Your Capacity to Create

I came across this inspiring short video of Pres. Uchtdorf's address on our capacity to create. Thought I would share it on our blog for some great motivation. Read some of the script from this address on the very bottom of the left column. Enjoy!

The Fruits of Your Labor

We are pleased to display the fruits of you labor!!  Please send us photos of your completed projects for us to display.  As mentioned before, "Be proud of your finished projects!!  We share in your joy and give you a virtual pat on the back for a job well done {even if you don't think so:-)}"  We hope to start a Flickr group where each of you can download your photos into one pool of photos, but for now, lets post them here.

created by Vanessa

The Sweet Smell of Success!!!

We did it!!!  We tackled our first projects.  Most of us left that night proudly carying either a pillowcase or a pillow cover.  And I've heard from a few others that completed them on their own since leaving the class.  Great work ladies.  We had such a great time on Wednesday, filling up my home with 17 industrious women.  We could have even squeezed a few more in:-)  There were laughs.  There were screams.  There were even a few women close to chucking their machines out the window.  Thankfully no tears.  Mistakes were creatively salvaged.  Overall, Success!!!  Thank you to all for coming and helping to bring our needed supplies.  Here are a few photos of us knee deep in the sewing trenches.

Remember to send us photos of your finished projects gracing their new homes:-)  We are working on setting up a Flickr group so that you can upload them for everyone to see.  Be proud of your finished projects!!  We share in your joy and give you a virtual pat on the back for a job well done {even if you don't think so:-) }

Congratulations to Vanessa for being our winner of our RSVP Giveaway.  She is now a new owner of a functionally chic pink measuring tape:-)  Thanks to all those who RSVPed, even those that couldn't come.  We don't want to discourage anyone from coming, even if its a last minute decision without a RSVP.  Just come!, but RSVPing does help us tremendously in preparing for the class.

Keep your enthusiasm for sewing going by trying out one of our At Home Projects or get inspiration from any of the amazing inspirational sites listed in the sidebar that are full of tutorials and photos.  Get together with others, chat on the blog, ask us questions! {You can find them most easily by looking in the left column under the 'Labels' section and clicking on 'At Home Projects'}

We love to hear what you thought about the class and any feedback you have to give.  Thanks for your patience as we form our group and get the ball rolling.  We look forward to next month's class in which you can choose to make an apron or a shoulder bag.  Details to come soon!!!  Happy Sewing.

Heather and Briana

RSVP Giveaway - Perfectly Pink Measuring Tape

This week we have another GIVEAWAY- not nearly as darling as last week, but quietly chic in its own functional way:-)  A Perfectly Pink Measuring Tape

There are 3 chances to win again {for those of you who weren't able to do these things last week}:

1. Just fill out this survey below and email us back, call, bring it to class, or just leave as a comment.  (But, make sure to never leave detailed personal info, such as your phone #, while you comment)

Sewing Survey

Name:

Email:

Phone number:

Preferred time for class to start: 7:00, 7:30, or 8:00

Do you have a sewing machine available to you to bring to class?

What projects would you like to learn to sew/make?

What techniques would you like to learn?

Would you be interested in helping to teach a class? If so, in what?

2. Sign up to 'Follow' us on our site.  Look for the 'Followers' feature in the left column.  By following our blog you can be notified when we add information to our site using whatever site you prefer: Twitter, Google Reader, or other connecting sites.  Visit their sites to find out more about these time-saving tools.

3. Once you join the site, please RSVP to let us know if you will or will not be able to attend the class.  Look for RSVP box in the left column as well.   OR just RSVP any old way - phone, yell-hey i'm coming to the class-, email, blog, telegram, whatever way you can.  Also please mention which class you will be attending

Please please please RSVP for the class.  It will help us out tremendously!  See you on Wednesday.

New Sewing Terms Page

Love print by mariescottage

Have you been hearing us talk about sewing with terms like.... give, nap, and bobbin and heard "blah.blah.blah." instead?  Well never fear, we've added a new "Sewing Terms" page to the blog.  Just click on the "Sewing Terms" tab under the Learn 2 Love 2 Sew header and voile! a glossary of sewing terms will appear.  Just click on the "Home" tab to come back to the posts.  Happy reading!  Special thanks to Heather for compiling this list.

Pillow Cases to sew for our next class

2 Contrasting Pillow Cases

For a standard size pillow.

These Pillow cases are so easy to make and fun!

You will need:
1. 2 contrasting Fabric colors, Cotton will work the best.( If you are making 2 pillow cases)
-"if you are only making one pillow case then just get one color of fabric." unless you want the two tones of color.
-Make sure you "Prewash" your fabric.
2. scissors
3. Thread in the color you want, that matches your fabric. (For your machine.)
4. Strait pins
5. Tape measure
6. Sewing machine "of Course"
7. Seam Ripper "if you mess up, like I sometimes do"
8. Iron and Ironing board

Ok, so how much Fabric do you need?

-For One Pillow case you should get about 1 and 1/2 yards of fabric.

-For one pillpw case with two colors, you should get 1 yard one color and 1/2yard another color.

-For Two Pillow cases you should get about 1 and 1/2 yards each color.

The finished pillow cases measures 30 x 20 (fits a standard size bed pillow)

Quantities are for 44/45" -wide, 100% cotton fabrics.

How do you cut your fabric?

For one pillow case you need to cut...

1- 10 x 41" strip (#1 color)

and

1- 26 1/2 x 41" rectangle (#2 color)

For two pillowcases just cut the same but twice.

We will be sewing on the machine a strait stitch, and

also be learning how to do a french seam.

Also: If your not to sure how to cut your fabric by yourself, then just bring your "pre-washed" and "pre-Ironed" fabric to class and I will help you cut it.

Thanks again.

Heather and Briana

Preparing for our first 'in class' projects - Throw Pillow Cover or Pillowcase

We're almost there - our first 'in class' projects- choose between making a throw pillow cover or a pillowcase.  We are asking that you have your fabric cut out before class so that we can concentrate our time on sewing {since we witnessed last week that the adage, 'time flies when you are having fun' definitely applies to sewing}.

Here are some basic tips for preparing your fabric:
How-to Video: How to cut fabric - you can just watch the video clip below, or click on this link for a text step by step list.



{have never done tip#3 but probably a good idea.  i never use another fabric to keep my project fabric from slipping, but hey, if its helps you then give it a try.  you'll figure out what works best for you.  this will be a good reference for the future as well when we have pattern pieces.  you will be just be cutting out basic shapes out of your fabric this time.}

Short little article: Cutting fabric, a few tips

Remember- wash, dry, and iron all before cutting!  Launder your fabric as you would the finished project.
I use a cutting board when cutting out my pieces.  The measurements and grids make cutting out (my least favorite part of sewing) a lot easier.  Basic cardboard ones are super cheap at Wal-Mart or Jo-anns.

Good sewing rule: Measure twice, cut once!

Here are the list of supplies for the throw pillow cover:

Throw Pillow Cover - envelope and zipper closure

pillow form

pillow front

pillow back

Pillow form(s) - any size, either square or rectangle shape - you can even recover an old one

Fabric - recommend cotton, home decor or quilting fabric would work, just remember to choose a fabric you think will hold up to use

Envelope style- Front piece: 1" longer each direction than pillow form

{my form was 18" x 18" so i cut a piece 19" x 19"}

Back pieces: 1" longer in height and 5 1/2" longer than the length measurement

{i cut my piece 19" x 23 1/2"}
Then take your left edge and fold it to the right edge.  Mark the fold, which now has become the center of your piece. (Make sure that they way you fold it creates halves that are wide, not skinny rectangles).  Open up the fabric and cut.  You now should have 2 equal rectangles for the back pieces.

Zipper style- Front & Back pieces: 1" longer each direction than pillow form

{my form was 24" x 24" so i cut 2 pieces 25" x 25"}

Calculating yardage {how much fabric you need}

Sorry, you're going to have to do a little math:-(

Yard= 36"Length x Varying Width

Quilting fabric is usually 44"

Home Decor is usually about 54-60"

Ask these questions to help you figure out how much fabric you need:

How many pillows do you want to make?  

Do you want the same fabric for both styles of pillows or different?

For the envelope pillow, is there a certain way I want the pattern on the fabric to run?

All else fails, ASK someone for help:-)  They would be happy to help.

For my 18"x 18" envelope pillow, I could make 2 pillows from 1 1/4 yard of 44" quilting fabric.

Its always a good idea to buy a little extra fabric for a project.

Bring your cut pieces!

Thread - one spool - choose one that will match the dominant color in your fabric.  i always pull out the thread from the spool and lay it on my fabric to see how it looks. sometimes the color of the thread all together on the spool is different from how it looks as a stitch.  choose a good general purpose thread - polyester is good for most fabrics.

Zipper(s) - one per pillow you wish to make- length 2" shorter than finished pillow.  choose a color that will blend well with fabric choice.

Your basic sewing supplies: 

Machine

Machine manual

Scissors

Tape measure

Straight pins

Seam ripper

Iron

Ironing board

Fabric marker or chalk

PLEASE RSVP to let us know you will be coming.  If you can bring any of the needed items listed in the sidebar, that would be oh so helpful! 


ALSO, please leave a COMMENT to tell us WHICH CLASS you will be attending.  Thanks!!  See you on Wednesday.

We have a WINNER!!

For those of you who had filled out our sewing survey and attended our first class and also had signed up for the classes.....Briana and I randomly picked a winner for our Free Wild Flower Pincushion Give-Away.....

And the WINNER is....

"MARCIE HARRIS"

Congratulations!

We hope to see you all in our next and up coming classes.

Thank you again!!

Briana and Heather

Just Added - Sewing Machine Basics 'Catch-up' Class

Vintage sewing machine print found at rogueempire

There was just soooo much to cover last night that we didn't get to.  In an effort to get everyone caught up on the basics to be ready for our first project night this next Wednesday, we are offering another chance to learn some sewing machine basics.  A few of us will be meeting on Monday at 10:30 am at my home.  If you would like to join us, great!!  Please RSVP on the blog or email or call.  Thanks!

Seamstresses in the making - Our first class

Thank you to all those who attended our first class!  We had a great group of 11.  Definitely some savvy seamstresses in the making!  There was soooo much to cover and we didn't even get close to finishing ;-)  We appreciate your patience as we figure out how to conduct our group.  Heather took a few photos during the evening to document the busy hands at work.  We are so excited to get this group going.

Learning your Machine...

Pattern know-how and Hand sewing....