This Week’s Classes

March Serger Club

This month’s project is the E-shrug from Linda Lee’s Sewing Workshop. It is a downloadable pattern for $6 on her website. Quick to sew and a wardrobe staple.

Debbie used a melon colored knit from Treadle Yard Goods.

Serger Club meets this Thursday, March 20, at 10:30, Hancock Fabrics, Southtown.
Sign up on this website under Classes at Hancock above.

Bags For Kids Project

Several of you stopped by Hancock yesterday and picked up kits-thank you! We sewed a few together and realized that the directions were a bit confusing. The bottom line is a 24″ wide by 30″ tall bag with a drawstring at the top and a 12″ wide by 15″ tall pocket on the outside. Serged seams or french seams keeps it clean on the inside. If you use a 60″ wide fabric, the fold will be at the bottom and the selvages will be at the top so they can simply be turned over to the outside or inside and stitched down to form the drawstring casing. Very quick to put together. We can always add the drawstrings if you just want to sew the bags at home.
We will be at Hancock the next two Mondays if you’d like to come and sew. Finished bags can be dropped off at the First Sewing desk inside Hancock Fabrics at Southtown. Kits can also be picked up but please call us or email before you do so there will be a good supply for you. 952-201-3863 or materialgirlsewing@gmail.com

Basic and Beyond Serger at Treadle
We’ll be at Treadle tonight (6-8 pm) for a three part class to take you from threading your serger to whipping up a tee. Only two spots left…call Treadle to sign up 651-698-9690.

Sewing & Serging in Chanhassen
1:30-3:30 pm or 6-8 pm Chan Vacuum Center, Thursday, March 20
Make a bag, learn to serge, get fitting help, sew the E-shrug. You decide what you’d like to do.
Click on Classes at Chan Vac Center above to register for one of the classes.

Bags for Kids

Two years ago, Nicole Bailey,a Minnetonka senior, approached us about helping her with a project. It seems that when children in Carver County were taken from their homes by law enforcement they were given a garbage bag for their possessions. Nicole wanted to make drawstring bags that could be given to the children instead. We(you) helped out three years ago and we have been contacted by Carver County because their supply is almost gone.

We would like to help them out again and of course, we could use some help. We have fabric, notions and a pattern. If you could help by sewing or cutting or both, we’d love to see you at Southtown Hancock on any of the next three Mondays (March 17, 24, 31 from 10 am-8 pm). You can pick up fabric or a kit or stay and help cut and sew. We will have machines for you to use so you can just stop by or bring your favorite sewing tools with you. We’ll just have fun and do some good at the same time. Please send an email or call to let us know you are coming.

Here’s a link to the original story.

Here are the instructions in case you just want to make them at home and drop them off at Southtown Hancock. The bag should end up being about 24″ x 30″ with a drawstring top and pocket on the outside and made from a medium weight to home dec fabric.

BAGS FOR KIDS Instuctions rev1-122810

March Fashion Sewing Club Begins Today

We hope the thaw has warmed up your sewing machine and you are thinking of spring sewing. Just returning from Mexico means that you may see a few bare arms at Club this month.

Debbie and I will be at Treadle today, Tuesday, at 10:30 and then Southtown on Thursday, 10:30 and 6:30, and back to Treadle on Saturday at 10:30.

Here’s the March calendar and one more warm thought-

March Fashion Sewing Club Dates
Tuesday, March 11, 10:30 at Treadle Yard Goods
Thursday, March 13, 10:30 or 6:30 at First Sewing, Bloomington Hancock Fabrics
Saturday, March 15, 10:30 at Treadle Yard Goods

Classes

Treadle Yard Goods: 651-698-9690,www.treadleyardgoods.com
Basic Sergery and Beyond, Tuesday, March 18, 6:00-8:00 (part 1)
Tuesday, March 25, 6:00-8:00 (part 2)
Tuesday, April 1, 6:00-8:00 (part 3)

First Sewing, Bloomington Hancock Fabrics, 952-884-1938
*Please register with Material Girls website or call us at 952-201-3863
Sewing and Serging with the Material Girls
Monday, March 3, 10:00-12:00, 2:00-4:00, 6:00-8:00
Monday, March 17, 10:00-12:00, 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00
Thursday, March 13, 2:00-4:00
Serger Club, (E-Shrug) March 20, 10:30-12:30

Chanhassen Vacuum Center: 952-938-7838, http://www.chanvac.com
Sewing and Serging with the Material Girls, Thursday, March 20, 1:30-3:30
Thursday, March 27,1:00-3:00
Kids After School Sewing, Thursday, March 20, 4:30-6:00
Thursday, March 27, 4:30-6:00

Back in Portland after the second day at Puyallup 2014 and still no snow!!!

From Roving Reporter Kay Dole

My second day at the Puyallup Sewing Expo was as busy as the first! Although I didn’t spend as much money at the Marcy Tilton booth today as I did yesterday!

The four classes I attended today included one on monograms to use with my embroidery machine, a bag the jacket class with Connie Crawford, an industry insider class with Louise Cutting and an embellishing class by Barbara Crawford ( no relation to Connie). Lots of good ideas and practical information. I had a personal fitting with Connie Crawford which was a great experience as I have been focusing on fit with the last few things I have made. Very helpful.

But the highlight of the day for me was the fashion show by Linda Lee (right, above) of The Sewing Workshop and Louise Cutting (left, above) of Cutting Line Designs. Loved it, loved it, loved it. Their designs are so beautifully created with the home sewer in mind who wants to look great at any age and of any shape or size. (Patterns are listed at end of post in case you want to see how well you know the pattern lines-or you don’t know them well and would like to).

Louise has several new patterns and I don’t know about you, but I find that I don’t always visualize her designs well from the pattern pictures so seeing them made up is especially helpful. One of the other members of our group said the same thing so I don’t think it is just me. Her clothes were a mix of casual and more professional pieces using the same pattern but with changes in fabrics and colors. I am anxious to try “Snap to It” and “A New Angle“!

Linda’s newest pattern “Helix Tee” looks interesting to sew with only two main pieces. The pants in this pattern had a nice narrow leg which looked very flattering while not being too tight. She revisited several older patterns while updating her approach to them. Especially interesting was the Origami Skirt which I would not have considered until today. Take a look at these pictures and see what you think.

So all in all if you get a chance to come to Puyallup next year, do consider it. I am heading to the airport now to take the red eye flight home, tired and loaded down with 11 new pieces of fabric, 10 new patterns and a lot of sewing to do!!

(If you haven’t seen enough pictures yet-check out Marcy Tilton’s special Expo edition newsletter.)

Patterns shown above:
1-3-Louise Cutting, Dimension Jacket
4-Linda Lee, Alex Top
5-Linda Lee,Eureka Top, Plaza Pant
6-Louise, Anything but Ordinary Jacket, Artist in Motion Top, One seam Pant-Narrow
7-Linda, Sienna Shirt, Mix It Tank, E-dress Skirt
8-Linda,Opal Jacket, Mimosa Top, Plaza Pant
9-Louise, Fun With Fabric Top, One Seam Pant
10-Linda,Balboa Topper, Mix It Tank, Ikina Pants
11-Linda, Helix Tee and Pant
12-Linda, Trio Top Adaptation, Eureka Skirt
13-Linda, Helix Tee and Pant
(How did you do, Cheri and Kathy? :))

The fashions are great at the Puyallup Sewing Expo 2014 and best of all, there isn’t any snow!!

From Roving Reporter Kay Dole-

Joining a “Sew Many Options Tour” with Marsha McClintock for the sewing expo has turned out to be a good decision. Lee, from the Saturday Fashion Sewing Club, did this last year and recommended it. My day started with a two hour bus trip from Portland and a winning ticket for one of the door prizes on the way. Now if only my luck would hold out for one of those new sewing machines being given out at the expo…….

Classes, fashion shows and shopping filled the day. A leather sewing class by Peggy Sagers was filled with new information including that you can wash leather in the washing machine. Who knew?

The first fashion show I attended was narrated by Patti Palmer of Palmer/Pletsch fame and featured patterns from McCalls, Butterick and Vogue. Lots of dresses which seemed to fall into two major categories: form fitting sheaths or twirly full skirted dresses. Most were sleeveless which is not always the most flattering for those of us of a certain age. Trends were described as including either brightly colored solids or water colored or splashy prints. Dresses with interesting details were also featured. Check out these pictures and see what you think.

Also, the fashion show by Marcy and Katherine Tilton was delightful. Their choices are always interesting and include styles we can all wear while still including some edgy items only for the brave. See a few pictures from their show.

I did find a few pieces of fabric while shopping at their booth. Also, if any of you follow the blog “Communing with Fabric”, its author, Shams, was shopping while I was there and we picked two of the same fabrics. She has good taste!

I found some things at Linda Lee’s booth as well as a new pattern from Louise Cutting. Diane Erickson has some beautiful new upcycled items that are fun to see. She is so creative and is using Tee Juice markers to draw and embellish items. I had to buy some to try.

All for now as I have to rest up for tomorrow. They are predicting some snow, just can’t seem to get away from it.

Color Coded Needles

Schmetz has finally made it easier to read sizes on their needles-color coding! No more squinting with a magnifying glass in the best light I can find.

My search started when I saw a reference to the Schmetz app in several sewing magazines. I downloaded the free app and found all the info about needle types and the new color coding. Informative but not very interactive. You can click to identify your favorite needles but you can’t keep an inventory or make a list of needles you might want to buy. One more app I don’t need cluttering my phone.

Then I looked at Hancock and Joann to see if they were carrying the newly coded needles (the app said they would be phased in at the end of the year as inventories allowed). Both stores carry the needles but there is no guide to the color code on the packaging. That means if I want to identify the random homeless needle sitting near my machine, I have to match its color to a package of needles of the same color-if I have any.

So I went to the website and looked around till I found a pdf with the information. Here’s the link if you’d like to print it out for your own reference.

NOW I’m going to go delete the Schmetz app from my phone.

Happy sewing and just in case you want to come sew/serge with us in March, here is the calendar-

March Fashion Sewing Club Dates
Tuesday, March 11, 10:30 at Treadle Yard Goods
Thursday, March 13, 10:30 or 6:30 at First Sewing, Bloomington Hancock Fabrics
Saturday, March 15, 10:30 at Treadle Yard Goods

Classes

Treadle Yard Goods: 651-698-9690,www.treadleyardgoods.com
Sew It Fits Skirts, Tuesday, March 11, 2:00-4:00 (part 1)
Tuesday, March 18, 2:00-4:00 (part 2)
Basic Sergery and Beyond, Tuesday, March 18, 6:00-8:00 (part 1)
Tuesday, March 25, 6:00-8:00 (part 2)
Tuesday, April 1, 6:00-8:00 (part 3)

First Sewing, Bloomington Hancock Fabrics, 952-884-1938
*Please register with Material Girls website or call us at 952-201-3863
Sewing and Serging with the Material Girls
Monday, March 3, 10:00-12:00, 2:00-4:00, 6:00-8:00
Monday, March 17, 10:00-12:00, 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00
Thursday, March 13, 2:00-4:00
Serger Club, (E-Shrug) March 20, 10:30-12:30

Chanhassen Vacuum Center: 952-938-7838, http://www.chanvac.com
Sewing and Serging with the Material Girls, Thursday, March 20, 1:30-3:30
Thursday, March 27,1:00-3:00
Kids After School Sewing, Thursday, March 20, 4:30-6:00
Thursday, March 27, 4:30-6:00

Highlights of February Fashion Sewing Club

Club sheets and garment photos have been posted but I thought I might give a more conversational overview-for more detail, you can go to the original sheets (click on Club Sheets heading above).

Debbie started out with a new KwikSew dress pattern (4026)

but cowls can be finicky. She didn’t like the look and I remembered a Threads article on making a cowl from a regular neckline-you just make slits from the neck toward center bust and open the slits. I suggested she just sew the “slits” together as pleats-kind of like Katherine Tilton’s new blouse (Butterick 6026).

Debbie used New Look 0180 as a guide.

The dress looks great-as Debbie said, “Lemons to lemonade”. Fabric is from Treadle Yard Goods.

My favorite this month was a combination of MCCalls 6884 and 6513.

I started with the wrap dress (6884)

and eliminated the vertical hem on the outer skirt by sewing it into the seam. Another essential change is to serge 1/4″ elastic in the the narrow hem on neck edge. This holds the neckline together and feels very secure.

I wanted a little more “noise” around my face so I compared McCalls 6513 to the dress pattern. The armhole was lower in 6513 and I really liked the fit of 6884 so I just copied the shirred neck and facing (all one piece) from 6513 and added it to 6884. Worked pretty much like a charm. The other great part about this wrap is that nothing shows when you bend forward!

I also had to give Burda 6990 a try.

Debbie made the funnel neck last month and I tried the big cowl-View E. It meant finding a 3 yd. piece of fabric in my stash but it was worth it! The fabric is a soft cotton knit and the cowl is big enough to stretch over my shoulders (like I see in the magazines :)) The cowl is sewn to a broad boat neck so no low neckline.

Check out more info on the Club Sheets or contact us if you have questions.

And thanks to all of you that attended and brought show and tell. Sew inspirational!!

Last of the February Bag

I must confess I’ve had a bit too much fun with this bag. We’ve had great feedback from it so that helps. I had to try a smaller version/different fabric which is the size of the purchased pattern (11″ x 11″ x 3″) and then one more large bag in a third fabric.

I like the smaller size for more of a “purse”. The blue fabric was thinner but still has good body and was easy to work with. The black and white webbing is fun-a bit wider but there isn’t much variety out there in a webbing that can accommodate the cording folded inside-which isn’t mandatory for the bag, just one way to do it.

The gray fabric of the larger bag is nice but turned out to be too thick to get under the serger. It has more of a sponge feel on the inside so it needed to be lined on the bottom (whereas I didn’t do that on the others that had a nicer wrong side).

The red faux leather fabric (see previous post) is sold out at the Southtown Hancock (I’d like to think that’s because of the Material Girls and their clientele ;)) but the black and white webbing, blue fabric, gray fabric and chevron lining is all available at Hancock. Can’t wait to reveal the March Bag of the Month!

Tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 20) we will be at Hancock Southtown for Serger Club at 10:30 (McCalls 6844 cardi) and a 1:30 Sewing and Serging Class (at which you, too, could make a bag or whatever you please). Sign up through the website or email us.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I bought this stretch-sort of lace at Hancock with the intent to make a negligee for each of my daughters/in-laws. Had to do it today but only got two out of the fabric after a miscalculated cut.
Used this Kwiksew pattern

Bonus was the stretch lace that I bought in Salt Lake City and it matched perfectly!

Bagging It Update

We’ve had great feedback on the red bag and the great news is that Hancock still has the red faux leather PLUS a very dark brown and a more caramel brown color.

While browsing at Treadle on Tuesday, we found this fun, fun cotton that would be great for a lining.

And there are some webbings…

We can put together kits if you can’t join us at Southtown or would like some of the fabric from Treadle (I bought some 🙂
We already have two people making bags today at Southtown Hancock from 2-4 pm and our last February meeting of Fashion Sewing Club is also at Hancock today at 10:30 and 6:30. You could get inspired to sew clothes, make a bag and run errands or share a meal with someone TODAY!!

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