Dates:  July 14-17, 2015   (Tuesday-Friday) 9:30 a.m. to noon

Location:  Stitch ‘N Quilt in Mableton

Cost:  $110, includes all project supplies and snacks

Projects:  Travel pillowcase, owl or monster pillow, tote bag & key fob (can be modified based on skill level)

Participants in this camp will also make a pillowcase or two for Conkerr Cancer (materials provided by shop).

What you need to bring:  listening ears, a sense of adventure, a sewing machine* and basic sewing supplies. If you already have a sewing machine and know how to use it, I prefer that you bring that one to class.  You can bring it on Tuesday and leave it all week.  We will be in the the front classroom.  A basic sewing supply list will be posted soon.

*A limited number of sewing machines are available to rent from the instructor for use during camp. The fee is $10.00 payable directly to the instructor.

Just begin!
Don’t wait for the perfect set of circumstances before starting.
What you create is more important than where you make it.
Doing something to help a few is better than not doing anything at all.
Stumbling along the way is better than failing to take that first step.
~Author Unknown

Someone recently sent me this quote and it’s so timely.

I am wrestling with a major decision right now involving my day job. I’m sure many of you have been there. We make plans and then someone (or something) throws a you a curveball out of nowhere. The picture changes entirely in an instant. In my case, it was last Tuesday afternoon around 3:10 p.m. when the plan for next school year was flashed on the big screen. My job responsibilities are to be substantially changed and moving in a direction I’m not so sure I am willing (let alone want) to go.  (And in case you are wondering, no advanced warning was given to anyone – except a select duo – who are to be impacted by this new plan!) I have spent the past several days trying to wrap my head around the proposed changes. Much discussion has ensued at our house regarding various options and the impact of choosing each of those options. No final decision has been made as of yet, but I have prioritized my preferred options. I have until the end of May to make my decision with the regard to the first option on my list.  And I am at peace with whatever happens.  That’s a much better place than I was on Thursday afternoon.

One of those options includes taking my creative arts business to the next level and starting my after-school craft club at local elementary schools this fall.  I would also get serious about selling off the huge stash of fabric and vintage patterns in my basement. I’ll admit, I am worried about not having a longarm machine, permanent studio space to teach and a host of other things.  I need to keep in mind that it all starts with a single step.  Just. Do. It.  Just begin.

So it’s down to the studio to continue working on a student’s t-shirt quilt.

Here’s to Sunday stitching!
~T.

I know…I know…money’s tight and you don’t want to spend a lot of $$ on something that could be a passing fad.

Pssst:  Chances are it’s not a passing fad – especially if your little stitcher has already been to a couple of sewing events and really, really wouldn’t shut up about the great time he or she had.

While I encourage you to support your local sewing machine dealer, there’s nothing wrong with purchasing your machine from a big box mass merchandiser, internet retailer or your local fabric store.

Purchasing helps for newbie stitchers:

–  Keep it simple.
–  Mechanical machines like the Janome Jem Gold 660 ($199) are excellent, user-friendly machines.  I’ve taught 3 different groups of kids using a Jem Gold 660 or Jem Gold 3.  I can say without hesitation that kids really catch on fast to this particular machine.  It’s simple to operate, stitches beautifully and comes with a built-in needle threader (more for the adult helper than the kid).
–  If you have been eyeballing those < $100 machines at Wal-Mart, I would resist the temptation unless you can actually sew on one before buying.  Two girls in my Saturday sewing class brought in machines that fit this category.  A very frustrating experience all the way around, plus N-O-I-S-Y!!!  Many of the girls remarked how quiet my Janomes were compared to these machines.  Instead, look at the Janome JW5622 (similar to the Janome 2222).  It can be shipped to the store or might even be at your local Wal-Mart already. As much as I prefer top loading bobbin machines, I am very impressed with this one. (Yes, I sewed on this model, too!)

A vertical front loading bobbin machine will be noisier than a top loading machine.  You could stuff a clean dishtowel in the accessory compartment to muffle some of the noise coming from the bobbin area. Adding a drop of sewing machine oil to the hook area might also help.  What I really like about this machine was the fact that it has adjustable stitch width and stitch length, a one step buttonhole and a carry handle – all things the Jem Gold 660 doesn’t have. Of course it has a built-in needle threader!  It’s also about $60 less than the Jem Gold 660 – making it more budget friendly.  If you need a good, all around basic sewing machine for your home – this one would definitely fit the bill, more so than the Jem Gold 660 IMHO.

FYI – sewing machines range in price from < $100 to well > $10k.  More bells, whistles and computer components generally mean a much higher price tag for a sewing machine.