Archive for the 'LuckyStitches' Category

Page 2 of 7

Class Updates

Published on February 25, 2008 in Creating, HomeSchool Sewers, Learning To Sew, LuckyStitches, LuckyStitches Jean Class, LuckyStitches Sew-cial, Perfect Jeans, classes, design, embroidery, projects, sewing, sewing with kids and totes and bags. 0 Comments

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.

Hats – or Getting Ready For Spring

Published on February 23, 2008 in Bucket Hats, Iz, LuckyStitches, classes, fabric shopping, projects, sewing, sewing for Iz, sewing with kids and workshops. 0 Comments

Even though 12″ of snow fell around us yesterday (with probably the same amount again in a few days), I’m thinking about a Spring/Summer hat. I know that soon, we’ll be outside all day long, working in the garden, going for nature walks, playing in the river. (could it be that I’m trying to get out of that Feb FunK?) So that means we’ll need hats.

I made this one for Iz last spring:

and it actually fits her perfectly this year.

I picked up some lovely remnants at Osgoods the other day, some really fabulous geometrics that would make excellent hats. I’ll make a few more this year, with Iz being a lot more active, I’m sure we’ll leave a few behind. I’d like to have one or two, and Rob could probably use one too.

I’m teaching a bucket hat class in March. Since this hat is like “magic”, the class is “Sew With ME!!: Make a Bucket Hat” and is geared to adult/child pair stitchers (all ages are welcome). We’ll measure our heads and make our own patterns then stitch up a loverly hat. The class is Sunday, March 2, 9-12 at LuckyStitches. I hope you’ll join me!

Jeans – A Work In Progress

Published on February 18, 2008 in LuckyStitches, LuckyStitches Jean Class, Perfect Jeans, WIP, sewing and sewing patterns. 2 Comments

Our wardrobes are always a work in progress – no? Our bodies changing, fashions changing, our styles evolving. We’ve been working on our jeans over the past few weeks.

I know – jeans are s-c-a-r-y, but NO! Sure, it’s a lot of sewing, and you need to know what to do to adjust the fit, but so worth it. I can’t wait to show you the finished fit. (I am already planning my many other pairs…)

Tissue Fit : Getting our patterns ready to try own before we cut the muslin.

Working on our muslins : Adding 1″ seam allowance so we can fit once we’ve basted them together. (tip -use denim to make your muslin, regular cotton muslin isn’t as sturdy as denim. Use denim, it will help with the fit)

Sewing : sewing sewing sewing the muslin. Jeans take a lot of sewing time…

Fit : Trying on the muslin – and going for a closer fit than this… and it’s not stretch.

Deciding that we should add a fly front to these jeans.

Mine are almost done. Black stretch corduroy. I have to tell you that the method used in the pattern I’m using is the EASIEST fly front I’ve ever done. A BREEZE. I’m not quite done, there’s still another step for the fly, but it was quick and easy and looks so great – I had to take a pic to show you. It’s a Vogue Pattern 7608. Worth it for the fly instructions alone.

Pillows and Pin Cushions

Published on February 10, 2008 in HomeSchool Sewers, LuckyStitches, classes, inspiration, pin cushion, projects, sewing, sewing with kids, tutorials and workshops. 0 Comments

I think pillows are a great beginner project, heck – they are a great project for any level stitcher. Excellent practice. Not a big fabric investment, not even a big time investment, and they allow for you to experiment with fabrics, colors, thread, closures and size. They always look fabulous and are the perfect accent in any room. Beautiful shots of color. I love pillows.

Everybody came to class with an idea or drawing and we talked about how to turn it into an appliqué. We made a pattern, traced it onto the fabric, then cut them out of fabric and pinned the motifs down to the pillow fabric – and stitched away. Once the front was done – we put a zipper in the back, stitched up the sides and VIOLA! pillow happiness.

I think you might remember my love of handmade pincushions? This is another great sewing project. Great practice for learning basic hand sewing stitches. These were inspired by this FABULOUS tutorial. Each picked a jar or bottle lid, made a pattern and picked their colors. I LOVE the pocket for the scissors/seam ripper. Makes it a cool little sewing station.

Small projects like these are perfect practice for any sewer. They make the best accessories for your home or sewing kit (or sewing lounge!)

Wednesday, February 27 6Pm-9Pm – we’re making Egg Cup Pin Cushions at LuckyStitches. I hope you can make it.

Playing with Paper

Published on January 27, 2008 in HomeSchool Sewers, LuckyStitches, sewing and weddings. 1 Comment

Working on this wedding dress reminds me of how much fun I had at our wedding. I thought about making my dress, but I couldn’t find the time (I loved the dress I found anyway…). It was so much fun, a fabulous little party with close friends and family. I smile when I remember it.

The dress is coming along beautifully. It is a surprise – so no pictures to give it away, but the shapes are really amazing. (insert giddy mad scientist giggle here…)

This week is Pillow with Appliqué week. First, everyone made patterns, either on paper or just freely cut out their fabric.

Next, everyone will learn how to insert a zipper. I love this part. I have a favorite way of inserting zippers, so much so, I don’t follow the sometimes super lame instructions provided sometimes in patterns. I pretty much follow these methods. After a bit of practice, they look really good.

Ahhh, now that’s better.

Published on January 22, 2008 in Creating, HomeSchool Sewers, Iz, LuckyStitches, about me, inspiration and portraits. 3 Comments

We are all finally home. Iz recoved quickly from her Pneumonia and Rob brought her to meet me in the city. She loved it. We didn ‘t get to do as much as we had hoped, but we did eat wonderful food, walked, rode the subways and Path train and almost fell backwards as we tried to see the top of the Empire State Building. We wish we could have stayed longer and visited with more friends, but next trip.

It’s been a busy few months and I’m hoping to catch up on, well, everything. After the stress of working a J-O-B and being away from home while Iz was sick, I am now sick. Perhaps it’s a sinus infection, I am exhausted and argh. I’m sitting on the couch, a wonderful blanket, 600 channels (of nothing) to choose from and my friend the lap top. Hot tea is brewing and after cancelling a private instruction session today, I’m hoping to bounce back and be as good as new tomorrow.

To get ready for my trip, I did a bit of pampering. A little snip here, a little snip there and a date with a bottle of the white stuff, and I have a new doo! I was hoping to swing to Rescue while I was in the city for a little mani-pedi, but no time. It’s my favorite place for this sort of thing.

The last few weeks have been productive for the HomeSchool Sewers (could be a band – no?) We made FABULOUS Fabric Belts and the warmest and oh-so-lucky Winter Hats.

The grown-ups got around to making some Lucky Winter Hats too. Meg’s (the one on the left) is made from and old felted sweater. These are just too cute!

I’m bummed that I had to cancel my private instruction today. We’re working on a wedding dress! EEEK! Have you ever felt so inspired by something things just start flowing? Libby has a beautiful vision and design for her wedding dress and after we spent a bit of time mapping out the execution of her dress, we got busy. Using fabric from my stash and hers, we started draping for part of her outfit. I love draping. I love patternmaking too, but draping really allows you to feel and shape fabric around a form. Very different from drawing lines on a paper to get the same effect.

Pinning and cutting and pinning and tucking and marking and JOY OH JOY!

Next…I will finish my jeans and other items from my wardrobe plan (that was all put on hold when Iz got sick before I left). I need to update all my bookkeeping (anybody have any tips, argh – this is overwhelming for me). I have to finish up a doll I’m making for Iz’s 3rd birthday (just a few days away!), and I need to finish my Christmas presents and get them in the MAIL!

Working on More Slippers

Published on December 12, 2007 in Creating, HomeSchool Sewers, LuckyStitches, classes, design, fabric, fashion design, sewing, sewing series, sewing with kids and slippers. 2 Comments

Lots of fun and exploring today while I got the group started on making their own slippers. We traced our feet and soles to start our pattern. We talked about smoothing the lines to make pattern pieces that will sew together well and give each person the shape slipper they are looking for. Then…we made a muslin.

The feet dresses! Next – sew on the sole.

Probably the toughest part is fitting the sole onto the body of the slipper. Hard because we are making up our patterns from tracing our feet, and not measuring. So, lots of pins and slow and smooth sewing.

Then, once the muslin fits, moving on to the actual slippers.

Pictures next week of finished slippers, and hopefully pics too of our next project – Scrap Scarves!

More News…

Published on December 12, 2007 in ArtStar, LuckyStitches and news. 1 Comment

There’s a lovely article in today’s paper (sorry – you need a subscription – major bummer about this paper) about ArtStar with a sweet mention of LuckyStitches.

Yay! Isn’t it great! Lovely pictures of Marie working her Art Magic.

Ok, here’s the story on LuckyStitches!!! (If you want to read the article in whole, just click on the first image in this post to go to Flickr, or click on this link.)

Isn’t it wonderful! Thank you Hampshire Gazette and the wonderful Reporter, Deborah Doulette!

LuckyStitches Gift Certificates

Published on December 8, 2007 in LuckyStitches and gift certificates. 0 Comments

I’ve already announced the Gift Certificates at LuckyStitches, but I’ve just now taken a picture. The gift that keeps on giving, LuckyStitches Gift Certificates are good for classes and lessons, and never, ever expire. Interested? You can find all the details over at LuckyStitches. If you don’t live nearby, how about a Gift Certificate to your local fabric shop for classes or yardage for the creative stitcher in your life. Inspiring gifts leave a lasting impression. Happy Sewing!!

Art, Soft Trees and a Bag Sew

Published on December 6, 2007 in Creating, Flickr, HomeSchool Sewers, Iz, LuckyStitches, The Bag Sew, art, bag sew, classes, cool ideas, craft, design, inspiration, projects, sewing, sewing series and sewing with kids. 0 Comments

We’ve been busy making things over here.

Iz has been working on some of her Christmas presents. Here’s a sneak peek:

I’ve been busy with my AWESOME HomeSchool Sewing Series Class. It started on Wednesday. We spent a good half of the class learning about the sewing machines, how to wind a bobbin, how to thread the machine and what all the lines and numbers mean and what happens when you move them all around. Then we made soft trees. We made our own patterns (because you know I like to do that…), but it was all inspired by Stephanie Congdon Barnes’ pattern on little birds handmade. Check out what these creative and super talented kids made and their wonderful personal touches of beads, stitches and embroidery:

Check out the Flickr group for more soft trees.

Later that night there was another Bag Sew :: Sew-cial at LuckyStitches:

Bag Sews will be happening at least once a month at LuckyStitches, and they happen at other times too, at other places around the Valley and Hilltowns. Sew-cials happen almost every other Wednesday at LuckyStitches.