowcase

Ava and her patchwork pillow

Libi and her drawstring bag

Nalanii and her pincushion

Pam and her patchwork pillow

Roisin and her card holder

Sophie and her quilt

     I have had students tackle such projects as a stuffed animal, a quilt, a t-shirt quilt, a laptop case and clothing.

Amaia and her pillowcase

Armani and her journal

Ava and her drawstring bag

Avery and her Patchwork pillow

Avery and her drawstring bag

Ky'Leigh and her journal

Ky'Leigh and her pillowcase

Libi and her book bag

Libi and her pincushion

Nalanii and her hot chocolate cozy

Nalanii and her pillowcase

Pam and her book bag

Pam and her drawstring bag

Roisin and her shirt for her aunt

Stephanos and his patchwork pillow

Suzanne and her patchwork pillow

     We have had to work altering patterns and learn how to work with difficult fabrics.  The beginners  learned about what they might be able to accomplish if they keep practicing.  

Amaia and her journal

Armani and her patchwork tote

Ava and her book bag

Ava and her pincushion

Ky'Leigh and her patchwork tote

Libi and her hot chocolate cozy

Nalanii and her journal

  

     I had some of the students add embellishments using lace or appliqués that I was getting out of my stash.  Others chose to use different color threads to highlight the stitching on their projects.

Aly and her 8th grade graduation dress

Amaia and her patchwork tote

Anna Catherine and her laptop cover

Ava and her journal

Emery and her drawstring bag

Ky'Leigh and her apron

Libi and her journal
  

     In this time I also went on a vacation to Mexico, went on a quilt retreat and went to Nashville to run a half marathon.

Avery and her hot chocolate cozy

 

     The last project finished by my students was Avery's hot chocolate cozy.  It has been another fun and project filled year for myself and my students.  Taking this week off to clean and prep for summer camps.