Archive for the 'LuckyStitches' Category

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Ready to Make Some LuckyStitches!

Published on October 9, 2007 in classes, Creating, LuckyStitches, LuckyStitches Sew-cial, projects, sewing, sewing machines, The Bag Sew, thrift and totes and bags. 4 Comments

LuckyStitches - Keys

These are the keys. They belong to the space I’m renting with my friend Marie. They open the door to the new lounge. They hang on one of my most favorite fobs, a wire ball given to me from my most favorite work family.

LuckyStitches Pink Chairs

These are the chairs. I immediately contracted goosebumps when Marie and I found them at Ikea. Not only were they super affordable, but they are comfortable too! They stack beautifully, leaving lots of room for a dance party :-)

Vintage Singer

This is the vintage 1940s Industrial Singer that will be up and running soon. Perfect for heavy fabrics, like canvas or leather (yummy!) bags. Soon it will be available for Lucky Stitchers to visit and rent.

LuckyStitches -Messenger Bag

And this is the messenger bag we’re making in Sewing Machine 101 (intensive). This one is mine, made from a thrifted vintage bed skirt. The colors are quite lovely, and seemed so appropriate to make during these summer October weeks.

I had my first LuckyStitchers in the space tonight. It’s always fun helping people learn how to use their sewing machine and stitch up a groovy project of which they can be proud. I’m excited to see the fabric next week for the Messenger Bags we’ll be making. I’ve given them a basic design, and if they’d like they can tweak it, so we’ll do a little pattern making 101 too. So much to learn and it’s so fun when LuckyStitchers bring in their cool, sometimes old, some new machines, with really beautiful fabrics and fresh ideas.

Nightie = Bag

And a reminder – tomorrow is the Wednesday Night Sew-cial and Bag Sew. This bag was made from a nightie. The armholes make perfect sleeves, and the neck, the perfect opening for groceries and other goodies you might need to carry.

A Bag and A Summer Weekend in the Fall

Published on October 7, 2007 in aqua and red, birthdays, fall, family, Flickr, friends, LuckyStitches, nature, photos, projects, renovation, roof, sewing, thrift and totes and bags. 1 Comment

Z bag

We had a birthday to attend to this weekend, for a 4 year old. I’ve quietly promised to use things I have on hand. I found a aqua with yellow dot coverlet while thrifting and a scrap of this red dot and thought they’d work well together (and you know about my aqua and red thing of late…) and I had the All For One Bag pattern from Besty Ross Patterns, just waiting to be stitched up…

Z bag

I initially thought I’d line it, but instead did a little French Seam Action on the inside, and I am super pleased. I’ve got a few more presents to make and I’m going to stick with this pattern. I think I’ll make the handles 2 inches longer, it was a little tight going over my shoulder (but not a 4 year olds…and she LOVED it!).  And in case your were wondering the pattern was fantastic, the directions were a breeze and it was a really fast sew.  It’s a great shape that’s super versatile.  I’m making a wool one next. (stay tuned for pictures)

Birthday Party

The party was fun. It’s the first time we actually got in the car and Iz said, “Mom! I had a lot of fun!”. She pretty much always has fun, but it’s the first time she’s said it without me prompting.

Cool Cat Drumming with Lui

Lui led the drumming. Iz was pretty pleased to see her. (she always is)

Jumping

We spent time jumping off the bench, sliding tummy side down, head first down the slide. Oh the outdoors.

The day before, it was sweltering. It was so hot, none of us could get comfortable. We spent the morning in Northampton picking up the last of the LuckyStitches furniture at the kung fu studio, then dropping it off at the new location. It was hot. We left Haydenville, on our way to Ashfield for the Fall Festival. The drive on 112 is pretty breathtaking. I think the drive anywhere in New England is pretty amazing. The leaves are changing colors, looks like the trees are catching on fire, but not fully inflamed.

Ashfield Fall Festival

This year was different, Iz is more independent, wants to do so many things on her own. There is no casual strolling, but more following, running and insisting on hand holding when the crowds get to thick or the walk gets too close to the road.

Ashfield Fall Festival

Our little kitty had fun, she got to ring the bell, act like a kitty and see tons of her friends (that’s a funny thing about living where we do, we get to see our friends every where we go, not like the subway, where you barely recognize people from day to day).

Ashfield Fall Festival

We had to leave, it was too hot and too close to nap time. After a bowl of mac & cheese, we headed for the car. But it never goes as smooth as that. The power of distraction is key to happiness sometimes, and Iz was thrown into the air with every step, Rob got a great upper body workout, and she happily got into the car, where after we got going, she fell asleep.

Renovation

It was a really great and productive weekend. The roof is almost finished. I made a lovely bag, and Iz got to spend both days outside playing and playing. And she got to hold Annabelle.

Annabelle the Angora Bunny

A Speedy Bag

Published on October 5, 2007 in LuckyStitches, LuckyStitches Sew-cial, sewing and The Bag Sew. 3 Comments

Shorts=Bag

I made this bag for The Old Creamery Grocery in Cummington, MA. It’s a pair of shorts I never wore (they were a gift, ahem). I cut across the legs to open the crotch seam, and stitched a line across. I stitched across the bottom corners for a flat bottom (ha ha) to the bag. I used the part of the short legs that I cut off to make handles. I actually love it because it has pockets and a drawstring “waist” to help separate the goodies. It probably took me 30 mins or so to stitch up.

Get ready to stitch up your very own bag: Click here to see the Video.
This artist makes cool bags from found items and makes them even more unique by adding a little bit of art.

Come stitch up a bag to donate to The Bag Project: Cooper’s Corner in Florence:

Bag Sew at LuckyStitches
Wednesday, October 10 6pm-9pm
Brassworks Building, 132 Main Street, Rte 9, Haydenville (2nd floor above Steenburgh Real-Estate in the building closest to Northampton)

413.695-3092 for more info

The Bag Project was started by The Hilltown Sustainability Group. Initially the Project stitched up bags for The Old Creamery Grocery. The bags sit near the register, and customers may borrow the cloth bags to take home their groceries. The bags then get returned to the basket for the next customer. All in hopes of reducing the paper/plastic bag use. It makes sense doesn’t it? Why wait for the local government to ban the use of plastic bags? And, why buy fabric, when there are tons of clothes, sheets, pillows that are headed for the landfill, when they can be snipped up in such a way that they make perfect bags for toting things around? The Bag Project is catching on. Other towns want to participate. We need 3000 bags by November 19 when the project launches at Cooper’s Corners in Florence. So, come to The Bag Sew on Wednesday, and stitch it up.

It’s almost ready…

Published on October 4, 2007 in fall, LuckyStitches, portraits and self portrait. 0 Comments

Cleaning the new Lounge

My little helper has been busy helping clean the new space for LuckyStitches. I have just a few more sewing machines and cutting tables to bring over to the new space. Chairs and shelves to put together.  It’s a lovely spot, great light, wonderful brick walls and a wood floor. Great elements for a fun hang spot that’s creative and cosy.

Fall 2007

I’ve been really surprised by the warm fall. Although I rather enjoy the heat, it has me a bit confused. Mornings in New England have been chilly, so I throw on a jacket, but when I drive down into town, it’s almost sweltering. I find that I can’t dress as easily as I can in the dead of summer or winter. I can’t remember a fall that has been this warm. It’s kind of creepy. Still, we’ll enjoy it. The leaves are wonderful, and it’s fun to be able to run around outside without getting chilly. We’ll even go for an ice cream.

Self Portrait with Ice Cream

Ode to My Volvo

Published on October 3, 2007 in LuckyStitches and volvo. 2 Comments

I love my Volvo. I found it on Craig’s List, January 2006 for a whopping $800. After we left Brooklyn for the Hills of Western Mass, we needed 2 cars. I was living here with an 8 month old babe in the dead of winter for one month without a car. Talk about isolation. I found my lovely Volvo listed in Brooklyn, and since Rob was still working there, he checked it out and handed over the cash for my new wheels. It’s an 1988 Volvo wagon with over 225K miles on it, but we aren’t sure, the odometer stopped working at 181K. Things are falling apart. The plastic inside is so old, it’s disintegrating at quite the rate. The seats are splitting. The hinges that hold the hood on are so rusted, that one broke at my last visit to the shop, and I need to cruise the junk yards for 2 more. But, I feel so safe inside this steel box. It’s big, bigger than a small boat, and when I have 4 studded tires on it in the winter, can handle a snow storm like butter. But most of all I love it because of the independence it means for me and Iz: we can drive and visit anywhere we please.

I took a trip to Ikea yesterday. Marie and I were hunting for storage and seating for the lounge. (We found the coolest stuff, pictures once it’s all put together and in place…) The shelf system weighs over 200 lbs, and we bought 12 chairs, among some other little irresistible things (oh…how I LOVE IKEA!!!). I knew we could get it all into the Volvo. and lookeeeee here! We did! Oh VOLVO I LOVE YOU!!!!

Ode to the Volvo

Jeans, Jeans and Jeans, oh to have a pair of Perfect Jeans

Published on September 28, 2007 in classes, Creating, design, fashion design, LuckyStitches, LuckyStitches Jean Class, Perfect Jeans, projects and sewing. 1 Comment

Jeans - 01

I am so in search of the perfect pair of jeans. It’s been over 2 years since the birth of Iz, and well, I just can’t wear those lo-rise thingys. For really 2 reasons.

First – My middle hangs out over the waist band. I hate that. I hate it so much it makes my skin crawl. If I could join the gym, I would, but there isn’t one close by. I’m working on that middle, but in the mean time, I’d like to feel good about my bod, so I’d like a pair of jeans that don’t cut into me, yet support my mama middle belly.

Second – I bend over, squat, get on the floor what seems like every minute of my day. I don’t need people looking at my underwear, butt..ahem, or down my pants. Plus, my underwear just isn’t that fabulous these days (maybe that will change this Christmas dear husband..hint hint).

So, you see, I need a pair of jeans that fits me PERFECTLY. But perfect is a tough thing to come by. I’ve tried on so many pairs of jeans, inexpensive, moderate, better, bridge. I can’t really afford anything above inexpensive these days (and Old Navy seems to be catering to the lo-rise fan club), so I’m stuck. But not really anymore. I decided to do something about it. I’m going to make a pair of jeans that actually fit and look good. And, I’m going to do it with a few other stitchers…

Perfect Jeans

I’ve been doing a bunch of research. I found this old article in Glamour Magazine. Click here to see pictures from the article.

Of course, after trying on all these jeans, I can tell you what I want in my jeans:

I want them to fit, my butt, waist, thighs and look flattering, make me taller and slimmer looking.

I want them to be comfortable, yet provide a bit of tummy control.

I want cool pockets on the back, placed just so, so my butt looks smaller than it is.

Here are some other info links:

Susannah and Trinny on Oprah – They are my FAVE!

2007 Jeans Guide at StyleBakery.com

Tyra Banks Show

WikiHow.com

NZGirl.com

True Jeans via Erica B’s- DIY Style!

Zafu.com

Denimology

Click for more information on the class at LuckyStitches.

Up Next…T-shirt and coat

Published on September 25, 2007 in classes, design, fabric, fabric shopping, fashion design, LuckyStitches, LuckyStitches T-shirt Class, projects, sewing, t-shirt and WIP. 1 Comment

Goodies in the Mail!

I ordered these from SewingPatterns.com the other day.

geeksewing.JPG

After reading this pattern review on SewingPatternReview, I decided I must try this coat. Looks like it is pretty versatile, good for spring, good for fall and winter. I’m thinking a faux persian lambs velvet in a hot color (umm, like GARNET!) with a contrast lining. And, because I live in New England, I want to use Thinsulate.

Then for my T-shirt class, I thought I’d try the t-shirt pattern from Jalie. I’ve read many a blog on stitchers working with Jalie patterns, and I’m pretty excited to try it. I have a favorite t-shirt, I love the neck drop and length, so I’ll be adjusting the pattern to match that T. I do love that the pattern is all sizes, so I’ll be tracing my pattern to pattern paper, so I can use the pattern again for my daughter (when she’s a bit older). Plus it’s a nice heavy paper, much less delicate than the normal tissue paper. I’ve got a few lightweight jerseys to try for this pattern, but I really want to find a cozy wool jersey. Can anybody share a good place on-line for light weight wool jersey? I might try this one. Or this. Perhaps this one.

T-shirt Class info at LuckyStitches:

Skill Level – Advanced Beginner (must know how to sew)
$125

Saturday Oct 13, 20 2PM-5PM

Working from a commercial pattern, we’ll fit and stitch up your best fitting t-shirt yet! All of this while learning / practicing how to sew a knit! FUN! Seriously, you’ll be surprised at how simple it is to work with knits. For fun – since it’s winter, pick a wool jersey to make your t-shirt, nice an cozy!)

Supplies Needed: Your Sewing Machine, Your Sewing Kit, a commercial pattern, fabric and notions as noted on your pattern envelope. Pattern Paper will be available during class.

Win a LuckyStitches $150 Certificate

Published on September 24, 2007 in contest and LuckyStitches. 0 Comments

Click on over to BostonMams.com for details and how to enter.  You must email BostonMamas by midnight (EST) tonight!  Good Luck! hope to be stitching with you soon! Certificate is for $150 towards classes (which are held in Haydenville, MA)

LuckyStitches!!xxoo

z

Sewing Machines at School

Published on September 19, 2007 in craft, Creating, design, fashion design, inspiration, LuckyStitches, projects, sewing, sewing machines, sewing with kids and tutorials. 0 Comments

sewingatschool.jpg

I don’t think you need me to say it, but I will in case you weren’t sure how I feel, kids can learn to use the sewing machine early.  4 or 5.  Yep.  It’s true!   Michelle received a sewing machine for her classroom.  Check out what this little seamster has already made and read about what her other kids are making.

You can totally get your little one up and sewing.  Check out One Hour Craft for some Sewing Lessons for your kids (there are 3 total). (or come for a lesson at LuckyStitches)

There is no need to purchase a “kids” sewing machine, they can learn on yours, or grandmas.  Start with paper or felt so the kids can see what the needle does when they wind the flywheel or step on the pedal.  Make something fun and simple.  It’s fun and…in case you weren’t sure, sewing helps your kids practice eye/hand coordination, patternmaking, math, color theory….learning as it should happen…while playing.

LuckyStitches – New web site and classes! FINALLY!

Published on September 17, 2007 in classes, Creating, LuckyStitches, projects, sewing and workshops. 0 Comments

Whew. Sure did take a while, but the new LuckyStitches web site is alive and well, filled with great classes for October, November and December. I am so excited about this season:

  • Wednesday Night Sew-cials
  • Drop-In & SEW!!!
  • Sewing Patterns 101
  • Hem Your Own
  • Print with Freezer Paper
  • Morning Stitch Sessions
  • Sewing Machine 101 (Intensive)
  • Zippers 101
  • T-shirt Class
  • Sew with ME!!!
  • Learn to Applique!
  • Make a Pair of Jeans that Fit!
  • Doll Quilt
  • Costume Night (a LuckyStitches and Art Star Event)
  • Costume Emergency (a LuckyStitches and Art Star Event)
  • Pajama Party!
  • Make a Sweater Scarf
  • Christmas Tree Skirt
  • Holiday Ornament Series (a LuckyStitches and Art Star Event)

There will be more info to follow. I hope you can all visit!

xoZ