My sewing students love to talk and laugh while we’re sewing during classes. One topic that they are always talking about are birthday parties! Now when I was their age, a birthday party was 8 -10 little girls (and sometimes boys) getting together and playing pin the tail on the donkey and eating ice cream and cake. And while those kind of parties still exist, they don’t seem to be the norm any more.
Now the girls have themed parties and go to hair salons to have their hair done or to a Sky Zone to jump on trampolines! The possibilities are endless and really the sky is the limit. And, because of this trend in birthday parties, I have been asked more and more if I would like to be the entertainment for a “sewing birthday party”.
For my sewing parties I come with all the equipment, sewing machines (if we are not hand sewing), and sewing kits that we need for each individual party. I start with a short sewing lesson and then we sew a project that I have all ready for them to sew. Everybody takes home a finished project. After my lesson they go into eat and open up presents. I clean up and say my goodbyes. My gift to the birthday girl or boy is a gift certificate for a private lesson in my home studio.
So, the next time you’re planning a birthday party for your child, think about having a sewing birthday. Your child will love it and so will you!
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!
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.
I love the Pattern “Flower Pouches” by Valori Wells. My students loved them too! How can stitching a simple square and turning each corner back and gathering it look so cool and really look like the petals of a flower? It’s amazing and another great container for putting in a special gift for someone you love (actually makes it more special because you’ve made the pouch)!
Start with the sewing card “Petal Pouches” by Valori Wells. Choose the size of your square from the pattern (there are 3 sizes using a 10” for a small bag, 15” for the medium bag, and 18” for the big bag). You might also like to experiment with the size to fit your gift. You’ll need 2 fabrics and ribbon for your gathers that fit through your casings. Note: I preferred to cut a larger piece of ribbon for the bags to have longer pieces to tie)
The directions are easy to follow and the finished project so adorable. Make in a variety of prints and solids including some Christmas prints for the holidays! You can find the Sewing Card “Petal Pouches” by Valori Wells on my website in the Marketplace under Cool Stuff for Kids!
Happy Stitching…
Bobbi
Kids just love making pillows! For some of my students I think the best part of making the pillow is stuffing it! So I thought let’s make some Christmas pillows and ornaments and have fun stitching and stuffing them!
Because I again wanted super easy projects I cut squares from felt and fleece. These fabrics don’t ravel and seams don’t have to be inside! Cut squares to the desired size. Add any appliques with simple hand stitches. Add embellishments like sequins, buttons, and ribbons. Pin the front of the pillow to the back and be sure to leave a hole in the middle of one of the sides to stuff.
You could use the machine to sew the sides if you would prefer, but I love these pillow projects from felt to practice hand sewing. Stuff the pillow lightly and stitch up the opening you left for stuffing. Your pillow is done!
If you are making an ornament, just slip in a piece of folded ribbon at the top of the ornament and stitch all 3 layers at once (top felt, ribbon in between, and bottom felt).
For more ideas and creative stitches for your projects check out “The Amazing Stitching Handbook for Kids” by Kristin Nicholas available on my website under Fun Stitch Studio Books by C&T Publishing.
Until next time…
Bobbi
Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, it’s time for my young students to spend the next few weeks leading up to Christmas and Hanukkah making gifts for family and friends. I decided to share a few of these on my blog.
The Fleece Pouch is a project that I use in all my beginning classes. It is simple enough for my kindergarten crowd and all the kids get to practice a straight stitch, running stitch, and sewing on a button. As an extra I add on an applique’ when time permits. The kids love this little cutie!
The pouch was inspired by the Sewing Card from Valori Wells called “Little Wallets”. The pattern was a little too hard for my younger kids so I traced the shape of the pouch and then folded the bottom of the pouch back up on itself about 3 and ¾” and continued to trace the pouch. I now had a simple pattern to cut out for the kids.
While most of the pouches have been from fleece I thought that for Christmas these would be perfect fashioned from Christmas colored felt. I also gathered some embellishments for my pouch like sequins, Christmas buttons, floss, and ribbon.
The first step was cutting out my pouch. Next I decided on an applique for my flap. I pinned the holly in place, stitched around the leaves, and then added beads for holly berries and a ribbon. (You could add any embellishments of your choice). Next I added my button about 2” down from the top and centered in the middle of the pouch.
After sewing on the button I folded up bottom of the pouch about 3 and ¾” and pinned it in place. Using an overcast stitch I sewed each side of the pouch. I added a running stitch to the edges of the flap and finally slit the fabric where the button will go through to close the pouch. Now I could add a gift card or gift, button the flap, and one gift is finished and ready for giving!
Look for the sewing card “Little Wallets” by Valori Wells in my marketplace in the Sew Kool for Kids Shop!
Happy Holidays…
I love to teach kids how to sew using very simple projects. Felt is a great fabric for this purpose. Brightly colored, it doesn’t fray and has enough body so the kids can hold the fabric easily while learning to stitch. Felt can be purchased by the yard but can also be purchased in the craft section of Joann’s or Michael in 9 and 12 inch squares.
Besides a pair of scissors and a few pins you will need squares and rectangles and a few assorted pieces or remnants of felt in different colors. Add some favorite colors of floss, a size 18 or 22 chenille needle, buttons in assorted sizes and colors, and some sequins and you’re set!
In my last post, I talked about the running stitch, the overcast stitch , and sewing on different kinds of buttons. Using these stitches, cut the felt into squares and rectangles and start having some sewing fun!
Cutting 1 piece of felt and cut into 2-6″x 6″ squares. Cut some shapes from the felt remnants and pin on one of the squares towards the middle. Your applique’ is ready to be stitched with a running stitch or an overcast stitch. Add a button or two and maybe even try to stitch some sequins on to finish your design. Put the two pillow squares together with the design facing out and pin leaving a small space in the middle of one of the sides of the pillow. Using a running stitch, stitch around the outside of the pillow about 1/4 from the edge of the pillow until you come back to about 3″ from where you started to stitch. Stuff the pillow lightly with fiberfill and finish stitching the pillow closed. So cute!
Now cut several rectangles. Fold the rectangle into 2 even sections and top section about half way down. The top section can stay square or can be rounded or pointed for the flap. Decorate the flap or the back and/or the front of the pouch. Now add a snap or a button for a closure. Super simple and the kids love them!
Remember, sewing is fun and it is a learned skill! Let your kids experiment with colors and stitches. There is no right or wrong. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder!
If you need help with the how-to’s of embroidery, click on the link to “The Amazing Stitching Handbook for Kids” by Kristin Nicholas featuring 17 embroidery stitches and 15 fun and easy projects. This book is published by C& T Publishing and is part of the Fun Stitch Studio Series. Beautiful illustrations in an easy to read format. Great projects and lots of information including a list of sources for supplies, glossary of terms, and a guide on how to make the embroidery fit your own personality. This book is a wonderful addition to your sewing library and one I’ll be using this year as a text in class. Be sure to check it out!
Shop “The Amazing Stitching Handbook for Kids” Now!
Teaching your young child to hand sew can really be a fun and rewarding experience. Gather some simple supplies and you are ready to get started! Most of the supplies that you’ll need can be purchased at a Michael’s Craft Stores or Joann Fabric Stores.
You will need:
Needle with a large eye (I use a Chenille Size 18 which can be gripped by little fingers)
Yarn or floss (use all 6 strands together)
Felt
Plastic canvas
Heavier paper such as poster board
Paper plates with holes punched around the edges, or a styrofoam plate used for food (I get Persian Cucumbers from Trader Joe’s)
Scotch tape to secure the yarn if you are using paper plates or styrofoam
Scissors
Paper Punch if using a paper plate or paper
Optional: Pony beads or other large beads for the needle
Begin the sewing lesson by showing your young sewer the needle that you will use for stitching. Be sure to show them the point of the needle and tell them that it is sharp so it can pierce the fabric. If they want, let them feel the point although most are curious and will do this on their own! Show them the eye of the needle and tell them that this is where the thread is added so we can stitch. Thread the needle while they are watching and show them how the thread is knotted. If your child is interested in trying to thread the needle and make the knot let them try. Otherwise, show them how it’s done and wait until your child has stitched for awhile. If you are using poster board or a paper plate, take your hole punch and make holes around the outside rim of the plate or shape. Before you begin to stitch show them how to hold the yarn or floss at the base of the eye while stitching so that the yarn does not pull out after each stitch.
Running stitch:
My students, young and old, begin their stitching journey with learning the running stitch. This basic stitch is made by bringing the needle up from the back or underside of the fabric, moving over about a quarter to half an inch and sending the needle back down to the underside of the fabric. The stitches can be all even or can vary in length depending on what your child is using to practice stitching (styrofoam, felt etc.)
Show your child how to hold the eye of the needle and the thread each time they begin to stitch. Keeping the yarn or the floss in the eye of the needle is by far the hardest part of the lesson. Have your child bring the needle from the underside or back of the fabric. Pull the yarn or floss all the way up to the front. Now, reinsert the needle back down into the fabric to the underside and pull all the thread through again. One stitch completed! Make rows of running stitches like railroad tracks back and forth until you have filled your empty space or stitched around the edges of your paper plate. At the end of each row either knot the yarn or cut and tape the yarn to the backside of your work. Change colors for each line of stitching or try making big or little stitches. Let your child be creative! Optional: When your sewer brings the needle to the right side of the felt, plate, or needlepoint canvas, have them add a pony bead or beads before they insert the needle back down into the fabric to the underside. Have fun and let them be free to be creative!
Overcast or Whip Stitch:
Once your sewer has somewhat mastered the running stitch let them move on to the overcast or whip stitch. Have them bring the needle up through the underside about a quarter to a half inch in from the edge of the plate or fabric. Now, instead of going back down to the underside from the front, take the needle over the edge and go back to the underside and bring the needle back up through the fabric or other medium to the front about a quarter to a half inch from the first stitch. Remember your stitches will be going over the edge each time instead of being stitched in an up and down motion. Be patient as your sewer tries to master these two basic stitches. Often my students will start with a running stitch and end up stitching several overcast stitches. It’s at this point where I remind them that they are new to sewing and it will take time to master a new skill. I take the misguided stitches out and encourage them to continue reminding them that sewing is a “learned skill” and “practice makes perfect!”
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!
Whether you have sewn for your entire life or are just starting out as a new sewer, Halloween is the perfect time to unleash your creativity and make your own Halloween costume. It doesn’t have to be perfect because it’s a costume. It’s a project to try new techniques and/or perfect old ones. And better yet there is no right or wrong way of doing things! Create and enjoy the ride!
I tell my students to browse in the retail Halloween stores and look in books, magazines, and the internet to get an idea of what they would like to be. Make sure you pay attention to the details that you would like to incorporate into your costume. When you have decided on a costume to make you can approach making your Halloween costume in several ways.
The first approach is to check the pattern catalogs in your local fabric store to see if there is a pattern for your costume that you’ve chosen to make for Halloween. If you are a new sewer just make sure that the pattern isn’t too complicated. I like to tell my new sewers to purchase a pattern with no more than 10-12 pieces unless you’ve consulted your sewing teacher or other experienced sewer. Look at the fabric, trims, and notions on the back of the pattern envelope for the costume pieces that you are making from the pattern and purchase these items. Prepare the fabric, find the pattern pieces needed for your view, cut it out and have some fun sewing up your costume. Make sure that you ask for help if needed. Embellish your costume to make it your own. Remember, you are the designer and it’s what you like that really counts!
Now, if you have this great idea in your head but can’t find a pattern then you have to go a different route. Think of the designers on shows like Project Runway and the steps that they must follow to get from a drawing or an idea in their mind to the final project. Break the design down and see what you will have to do to get the look that you want. Look for patterns that have the shapes that you have in mind and substitute these patterns to make your costume. Or, if you have a Goodwill store or a Salvation Army store near you, they are usually treasure troves of great pieces that can be adapted to make any costume. Alter and embellish them and your costume will be smashing!
To summarize, decide on what you want to be for Halloween, decide on how you want to go about it, and get going sewing. And remember, the best thing about making your own costume is when someone complements you on your costume you’ll be able to smile and say “Thank you, I made it myself!”
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