Sew much has been going on at LuckyStitches, so I’ll give it to you in one long post with pictures and a few words:
HomeSchoolers:
We’ve been working on our sewing machines. Some students have been stitching for a while, whether they started during the classes that began back in December, or earlier. Some have never used a sewing machine. You know what’s great about teaching these kids to sew on machines? They try anything. They don’t give up and aren’t afraid of the machine or to make mistakes. They are thrilled to be making things.
This week it was tote bags. Fabulous practice for first timers, lots of straight lines, hems, corners and straps. For those that are more experienced, they design their own bags.
Above – the kids ages 6 -11 – all sewing on the machine for the first time.
Flannel pups, we put french seams in our tote bags so they wouldn’t ravel all over our books, groceries, sewing projects, dolls, etc.
Dolls watch as we sew straps.
The perfect pocket completed by a first time sewing machine 6 year old queen.
While each child is different, I am amazed by the talent displayed by my youngest students. They sew straight lines. They remember how to wind bobbins and thread the machine. Some parents declare that their 6 year old can’t use a machine (and they could be right), but have they tried? Sure, they shouldn’t be left alone, it is a machine and it can sew over a finger, but why not sew together? If you give them a chance, they can totally do it.
The classes are designed as guidelines. Since everyone works at different levels, I provide the basic idea and encourage everyone to make it their own. This 12 year old decided her tote would be in strips.
After attaching the strips, she pleated every other one. I can’t wait to show you what she does with the bag this week. It’s a very clever bag (no longer the trad tote!).
This is a box tote, that has been quilted and has tons of pockets including a zipper pocket on this side of the bag.
Bag has handles attached with square rings and fabulous batik trim. The inside is lined. More on the bags after classes this week. We’re going to have a bag show.
We’ve also been working on embroidery. We are working in T-shirts. More pictures later.
Embroidery 101 :: I created a sampler and taught the basic stitches (so everyone could create their own!). Here we are using the “window method” to transfer the sampler pattern to our fabric. We are using basic color pencils to transfer the pattern
French Knots, Split Stitch, Chain Stitch, Satin Stitch and Blanket Stitch.
We are still making jeans. Here, the edges of the pieces are being serged (denim ravels like CRAZY). My jeans are just about done, but, and I can’t believe it, but my jeans are just way too big! How did that happen. The muslin fit! Maybe the “Sew Diet” is working. I’m eager to finish my first pair, I have many more in line.
If you have an iron, it’s best to have an aloe plant around. We needed this during a Sew-cial when a 6 year old was learning how to iron (with her mom), and ironed her arm. ouch. If you don’t have an Aloe plant at your home, sewing room or lounge, go get one.
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