Teach Another Generation: A Bumpy Ride

Teen Sewing Camp January 2013

I love to teach kids how to sew; it is more like guiding them on their journey.

Yes, I am older than my students. I am wiser, well, I am more knowledgeable about using a sewing machine and constructing basic sewing projects. For example,  I can insert a bobbin and change a broken machine needle. I can construct a  9-patch pillow, a zipper bag, and a  reversible jean bag.

But it is the knowledge that comes with experience that I relish. I know the end score--A WIN. I know because they are constructing their own unique product. In and of itself, it is a success of which to be proud--an accomplishment that they can feel, touch and share with others.

Yes, I know the outcome, hooray; and I know the ride can be a bumpy one. Remember, I also know the end.

For instance, I feel their elation of selecting fabric for a project. I love this initial high, and I love watching this process vicariously. I am a lucky lady.

But, I know there comes a time in most every project a sewer undertakes for the first time. Typically, the event occurs when the sewer understands the instructions different from what the words and pictures are showing the sewer (need I say more).The frustration ensues, it starts to erupt and comes in many forms and the disconnects can be infuriating like sewing the wrong pieces together  or daunting like cutting your, especially for you, fabric wrong!

This is where the art of teaching sewing gets real, it is the test of my skills as a true believer that everyone can be successful at sewing. Sewing the wrong pieces can be fixed with the right tools (seam ripper), time and patience. The wrong cut takes a little more creativity; it is a greater test of my ability. I explore their reactions to a redesign: (a) introduce new fabric, (b) add an embellishment (c) create a new version of the initial project . There is always a solution, the test is finding the best one , the participant-approved one and quickly. I will use of any fabric, trim or machine sewing skill I know that can be offered as a salvation.  Ususally, I get a thumbs up for one or more of the solutions.  Hey, I am a great salesperson, when I have faith!

So, the construction process continues, and I take a breath and continue along for the ride, but it is over too soon, and, yet, the end is magical.  I see their beaming smiles; they are overcome with joy.There  is nothing better than pride in one's own ability to create.

This post is inspired by many students, most recently, the participants of the Teen Sewing Camp at the Road to California Quilters Conference & Showcase. The campers are shown in the picture  at the top of this post. 




But I am the lucky one; I will get the experience again in March at the 34th Annual Glendale Quilt Show.

Teen Quilt Camp March 2012

These pictures don't begin to recreate the joy of the journey! But, I hope you enjoyed the ride!

Now I think I will go buy some fabric for my sewing studio gotta love that feeling.

Susan

The Stitching Baker

As my moniker shows, the sewing machine is a comfy place for me.  I love to sew, and stitch as well.  I have a few completed projects to share with you.

In the photo above, you will see my Punch Needle Embroidery, it's a great medium.  It is relatively simple, it just requires a little patience.  I have had this kit for a few years, and finally got it framed to display this year.  I love this, it feels so old fashioned.

Then I thought I would make some little holiday pillows.  I love little pillows that hang on door knobs.  I didn't make this one, but I love it!

But these I did make.  A little Ho Ho Ho!

And this one is Naughty one side, Nice on the other.



This pillow was actually a tote bag that my mom was given from her grade school.  She really wanted it in a pillow so I made this little one, I love the white pom pons with the elementary theme!

Finally, I have been looking for a dog bed for Sookie, the one-eyed Bichon.  Dog beds are ugly.  If you don't go for a rustic plaid for a hunting dog, then you get these cheesey pink and black diva dog beds.  I am not a fan.  Plus, they are ridiculously expensive.  So, I knew Sookie likes to cuddle on our pillows, so I emulated that effect.  This is the simplest of all designs, no sew at all!  But it was cheap, like $3 for the fabric, and a few bucks worth of poly fill.  When it is dirty, it goes to the trash.  And, I can make more for other rooms.  She loves this little bed!  Especially when that winter sun comes through that window.  I can always find her chasing the sunshine.

I have more in the pipeline, but for now, what are you waiting for?  Get in there and craft!

Craft Day

Red Neck Wine Glasses

Photo Fabric Pillows

Hey, it's Susie from Sweetie Petitti.  Over Christmas, Christina wanted to make gifts for her friends, and of course I am all in, but she HAS to help.  I don't generally ask for help when the project involves an oven, but a craft project for her friends meant it would be a project for us both!  So a shopping trip to Hobby Lobby and a day in the sewing room.  It was the perfect ending to Christmas vacation!

The first project was redneck wine glasses.  Nic joined the fun on this one.  I came across these at a Dirty Santa party and everyone passed these silly glasses around.  When we discovered how easy and cheap they were to make, I had a group of friends over with glue and jelly jars and we made 4 dozen.  When the kids came home for the holidays, they decided they wanted some too.  You will need glass candle sticks, little short ones.  We found them at the dollar store and at Hobby Lobby.  You also need a jar for the top.  I saw them all over the internet with Mason jars, but the ones we had were the faceted jelly jars.  You will also need glass glue that dries waterproof, a little sandpaper and some fingernail polish remover with acetone.

You need to gently sand the top of the candle holder, and wipe with the acetone and wipe the bottom of the jar as well.  Lay a ring of glue on the bottom of the glass and place on table upside down.  Top with the candle holder (also upside down) and be sure it is level.  Keep it where it won't get bumped and dry overnight.  We found that setting the jars on the lids was more stable than the candle stick, they are top heavy, and can slip making it a little crooked.  We found some cool stickers that are all the letters, and Christina put her friends initials on the label section of the jars.  Pretty cute.  Then she put her glasses in some home made fabric bags and tied them with ribbon.  Of course Christina's aren't wine glasses, they would be soda glasses.

Then to the sewing machine for photo pillows.  We started with a photo of her and her friends that we printed on photo fabric.  The brand I use is no longer available, but we printed the pictures on various types of silk.  You should be able to find a similar product at the fabric store.  I should have paid closer attention to the types, because the thinner silk wasn't great.  We bought a black and white print for the back of the pillow, and she chose different solids for the fronts.  Everything was cut 15"X15" for a finished pillow of 14"X14", and we just appliquéd the photo to the solid fabric.  We also bought some white pom pom trim.

Basically you appliqué the trimmed photo to the solid fabric first, anchoring and stabilizing it with some fusible interfacing.  Then you need to baste the pom pom trim to one side of the pillow (on the right side) and then sew the two side together, right sides facing, leaving a small opening.  Stuff the pillow and then hand stitch it closed.  They turned out great, an easy and fun project for college kids!  So now, back to the kitchen, I have baking to do!

Applique the Grad!

So graduation has come and gone, and most years I am spending May behind my embroidery machine for the many friends who need gifts made, and for my own gifts. Monogramming is hotter than ever with everything on the store shelves bearing an initial, even toilet paper!

There is no doubt that a teenager heading off to college will use a nice set of towels. However, this is another of those generational things. I hate to tell you all, but kids are not all about the matchy-matchy things. My kids would never pay attention to the hand towel, bath towel and washcloth all out at once. As a matter of fact, one of my kids prefers shower poufs over washcloths. So I made a trip to Costco and bought these HUGE bath sheets, okay, beach towels, in vibrant colors. They will serve a college kid well. All summer around the pool or lake, and in the dorm, a big wrap up after a shower. They are also cost effective, so I can afford to give them to a big group (about $12) although the labor can be intense.

My daughter goes to an all girls school, so I picked the bright blue and a couple of purple towels. I have a stash of large wooden letters that I use as a template for applique, but you can freehand your letters or search online and blow it up. I finally figured out a use for that button on my printer that allows me to enlarge or shrink my copies. When I made the applique aprons here, I shrunk the letters.

You will want to copy your pattern onto the double sided fusible, on the rough side. Trim around (but not up to the letter) and iron on the wrong side of the fabric. Then trim around the letter. And iron it to your towel, or apron or whatever. Then stitch with the applique stitch around with a contrasting color. Cute as ever!
Other ideas for this applique is writing the name in bubbles, and cutting them out and overlapping on a pillow. (I'm doing this for the new dorm room and will post). You could use a complimenting decorator fabric and make the initial for a throw pillow for the couch. Or in a great outdoor fabric and toss it on the outdoor furniture. So many ideas, so little time. But the gifts are almost done ( I really need a rainy day!), my daughters graduation was truly memorable, and I have to get back to SweetiePetitti and get some baking done! Come visit sometime!