Sewing Camp for Kids

I admit it.

I do not have the patience to teach my own kids to sew.

I wont even attempt it.

I'm afraid I'll get so frustrated that I'll scar them for life,

ruining any chances of ever getting them to

sit at a sewing machine

pick up a needle

or venture into a fabric store

EVER AGAIN.

So, even tho she has been bugging, begging and asking since she was 4 years old,

Kadence does not know how to sew.

or didn't, that is, until  last week...

Enter my wonderful friend, Tamara.

You my know her as my Fitting Goddess friend, she has many talents.

She teaches kids sewing camp over the summer, and of course I signed Kadence up for Camps I & II

She starts with the basics, as in how to turn on the machine, thread the machine, wind bobbins, etc,

and before you know it - Voila! - your little one is actually sewing!

and enjoying it!

For those of you who are brave patient enough, to try it with your kiddos, here was the basic curriculum.

For the rest of you, this is just me showing off Kadences newly acquired skills.

 First a trial run with no thread, just getting used to the feel of the foot pedal and sewing straight.

 (our machine did not like running thread-less, and the error message kept popping up to check thread and bobbin)

 Next they practiced pivoting and curves on some print outs

 How about some dot-to-dot pictures to keep it fun?

(even added thread now!)

I know you are thinking you could totally do this with your kiddos, right?

Once they've got the feel of the machine they add some layers. They sew the shape first (the sandwich is a layer of paper towels in between craft paper) then trim it with pinking shears
all the other girls made a mitten, Kadence choose a tree

Too cute!

How awesome would these be for Christmas tags/favors? Love it!!

 Now they move onto making their "soft shapes" - also  available in several shapes.

Here they were taught how to use their presser foot to space their stitching lines (like quilting)

Once again the quilt sandwich is cut out with pinking shears when done

The next project they work on is making a tote bag. A simple rectangle shape with one pocket on the front and 2 handles.

Kadence choose her own fabrics, can you tell?

Also, she was the only one to make fabric handles, everyone else choose webbing. (Brag!)

Check out her top stitching - this girl has got some mad skills for a 9 year old!

Last project of the week, 1 pair of shorts

I think this is a pretty ambitious project, with side seams, hems and an elastic casing, but all the girls pulled it off and they did everything themselves, from cutting the pattern to the hems.

 

and, one more shot of her amazingly straight stitching...

now, I admit, all of her stitching is not this perfect.

she is nine after all, and this is her first lesson!

But I am super proud of all she has done and how well she did it.

I'm also extremely relieved that she is walking away with not only the sewing skills, but an excitement and passion to use them.

I don't think we would have made it that far if I had tried to reach her myself,

and for that, I am

Eternally Grateful

to my friend!

Happy Fourth of July!

...remembering on this day that freedom isn't free...

Wishing you a wonderful Independence Day,

The Duran Clan

Christmas in July, ala Moda!

Okay, not quite July, but close enough, right?

One reason I love Summer?

Christmas fabrics!

This is the time of year most holiday fabrics are released -

giving you plenty of time to get those projects started and finished, right?

Well, maybe not always...

My favorite collection so far?

12 days of Christmas

by Kate Spain for Moda

I pre ordered these in May, and they were worth the wait.

Just look at all those blissful yards of yumminess!

I can't wait to start sewing up lots of little Christmas dresses, jackets, and all kinds of other boutique goodness!

I love fabric,

but I LOVE Moda fabrics the mostest!

Now I only need this print, and I'll be set!

for this collection at least...

I wonder how many others out there already are starting to pick up their holiday fabrics - and better yet, I wonder how many are starting their Christmas projects?!

I'm not that far!

Today is the First Day of the Rest of My Summer

This afternoon I took Slick to the airport. He's flying out for the summer.

Even though he's a big guy now, 15, I still had a hard time letting him go.

I had a hard time letting him pack.

That's a lie.

I didn't let him pack.

I did it for him.

Which really irritated him and ensued proclamations of
"I'm not a baby!

UGH!

Why won't you let me do this"

etc, etc...

To which I poured on the guilt

"Why can't you just let me do this for you?

can't I just mother you before you leave me for the whole summer

Can't you just let it go for me?

Come on, just make your mother happy"

I win.

I love my son tremendously...

he's a good kid...

and I will miss him...

But he is a teenager

and oh man, am I going to enjoy this summer!

Technically, Summer starts on the 21st, but for me it starts as soon as his plane lands safely in California. Happy Summer everyone!

Mama's Got a Brand New Bag

My local sewing guild had a day-long purse class not too long ago, and I'd like to share some of my thoughts:

• Surprise! The not so great looking fabrics can make the cutest bags
• No surprise, sewing in a group is fun, and if someone brings Krispy Kreme it's all the better
• Even if everyone is making the same project, no two bags will be anything alike
• It's okay to NOT follow the directions exactly as written, even in a "class"
• The girl sitting nearest the teacher is going to finish first
• The girl who finishes first is your best friend - she will help you finish next
• A steam press is pure awesomeness, and would make a great Christmas present (hint, hint)
• Age has nothing to do with skill level (see example below)

At the end of the day everyone did an awesome job and I would have gladly gone home with any of the bags that were made that day - but I have got to show you this picture!

This sweet chick was our youngest in attendance and she has some mad skillz!

She's freakin 11 years old.

She choose her own fabrics, and did all her own sewing.

(on a Viking that many women would kill for no less...)

Did I mention she's only 11 years old?!

I loved her purse, it was really fun, and had a funky bright yellow lining to boot.

I had the hardest time choosing my own fabrics.

Honestly, I wasn't even sure if I would even use the purse anyhow - I was really just attending for the camaraderie of it all.

I knew my handles would be a natural wood, so I wanted my fabric to have an organic feel to it. I choose a heavey woven for the outside and a cotton print for the lining and pockets.

When the class began I still wasn't real thrilled with my selections, (and whinned about it constantly)
but by the end of the day I was really diggin' it.
(it didn't hurt that everyone there kept telling me how fantabulous it turned out!)

It almost has a "straw" bag feel to it and it's perfect for summer.
(especially with a sun dress and a pair of strappy cork wedge sandals!)
I added a flower pin made mostly from the lining fabrics just to give it a little sumptin' extra,
and where everyone else either sewed the ends of the fabric handles together, or added a large ring,
I just finished the ends and tied the strap into a knot.
I think it turned out pretty cute, and I might actually use it after all!

Timing is Everything!

Why is it,

that when I finally have the

time

inspiration

motivation

and need

to sew

that my serger decides to crap out on me?

(again?)

Seriously.

A machine always seems to work perfectly when there's

no deadline

no desire

when the repair shop is open

when the repair man is not on vacation

when you are sewing something you don't really care about and no one will ever see it anyway

I've waged this battle before, but now my serger has a new trick up it's sleeve.

Timing.

as in, the timing is out.

It's causing skipped stitches and creating all kinds of havoc.

(well, I guess one of us gets to do some creating...)

I'm hoping I can get it in on Monday and get it back soon.

In the interim, I'm cutting (lots) and sewing what I can (not so much)

I'm not on a timeline

but, when I want to make something,

I want to make something!

Not make part of something and waste time waiting for my busted serger to cooperate.

Ugh,

timing is everything.