Christmas is coming!

EVERY STORE IN AMERICA IS HAVING A HUGE SALE!!

In case your young sewist is thinking sewing accessories for Christmas I thought you might like to know some things every sewer should have!

1) Scissors (3 kinds) 1-small scissors for trimming threads, 1 medium pair for pattern cutting or applique work, and 1 pair of shears-these have the handle offset so you can cut fabric with it lying on a flat surface.  (There is a great pack of these three kind of scissors on sale for 9.99 at Hancock's this weekend)

2) seam ripper- there are many different styles and kind but it is always helpful to have one on hand

4) flexible measuring tape- they come in many different colors and styles, you can even choose one that retracts.

5) Elastic and Thread Get a "hank" of 3/4 inch elastic knit non roll elastic for waistbands, and 1/4 inch elastic for doll clothes.  Buy good quality thread mettler, gutterman in white, black, and cream.

6) pins- any kind will work but the girls are most successful with are longer. In our "classroom" we use ceramic extra fine pins because they are easy to sew over and they don't melt if you accidentally iron them. They are more expensive so use a coupon!  I also reccommend a magnet wand, or small magnet in the box to keep them from spilling every where!

7) a small bag ( Really I thought we would make one after Christmas) with a zipper to keep these items together.

8) patterns- This week at Hancock the McCall's patterns are one sale for 99 cents, next week the Simplicity ones will be 99 cents. It is always fun to have a few small projects put aside for a rainy day- get one for a small tote bag, apron, stuffed toy, and maybe an American girl doll outfit (I'll also be giving the girls one for Christmas)-- There is also a beautiful book called "Little Things to sew" by Leisel Gibbons, that I don't have, but have looked through online and it is great. Her patterns have EXCELLENT EXCELLENT instructions and techniques. You can check out her website at

9) Stash-- Every sewer has a little stockpile of fabrics not for a specific project, but just in case the urge catches you. You can quickly build up a range of beautiful fabrics with 1/2 yard cuts, or a stack of "fat quarters" at Hancock fabrics this week, their "top drawer" line of fat quarters is 40% off.


Again again, I can't thank you enough for letting me work with your girls! I love seeing how they have grown so much already.

Summer

Sewing Machine

I know many of you will be thinking about getting sewing machines for gifts this year and that is wonderfully exciting!

The machine that I have found to be a great starter machine is:
The Brother CE8080-PRW -It is available at Walmart and many online retailer's for about $140

If you want to buy local Triad Sew and Vac on Peter's Creek Parkway will warranty you the following machine (even from user error!) , and provide your first one year Service (a value of $79.95)  for a total of $239.  The Model # is SB700T and it retails in their store with the warranty and service for $269

Either machine will work great and will last a very long time. Triad Sew and Vac will be happy to service the other machines as well, but they will only warranty machines purchased in their store. They do not carry the less expensive machine. I am not receiving any benefits for reccomending either of these machines. I will say that the cost of service should be considered when you make your decision, because you will end up needing either machine serviced eventually.

If you want to purchase the machine from Triad Sew and Vac, you will need to get a business card from me and present it to them for the extra savings.

Projects Projects!

Schedule Reminders:
No Class Nov 6 (Election Day, School Holiday)
No Class NOV 22 (Thanksgiving)
Last Class Before Break-DEC 13
Classes Resume JAN 8


We have entered our "Gift making Frenzy" and like all good crafters we have started EARLY!
Thus far we have made dish towels and crayon rolls. We will round out the holiday season with  a Notebook Cover, Fishing Set, Scarves, Reusable snack bag, and finally a two week project working from a Simplicity Pattern.

You will not need to purchase any supplies until December's two week project which will make a GREAT gift!

I have showed the girls a sample of our Big December Project and they have asked me to "Keep it a Secret" So only look if you feel you must!
The Pattern is Simplicity 2205
We will be making View A (you do not need to buy the pattern!)

You will need (Please bring your fabrics by Thursday NOV 29)
1 yard main fabric
3/4 yard coordinating fabric
1 yard medium weight fusible interfacing (you can often get this prepackaged for $1)
Quilting cotton, light corduroy, denim, and Canvas are all great choices for this project.
Thread to match (there will be topstitching on this project sometimes girls like to have a thread the

I believe most of the girls intend this as a gift for their moms, so you might drop hints about your favorite colors. I know this can be an area of conflict and struggle with moms and daughters, so you may consider organizing one patient mommy to take several girls to the store to purchase the fabric. In the past I have done a "field trip" for some of the larger projects and taken the girls to the Hancock on Peter's Creek to purchase. If this is of interest to you, we can decide for each class if the week after Thanksgiving we would like to use class time to shop.


Thank you again for letting me work with your girls, THEY ARE AMAZING (I'm sure you already knew that!) but one mother to another it never hurts to hear it.

Project for September 18 (20)

Miss Rachel's Capelet Ensemble:

Next week's Project materials:


Cape: 1 piece lining fabric, 1 piece out fabric Each should measure at least 9 inches X 15 inches
Shirt: easily made from 1 outgrown shirt or  1/3 yard knit fabric
Skirt: 1/4 yard fabric (or 1 fat quarter!)

Thread to match
This will likely be a 2 week project because we will cut from a pattern (students will get a copy of patterns to keep)

As usual girls are welcome to my ample scrap collection. But also think about using cast off clothing or linens.
Velcro, and elastic will be provided

In order to plan ahead:
The circle poncho (in lower post) will require:

1 1/2 yards laminated cotton and 2 yards lining fabric (flannel or quilting cotton reccomended)
1 "largish" button as pictured

Sew Much Fun!

Welcome to Summer Sewing DAZE

2021 Ardsley Street

Winston Salem, NC 27103

mriley1@triad.rr.com

Kids Classes
Tuesdays:  12:45-2:45 (2 spaces available)
Thursday:  4:15-5:45  (2 Spaces available)

Women's Sewing Workshop: Every Other Wednesday 7:15-9:30ish (unlimited class size!)
9/12, 9/26,

Kids Classes are $60 a month, and projects will vary.
Women's Sewing Workshop is for women of all levels of ability and interest who want help or assistance completeing projects of their choosing. It is meant as a fun fellowship time and all are welcome.

Project: A GREENER LUNCH

From: KiwiMagOnline
RE-usable Sandwich Wrapper
Tutorial Link HERE: http://www.kiwimagonline.com/2010/08/wich-craft/
All supplies for opening class will be supplied:
If you have some special fabric in mind for this it will take 2  10 1/2 inch square pieces of fabric, where one is a vinyl, laminated cotton, oilcloth, or regular fabric with heat n bond vinyl applied.

Additionally: we will make one "cold" pack, one napkin(fork/spoon wrap) as time permits.

Upcoming projects:
American Girl Doll-t-shirt, skirt, and cape from recycled materials.
Materials list to be posted Thursday.
Girls Rain Poncho with sleeves:

Then--We will kick off a short series of quick gifts to make for holiday giving.
We are going to have SEW much fun!

Reusable Snack Bag Tutorial!

So as I am totally approaching "hippie" status and have tried to make our kids lunchboxes montessori approved so to speak, I have been wanting to eliminate ziplock for quite a while. I found some cute tutorials via pinterest and tweaked the method and what not to make it fit my lazy style needs. These are hand wipeable and machine washable. You can tumble dry LOW, or air dry (my preference). They are a great size for snacking and stand up to be filled! LOVE IT.

Fabric Requirements:
outer fabric 14 X 7 3/4
PUL 14 X 7 3/4
trim fabric 14 X 3
ribbon 2 pieces 5 inches long
velcro 7 inches

Step 1:
Iron trim piece in half.

Step 2:
Fold ribbon in half and pin to the right side of the outer fabric 3 1/2 inches from outer edge.

Step 3:
Carefully align the trim piece over the folded ribbons and use the same pins to hold everything in place.

Step 4:
Place PUL piece on top of fabric stack vinyl side down and pin.

Step 5:
Sew down the pinned edge with a 1/4 inch seam

Step 6:
Open everything flat making sure seam allowance is on the PUL side of the seam.
Switch to a zig zag stitch. Align one side of velcro with the seam, on the PUL side. Zig Zag down the velcro, when you come to the end of the first piece of velcro butt the matching piece up after it and continue stitching. Repeat with the other velcro edge.

Step 7:
Switch back to straight stitch. Edgestitch (fancy way of saying stitch right along the edge) the trim "flap" down.

Step 8:
Take a minute to admire your work... yep.. you are awesome.
Fold your project in half so the velcro attaches and everything lines up straight.

Step 9:
Trim a 1 3/4 inch square from each corner.
Place two pins in the PUL side approximately 2 inches apart. This is where you will "leave open for turning"

Step 10:
Sew around the perimeter of the bag, not on the little cut out areas you just made, and DON'T SEW BETWEEN THE PINS!

Step 11: Make those corners!
There is nothing like a flat bottom hmmm?
Remember those little square areas you notched out? Match up the seams of the bag bottom and bag side and squish it flat together like a little mouth. Stitch with a 1/4 inch seam.  repeat for all corners.

Step 12: Turn IT!
Reach in through the little opening and turn the insides inside and the outside outside... here's a hint, you will have to separate the velcro with your finger to get all the parts where they belong.

Step 13:  Close it..
Turn the bag so the PUL side is out. Find the area you left open for turning, carefully fold the raw edges in and match it up nicely. Zig Zag this opening closed and trim any threads.. Technically your can blind stitch this by hand, but hand stitching makes me want to poke my eyeballs out.

Step 14: enhance it
In order to make sure your hard work isn't worn out by an impatient toddler take the time to reinforce the stitching holding the ribbon in place at the bottom of the trim.  you will have to switch to "free arm" sewing for this. That means take the storage pocket off the machine and put the bag over the "arm" like a little jacket.

Step 15: Stuff and enjoy!