May Class: Buttonholes via Refashioned Cardigan

I have received so many requests on how to do buttonholes that I felt like it was time to feed the masses.
Presenting one of our May Classes:

Buttonholes via Refashioned Cardigan

Wednesday, May 9th from 7:30 - 9:30 pm

at Briana Johnson's home

This will be a great class in which you will come home with a completed project having learned a new skill and having transformed something neglected in your closet to something refreshed.

Here's the plan:

Find a thicker knit shirt from the back of your closet {or on clearance at your favorite store}

*it can be whatever sleeve length, just remember it is going to become a cardigan

Purchase the following supplies:

*button{s} - you can have one large, or several smaller ones - really its up to you

*thread - matching or contrast, whatever you want - just remember contrasting thread will show:)

*iron on hem tape {find at Joann's or Wal-Mart}

Accompany those with these:

*a ruler or even better, a yard stick

*scissors

*seam ripper ;)

*light fusible interfacing {if you have some - if not we can share}

*dressmaker's chalk or disappearing fabric marker

*measuring tape

*straight pins 

*iron

*ironing board

*machine

*machine manual {important if you've never done a buttonhole on your machine - every machine is different}

*buttonhole foot {if your machine requires it - check out your manual - then look for it in your utility box}

We will be beginning with the diy tutorial from Easily Dunn rightfully named:

diy: make an awesome cardigan out of a shirt from the 6th grade that you refuse to throw away but never wear

To which we will add the ever so intimating buttonhole.  Really, you are going to be impressed with how unintimidating it is:)

So on your way to the jungles of your closet to find that 6th grade shirt, you know the one.

Then head back over to RSVP to let us know that you and your shirt will be joining us!

Photos by Easily Dunn

Our April Giveaway!

This cute pin cushion jar will be our giveaway!

All you have to do is sign up for our class or let us know that your coming, this April 11th and come enjoy lots of fun sewing.

Looking forward to seeing you!

April Class: Skinny Me Up - a pants' story of transformation

Hi ladies!
Ready for this fun class??!!
Lets dig into the back of our closets
{or our children's}
and find those unflattering pants that are waiting for a makeover story of their own.

This month our class will be

Skinny Me Up

a pants' story of transformation

turning those baggy pants to fabulously fitted

we will be following Art with Ashley's Frumpy to Fabulous tutorial as featured in the above photo

THIS WEDNESDAY

April 11th, 7:30-9:30 pm

at Briana Johnson's Home

Here's what you should bring with you:

*pair of baggy pants that still fit around the waist

*pair of 'skinny' pants that fit well {this will serve as our pattern}

*two different colors of fabric marking pencils, markers or dressmaker's chalk {these will create our lines for our patterns - you want the kind that washes away or disappears - should be available at Wal-Mart or Joann's - we can always share if you don't want the expense}

*lots of straight pins

*measuring tape

*thread to match

*fold up cutting board {optional}

*basic sewing supplies - machine, manual, scissors

If you can bring any of these items for set-up that would be great!!

*folding table

*folding chair

*lamp

*extension cord

Make sure to RSVP to be entered into our darling Pin Cushion Jar!!

comment, email, call, text, FB, holler...

Just let us know you'll be headed our way:)

Hope to see you guys!

Blanket or Pillow? BOTH!

Blanket? Pillow? What is this called?

A Quillow!!!

A comfy and soft blanket that folds up into a pillow. And super easy to sew.

Want to make one?

Then come to our class this Wednesday April 11th @7pm.

This is what you need:

*Fabric: 45'' wide, 5 yards total

Color 1: (Top) 2 1/2 yards

Color 2: (Bottom) 2 1/2 yards

*Batting to equal your cut fabric size.

*Thread matching your fabric

* Sewing machine

*Scissors

*Etc.

For the pillow pocket:

* 19" fabric square in color 1 (top)

* 19" fabric square in color 2 (bottom)

* 19" square of batting.

For the quilt body cut as follows:

* 73" long piece of fabric from the 45" fabric (if your fabric is wider, cut it into a 45" width) in color 1 (top)

* 73" long piece of fabric in color 2 (bottom)

* piece of batting 73" x 45"

Please have your Fabric and Batting already cut.

If you get too confused you can cut it at the class. See you soon.

Please let me know if you would like to come and sew with me by posting.

There will be a giveaway to those who post. Thank you and see you all soon.

Humming of sewing machines = Music to my ears

it has been awhile since having a sewing class in my home, on account of my move and the fabulous production that was Craft Explosion.  it was a treat to have so many newcomers to the group and of course to have marvelous Miss Heather return as my co-instructor!

we were hard at work creating our appliqués and hot/cold rice bags

i love watching the spark in someone's eyes when they realize...yes, i CAN do this!

having ladies complete their projects in class always makes me soooo happy,

as i personally suffer from the 'if i don't finish it now, it will never get finished' disease

that i fear may be an epidemic amongst a lot of women:)

several of the women left with projects near completion 

and emailed me the photos of their finished masterpieces

i fear i may have created an appliqué addiction in a few of these women.

congratulations to Vanessa who was the lucky winner of our heart pincushion giveaway!

thanks ladies for your enthusiasm

looking forward to next month!!

February's Giveaway!

This month for our giveaway we are doing some absolutey cute pin cushions that are perfect for valentines.

So please sign up for our sewing classes by posting for the class that you want to do. That would be so great to hear from all of you who want to come and sew with us.

Cant wait for you to win some of these.

Too Cute!!

February Class: Basic Applique T-Shirt

ring...ring
hello?
hello...yes, remember me...
who?
me!  the sewing class girl...i know its been awhile but i'd love to have you back in my life!!!  yes, you say?!!

as life seems to do often, it has thrown a few new things our way, but we're pressing on and through the encouragement of a few of you, i am excited to start our classes again!!!
classes will be planned on the 2nd wednesday of the month, unless noted {such as next month it will be on thurs:)}
i am thrilled to have heather back and in action!!! we sure missed her.  this month she will be teaching the hot/cold rice bag class to soothe our aches and erase our burdens... well close enough:)  check out her post here.

this month i will be teaching a basic appliqué t-shirt class inspired by my valentine's day tradition i have for my kids as shown in the photo and in the post here.  since my boys were little i gave them matching shirts for valentine's day.  now as their sizes range in different departments and with a baby girl thrown in the mix, it takes a little more creativity to achieve this tradition.  last year i attempted my first appliqués on t-shirts.  i adored how these "love rocks" tees turned out.  this year i will be conjuring up a new design and thought you might want to learn how to appliqué as well.

Basic Appliqué T-shirt Class

Wednesday, February 8th @ 7:30 pm

@Briana Johnson's Home

{please RSVP for address and gate code}

here are the supplies you will need to bring:

t-shirt(s)
fabric for applique - {i recommend cotton or wool felt - bring scraps of fabric or at the most, a 1/4 yd}
thread to match appliqué fabric
fusible webbing - brands: Wonder Under,  Heat N Bond LITE, Steam-A-Seam, or Steam-A-Seam 2 - {you will only need a small amount so either: 1. buy 1/4 yd if its on the bolt or 2. if you buy a package and have a friend in the class, share!}
iron
ironing board - {need at least 1 per 2 people}
pressing cloth - {i use a tea/dish towel}
scissors for fabric
scissors for paper -{ optional but recommended}
iron on paper stabilizer - {same quantity recommendations as for the fusible webbing}

basic sewing supplies:
machine
machine manual - {if you are wanting a little head start, look to see if your machine has a satin stitch, if not then you'll use the zig zag stitch}
tape measure
straight pins
seam ripper ;)

as far as the selection for the appliqué template...
i will provide templates for a few shapes:

mustache, lips, heart

t-shirt made by blink baby

tutorial by finley & oliver

but you can choose any you would like to bring.  i would start with something simple, one layered and not too large - something ranging between 2" to 6",  you just need an outline of the shape,
such as:
tie, bird, letter, tree...

appliqué by customize it

appliqués by badskirt-amy

look for some inspiration here, here, or here

can't wait to get sewing!!
please leave a comment in the post of the class you will be attending - RSVP is greatly appreciated.

Hot/cold rice bag

Welcome back everyone. Hope all your christmas's and new years were excellent! Heather Williams Has recently moved back, and is going to be teaching. Whoo~hoo.

So...Let's get sewing!!

Suffering from aches and pains?

Fell down and bumped your head?

Well come and make this soothing therapeutic

hot/cold rice bag.

(Place in the microwave for a few minutes for some lasting heat. Or place in the freezer for several hours to use a cold compress.)

You'll need:

Fabric rectangle, 25 x 12 inches

2 pieces of wide ribbon, 10 inches long each

Thread to match your fabric

Rice ~ 8 to 10 cups

Scissors (if you haven't already cut your fabric and ribbon)

And thats it, simple and fun.

Can't wait to see all of you and to sew with you.

Sign up by commenting or emailing me at www.mamaheather26@yahoo.com

Or you can let briana know.

You could be a winner of our giveaway

when you sign up.Thanks

~Heather