Category: Uncategorized

Upcoming class projects

July 13, 2012
T-shirt Pillow Cover

Project 1:  T-shirt Pillow Cover.  You pick the size pillow you want (16″x16″ pillow form used here), your favorite t-shirt and some coordinating fabric.  In about 90 minutes, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind pillow that YOU created.  The envelope style pillow cover means no snaps, buttons or zippers to contend with.  Perfect for beginners. If you can wind a bobbin, thread your machine and sew a straight seam without sewing your fingers together, then you have the skills necessary to make this project.  Fabric requirements for a 16″ square pillow cover:  1/4 yard for trimming the t-shirt, 1/2 yard for the back and 1/2 yard lightweight fusible interfacing to stabilize the t-shirt.  All the fabrics for this project came from my stash.  Pillow form is from Joann’s.

This little mini-quilt went to Ireland

July 9, 2012

Nearly two dozen members from the Atlanta and Irish Modern Quilt Guilds participated in a swap.  The big reveal on this side of the pond was at the AMQG meeting yesterday morning.  It was a fun challenge.  Here’s the bundle all wrapped up (before putting in the padded mailer at the post office).

I included some extra goodies in the bundle. It’s now on its its way to my swap partner Karen.  Package should arrive in 6-10 days, according to the clerk at the post office.

And for the AMQG label police (a/k/a Pam Cobb) – here’s the label.  See?  I added one!  🙂  This looked much better than the original one and takes up a lot less space on the back of the quilt.  It also doesn’t get in the way of the design on the backing fabric.  Happy now?

Dusting off and more determined than ever

July 7, 2012

Received an email from one of the shops…can we reschedule the classes for late July?   She wasn’t able to promote the classes and no one had signed up.  (Look on the bright side: that frees up two days next week!)

But darn it all…I spent an ENTIRE week developing lesson plans, making samples and securing suitable machines and supplies for classes.  I met with two shop owners who really seemed to like my projects and agreed to promote the classes. Classes were scheduled. I notified the moms who told me their daughters wanted to learn how to sew. Word did get out – even one of my sewing friends whom I don’t see on a regular basis told me she saw that I was teaching at one of the two shops.

So, why haven’t the classes filled?  Projects are relevant – what the kids requested, everyone who sees the samples thinks they are adorable, fee is reasonable and competitive.  Classes are scheduled at *good* times.   What gives?

Maybe I really should go talk to the director of the arts program at the Methodist church.  They offer painting, ceramics, dance, etc. through a well-established program.  More than one friend has mentioned it to me.

It’s hard not to get discouraged, but nothing worth having ever comes easy.  I keep reminding myself of the kids who loved the classes I taught and the fact that sewing is hip again.  I just haven’t plugged into the right location yet nor have I marketed my services as I need to.

Time to regroup, dust off my britches and get back out there!