Sewing is a learned skill. I tell my young students this fact repeatedly as I guide them through my curriculum of projects that will give them the basics of sewing and the needlearts. As one learns to sew they must have the courage to tackle new techniques knowing that the first try might not be their best but knowing that is ok! Everyone, both kids and adults, must start at the beginning of their sewing journey. Everything they do while on that journey will be a first for them as they gain patience and determination to become better sewers. As they advance in their sewing adventure, they will get better! To quote President Obama “Yes we can!” And “Yes we will!” Case in point: Bobbi’s Zipper Phobia In the adult sewing world, most of the time inserting a zipper brings terror in the hearts of many! I was one of those people. In fact, even throughout my college years I always inserted a handpicked zipper to avoid having to use the machine! It wasn’t to get extra points from my sewing professors for going that extra mile and inserting a perfect (yes, after a while it was a perfect hand-picked zipper) hand-picked zipper. No, it was because to put in a machine zipper made me crazy. Being a perfectionist, I didn’t want to fail and have it look yucky! I didn’t realize why I became so confident in inserting a hand-picked zipper because I had done so many of them! I practiced that skill and it paid off! The machine zippers in my mind were forbidden territory because in my mind I made it forbidden. I was my own worst enemy. I psyched myself into believing that I could not do it. And for many years I did not!! Later in my sewing career I would master zippers and wonder why I had looked on it as such a hard technique to master. And now as a teacher, I want my young students to be able to be fearless when they must insert a zipper! (or any other technique for that matter!) This spring my projects for the kids include sewing different types of closures among them the infamous zipper! We will insert a simple zipper and build from there. We will make sure that we understand what we need to do and take it step by step. And before we begin I will quote them some words from my dear mentor and friend Martha Pullen who told us to keep assuring our students: “There is nothing that you can do in sewing that I cannot fix if something goes wrong. And if I can’t fix it I have extra materials and notions so that we can start over and try it again!” It’s totally always a win-win situation. Do not be afraid to try, just do it and enjoy the experience. My young students will be inserting lots of zippers and other closures into their projects this spring. I’m sure we will be successful because I will show them a positive attitude and be their biggest cheerleader! Their smiles at their accomplishments will be uplifting for me as we finish each new technique. Their success will be my success and continue to make me a better teacher. Learning to sew and loving it!

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  Until next time, Miss Bobbi

My goodness 2015 went fast! It’s January and time to think about Spring Sewing sessions and Summer Sewing Camps. The Camp Fairs are right around the corner…..

This year I am excited to again be at Tower Hill School for most of the summer. I will be offering 4 camps and your sewer can join me for either a half day or a full day. Many of my working parents let me know that they needed a full day of camp so now your wish is my command!

I will also be running 2 sewing camps in August at Tatnall and they will also have the option to join me for a half day or a full day. And, finally I am running 2 camps at Cab Calloway Summer School of the Performing Arts for campers that are in Kindergarten through Second Grade. It’s gonna be a busy summer but sew exciting!!!!

Here’s the link to click to my summer camps. Register early for best selection!

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Summer is often the best way for your kids to experience the joys of sewing. Classes are small and the atmosphere is more laid back than during the busy school year. Kids can choose a variety of sewing disciplines based on their interests. During the week they will be gain confidence in their ability to finish each project and use their creativity to personalize their projects based on their individual personalities. Wherever you may live be sure to investigate your local sewing shops or schools for sewing camps in your area.

Until next time,

Ms Bobbi

I enjoy teaching both kids and grownups how to sew. For the past 12 years I have operated a traveling sewing school making good use of my Textiles and Clothing degree. I think of myself as a Home Economist but the new buzz word for this honor is a Consumer Science Professional. I usually travel with 10 sewing machines, 2 irons and ironing boards, several wheels with outlets, and all the sewing tools, equipment, and kits that we will need to complete the projects that we will stitch during class. I also have a 70 pound hand truck that helps to carry in the machines to the schools.

Once at my destination I have to transport all the tools and equipment to my hand truck, get to my classroom destination, set the machines up and get ready for the kids. I teach the lesson for 90 minutes and at the end of class I ask the kids help me clean up the room. After they leave I take down all the machines and pack up all my equipment, back on the hand truck they go to be packed in the van again to travel to our next destination. And often I do this dance 5 days a week!

When I’m not teaching, I spend my time between working on my website (www.fascinationinfabrics.com), learning the value of incorporating SEO sites like Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter into my marketing mix, and researching or designing projects for my classes. I usually try to plan my projects well in advance of the projected class dates that my students will stitch them. After I know what we will be sewing I either order the supplies or shop for them locally. After the supplies arrive I summon the help of a wonderful friend and colleague and we spend hours cutting and prepping kits that will have everything ready for my kids to sew. Finally I stitch the samples. Honestly, until we start lessons on using a commercial pattern, my kids don’t understand or appreciate how much I do for them so that the class can run smoothly! It’s a process….

The projects that we stitch are geared to 2 different age groups. My first group is my 5 and 6 year olds. These stitchers spend time learning mostly hand sewing techniques in the beginning along with cutting and pinning skills. They spend time learning how to thread a needle, knot the end, and practicing a running stitch, overcast stitch, and a French knot. Several weeks into the session I start to add short lessons on the sewing machine and their journey begins on learning to use the sewing machine.

My second through sixth graders also start with hand stitching. However, these sewers navigate the sewing machine much quicker than the little ones. Sewing machine basics and safety start from the first class as does beginning techniques to master with fun projects to stitch.

The basics of hand or machine sewing start each sewer on their journey into the sewing world. After that their path is determined by their likes and preferences. Like any other skill there are many kinds of sewing that one can enjoy. Many of my young sewers enjoy stuffed animals, quilting, clothing construction, or making bags and totes. The possibilities are endless.

The hardest part of teaching sewing is to remind each student that sewing is a learned skill. It is not a competition with anyone else. It is individual journey. For each project in sewing that you stitch your goal is to understand the techniques used to complete the project. Whether it takes one class session or five class sessions, the mindset should be one of understanding the process and not who is finished before you! The main goal of all my classes are centered around learning to sew and loving it! Sewing is a creative art form meant to enjoyed in a stress free environment. The joys of sewing last a lifetime for my young sewers and each student will have a different journey based on personality and their individual tastes. My continuing goal is that each of my students will have a positive and very rewarding experience learning to sew. And, I am so honored to teach all my students the joys of sewing and will continue to do so for a long time! It is after all my passion and my life!