Last Saturday Sewcial of the Summer

School starts for teachers on August 1, so this was the last Summer Saturday Sewcial at the Library.

We made lined tote bags.

Each participant brought their own fabric which lets us all "oooh" and "aaaah" over the beautiful finished products that are unique to each participant.

This is a good project to practice straight line stitching, pressing, turning, making boxed corners, right sides together and many other practical sewing techniques.

I checked out a few tote bag tutorials before the class and didn't find one that was detailed enough for my beginning beginners.  So I made some samples and wrote my own.  The Lined Tote Bag tutorial is HERE.  Check it out. The participants followed along with the printed tutorial even though I walked them through it step by step and it seemed to work well so I will add it to the blog.

Hopefully we will be able to meet again in September once school has settled down.  Zipper pouch is next on my radar!

Saturday Sewcial

The beginning sewing class at the library was a lot of fun this week.  We had 2 regulars and 3 new participants (and lots of people watching through the window wall.) 

Working on turning their points. 

First one finished.  I love her colors!

This month we made the famous "Easy 20 Minute Table Runner."  Several of the participants joked about the 20 Minutes!  We did get them done in 2 hours and that was our goal. 

First time using a machine.  She did fantastic!

It had plenty of straight line sewing, which I always look for for the library projects. 

The buttons S picked had gold edges which were the perfect finishing touch.

Precision ironing is a good skill too.

This mother/daughter team had an amazing first sewing experience.

Then forming the point and sewing on a button.  All good things to know how to do.

D got brave and used the rotary cutter herself.

We got in a good rotary cutting lesson as well and several used the rotary cutter themselves to trim their ends after ironing.  Rotary cutting is a good lesson all by itself.  That can be a future lesson if there are enough people who are serious about it. 

Great color combination, especially the shiny buttons.

A good group and a good class.  They seemed to have fun, became more familiar with their machines, and went home with a great finished project.  Woo hoo!!

Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful for these ladies who inspired me and participated in my first sewing class.  It is something that I have been wanting to do, but never quite got up the courage for until now.

Inaugural Participants!!

We used a room at the local library and had a great time.  We went over some fabric basics, learned to thread the machine, practiced sewing straight lines, and then made little tissue covers from Two Brown Birds. Lots of fun.

They want to meet again, so next time our plan is to make pillowcases.  More straight line sewing.

Thank you, ladies!

Don't forget to check out the June Giveaway.